Paul and Shay are out of town so I'm taking care of the babies while they're gone. Mimi (my mother) has come to help, which I am SO grateful for! It's tough work... the 24/7 meeting every one of their needs. whew. but I am enjoying it. Today was a rather ambitious day. We made sure Lena got a good nap early in the AM so that we could go to church together and then go to Cider Days, Springfield's fall arts festival on historic Walnut Street. I've been looking forward to this for a while and since I had to work on Saturday, Sunday was the only option to go. Graham and Lena both did great and mom and I really enjoyed walking around. Lena was not content to ride in the lower bunk of the double stroller, so I carried her in the peanut shell sling for most of the time. she got in another snooze there. The funny thing to me was that I felt like I was back in Thailand riding in the motorbike-sidecar (in a way...) Carrying this adorable baby in a sling, I got so many LOOKS. and comments. it was fun. Graham got to "paint" a play house (with a shaving cream/water mixture). It was really hard to move on to something else from that. Mimi and I were hungry though. We passed the cinnamon-sugared nut stand and couldn't resist. then for more substance, we found some gyros.
The highlights for me were chatting with people at two different booths. One was a Hmong couple from Laos. I recognized the Hmong patterns on the bags and pillowcases they were selling and asked about them. I learned they had escaped in '75 and had not been back. They've been selling handicrafts in the States for the past 20 years, mostly in Seattle, but have recently moved to Arkansas. It was so neat to talk to them. They said they raised 5 kids while selling handicrafts, that they would be sitting around their booths, under the tables :) I asked her if being in America had changed the way she made things. She said the material was of much higher quality and she used different kinds of colors (she showed me a pillowcase with tie-dyed material!) They had lots of little beanie/sand filled animals that were adorable. We couldn't get Graham to settle on one and he lost interest.
The other booth was for a couple who are missionaries in El Salvador. They are both artists, he a photographer and she a painter. I had seen a display of some of their work in the Randy Bacon gallery during the last artwalk. It was great to talk to him about their work and put a face to their names. I bought a small painting from them and am sure I will be reminded of them often as I see it and lift them up as well as their work in El Salvador. So neat.
my last stop was by one of the Coffee Ethic booths, which has become one of my favorite places in Springfield. I would like to work there so badly. but have yet to have been offered a job :( anyway, I go there once a week or so to work on graphics stuff for SAM (the marketing company I worked for in Thailand). That's where I got a cup of hot cider. but as I walked, Lena (now awake) keep trying to get herself a drink. So I knew it was time to high-tail it home and get her another bottle.
It was fun to see all the people, families, pets out and about. I do hope it won't be long before I'll be selling my own artwork at such an event. I've got to make some first, though. That would be a good next step towards that goal. I've gotten together most of my art supplies (all I need now is a sewing machine!)
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What a great description, Rachel! I could really imagine your day. Wish I could be there too :). Much love from the three of us -- Jessica