5/19/09

Look Into The Sky


What a fantastic weekend full of out of town friends, flea markets and yummy food! Our good friend from college days, Brad, came down and stayed with us and kept Brett and I laughing with his not so subtle claims that we belong back in Shawnee, his YouTube videos, and a steady stream of one liners. We missed his wife this time but a visit with either of the Carters always leaves Brett and I extremely light-hearted and thankful. They are one of a kind.

photo borrowed from Holly
I got to enjoy Holly and Jenna's company over coffee on Sunday and learned all about the tattoo industry in Canada and got to see some secret projects in the works. I now know three Canadians well enough to call them friends. (Sharing certain details of childbirth takes you to that next level, right?) I was thankful for the time we got but it was certainly not enough. I'm sure Simon missed his Mama while she was gone!

Our third set of friends were in the neighborhood (Kansas City) and made an overnight trip to see us and get a taste of Springfield. So, we took them to a nice sushi restaurant because nothing says Springfield more than Japanese food, right? Ha! I went to high school in California with the Mr. and six years later he and his wife walked into our apartment complex in Seattle and I rented them an apartment! They are good letter writers and we've managed to keep in touch since we've moved away and were glad they made the extra drive to spend some time catching up.

I spent the rest of my Monday evening finishing the last half of Twilight while I rested on the couch. The boys were both taking naps and it was the perfect ending to a four day weekend full of good conversation and lovely people. I am currently scheming to get my hands on the second book in the series so if you're reading this, Jenny, go check your Twitter account!

Totally unrelated to my weekend are these two paintings that I finished a few weeks ago and forgot to post. Three more like them have been at the brick and mortar RVA store since the Art Weekend and have yet to be photographed. They are all going up in the Red Velvet Art update on Thursday evening along with a few other new projects I'm finishing tomorrow.


Brett, Brad and Sebastian ventured out to do some bee whispering while I was visiting with the Canadians. I came home smelling smoke but soon realized it was coming from the bee smoker in the backyard and went out to investigate. Brad got in closer with my camera than I ever would have dared and got some great shots of the process. You can see the rest here.


The very top picture is a testament of restraint and sensibility on my part. I think we took our various friends to five different flea markets and I managed to walk away with only three specific purchases for myself. I also let Sebastian pick out a toy truck and lucked upon a pair of formal dress shoes that he'll need for a wedding he's in next month. Never mind that they were a size too big. Kids grow fast, right? They'd obviously only been worn once before, which is about the number of times he'll wear them before they are too small.

I've got more pictures to share soon so don't be a stranger!

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Twilight is the best. I read the whole series in under a week and am seriously addicted.

jarispry said...

yay for great company! that's awesome!!!! totally wish i were there too! :D
can't wait to see all your pics! xo!

Violet said...

Rachel -

What is that teal thing-ama-jig that in the top picture? It looks like a mini coffee press?

So cool about the bees! I'm really afraid of them, so raising a colony is out of the question, but I sure do like the honey!

xx - Violet

Heather said...

You defintly need to get your hands on the second book! Truely a great series!

Seeing your bee pictures reminds me of when I was little. We raised bees for a long time. I really miss sucking the honey right from the comb. Thanks for helping me reminence.

Anonymous said...

I also read the whole series in under a week.I have the books laying around the house so if you still need to get your hands on the second book,let me know!

-amanda

RachelDenbow said...

Violet,

I call them pecan crushers but you can use them to crush up any kind of vegetable or nut or cracker.

I see them all the time but finally needed one last week so I picked up a pretty aqua one.

Unknown said...

I'm glad you jumped on the Twilight bus. It's so fantastic isn't it? I started reading Twilight when it FIRST came out and have been a true fan since. i love them. can't wait for New Moon to come out!!!

Anonymous said...

I was just given the Twilight book a couple weeks ago. It's on my summer reading list. Cute thrift store finds!

margot said...

more pics please! :-)
love your paintings!!!!
your first painting for rva is on my blog this week btw!!

Trains and Sewing Machines said...

I LOVE Stephenie Meyer's books!! The Twilight series is my favorite-hands down!!! You have to read them all :)

Love the paintings, so cute!

Alice said...

Need another Canadian friend?! I'm from Vancouver!

LOVE your paintings, they're so beautiful!

chelsey. said...

aw, the idea of having one's own beehive is so wonderful and very tempting--my fear helps me resist. the photos of the ladies are great.

glad you had an amazing weekend!

Anonymous said...

Your home is featured on the Decor8blog today!

Grace@PoeticHome said...

What a fun and happy weekend! It's always such a treat to catch up with good friends. Great work on the restraint -- yet fantastic vintage finds!

Steve & Joyce Rodli said...

Glad you had a good, good time with friends. Happy happies. Joyce

Anonymous said...

Love the paintings! Did you bleach the wood? I think I remember you mentioning that before.

RachelDenbow said...

kt,

Nope. NO bleaching. My woodworker sanded it finely and it's plywood so it's light already.

Holly said...

Rachel it was sooo great to meet you, you were so fun to talk to! Childbirth talk definitely brings us closer, lol. I hope to do coffee again one day!
ps: your painting style is fantastic! I'm loving the ones you've put in the store, keep it up!! <3
XO holly

Anne Esquibel said...

I really enjoyed this post. Sounds like you had a fantastic weekend. :)

Have another!

xx

Big Yellow Dog said...

I love your paintings. The style is so great. And I'm glad I'm not the only one that jumped on the Twilight train a little late. I started reading them at the first of the year when I was on break from school and got totally addicted! Have fun reading the others!

janel. said...

Hey Rachel,
This song makes me think of you everytime I hear it :) Honey bee :) Check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a46VZ-dE8-4