While Rick put in time at the TV station’s booth, Truman and I explored the festival. We found the drum circle immediately and since Truman is destined to be the next drummer for Kiss, we stayed there for a long while. When the activity ended, Truman stayed on, pounding every available drum to his heart’s content. I learned they do birthday parties and I’m totally considering that option when Truman hits the bit 6.

I managed to lure Truman past the fountains (where large WARNING signs advised kids not to wade in them) to the kids’ area. Fresh Air Family had a tent full of snakes for public handling and we spent several minutes touching and handling every snake available. It was his favorite spot by far. Truman paid some attention to Roger Day but preferred listing to him while painting the wall mural at the Publix booth. Once we got the paint off most of his body, we ended up back at the snake pit – big surprise there – before ending back up at the drum circle and finding Dad, who had just gotten off work.

After a round of family drumming, we decided to grab some non-festival fare for dinner. Truman insisted we go to Chez Fon Fon and play bocce ball. Who could resist such an offer? Afterwards Rick dropped us at home and went back to City Stages where he has the honor of interviewing and introducing the Neville Brothers. The sad thing is that he had backstage passes for me too, but we had sitter issues, so I stayed home and watched Phineas and Ferb with Truman. I love the Nevilles, but … it was a small price to pay.

We’re headed back to City Stages Sunday to sweat and listen to music and touch snakes. Should be oodles of fun. Wish you were here.

Photos, JWJourney

Post from: Blisstree

City Stages – Really Cool Weekend Fun

The market just opened for the season. Years ago we were just one of a few folks who headed out there every Saturday, but it’s since become hugely popular here. Which is a good thing for the farmers.

Today we bought a bunch of strawberries, because Truman would choose to eat strawberries over any other food on earth. We also bought tomatoes from one of the few vendors who had ripe ones to choose from. Then we went home and made Ina Garten’s Greek Gazpacho for dinner.

Our Publix didn’t have Sacramento tomatoes so V8 had to do (oh hush, Ina), and I did without the olives because I have an aversion. I also used panko instead of day-old bread just because I had it on hand. And I love panko. 

I plopped a generous hunk of nice goat cheese over the top, which was one thing my old recipe didn’t call for.It was to-die-for. Even Truman devoured it. Well, he mostly devoured the toasted bread crisps I served with it. Then we paired it with a nice bottle of Cotes du Rhone.

For dessert we had a generous serving of Adam Lambert performing with Rick’s childhood favorite band Kiss – DVR’d from Wednesday night’s awesome American Idol finale. Sigh…makes me wonder how the rest of the world is faring this Memorial Day weekend.

Photos, JWJourney

Post from: Blisstree

Farmers Markets a Sign of Summer

1. Locate a box. Most any box will do. Ours was pretty big so the end result was too big to work as a guitar…but we found another use for our instrument. (See #9).

2. Tape the box closed and cut a hole in the middle.

3. Using a hole-punch, punch 3-5 holes on opposite sides of the hole you made in the box.

4. Thread clips through each hole and …

… then wrap a colorful rubber band between two opposite clips.

5. Slide popsicle sticks along each set of clips. You can decorate your popsicle sticks if you want. Or buy colored ones. 

6. Take a flat side of another box and roll it into the shape of a handle, or guitar neck. Cut a hole on the side of the box and slide the tip of the neck into the base and tape it in place.

7. Paint your masterpiece. (On second thought it may have been best to paint the guitar before installing the strings.)

8. Set the guitar aside to dry and clean the paint off your hands as best as possible.

9. Once the paint is dry, enjoy your new box guitar or, as in our case, standup bass!

Photos, JWJourney

Post from: Blisstree

How to Make a Box Guitar Toy