Mixer Pics

Today is the 40th anniversary of the first moon landing. This occasion--along with the upcoming 40th anniversary of Woodstock--was celebrated last Thursday at the conference mixer.

Here's a pic of me and my twin brother from another mother, Christopher with Buzz Aldrin.

I thanks to complimentary hotel cocktails, I was buzzin' with Buzz. As a result, iIdidn't take too many pictures. But I did manage to sober up long enough to get this shot of my very first dish friends--Wendy, Rick, and Mike. They're also from Arizona. Wendy and Mike live in Scottsdale and Rick in Miami.

Fallingwater

On Saturday afternoon, Brad, Nich, Craig, and I broke away from dish festivities and drove to Mill Run, PA to tour one of Frank Lloyd Wright's most famous homes--Fallingwater.

For me, this jaunt was the one of the highlights of the entire weekend. In fact, I have a few design instructors who would expel me from the program if they I knew I was in the area and didn't stop by FW.

While I took LOTS of pictures, legal ramifications keep me from posting them here.

The drive to Mill Run took us across the river into downtown Pittsburgh, where I was regaled by all the bridges, high rise buildings, and other architecture. Downtown Phoenix is nothing like this.

Fallingwater is located in a very thick wooded area where the humidity is high and the air is very heavy. And as evidenced by the numerous crates of umbrellas available for guest use, rainfall is frequent.

Getting to the Fallingwater house required a very scenic five-minute walk from the visitors center and gift shop.

The house itself yielded a few surprises:

• Wright employed the open-plan concept before it was actually en vogue. The main "room" contains the fireplace, sitting area, study, and dining area,
• An outdoor staircase leads to a tiny perch that's surrounded the Bear Run stream.
• The bedrooms were quite small. Some spaces were only large enough to hold a twin-size bed and some basic furniture. That's one way to ensure that houseguests won't overstay their welcome.
• The ceilings are very low--less than 7 feet high in some places.
• At 2885 square feet, the main house is not as large as it seems. It has only three bedrooms.
• The bath fictures are also very low to the ground. The toilets in particular remind me of those used in a preschool.
• Hallways and stairwells were very narrow.
• The terrace railings were lower than normal. This was done so as not to interfere with the views from inside the house.
• The waterfall can only be viewed when standing on the terrace of the top floor.

Since the woods are very thick and sunlight didn't penetrate easily, many of our pictures came out dark. Here I am with Craig, Brad, and Nich.

The Haul!

On Monday, I made it home from Pittsburgh and the HLCCA conference. This trip was a BLAST! In fact, it's safe to say that I had as much fun as I'm allowed to have without my husband. The complimentary cocktail hour that the Embassy Suites offers was a contributing factor...as was a very eventful trip to McDonald's.

More pics will be posted later (including a full report on all weekend debauchery). In the meantime, enjoy this table photo of my dish booty (click on the images for a better view):

I brought 3 suitcases on this trip...two of which were earmarked for dishes. I even brought a boatload of bubble wrap, but lost it all when the hotel maid mistook it for trash. Good thing Craig brought extra.

On the plane ride home, I had plenty of time to think about where I would house all this loot. I decided to evict the crockpot, that cheapo carousel storage container holder we never used, some mismatched stemware, and other miscellaneous ware.

Some of these items will find homes elsewhere in the kitchen. Some will go into storage. But most will end up at Goodwill. I have too many beautiful dishes to hang on to crap.

I also removed the cabinet doors. Here's the finished product:

I have similar plans for the corner cabinet in the dining room. A bunch of green Granada and Amberstone followed me home...including a covered marmalade!

I'm Outta Here!

Pool Crasher

This dragonfly decided to hang out with us at the pool on Saturday. He stuck around for quite awhile, too. Long enough for me to dry off, go inside, get the camera, and snap a dozen pictures.

Dragonflies are always coming around the pool area, but they're usually the little blue ones. This particular one was a good three inches wide.

Sunday Dishes: Pinks & Stones

A few weeks ago, I got a surprise package in the mail. Elaine--affectionately known in disher circles as the Tablecloth Fairy--sent me two beautiful pink vintage tablecloths.

Around that same time, our cheap camera broke completely. The camera was replaced on Friday and I am finally able take and post photos.

Not only is this one pink, but it goes perfectly with my Ironstone/Amberstone/Casualstone collection. Two great tastes that taste great together!

It also works with Fiesta's new Lemongrass color!

This plaid one will go in the breakfast nook. It looks great with pastels. I can also see using it with vintage yellow only.

Thank you SO MUCH, Elaine! I can't wait to meet you in Pittsburgh in a few days.

Happy Fourth, Everyone!

Errand Day

It's errand day! Kyle is going to the new water park with his friend so the rest of us are heading out for an all day trek to the stores.

Our day will include stops at:

--Party City: Hoping they have some round-frame John Lennon style hippie glasses. I struck out at the other two PC stores I checked. I saw them at the Bell Road store recently, but didn't buy them at the time. These are for Thursday's 60's-themed mixer in Pittsburgh.

--BevMo: Cinnamon schanpps. Our grocery store doesn't have any that costs less than $20.

--Barnes & Noble: The new issue of Modernism magazine is out and I'll need something to read on the plane.

--Target: New cooler for weekend pool parties.

--Best Buy for a new camera. Our old one broke last week (if Q couldn't fix it, nobody could) and we NEED a new one for my Pittsburgh trip and our vacation in California later this month.

--Dillards: Seeking the new Lemongrass Fiesta

--Dick's Sporting Goods: Lucas likes looking at the baseball equipment, and I promised him a new Under Armour t-shirt. Also, I have a coupon.

--Trader Joes: Tamales, veggie pizza, cereal, and ??????

Good thing all these stores are located on Bell Road in north Glendale.

One More Week...

This time next week, I will be heading out for the annual HLCCA Conference in Pittsburgh. The trip will start in Indianapolis, where Craig will pick me up. We will then hit the road for a weekend of...

Meeting cyber friends for real

Buying Fiestaware

Dressing like hippies

Visiting four different states: Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

Introducing Craig to the musical stylings of Jefferson Starship.

Food, fun, and folly.

Visiting and touring the factory where Fiestaware is made.

Buying MORE Fiestaware!

Antiquing with people who actually enjoy it.

Touring Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater masterpiece.

This trip is going to be a BLAST!

Clarvoyant iPod?

Today was the last day of my algebra class. Just like the other students, I waited while the instructor graded it. He also gave us our final grades at that time.

I got a B in the class. A B!!!!! A big, bad @$$ B!!!!! I was shocked. And thrilled. Considering the rough start I had in the class, I would have been happy with a C.

Trembling, I bade the teacher farewell and stumbled out of the classroom. Once outside, I called Q (for the last month, he'd had a front row seat to my math-fueled anxiety attacks). After he heaped on the accolades, I started the car and turned on my iPod.

The song that was playing? "It's a Miracle" by the Culture Club.

Definitely an appropriate song for the moment!