Month: May 2009

Dixon May Fair

The oldest fair (Dixon May Fair) in California is right by our place- so last weekend I took the girls.

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Of course- first up was pony ride. The girls LOVE ponies!! (probably it’s genetic and I passed that on- but then again little girls do tend to love horses!)

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Then we went through the barns and visited all the animals. Since I spent much of my childhood with animals (4-H & FFA) I love seeing the kids (oh especially the teenagers- they bring back memories!) showing their animals. My favorite? Since it’s the animal I raised every year for fair- the market hogs!!

 

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Oh, and we had a few classic fair treats too…

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Besides spending a wonderful afternoon with my girls, the best part about this small fair is that it means the warm weather festivities and traditions have begun!!!

books on a plane

When traveling years ago I used to just pick up something to read at the airport. What would I find? What would appeal? Would it be any good? The adventure was half the fun. Heck- that’s how I discovered the Shopaholic series, so it was a successful system. I so rarely got to read at home meant that travel time was when I’d read. (in planes, hotels, down time at my parent’s place…)

These days I read at home a lot, so I have ‘to be read’ books hanging around as well as ‘i want’ lists on www.amazon.com just waiting for me to have time to read. My point? I’m preparing for a trip and trying to figure out what to bring! I avoid hardcovers as they just weigh a ton in my backpack and I always regret it. I have to bring a variety of authors and genres and at least 2 books more than I think I’ll read. Why? 1) I’m a moody reader and 2) I like options.

So right now I’m figuring out what books I must bring and read (I’ll be sure to let you know) for my upcoming short trip to Colorado. Of course I got distracted in my quest by thinking ‘what would I recommend to someone else traveling?’ and I thought I’d share that list here today.

Want some sugar-sweet, pure 100% girly goodness romance? (sigh) Nora Roberts new book was supposed to be for my trip but I got sucked in and LOVED it. So the cutest, sweetest hero I’ve read in a long time too.

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If you are in the mood for a screwball adventure/comedy with mob hits, a heroine that is good in the kitchen (both defending herself and cooking), and a big cast of great characters:

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Wanting to laugh outloud and read something high in snarky, battle of the bulge hilarious goodness? Jen Lancaster has a new book out (Pretty in Plaid), but not having read that one yet + loving on paperbacks means I’d tell you to take one of my favorite reads of 08-

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Finally today might I suggest for murder mystery with a stylish twist – the Crime of Fashion series is super funny!! I’ve read the first two and I just realized I should read more. Based in Washington DC and full of memorable characters this is fun stuff.

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Ok, so if I was on a plane those are some of my suggestions… what are some of yours? I’ll be making up my list of what to pack and share soon as I can decide!

is that a tat design?

In passing, Jason and I had talked about my idea for a tattoo design (for him) and I’d forgotten all about it. Last night he came in my studio and was checking out my idea notebook very closely. He didn’t look too thrilled at what I was working on and seemed a bit confused. “Why would I tattoo solio on myself with waves?” he asked.

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“uh, you wouldn’t. Actually I’d forgotten about that because I got so into this new project. Are you looking at my idea notebook? That’s for a class I’m working on Mr. Nosy pants! That’s for a scrapbook, not a tattoo. Oh, and that says SOLID, as in solid color not designed.”

“ok” he replied. “That’s cool though.” and walked out.

So goes another session of ‘whatcha doin’ May’. What I’m doing now is the very slow and methodical work of craft knife + design cutting…

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