Thursday, May 24, 2012

Fave Fives Mid May Style

Friday Fave Five.  May 25, 2012

1. The jacaranda trees are blooming!  All year long the jacarandas just stand around in the parking lots and parks and along the streets not receiving much attention.  They're just--there.  But. In. May!  They burst into bloom with riotous purple.  When the jacarandas are blooming, Southern Californians know it's spring.




2. Becoming Minimalist scores again.  This post about Raising Justice-Minded Children is a must read for every parent, every grandparent, every aunt or uncle, every adult.

3. Topanga Banjo and Fiddle Festival happens every May.  My spinning/weaving guild is always invited to demonstrate our skills.  This means free entry, an opportunity to bring our spinning wheels and looms and share these ancient arts with everyone who stops to watch us.  I'm constantly amazed at how popular our gathering always is.  We seldom have time to grab lunch or a coffee break.  I love it.  I spent all day Sunday sitting on a porch in the Western town on the old Paramount (Studios) Ranch in Agoura Hills.  If you ever watched a Western movie, you probably saw the buildings where we were.  Although I carried my camera in my bag, I never had a chance to pull it out, but I was asked many times if I would allow my photo to be taken while I was spinning.  So there are lots of photos of me at the festival but none on my camera.

4. Spinning--I began spinning some white alpaca fiber.  There's not much to be photo worthy yet--one spool of cream colored string does not an exciting picture make.  But soon it will grow into two spools and then a skein of plied yarn.  Soon.

5. Last but certainly not least, my summer break has really and truly arrived!  I corrected all the last assignments and mailed back all but three as I am waiting for the mom of the three siblings to send me their new address.  After dropping off the envelopes at the post office, The Professor asked what I wanted to do to celebrate.  I chose a quick trip to the library for MORE BOOKS and then an order of soy hot chocolate to help the sense of relaxation settle in.

This has been Willow's Week.  Thanks to Susanne for hosting Friday Fave Five which gives us an opportunity to focus on being thankful.

15 comments:

Gattina said...

Wow, you started spinning ? How nice ! I have a very old spinning wheel, but I think a few things are missing. It's only decoration now.

Dorothy said...

A banjo and fiddle festival!? You must have wonderful music to spin by!

roxie said...

Were you in pioneer attire? Did you get any really idiot questions? I had one woman tell her daughter that sheep's wool was greasy because it had linoleum in it.

Annette Whipple said...

That is really cool about the alpaca wool. My husband's great aunt has alpacas and uses it for knitting. I have a hat. :)

Congrats on summer's arrival!

Mom24 said...

That sounds like a wonderful week. The spinning sounds so exciting to me.

Marilyn said...

I love the idea of jacaranda trees, "just standing around in parking lots and parks" YEP!
Here's to a grand summer of spinning and reading and . . . . .!

Jerralea said...

I adore flowering trees, so I would love to see a Jacaranda tree bloom. It just gives me awe to see what God has created!

I do not knit or know anything about it, but it seems like demonstrating your craft at festivals would be a lot of fun!

Enjoy your break! It's truly a blessing to have one.

Annette W. said...

SoCal and PA are different worlds, huh...I suspect you don't have a little fire pit to enjoy...too risky!

Bethany said...

Those are gorgeous trees! I'm sure you're already enjoying your summer break! We have one more week (of finals) and then my kids will be home too! Yay!

ellen b. said...

Enjoy your summer break! We didn't see one Jacaranda tree while in so.Cal but we did see some great Hollyhocks! Have a great Memorial Day Weekend.

Laura@OutnumberedMom said...

We're kindred spirits...we consider a trip to the library a celebration! Love that!

Your Jacaranda trees are so pretty. Love that article, especially the point about being intentional as parents.

Have a great week.

Julene said...

You have lots to celebrate this weekend! Relax....enjoy....have fun spinning! Good week!!

nikkipolani said...

You'll have to leave an email address for those who took your photo at the festival to email their pic of you! You're right about the jacaranda -- my street's reaching peak bloom (though we lost several mature trees in storms a few years ago).

Bluerose said...

Those trees are GORGEOUS!

Yay for summer break! :)

Anonymous said...

Would love to go to a festival with banjo and fiddling and spinning. Perfect combo!
Enjoy your summer break!