La Fiesta Parade

You don't get more 4th of July than a small town parade and Las Vegas, NM knows how to do it right. They have an annual 4th of July celebration that is awesome. I have not been in a few years and this year did not disappoint. They had everything....loud music, candy in the streets, great floats, music, etc. View the whole set here then sit back and imagine the smell of a carnival and enchiladas mixed together. ;)

Bohemian Spirit

Recently, while at my favorite hang out, I met Amy, a local artist who owns Bohemian Spirit.  I had been in her studio/store two locations ago and was a little overwhelmed by the massive quantities of vintage goods.  We were the only two in the back room of the Red Cup and began chatting.  She told me she was moving to another location and I told her that I was looking for some things to take my summer cabin back to it's 40's/50's glory.  She told me to stop by and she would see what she had.  Well, it was worth the trip.  I found a wonderful bed spread several valances and a couple of sets of curtains.  They were all perfect.  I purchased a couple of additional items including three hanging lamps.  Any guesses on how much I spent?  $20.00! Deal of the century.  I can't wait to get out to New Mexico and get some pictures of the goods in action.

When my passions collide....

I love it when I get that tingly feeling that "something was meant to be."  I have a lot of passions this day.  When I say passion, I am not being over-expressive.  Obsessions might be a better word. Anyway, as you probably know, if you read this blog, I love to knit.  I started knitting about two and a half years ago.  Very seldom do I take to something like this....but, I LOVE it.  I have to knit everyday or my day is just not complete.  

Let me set the scene.  I started knitting and the first thing I did was purchase knitting books to feed my book obsession.  Then I started blogging to feed my writing obsession.  The blogging led to podcasts which to me to the CMP.  Amy on the CMP knits and then thus I began listening to knitting blogs.  I took several weeks last summer in the mountains just me and the babies so I ran out of knitting blogs so I googled writing blogs and thus discovered Writers on Writing by Barabra DeMarco-Barrett.  I listened to almost all of her back episodes...and there are a lot. She talks about her book Pen on Fire so I bought the book and read it.  Now, I keep up with her Pen on Fire blog.  

So, imagine the excitement when I logged on to Ravelry today and glanced at the list of new groups.  I saw a group called Knitters Who Write.  I decided to check it out.  I almost turned away and then I decided to check out the moderator.  Her website is knittingonfire.blogspot.com....and I thought, what a rip off.  (I know, I know...the name of my blog came from the title of the book, but what can I say.)  She totally ripped off Barbara's book title.  I read on, and it is Barbara DeMarco-Barrett.  I am such a dork....I know.  But, I am a fan, what can I say.  I shot her a quick message and added her as a friend and the group to my ever growing list.  

My universe seems to all be coming together now.  :)

Spiritual Toys from Etsy

Project A Day

I have read several different blogs that post about a creative project they (I assume) complete everyday.  So, when I decided (yesterday) that I wanted to make an apron to accompany a birthday gift for one of the older one's friends birthday...I thought this was very manageable.  WRONG.  I am not the best seamstress, but I really do aspire to be one of these days.  For some reason I have not picked it up quite as easily as I have knitting.

At breakfast I dug out a pattern I had stashed away and some fabric I thought would be fitting.  I let my little guy pick out which apron I would make and then we headed off to the gym.  When we returned...lunch, put the boys down, set up a mock sewing room in the middle of my kitchen, and I got started.  All went well until the boys woke up early due to messy pants.  

I worked and messed up and worked and messed up, until the cute full apron became a half; I called it good.  Now, it is 5:00 pm and I am off to the store to get food to make dinner for my BIL and SIL tonight.

All in a day's work!

I will post a picture as soon as I get my computer to download.

Sweet Song of Yourself

I am inspired and brought to reflection every time I listen to the CMP. This week, however, the music really struck a cord with me….no pun intended. Amy at the CMP has really eclectic taste in music and I love to listen to what she selects for each episode because it is usually just the right song for the topic. I don’t know if she intended this weeks episode to have such religious meaning…..after all, it is the beginning of Lent. One way or another, the music was very fitting to her discussions and very fitting to where I am this year as Easter approaches. Here are some of the lyrics to one of the songs.

Didn’t anybody ever tell you that you’re made of stars
Didn’t anybody ever tell you how wonderful you are
Didn’t anybody look into your eyes and see the whole world spinning around.

Strange days we are living in
Sometimes it seems like the signal is getting low
Keep picking up waves of love on your human radio

Wild angel don’t you think it’s time now to love yourself
Wild angel don’t you think it’s time now to love yourself

Didn’t anybody ever tell you that you’re made of space
Didn’t anybody ever tell you that you’re filled with grace
Didn’t anybody ever sing into your ear the sweet song of yourself

Strange days we are living in
Sometimes it seems like the signal is getting low
Keep picking up waves of love on your human radio

Wild angel don’t you think it’s time now to love yourself
Wild angel don’t you think it’s time now to love yourself

It’s not the end of the world
It’s not the end of the world
It’s not the end of the world

Keep picking up waves of love…..waves of love…….waves of love….waves of love
Keep picking up waves of love…..waves of love…….waves of love….waves of love

Wild angel don’t you think it’s time now to love yourself
Wild angel don’t you think it’s time now to love yourself
Don’t you think it’s time to love yourself?


Joshua Kadison
Wild Angel

25+ Years of Knitting

I knit every Wednesday with a group from my church. We work on stocking the church with Prayer Shawls for those in need of some extra care. We also make hats, slippers, scarves, and hand warmers for the homebound.
One lady, new to the group but not new to knitting, is working on an awesome Prayer Shawl. She is using scrap yarn from the past 20/25 years. As she goes along, she tells us that she made a baby blanket with this and a hat with that. It is so interesting and a great piece. When she began, I wasn't sure what to expect, but it has turned out BEAUTIFUL. I don't know how she will ever give it away....but, that is why I love this group...they teach me to be more loving and giving.

My Personel Palette

My Personel Palette
Originally uploaded by UpNAdam

I had such a great time last Thursday. I have been asked to lead a series of "creativity" activities for a Mom's Group. I do it once a month and last Thursday was the first one. I was pretty nervous. I have never led anything like this before....but, it went really well. I took an idea that I had read about in Visual Chronicles, making a personel palette. I took out all of my art supplies and introduced the idea by asking, "what inspires you?" Then each mom was to make a palette for inspiration. They loved it. I had several people say that they could do this all day. Everyone had great ideas and all in all it was a great time. Now, I just have to think of something for next month....any ideas?

Boys and Beautiful Butterflies

Boys will be boys.....that's what they say, I guess. Here is my dirty boy taking a dirt bath.

Luckily, I have a backyard full of beauty.

A Great Trip

Las Vegas Mosaic
Originally uploaded by UpNAdam

It is well known that my "Love Language" is Quality Time and boy did I get some quality time with my family this weekend. We went to New Mexico...all of us this time....daddy included. We spent our time hiking, playing, talking, playing with ladybugs, wheelbarrow riding, practicing photography, visiting galleries, and much more. The weather could not have been more beautiful. Here are a few pictures of our great trip.

Inspiration of the Week

link

"Your soul is oftentimes a battlefield, upon which your reason and your judgment wage war against your passion and you appetite.
Would that I could be the peacemaker in your soul, that I might turn the discord and the rivalry of your elements into oneness and melody.
But how shall I, unless you yourselves be also the peacemakers, nay, the lovers of all your elements?"
Kahlil Gibran