Fun with the Folks 2011

I have told you before about going out to Spring Training games out at Disney's Wide World of Sports.  This time we sprung for box seats while Mom and Dad were here.  We waited too late to sit low, but, honestly I think every seat in the house is a good one.  We got out early for batting practice and to watch the ground crew do their thing.  It was St. Patricks Day so they had a bit extra to do--one of the pics shows the big cloverleaf stencil they put on the base line.

Dad had a bit of trouble with all the walking from the parking lot, but, he ended up doing ok.  The staff is really helpful and made sure they had a temp seat for him if he couldn't make it up and down the steps.  We were a bit worried about the weather, but, it turned out perfect.  Not to hot and not to cold.  

The game was against the Washington Nationals and the Braves ended up blowing them out despite the Nationals late game challenge.  We got to see a couple homeruns, and, the fireworks they shot off after.  Oh, and it was the  first game back for the coach who got hit by a ball and lost his eye a month earlier.  Thank God, there were no mishaps this game. 

A couple nights later we took advantage of more good weather and scooted over to City Walk at Universal Studios where we had dinner at Margaritaville.  It was fun, the drinks were plentiful, food was delicious and the music was loud!  This is usually a problem for Dad's ringing in the ears, but, the waitress offered earplugs and he made it through with no complaints.  

  

We also made a run one afternoon over to Tampa to see my cousin Angie, Nick and the kids.  What a great family they have!  I don't know how in the world you keep house for five kids, home school and keep yourself in one piece but Angie has it all figured out.  Nick was just back from a month of training which took him back up to Quantico (I think that was where anyway) and we were happy to see them all.  Below you can see Christian performing his drum solo and Andrew playing around.  Somehow I missed a group shot on my camera, but, I hope Rod or Mom got one!

March 2011 Shows

During the month of March I did a couple small, new-to-me shows including one in St. Augustine at St. Anastasia Church and one at  Oviedo Presbyterian Church.  Both were pretty small shows, but, I had a good time seeing crafter friends and a few regulars. 

I did my old standby shows--first the St Augustine Seafood Festival where I got to spend some time with my friend Susan who lives in historic downtown.  The guy below was my artist  neighbor to the south.  He had these wonderful carved fish and birds...I hope he is back next year--I want one bad!  I heard him working over there and had to walk over and get a picture of the work in progress.  The show was a bit slower than normal, but, it is one of my favorites as I get to see people like my friend Russ, the Clean Air Candle guy.  

One of the cool things I did this weekend was go out to dinner with Susan at a raw food restaurant called Present Moment Cafe.  OK, how to describe what raw food is--think organic, vegetarian and unprocessed.    I got to meet the owner and her son (Yvette and Nathan) and had an absolutely fantastic (and healthy) dinner--oh the flavors cannot be described.  Check out their website at:    http://www.thepresentmomentcafe.com/

I talked to Susan later about finding more restaurants of this type and she recommended:   http://www.happycow.net/    Maybe you can find a restaurant near you to have a dining experience you won't soon forget.  Now, I remain a meat eater, probably always will be, but, I sure enjoyed it and can't wait to go back.  

I also did the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens again at the end of March.  The show is being run by a new gal and I think we encountered a learning curve year.  There were too many changes--an increase in the cost of getting in for customers and some changes that affected the artists.  I hope this show goes back to what worked in the past.  We seemed to lose the whole day on Sunday--too few customers and no reason for it.  

Luckily the weather was fantastic at all these shows and that was so appreciated.  Mom and Dad arrived for the month but spent a bit of time down in Naples with a friend and then sometime over at the beach abpve St. Pete when my sister, Jodie, came at the end of the month.  We had some other fun that I will detail in my next post.    

North Florida Trip, March 4-7, 2011

This weekend's show was up in St. Augustine at St. Anastasia Catholic Church out on A1A at the beach.  I went up on Friday night and stayed with my friend Susan who moved up there from the Keys several months ago.  She so nicely offered a place to stay and even let Eve bunk in too despite having the guest room full--her sister is visiting from Mass. and her kitty Abby is sick.

We got up early and caught the sunrise above going over the intercoastal bridge on Hwy. 312.  Set up at the church was a breeze, and, by nine we had a nice little crowd on the grounds of the Church.  The church sells food from the kitchen, a bake sale and an auction all to benefit their mission projects in Hiati.  It was nice being able to be part of their good efforts.

The show was quietly successful, and after packing up I headed up to Fernandina to spend some time with the in-laws.  Rod's sister Pam was in town, and we wanted to see her, but only I could make it this time.  The big news was Rod's Dad getting his scooter to tool around town if he chooses.  He was testing out the newly charged buggy--and already planning a couple modifications so he could take Cody with him! 

I spent most of the time with Pam and Deb.  Jan was working early morning both days, so, I saw him in the evening hours before he had to get to bed.  We mainly enjoyed couch surfing at Deb and Jan's but on Sunday we spent the afternoon antiquing at the two big places on Centre St.  I found this great old mirror.  It is the one thing I will probably be wishing I had bought in a couple months.  Pam and Deb were so funny--the things they can't afford to buy get visits every once in a while.  They just stop in to pick them up, say HI and then put them back in a hidden spot so no one else will buy them before they get a chance.  LOL

Next up--back to Saint Augustine for a three day Seafood Festival put on by the Lion's Club.  

Braves vs. Tigers Spring Training Games, March 3, 2011

On Rod's day off this past week, we headed out to an afternoon Spring Training game at Disney where the Braves play in the Grapefruit league.  It was a windy, warm day and the sun was shining bright.  Lots of families out for this game against the Detroit Tigers.  I would say the crowd was evenly split between Braves and Tigers fans. 

For anyone who has not been out to this park, it is so family friendly.  We love sitting out in the outfield lawn seats.  Just spring for a $10 ticket ($13 game day) bring a blanket (no chairs allowed) and prepare to be transported back to the old days.  That would be when you were a kid and your Dad took you out to the park to try to snag a ball.  

On this day we wouldn't get lucky in the ball department.  I made Rod promise to give a little kid the ball if he were lucky enough to field one.  He promised, but reluctantly.  :)  We brought in a bag of peanuts (they don't allow coolers) and were lucky to snag a couple $3 beers in the sixth inning.  

The Braves won it in the ninth inning...I can't remember the score.  We had a great time.  As did the father and son playing catch below.  Grandpa joined in a couple times too.  Nice times.  Lazy days.  And I didn't forget the sunscreen this time! 

Art Fiesta, New Smyrna Beach, February 26 & 27, 2011

This show has been suggested by artists over the years, but, I finally made it to the Spring show in New Smyrna Beach at the end of the February.  My spot was not in prime real estate.  It was hidden at the back of the show, off the main arteries through Fort Park.  But, I did see several of the customers I added at the Fall show--Flamingo Follies.  SO, it will stay on the calender for another try...and hopefully a better spot on the street!

The view out the front of my booth was nice--the intercoastal.  And it was FANTASTIC weather--in the 70's, so all was not lost.  I stayed with two friends--Ronna of Ronnacards and Joan who makes copper and glass jewelry AND paints.  Joan had a terrific show, Ronna's was about like mine.  But we had a great hotel on Daytona Beach  (Perry's right on the beach with a great balcony) and one great meal at Outback.  AND one meal that SUCKED at a tourist trap towards Main St.  Yuck.  School lunch type meal with mystery meat hamburgers and plain school lunch pizza.  

I can't tell you how many customers thought I had the BEST spot in the whole show.  My response:  I would take 100 degree heat out on the street, no breeze--just to have the traffic they had on the street!  :)

Southerners take their historical sites very seriously!  A little more history on the site:   The Turnbull Ruins, a coquina block foundation overlooking the Intracoastal, represents the colonization by Andrew Turnbull from 1766-1777. It's believed that he attempted to build his personal mansion on these coquina remains. A foundation of sea coquina block was set, but work was never completed. The true origination of the ruins is unknown, some theorized that they may be the remnants of a pre-colonial fort or a colonial church.

Sunset as I hit I-4 on the way home!

Downtown Orlando Art and Living Expo, February 19 & 20th, 2011

This past weekend I was in Orlando at the Downtown Art and Living Expo show around Lake Eola.  The black and white swans were all out in force.  I was on the other side of the universe from where I am at when I do the Fiesta in the Park in April and November.  I missed the coziness of that area--I did not miss the Farmer's Market vendors.  LOL   

It was a gorgeous weekend.  In fact the week before was pretty near perfect.  Sunny and warm...finally!  Thanks to all who came out to visit...even Hal from South Florida turned up with his daughter who lives nearby.  It was fun seeing all of you.  Hey, let's do it again in April at Fiesta in the Park!!!

Oh, and does Orlando have more dogs than the average U.S. city?  I always marvel at the number of people who bring their dogs out at the Lake Eola.  I am a people watcher, but, when I am at Lake Eola I always become a dog watcher.  They are infinitely more entertaining than the 20-something crowd who shows up dressed to shock.  I especially like the frou frou outfits and dog strollers...sometimes.  When the people are serious, it's kinda scary.  But when the owners are having fun--as much as the dogs--then it is a good time for all.  Bonnie Dog and I need to make a trip down here one afternoon...

Valentine's Day 2011

Well Happy Birthday to my good friend, Cindy Pease Waicukauski--yes I had to check the spelling on that as usual!

The guys on my favorite talk radio station were talking about training their wives/girlfriends into not celebrating on V-Day.  They argued somewhat persuasively that it is a made up Holiday, one manufactured by the greeting card companies to sell cards.  I don't disagree with that.

I do however think it is an awesome way to say thank you to someone you may take of advantage of during the year...however slightly, infrequently or unintentionally that may happen.  Or to say, "I love you".  Or maybe, "you rock my world".  All of these happen to be true in my house.  I got lucky by marrying one of the good guys.  So, he got a fresh batch of chocolate chip cookies that I will try not to sneak when he goes to bed.

And I got a beautiful card and some pretty red roses.  So, my vote is to celebrate each other, but perhaps not the day...specifically.  

Now lets hope the cat and dog don't tip this vase over when they jump up on the table!!  You know how often that happens.  LOL