On my walk..

Oscar and I have been noticing these magnificent birds on our daily walk. The Sandhill cranes have been back for over a month now, and we've had some pretty unwelcoming weather here in Michigan. Yet, this pair seems to come up with enough to eat each day, and I think they are going to make a comfortable nesting site in this bit of cattail marsh. Last year they raised one little guy sucessfully, and hopefully this will be an even better year for them. They have grown accustomed to seeing us everyday. Oscar would like to chase them, but those long beaks look lethal.. Can you find the hidden birds in photo #1. That's the road edge in the lower left corner of that photo.. Close, right?

A little shopping fun ...

 I think that perhaps Paul, Jody and I were as excited about shopping the Pasadena Rose Bowl Flea Mrkt as we were coming out to see all our friends.. Jami Santos (next to Jodi -Jodi's the one with the biggest smile on her face), and Nancy Michler are two of our dearest friends.  They take us everywhere, and love antiquing almost as much as we do. We love that they take time off from work to play.. The Flea Market was chocked full of fleas, but we did find some noteworthy treasures..

   

 This was my "find" of the year.. Just when you tell yourself that you "need" nothing else, you come across a certain treasure. This is a Black Forrest piece that I had never seen before. Black Forrest were made in Germany and Switzerland and many were souvenir pieces made into sewing, and desktop items.. Those are the ones that I can afford. They also made huge hall trees with exquisite carvings, but I would need to win the lottery or to sell my first born.  This one is missing it's ink bottle, but I like it with the little carved ball that I just happened to have. My great grandfathers old pen (with his name inscribed on it) looks is perfect.

Paul and Nancy spent alot of time in this wonderful booth. I had to leave before I got into trouble.. the booth was chocked full of antique trims from Europe and it was certainly a feast for the eyes, and hard on your wallet.

 This little treasure went home with Jody.. Please Jody, remember to  put a post it- note on it with my name should you  you have any second thoughts.. My blue eyes are still green... Oh, the fun we had.. I'm still smiling...

Oh the fun we had...

I am finally able to put it all together.."A Gathering of Friends" show was just that. It is difficult to put it all in words how wonderful a show this truly was.  I am always awed and humbled to be amongst such talented artists.  Tomorrow I will share with you some of our outings with friends from sunny southern California... oh, the fun we had!!!!  From big belly laughing, to great eats and fabulous antiqueing... oh, such a time ... truly, this was a  gathering of true friends.

California kids...

Back home after a whirlwind time in Costa Mesa.. here are some of the fellas that took up residence there..

And we're off....well, almost!

Finishing up the last little morsels.. I am lovin' the little photo disks that I made. I thought that the "worn and loved bears" needed a little remembrance of their past.  Sunny California, here we come....hope to see you there!

4 more days until "A Gathering of Friends"

 Arbutus Hunter's spun cotton.

 Paul Gordon's creations extraordinaire..

 Jody Battaglia's fun and whimsical creations..

 Alan Cunningham's brillant works..

And yes, these fellas will be traveling to sunny California..

 It's almost here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  "A Gathering of Friends" is a special showing of these artists who will come
together Saturday, April 13th from 10-2pm at the Ayers Hotel in Costa Mesa.  I cannot wait to see everyone.. Are you coming?????  Grab a friend and come and see us this weekend..  It will be a grand time..