MamaMeo

Oh me oh my....

So yesterday, I volunteered for Stitch.  It was a great time working with a fun crew of gals and meeting the main 5 women that put this shindig together.  And this fellow volunteer chica was chosen as a last minute model...ah!  Had I only stayed a few more minutes!!!!  Maybe I would have graced the runway.
It's basically a show featuring crafts, artisans, designers, a fashion show, and the like.  I showed up for the craft bazaar a bit later with Solan in tow and was fairly impressed.  I enjoyed it all despite the fact that there was a tendency to see duplicates of several crafts and such.  But, such is life.  One thing is for certain, I do want to get into the show for next year.  I was inspired artistically and got some great ideas of how I want to set up my booth for Blue Genie.

I'm pretty excited to be a part of this event and this week will be a week of orientation meetings for me with the Blue Genie folks.  Many of the crafters I saw last night will be there at Blue Genie, so that's cool.  Still, I have so much to do.  And Thanksgiving is almost here, wow! 

This coming weekend, I'm a part of the East Austin Studio Tour.  And I'm getting fitted for my costume tomorrow afternoon.  I'm a little nervous too!  Anyways, Veronica has been amazingly easy to work with and I'm so thankful that she chose me to be a part of the fancy fun.  It should be a good time, but a hard working one at that.  I'll fill you in with more details as the week progresses. 

And last but not least, my wee little niece, Viviana!
Happy Monday everyone!

Navaho tacos, candy, and mushaboom, my little mushroom

This weekend was chock full of fun stuff.  First and foremost, I never came back to give an update for Halloweenie.  Well, little man was this.  And you can see his red hat that I made..yep, I'm a proud Mushroom mama who had a blast trickotreatin' with him.   We stayed in the  neighborhood and went door to door for candy and fun with my dear neighbors.  It was so much fun especially hearing  him say in his wee little voice, "TRICK OR TREAT?!"  and then running into people's homes!  ha.   What fun!  And this photo was an  "after shot"  so not the whole costume and with the hat a bit tipped back.  Tee hee.  Speaking of mushrooms...I can't get this little diddy out of my head, "Mushaboom" by Feist.  Getting the album...hopefully before Christmas?!

My dear sister came on over, bearing gifts for Solan, and lookee here, me and my niece, Viviana.  Isn't she the cutest?! And I made her some wee pants...hope my sis will put them on her so they can be modeled for you. And I'm making a funny face in this pic, oh well?!

We went to the awesome, Austin Pow Wow.  I didn't take these photos, but look how just gorgeous and amazing.  I have always been drawn to pow wow's, so I was a bit excited to hear about this one coming up.  The dancers were beautiful and the air was filled with cultural wonder and pride.   We  had a beautiful time..eating navaho tacos, indian fry bread, roasted corn, and visiting so many wonderful Native American artisans and crafters, especially Dana Tiger.  Her work  features the  more feminine aspects of Native American culture and I was so touched.  I purchased several gorgeous cards from her and hope to order some prints of her work.  But this woman, this native elder, personified feminine beauty, strength, power, and love.  I love this photo of her.  I saw her sitting in a booth and was so moved by her.  I wanted to go up to her, for her to give me a blessing, for her to tell me a story, for her to tell me that her culture and people are not gone.  I was so moved and honestly, I still am.

In crafty news, I'm still plugging away and getting ready for Blue Genie.  Sew, Sew, Sew... I also dropped off some stuff at Bella Blue, a beautiful little boutique and have had a couple of bites via my etsy shop.  Yay! Kendra, fashionista extrordinaire, took these shots at my favorite shop, Phlox.  Yay!  Yay! Yay!   

 

There will be many more adventures this week folkies, so keep your eye
out!  Happy Monday all!

Mi Primo....

This is my primo.  He and I are close in age.   He's also a talented musician and beautiful artist.  Even though we are physically miles apart, I've always had a great connection to him.  We shared a few great moments in Chicago when I was living there...I miss those days.  Here's to you Francisco....love you.

What else am I up to?

Well, besides making a million phone calls to the same dear friends and loved ones (who are never home or who are simply ignoring me) over and over, I have been up to some fun stuff.

Today, we ventured to the Barsana Orchards where we picked beautiful persimmons.   This variety is called Fuyu (Fuyugaki) and they are the non-astringent type...so the ones that don't make you pucker like a fish.  It was such a beautiful morning driving out to the hill country and to be surrounded by nature and quiet.  (Oh how I wish my  dream of living in the country will come true sooner than later!)  So there they were, these beauties, ripe and dripping from the trees.  Little man was so excited and had no difficulty picking them right off.  I've never had a persimmon, well, at least not a fresh one.  One of the farmers was kind enough to cut open one for us to try and it's a bit like an apple but without a whole lot of crunch.  You can eat the whole thing or just eat the inner flesh.  Yumminess all around!  We came home with about 4 lbs. worth, so about 20 beauties.  I have gifted some to friends and neighbors, but I'm so looking forward to cooking something up with them.  Maybe some persimmon empanandas?   A pie?  Hmmmm....

After our time spent picking, we walked the grounds of Barsana Dham.  This is such a beautiful place to visit for so many reasons.  I have attended several Yoga retreats and have certainly attended services there.  It is always such a peaceful place to visit, to get away and to get your mind off of many things.  We walked for a while moving past the orchards, visting nearby streams and creeks.  We saw several baby grass snakes and a few fish.  I love it!  We took many photos, yet we still are having difficulty uploading photos..argh.  It was a wonderful morning. 

In other crafty news, I have finished some pajama pants for my little man.  Of course, done with his favorite diggers and dumpers...you know, construction machines and what not.  Well, he loves them and is cozy in bed right now wearing them.  I found an old Simplicity pattern at the thrift store recently, so I just used that.  It worked perfectly.  I also made some pants for my dear niece and neighbor.  They are just adorable!

I am also cooking up a storm over here with whatdoyaknow...pumpkin!!!  I purchased a couple of pie pumpkins and still have one to cook and 1/2 of one to puree.  Yum.  I found this empananda recipe, but I find it too buttery and too sweet.  My husband on the other hand loves it, so I think I'll have to find another that we can both appreciate.  But what I do love is the pure pumpkin puree!  There's nothing like cutting open a pumpkin to cook.  Using the pumpkin goo (what wee one calls the innards of a pumpkin) is so nice, so sweet.  And this is the first time where I'm actually using a pumpkin rather than the canned stuff.  I highly recommend the real deal folks!  I am hoping to get to a pumpkin pie as well.  Pumpkin muffins?  Pumpkin, pumpkin?

Halloween is almost here!  And I am convinced that Solan, who agrees with me, will be a mushroom.  I admit, I get some stares, some guffaws, but I think it'll be gosh darn cute.  But yesterday he said the most hilarious thing.  After my neighbor asked him if he was still going to be pumpkin he said, "No, I'm gonna be a kitty kat."  And then he suddenly said, "I'm gonna be a COTTONBALL!!"  Haaaaaaaaaaaa!  I think that's hilarious and downright awesome!  So, I'm a bit undecided between a cottonball or a mushroom.  Help me decide folks, seriously: a fungi or the sister of the q-tip!?!  Vote vote vote!!  Happy Sunday night!

What do you do when you hear this....

Well, I listened.  And my ears are still delightfully ringing of beautiful sounds.  And it all felt so personal, so intimate.  So i'm thankful.  For having witnessed these beauties in their utmost creative craft of musicianship.  Live music.  In its most beautiful form.  It's honest and takes me to places, memories, and spinning spaces.  It renews my creative Self.  And I hope to hear more of them again and again and again and again and again and again...............

Fall weather?

We had a bit of a break from the heat.  It dipped to the mid 50s and there's been a little bit of rain.  But today, it's 84 freakin' degrees!!!  And all i want is for it to be a bit fallish, just a bit.  We've been carving pumpkins and I just purchased some more for both carving and for pies and pumpkin empanandas!!  Yum!  I made a batch earlier this week, but with canned pumpkin.  Wasn't so bad, but I'm looking forward to trying the real deal.  Dear hubbie just returned from Chi-town.  Yep, my old hood of Chicago.  I was planning on venturing with him, but made the decision for several reasons for him to go off on his own.  And I'm glad he went.  He seems a bit more relaxed a bit more himself.  Now, it's just my turn to go.  By me lonesome. No child.  So, we'll see.  I'll probably not go to Chicago, but somewhere near by like Dallas and such.  Not a big Dallas fan, however, I do have some dear friends still there and it would be nice to visit.

Tonight is the night to see Juana Molina.  And i'm excited.  This is her last stop before she ventures on her euro tour.  So, I'm thankful.  I've been feeling a bit down and out..I think alot of it has to do with the weather and a few circumstances beyond my control.  I am looking forward to this evening, to be taken away by her beautiful voice.  To get lost in the sounds that she so beautifully creates.  And that already makes me a bit happier.  I'll let you know how it goes.  Maybe I'll even see you there.  Happy Thursday!

Come with me...

To see this chica.  I'll be at the Parish on Thursday awaiting your arrival. 

This is where I want to be...

Right now.

But instead, I'm here.  It'll do for now. 

Good, happy news....

I recently received word that I've been accepted into the Blue Genie Art Bazaar.  Woo hoo!!  I'm so glad and so nervous about it all...I have a whole lot of stuff to be sewn, priced, etc.  But it's exciting!

My etsy shop is getting a bit busier and I'll be adding more stuff very soon so check it out. 

Solan and I were also chosen to be in a photo shoot next week for a local photographer, so that's pretty cool.  We'll be taking photos at the UMLAUF sculpture garden and it should be fun.

I'm on a break from dancing and I have to admit that I'm happy about that.  I was feeling a bit overwhelmed with the recent rehearsal schedule that I had.  And I don't think I'll be committing to anything similar to it anytime in the near future.  I am looking forward to seeing dance though.  I love watching it and am excited about checking out some local stuff. 

Well, hope everyone is having a Happy Tuesday! 

Here's a beautiful friend, with a beautiful smile.  His smile is contagious...hope it is for you too.

We got reviewed....

The Austinist and The Chronicle saw what we wanted them to see.  Now it's your turn.  Tickets are almost gone!!
Another tantalizing photo...