a rodeo for my mountains.

For the past week or so I have been waking up every morning, real early, with this sort of yearning to go to the mountains.  I grew up in Denver, CO and am missing the smell of fresh dry air on an early summer morning.   When I was younger my mom and my dog and I used to drive up to the foothills and hike for a few hours amongst the pines and aspen trees.  And I miss that escape from the city and the heat.  

Well, we are sorely lacking in mountains here in Kansas City, but I found that there are other wholesome activities to be enjoyed in the fresh air and beautiful countryside of Kansas. Mainly, the RODEO! 

 I convinced my pal Lily to join me on a bit of a 'daycation'  this Saturday.   We drove out to Lawrence, KS for some vintage shopping (they have a great antique mall and several vintage boutiques) and dinner and then we were off to Tonganoxie for the Rodeo and carnival.  It was a small town affair, but we couldn't even find a seat, so we stood along the fence, like true cowboys, with our arms draped across the rails and the horses just feet away.

  The evening was beautiful and just the sort of escape I was craving. 

its always better down where its wetter...take it from me.

Well, like Sebastian (the singing lobster from The Little Mermaid) says, "its always better down where its wetter, take it from me! Under the sea!"  Unfortunately these little guys wont be getting wet anytime soon (if they do they may shrink, they are made of wool) 

 I put together this fun 3-d needle felting project recently.  I got the needle felting kit from Fancy Tiger, one of my favorite stores in Denver.  The project said it would yield two jellyfish, but I decided to make 3 different sized ones and stick them on a painted plaque with painted twigs, I think it gives them a little atmosphere.  And it kind of feels like they are like a trophy deer head, but way less sad!  Any ideas for other animals or creatures to needle felt?  I'm loving how satisfyingly quick this project was, and pretty cute to boot!

Balloons and beauties.

Balloons

Since Christmas they have lived with us, 
Guileless and clear, 
Oval soul-animals, 
Taking up half the space, 
Moving and rubbing on the silk 

Invisible air drifts, 
Giving a shriek and pop 
When attacked, then scooting to rest, barely trembling. Yellow cathead, blue fish-------- 
Such queer moons we live with 

Instead of dead furniture! Straw mats, white walls 
And these traveling 
Globes of thin air, red, green, Delighting 

The heart like wishes or free 
Peacocks blessing 
Old ground with a feather 
Beaten in starry metals. 
Your small 

Brother is making 
His balloon squeak like a cat. 
Seeming to see 
A funny pink world he might eat on the other side of it, He bites, Then sits Back, fat jug Contemplating a world clear as water. A red 
Shred in his little fist. 
5 February 1963

Sylvia Plath

I am sharing a beautiful poem and some beautiful images with you this beautiful Tuesday morning.