Monday, February 01, 2010

Looking for Evidence - "Sometimes.... in the living of life we forget"

I arrived home from Los Angeles on Tuesday,
last week, after several whirlwind days at the
Craft and Hobby Association Convention (CHA).
This particular trip was peppered with some
real lows and incredible highs.

Experiencing the crazy California weather and
LA traffic were definitely low points. My days
there were fraught with deluges of rain, scattered
hail, and even one tornado during the visit. This
was enough to have me thinking, more than once,
that I could have stayed in Kansas for all this weather
nonsense.

But aside from inclement weather and driving the
infamous freeways, everything was wonderful!

Teaching at the enchanting French General was
a DREAM!

I felt completely spoiled by owner, Kaari Meng.
She was the perfect hostess in every way.

Not only did I have the opportunity to teach,
I also attended a beautiful soiree there on a
different night, hosted by both Kaari and Jo
Packham, the Where Women Create
creator extraordinaire. This gathering was
ABSOLUTE BLISS, and l did not want the
evening to end.

CHA was FANTASTIC! I was able to participate
in the making of a video that will appear soon
on my publisher's blog, Craftside, as well as host
a Make & Take in the Quarry Books Booth.

I was also asked to do a book-signing for Nature
Inspired
at the Barnes and Noble Booth.

And the cherry on top was making several new
friends and reconnected with some old ones.

With all this goodness happen around me,
I literally forgot to snap one picture with
my camera. Even when everyone else was
taking photos, it honestly did not cross my
mind to pull out my camera... SIGH

This is what happens when you are sometimes...
busy living life.

Alas, the only picture I have to share from
my entire experience is this photo of the
treasure trove of real butterflies that
I purchased from the French General.



This little box was stuffed to the brim with
over 40 perfectly preserved specimens that
were brought all the way from France.

A true find!

8 comments:

Dianne said...

It sounds like a lot of fun... and the butterflies are gorgeous. I hope one day I'll get to participate in some of these events.

Katherine Dunn/Apifera Farm said...

Glad you survived LA, but also prospered...

paperbird said...

french butterflies- lucky girl :)

Waterrose said...

Your timing couldn't have been more perfect for the weather they had in LA. The butterflies are beautiful. What are you going to do with them?

Catherine said...

Sounds like a wonderful time in spite of the awful weather! Can imagine every moment through your descriptive words...

And, how wonderful that the butterflies will have an afterlife after finding their way into your loving hands...

Tina Cully said...

So glad you hade fun teaching and at CHA. Those butterflies look divine.. can't wait to see what you do!

Unknown said...

Wow, a whole box of butterfiles. You are turly blessed. How in the world did you ever find something like that? Is is somthing that this person offers for sale anywhere else? Too cool. I can see these all over your journals. Looking forward to getting my signed book back. So glad you had a great trip to my home state. I have to admit though that I am glad I don't live there now as I am happy in Oregon

Jane LaFazio said...

those butterflies are sooo you!!(oops, sorry about the california weather!)