The91Rewind

Bake Yourself Happy

August 2, 2018October 12, 2022 @happedancing

A simple biscuit recipe is a thing to treasure. Maybe it’s because I’ve grown up mostly in the southeast, but biscuits are just one of my favorite things. They are little pillows of happiness upon which you can create a masterpiece. Or if you want to keep it simple, you can just enjoy them au naturel. Biscuits are synonymous with lazy weekend mornings and Sunday dinners with family. Here in the old North State, there are entire restaurants, like Rise and Flying Biscuit devoted to the humble biscuit. But if you’re not feeling like making a whole adventure out of it, I’ve found an A+ biscuit recipe that you probably have the ingredients for right now in your fridge…go ahead, bake yourself happy.

Ingredients:
2 cups whole wheat flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) cold butter
1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or milk of choice)

You can find the full details of the recipe here, but the gist of it is quite simple. Mix up the dry ingredients, cut the butter into small pieces and sprinkle in. Combine the dry ingredients and butter, and stir until it is like coarse breadcrumbs. Then add the milk in small amounts and continue to stir, finally kneading at the end 8-10 times. You can drop or roll and cut these biscuits before baking them at 450 for about 8-10 minutes (depending on the size of your biscuits).

I took the time to roll these out mostly because…

I wanted to snap an Instagram photo, but I was glad I took the time. I was skeptical I’d mixed it enough, but by the time I turned it out onto the countertop and rolled it a couple times, it was perfect. The biscuits ended up with a really nice even texture, and they were all the same size.

One thing I was really delighted to see with these little biscuits was that, even though I used whole wheat flour that was pretty coarsely ground. I was careful not to overmix, and they were tender and flaky without being dry. A dry biscuit is one of the more offensive things in life, at least to my palette. I had my doubts about using whole wheat flour, but these impressed me. So much so, that I will insist on baking these up next time I have brunch with the fam.

The simplicity of this recipe was the big selling point for me.

I’m not going to lie, I had pretty major munchies when I decided to make these things. So when they finally came out of the oven, I was ready to sample them in a variety of ways. I tried one with strawberry jam and butter, one with Havarti cheese, and then one plain (because it wouldn’t fit in the container…) They were all delicious! This leads me to believe it would be very easy to jazz these up with some fun additions; shredded cheese and chives, or garlic and fresh herbs, maybe some cinnamon sugar for a sweet treat.

I will definitely make these again.

Don’t let all this talk of low carb living and eating clean fool you.
Sometimes, you just need a fluffy pillow of happiness upon which to create a masterpiece. So whether you like your biscuits piled high with breakfast sandwich fixin’s, sopping up sauces, or dolloped with delicious shmears, give this recipe a try! Remember, it only takes a few ingredients and a little hard work to bake yourself happy.

How did you get here

How Did You Get Here: Carrie Grace

July 30, 2018October 12, 2022 Crystal Varner Parker

We have a new story of transformation, empowerment and moxie today as we continue our How Did You Get Here Series. Today, we’d like to introduce you to Carrie Grace. Some of you may follow her on Instagram, and if you’re not following her we recommend it. She is a ray of sunshine in the a sea of selfies and negativity. Perhaps you were lucky enough to have received or have been gifted her Kindness Box. These are no longer available for sale, BUT she does have something new on the horizon. Carrie is a former teacher turned motivational speaker, who is on a mission to inspire others to spread joy and kindness, in hopes of people making the world better than they found it. She believes that no act of kindness is too small or ever wasted. She currently travels the country to inspire others and has she’s been featured on major media including USA Today, Huffington Post, His Radio, and many more. Carrie stays busy encouraging us all to push through our fear of rejection, but we are most thankful she made time for us this week.

Make people feel golden. 💛

What is the most rewarding thing about your venture?

To be honest, it’s the people. I’ve had the chance to interact with so many different people, and to hear their stores…lots of different people. I love the storytelling aspect of this, hearing what others have to share. It’s always been about the people.

How and why did you start your journey?

I am not someone who thought I would have a career as motivation speaking or who particularly enjoyed public speaking. My journey into this career began when I was invited to speak at my friend Lara Casey’s Making Things Happen Conference in 2014. If I’m honest about this, I hated it. Not the conference, but the speaking part. I loved being the one welcoming the attendees. Forming relationships with those attending was the best for me, but one day, Lara said that I needed to be a speaker. She said I had something to share and I had to get comfortable being the one speaking. It was after this experience that I realized I had to have a mindset shift about making speaking a career. After having opportunities speaking, I had people telling me that I could make a career doing this, but at first it wasn’t profitable. Initially, I was bartering and trading things for my time speaking. BUT trading things doesn’t pay the bills! I had others encourage me to find people with a budget to pay me to be their speaker. It was after this that I began reaching out to various groups and businesses to be the speaker for their events and training programs.

"So grateful for the new friends made these past few days at #mthconference. Truly life changing. Thank you!" – @jodiemore We know for a fact that the people you meet and the friends you make at the #MTHConference are life-changing, and we absolutely love hearing stories about the genuine friendships that have stemmed from the Making Things Happen Conference! Deep, authentic friendships can change lives and businesses, and we're so encouraged by the relationships that begin here! Will you be joining us? Just a few days left to take advantage of our Early-Bird Rate! Take nearly 50% off your ticket to MTH at the link in our profile.

What was the most challenging part?

I’m thinking it’s finding the right events. Being my own marketer. Keeping up with the travel. Right now it’s been in the United States, but it’s expanding to Canada later this year.

What have you learned?

Everything. I went from products to service, and it’s a totally different world. Figuring it all out. I’ve made some mistakes along the way. I’ve had some speaking engagements where afterwards you say, “hmmm, that wasn’t my best.” There’s always a learning curve.. It’s can be scary. There are days that I want to quit, but it all comes back to the people. You get to have an impact telling a story and people continually find a point they can relate to and grow.

What advice would you give someone else on this path?

If you don’t have a risk-taking in your blood, it’s very hard to do. You have to be good at rejection. That’s why I speak on rejection. It’s not about who you know, it’s more about your willingness to know someone. Are you willing to send that email? Are you willing to pick up that phone? My mind is wired that way, maybe to a fault. I know that not everyone is like that, as we tend to think we can’t do it.

How has it changed you?

This is not what I expected my life would look like. For me, it’s what I’m proving to myself. In the beginning, I gave a commencement speech in front of a thousand people with a cap and gown on. Once I did that, I think it made it easier to be honest when I’m speaking. I went real big, real fast. Never in my life have I been in front of that many people. There’s nothing that can prepare you for that, but it’s probably one of my top ten favorite moments. I can sit here and say, “Gosh, I did that.” Even if it wasn’t my best or if you could tell l I was nervous, I can say that I did it. Not only did I do it, but I got up there, I didn’t run, I didn’t throw up, I didn’t trip. I can do hard things.

What has surprised you the most?

Honestly, I’m surprised that people have a lack of faith in humanity. I’m amazed that people have such low expectations. The world isn’t great right now, I get that, so their view is skewed that the world is out to get them.

Community makes your burdens lighter and your triumphs feel more celebrated. I got a ton of DMs when I shared about hosting people in my house every month. I moved a city over and further away from my friend group. I remember crying a ton last November because I felt so isolated. Don't we all at some point?! So, instead of feeling sorry for myself, I took an action step. I posted in a few local fb groups and asked if people wanted to meet monthly at my house to discuss business and life. There were no requirements and no one got turned away. It is a come as you are group, and surprisingly a lot of people felt the same as me. So now every month 35+ women come to my house. We laugh, we cry, and we cheer each other on fiercely! So if you are feeling alone or isolated, be the invitation. Buy flowers for someone who needs a pick me upper. Text people and check in. And love people with all you got because we need each other.

Anything else you’d like to share?

Don’t give up until you have heard one hundred ‘no’s’. That’s really hard. Don’t stop going after things until you’ve got a hundred, then take a break. Sometimes after two no’s we’ll give up, go sit in the corner, and cry.

I always tell people there are two kinds of people in the world. One is the person who only sees the finish line. The other is the one who only sees the obstacles in the way of the finish line. If you cannot train your brain to see just the finish line, you will stop at the second obstacle you encounter. There will always be obstacles. You won’t make it to the finish line if you don’t have the stamina to keep going up hill…If you cannot keep your eyes on the finish line, you might still get there, but it’s going to be a much harder thing. Sometimes you have to take a detour to get to the finish line. People tend to focus so hard on being in the race, that their eyes aren’t on the finish line, so the second their eyes come off the second it becomes really hard.

You start small. I’m a runner, and run about 90 miles a month. 3 miles a day isn’t hard, because if you do something everyday, it adds up.If you send 3 emails a day, you’ll send 90 by the end of the month. Out of those 90, someone is probably going to say yes. AND you haven’t even hit 100. We like to think it’s all or nothing, but I like to look for opportunities of all kinds.

Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with us Carrie.

If you’re interested in learning more about her, you should check out her website, follow her on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter), and/or subscribe to her newsletter. If you’re looking for a speaker for your business or school, consider bringing Carrie in to talk about empathy. Did you know that empathy is one of the most important skills we can learn? Empathy teaches us to cherish our humanity and value one another. We develop better relationships through empathy, not just with our family and friends, but with our co-workers and everyone with whom we come in contact. If we can be more empathetic, we can have better customer service, better work relationships, and stronger leaders. Sounds like a win right?

blog pinterest - HDYGH Carrie Grace (1).png

pause + rewind + try again

Is This Really Happening?

July 19, 2018April 14, 2023 Crystal Varner Parker

I’m not sure how we got to the point in our country where terrible things are considered acceptable, but I cannot sit back and watch anymore. Some of us may choose to turn off the news, silence the radio, and pretend that all the terrible things aren’t happening. I’ve tried it, but you cannot really escape the fact that children have been ripped from their parents arms, neo-Nazis and neo-Confederates are up for election, and blatant racism is considered acceptable. I’m left wondering almost daily, “is this really happening?”

The sad truth is…

All of this is happening and so much more. I could list all that’s wrong, but honestly that’s only going to make us feel more depressed as we’re acutely aware of what’s going on.

So what are we supposed to do?

We need to speak up and stand up when we see something that’s wrong. The thing that pushes us into action may be different for each of us, but we all reach a point where we have to…

If you’re upset about what your elected officials (congress, senate, you name it) are doing…say something to them. It’s your right and responsibility. Call them! Email them! Don’t stop until they listen. If they never listen and ignore their constituents, vote them out of office. Let’s not forget midterm elections are just around the corner. If you’re not sure whom to contact, start here:

https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials

This page will help you find contact information for your local elected officials so you can start a conversation.

Most of all…

Don’t sit idly by and do nothing. There is always something you can do…so go DO it!

Together, we can work to make this world better. The good guys usually win, it just takes time and hardwork. I’m pressing pause on my complacency, rewinding my silence , and trying again to have the courage to speak up for what I believe in. I’m up for the challenge are you?

food + drink, just for fun

Out & About in Raleigh: Mother/Daughter Date Night

July 12, 2018October 12, 2022 @happedancing

A few weeks back my mother celebrated her birthday, and as Sur La Table…Mother/Daughter Date Night.usual I was having trouble deciding on the perfect gift. I have had this day on my calendar every year for many years now, but every year it’s a scramble to decide what to get. It’s not that she is difficult to buy for, it’s that she never really wants anything. This year, I wanted to do something different. After much investigation and deliberation, I finally decided on a cooking class at

This was something neither one of us had done before…

so at the very I know I’m a damn good cook. We both love to remix recipes on the fly because those are just suggestions anyhow! This venture would likely be a challenge because we had to follow instructions.

least we would share a new experience. The funny thing about this gift idea is that both my mother and I can throw down in the kitchen. She has taught me everything I know, and

We arrived at Sur La Table for our class a little early…

and the staff kindly lets us know it would begin promptly at 7 pm. They also shared we were welcome to shop the store or go next door to purchase “beverages” to enjoy during our class. What? Cooking class is BYOB? This was a game changer! The menu theme was “Everyday Mediterranean” which to me, sounded like a misnomer. In my experience, this type of cuisine required a lot of TLC, so I was intrigued at how anyone could make it every day. The spread included a variety of clean, plant forward dishes that reflected seasonal produce. They even had a little warning that some ingredients may be swapped out depending on what was available. For a locavore like myself, this was great news!

When it was time to begin, Chef Rebecca, our instructor for the evening, ushered us into the kitchen

as her assistants handed out aprons and showed us to our cooking stations. There was a bounty of beautiful ingredients for our meal of baked snapper with harissa, chilled chard and noodle salad with salsa verde, and blistered green beans with tahini sauce. The meal still sounded pretty fancy for weeknight and I was skeptical we would get everything completed in time.

Chef Rebecca opened the lesson with the best 2-minute cooking basics tutorial I’ve ever heard. Just as casually as you’re reading this, Chef explained how to safely hold a knife; chop, dice, and mince; as well as walking us through the primary cooking utensils and equipment we’d be using. Even though I cook all the time, this little how-to was still a nice refresher. We teamed up with our neighbors; another mother and daughter enjoying an evening out and went about cooking our first recipe.

The thing that was so nice about this lesson was working in teams.

Everyone chose a different task or two to help complete each dish. We were able to divide and conquer without feeling overwhelmed. We still needed to communicate about timing, amounts of ingredients, and order of operations, so this encouraged conversation between everyone in the group. We were all working together and chatting having a great time. A little less than an hour later we’d mixed up the salsa verde, prepped the cold noodle salad, and had our fish ready for the oven.

At this point, Chef told us we’d be taking a short break

to allow the assistants time to clean up a little and get our fish in the oven. Wow, this was definitely worth the money. FYI-cooking is super duper WAY MORE fun when you don’t have to shop or clean 🙂

We went wandering aimlessly through the store as the kitchen was magically tidied up. The place is full of stuff you didn’t even know existed yet would instantly make your life easier. Giving you a few minutes to look around after you’ve been playing with all the gadgets in your cooking class is a pretty great way to make sure people buy something.

After some time we were herded back to the kitchen to finish our dishes.

To my surprise, the handful of steps needed to complete our green bean dish actually taught me something new. I make blistered green beans all the time in the oven, but I never parboil them. I just throw them on in after rinsing and trimming. Chef suggested that parboiling the green beans first would ensure maximum caramelization and even cooking. Ah-ha!

Once the beans were appropriately blistered, we assembled our plates with the fish, the green beans, and the chilled salad. The salsa verde had been quietly melding in a ramekin since the beginning of the lesson, but as we spooned it down over the chilled salad, I knew it was going to be the star of the evening. As the time came to dig into our “Everyday Mediterranean” dishes I could hardly contain myself. They were really delicious, AND the fact that we didn’t have to clean up made the whole experience that much more enjoyable.

My absolute favorite recipe of the evening was the chilled noodle salad with salsa verde , which is just a genius raw sauce to have in your cooking arsenal. Salsa verde is a mix of vinegar, oil, citrus, and fresh herbs…you could add in any other fragrant tidbits like capers or shallots you have on hand. It’s perfect for fish, veggies, grilled naan, or roasted potatoes (I’ve actually made it three times since I went to the cooking class because it’s THAT good).

Simple but effective.

That was really the theme of the whole evening. Simple techniques, flavorful ingredients, and an effective recipe that turned out what I can only call a “weeknight masterpiece”. Sur La Table gave mom and I an opportunity to enjoy creating a meal together while making new friends and learn a few new cooking techniques. The recipes were delicious, but more than that, they were practical and approachable.

The instructor, Chef Rebecca had an inclusive teaching style that allowed each participant to embody their own level of experience. She gave general directions, but offered one-on-one assistance if you had additional questions. If you’re new to cooking, this class will provide a chance to learn in a welcoming and playful environment. If you have some experience, you can really put it to the test! If you’re looking for a delightfully low maintenance culinary adventure, sign up for a cooking class at Sur La Table. You and your best gal / mom / partner / neighbor / WHOMEVER will have an excellent time

How did you get here

How Did You Get Here: Kelli Lemon

June 29, 2018October 12, 2022 Crystal Varner Parker

We are beginning a new series here on The91Rewind. We are bringing you stories of transformation, empowerment, and moxie. Today we have the opportunity share the story of Kelli Lemon, whom you may know as likethefruit on Instagram. This woman wears MANY hats and has exciting things on the horizon! You can find her around Richmond, VA interviewing folks for Coffee With Strangers RVA, hosting events, and soon you’ll catch her at the Urban Hang Suite. (If you don’t know Kelli yet, we are delighted to introduce her to you today.)

1. So we know that you’re involved with the podcast and co-founded Richmond Black Restaurant week, but is that all?

That’s not all, but the funny thing is none of this was ever part of the plan. I did one thing, and suddenly someone saw me and called me to do more stuff. Great example is that I’m the weekend “on air” personality for Radio One Richmond (iPower 91.2 and KISS), but this kinda just happened. I was working at VCU and doing sideline broadcasting for basketball. One day Jeff Anderson tracked me down through the VCU directory to talk to me about being on the radio. Nine years later and here I am STILL. Now because of this, (and some other things), I get asked to host events all over. I make sure that I only agree to host at events that I would actually attend (Event for 20-somethings? Nope, I don’t know what a 21 year old wants.).

The podcast happened because I serve on the board for the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club. We do a lot of events to get the kids connected, and one of the guys on the board, Matt Pochily (producer of the podcast), said he seen a show I did on NBC12 called RVA Grooves. I think we can do something with that like a podcast. We started talking about what this would look like, and I said, “So you want me to just have coffee with strangers?” Then we had a name, and the rest is history.

Wow. I remember calling @ryank_letsmotivate and saying…."Yo.. We're doing this podcast thing for fun and I NEED you to be our first guest!" He didn't hesitate. Thanks Ryan for kick starting something that has become SO RICHMOND! *Fun fact – Ryan has on a Biggie shirt cause we taped this on March 9th 🙌🏽 Happy 3rd anniversary @mattpooch @mcqueen_of_hearts @candidcompositions #CoffeeWithStrangers #Repost @rvastranger You guys!!! 3 years! 3 years ago today we dropped episode 1 of #CWSRVA with Ryan Kopacsi and this week's episode with @amyblacktattoos was number 96! Thank y'all for the amazing support! HUGE shoutout to @feathermurden, @murden & @popsongrace for believing in us and letting us drink their coffee! So…. WHO SHOULD BE THE 100TH STRANGER?

2. So let’s get this straight, you’re on the radio, doing the podcast, co-running Richmond Black Restaurant Week, doing events, and opening the Urban Hang Suite. Is that it?

Well when you say it like that, it does sound like a lot. Everything I’m doing is with other people, except The Urban Hang Suite. I co-founded Richmond Black Restaurant week with Shamika Bellwood and Amy Wentz. Coffee Strangers is with Matt Pochilly. The events around town are DJ Lonnie B and I together, but some are ones he’s created and some we’ve been asked to do together. Like the Art of Noise is something he created, but we always do it together. We have other events like hip hop bingo that we’ve come with by asking ourselves, “What is our age group missing?” and then we do it. Then there’s Urban Hang Suite which will open later this year, and that’s the one that is all mine.

3. You’re doing lots of great things around Richmond! What is the most rewarding thing about your venture?

It’s definitely helping people.

Helping people find their happy, their greatness, or what it is they want to do. The word I keep hearing from people is that….

Transparency is a big part of this. People expect you to be happy all the time, but I’m not and I try to be honest about it. I’m honest and open about suffering from depression. It’s challenging. You smile through it. You know that this too shall pass. Thankfully I have a great support system: my therapist, my friends, my village. They are there to pick me up. People like to say I have the luckiest job in the world and that I get to do the cool stuff. But they brush off the fact that I’m working, even if it’s a fun event. They get to come, have fun, and go home early; but I’m there after they’re gone, often until 1:00 AM. All that to say, it is work, but it’s not completely work when I love what I do.

3. Authenticity is important to us on The91Rewind and you seem to be living that out. What would you say has been the most challenging part of your journey?

I try to tell the real story, Good and bad, and not hide anything. But because I’m media and very much seen, I sometimes I have to bite my tongue when I don’t want to. What I have learned from a business standpoint, is that I won’t agree to do things I don’t believe in. But media, they just want you to get the information out there; they don’t want your opinion. When something is dead ass wrong I just want to say it, but I have to hold that back. If people are saying something that is wrong, you want to speak up. Thankfully I have a village that I send stuff to to get their feedback or support to determine how to respond.

HEY YOU!!! Do me a favor…. Piss a lot of people off with your DOPENESS today! Okay!!!! #MoodForLife SN: Shout out to @styleweekly for featuring me along with some other #DopeAndDifferent #RVA women as Social Media Influencers! #WCW on stand now! AND.. Tickets for the #MLK #AONRVA go on sale Friday and Y'all know that's my 42nd B Day Weekend! Check out my IG stories for more info! #KelliLemon #LiveRICHmond 📸 @mcqueen_of_hearts #IWontDieWithMyDreams

4. What has surprised you the most?

The need for these things. We never would have started Richmond Black Restaurant Week if it wasn’t needed. I never would have created any of these unique opportunities for my age group if they were not needed.

Coffee with Strangers is our social outlet, but it’s also a chance to be nosy and see what people are doing. It’s still needed because people have said they’ve moved to Richmond because of it. They’ve said they can see themselves reflected in the lives of the strangers. There are cities more advanced than us, but people are choosing RVA!

The other surprising part is how people feel about me. People really feel like they know me. It’s scary sometimes. They hold me at a high level, but I’m just Kelli. People will use the term local celebrity, but I hate it, I’m just a local that happens to know a lot of people.

5. Take us back to the moment you decided to embark on this journey. Let’s focus on your baby, The Urban Hang Suite. Why did you start this?

It’s funny you ask this, because I was just thinking about this. It started when I was sitting in Mama J’s…

I had left my job at VCU to go work there. People thought I was crazy to leave a good paying state job, but I knew I wanted to be in the hospitality business. I love the entertaining part of it. When I was burnt out from the restaurant part of things, I knew I wanted to do something that would stimulate the social part of me. People would come into Mama J’s and sit for hours because they have no other place to go. People will call and want to know where I am or where I was going because they just wanted to kick back. In the midst of that, Coffee with Strangers was really picking up, and I was beginning to appreciate coffee. I was also seeing what the coffee shop environment can bring people together. Then I started looking at the things I had done in previous jobs and what I loved about them. Four things stuck out: I am socially connecting people through food, sports, arts, and educations. These are the things I’m good at and getting the conversations to happen so people will talk. I needed to create a place where people can connect.

The premise of The Urban Hang Suite is that I wanted a place where people could catch this “grab and go” vibe. If you only have 20 minutes but you want to see what’s going on, come in, and then go. If you have time to chill, come sit down in the back and hang out. The front of the space will be like a Starbucks on steroids, and the back of the space will have music, sports, games,

The place is for the creatives, the introverts that want to be near people but still have a corner to be safe. There will be some structure with planned events, but I want most of it to be organic. Selling culture in a cup: coffee + connections + culture. These are my main three focuses. We are setting this vibe where people didn’t think it could happen, but everyone is welcome. For example, special needs that are hanging out nearby, blue collar worker who takes the bus to work for an hour each day, the politician, educator, lawyer or person needing a space to hangout, all commingling. This spot is for everyone and THAT is something I gotta make sure I feel and see. This area is changing, and I want to see us create a downtown city culture that gives you a place to sneak into.

Late nights and early mornings on Broad. #CountdowntotheUHS @urbanhangsuiterva #KelliLemon #LiveRICHmond #DopeAndDifferent 📷 @iamraymondhawkes

We are excited to come hang out at The Urban Hang Suite. When can we come get a little culture-in-a-cup?

My goal is to be open by 8.04.2018 because that is RVA day. This will be a soft opening, and we hope to be open for real in September. The Urban Hang Suite is a Virginia place. I hope that 80% of everything purchased or sold in The Urban Hang Suite will be from Virginia. I’m trying my hardest to be loyal to local. Local artists will do the art in the space and we’ll be open for first Fridays. I’m looking forward to seeing the connections people make here.

Cheers Humans! Y'all rock the shit out of this week!!!! It's definitely gonna be a DOPE one!! #KelliLemon #CoffeeWithStrangers #VirginiaisforLovers 📸 @mcqueen_of_hearts

Thank you for allowing us to interview you Kelli!

We hope you enjoyed getting know this awesome Richmonder. If you are fortunate enough to already know her, we hope you learned something new. Either way, we hope you’ll checkout The Urban Hang Suite when it opens. Iin the meantime give it a follow on instagram so you can keep up with the progress (the counter and back-splash are awesome)!

just for fun

The Depth of My Love

June 21, 2018October 12, 2022 Crystal Varner Parker

Music has long been an important part of my life. It’s hard to pinpoint when the love first hit, but there are two moments that stick out most…I was about five years old when my grandfather gave me this itty bitty AM/FM radio. As a child, I thought I was hot stuff having my own radio! My station of choice? WCVE 88.9 when they were playing classical music.This is not what most kids would want to listen to, but I LOVED it. A couple of years later during my elementary music class, some musicians from our local symphony came to talk to us about different types of instruments. It was that day that I fell head over heels in love with the violin. I came home and told my parents that I desperately wanted to play it, but I don’t think they quite understood the depth of my love.

In time, my desire to play the violin became a reality.

When middle school electives were to be chosen, please believe that orchestra was my first choice. While other students look forward to the new found freedom of middle school, I was most excited to FINALLY get my hands on a violin. Instruments are expensive, but thankfully the school had a violin available for me to borrow. Over the next few years, I would spend countless hours in class and in my free time learning to master the violin. When things were too easy in our orchestra class, I would fill my time with learning a new instrument. First, it was the viola and then the cello, but none of these could take the place of my one true love.

As I grew older, I hoped I could pass this love of music onto my children…

I wasn’t quite sure how I was going to do it, but I was determined nonetheless. Lucky for me, our local Richmond Symphony helped make this easy. They have a LolliPops series just for kids (and kids at heart) to introduce them to the wonders of the symphony. Each performance is prefaced with an instrument “petting zoo”, activities for the kids, and some general fun for all who attend. I’ve had the privilege of going three times with my oldest (VHP), and she LOVES it. After our last visit to LolliPops, she said the words I had been longing to hear: “Mommy I want to learn to play music too.” I am crying a little bit just writing these words.

So she wants to learn to play an instrument.

As her music-loving mama, who am I to say no? Fortunately, we found the opportunity to try out some music lessons online through Care2Rock. This seemed like a swell option, as we could try things from the comfort of home without scrambling to be somewhere else with squirmy little sister in tow. Before we could book a lesson, however we needed to settle on which instrument to play.

Whatever will she choose?

When talk of instruments came up, VHP would mention the piano, violin, cello, and trumpet; but none of these options seemed to really excite her. We took a trip to the music store because sometimes it’s better to just get your hands on some instruments to see what you like. There, we learned kids her age (she’s only four) typically begin with the piano, violin, or flute.

After our visit, VHP thought and thought about what she wanted to do. After several days of deliberating, she declared she wanted to play the piano. Not only did she want to play the piano, but she REALLY REALLY wanted to play the piano. So off to facebook I went to get piano recommendations from friends. One friend had all the details on keyboards (if decided to go that route), one had a piano we could have, and another had a keyboard we could borrow. BOOM! Everything was falling into place.

The time has arrived for highly anticipated piano lessons

through Care2Rock. They are done online, but they are interactive. Using a computer with a web-ready camera, much like you would have a Skype call, my daughter will learn to play or sing or read music from the comfort of home. (For a parent, this is AWESOME! No traffic, no childcare arrangements, no stress!) Like most music teachers, many Care2Rock instructors are skilled in teaching multiple instruments (violin, piano, guitar, drums, and many more). We opted for a teacher who was able to teach a few of the instruments that VHP had expressed an initial interest in learning.

How are the lessons going?

My daughter told me it was good and that she liked. In typical kid fashion she hasn’t elaborated much, but being a mom I pressed to know more. She mentioned that she liked her teacher which was a good sign! I asked if there was anything she didn’t like, to which she said, “piano because it’s hard to play.” This sparked a little concern and led me to ask if she wanted to continue learning, and the response was an emphatic yes. Now, whenever she walks into our office she’s ready to start another lesson and thinks it’s readily available since it’s over the computer.

As a mom with musical talents, I believe this is a great way for kids to get started. My daughter is on the younger side, but this virtual music education program is ideal for anyone interested in learning to play an instrument.

Care2Rock is more than just music lessons.

Care2Rock is not just a music education program. Each of the Care2Rock instructors agrees to serve as volunteer music mentors for a child in foster care every week for up to a year. My daughter’s music lesson is not just providing her an incredible hands-on learning experience, but it’s making this same experience accessible to children who really need it. How cool is this? If you still don’t feel warm and fuzzy inside; first check your pulse and then head over to the Care2Rock success story page and bring your tissues.

Today on The91Rewind, we would like to share this love of music with you and/or your child.

We have partnered with Care2Rock to get you started on your music learning journey. They are giving away a keyboard or guitar to every one of you who participates in the Sounds of Summer Club! Here’s what you get if you participate:

$39/month = 1 lesson for 12 months
$69/month = 2 lessons for 6 months
$99/month = 3 lessons for 3 months
Already have an instrument? Buy 3 lessons and get one free for $96!

Do you have a deep love for music? Do you play an instrument?

xoxo,
C

*Please be advised this is a sponsored post, but all opinions are my own. On The91Rewind, we will never promote a product or service that we would not honestly use or recommend.*

taking care

Believing is Seeing

June 14, 2018October 12, 2022 @happedancing

This past Sunday evening, I found myself a little restless. I spent a delightfully relaxing and fun weekend with friends, and after completing everything on my to-do list, I still had some extra energy. Not sure what to do about the antsy state I was in, I decided to take the dog for a walk. This may not seem like that big of a deal, but walking the dog, at least walking MY dog, is really not an easy task. He is S L O W and doesn’t really understand that the point of the walk is to move in a forward progression. I was quite sure this would be a disaster and you know, believing is seeing.

My dog, Bandit (or El Bandito), is a sweet scruffy terrier mix, who despite his independence, has a lot of challenges. His limbs are really short and he has trouble getting those back legs up and down stairs. He is afraid of storm drains and bicycles. He’s easily spooked by the closing of a car door. The neighbor’s new puppy may as well be the Boogie Man. To Bandit, taking a walk is like being on the front lines of a battle: everything is terrifying and we could perish at any moment.

shout-out to my dog! he is the cutest, sweetest, snuggliest… #nationalpuppyday #bandito #permapup #messyhairdontcare

While he has always been a lowrider, he hasn’t always been afraid of everything.

I have read that anxious dogs usually suffer from a lack of confidence. I have also read that dogs do a really amazing job of reading the energy of their human companions. Was it possible that my concern for Bandit and his anxiety was actually making things worse? I’ve been called a helicopter mom more than a few times…

I can’t imagine it’s fun for my boy to be scared all the time.

I have my own issues with anxiety and depression. I know how awful it is to live with constant nagging fear that something isn’t right and it breaks my heart. So, with all of this rolling around in my head, I decided to take action. First, I made an appointment with our local vet (Six Forks Animal Hospital in Raleigh is THE BEST!), and then I leashed up the pup for a walk around the neighborhood. While I wasn’t sure exactly what I would/should/could do to help Bandit, I knew I wanted to help.

We explored the neighborhood as the sun was setting. We moved at his pace and I let him sniff all the things along the way. We stopped to watch ants carry things, we smelled flowers, we even went potty two different times! We came upon a small clearing to the side of one of the buildings. Bandit and I spotted Smokey (our mischievous rebel cat who insists on walking with us) off in the bushes so we settled down in the grass. We stopped to watch life happen for a while.

Smokey and Bandit played while I just took a breath.

As I let myself relax, I began to notice the twinkling of fireflies. At first, it was just one or two, but the longer we sat, the more I discovered. I remember thinking in recent years that there aren’t as many fireflies these days as there were before, like when I was little. As I sat there Sunday night, I had to believe what my eyes were telling me. There were hundreds of beautiful twinkly bugs right here in front of me. I hadn’t seen them before because I wasn’t really looking. I didn’t believe they were there so I didn’t know how to look.

This got me thinking about El Bandito. He’s been through a lot in his almost eight years…

but he is resilient and sweet and a really good boy. I let myself believe that his issues were beyond help and used it as an excuse not to see a solution. I realized that I was projecting my fear and anxiety that something bad would happen onto Bandit. I was assuming the worst and creating a spiral of negativity that was coming to fruition.

I reflected and we spent almost a half hour in the field of the fireflies…

until one sparked a little too close to Bandit’s nose and he started to take off. I felt so bad that he was startled, but it was also kind of hilarious. 🙂

So, maybe we didn’t solve his anxiety in one walk, but I began to grasp that I have to change my mindset about Bandit. I have to believe that his anxiety can be helped and that he can learn to trust me as his pack leader. We are going to the vet this week to get our yearly vaccines and discuss a training plan. I am excited to re-frame our relationship and work with my boy.

The thing about relationships—any and all relationships, is that the way we think about them becomes our reality.

We can choose to see the best or see the worst. We can choose to be a support system for those who are dear to us, or a shelter. When we shelter our loved ones, we take their power away. We don’t allow them to build confidence in their ability to stand on their own two (or four sometimes) feet.

We can’t keep the people and things we love from feeling pain…

but we can help to comfort them. We can encourage freedom and allow trust and confidence to flourish at the same time. We can show up and be present for a dinner, a phone call, even a dog walk. When we believe in the good, when we believe things can change for the better, it is only then that we can start to see just how amazing they can be.

food + drink, just for fun

Out and About: Scott’s Addition

June 8, 2018October 12, 2022 Crystal Varner Parker

We have a new series here on The91Rewind, Out and About, where we will take you on an adventure with us in Richmond, Virginia or Raleigh, North Carolina. Both cities hold a space near and dear to our hearts, but Richmond is where our roots began and seemed like a fitting place to kick off this series. Today I am taking you out and about in Scott’s Addition, a neighborhood in Richmond, Virginia.

I had the great opportunity to have an afternoon with my husband…

while my mom watched our two girls. This was our first day date, and this most certainly will not be the last. Choosing where to go out can sometimes be a challenge for us, but I can almost guarantee it will include delicious food and drink. Today’s featuring outing was no different, and thankfully my we had a friend recommend checking out Lemon, and claimed it was the best Indian food in Richmond. We’re not sure it’s THE best, but it’s definitely a strong contender. Their lunch menu is ON POINT and includes a soup or salad, a main dish, a side dish, naan, basmati rice, and a dessert. The soup, salad, side dish, and dessert vary based on the day and what the chef has in mind. On our visit, we got really lucky. The side dish was something new, and it was AMAZING. It was this corn dish with cream, fennel, coconut, and other delish but unknown flavors. Just thinking about it has my mouth watering and wanting more. I wish I had a photo to share, but it didn’t last long for either of us. Not only was the food scrumptious, the service was phenomenal, and we are already planning our next trip for more grub. If you like Indian or want to give it a try, get in your car and go get some great food!

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After we finished lunch we decided it was time for…

an adult beverage (or two) since we were free of little people interrupting our fun. We decided to check out Black Heath Meadery, which had been on our “to visit” list (an ever growing list if we’re honest) for quite some time. Maybe it’s because of Beowulf, but there’s something intriguing about drinking mead. My husband and I have tried a variety of meads over the years, including some made by friends, but the recurring problem is the sweet factor. Why must mead be SO SWEET?! Thankfully we were able to find some that weren’t over the top sweet or that were well balance in flavor and sweetness. Thanks to Black Heath, the tides may be changing in meads favor now! By far our favorite mead was their Aw Shmucks strawberry mead. It was like drinking the best summer strawberry jam. We most certainly bought a bottle, have already finished, and I’m hoping they still have it so we can get some more. If you like mead or want to give it a try, get in your car and go get some Aw Shmucks (but not too much so there’s some left for me)!

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Once we had our fill of mead, it was time to hit one more place…

before heading home to our girls. Because of where we were, our next stop was an easy(ish) choice, a brewery as there are no shortage of craft breweries in Scott’s Addition (let alone Richmond). Choosing which brewery to frequent is a tough one for us (we like almost all of them), but we decided to hit up one that was new for me… Vasen. I’ve been to the brewery multiple times for Mindful Mornings, but I’d yet to have their beer. This was probably our most laid back stop on our outing, as we both grabbed a beer, a comfy seat (there’s LOADS of seating in and outside of the brewery), and we savored our final moments of adult time. Our first round was pretty good (I had the Golden Sauvin and the husband had the ….), but the second beer my husband picked (Norse Pale Ale) was the best. We were totally wishing we ordered it from the start, but were grateful we ended our visit with this tasty brew. If you like beer or want a great place to spend time with friends (who like beer), get in your car and go to Vasen!

Once we were done with our beer, we knew…

it was time to be responsible parents and head home. BUT as we were walking out we got distracted. Stella’s Grocery (https://www.instagram.com/stellasgrocery) now has a Scott’s Addition location, and we had to check it out. We were somewhat disappointed we were so full from lunch, because there were SO MANY delicious options. If you are looking for good food, made quickly (but well), or something easy to grab and go then this is your place. There were giant grain bowls, sandwiches made to order, and DESSERTS. We couldn’t resist getting one of the giant cookies, and let me tell you it was YUMMY.

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If you’re looking for something to do in Richmond…

please head to Scott’s Addition and check out one (or more) of the many great restaurants, breweries, and local businesses. We’re regulars down that way, and cannot wait to head back. Where are you headed out and about this weekend? Is there somewhere you’d like us to check out next?

xoxo,
C

food + drink

Hooked on the ‘buch!

May 31, 2018October 12, 2022 @happedancing

I LOVE BEVERAGES! Be it a sparkling water, a fresh pressed juice, a cup of Joe, or even a fancy Italian soda, I love them ALL! There is something about a refreshing sip of deliciousness that reinvigorates me…my favorite “fun” beverage of late has got to be kombucha. Who am I kidding? This is not news. My love affair with this bubbly beverage has been building for years, and I can successfully say that I am, without a doubt, hooked on the ‘buch.

So what is kombucha anyway?

Aside from being unnecessarily difficult to pronounce, this funky, delicious, little treat is mystifying. At its simplest, kombucha is a fermented beverage made from tea, sugar, bacteria, and yeast. The fermentation process yields a concoction of vinegar, B vitamins, and other chemical compounds (Mayo Clinic). At its most controversial, kombucha may be a divine wellness tonic no one should live without. (Maybe that’s a little dramatic…)

While there are many aboard the kombucha train, its benefits are difficult to quantify. There are a deluge of claims about kombucha; everything from boosting immune health, to probiotic properties, to lowering blood pressure. Unfortunately, there is no documented scientific evidence to support these claims (plus some people may be allergic to it) so we will just focus on its uncanny ability to delight taste buds.

So what’s the deal? Why am I hooked on this stuff?

It’s a delicious and refreshing, natural and most often organic, substitute for water that does not lead to excessive thirst or calorie intake.

In the quest for a healthy lifestyle, I began to notice that alcohol is a tricky beast. It’s a beverage, but it doesn’t quite quench thirst. It actually makes us thirsty. Most often we answer this “thirst signal” by drinking more alcohol, which makes us even more dehydrated…

This conundrum of beverages-that-leave-us-thirsty is not limited to drinks with alcohol; it can be the case for most beverages that have stuff; i.e. flavors, sweeteners, preservatives in them. The “thirst quenching” properties of said beverage are usually overshadowed by whatever is used to flavor that beverage. Maybe they are not adding calories, but these enhancements can add chemicals. And nobody wants that.

As the weather gets warmer we can appreciate the need for adequate hydration, especially for those of us who reside in these ever-so-muggy southeastern states. But, did you know that hunger can be thirst in disguise? That’s right. A hunger pang can actually just be the body begging for a little hydration. If you have ever heard a dietician recommend drinking a glass of water when hunger strikes, this is why.

Why should you drink kombucha?

It’s ALIVE! This may freak some people out, but it’s actually a cool thing. Because of the bacteria culture that is used to bring the bubbles, kombucha is a living food! This means a lot of complex things for the kombucha supply chain, but for the consumer it means that you’re getting a product that contains perishable ingredients and has a pretty aggressive shelf life. That’s what I call getting fresh!
It’s mostly good for you. You will still need to eagle-eye those labels because not all kombucha is created equal. The industry itself is still in the early stages. Lots of new companies bringing their ‘buch to market in small batches with humble ingredients. Here in Raleigh, NC I can find locally brewed ‘buch that is naturally flavored just about anywhere.
It’s a great way to stay hydrated and refreshed. Maybe it’s the bubbles, maybe it’s the seasonal flavors or the fun colors. In my (incredibly biased opinion) the taste is the VERY BEST reason to enjoy it. And, at less than 50 calories a serving, (again not all brands but a good many) it’s a great way to get hydration and flavor (and bubbles) in one magical, fizzy place.

Don’t just take my word for it, get your buns to the nearest Whole Foods (or grocer of choice) and pick up some kombucha today! It may help stave off a hunger craving, it may help you stay hydrated, it may even cure what ails you, but you will never know unless you try! That ‘buch may be a little funky, but then again so are you. Be brave and buy yourself some ‘buch! 🙂

Cheers!
E

taking care

Our Internal Monologue

May 23, 2018October 12, 2022 Crystal Varner Parker

Growing up I felt as if my mother’s hippie ways were a bad thing. The older I’ve become, I’ve realized that it’s most definitely a good thing. She’s pushed me to be the my best self, through positive affirmations, and reminding me to set my intention. As young adult trying to figure myself out, I thought this was a lot of “woo-woo,” but my mom was trying to reshape my internal monologue.

I have spent most of my life being incredibly hard on myself, mainly because I have really high expectations for myself. Anyone who knows or works with me knows that I also have high expectations for everyone else. BUT, if I am completely honest, my expectations for myself are always the highest.

But these has expectations do come at a cost…

The cost is how I speak to myself. You know, the internal monologue that runs throughout the day. Instead of encouraging myself meet my expectation, I spiral into negative self-talk when things don’t go as planned. I’m quick to point out my own shortcomings and berate myself for them. Over time the way we talk to ourselves can become the way we talk to others. Could the lens through which I see myself be the lens through which I view the world?

What if we talked to everyone the way we talked to ourselves…

You failed (I failed)
You are not pretty (I’m not pretty)
You are not skinny enough (I’m not skinny enough)
You are not fit (I am not fit)
You dropped the ball again (I drop the ball again)

Pretty harsh…This list could continue on and on, but I think you get what I mean.

We seriously need to show ourselves some love!

I’ve had a goal this year to speak a little more gently and calmly to my husband and my children. You see, I tend to be a little too direct and firm at times. It is nearly midway through the year and I realize that I am not making progress like I hoped. My friend Christina Tinker had a helpful piece of advice.

This really struck me…Why was I having such a hard time communicating with my loved ones? We want to encourage our children, make them feel loved and safe at all times. I know this, but for some reason I struggle in the moment.

Looking back I see that it starts with my internal monologue. I’m a natural leader and my professional and personal lives require this skill often, but it seems I have a hard time separating myself from that director role. My children and husband are not employees to be directed. They need support and motivation. They need a softer me.

Currently I have a lot of things that I’m juggling…

Keeping my self talk positive will absolutely help me find a more kind and gentle method of communication. But I’m learning that making any progress in softening up means I have to let go of the expectations a little.

Appreciating an effort, even if it does not exactly meet an expectation, encourages more effort. We almost got it right so we are willing to try again. If I apply this philosophy to myself first, if I encourage myself with kindness and gratitude, I will surely see more silver linings. I will learn to idealize and can spread this positive encouragement with the people I love.

Starting today, I’m working on choosing my words.

I’m choosing to speak a little softer, calmer, and kinder to MYSELF.
I’m choosing to share that kindness with everyone else.

xoxo,