Carson's New Blog!

Wow! I have

noticed that I am doing good to get one post a month published lately. With Carson's busy music schedule this summmer we have not had much down time. Hopefully, with Catie back at Chapel Hill and Carson starting school, I will have a little more time to connect with you all again. I also hope to get back into my garden and landscape and start some fall projects that I will be sharing with you.I do have a little favor to ask of you all. Carson is starting a blog to talk about the journey that she is on with her music. She will be posting about special things that are happening with her like studio time, radio interviews, performances, and the ups and downs of trying to have a career in music. She really needs some followers to encourage her in this journey. Would you be kind enough to check it out and follow her if you are interested? I know a lot of my followers are gardeners and foodies and such, but she would love to have you. If you know of any young people who are interested in a blog of this nature, would you please tell them about her! Thanks so much! Carson's Music Blog

Carolina In My Mind James Taylor (Cover by Carson Hill)

Oh my, where do I start. I have missed blogging so much. I have been really busy with my girls. Catie is finishing up her freshman year at UNC-Chapel Hill and Carson has been busy with homeschooling and trying to pursue a music career. We just got back from Nashville for a few days where we met with people in the music business and got a good feeling for where Carson needs to go with her music. Catie is getting ready to finish up her first year of college and we are so excited for her. I thought when my kids were little that life was busy. Never did I imagine how busy it could get! I still love every minute of my country life, however it has been put on hold for a while. I must help my girls follow their dreams! Life will be back to normal one day. Until then, I will try my best to keep up with what is going on with my blogging friends. Please know that I haven't forgotten you...I am trying to keep up with everything you are doing. I just may not comment on what I see. I love you all dearly! Please keep us in your prayers as we try to glorify God with our lives! Enjoy a little Carolina music from the Hills!

Carson's One Year Anniversary

This weekend was an anniversary of sorts for Carson. Our local volunteer fire department has an annual BBQ and Homecoming Event the first weekend every November. This community gathering is complete with vendors, games, food, live entertainment and a parade. Last year Carson was invited to perform her first show ever. You can read my post about that here. She played a thirty minute set in 38 degree weather. What a way to start out!

This past weekend she was invited to perform again. This time she sang for an hour in weather that was a little better. Although it was a bit windy, the temperature was in the mid fifties..much better than last year. The group after her cancelled due to the wind so she was asked to sing again after a short break. She is such a trouper.

I am amazed to look back and see how much she has accomplished with her music in a year's time. She has written quite a few original songs...had two produced and sold on itunes...and performed numerous shows. It makes me tired just thinking about it all. Oh, to have the energy of a thirteen year old again! Anyway, in honor of her first music anniversary I thought I would post a link to her youtube channel for those of you who have asked about what she has been doing lately. (Does that make me a proud mama?) I hope you enjoy!

It Can't Be Done.

It can't be done....just four little words. Have you ever had anyone tell you this? I have. Just the other day I was reminded of one of those times when someone told me that something just couldn't be done. I was taking some fall pictures of my house and garden when I remembered the time that this conversation with a neighbor took place. I had just returned from Charleston, South Carolina where I fell completely in love with the courtyard gardens that I could barely see past the iron gates. One of the objects of my affection was a particular planting, creeping fig. This beautiful vine was growing everywhere giving off an air of timeless elegance. I wanted so much to turn my little courtyard area into a Charleston garden. Then it happened...my neighbor...the one with the greenest thumb in the whole county...said those words to me. "It can't be done. We don't live in a warm enough climate to grow creeping fig. If you plant it, it will just die the first winter."



Well, as you can see I ignored her and bought three tiny pots of verigated creeping fig. I figured that it would be protected somewhat by the three walls surrounding it and the heat from the bricks may keep it alive during the cold winters.



Here it is four years later. It took it a couple of years to take off and the winter does take its toil on it just a little bit, however, it always comes back in the spring. In fact, I think it needs a little trimming right about now. What do you think?

I couldn't help but chuckle when taking my pictures the other day. My neighbor's words resounding in my mind. I am so glad that I chose not to listen to her.



I tell my girls often that anything is possible and to never let anyone tell you that something can't be done. Carson has heard a lot of "it can't be done" and "do you know how many talented people want a music career" lately. Her dad and I counter those statements with something like "if you really want it and if you are willing to work hard enough anything can happen." Isn't that what we are supposed to tell our children?

I think I should tell her the story of the creeping fig and remind her of the Bible verse that says, "With God ALL things are possible." Matthew 19:26

Music Photos

Our spring weather has been absolutely gorgeous this year. The landscape around here is just bursting with green. I can't think of any better time of the year to do a photo shoot with Carson. She needed to have some good photos to promote her music so we headed out to some of the prettiest places that I know. Fortunately all of these places are within a half mile of our home. I hope you enjoy the scenery...feel free to weigh in on your favorite shots. We are still trying to decide which ones to use.
















Doesn't this remind you of The Sound Of Music?




Did you pick a favorite? I hope spring is surrounding you with beauty today!

Chaos and Country Living

The last couple of weeks have been really busy around here. Even though our life gets a little chaotic at times, we always seem to be able to balance the chaos with some simple country living.



Carson spent to first part of the week in the studio recording the final vocals for her songs "Run" and "Missing You." I didn't realize how much work went into recording until this experience. It gives me a new respect for artists and all of the people that work in the music industry. As you can see...she enjoyed every minute of it.



Catie even got into the act and helped record a little of the background vocals!



Of course none of this would have been possibe without the help of some great people. Mark Lassiter introduced us to her producer, Brad Smith. We now consider them both great friends. We couldn't have asked for anyone better to work with Carson. Brad's work is amazing! We cant wait to get the final mix.



It wasn't quite all work and no play. Brad stayed with us in our home and we managed to do a little grilling and fishing...country life at its best!

Getting Better!

Carson has been sick with the flu for several days now and I have not taken the time to post. She is getting better by the day and has even mentioned being bored today! That is usually a sign that she is on the mend...thankfully, just in time for our weekend trip to Nashville. This little country music loving girl has been wanting to go check it out for some time and we finally planned our trip. I was afraid that we may have to cancel. (not a good thing since we had already purchased some tickets to the Grand Ole Opry) Hopefully, if the good Lord is willing, we will make it to Music City! I'll be sure to blog about it when I am home!



If any of my blogging friends have any music connections in Nashville let me know. She would love to talk to someone who could give her some advice on the music business!!