Before I traveled back to Asheville, I got the amazing opportunity to paint My Play Space in West Lebanon, NH. This play space has a new concept that is going to take off and be a huge hit in the community: an educational and diverse place to bring your kids (ages 1-6) and be an adult too! Parents have to stay with their kids, but there is a lil' wifi zone and cappuccino for them on the upper deck, where they can watch their kids play. And boy do the kids get to have an experience!
It is an internationally themed indoor play arena; I did all of the mural designs and assisted with the design of the play structures. From a double decker bus to an Eiffel Tower (both with slides! Weeee!) to a deli to Lego Land, the place is chock full of fun activities for kids. (Oh and one of my favorite parts? The Sit n' Spin station- remember those from the 80's?) These pics are all from when it was under construction. Now that the new carpet is in, I'll have to go back and shoot some better pictures! 
This part of the mural is my favorite: a representation of Japan and China, with a wall full of cherry blossoms and mountains.
The double decker bus is the main attraction. Kids can climb up top, slide down and even control the wheel! 
The Eiffel Tower later got a slide, a net and some rock climbing pegs added, but how much fun would this be to climb?
This was one of my creations: a deli where kids can serve up magnetic food (it all sticks together!)...anything from sandwiches to ice cream!
One of the rooms in the play space is a classroom, where birthday parties and classes will be held. I designed giant boards (painted on the wall) for chalk and dry erase markers.
There is so much more...the space was nearly 2000 square feet of high ceilings. So really, this is just a small samplin'! For more info about My Play Space, visit them online at http://www.myplayspace.net/, or just swing on in and say hi sometime! 
This place is fantastic and I am not sure why we don't have one in every town. People drop off their unwanted or unused goods and student volunteers sort it out in a way that is easy to navigate. They have everything from clothing to beauty products to office supplies to furniture. What a great way to recycle something that would otherwise end up in a landfill! If I had to chose one thing that Asheville has opened my eyes up to, it's the amount of waste we use. I have learned so much from this community about reusing, rethinking what you buy and passing on what you do not need. Every little bit *does* help. 
So, the first place I moved to in Asheville didn't quite work out. Luckily, I was (quickly) able to find a living situation that worked muuuuuuuuuch better for me. There are chickens out back and the world is your oyster out your front door. I can walk to thrift stores, the cupcake shoppe and the River Arts District. It's a sweet little space. My roommate is great. And there is a little bonus doggie, Star, is quite adorable (even though I am more of a cat person- but don't tell Star).
This wall of jars reminds me of my Noni, and her cozy little kitchen that always smelled like hot simmering soup. 