Week 85, 8-6-2017

Thoughts and Quotes: Sometimes a little change in direction can make life more interesting.

                                                                                                Unknown

I'm thinking of doing just that thing - maybe not a change in direction, but a detour. I need only two more tablescapes to finish out the year, so I'm thinking I might just go ahead and finish that book. Even with the photos finished, I have lots of work to do. I'm writing about each table, telling where I got the items, cost, how it came about, etc. Tablescapes was the original idea and book, and I'm going to self-publish it for my family and friends - the only way I know how to leave my mark saying, "I was here". I can't paint a picture, I can't write a song, and I don't have a trophy for some big accomplishment. We'll see.

In the meantime, here we go for August (end of my Summer quarter, so five tables).

Tablescapes:

Big Cats

Blue Flowers

Paris Couture

Do the French use cruets? I think they're typically English. 

Quack, Quack

You've seen this before when I used it for a lunch.

Cafe Breakfast

Of course I always have help when doing tables. Sometimes my helper gets confused and thinks the tablecloth I'm ironing is his tent.

And sometimes he goes around to the other side and takes a little snooze.

Tasting: Time out for lunch with Bev and Katie. We went to Nearly Famous, where tomato soup is the star of the show.

I had a roast beef, Swiss, and mushroom sandwich with potato salad, and should have had the soup.

Bev had the same sandwich with the soup.

And Katie had quiche and salad.

Thank yous: To Bev for this darling teapot.

And to Katie for a grab bag for cardmaking. Nothing gets your creative juices flowing better than a grab bag.

Things that Grow: And grow and grow and grow. I'm such a bad gardener. They're supposed to be  the size of the one in front.

And some ended up with crook necks. Maybe I'll do better next year.

The Pepper and Pals Report: The kittens are getting so cute, and so busy, and so naughty. And they have no manners - they poopie around the patio under the hedges. Smelly!

Take a peek through the back of the chair.

They love flower pots. Notice the one they tipped over and the one behind which they broke.

I put food in the trap so they'll be used to it when they're ready to neuter or spay. The mother is on the ledge for a few minutes of rest, and Pepper has decided he's had enough.

Taking Time for Some Fun: Joey and Robert and I went to the fair. I hadn't been in 62 years, so I thought it was time. We went to see the exhibits. I've had to switch gears, moving back to the Ozarks. For instance, this is the flower arrangement division.

Here are some scenes from the last Los Angeles County Fair I attended.

But there's something really sweet about living in an area where life is simple. And take a look at the first and second-place cards.

Katie, Joey, and I are going to enter next year. We think we can win some ribbons. And Katie will enter a knitted item, I can crochet, and Joey is the cookie champion. Bev will enter candy, cakes, and bread. I might even try my hand at jellies and jams.

What's more downhome Missouri than a fair, though? We really enjoyed seeing the exhibits. Here are a few I found noteworthy.

Photography

The campsite made from paper

Complete with ants made from plastic spoons and pipe cleaners.

There was a section for items from yesteryears. Remember the doll furniture made of plastic?

The decorated cakes were adorable. Sorry I couldn't get some of them focused properly.

And we even took a stroll through the midway and ate churros and funnelcake.

If you haven't been to a fair lately, plan to go soon (or next year if you're too late for 2017).

Tidying Time: Looking for cooler weather the next few days. I must get some work done around here before they drum me out of the neighborhood. Might be a short post next week.

FIND A FAIR OR FESTIVAL TO ATTEND

MAYBE A PICNIC IN THE PARK

OR A DRIVE ALONG THE LAKE

END OF SUMMER IS NEAR

ENJOY THE POOL WHILE YOU CAN

AND REMEMBER TO EAT APPLES

THANK YOU FOR SHARING MY LIFE