One nice, long weekend in July I had a fantastic time with my besties from high school. I experienced flight purgatory at the airport northbound, but nine hours later I was warmly greeted by Cara and Anna. Having forgotten my dslr camera at home, the trusty iPhone camera did not disappoint. Hooray for technology and Instagram!
I started the party with a quick, solo trip to see my Great Aunt Helen in Pennsylvania. I wish everyone could meet this lady. She has got spunk and attitude, and I simply adore her. She could make anyone laugh.
It has taken me a decade to get an 'Anna Handy' original artwork on my walls and the only way it happened was if I painted along side her. Anna took roughly two hours to create her piece and I became frustrated in a matter of minutes. Who knew mixing colors could be so hard? Regardless, the simpleness of gathering around a bowl of peaches painting and talking was worth it.
We then headed east to Chestertown, Maryland. The place we stayed had misleading information on their website, so all three of us ladies slept in a king bed together. No matter for it was girls' weekend anyway. We experienced a little at-home pampering and a delicious killer brownie from Graul's (our local high school grocer). I was surprised to learn they still made them after so many years so I promptly bought one for each of us. Worth every calorie.
The next morning, we explored that quaint, colonial town on the water and wandered the streets of Chestertown. We learned more about brick building and styling than I ever knew was possible. We hit up the farmer's market and lazily shopped the thrift stores. Manicures were a must for girls' weekend too.
We experienced afternoon tea, juice, and cookies with our freshly polished fingers at this beautiful bed and breakfast. There we spent close to two hours listening to the innkeeper talk about data farming and the Chinese secret weapon that is already in America. This man, although extremely nice, had some serious opinions about life. The only way we escaped that trapped conversation was when Anna realized she forgot her cell phone back at the nail salon. We hopped in the car to learn she had it the whole time and spent the next 15 minutes laughing about the whole experience.
Other highlights included outlet shopping, Anna flirting with the waiter at P.F. Chang's, and introducing Cara to Downton Abbey. I love these girls with all my heart and I love how hard they make me laugh. We do not deeply talk that often, but when we reunite its powerful and like we never parted. They visited our family last year while living in Florida, but it was fun to be 'responsible-free Kristen' for this girls' weekend and escape 'mother Kristen' for only but a moment.
