Hmmmmmmmm........

Hmmmmmmm...........the sound coming from my sewing machine lately. Finally, able to post a few new things to my poor neglected Etsy Shop.

The Left to Lie Tour - Bobby Long in Dallas

Several weeks ago I had the privilege of being an attendee at a house concert featuring up and comer - Bobby Long. Since I don't consider myself a critic of music - I'm quoting several sources here to give you an idea of his type of music.

"Grit and grace intermingle as London based singer/ songwriter Bobby Long embarks on his 2010 world tour and entrances with his powerful guitar and raw vocals inspired by folk, blues, and old school country artists like Bob Dylan, Howlin' Wolf, and Hank Williams."

Bobby is currently on his "Left to Lie" Tour, traveling across the U.S. promoting his music and new album.

Bobby played the house concert in the afternoon, then headed over to Poor David's Pub that evening to play his evening show. It was amazing - if you love raw, gritty sounds - little bit of soul, lots of guitar, lovely English accent, original music, then take a listen! He's really one of my favorites at the moment.

(I know - Bobby Long t-shirt at the Bobby Long concert?? I couldn't resist :) Bobby actually said that they only made 150 of this particular style and asked me where I had gotten it. Gee - guess I've got a collector's addition! Yeah Me.)

This is Bobby's manager, Phil (who's the dorky gal standing there with him??) - such a really nice guy. Both Phil and Bobby are so dedicated to their dream in the music industry. Being somewhat of a "crafty" person, I find it very inspiring to see people following their dreams and making a go of it.

You can find out more about Bobby from these sites:

Bobby Long MySpace

Bobby Long Online

Bobby Long

Shack of Soul

The San Francisco Treat

It's been awhile, Non?? Ok - LOVED San Fran! Had to get this pic of me hanging off the side of a cable car, although I would have liked a little more of the cable car showing, but o well. Needed my trench coat and box of Rice A Roni too.

We did all the cool touristy things - really because, well, they are cool! Alcatraz, China Town, Fisherman's Wharf, Painted Ladies, Golden Gate Bridge, Nob Hill, Union Square, Haight Ashbury (all I have to say on that one is - Wow. My daughter is not ever, ever, ever allowed anywhere near that place! Ha! Just kidding, ok, well, not really) Very enlightening to another way of life to say the least.

Great food - yummy French, yummy Italian, yummy (for hubs) seafood (makes me want to throw up, but I'm sure it was good as good could be)

Found an amazing fabric store too - Britax Fabrics - I was in la-la land in this place. In business since 1952, family run - 4 stories of inspiration, people!!! Had to keep reminding myself to close my mouth and quit drooling. Couldn't help "touching" everything - so beautiful. Loads of fabrics that you just don't see at the local fabric store. What was equally as fun was seeing all of the interesting people who work there and shop there. (Oh wait - that's ME! See! See my "Britax" bag in the picture! See?? I must be interesting too. Cool. Yeah me.) The sales lady even noticed my Narwhal tee and complimented me on it :) The creativity was just oooozing out of this place.
Took a drive south along Highway 1 - tres cool! It was truly one of the most beautiful places I've seen...ever. The hubs rented a convertible - (I am very spoiled, I believe, even with a frozen arse and wind burned forhead) - best way to see this part of the country, I also believe.

Pebble Beach.....Muir Woods - always knew I was a bit of a tree hugger! Awesome, unbelievable place. Lovin' those National Parks! It was hard to truly grasp the age of these trees, such ancient, wise earthly things they are.

Anyways, back to real life now. I'm eternally grateful to my mother-in-law and brother-in-law for taking such good care of the kids while my husband and I were away. I know the kiddies had a blast without mom and dad too - lots of stories were told upon our return. (included words such as, but not all inclusive: "barf", "pizza", "putt-putt", "goldfish (as in living, not as cracker)", "more barf", "ice cream", "soccer", "diarrhea" (sorry, but it was a major part of the weekend....!), "the nice policeman", "bowling", "a little more barf".

As I said - I'm am soooooo grateful for grandma and uncle!

I was also reminded how much I enjoy traveling - I shall never be sorry for any bit of it I do - it can only enlighten me to the wonders of the world, bring about tolerance for others, broaden my scope of the world, and educate my sometimes cotton filled brain.

Funky Finds Spring Fling!!!

Since I am packing my bags, getting ready to head out to San Francisco with the hubs, and since I haven't had a spare nano second to do any bit of sewing or crafting, and since my brain is fried trying to remember to get everything done before I leave (laundry done, house picked up (this is relative, I assure you!), bits and pieces of paper to-do's done, books returned to the library, grocery shopping done, notes for Grandma on "where to be when's", carpets cleaned, yardwork done, cabinets cleaned out....seriously...you don't still believe me, do you???????) Tomorrow night, I'm bolting outta here regardless of the chaos I leave behind!

I am just going to remind you all in the Dallas Fort Worth area about.....

Funky Finds

Here's the scoop....

"The Spring Fling is an indie art & craft fair to be held on March 13, 2010, in Fort Worth, Texas. The mission of the event is to create a marketplace where a diverse group of local artists and designers have the opportunity to showcase and sell their wares to a large local audience.

The Funky Finds Spring Fling will showcase the coolest handmade items, including clothing, jewelry, art, plush items, accessories, paper goods, home goods, etc. Our goal is to put together a vendor list that provides shoppers with a wide variety of handmade items.

The Funky Finds Spring Fling will be held on Saturday, March 13, 2010, in Fort Worth, Texas in the Small Exhibits Building, also known as the Poultry Barn, at the Will Rogers Memorial Center. The event will begin at 9am and end at 3pm (event may end later if crowd is still going strong at this time). The physical address of the building is 3409 Burnett-Tandy Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76107."

I do wish that I could be here to check this out - cause man, I'm telling you - there's been A LOT of buzz about this show! If you can make it out at all - GO! Then, come back here and tell me all about it. I promise I'll read your comments (after coming down from my no-kids trip to San Francisco!! Wooohoooo!)

P.S. = Etsy Fort Worth is a sponsor!

Warshing Clothes

"Warshing" Clothes Recipe.........

Never thought of a "washer" in this light before..what a blessing!

"Warshing Clothes Recipe" -- imagine having a recipe for this ! ! ! Years ago an Alabama grandmother gave the new bride the following recipe:

this is an exact copy as written and found in an old scrapbook -

with spelling errors and all.

WARSHING CLOTHES

Build fire in backyard to heat kettle of rain water. Set tubs so smoke wont blow in eyes if wind is pert. Shave one hole cake of lie soap in boilin water.

Sort things, make 3 piles

1 pile white,

1 pile colored,

1 pile work britches and rags.

To make starch, stir flour in cool water to smooth, then thin down with boiling water.

Take white things, rub dirty spots on board, scrub hard, and boil, then rub colored don't boil just wrench and starch.

Take things out of kettle with broom stick handle, then wrench, and starch.

Hang old rags on fence.

Spread tea towels on grass.

Pore wrench water in flower bed. Scrub porch with hot soapy water.

Turn tubs upside down.

Go put on clean dress, smooth hair with hair combs.. Brew cup of tea, sit and rock a spell and count your blessings.

================================================

Paste this over your washer and dryer Next time when you think things are bleak, read it again, kiss that washing machine and dryer, and give thanks.. First thing each morning you should run and hug your washer and dryer, also your toilet---those two-holers used to get mighty cold!

For you non-southerners - wrench means, rinse ;)

My mother in law sent this to me - boy do I feel fortunate to have the little luxuries that make daily life a little easier. Then again, our grandmothers and great grandmothers didn't have to contend with iPhones, iPods, e-mail, instant bill pay, instant messaging, drugs, "sex-ting" (ok, this one scares me immensely!), cartoons 24/7, TV's in the bedroom, TV's in the kitchen, TV's in the garage, TV's outdoors, DVR's in the car, video games, Swine Flu, YouTube, so-called "Reality" television....you name it.

OK, Ok, yes - I DO love my iPhone and I'm not even considering for one minute giving that up~

Got to go - facebook is calling :)

Beauty in Blogging

Can it be? I've won an award?! It is Academy Award week.....hmmm

.....well, it's not a little gold guy, but hey! I'm still honored!

Bellies to Babies presented this award to me....lovely blog I must say......check it out for some really beautiful photos.

Here are the rules of the award:

1. Thank and link the person who gave you this award.

2. Pass this award on to 5 blogs that you think are fantastic.
3. Contact blogs and let them know they've won.
4. State 7 interesting things about yourself.

So....5 blogs that I think are fantastic... Blogs that I may or may not have a little blog crush on.....Blogs that I think are well deserving......Blogs that are beautiful creations which have sprung forth from the minds of the some of the most creative, ambitious, did I say beautiful? humans beings ARE....

"drum roll please, and the Award goes to......."

Shoe Closet Life

Lavender and Limes

The Creative Crate

Stop Staring and Start Sewing

Funky Finds

And now 7 interesting things about myself. Well, I don't know how interesting they are, but here goes.

1. I worked at Walt Disney World during college in the Magic Kingdom at the Mad Hatter shop, sewing name on the back of Mouse Ears.

2. I worked in Yellowstone National Park during and after college at Roosevelt Lodge, riding horses, driving draft horse teams, drinking beer, and hanging out with my future husband!

3. I spent a semester of college living and studying in Dundee, Scotland

4. I love to bake (cookies), read books (Twlight - duh!), go to the movies (anything but horror), and listen to music (all kinds - right now in sort of a folksy, alternative mood)

5. I can wiggle my ears

6. Might like to move to California and be a Yoga instructor to the stars one day...."aaaoooommm...."

7. ummmmm.......I am really struggling here to think of something....

I'd love to be able to play the guitar and sing (with a voice that doesn't curl peoples' toes)