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Happy Monday, friends! I’m back at you a little off schedule, but just in time to wish you a happy end of July! We had such a wonderful and packed weekend over here that I really wanted to stop in and share some of the fun with you all. I’m also linking up with Meghan and Biana for their Weekending Link Up so be sure to stop by and check out some other great bloggers and how they spent their weekends.
I don’t know about you, but there is something really fun to me about a weekend that feels productive and fun, but still refreshing. That was mostly our weekend this past weekend and I am feeling so on top of the moon because of it.
We started our weekend by heading to a petting zoo/farm, Winterpast Farm. I had been wanting to take Little somewhere like this for a while since we are currently obsessed with Old MacDonald and all things animal related, but the thought of being out on a farm during the summer in NC was really not appealing so I decided to wait until the fall.
But, the weather ended up being so perfect this weekend. Lows in the low 70’s and highs in the low 80’s. If I didn’t know NC weather better, I would think that we were soon to be heading out of the dog days of summer.
We ended up getting to the farm around 10:15 and stayed until just after noon, although I’m certain that Little would have stayed way past if we let him. He loved to see all the animals roaming around.
The chickens, roosters, and turkeys are free roaming. The sheep, goats, donkeys, pigs, and emus are fenced in, but you can still head inside the fence to feed them if you wish. Of course Little wished and I was glad to see him enjoying himself so much.
That said, he wasn’t so into petting the animals himself. He preferred to watch Mama and Daddy pet and feed the animals.
The owner, Farmer Mary, was more than accommodating and showed us all around and answered our questions since it was our first time visiting.
Afterwards, we came home to clean up, have lunch, and get a nap for Little before my sister headed over so that hubs and I could go on a date.
We ended up heading downtown for dinner at Raleigh Times and then on to the Performing Arts Center to see NC Theatre’s production of a Beauty and the Beast. It’s one of my favorite Disney movies, and no, I still haven’t seen the live action movie. Hubs surprised me with this a while back for our anniversary and I’ve been looking forward to it for the last month.
I was not disappointed at all. The food and service at Raleigh Times was quick and excellent. Really casual and budget friendly atmosphere, which was just what we wanted. I ordered the grilled chicken sandwich on ciabatta bread that had bacon and avocado and it was DELICIOUS. The portions were enough to fill you up, but not enough to send you straight into a food coma and their house made chips were perfect.
From there, we headed over to the show. I cannot say enough good things about the performance. It was longer than I expected, but I chalk that up to not going to see shows ever and just not knowing what to expect.
Of course, we couldn’t get any photos of the actual performance, but man. It was stunning. The cast was all excellent. The show itself was really engaging. The set was really well done and scene changes were all executed smoothly. I loved every single thing about it. It was truly such a memorable event. The local newspaper covered it here and has some photos from the performance.
It really makes me want to pay more attention to the theatre’s schedule and get out to more plays.
On Sunday, we headed to church and spent the day with family straightening things up around the house, getting some work done outside, because the weather was PERFECT, and getting ready for this week.
Such a wonderful weekend. What were you up to this weekend?
P.S. What are your big plans for August? I feel like July just came and went in a breath so it’s hard for me to believe that it’s August tomorrow.
What a fun and perfect weekend. I am starting to explore our downtown and local eats a bit more here in Fayetteville, NC. Still I know Raleigh is never short on things to do..
It really was! Downtown Fayetteville has really grown in the last several years! We tried the breakout room there not too long ago and enjoyed it!
Sounds like a wonderful weekend!! Thank you for sharing at Mama Blog Monday!! 🙂
Thank you; we really did have a great time!
This sounds like such a fun weekend! You’re never too old for a petting zoo – I still love having the animals walk up to me so I can pet them. 🙂 The Raleigh Times is one of my favorites, and has never disappointed. Beauty & the Beast is my favorite Disney princess movie (you should definitely see the live action one!) so I can imagine the play version is really good too! I saw Cinderella at DPAC on New Year’s Eve and it was magical. 🙂
It was so much fun! I really like RT! The food was delicious and we were in and out in no time, without feeling rushed. Really wonderful. I do need to see the live action Beauty & the Beast at some point though! And, I bet Cinderella at DPAC was wonderful! I might have to add it to my list. What a fun thing to do for NYE!
Looks like you had so much fun!! : ) My August plans are finally getting to the beach before comes to and end!!
We did have a ton of fun! The beach sounds wonderful – we should add another trip to our list, too!
You made us all to want to be there.Nice photos ,i will definatly do the same with children.
Thank you so much!
I saw Beauty and the Beast (the movie, not the original) with my daugther again this weekend. It is one of my favorite Disney movies. So I’m sure the play was amazing. I didn’t even know they were showing in Raleigh. I too live in NC. I hate that I missed it. What a treat!!
It was such a great show. I hope they bring it back in coming seasons! It’s one of my favorites, too!
I agree July does feel like it flew but I am ok with that as August always brings a smile as it’s not only my birthday month but our daughter also. So big plans to eat cake!
Woo hoo for the birthday month! Enjoy celebrating the whole month long!
What a fun weekend. Your dress is so pretty too!
Thank you! It’s from a local Lilly store, but was actually a bridesmaid dress for an outdoor wedding I was in earlier in the year! I love it so much and it’s perfect to wear again and again!
so much fun!! i have not been to a play in so many years!! we had a weekend at home which was nice for a change. thanks for sharing!
I hadn’t either and it was such a treat! I do love a good weekend at home, though! 🙂
It sounds like a great weekend! We took the boys to the farm here, too, and it was just the best. Isn’t it amazing seeing their little eyes light up?!
It was so fun! Yes! It is the best to see them get so excited! <3
This sounds like such a great weekend! I can see why you said it was productive but refreshing! My big plans for August are to go on a nice (much needed) vacation with my husband and to find out if the baby is a boy or girl! August should be so great, I’m really looking forward to it!
It was so much fun! Vacation sounds wonderful! And hooray for the gender reveal; that is such a fun visit!
This slightly cooler weather is amazing! I walked outside early on Sunday morning when it was still in the 60s and just about keeled over from happiness, ha! The petting zoo looks fun! I’m glad the kiddo enjoyed it 🙂 And you look like you had fun on your night out! I’ve heard great things about the cocktails at Raleigh Times, and DPAC shows are always fun 🙂
I hadn’t been to Raleigh Times before, but it was really good! And I LOVE the cooler, but still warm/hot afternoon, weather. It is my favorite and also makes me so happy!
I love fun weekends like this! The farm looks like a great time, I need to see if something like that is in my area!
You totally should; we had a really great time!
What a great weekend! I’m super jelly! The weather is amazing right now but knowing NC it will be 100 degrees next week and then into september. Yay NC!
Yes! The weather is crazy. But, it has been really nice in the mornings recently!
It sounds like you and the Little had a great time at the farm! It was the perfect weekend for getting out and enjoying nature.
We really did! And the weather was PERFECT!
Now I want to visit the farm and go see a play. I am glad you had such a wonderful weekend:-)
We really did have a great weekend. It was much needed and I am so thankful for it!
What a great weekend! The farm looked fun! I was in heaven with the weather Sunday.
xo, Lee
Yes! And it’s beautiful this morning, too! Really, my favorite kind of weather!