Shiny Loafers

There are those amongst you who are probably dying to know what I wore to the reunion. Years ago I might have given it much thought prior to the event, even going so far as to buy or make a new outfit. In fact, while discussing the upcoming reunion with Matt, he recalled the homemade dress I wore to the 20th reunion. According to him, the coral lace overlay sheath I made would be right in style today. Well......never one to doubt my son, I had confirmation while waiting for Monica. Browsing through the August 2011 Vogue magazine, I immediately saw what he was talking about. Sure enough, the Dolce and Gabbanna ad featured something similar. Too funny. I'd wear it someplace special if I only still had it.

I'm including the Reunion album that I put together for those interested in comparing Bruce and I to the rest of the group. A caveat, it is heavy on Bruce.  If you look carefully at picture number 22, you will see your favorite blogger in the mirror on the right. If you don't go to the trouble to look I'll tell you I wore black knit skinny jeans, sort of like jeggings, a black camisole with a white over blouse. All very nice. Not long before I got dressed Baxter started barking his little head off signaling someone near the house. Indeed, a package was sitting on the front porch. I'd completely forgotten a new pair of shoes that I had to have from Nordstrom. Obviously I bought them during the half yearly sale; they shipped them to me about a week later after finding my size at another store. Made by Via Spiga.

Awesome cobalt patent leather! So you see the shiny top, here's a view from the side:

Terrific! I decided after opening the box to wear them to the reunion. In fact, I want to wear them all the time. When I was a girl I had to shine my Weejun loafers every day after school so I appreciate the fact that I'll never once have to polish these!

For the last two years this would be the week I'd be preparing for the DeLand Art Festival, however, since I was not chosen to be one of the artists, I'm happy to be doing the annual Darden Art & Craft festival. Later on today I'll head over and set things up for what I hope will be a good two days. Taking the advice of my friend Lois I sent my jury notice back with this event as an excuse. According to the paperwork if you don't hear back from them consider your excuse valid. Today's mail is their last chance to say no.

It used to be that I had to hunt down flowers in others gardens but that is no longer the case. I'm finding that I'm falling in love with purple flowers like these adorable violas:

Not to mention the purple flowers on the left which are blooming profusely. Fantastic! As well, the bougainvillea is coming along nicely. Funny, after reading that they must be kept fairly dry to bloom, mine seems to have come to life after the recent monsoon. There was so much water in the pot I had to have Bruce tip it because it is way too heavy for the likes of me.

The ever present backdrop is the swimming pool. You know how I use it for that every chance I get. In keeping with the red and yellow theme in the backyard I planted these red petunias last week:

A slight rain this morning provided the water droplets.

I finally went grocery shopping yesterday afternoon. Good grief it was a zoo what with all the gigantic people on those little scooters and parents using these gigantic push carts with their children. What was I thinking going to the grocery store around 5? I did, however, see the mother of one of Jonathan's dearest childhood friends which was nice. Did I ever tell you the story of Maureen and I in Chinatown looking for cheap stuff for our boys? It was the craziest thing to look up and see Pam, her daughter and sister, doing the very same thing. I keep imagining that happening to Matthew in London. One of these days he'll run into someone he knows from his past.

Speaking of Matt, he's in Casablanca today. That makes four continents this year. Not bad for a small town boy.... He will be coming to North America one week from today. He's much like his parents, always happy for a project. I wonder what we'll come up with while he's here aside from cooking? I can think of one thing though--the remaining carpet we have in the house is looking like it needs to go. What to put in it's place is the question of the day. Matt is sure to have an opinion.

A while back Nancy suggested that I would just love this film:

Ordering it from the library it finally arrived last week. Loved it. What a character he is. I'm adopting one of the lines from the movie because although we shoot different subjects, Bill and I share one thing in common. He calls himself a "fraud" as a photographer. Suits me to a tee.

Just as I suspected, after washing my hair this morning, I cannot make it do what Monica can. Not bad though.

Thanks for reading,
Gail

One Heck of a Weekend

Let's begin not with the actual weekend events, but rather if you've an interest, I'm providing a link to Terry Gross Interviews Steve Jobs in 1996 ,which just blew me away. While sewing I listened to her interview his biographer, followed by the earlier interview, which was conducted during his time away from Apple. 15 years ago he was already touting the idea of mobile computing. Very interesting to say the least.

Yet another link: The price paid for this photograph. While I understand that art is subjective, I cannot for the life of me understand the significance of the piece. On the other hand, for whatever reason, it reminds me somewhat of the photograph below that I took and love, but no one else seems to.

Something about the lines and color, not to mention the irony of white greenhouses. Oh well.

Moving on...

For weeks my hair required attention, however, when making my appointment with Miss Monica it occurred to me that the best time would be the day of the Boone High School 40th reunion. Nothing like having your stylist fix your hair. It was not without some drama however. Here she is whisking up some bowls of color magic:

She foiled the top layers of my hair with three different shades of color, apparently to provide me with some depth. After a bit of time sitting under that crazy hair dryer the foils came off and my head went into the sink for the washing. At first she said the color looked good, but she quickly changed that assessment, going to her cupboard for tubes of color. This time there was no whisking involved, nor foils for that matter, squeeze after squeeze of color went on by a brush as fast as she could manage. And you know what? Turned out perfect, albeit somewhat dark. Over the weekend the compliments came pouring in.

Returning home I discovered that Friday night was the night Bruce signed me up to take an appetizer to the gathering. Hmm...what to bring? Why, salami roll ups, that's what! A quick trip to Publix for the ingredients and with Maureen's help we had them ready in no time. A mixture of cream cheese and horseradish is the filling. The hardest part was the presentation. A large bowl of garlic olives in the center added some contrast in both taste and texture.

So, here we are with the goodies. Or at least, here is Mr. Bruce, the graduate. Some of you may already know that after attending Boone for the tenth grade, our family moved to Melbourne, where I completed high school. I don't remember a sole except for one girl. Once inside Bruce was given this to wear:

 Wasn't he just the cutest boy ever? What a smile!

There were not nearly as many people there as we'd hoped but those who were had a good time. Everyone looked pretty darn good for nearing 60. This spouse was not having much fun:

However, this group of ladies was:

The woman on the right front came the furthest, all the way from California. She also looks about the same as when we when she was a cheerleader.

Saturday was a whirlwind of activities, first the market, which, oh happy day, was super good. Spectacular weather and the best sales day yet. Racing home to watch the FSU/ Miami game, Bruce unpacked my vehicle while I made something to eat. I then realized that if I didn't do the weekly laundry I'd be in trouble. With Bruce arriving home just before we left Friday night, and me being gone most of both weekend days, he'd have been hard pressed to have what he needed for this week's trip which began this morning. So, there was that.

Plus, our former neighbors came to visit. Mae and Charlie lived in what is now Matt and Angela's home for more than thirty years. Six years ago they sold it to Matt, moving to Virginia to be near their children. They were just the nicest couple and I was sorry to see them leave. While we were sitting down for a visit, I noticed Angela pulling into her driveway. Asking them if they would like to see the inside of their former home, they said, of course! After a quick call to Angela, she good naturally agreed. I tried to prepare Mae for the changes, but really, they are so extensive I couldn't begin to describe it all before we walked over. Their jaws dropped. Sinking a huge chunk of money into a house will produce that kind of reaction. Lovely to see them.

 Of course, all the while the game was on, which I was catching in bits and pieces. Despite lots of bad calls, the Seminoles won in the end. A big sigh of relief at our house.

Most of the same people came on Saturday night, however, there were a few new faces. Bruce really enjoyed catching up with them. My notoriously awful memory was in play. One of the ladies who claimed we were in Girl Scouts together brought another former GS to see me. Duh! If I'd seen her anywhere but there, I'd never believe I'd seen her in my life. That said, it was a VERY long time ago.

Last picture, I promise! Bruce and one of his former high school partners in crime. I'll leave it at that.

Sunday was wild as well. Remember the monsoon I survived during the Winter Park Art Festival? Well, as I previously posted, the annual Pride parade was scheduled for that very same weekend. Unbeknownst to me, it was rescheduled for yesterday. And just how does that affect me? Well, the parade runs on the road adjacent to the market which means the road was closed to traffic until 6PM. So, the regular market closing at 4 was trumped. That's fine when daylight savings is in effect, not so much yesterday. It was wild and crazy as thousands of parade watchers and vendors trying to pack and load their vehicles collided in the darkness. Not literally, but you can imagine. Notoriously a terrible sales day, mine was saved by repeat customers. I am so darn lucky like that. Plus they bring friends and family.

Normally I've gotten closer to the street, however with our new fencing I didn't bother.

Which explains why I'm not providing a close up of the beautiful horses pulling the Walt Disney World Company's float. The mayor was there (shown below in peach colored shirt) along with Commissioner Patty Shehan who represents the downtown area. Always a lot of fun, this year's parade was even longer than previous ones.

 Lots of craziness:

I can't remember ever seeing big buses in the parade before:

Lord knows we have loads of them in Orlando, shuttling around many of our 30 million annual visitors. Seemed like a good time was had by all. Before going home Bruce and I met at a local restaurant for dinner finally arriving home around 8PM. Little Baxter was happy as a clam to see me after my 12 hour absence. 

For several hours yesterday morning I had no sales. Not a one. Then, a young woman arrived, looking through my overfull baskets, finally deciding on an 18x24 print. Whew! For a minute there, or make that 120, I thought I might go the day without a sale. I've mentioned frequently that what I sell and what I blog are two different things. EXCEPT every now and again. The print she purchased was first seen on Camera Crazy. It was a wet version of this subject:

Nandina berries in our yard. Just thought I'd close with something kinda pretty....

Thanks for reading,

Gail