Masquerade

Last night, hours after we were cleared as non-contagious, Eric and I went to a masquerade ball. Normally this would not have happened as neither of us was feeling our very best, but Eric was playing at the ball and I almost never get to see Eric's band play. We gave it our best and ended up having a lovely evening.

We decided to really go for it, if we were going. Eric pulled out his prom tux (see here) and switched to new pants as he is a bit taller than he was at 17. I wore a new ball gown that I had acquired as an option for a recent art ball. A few hours before the event I realized that no self-respecting artist could go to a masquerade with a store bought mask so I mustered up what little energy I had made my own (tutorial to come).


Eric


Me, the girls really wanted in on the action. Cordelia was sooo interested in the ball and asked for photos the moment she woke up.

My mother put the girls to sleep and obliged me with several updated texts throughout the evening. Have I mentioned how awesome my mother is? She is, FYI.

 
Eric and I outside of the ballroom


The spooky emcee for the night

More than anything I was excited to see Sarah, we haven't been able to meet up for some time (illness, guests, travel, illness, work, etc.) So I was eagerly watching the door for her arrival.


Sarah and I take on Le Masquerade

 
Our spouses Eric and Josh


The Foreign Life (click here), Eric's band. He's the hunk on the drums.

 
Speed the Pilgrim (click here) rocking people's faces off


Members of both bands congregate on stage for a rousing rendition of Ghostbusters by Speed the Pilgrim

The bands were so great. The night was fun. Lots of friends were there, but it was surprisingly difficult to spot everyone in costume. A fun challenge. Eric and I headed out pretty early and went home to return to the business of recovering from strep throat.

Smile Train and Andy

Do you remember that I told you our friend Andy Mason was here this week? Well after several days of great shows he is about to leave us and return to New Mexico and to his wonderful gal Anne (she couldn't be here this week, booo). I didn't want to let the week end without sharing a few photos from his concerts.

 
Cordelia has the bun in case you were trying to spot her.





Cordelia had an amazing time at the shows we attended, as did all of the other kids. She sang, danced, and yelled, "GO ANDY!"

Also, I wanted to take a moment to ask you to check out this video (below). Andy has been working to promote this great song he wrote and the video as a way to entice you into helping out the Smile Train---a group that gives free cleft surgeries to children. So far Andy and his fans have raised enough money to give 7(!) children the life changing surgery. Please take a moment to watch the video (Cordelia and I are in it) and pass it along! Thanks.

Weekend Review

Wow, I had a crazy weekend. Saturday I was all over the place. I woke up early and was out the door by 7:30. My mother and I were participating in a strange, but thankfully lucrative, craft fair (read about it here). Around noon Cordelia and I left the craft fair to watch some of Eric's concert---to be clear he is the drummer in the band. While we were on our way to the show Cordelia kept asking, "Daddy gonna rock out?" I told her that he would indeed rock out

Here is a little video of Cordelia dancing at the show. Please excuse the garbled music, I took this with my phone.

After the concert it was time for Cordelia to have a nap. I took her home and got her down. Eric and I continued our dance of responsibilities. He came home from the show and it was back to the craft fair for me.

We ended our day by having dinner with some wonderful friends. The weather was nice so we were able to sit outside and have some dinner. Couldn't have asked for a better end to a hectic, but lovely, day.

The rest of the weekend was jam packed as well. I did some work around the house, but mostly tried to get in a few walks through the neighborhood and some time outside. While doing some yard work in the front I asked Cordelia what we should name our big cotton-less cottonwood tree. She confidently responded that we should call her Jelly.

Jelly

I have been marveling at the gradual seasonal changes we are beginning to see evidenced in the foliage.

The Virginia Creeper is turning from green to a vibrant red.


There are still some late bloomers bringing some last bursts of summer colors.


Our yard is starting to collect fallen leaves here and there.


The mums are going strong


Bumblebee was just happy to spend some more time outside.

How was your weekend???

Music, Friends and Fountains

Yesterday evening I made some dinner (vegan white pizza with basil pesto, Daiya vegan cheese, artichoke hearts and sun dried tomatoes a salad and fresh cherries in case you were wondering) and then we hit the road as a family. We headed down to the art museum to watch an outdoor evening concert. My lovely new friend Ashley had invited us and we were game for a fun show.


John Kirlin and the High Plains Drifters

The band played a nice, crowd pleasing, set. The audience was very mixed, families, teens, adults, the elderly, dogs, etc. There were tons of characters and I looove characters!


Meet Ashley, she's also a yoga instructor


Feeling the music

Ashley is a local and she was happy to introduce us to several new and interesting people. We chatted as the sun lowered in the sky and the heat became less powerful; listening to the music, chasing Cordelia and people watching. Eric was busy taking tons of photos.


Ashley and I

We had to leave a bit early because Cordelia was starting to wear down. We are now knowledgeable enough to know that it is best to leave BEFORE she hits a wall.

We met several new people, listened to some good music and made plans for future events. A successful and fun time. I was even invited to the 30th wedding anniversary of Ashley's parents--whom I had just met.

We held hands family style (Cordelia between us) as we left the shindig. The music had that heavy distant feel of a party continuing on without us. The shadows were getting long and the sun had that delicious golden hue. I spotted a fountain ahead of us and we couldn't resist a quick visit. Cordelia and I kicked off our shoes and held hands as we stepped into the cool waters of the trio of spurting jets of water.


Exploring the fountain

Cordelia was nervous at first, but soon she was soaked and I was pretty wet too. The air was still warm enough that the cool waters didn't make us freeze.


Watching my girl play

We wrapped things up and headed for home. Satisfied and happy.


Thinking about drinking fountain water.

What did you do last night?
**All photos from today's post are by E.K. Wimmer check him out here.

Andy and Anne

Every summer we look forward to fresh fruit, the farmer's market, the fourth of July and our annual visit from Anne and Andy. You may recall that I have mentioned them a few times in the past. Andy is a touring musician. He spends his summers on a children's music tour (check him out here). Anne is his lovely lady, a dear friend and a grad student.

We started out yesterday with a kid's concert by Andy Mason at our local library.

Andy at work

Snuggles and careful observation

We thought Cordelia would really get into the show as she loves to go crazy at home and dance around when we play Andy's music, but she preferred to observe the other children from the safety of our laps. She let loose just a few times.

The concert, Andy's rocking out


This kid played air guitar the entire show, it was rad

Dancing during the show

Quality time with Anne

Once the show was over Cordelia put on a little show of her own...

Dancing, after the crowd left

Then we went to lunch together. Andy and Anne were off for another afternoon show while Cordelia took a little snooze.

For the record this is how Ophelia spent the day

Later in the evening (after the guys played an intense tennis match) we all spent some time on the back patio after a passing rain shower.

Bumblebee

Clear evening after a rain shower

Eric on the back patio

Sweet feet in the grass


Anne on the back patio

Andy and Cordelia enjoying the evening air

C'est moi

Our Day

Yesterday I mentioned that Eric and I were going on a pre-baby date. We have no doubt that my family will make great babysitters in the months to come, but we wanted to get one good date in before we take on life with a little one.

Eric has been fighting off a head cold, but insisted that we make this day a great one. We did. Here are some photos of our delightful date day.

We started off our day by taking Miss Bumblebee on a walk along the river. We start every day off by taking Bumblebee on a walk.

After dropping Bumblebee off for her afternoon nap on the couch we headed to the art museum. The art museum has this great little program where they invite a musician to come and play for an hour at noon. Most people bring lunches and just sit and enjoy the performance. The musicians this week were an oldies cover band. They played a lot of Dion and it made our day!!!

We held hands.

After the show we wandered around the museum, which was free for the day. Then we headed out to lunch. We had veggie burgers and they hit the spot. We took our time eating and having a wonderful conversation.

After lunch we decided to drive up and over the mountain. About halfway up there is a place where you can get out of the car and look at the view. I am afraid of heights so the fact that I didn't throw up was really the accomplishment for me.

We found ourselves way back on a dirt road that my mother had shown to me last fall. We agreed that there is something lovely and wild about Wyoming that really grows on a person (though it's not Montana).


After our adventure up and down the mountain we decided to go out for coffee (decaf for me). We sat and enjoyed our conversation. I am so thankful that I married my best friend.


Oh and I was able to use my belly as a table. I felt pretty cool about that.

Farmer's Market

I have been waiting all summer for the farmer's market to start up. Apparently in small town Wyoming they get a very late start. I'm just glad that they have one at all! Last night was the opening night of the now bi-weekly market.

Eric and I went over to check it out and enjoy the great small town vibe. There were kids and dogs, people chatting after a day of work. I noticed that there was sidewalk chalk and bubbles for the little kids. It was lovely. I also like that the event was held in the evening, the weather was perfect. There were a variety of vendors and some dinner carts as well.

We settled on a hay bale to watch a local group which included two adorable little girls playing violin with a group of seniors.

In case you are wondering that is indeed my pregnancy muumuu!

What did you do last night?