BIRTHDAYS, MUSE-STYLE

Several years ago one of our group of Muses decided she wanted to spend the day in San Antonio on her birthday, and that she wanted us to come along. We had a marvelous day filled with food, fun, galleries and shopping! In fact, we had sooooo much fun that we've fallen into the habit of asking each birthday girl where she wants to go for her birthday "adventure". It works pretty well, until we get to Outdoor Woman each year, whose birthday falls right in the middle of all the holiday hoo-haa, when plans always seem to fall apart on us. This year, however, she came up with an absolutely brilliant idea. Who can pass up a trip to Trader Joe's during the holidays, right? Not I!

Those two bags are just Fiber Woman's stuff. Outdoor Woman and I had already filled the back of the jeep with our stuff!

Of course, after working our way through all that foodie goodness, we were absolutely starving! So we headed straight for Torchy's Tacos for a three course lunch. First course, some of the best queso I've ever had. Main course was fish tacos for all -- blackened salmon for me, and ahi tuna for the others. For dessert we each had a little nookie. (Can I help it if that's what they call their little fried cookies?)

As we were heading home, O.W. said "Since we're going right by it, would you gals mind if we made a quick stop at Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center? Barbara Attwell has an exhibit up in their gallery that I've been dying to see before it leaves." I had no idea what a treat was in store for me. Plus, thanks to Dear Hubby's purchase of a family membership to the Wildflower Center, I got in free!

Have you ever seen anything as amazing as these felted pieces?

Baaaaaahb Marley

The Cliff Swallows of Bull Creek

When we were done drooling over the exhibit, we took Fiber Woman to see the new children's area that had been added since she was there last.

All in all, A Most Excellent Adventure!

YOUR CHANCE TO PEEK INSIDE

One of the best things about our house -- the thing that sold us on it despite its weirdness -- is the view. And, one of the best things about the view is this.

See that little building nestled in the clearing? It's actually an old country church that owner Terri LeMaster hauled in from somewhere else, then restored to create a beautiful B&B. My siblings all stayed there when we had our last family reunion.

If you've ever wished you could take a peek inside, well now's your chance, no matter where you live! Or at least, as long as you get HGTV on your TV, or have a friend who does. Yep, our little Chapel Home is going to be featured this Thursday night at 10 p.m. on a show called "You Live in What?" You can thank me later.

Like I said, if it weren't for Terri, we might never have bought this house, or even moved to Wimberley! I thank her for that every single time I stand on my porch, or watch the sun come up, just behind that little church, through my dining room windows.

P.S. If you've ever thought about staying in this little B&B, better book it now, before the show airs! For more information, call (512) 633-5032 or go to www.chapelhomewimberley.com.
 

A CHRISTMAS GIFT TO MYSELF

One thing I've noticed about journaling and blogging is that it makes me more conscious of "the little things." I find myself paying more attention, searching for those wee bits of bliss. The best part is that, once I find them, the process of photographing or sketching or writing about them seems to "glue" those moments into my memory, allowing me to travel back to them any time I wish. Which is why I made up my mind to journal Christmas this year!

I'd been toying with the idea ever since I saw an article in one of my art magazines about one someone else had done. There was even an on-line class you could pay to take. Unfortunately, I was already signed up for two other holiday classes last year, which was already one too many, so I skipped it. But not this year! This year Dawn Devries Sokol is offering her 12-31 class for free, so how could I pass it up? It just started, so it's not too late for you to join in on the fun. If you think you might be interested, go here and click on the 12-31 link over on the left.

One thing Dawn mentions in her opening video is that the whole point of this journal is to make the holidays more fun, not more stressful! If you've shopped for shampoo or deodorant lately, you'll know that having ever more choices is not always a good thing. Sometimes it just adds to the stress! Therefore, I decided to limit myself to the supplies I tossed into the basket above, most of which I already had laying around the house.

A Few Stamps

Some Washi Tape

A Few Stencils

Some Gift Tags and a Coloring Book

 I also opted to limit myself to four main colors, which took a bit of trial and error before coming to a decision.

Red, Grass Green, Turquoise, Magenta

For my journal, I decided to use this little beauty, handmade by last year's art camp roomie, Kelley Walker, of One January Day.

The first instruction we were given in Dawn's class was to set our "intentions." What did I want out of this little journal? Well, this:

You may need to remind me about #1 on that list since, against my better judgement and the vow I made never to do two classes at once again, I have also signed up for Christy Tomlinson's 12 Artsy Ornaments of Christmas class.

The devil made me do it!

FABULOUS FAIRIES

Walking along the street at the Renaissance Festival, I caught a flash of color from the corner of my eye, turning just in time to see this...

the Fairy Queen, marshalling her troops!

Yes, their costumes were utterly amazing, but it was more than that.



It was their mannerisms...

their speech, which was a lilting series of trills and warbles...

and their expressive little faces.

Oh my word, those winsome little faces!

Truly one of the most amazing groups I've ever come across.

And, speaking of "amazing" people, I'm sure you've heard me mention my friend Fiber Woman dozens of times here on the blog. Well, she and her hubby have a permanent booth there at the Ren Fest, right across from the Globe Theatre.

That's her hubby there on the right, posing in front of the dragon that he and Fiber Woman built themselves, and which you can tour to see its amazing innards.

What that girl can do with strips of leather and sheepskin will blow your mind!

Go here to see for yourself!

TEXAS RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL EVOLUTION

For a while there, it seemed like we were going to the Texas "Ren Fest", which opened before we even had kids, at least once a year. However, when Darling Daughter and her hubby (I'm still not used to saying that!) invited us all to go with them this year, I realized that the last time we went, they were still in high school. And boy, has it ever changed since then! Back then it was all about the knights and wenches. Now, not so much. For one thing, each weekend has a theme. We went during the "Celtic Christmas Celebration", so there were more than a few Santas and kilts, and even Santas wearing kilts. Here is a very small sampling of what we saw this year. 

You can go through a lot of cash at this place!

Santa's been working out!

Wings have always been popular, but tails are something new since I was last there.

The Renaissance Version of Do-Si-Do

An entire fashion industry has developed here, selling everything from the original chain mail and swords to pirate gear, fairy wings, steam punk accessories, the aforementioned tails, and even these Mad-Max-style helmets! My friend and Muse, Fiber Woman, is a big part of that fashion industry, and has been since they first opened. I will show you some of her work tomorrow.

 Anyone recognize these three lovely ladies?
 

These three knights?

If you need a hint, the one in the middle is carrying coconut halves.

What about these three pirates?

My Own Three Goofballs

Check out some of the creatures we ran into...

Amazing as all these costumes were, there was one group that outshone all the rest. And, rather than having to choose just one photo from that group, I decided to give them their own separate "color-mad" post. Tomorrow!