Arts & Carafes with Kristin Miller

 We thought we were going to get rained out, but other than some bugs, we had a lovely time exploring Children’s Garden, an outdoor, interactive garden of recycled-ness in Sarasota with the girls.  My sister’s little 3 year old, enjoyed her independence running the “maze”, playing in the sand, and singing on the outdoor stage.  Because it was in between rain storms, there were only 2 other little boys in the whole place, and they were running around in their costumes from the “dress up room” and their play swords thoroughly enjoying the pirate ship.   My favorite was the bamboo forest!

The gnats reminded us that we were out in nature, and how special and unique the Gardens were.  Depending on the age of your children, it would be quite relaxing to take a cooler of goodies and a good book, and let the kids run around imagining!   Highly recommend!

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Katie’s field trip to Glazer was wonderful!   I didnt include images of all the neato interactive things they had for the kids, but I do highly recommend a visit to Glazer…first class.   I admired their incredible art glass mosaics…imagine the labor of designing, cutting, piecing, installing this.

My husband had a business trip he needed to attend in Naples, and when we arrived at the Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club, I was surprised & delighted that the ceramic fish plaques by James Rice of The Clay Place were so prominent.   I visited The Clay Place several years ago, but couldnt make it this trip for time restraints.   In the hotel gift shop, a 5 inch size fish plaque, for maybe a spoonrest or paper weight, was $17.  I lean toward cutting my own out of clay because I know how inexpensive clay is, but remember the Naples economy.  Mark asked for change for valet from the front desk and they said “all we have are twenties”.    Funny.

So Saturday night I get a text from my mom, who is in town for my dad’s graduation (he’s a prof at Southeastern University), asking if i want to pick blueberries Monday.  I had only heard we grow blueberries here in Lakeland maybe 2-3 years ago, but had never realized we had “u pick” places here.  Mom got a tip from another SEU prof who had picked some recently when they were chatting over a luncheon.  This is such a “Mimi” (we call her) thing to want to do.  Local gem Shady Oak Farm, in Northwest Lakeland was where we landed.  My gallon bucket was not quite full and cost around $15, but a full bucket (6-6 1/2 lbs) can cost $20-25.  They were delicious, easy to pick (no bending over!) and we made a memory.  Only 2-3 weeks left of the picking season there, so I will be taking my 7 year old, who has eaten most of them, to pick some more.

I am just so appreciative of these precious gifts from school and the wonderful teachers that think of these things! Katie, my first grader made this.

Disney can feel so commercial and “packaged” to me, so I am constantly surprised at all the handmade touches, or atleast variations off the classic primary color mouse-theme they offer.  We call Downtown Disney, in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, “poor man’s Disney”, maybe everyone else does too…browsing around the shops, snacking at the most fabulous snackeries, dining in fabulous restaurants, and catching an occasional movie.  After listening to some live music outside waiting, we dined at “House of Blues“, and it was my first time.  Though I am on the “Daniel Fast” with our church (basically a vegan diet without sugar), then my dry side salad and small serving of carrots, veggie of the day, really hit the spot.  I just admired all the artwork that filled the restaurant, and kept my mind off my nibblets of veggies.

So, its 9:30pm and i’m ready for sleep.  i had an idea earlier in the day for a ceramic pin she could wear to school on her birthday the next day, but it was a bit too last minute to fire it.  i wanted her to wear something, just because on your birthday, you just want everyone to know…especially when its the big “7″.  i began this project with a piece of white duck cloth, cut in a cupcake shape, painted with gesso front and back.  i used silver crayon for the lines of the bottom, mixed gel medium (first time i used it!!  fun!)  and pearl pink fabric paint to make the frosting, sprinkle with glitter, of course.  i was frustrated i didnt have a pin or backing for it, and safety pinning it would just mess up the decoration, so i came up with the bow idea.   sorry, i would have journalled better the steps i took to make it had i known it turned out cute enough to post.  :)   happy birthday, babe.

because i was late on getting a paint order in, i was “forced” to drive to ocala and pick up our underglazes (paints).   what a wonderful visit…  i am now wanting to add more hand-made clay pieces to our studio collection, for our customers to simply paint, or make themselves.  clay.   messy but oh so versatile.  love that earthy, hand-made look.   will it ever catch on?  ;)

I happily volunteered to take my mother-in-law back home the day after Thanksgiving for 2 reasons.

First of all, my hubby travels all thru the week with his job, and I figured he would appreciate not having to drive a 3 hour round trip taking Mom home.

Secondly, there is a new Hobby Lobby store that opened recently, and I wanted to check it out.   I love craft stores (who doesnt) and so does my mother-in-law, and we had quite a lovely day together!

Hobby Lobby is coming to the south side of Lakeland at some point, according to the Lakeland Economic Development Council this May at their annual breakfast. See article. Their big news, and headline in The Ledger, seemed to be about Krispy Kreme.   But we have donuts everywhere in this town that I can see.  But I have to drive 20 minutes to get to our 2 craft stores that are in the same plaza.   Hey, I’m excited that we’re getting a fascinating store  with such a fanatical following around the country.

It was cool.  Lots and lots of home decor and gifts, as well as an extensive craft and art area.   Overwhelming.   And I dont get overwhelmed easily in a craft store.