Saturday:Sights, Sounds, Sittin’ and Sippin’

Success in life is by opportunity and preparation, instead of sitting around waiting for luck, get up and go find your luck.
Blaze Olamiday
*************
An early Saturday morning walk, run over to writing group, then lunch on the Square with Mandy at Brother’s Pizza. It was another gorgeous day. How many more perfect days can we have? We walked around, and stopped at Art On The Veranda. Dana and Judy were teaching a jewelry making class.

One of my all time sittin’ around people watching spots is Sweet Spot Bakery. I actually got a little sun burn today.

Miss Elizabeth was making these adorable high heel cupcakes and taught me how to make them. I love to learn new things.

Aren’t they cute?

Here’s my first attempt at the rose frosting. I think I’m a natural! I told Elizabeth to call me next time she has to frost 70 cupcakes. (What if she takes me up on it?)
After I got home around 6pm, I strapped on my gym shoes and went for another long walk. I walked over to see the friendly horses down the road.

Now, I’m just sittin’ around with my weary band aide feet up, a frosty gin and tonic, my trusty ipad, and some mindless pre-recorded television programs. That’s what I call a beautiful busy day!

Grass doesn’t grow under my feet…or does it?

Saturday: Sit Back and Do Something Special

“I think people who are creative are the luckiest people on earth. I know that there are no shortcuts, but you must keep your faith in something Greater than You, and keep doing what you love. Do what you love, and you will find the way to get it out to the world.”

Judy Collins
*********
Another whirlwind of a day. I got up early and walked about three miles, then went to Saturday Zumba at 9:30-10:30. I didn’t have my usual writing group, so Zumba was a special treat. Then, scramble home, shower, straighten the house for a showing, and get out the door by 11 am. Can you say, “Run around like a mad woman?”

I decided to hang out on the Square, have my yummy yogurt parfait at Snug, visit Dana and Judy at Art on the Veranda, and then paint champagne flutes at Sweet Spot and visit with my buddies there.

Painting glassware is one of my favorite creative pastimes. It is so gratifying to take a plain ol’ glass item and turn it into a work of art. I haven’t painted in so long, mostly because I don’t want to make a mess in the house, but really, I just haven’t been motivated. I’ve been wanting to work on a project for a special gift, and I knew that I could grab my paints and go over to Sweet Spot Bakery, and just hang out and paint. (It’s great to have friends everywhere.)

I sat by the front window, painted champagne flutes, chatted with friends, and watched people walk by.

A few hours later, here is the beautiful finished product. Now, do you see why this is so much fun? I’ve painted hundreds, if not thousands of items. I’ve taught many, many people how to paint wine glasses, vases, ornaments, etc., when they thought they couldn’t. (I’m just a darn good teacher.)

(Close up)
Yes, I think creative people are the luckiest people on earth. I’m going to keep doing what I love and find a way to get it out to the world. Art on the Veranda has dozens of my painted glassware items for sale in their shop. They display work of many local artists, and offer many fun jewelry, painting, and creative classes, including my wine glass painting workshop. Somewhere down the line, after I get my act together, I’d like to offer some in-home painting parties. I think it would be fun to have a bunch of girlfriends over, drink wine, eat snacks, and learn to paint your very own wine glasses. . “I’d like to teach the world to paint, in perfect harmony…” You knew there’d be a song in there somewhere, didn’t ya?

Saturday: Simple Sights and Sounds

“What we do see depends mainly on what we look for. … In the same field the farmer will notice the crop, the geologists the fossils, botanists the flowers, artists the colouring, sportmen the cover for the game. Though we may all look at the same things, it does not all follow that we should see them.”
― John Lubbock, The Beauties of Nature and the Wonders of the World We Live in
**************
This morning started out with a morning walk with my neighbor, Kat. The birds were chirping and the squirrels and bunnies were romping in the cool morning grass. The sun was gearing up for another warm, muggy day. Then, a quick shower and off to the Square. (I love downtown McKinney.)

Our Saturday morning writing group met at Sweet Spot Bakery, but more socializing, sipping coffee, and gossiping took place. Three hours later, oh my, time for lunch at Mellow Mushroom for some yummy pepperoni pizza.

Liz, Mandy and I walked across to “Mom and Pop Popcorn Shop.” They have the best popcorn and old fashioned candy. Bins, jars, and fun displays in every corner. Liz treated me to a bulls eye candy. Just one is all I needed to bring back that 5 year old feeling and fun childhood memories.

Then a quick stop into Loco Cowpoke Salsa Shop. Two rooms of any kind of salsa, jams, jellies, pickles and condiments your little heart could desire.

After our wanderings, I stopped in to visit the gals at Art on the Veranda, just plopped myself in a chair and chatted for a while. A quick stop into the McKinney Visitors Center to say hi to Miss Sue before heading home. That pretty much sums up my sights on the Square.

Now, just finish up this post, get my gym shoes on and see what evening sights and sounds will be discovered. The sunsets have been amazing.

Swinging Saturday on Square

In life you are going to make mistakes, you’re going to fall down, but it’s the getting up that counts. Just like in baseball: you’ll get a few hits, but most likely, you’ll strike out more than you’ll get on base. But don’t quit. Find your focus, relax, take a deep breath and give it a good swing.
Dave Pelzer
************
An early morning walk, a quick shower and off to the McKinney Square, my favorite place to hang out. A social-slash-writing meet up at Sweet Spot with Mandy. Then, across the street to paint and chat with Judy at Art on the Veranda.

You never know when friends will pop in. Hi Miss Erma and Miss Connie.

Ok, by now I was pretty hungry, so I ran (literally) over to Snug to get my favorite yummy yogurt parfait and a big hug from my buddy Daniel. The Square was hoppin’ with several weddings coming and going. When my painting/visiting ended, I scooted back over to Sweet Spot to people watch and wait for the Second Saturday jam session. Great people watching. “Here comes the bride.”

Now, coming to you live from the jam session. Folks just stopping by to play instruments, sing and share good music and friendship.

Saturday Safety Net:Keep On Keeping On

“One of the best protections against disappointment is to have a lot going on.”
― Alain de Botton
***************
The twenty-four hours that make up each and every day are difficult to fill. At least five or six hours can be successfully occupied with sleep, but what about the rest?

Normally my writing group meets Saturday morning, but we didn’t today. So, I went to Zumba instead. That’s only an hour, and it went by too fast. I came home, put on my gym shoes and went for a fast walk, twice around. Then, straighten up the house, shower, change and head off to the Square.

A leisurely lunch at Snug while checking emails on my ipad. The yogurt parfait with all that yummy fruit and granola is divine. Plus, I got my usual “Hey, Miss Toni, ” and a big bear hugs from Daniel and Austin.

Off to Art On The Veranda to visit with Dana and Judy. Their shop is filled with fabulous artwork and handcrafted items made by local,artisans. There was a jewelry making class going on, so I stopped to check it out. Tammy Gilchrest was teaching a riveted stamped pendant class.

>

Afterwards, I spent several hours chatting with Elizabeth and Kathy at Sweet Spot Bakery. I had some paints, brushes and notecards in my car, so I decided to sit there and paint a while, just trying to fill up a few more hours.

>

>

It was a pretty chilly day. By the time I got home, but it was only 6pm and still light. Well, not to waste more day light or hours, I strapped on those gym shoes again and went for another brisk walk. Only a single this time.

Now, I’m just writing this blog, thinking about what to make for dinner and how to fill the rest of the night before those few hours of restless sleep.

Having a lot going on still isn’t a protection against disappointment, it just fills up the time.

>

Saturday: Ladies With Class…Painting Class, That Is.

“I never teach my pupils, I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn.”
― Albert Einstein
**************
I had the pleasure of teaching a painting class at Art on the Veranda in downtown McKinney this afternoon. Our goal was to paint two wine glasses after an hour or so of practicing different single stroke painting techniques. I demonstrated several examples of flowers, leaves, vines, etc. before we started to practice. The four ladies in the class had never painted with this method, and honestly, I have to say, they were amazing. See for yourself…
(It also helps to have a wonderful teacher. That would be me…ha…ha…)

I agree with Mr. Einstein. I really don’t teach my pupils, I provide the conditions, give them a few tips, show them some examples, and hold their hands along the way. Really, I hold their hands. They double load their brush , then I guide their hand so they can feel the angle and pressure of each stroke. You’d be surprised how helpful that is. I’ve never had a student that wasn’t more than thrilled with their finished artwork, especially the novices. A few more pictures. Aren’t they great?

Everyone was so quiet, but having fun.

Debbie loved her “yellow rose of Texas” wine glasses and bottle.

Anna was a natural. I told her she could teach the next class.

Trudy was practicing her wine pouring skills. Very nice. Don’t spill.

Linda painted some lovely flowers. When they were on the table next to my examples, I couldn’t tell which were hers or mine. Beautiful.

I had a great time, but you know what I love the best about these classes? I love the proud smile that everyone has when they hold up their work for the photo op. I know a few ladies who will be enjoying a glass of wine a little bit more than usual.

Saturday: Sun and Fun on the Square

“Keep your face to the sun and you will never see the shadows.”
― Helen Keller
************
It was a beautiful sunny Saturday. No way was I going to sit in the house all day. Our writing group wasn’t meeting, but I decided to head over to the Square anyway. I had a leisurely breakfast at Sweet Spot Bakery then meandered over to Snug on the Square for a tall hot chocolate. My buddy Daniel always gives me a big ol’ smile and a hug when I come in. Snug and a hug go hand-in-hand.

I sat outside, positioned my chair directly into the sun and absorbed every ray of sunshine and vitamin D possible. It felt invigorating. I bumped into Jeremiah Hammer and chatted a couple minutes. Then, my neighbors, Sheila and Bob Johnson, strolled by. We ended up talking and sipping our drinks for over an hour. That’s what downtown McKinney is all about.

On my way back to my car, I popped into Art on the Veranda. It’s an adorable gift and art shop that features local artists and crafter’s work, and has the most creative gifts. They also offer a wide variety of classes. I just so happened to peek in during a Zentangle class. If you aren’t familiar with this fabulous doodling art form, make sure you check it out. Anyone can learn and create some nifty projects. (Did I just date myself and say, “nifty?”)

Zentangle instructor/artist, Angie Vangalis, leads a class at Art on the Veranda.

I was so pumped by the sun, fun and friends on the Square, that when I got home, I strapped on my tennis shoes and went for a long walk. More sunshine! Life is good!

The perfect end to a perfect day!