ROMANCING THE WIND...

I love kites!  In search of anything to lift the spirits right now, this was timely enough...my dad just sent through this enchanting video of world champion kite flier RAY BETHELL...graceful and beautiful.  And amazing - the only thing that would have been MORE amazing, would have been if the guy could have filmed it himself.  Enjoy ~ may your spirits soar today...

THE THRILL IS FAR FROM GONE...

Chance of a lifetime, twice within 6 months.  The legendary B.B. King in concert last evening, this time with my son in tow.  The consummate entertainer with an ever strong/clear voice, and those instantly recognizable guitar licks, all at 87 years old - I don't know that I could perform for a solid 1-1/2 hours at my age (even if I DID know how to play the guitar, OR could sing...and OK, fine!  I can't tap dance either, dammit, but would definitely throw that into my show, if I could).  B.B. and Lucille put on one hell of a show, STILL.  The thrill was definitely all ours, Mr. King.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY and GIVEAWAY LOVIN'...

"There is no remedy for love but to love more"...

Henry David Thoreau

February, already...VALENTINES DAY, already.  Wishing my family and friends, near and far, the sweetest day EVER!  Wanted to share some heartfelt items that arrived last week, after a lucky, LUCKY day of wins resulting from the Grow Your Blog party.  My wins were numerous, and as they kept mounting that day, I felt the need to buy Powerball tickets.  I also felt a need to spread the love.  I offered up each "gifter" the chance for a "do-over", or an exchange between us.  The gifters all opted for the exchange...we are having some fun, now!

These goodies arrived from the first two wins, right before the weekend.  YES!  We ARE having some fun, now.

My first win was from Maggie of THE MAG RAG - Maggie is an absolute delight (you know how you sometimes get an instant "good" feeling about someone?  I've made some wonderful friends through this blog, some of whom I've actually had the great pleasure of meeting up with), and I have a sneaking suspicion that Maggie's gonna' be around for awhile.  An incredible artist, with a genuine heart (she is an illustrator for Simplicity Patterns - one of my favorite books).

 

I won a BEAUTIFUL hand soldered necklace, encasing a piece of antique lace - soldering is no easy task, and this is impeccable.  She also enclosed a card with one of her gorgeous angels on it...too pretty to let go of, this will be framed and hung in a special spot.  All this, and more, is available in Maggie's ETSY SHOP (The MagRag).  I shouldn't be the only one lucky enough to enjoy her artistry - run, don't walk...she even made that stinkin' cute gift box up there!!!

And, as if THAT fun wasn't enough, a whole envelope of handcrafted hearts - lots and LOTS - showed up in my mailbox the very next day.  Cut, pieced, embossed,  and sewn - these are pretty darn cute, and I know a lot of love went into their making.  The handiwork of Andria of DRAWING NEAR - Andria is planning on opening an Etsy shop, SOON.  Until then, you can find her at her wonderful blog.  All in all, an awful lot of fun! 

"Love, love, love.  Love, love, love.  Love, love, love"...

The Beatles

P.S.  "Love you more"...ME

 

YEAR OF THE SNAKE 2013 - Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens on "TRAVEL TUESDAY"

Chinese New Year is being celebrated in truly spectacular style at the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, in Las Vegas - with 22,000 flowers, 660 trees and shrubs, and more than 200 magnificent, colorful Koi...and a snake.  A very BIG snake.  A very big FAKE snake.  You can thank me later for not starting off with a snake picture!

To symbolize prosperity, good fortune and nobility, an 18-foot-tall Chinese money tree stands at the entrance to the gardens. The centerpiece of the display, it features 384 over sized gold-leafed I-Ching coins (traditional Chinese symbol for money) on its branches, with more surrounding the base.

A 9-foot-tall "friendly" King Cobra, covered in 5,000 blue-and-gold silk scales, is perched atop more coins to signify that one’s wealth and good fortune will be protected for the next 12 months.

A 35-foot Chinese junk boat with a 38-foot mast inspired by 15th Century fishing vessels, floats in one pond.  Carved from teak, mahogany and cedar, it weighs a staggering 3,000 pounds.  1,800 carnations, spider mums and Fuji mums brighten the clothing of six “lucky” children playing near a beautiful pagoda. 

Feng Shui, the art of using surroundings to bring about harmony, balance and positive life energy, guided the design of the gardens.  Ancestral "ding pots" burn incense for good luck and protect against bad fortune, at the entrance.

Each garden encompasses water to ensure a positive flow of energy, and the three friends of winter - pine, bamboo and plum, symbolizing perseverance, integrity and modesty.

The legend of the Year of the Snake is that Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on the Chinese New Year, and 12 came that make up the Asian zodiac. The sixth was the snake, and people born in this 12-month calendar are said to be refined, intuitive, introspective and enigmatic.

The exhibit is free to the public, and open 24/7 daily until March 3.  On your way out of the display, be sure to walk a few more feet into the lobby to see an extension of the colorful display, but especially to "ooh and aah" over the "Fiori di Como" chandelier by world renowned glass sculptor, Dale Chihuly. This stunning art piece is comprised of 2,000 hand-blown glass blossoms.  And, if you're "feeling the love" of that big ol' Snake, continue on into the casino (the backdrop for the Oceans Eleven movies) to test out your new found good fortune...

 

YEAR OF THE SNAKE: 1905 1917 1929 1941 1953 1965 1977 1989 2001 2013

SNAKE 2013
The Snake person is almost off the charts in terms of intelligence, able to think things through in a cold and calculating manner. Attractive and charming, you are skilled at persuasion and can garner support in the attainment of your personal goals. In the next few months, the perfect opportunity will appear. After conducting a thorough cost-benefit analysis, strike quickly but pay attention to details. Big gains if you do everything right. Curb your tendency to carry and nurse a grudge and you'll leave your critics far behind.

Love Match: Ox, Rooster, Dragon

Notable Snake People: Anne Frank, Bob Dylan, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Placido Domingo, Audrey Hepburn, Darwin, Indira Gandhi

BEE GEES and GREGG ALLMAN - I Get By With a Little Help From My Friend, Part Deux...

Having a bit of a rough week, a Girl's Night Out in Vegas, with my friend Jackie, was just the ticket.  A call with an announcement that the last two tickets to a performance of THE AUSTRALIAN BEE GEES SHOW had been procured, and we were out the door, sans husbands (not that mine would have ever entertained the thought of sitting through "disco"...again - "in the same lifetime".  And THAT is why the "kill joys" are left at home!).  Me, on the other hand - she didn't have to ask me twice!

Dinner beforehand was fabulous.  So much so, that we even let the persistent little gal with the camera and darling foreign accent take our picture, where I normally opt out due to witness protection and such.  It was such a great "friends" moment that she even made the sale - we felt like tourists in our own town, and sometimes it's best to just go with the flow.  So glad I wore my slimming black, though it does nothing for wrinkles.

And a lot of times in Vegas, it SO pays to see the smaller shows in the more personable showrooms.  We had wanted to see this for the past two years, and it didn't disappoint.  The most fun I've had in a month (OK, except for a gigantic win with the same best friend at Bingo, a few weeks back).  She's always along for the fun stuff!  She actually told me that her husband would have sat through the show, as he was a Disco King, back in the day.  I told her I had actually seen the REAL Bee Gees, back in the day.  I still have the only concert program I've ever bought in my life, and it must have been because of the white pants...

 

1979 - 21 years old (you do the math), with another friend in tow, that evening - the "Spirits Having Flown" Tour.

July 2nd, 1979, to be exact - McNichols Arena in Denver, CO, which is no longer there - and neither, very sadly, are two of the three brothers, but the music lives on.

Last night brought back some wonderful memories, thanks to a vigilant friend on the ticket watch.  One of my favorites, with beautiful harmonies - "New York Mining Disaster 1941".

And, since my spirits are on a musical high this morning, we took in another favorite last month, that I neglected to write about at the time.  We treated ourselves and laid out the cash for tickets (same friend AND her sister - we had a whole Vegas WEEKEND - post to follow on Tuesday) to another favorite - GREGG ALLMAN, at the Pearl in the Palms.  Great concert venue - in fact, it's proving to be one of my favorites here.  FABULOUS concert - another uplifting evening with friends - the PERFECT ticket!

Here's hoping your spirits are happy today, and you find your perfect ticket for a perfect week - see you Tuesday!  Thanks, friend!

TLAQUEPAQUE @ SEDONA, AZ on "TRAVEL TUESDAY"

Before heading from Red Rock State Park back into Sedona proper, you've probably worked up an appetite - we stayed in that area of the town this trip, and stumbled upon a FABULOUS, family owned and operated restaurant that I know we will go back to - just down the road from the rocks...

PAGO'S PIZZERIA AND ITALIAN CUISINE

6446 Highway 179 #221, Sedona, AZ 86351 - 928.284.1939

I wish I had taken a photo of the entire meal that evening...they started us with a salad that was included in my meal (that was under $10.00, I might add!) of a 4-cheese Calzone...a calzone that filled the entire dinner plate and could have fed two of us, at least.  OUT OF THIS WORLD DELICIOUS!  Can't rave enough about this little place - personable wait staff, and the owner was delightful.  If you're in the area, and are looking for an alternative to the plentiful Mexican fare found throughout the area, THIS IS YOUR PLACE!

 

EL RINCON RESTAURANTE MEXICANO

Tlaquepaque Village, 336 State Route 179, Sedona, AZ 86336 - 928.282.4648

Equally fabulous, in the traditional SW flavors, our old standby of El Rincon (inside of Tlaquepaque Village) fit the bill the following evening.  ALWAYS great food - spend the day shopping (window or "for real"), then relax on the patio in the shade of the beautiful large sycamore trees (umbrellas overhead - your food is safe), or inside in the comfort of the air conditioning, if it's too hot (by evening, it's always cooled down to just about the right temperature).  Grab a margarita and some green chile - it's one of our favorites...could be yours, too.

TLAQUEPAQUE ARTS AND CRAFT VILLAGE

336 State Route 179, Sedona AZ

Shops Open Daily 10a.m. - 5p.m.

Restaurant Hours Vary

As I said, the restaurant sits inside TLAQUEPAQUE ARTS AND CRAFT VILLAGE - billed as "The Art and Soul of Sedona".  This is Sedona's premiere shopping/gallery experience...over 40 specialty shops and exclusive art galleries - there's something for everyone here.  My picture taking took place in the late afternoon, and I waited out tourists for just the right shots (they're there - just behind walls and trees...I can out wait anyone for a clear shot)...it's a hoppin' place during the day.

Beauty in every nook and cranny...

Life-sized bronze sculptures from resident artists; ivies climbing walls; dinner plate sized magnolias (to go with the dinner plate sized calzone); and these benches.  I realized, on this final destination stop, that these same benches had been in every park in every town gazebo on our travels - they may have been painted different colors, but they were identical in each town.

Yucca in bloom...

You WILL fall in love with this enchanting area...

Make sure that you walk into at least one of the galleries located within the village, just to look, if nothing else.  Most have an "artist in residence" working on current pieces, and are more than happy to explain creative processes.

The bottom piece was a work in progress by artist MICHAEL TRCIC for the final casting, which now resides with my folks.  A margarita might just be in order once you're done shopping, so you can sit and beat yourself up, and ask yourself if you really "needed it", once you're done.  Yes, you deserve it.

And, feel better about yourself because at least you didn't buy this larger one, though it would look spectacular in your yard!

Crazy matador gracing the outside of the men's room; hiding your head like you didn't buy a beautiful bronze (and you're really happy for it, actually); beautiful arched doorway leading to the parking area; and a sleepy bronze bear - relaxed and satisfied after a day of taking it all in.

The artwork is plentiful at each and every turn throughout the village, and the entire town of Sedona, for that matter.  Just about anything from trading posts to Chico's (there's one in every port, you know) can be found - something for everyone, for sure.  If it's not there - you didn't need it, but you did need the bronze!

A parting shot from one of my favorite, happy places.  Next week we hit Vegas, for a quick look around - Chinese New Year/Year of the Snake at The Bellagio is up next.  Hawaii to follow.  Happy Travelin' Tuesday...be safe out on those roads, wherever they may lead.

AND, THE WINNER IS...

I did it the old fashioned way - each comment on the Giveaway Post was hand written on a small note card (because I need the practice), and tossed in my Grandma's Coors Pottery bowl (yep, they made more than beer)...stirred up, and drawn this morning (I know, I took my own sweet time!)

NICOLE @ MY GARDEN DIARIES...it's YOU...and your beans!  THEN, because I did it the old fashioned way, I had another name stuck behind Nicole's, when it came out...yes, I mixed them well, but these things happen (and I cleaned that up).  I could not very well, and with a clear conscience, throw it back, sooooooooooooooooooo...

Aloha to ANGI EHARIS!  Angi, I will be making you a set of potholders, as well...can't say what fabrics will be used, but you're getting a set of 4, also.

 

Thanks for all who dared enter here...the Blog Party was wonderful, but we knew it would be, and I've added many wonderful blogs to my reading list.  Thanks to Vicki for hosting this mega event, as well as her PINK SCARF PROJECT for breast cancer patients.  Think about making up a scarf in your spare time for this wonderful event (or buying one and donating it, if you're not handy).  For those who don't dabble in yarn, I have an easy FABRIC INFINITY SCARF TUTORIAL on my side bar.  Any donations you can throw Vicki's way are DEEPLY appreciated...and you have until October of this year!

 

Happy Friday - may your weekend be happy and safe, my friends!  Go Niners!  Tanya