let the countdown begin...

In T minus 5 days, Late Bloomer will be released on iTunes!  The (obsessed to infinity) Lunchbox Buddies cannot wait for this digital release of Emily Shackelton's debut album.  We got our hands on the CD release of this work and thankfully, come June 4th, we can stop taking that extra spin around the block...for the 30th time...solely to have a listen "one more time" before parking.  Seriously, it was becoming a problem.   

 

This project has been a long time coming for Emily.  You may remember us offering a sneak peak of one of the album's stunners Come Out here.  Rest assured, no one is pulling a "movie trailer" on you.  You know, where you go see a movie because the trailer is just so-oh good that you can't stand it, but then about 15 minutes in you suddenly realize you've already seen the best this movie has to offer...in the 1 minute trailer.  Well, this is not that.  This whole album is the real deal!  We literally wish we could pick a favorite track, but there is a concrete refusal to lean on one or two singles.  Instead the tracks are fiercely independent with stand alone street cred in their piercingly intimate themes and meticulously distinct production.  Yet somehow organically those distinctions collectively unify the songs into a breathtaking body of work.

 

Follow Emily on Twitter and friend her on Facebook...you don't want to miss the things blossoming for this Late Bloomer.

rollin' on the river

The luxury of longer "after work" hours pre-sunset, Memorial Day plans involving outdoor activities and bbq, the smell of fresh cut grass...summer is in the air!  I kicked summer off last weekend Funny Hill style at Coosa River Fest.  We trekked down to Wetumpka, AL to enjoy 3 days of camping, paddling and bluegrass.  Highlights included drizzly day boating, late night bonfire chats, words of wisdom from The River Warrior, and Hot Rod Todd winning the grand prize raffle and taking home a kayak!!!  

Rolling, rolling, rolling on the river

If you come down to the river

Bet you gonna find some people who live

You don't have to worry 'cause you have no money

People on the river are happy to give

with love,

"'My child, the troubles and temptations of your life are beginning, and may be many; but you can overcome and outlive them all, if you learn to feel the strength and tenderness of your Heavenly Father as you do that of your earthly one. The more you love and trust Him, the nearer you will feel to Him, and the less you will depend on human power and wisdom. His love and care never tire or change, can never be taken from you, but may become the source of lifelong peace, happiness, and strength. Believe this heartily, and go to God with all your little cared, and hopes, and sins, and sorrows, as freely and confidingly as you come to your mother.'

Jo's only answer was to hold her mother close, and, in the silence which followed, the sincerest prayer she had ever prayed left her heart, without words; for in that sad, yet happy hour, she had learned not only bitterness of remorse and despair, but the sweetness of self-denial and self-control; and, led by her mother's hand, she had drawn nearer to the Friend who welcomes every child with a love stronger than that of any father, tenderer than that of any mother. " Little Women 

Reese's {falling to} Pieces

fiesta forever

Lunchbox Buddies got a head start on our Cinco de Mayo celebration with dinner at Taco Mamacita.  Patio seating was in order and as we relished another Nashville sunset, we reminisced about last year's St. Patrick's Day festivities.  Allison has historically celebrated, an average of 3.5 holidays annually.  Needless to say, Cinco de Mayo has never made the cut.  I, on the other hand, celebrate roughly 15+ holidays annually, including a TBD day'o'Sarah.  Of course, I was excited to share more about the community happenings in honor of this Sunday, including Cinco de Bike-O on the East Side and, to the West, the Sylvan Park Cuatro de Mayo Block Party. 

So whether your DIY style involves concocting the perfect margarita or papier-mâché-ing a colorful pinata, we wish you a weekend where the salsa tastes as good to the mouth as it feels to your hips.