Random Monday...

I downloaded a few pictures from my camera today, so I thought I’d share a few.

My family’s three cats are a constant source of exasperation and laughter—often both at the same time, and they are a lot of fun to take pictures of. Here are Neko and Mal hanging out in the laundry room—such cuties!

I had a blast visiting Flynn last week so we could attend a Dallas Symphony concert, and while there are many wonderful and nerdy things about his oh so very bachelor pad, this was one of my favorites:

Any guy who has a sword rack in his house gets approval from me, but a guy who keeps his umbrella there too? Huzza! Rock on lil’ bro!

This past weekend we had a Chai Party, and we blew through this 15 gallon bad boy…

…and had to start another big pot! It had been far too long since I enjoyed a nice cup of Chai…

Finally, I finished this little baby bonnet for my friend’s little girl. I kind of want to make it again and fix a few issues (at least I think there are issues!), but we shall see. Knitting progress has been slow and erratic lately—mostly confined to the evening dose of Voyager. Behold, Serenity’s bonnet!

I do love a good Faire...

I didn't take very many pictures at all these last two weekends because I was so busy living the faire. Catching up with old friends, making some new, and just reveling in my freedom to be ME without constraint and judgement. Here are a few pictures and a few stories; when I steal my mother's pictures I'll put some more up!

The owner of the Faire, Sir Dustin, is a wonderful visionary who has made it possible for grown people to dress up in awesome garb and escape from the real world for a bit and enjoy the magic of the past. I love that he vigilantly keeps things family friendly, and that music is such a part of this faire. Huzzah to you sir--keep making this a wonderful place to visit!

I enjoy getting to be outside in the beautiful East Texan spring, and watching the beautiful horses of the Faire. This year there were two adorable little foals to provide the cute factor and some entertainment as they ran down the lists with their mothers. Jousting horse in the making!

There is all sorts of garb to enjoy looking at and get ideas from as well. Kilts are a popular attire, though I personally wouldn't want to wear one on horseback! As the man said, "Want to know what I wear under my kilt? A Clydesdale!"

One of my favorite parts of the faire is the music. I have a passion for live Celtic music, and it is so good to get to know the performers a bit and have that added personal connection with them. This faire I got to know the group Triskelion and even got a personal concert yesterday! There was also an impromptu gathering of musicians while my mother and I watched a booth for another vendor (yes, we are that well known by the booth owners that they entrusted us with a booth full of swords and knives for over an hour!). It makes me want to bust out my guitar and play some faire music!

All in all it was a lovely two weekends. So many good memories were made, and I was sad to go yesterday. I don't know when the next time I'll get to visit the Faire will be, but I'm so thankful for these two weekends that I just had.

Favorite Faire Memories

* Having Flynn come with us and be an enthusiastic audience member.

* Getting to watch The Celtic Armory for our friends Tim and Carrie--the porch is a great people watching spot, and it was cool to feel a part of the family!

* Listening to Jed Marum during the day and at the Celtic Music Festival.

* Shamelessly 'fangirling' Triskelion and getting serenaded in a private concert. Good music and good people!

* Watching the joust and cheering for the brave knights.

* Picking up several really cool pieces of handmade jewelry.

* Visiting with Tim and Carrie as well as making some new faire friends

* Eating chocolate covered bacon!

A Faire Sort of Weekend

This weekend my mother and I spend most of our time out at Four Winds Canterbury Renaissance Faire. I got gloriously sunburned, but it was totally worth it! On Saturday I wore a dress of my mothers that while being elegant and lovely, also left much of my shoulders and back exposed. Despite religious parasol usage, I FRIED. While I was guarantying that I will die of skin cancer, I enjoyed watching Captain Tom Bedlam perform his famous counterfeiting trick:

I was totally excited to be at the Faire that day as it was the Celtic music festival and I was going to get to hear one of my favorite artists, Jed Marum. He played a bit on different stages during the day, and then starting a bit before 8 that evening there was a line up of celtic musicians. Unfortunately, Jed was last, so we only heard the first few songs of his set because we had to get back home!

The second day I wore a bodice of my mom's and one of my chemises. No, I did not remember to take any pictures of myself! I also had fun hanging out at the Celtic Armory with our friends Carrie and Tim.

This week the project is to make myself an over-gown to wear to the Faire as my former costume doesn't fit me any more. I might try to get that corset working so I can wear it one day as well. By working I mean to sew up all the places where the boning poked through, and finish it off. I'll have to post pictures of that as well... So much to do, and only a week to get it done in!

Easter Crafts

So, I have been making tiny bunnies!

How tinny are these bunnies you might ask? Here is a picture of one with a penny for some perspective.

Another Eastery craft I did this weekend was to make 'stained glass' eggs. Here are the results:

I call this one "scary old man.' You know how sometimes things don't turn out the way you intended them to?

Huzzah for holiday crafting!