Here Come Those Hazy, Lazy Days of Summer

I distinctly remember hearing about those days

I can't find them...

We have been so busy, good busy, tho

First, we went on a camping trip up the river, where there were many that braved the rafting trip down the river -- about 5 miles.

Mr in his sturdy craft coming down the river

Some of us waiting for the "rafters" to arrive and those that have already come in telling stories of their narrow escapes from the "terrors" of river rafting, like running aground in the shallows, hitting rocks on their backsides, or gettin splashed from a fellow rafter as they floated by.

Special guests from far away even braved the rafting trips

One of my daughters and granddaughters

Many young people sitting around and playing games and getting to know each other better

Unusual rock formations...

Campfires enjoyed by young and older alike

Tri Tip prepared by our own chefs over an outdoor grill with:

Salad, hot buttered bread,

Pinto beans with a delicious BBQ sauce to go over either the beans or the meat or BOTH!

And, not to forget the delicious deserts - about 9 different cakes to chose from. Definetely NOT a diet camping trip.

One morning found some of the grandsons visiting with Mr (Papa) at breakfast time.

(along with some "adopted" grandchildren)

We are preparing to go to a wedding this coming weekend down near the central coast. We secured the campground at the first of January, so we were commited to this camping trip and did not go to our usual show on the second weekend. This has been a one show month for us - we did the northern California one at the first of the month (that seems like a year ago by now)

Hot weather has finally hit us and today we had near 100 if not hitting it. We were blessed with so much rain earlier in the year, that it has made a lot of the vegetation grow more and that will make for more of a fire hazzard as we get warmer.



We have many items ready for the next coming show, at the first of the month in Alameda, Lord willing. Some items we save for just this show each month.  We look forward to getting back in the saddle and selling soon.

River Rafting

A long awaited camping trip starts today.

Years ago, (wow, I sound like I'm around 100...) anyway, we had a passel of young-uns...(6) and every year we would take our family vacation in the mountains and go camping for 10 days. Now, some of you would cringe at the thought of "roughing it" for 10 days, but took so much stuff that it was not really roughing it. It seems like months in advance I would take a poll at a dinner and each child was to offer up a suggestion for a dinner meal (that helped with the menu ideas) We had everything from split pea soup to enchiladas, hamburgers to breakfast for dinner. I could take the budget I had for groceries and little by little buy ahead for the long awaited camp-out.

We only went about 2 hours from home, but it was in the mountains, near a lake. We loaded everything from the picnic table, fishing poles, bikes, tents, potty chairs (ooops!), sleeping bags, etc. And, it would take two vehicles to get everything there. I would drive the station wagon loaded to the gills and Mr would drive the little truck and somewhere in it all we divided up the kids (no car seats at that time) Oh, the adventures we had!

Now, we have a small travel trailer (with a bathroom!) it is just the two of us and we eat like old people... oatmeal for breakfast, soup for lunch... you know - old people

BUT... this year we have one of our daughters from Texas and her two children to add to the mix. My daughter (the Bricoleur) lives nearby and we will share meals, tents and kids. It has been a dream to have them join us in our mountain camping trip.

We (and I use that term loosely) have run the river many times. (I personally have never been down the river in a raft, tube or kayak... I am the grandma and I get to watch and cheer). But the young people, old and young have and they really love it. I drive the truck back from the drop-off point, about a mile or more up the river and then go back to wait their arrival, it takes about an hour.

Here, in California, the water is clear and cold and fast. You will see some panning for gold on the shores, and you have to run the gamut of berry bushes, rocks and other rafters. All exciting.

Look for pictures next time as I have probably lost the ones I had from previous trips, as I can't find them...

A Roses and Rust Show

Yesterday I dreamed I was in "Charlotte's Web" book.

You remember the story of the pig that was on the farm and how the animals talked to each other and the spider who name was Charlotte?  You don't? Well, it was a good children's book that I read to the kids long ago.
We went to a show held in the outskirts of Anderson, CA. On a ranch/farm. Beautiful acreage with draft horses that must have been six feet at the shoulders and rump... It was hosted by a group called:
Ladies of Lulafaye Home & Garden & Antique Cottage & Garden

They call their semi-annual show

ROSES & RUST Vintage Home and Garden Market

http://rosesandrustvintagemarket.blogspot.com  (I still don't know how to make an underlined word go where I want it... anyone that wants to help me... go right ahead, I am trying to figure this out...)

We had a lovely time in spite of weird rainy weather for June!  Out here in central California, it rains off and on in the spring and by the end of May we don't see rain again until September or October. Well, this year has been really strange (talk about global warming, I'm still waiting to see it)

Our good friends/and daughter and son-in-law sold next to us.

This is looking through our space/tunnel area into our neighbor's (D & M), They started at the windows so cutely hung on the overhead frame of the shelter (we were so, so thankful for the shelter)

It rained off and on the whole day, but that didn't discourage the local shoppers from attending. I have never had as many people in my space at one time as yesterday. Not complaining, just amazed. We had our usual assortment of small hutches, nightstands, farm style tables, patio furniture and vintage jewelry. We were on the outskirts of the show and were the first booth to visit as you came in the gate. They not only got to see us when they came in, but were happy to visit again on their way out.  We backed up to the sheep's pen and this

Occasionally, they would neigh and it kinda sounded like they were giggling... (I know, strange imagination) Their friends of the esquestrian nature did this

Pulled a stage coach for rides. It was interesting to see the personalities of the horses. The one on the front left (I know there is a technical term the the place -- off or far -- near or something) anyway, that horse pranced... no other way to say it, with its head held high and almost danced down the road, the one on the right front pulled right along, but you could tell that it just wasn't having as much fun. Now, the ones in the back (you can see more of them here) did their job, but they were kinda tired of this whole thing, uninterested in putting on a show. It made me think of ourselves and our attitudes at times...we make it a good day - depending on our attitude.

*****

Well, we have had a good study/sharing this morning, a fantastic lunch and now is the time for a little putting up our feet until a later gathering. Hope you are having a good day.

Project Done!

Another project bites the dust

So what if my ironing isn't done...

Or - there is a load of laundry sitting in the dryer waiting to be folded...

Or - There are dishes sitting in my sink waiting to be put into the dishwasher -- have to unload the dishwasher first...

Or - I haven't vacuumed in a week...

Or - the list goes on and on...

When I have a project in the works, I have a hard time letting it go and doing the mundane things that need to be done day after day.

But

The project --

A baby quilt - finished, going to a shower this weekend.

Now I can go the grocery store, do the laundry, and focus on packing the trailer for an out-of-town trip. My mind won't be darting here and there.... on this project anyway.

By the way, its a girl...

I Am So Behind...

I keep on getting behind,

perhaps it is because I keep making new projects on top of the ones that are already on the table,

whatever,

I am behind, or so I think.


A couple of weeks ago (has it been that long?) I shared a picture of a really ugly - in my opinion - chest that someone had wall papered over the drawers

It was my self-imposed task to remove the wall paper. After many long hours, Mr repaired, repainted and attached little "feet" to the bottom of the corners. Here is that chest now, ready for the next sale.

I have also been diligently quilting on a project for one of my younger friends. This quilt grew and grew. It didn't start out being this large, but it could now almost be used as a bedspread :) If you are the sister to the recipient, please DO NOT share this photo... you know who you are...

It is supposed to represent "sea glass" colors.

I am now in the process of cutting for a baby quilt - pinks and greens. Pictures will eventually follow.

*******

I found out that I won a prize at All Things Vintage and I eagerly await to see it. I know that Rachel at Van Hook and Company will do a fantastic job. She looks like she is in the middle of many projects herself, so I hope she doesn't feel pressured about finishing my new necklace...

*******

We did go to the Granite Bay "Flea Affaire" show and it was a lovely day. The owner of the property - Julie is an unselfish person who gives of her beautiful yard and time to benefit the local arts program at the college. Now, I like the arts and all, but this person gives up her time to organize, plan, invite vendors and pull off this show, and at the expense of her yard. It is a tremendous amount of work and I take off my hat to her -- oh wait, I'm not wearing a hat -- you know what I mean.

Here she is with a niece

Mr and some of the junior bricoleurs (in training...)

There were plenty of shoppers

A rather uninspiring view of our selling area.

 The hardest part of this selling at shows is not the preparing the items to be sold (like repair, paint, - just like I do that...) or the loading, unloading in the wee hours of the morning, setting up so that it doesn't look like you just dumped it out of a box... (although I bet some do think that) but

figuring out what will sell...

Sometimes it will be furniture (much to Mr's delight!) Sometimes it will be a unique item that is a "one-of-a-kind", and sometimes it is jewelry (costume bling that women can't seem to resist). If we knew what they wanted, then we would only have to bring that, but it changes each time! It sure keeps us on our toes. The last show we sold one nightstand and a couple of "baker's racks" that they planned on using for plants outside -- in other words, no furniture to speak of. Little things, like necklaces, pins, knives, a watch or two... that is what catch their attention that time. Next time, who knows.

Well, that catches me up for a little while... Talk with you all later.