Weekend Report

9-16-12 busy brain
I found out the problem with my blog has to do with my allotted space for pictures is almost full. I've only spend a short amount of time trying to delete some pictures to free up more space..... but it also seems like a good reason to take a break from blogging, since September is a busy work month- and I don't miss the pressure of daily blogging.

This weekend was such a perfect few days of gorgeous weather here in Iowa, which made the Beaverdale Fall Festival even more enjoyable this year.

The parade was fun and I even talked Ann into walking with our church's entry "All under God's Umbrella".

Prior to this, Ann wanted Greg to snap this picture of her and I. Politics is heating up-but Ann and I are trying to keep civil and respective of each other. I hope others can take our lead. Ann even surprised me by complimenting Hilary Clinton's work in the Middle East mess. Ann is open minded enough to appreciate a smart, strong women.  (Ann would probably say that is one of my back handed compliments that I am so good at giving her.... innocently-  really!)

Today at Church the Art Show on Forgiveness opens with a reception this afternoon. This morning I was part of an artist discussion of our work which was fun to share our thoughts and inspiration with interested members of church. My part of the talk went well.

This is  my piece for this show: It is about 2.5 feet by 5.5 feet.

“50 Shades of Grace: Peace Enters a Forgiving Heart”

By Judy Sebern Beachy

The human view of the world is black and white- either something is good or evil; respectable or vile; worthy or useless. We have the cowboys wearing white hats or the villain dressed in black. This human view makes it hard for us to understand the unconditional forgiveness of God which is demonstrated to us in the parable of the Prodigal Son.  God’s view of his children brings our black and white mentality together, mixing and creating shades of GRAY. This is where forgiveness, BOLD GRACE and peace exist.

Judy views her life as “split in two” as she seeks that ever elusive tight-rope balance. By day Judy works full-time as a data collector in cancer research for the University of Iowa. By night she nurtures her creative side with art. Although interested in drawing as a child, Judy became serious about art 15 years ago while taking her first watercolor class. There she met local artist, Mary Muller, which lead to a series of classes in drawing, charcoal, and pastels at the Mary Muller Studios.

Judy’s favorite subject to paint is nature, especially flowers and landscapes. Over the last few years Judy has become engrossed with abstract art using acrylic paint on paper, cut into 1 inch square pixels. 

End of August

8-30-12
My blog is on hold due to technical difficulties. I am unable to upload pictures into my blog.
Hummmmm????

This and That Friday

8-24-12 TGIF brain

I've been spoiled this week: I had my windows professionally cleaned, my one room with carpet cleaned, and my housekeeper visited. The reason is that I will be hosting a family from our sister Church in Hungary this weekend. Everything seems to be in order. I even washed some rugs and curtains.

Each morning I have been monitoring the emerging weeds in the garden and pulling them. Amy finished my back garden on Monday and I put down some more mulch back there..... it's been years since it has looked this good.

I saw this tree last night about a block from my house! Although the temperatures climbed back into the 90's this week, it still feels a bit like autumn is just around the corner.

I also saw this last night on my front tree. The Cicada are still emerging and making wonderful summer music in the trees.

GUEST Blog part 2

8-23-12

Best Damn Fair In The Land,  Iowa State Fair-  Part Two

So how do you dress for a typical summer all-day at the Fair?  Summer top and shorts, who needs a jacket or a rain slicker? Well, I guess I should of packed one. All went well from 2 till 6 pm, then the rain started and the temperature dropped from 76 to 60. We rode the Tram for 1 hour then I got smart and bought a polo shirt to cover up my chest and arms, $10 for two shirts. Food, well I outdid myself with restraint, 1 corndog and my share of a bucket of cookies. Here is a pic of Lexi, Nat and me, drakesmart sisters ’05 & ’06. Note what I’m wearing. 

We passed on the free stages to hear the music of Loverboy, Pat Benatar and Journey outside the grandstand. They were great and the best part, we got to see a lot of “take-down” action by the State Patrol. There was a “no tolerance for stupid behavior” at the Fair this year. We left at 12:15 and I was chilled to the bone, which accounted for my lack of appetite.

Sunday, I went prepared: summer dress, western boots, dress scarf and rain slicker/jacket in my bag. Here’s a funny pic of Nat and me.

We got there at 1 pm and left at midnight, walked from one end to the other, rode  the sky glider, caught the Bill Riley talent show, sat on Dad’s bench, saw some animals and got to the Barn to see the cloggers. What fun!

By 7 pm, we were ready for the two evening shows, Streetcar Symphony (runner up on the Sing Off) and at 8 pm, WAR, 1970’s Funk group. Wow, they were more than good and as you can imagine, I danced my butt off. Go home at 10 pm? Nope, we caught the music of Racal Flatts outside the grandstand, saw a few more take-downs and danced outside The Depot, leaving at midnight. 

Had another corndog, pineapple whip and tried a pickle dawg, deep fried ¼ pickle wrapped in deli ham. Well, I was not impressed, not impressed at all. By midnight, my dogs were tired, and yes … I did wear my Bozeman boots. 

Can’t tell you how much I love the sights and sounds of the Fair. Only 360 days till 2013, gotta run!

Chat Later, That Girl
Ann Marie

Wednesday GUEST Blog

8-22-12 missing brain

"Sure - I'll let Ann be Oprah" ~Judy

Best Damn Fair In The Land, Iowa State Fair - Part One

Whew! Exhausted after spending two full days and three evenings at the Fair. Yes, I’ve written about the Fair and so has Judy, buy wow I love the Iowa State Fair. Some ask “how do you afford going so many times and what do you do”? Well here’s the answer in a two-part report.

When the 11 day schedule comes out, I make my own schedule to see who’s going to be on one of four free stages, yep you heard me, free music with the price of admission ($10 or $5 after 5 pm). I picked five days I would attend. The budget starts there.

Can you actually go to the Fair without buying a lot of junk food? Yep, did that two days, man what will power. Actually, I’m very frugal to a point of obsession.

Parking, well I could take the $2 shuttle, pay $10 at the gate, $6 or so to park on someone’s front yard or find a spot on the street. Yep, drove the Jeep, so no problem with a free parking.

Other than a few animals, the butter cow, chocolate moose, the beauty cakes and the cookbooks at the Varied Industries Bldg, I saw a lot of great bands and heard some great music. Here’s a pic from singer #1, Dia Frampton. Isn’t she cute? 

Wednesday I saw Dia Frampton, runner up from the Voice – Season 1. She was coached by Team Blake Shelton. She did a great job and I got to meet her. After the show I read her bio, wow, she’s been singing for 10 years. She’s sweet as can be, loves cupcakes and Tom Petty and she kept saying “saddle up” to her lead guitarist when he stopped playing. This pic reminds me of Dia. 

Thursday Judy and I went to the Beatles Band - Strawberry Fields, they were great (I caught them on Wednesday after Dia) and Judy was a sport to stay until 10:30. Here’s a pic from the Sergeant Pepper era. 

Friday I worked at the MidAmerican Energy building, four hours of fun I say that with a smile. I worked the 4 to 8 shift then went home to clean, guests coming for two days.
You would think I would be tired after three evenings, but nope, I have 24 hours of Fair fun along with a pit stop at the Knapp Center for the Olympic Homecoming (more on that later) for the weekend. Gotta Run but I’ll leave you these three pics that sum up my love of cakes, stuff and friends. Cakes- John Wayne’s house in Winterset, American Legion for marine dude John and the peacock for Molly.  Stuff- the glass art that I need to get back to, and of course … peas ‘n carrots eating healthy. Yep, Oprah has Gayle and I have Judy, BFF. 

Chat Later, That Girl
Ann Marie

Saturday a "fair" report

8-21-12 fun brain
Greg and I attended the Iowa State Fair on Saturday. It was such a great day weather-wise that we hung out for a good 5 hours and "splurged" a bit on food and activities.

We rode the sky glider this year.

I loved this wood carving. I didn't see it made, but wish I would have bought it for my garden.

I listened to the hymn sing.... the log cabin was full of singers, so some of us had to hang out side the windows. I thought this was an interesting photo.... well at least if I would have had a good camera. The guy reminded me our Greg's Amish relatives.

The most interesting thing to me was this couple we met and talked to in the Pioneer Building. They were from Jefferson Iowa and have a business there where furniture is made in the period of 1875, using old tools from this time period and old varnish techniques of walnut shells and raspberries.

The cool thing is that they have classes you can attend over a 3 day weekend and learn to make your own piece of furniture..... also couples classes. I want to try this in my retirement :)
They also have apprentices whom they train.... so if you know of any person who loves history and carpentry- check out the webpage.

Check it out HERE: 

We need a road trip to Jefferson sometime .... I'm putting this on my bucket list!

This week's update

8-17-12
I woke up this morning grabbing the blanket and found the kitten snuggling with me to keep warm. The low was around 52!..... I found myself starting to crave pumpkin. It's hard now not to keep is it September especially when I saw this a few days ago.

Not weed free patio bricks! My "gardener" has been working out in back yard now this week. Since I didn't have to spend Thursday evening tending the yard work, I was free to join Ann at the Iowa State Fair... from about 5:00 to 10:30 pm.

We walked around a bit..... dinner was a "Beef Sunday" which is a scoop of mash potatoes in a bowl with beef and gravy on top with some cheese and a cherry tomato. That filled me up, but I had to have one dessert and I choose the Apple Pastry stick.

Our main purpose of going to the fair was watching a Beatles tribute band called "Strawberry Fields".... and to check out the painted Ice Cream Cones..... which Renee had been trying to get to to do one this year. We saw some cute ones.....

Here two of my favorite-creative ones. There were plenty of normal looking ones too.

Then we did stumble upon the "largest Chocolate Moose in captivity"

It wasn't solid chocolate, but made like the famous butter cow.