It's Nice to be Home

We made it home safely from Tucson after two long, full days of driving. Sadie was so excited to get home that she tripped on the stairs to the house and ran into the door.

We ended our trip to Tucson by attending the fabulous Atomic Ranch party at Kate McKinnon's house. I took several photos and just realized when I went to import the photos that I never put the card back in my camera. Doh! And damn it all to hell, I had taken a fantastic photo of Andrew Thornton in his best sexy pose.

Now I have to get back to work and there is much to be done. I need to finish The Collar that I've been obsessing over. It needs fringe and a clasp. But I was able to stitch the last seed bead along the edging up as we were pulling into the Windmill Inn parking lot in Tuscon. That was my goal: to be able to wear it to the Interweave party and I managed to pull it off. Luckily, though, I found some great matte teal peacock daggers at Raven's Journey that I think will be perfect with the piece.
I really want to unpack all of my treasures and roll around in them but unfortunately, I need to tend to the tedious tasks first, like laundry and unpacking the car. Fun.

Crazy Busy Days

I've been so busy every day since I've been here in Tucson that every night I sit down with the intention of blogging, I'm so damn tired that I can't seem to put the words down. So, I thought I'd try and recap the last few days here.
Tues. night was the Interweave Party which is always a treat. This is a night were everyone puts on their best jewelry creations and it is perfectly acceptable to stare at the chests of strangers. I ran into lots of old friends and made some new friends. Here is Cathy Collison of Glass Garden Beads and my new friend Jess.

I like how I captured the "women" sign without even noticing it.

And here's a random shot of the crowd:

It's funny that I talked to a number of people the following day who attended the party but I never even saw them there.
So far I've attended Gem Mall, the Best Bead Show, To Bead to Blue and Jogs. The Best Bead is always my favorite not only because so many of my friends are exhibiting there but because of the incredibly talented number of glass artisans there. I always get into way to much trouble there. I will show some photos of  my purchases later.
Do you know what day it is? I loose track here in Tucson. Which is why it's such a fortunate thing that the lovely, talented Kate McKinnon gifted me one of her super cool ring calenders. She totally made my day. Kate is awesome. I think everyone needs one of these babies. groovy ring calender Trust me, you need one.
Check out her blog. It is one of my absolute favorites:http://katemckinnon.wordpress.com/



Baby, it's Cold Outside

I was certainly not prepared for the fifteen degree weather here in Tucson. Last night Barry and I had to go buy some thermal underwear, gloves and a warm jacket. I think I jinxed us by packing my sandals. This is the fountain in the courtyard here at the Windmill.

Ahh... but the cold hasn't dampened the bead shopping.  

Volcano Climbing

Last night we had dinner at El Charro Cafe in Tucson. We have made a tradition out of eating at this historic spot at least once when we are in town. I had the topoco (?) salad. I think that's what it was called. It was a beautiful, huge heaping mound of veggies surrounded by an array of fruits along the rim of the plate. It was such a work of art that I had to take a picture. The margarita wasn't bad either.

Steve Martin Stood Me Up

Last night I dreamt I had a date with Steve Martin. But he stood me up. Well, not exactly. He did call to tell me he had fallen asleep and was simply too tired to make it. He wanted a rain check but in my dream I knew it was a dream and that he had missed his chance. This was after I had prepared a phenomenal dinner for him and gotten all dressed up in a smoking hot new dress. As I went to look at myself in the mirror and said to myself, "Self, this is just a dream so, you might was well look super skinny and hot." And when I looked in the mirror that is precisely how I looked. Too bad he didn't show up. I was hoping he could give me a banjo lesson.

Meanwhile...Back at the Ranch...

We made it safely to Harris Ranch last night after spending the whole day driving. Harris Ranch which is located in Coalinga, CA, has become a stopping point for us whenever we travel south. While, this destination designed to please the pallet of the carnivorous steak-lover doesn't exactly appeal to this vegetable-arian, the hotel certainly has its perks. One being, the fact that it is pet-friendly. Sadie Mae appreciates being able to travel with her two-legged family. Although she does find it rather exhausting.

We had dinner in the lounge last night and while I was completely zombied out from driving, my ears perked when I heard a the beautiful sound of an acoustic guitar and a heavenly voice singing in the far corner of the room. His rendition of Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen nearly moved me to tears and as I looked around the large room, I was appalled to notice that only one other couple seemed to even notice he was playing. Everyone was talking loudly over the music or watching golf (??). When he finished I had to go tell him how impressed I was. Also, I had to slip him a twenty in his empty tip jar. People! Wake up! This guy is amazing! Hello.
Check out his website and be sure to listen to watch some of his videos:
http://www.bryanvickersband.com/

Bead & Button Show

I just made my hotel arrangements for this year's Bead & Button Show. I'm really looking forward to it and I must admit I get really excited about it every year. It kind of makes me feel like I'm ten again and I'm getting ready for a trip to Disneyland. Yes, folks it really is that cool. Will you be there this year? I'm looking through the catalog of classes right now trying to decide which class I will take. I always enjoy the balance of taking a class, along with teaching classes.
Check out the class I'm teaching on Sunday. We are going to have some serious fun playing with bottle caps.
 http://www.beadandbuttonshowstore.com/b11271.html