Go Fly a Kite

Literally. Ever since we went kite flying on my birthday we have been carrying the kites in the back of my car and just waiting for the perfect breeze. Today looks like another good kite flying day.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Happy Earth Day

Okay, I freely admit it - I largely wanted to post today just so I could save this image. I really have enjoyed Dennis Hwang's (the Google artist) artistic images for a long time and look forward to every holiday just to see what he has created. 

Celebrate Earth Day and plant something - anything. Just go outside and get those hands dirty.

A Late Sunday Afternoon in Berkeley

Continuing our Bay Area adventure...

Just a postscript about the Alameda Flea Market. Don't be in a hurry to leave - I repeat DO NOT be in a hurry to leave the market. Turn up the radio in the car and chill because it will take you awhile to get out of there.

The traffic was so bad which surprised us because we thought it would be a little lighter on Sunday afternoon. Silly us. So, we decided to get off at one of the Berkeley exits and look around for awhile and get something to eat. We ended up on Telegraph Avenue.

Moe's Books is a great bookstore, especially if you have a few hours to kill. Shakespeare & Co. is also a wonderful bookstore that you should check out.

This was an interesting store - it reminded me of a general store with all the jars of herbs, spices, and teas. The aroma just pulls you in.

I have never seen blue roses before.

We stopped and ate at Mario's La Fiesta Mexican Restaurant. They are celebrating their 50th anniversary at this site. Great food!

I really liked the Mexican paper flags hanging from the ceiling, giving it dimension, color, and texture. And, of course, Pinatas always give a place such a festive flair!

One of the things I enjoy most about Berkeley is that no matter how long it has been since you last visited, nothing seems to change. I suspect it probably looks much like it did in the 60s. When we walk down the street it almost feels like the 60s...

Only in Berkeley would you see a sign that says, "It's Spring Get Naked 09." I wonder if it is the slogan for UC Berkeley's Class of '09?

I enjoy browsing at all the street vendors. 

Time to head back home.

Happy Easter

My wish for you is a blessed weekend shared with family and friends, filled with love and laughter, and brightened by beautiful sunshine.

Eggs Beadazzled

I made these easter eggs about 3 or 4 years ago from a craft idea I saw on hgtv.com. I think it was one of Carol Duvall's craft projects.  I thought I would make some more this year because I really like how they sparkle and it is such an easy project to do. I couldn't find the large plastic eggs, but I did find some of the smaller ones. 

Materials Needed:

Hot glue gun

Clear glue sticks

Wet cloth or bowl of cold water (This is a must in case you stick your fingers in the hot glue)

Plastic colored eggs

Clear faceted beads - I used the 8 mm size for this project. To do six colored eggs I used a box and a half of 550 beads each box.

Once the glue is hot, run a bead of glue around the opening of the egg to glue it shut. Next, swirl some hot glue on either end of the egg and start placing the beads randomly, but close together like a puzzle. I try to place them on their 'sides' so the ends with the holes don't face up. The beads look better that way and catch the light much more. 

Make sure you don't place them in neat rows. The key is random placement.

Just keep gluing and beading until the egg is covered with beads.

Here is the finished result. WARNING: If you put these on your dining room table, your guests won't be able to keep their hands off of them!

Alameda Flea Market

Anyone who knows me, knows I love a good flea market, or thrift store, or antique store. But why I have never been to the mother of all flea markets in Northern California before this past Sunday - I just don't understand. The Alameda Flea Market is held the first Sunday of every month, but I guess because it is an hour and 45 minute drive from us is the main reason we haven't gone before. Now that we've gone though I don't think the drive will deter us from going again. I mean - what else could you possibly want to do on a beautiful, Spring day then go to the flea market?!

When we arrived tons of people were already there. I couldn't even see the end of the market, but I could see San Francisco across the bay.

There was a lot of outside furniture. I mean A LOT.

I enjoy old type sets and there were a lot of old type letters available at really good prices.

Some of the booths were displayed so interestingly. Many people were stopping to look at these dolls with the moveable metal parts.

Love these old tin coffee dispensers from a very old store in San Francisco.

Another view of San Francisco.

I've always been fascinated by tin ceilings. These just wouldn't look right in my ranch-style home though.

Some of the booths were so colorful. And this one - I had never seen or heard of hair spray covers before. I guess they were popular back in the day?!

I have to say everyone was so friendly and people were milling around enjoying the Sunday afternoon. I overheard quite of few people talking and it was obvious that this was a regular Sunday activity for them. How fun!

LOVE old hardware! This dealer had pretty much everything you could possibly want except for bronze kick plates for our front doors.  Maybe next time!

The patterns and designs are so interesting.

I took this picture especially for you, Mike!

Well, after six hours of solid walking we still never made it to the end of the market. I guess next time we go I'll have to start in the back and work my way towards the front!

If you are ever in the Oakland area at the first of the month I highly recommend going to this flea market. You would not regret it for a minute!