Glorious Sunrise

One of those mornings, you know, the kind where you are almost late and looking around to make sure you have everything. 1, 2 kids....purse...phone...anything else can wait.

Racing out of the driveway, I saw this beautiful moment captured in time and I told myself to "stop, wait, chill" and took the pic. I sat just for a second and looked ALL around the sky at the colors. I took a deep breath of satisfaction and contentness and .....carried on.

Don't forget to stop and look around!

Busy Little Bee

I've had a hectic few weeks and that makes my creative thread that much more tense. This post is to remind you that creating is an outlet and a form of therapy, not a luxury misunderstood.

The holidays are just around the corner so I must start on my ideas. I usually get the urge right before Halloween anyway because of the change in weather that says "please stay inside in the warmth" and I do...

I started on cards and gifts. I actually write out a list of people and ideas because my mind is always going and I'll forget if I don't have a reminder. Every year I go to www.realsimple.com and type in "holiday gift list" for a list printout. Write it in pencil so you can make changes as you approach the holidays.

I love this forethought! It's attentive, sincere, frugal (without being cheap), and maybe a little on the luxurious side. When you have time to really think and consider what someone else would be happy with, you have a new perspective. It's the little thoughts that come up everyday that remind you of that person not just because they're on my list and I need to give them something. So get the list out, find some ways to be creative and put your thinking cap on.

We are doing a homemade/heritage Christmas this year and it's so fun to have a challenge like that. We will stay on budget and be resourceful while keeping in mind the likes, wants, and needs of the other person. Our range is from 1 year to 85 years old. Do we really NEED anything? ...or can we just make this fun?

Ok, well, I have to say that we don't have any teenagers or grouches. Everyone this year will probably love whatever is made...you may need to really think about the recipient. It's just going to work out perfect this year so we'll just ride the holiday wave.

Balloons, Balloons!

Ahhhhh. The peak in my year has to be the amazing Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. It's the most photographed event in the world. Who could pass this up? About 700 hot air balloons flying overhead, being laid out in the grass, inflated right before your eyes. The fire that heats the balloon's air is so loud and hot on these chilly mornings. There are so many, it would be impossible to post them all, so here are some special pics....

Fog as we left sweet Oklahoma.

Bees flying!....flying closer

Balloons flying overhead. You feel so small when these huge balloons are all around you....like Alice in Wonderland.

Alas, the cow could not get up this time. She looks so sad. I say "she" because when it's fully inflated, there are visible utters!

It's REALLY this beautiful and cool!

We left with a fog and returned with a welcome home sunset. Amazement across 3 states!

A Fair with Ribbons

OH MY GOODNESS! I was so excited to go to the State Fair this week. It was a family hunt for the things that were entered. The Creative Arts building is really big when you are only looking for a few things. So with completely intent looks and a smile on our faces, we scoured the building. Look at what we found!

The knitted dress I made for Lily. It got 1st place in this category. I was shocked and so pleased!

Next up? The 1960's dress that I was trying so hard to finish in time for the judging. Wow, it got 2nd place. (the scarf on the dress is not mine but they did a great job!)

And we also found the pickled peaches that my daughter and husband helped me make at 2nd place. Oh, they were beautiful sitting on that shelf. I can't wait to eat them at the peak of winter when I need a summer pick-me-up.

The crocheted scarf got 5th place which I was still happy about!

I couldn't find my jam or pickled garlic but out of 7 entries, I got 5 ribbons and that is something to write home about....so, MOM, looky see and thanks for showing me so much!

County Fair Ribbons

I'm probably confusing you all by going back and forth here, but our county fair and state fair are only a few days apart....and as usual, I'm just trying to keep up. Sooooo, here are some pics of the county fair.

Lily got 3rd place for her first-time cross-stitch. Each member of her sewing club made a cross-stitch of one of their initials. My daughter is a Cloverbud in the 4-H sewing club so we didn't think it would be competitive but seeing the ribbon was a nice surprise. (I bet she get's better at the next fair!)

This table is the Junior table. I just loved seeing all the different things that people get inspired to make. You can walk down the aisle and sense how much time it must have taken for all these "juniors" to make their projects. I just love it! It's so satisfying to watch families come in and look around for their entries and hear their pride, their ooooo-s and aaaaaaahhhh-s and giggles! And if a smile had a sound, you could hear it that evening.

The Celtic Knot was done by a friend who is an amazing cross-stitcher, Rilda. She picked the perfect matting and frame to showcase her very first entry into a fair! Can you believe it? She got first place....I have to say, I wasn't surprised. I got that feeling of pride when I saw the ribbon and thought, "should I call her? ....should I wait and let her see it? ....I want to call her!" But rest assured, my patience prevailed and I didn't say anything. The next morning, she had that glow on her face and I knew, she knew!!!!

A Few Fair Entries

It's Fair time! ....State Fair time.

We took a few entries to the state fair to drop off. My daughter and her friend came along with me to get a sneak peek of the excitement to come. And they helped me carry my items inside, thank you girls...I had a lot.

We dropped off the Pickled Peaches, Pickled Garlic, and Strawberry/Blueberry jam. These sweet little old ladies were taking all of the entries and they were so excited to see what people made. I loved watching them smile when they would take jars of wonderful stuff from the entry table to the competition table.

I snapped a picture as quick as I could, while answering questions, getting my claim check, signing a waiver, and telling the girls not to go too far. So, I missed the great shot of all my pieces that I entered but managed to get a shot of the knitted dress really fast before they took it off to the knitting section.

Got a quick pic of the dress too. It's a close up but hopefully I'll get a full picture this weekend.

It's so exciting to watch all the people that come to the arts and crafts building and look around! People get so impressed and amazed at what other regular, busy people can create. I hope it's as inspiring to you as it is to me!!!

County Fair

Ah, I'm back! I've been doing a little soul searching the last couple of weeks trying to decide if I should consider making crafts to sell. That clouded my spirit a little and made me less creative than ever. So, I let it ride and just focused on what made me happy. I don't know where this will go but as usual, it will be fine!

On to more fun things in life....THE COUNTY FAIR!

My daughter helped her sewing club do a scarecrow display and it was so fun. We were instructed to not spend a dime on this and only use what we could find around the house. It was a challenge but in a great way and forced us to be resourceful! The theme was "There's Magic at the Fair."

Pillowcase head, button eyes and sock mustache.Borrowed shirt from dad, trash bag vest, #10 can with paper plate rim as top hat spray painted black.
Papa's pants and another family's poster in the back. Add the glitter and magic carpet and "there's magic at the fair!"

They won 3rd place...not bad...super fun!


"Where do we start?"

Ahhhhhh, pumpkin weather around the corner. Beautiful watermelon and cantalopes!

A lot of people in this area have Black Walnut trees. FYI, they are murder to get open without crushing the nut inside. I've hit them with a hammer and run over them with the car...nope, not doing it, they just wouldn't open. That's why they are expensive! Just pay the money.

Gorgeous harvest!

Coooooool! They were loud too.

I loved that our little county brought in this huge portable fishtank. It was so neat!

Same sheep from the sheep farm we visited in the spring. Man, they have grown! I can't wait to see the wool. I'll find out where Faye sends it....oooo I feel another project coming on that I have absolutely no time for, so fun!

Next week the State Fair and lots of pics of my entries. We'll see if they do well.