Almost four years ago, I started a blog and had no idea what I was going to get out of it. I wrote, but no one really read. Then, later, people did read, and there were times when I would question myself. Do people care? Is it appropriate for one to put so much of their life on the internet? Is it worth reading? Is this a waste of time, a hobby, or something much more?

But then you meet three girls who also blog and take pictures of everything and want something much, much more out of life. You meet them and keep in touch for six months and then it's June and you're all sitting on your back porch together, laughing until you cry, and suddenly you realize that these are some of your very best friends.

It is definitely something much more.

A picture is worth a thousand words, right? Here are fourteen.

Jenna, Whitney, me, and Melissa

I have to really thank my mom and dad from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to invite into their home three people who, six months ago, were strangers; for keeping us full of delicious food and margaritas and wine; for gassing up the boat and taking us for a spin; and for generally being the thoroughly generous people whom I love so much.

And then there's my brother, who made creme brulee from scratch and drove us around and catered to our every whim. You are a wonderful brother and I love you, Sean. 

My heart feels so full and I am now not just missing a tall man in China, but three girls miles north of me, as well.

[The taste of summer: a spinach and berry salad, taken May 2012.]

My lovely friends Jenna, Melissa, and Whitney are just an hour away, and when they get here, we are going to have this amazing weekend that we have been planning for months! We'll be at the lake until Sunday, and then we're swinging by Para in Charlottesville for some of those pistachio milk lattes that I can't stop talking about on our way to Blogger Blitz DC!

Lots of cocktails, good food, pool and lake time are on the itinerary, as well as a tour around all my favorite Roanoke spots. I feel like they're all some college boyfriend coming to meet my family for the first time--I'm so excited to introduce them to everyone and show them around!

Talk to you later! Anyone else going to be at Blogger Blitz on Sunday?

Charlottesville hasn't really felt like home yet. It's where we live, and we've been here for eight months, but I still refer to my parents' house at the lake as "home." Rob and I go away a lot on the weekends. But this weekend, we stayed put.

We hung out with friends both old and new. We sat outside for afternoon drinks. I ended up with a fever on Saturday, and spent most of the evening in bed. We had Chinese takeout delivered, we ate in bed, we went out for a very non-Paleo milkshake that my sore throat and I just had to have. And when I woke up on Sunday morning, I made coffee, picked some flowers for myself from a bush in our little yard, and sat down at my computer to work, really feeling like I was at home.

Sweet Deidre. We have brunch together every Friday.

And Anita. Fellow barista and member of the Friday Brunch Club. 

Hangar Hound for me: vodka and a fresh squeezed grapefruit. 

Moonshine Punch for the girls. Don't ask me what's in it, all I know is that it comes in a jar with blood oranges. 

Stephen (left) was in town for the weekend. Rob has a strange shadow on his face. 

Steamed veggies and chicken with garlic sauce for one pitiful girl. 

I can't wait for this bush to fully bloom. 

Earrings c/o Found by Marie. 

Blackberry Italian Soda on a Sunday afternoon. 

My dear friend Patrick (who just got into grad school!!), looking dapper as always.

Charlottesville is a temporary home for me and Rob, but I think it's been pretty good to us so far.