Sew Funky

Sew Funky in Ontario on December 4

We love supporting small retailers and all the handmade vendors.
It is important to us that our kids understand the connection between
the individuals we meet and their handmade products.


This small faire is just starting to take off in the Inland Empire.  If we want
it local we have to provide our support. Jacob takes a break from his
DS to chat with this very accommodating contributor.  

Go handmade revolution go.  Our grandmother's would be proud.

Harvest Festival in Pomona

The carousel at the Pomona Fairgrounds.  The Harvest Festival is expensive. 
At $9 per adult admission and $9 for parking it is a little steep. 
Then again there is entertainment on the stage,  period dressed carolers strolling throughout the event,
and crafts for the kids.
The is crafty FOCUS. Both the kids have my unique talent of tuning everything else out.

What a Weekend

I've been holding out on you dear readers. It hasn't been on purpose...simply the cold, which I love, has hit my joints hard this year.  Feeling fatigued most of the time.
Still I love you all so much so here is my weekend post.  Better late than never. 

The weekend felt long and velvety. A great warm comfort of experiences.   We started the adventure on Friday at Piecemakers.

On Saturday we visited two of our favorite shops in Lake Elsinore:

Mora's and Maria's Antiques both on Main Street.

  

Then on to Rainbow for the Vintage Marketplace. 
This is one of Mr. Lee's very favorite destinations.
Amazing vendors.  Here is Becky's booth...one of our favorites.

Stepping stones to round out holiday decorating in the garden.

GlitterFest Fall 2011

This is a must attend event in a always decked out venue. 
Everyone is so welcoming and truly creative.

I've highlighted just a few seasonal items but there really
is something for everyone.  Check out this jacket.

 Holly's glitter boots to celebrate the event.  

The yummy cupcakes  we look forward to.  Holly is holding
an orange pumpkin spice cake pop that she declared delicious.

A little break from the excitement. 

Please check out Rita's blog for more inspiration.

Craft Fiesta

We had the good fortune to visit CJ Angels in La Verne during their Craft Fiesta.

Super fun with super nice kid friendly people.

Teaching Your Kids to Love what You Love

We do everything as a family.  Kids grow up fast.  When I was 16 someone told me that 20 years is just a blink of an eye and that is so true.  Thirty years have gone by.  Since this is my second time around, I am keenly aware of the fleeting joys that I should not miss.

Even with this understanding, nothing has been normal around here lately.  Our Easter decorations aren't up and our weekends have been amazingly light. We miss our jam packed weekends and road trips and in a flash will made it right.  Yesterday was just the beginning.  First stop, monster pepper and tomato sale at the Fullerton Arboretum, on to the Glitterfest, with a last stop at Claros Italian market.  Swoon.

I have been a friend of Fullerton Arboretum for probably twenty years and while the facilities have improved the simple joy is the same.   Mark attended science classes in second grade as a home schooled kid.  Now, Jacob as a second grader, looks forward to purchasing succulents and cactus.  Holly has her own favorites mostly flowers.  

My mother and father both had green thumbs.  My father grew vegetables mostly out of necessity but my mother continued to grow both vegetables and flowers for pleasure.  Nothing tastes better.  Heirloom varieties of both vegetables and flowers are my favorites.  Everyone knows vine picked tomatoes taste better but have you ever given any thought to the amazing variety and taste of lettuce from the garden.  Keeping the growing tradition alive is so important.  This weekend we gently encouraged the love of growing.  All the peppers were gone but  the variety of tomatoes was encouraging.

Jacob's favorites.



Pineapple tomatillos, these bring such delightful childhood memories to mind. I love the thought of having Holly eat cherry tomatoes and pineapple tomatillo/cape gooseberries
warm from the vine just like I used to.

It's important that our children be exposed to creative endeavors.

And really good food.

Claros has so many yummy foods.

Things to be Happy About

Yikes. I have been such a bad bloggy friend.  We have been working so hard...Holly said today.."Was this our weekend?  We didn't go any where."  So sad.  Jacob and Holly did swim on Saturday but in reality I had so much homework and Lee was cleaning the carpet.  So much needed cleaning.

Here's a little photo of pure joy.

Sigh.  You have to think of this.
Things to be Happy About.  

Road 2 California Show

The pain I am experiencing in my right leg is totally worth the experience of visiting the show today. I listened to a doctor or therapist, it doesn't matter,  from the medical center in Houston where Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords will be rehabilitated.  The health care provider person was talking about the "new normal" when you sustain trauma and then get as good as you are going to get. 

It was an epiphany for me.  The new normal.  I don't give a lot of thought to the progression of my disease because it is what it is and I am more peaceful not concentrating on what I don't have control over.  I love the new normal because it is what I experience every day and it comforting to know that I am not alone.  Think positive thoughts.  It was an emotional moment. 

Meanwhile, back to the show. While at the show I had to use the restroom and when my turn came up I landed in the handicap stall.  I guess from the look of my shiny red clogs a lady standing outside decided to say very loudly that the handicap stall is intended for the handicap.  Truly I was going as fast as I could.

It really upsets me when total strangers are rude.  I smiled and said hello as I exited...her embarrassed face was totally worth it.  My friend ,Becky, assured me that handicap stalls are intended for the disabled but even if you are not disabled the stalls are available to everyone unless a disabled person is waiting.  I am disabled. but even if I weren't, these stalls are more comfortable  for everyone,  regular toilets are way too low for most people, handicap stalls sometimes have the only changing table in the restroom, and for parents traveling with small children or the elderly they are the only choice. Keep in mind, not all disabilities can be seen with your eyes although mine are obvious. And always remember that being aq disabled doesn't give you a free pass to be mean.  Being nice matters.

I am so sorry I didn't bring a camera but I am sharing these questionable quality photos from my phone.  You still have a whole weekend to get there.

First stop.  Susan Branch's booth. 

 Exhibits.  This one includes the Starship.

Ode to Holly.  She is dreaming of a new two piece swim suit.

Wool. 

There is absolutely something for everyone at this show.  I didn't get to see
all that I wanted but I am so happy I went.