Rambling 5: Mixed Up

When I started this, I said that my early morning walk with Butler has become my favorite part of the day. I must revise that thought. Truly the best part of the walk is the end. After breathing all the fresh air, relishing the touch of cool air on my skin, The first cup of coffee on returning home is the best. As I round the final corner to home, I can almost smell the coffee brewing, and my hands feel the smooth warmth of my chosen mug. Ahhh!

Irony. The weather people are predicting a real chance for rain on Saturday, Georgetown Market Days. We need rain desperately, so I can't hope against it, but.... For all the organizers, the vendors, merchants and attendees, I hope for sun until 5pm. Then the skies can open up with a soaking rain. By the way rain or shine, Mama Ds and Annarella Girl will be set up on Main street between 7th and 8th.

Until tomorrow.

Rambling 4, Georgetown Market Days

The week before a show always has a different rhythm. Georgetown Market Days (click on highlight for time, place and other info.) is this Saturday. Even though it is a small event, Mama Ds (check out etsy shop for wonderful new bags.) and I hope to get some positive feedback on new items, some sales and some special orders. Is that too much to ask? In the 4 days remaining in the week there are lots of odds and ends. Making sure display stuff is ready. Finding a few shirts and tights to display with clothes. Gathering all the bags, business cards, receipt books, etc.

I still have a list of clothes I wish I could make. Not enough time. But I am excited to see how the audience likes the corduroy jumper. (Be prepared for a week of whine if the comments aren't good.) Also, the long sleeved onesie. We, craft show exhibitors, get anxious before shows. Will you love us? Will you ignore us?

Off to finish a jumper. See you tomorrow.

Rambling 3 Shades of Gray

Are any of you fans of Andy Rooney? I've always enjoyed his view of life's particulars. Last night CBS' 60 Minutes said goodbye to him as a regular contributor. I will miss his end pieces. They made me laugh and nod in familiarity. Can you believe he is 92? What a lot of life and changes he's seen and commented on!

Morely Safer interviewed Andy about his career and his beliefs, and he said one thing that really struck a chord with me. When asked about his politics, he said, "I'm more democratic than republican." In 5 words he wrote volumes. Our political world has become so black and white - republican or democrat. But the reality is that most of us are a mix of both. Few of us, at least the ones I know, believe 100% in what either party stands for. We are shades of gray. We lean more to one party than another, but we appreciate stands in each. I think it is important to recognise our similarities, to applaud our grays. Maybe this would be a step toward compromise and therefore progress.

Monday thoughts for a better world.

Rambling 2, Comfort Foods

What a wonderful cool morning. Breathing in the good air. Enjoying the Sunday quiet. Some mornings our walk is crowded with others - dogs leading their owners, walkers, joggers and bikers - but today Butler and I only met one other jogger. Felt like we had the world to ourselves.

With cool weather here, finally feel autumn has started. My thoughts go to comfort foods. Last night we had one of our favorite  cool weather, baseball playoffs, football games, dinners. Chili with cornbread and apple crisp for dessert. Since we're not native Texans we have both meat and beans in our chili. It makes it hearty. Lots of protein. Need that for all that couch sitting. and the bonus is that it makes great leftovers. Chili is one of those dishes that just gets better, more flavorful the next day.

Apple crisp - a childhood memory of fall when apples from our own tree were plentiful and needed to be used. If we were old enough to wield a knife we all pitched in to peel and slice, ever watchful for the occasional worm. The warm odor while it cooked infused the  kitchen. Ahh, cinnamon and brown sugar.

Okay, now I've made my self so hungry, excuse me while I wander into kitchen for a lunch treat of leftovers.
See you tomorrow.

Walking with Butler

Every morning for months the dog rouses me out of bed and into a walk. While he is so busy sniffing for all the night inhabitants who have crossed his trail, my mind is free to soar and dip in random thought. It's become my favorite time of the day. A bit of exercise for the body and mind.

During this month of October I've decided that I will share some of my morning thoughts. So walk with me.

I've come very close to ending Annarella Girl this summer. Or ending the commercialization of AG. Seems like I'm not growing. As I've analyzed my situation, I realise that I love the creating of designs and clothes, but I miss, miss, miss having contact with and feedback from other creative people. That is what is wearing me down. And that leads me to this morning's thoughts.

After dreaming of having a group of smart, creative, successful artisans discovering me and begging me to become a part of their ranks (lol), I've realized that I must go out and try to organize such a group. So I'm thinking about ways to do this and to what end. My vision is not just a talky get-together (after all none of us has time to waste), but something which might explore the challenges of creative businesses - marketing, sales opportunities, using the interent effectively. Combining our talents, energies and minds to further our businesses. Maybe create a once a year event which combines hands on workshops, informational workshops, social opportunities and selling. Sounds a little disjointed but that's how dreams begin.

Anyone out there have any ideas to throw into my muddled mind? I've got plenty of morning walks to ponder them all. See you tomorrow.

Sewing with Tim Gunn

Hooray! It's Thursday evening. My night to sew with Tim Gunn. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a mentor like Mr. Gunn? He is respectful and helpful. His suggestions and comments are usually right on. Such a dicotomy - so stiff on the outside yet so warm on the inside.He is the poster child for goos manners. I'd love to see him walk into my workroom to talk ideas with.
Heidi Klum, Tim Gunn, Michael Kors and Nina Garcia give this reality show an honesty without overblown theatrics which is refreshing given the horrid trend in scripted reality shows that dwell on the mean, rude and lewd.
Thursday night with Project Runway - my favorite TV night of the week!

My Favorite Child

Have you seen or heard any of the chit chat on TV or in blogs about the new study saying that parents often favor one child over the others? I've heard over and over that many parents don't love their children equally. Well, such talk provokes me to divulge my favorite child.

I birthed and raised 3 children, 1 girl (the oldest) and 2 boys. Did I love them equally? I'm not sure how to answer that question. Is love a static emotion? Is the love I feel for my husband, children, siblings and friends the same, equal emotion? I think not. Since my children were and are not the same, how can I love them the same? But do I have a deep, firm love for all of them? YES. I love each one for their individuality. I celebrate their unique strengths - and they have many! Would I give one away? Well, there have been moments, particularly as teens, but I wouldn't want to eliminate one of them from my life.

How do you quantify love? Remember the childhood gambit of flinging your arms wide and saying, "I love you this much!" Well, that's how much I love my kids. But I'm not sure that is equal or the same. J, my oldest, I love your smile, your physical carriage, your strive for perfection, your sense of fun, your honesty. J, first son, I love your sensitivity, your warmth, your caring, your inquiring mind. T, my youngest, I love your serene core, your talent, your thoughtful and thought provoking advice, your sense of the silly. I could go on and on, but you get the gist. I love them differently but equally. That's not the same but it's the best that I can do.