Karla's Cottage

Sugarwings is good at making a day special

Sugarwings is spending the first half of the summer in NC.  Before leaving, we add some extra nice days together. 

On the anniversary of Ryan’s death that sweet Grandfairy offered to help cook dinner (including this Jack Skellington pie, wow!), then wanted to watch a zombie show with me, like Ryan and I used to do. 

To go along with the meal we were making together, I ordered an onion blossom at Texas Roadhouse.  We had one together on Ry’s last birthday, and he had decided that we should make a tradition of it.

Rich doesn’t want to make the day we lost our boy a day we mark, he wants to focus on birthdays instead.  Which of course, I sure get, but no matter what, May 24th is a day we cannot gloss over.  The date haunts us all week, even when we say we will go about our business and plan other things.

So this year, I decided I was going to honor Ryan with some of his favorite foods and shows.  Sugarwings was there for me and every bit as sweet as that artistic pie.

When I picked up the crunchy onion, country music was playing on the outdoor speakers at the restaurant.  Then, as I walked to the car, my boy’s lifelong, favorite song, Footloose, began to play.  At that moment I looked down to see this heart rock, standing out from the other stones in the flowerbeds.

I was so glad I’d made plans with our Grandfairy to celebrate him that day.  And grateful for the kid by my side while we honored him.

We also had some crafting days, I made some coffee filter roses.  Not because it was one of the many jobs I need to get done, but because it sounded pretty.  

Sugarwings worked with polymer clay and made blueberries for me.  It’s hard to tell which of these is the real one the others were modeled upon, isn’t it?

We also saw a movie, and wore matching jammies to it so we’d be cozy.  

Another day, we took the dogs to the park and saw this heart shining through the dappled shadows made by the trees.

I am missing this kiddo who enjoys small adventures with me. But I have even more reason to look forward to their return.  There is a shot that Dewdrop will be tagging along to spend some time here in Kansas for July.  

I think I see a few more adventures coming up in the second half of the summer.

 

 

 

 

 

Return to the night of the Living Dead, the Downtown Lawrence Zombie Parade!

Over the last decade or so, October has come to be the month when I take a trip.

So, I often miss the downtown Lawrence Zombie parade.

I’ve gotten to go here and there, when the timing is right.  And the weather too. Typically, KS can be at its best on a late, October evening.  But could also be an onslaught of freezing rain, so you never know.

This year?  Perfection! And half the town agreed. The streets were as full of living people as they were of the dead.  

We were lucky to find not only a parking spot, but at seat outside at a favorite restaurant so we could eat dinner while enjoying the invasion of corpses.

That’s where our lucky streak stopped dead in it’s tracks.

The line was so long to get a bowl of ramen that we were given a number to be called out when it was our turn to wait to order.

Just about then, the lunch ladies stumbled by, but we stuck with our plan to wait and eat later.

It was too bad we didn’t get to slurp noodles and pretend they were guts, but hey, you can’t win them all.

And it was such a gory, good time. We didn’t mind waiting for dinner.  

We sat back in our perfect seats, guessed the back stories of the ghouls as they strolled by, and critiqued the acting.

Some of even the littlest kids were quite committed to their part.

But to me, it seemed like the people who were into it the most were grown men.  

Many walkers chatted away with others in their group.  Some played the part well, though  And this gal was on her phone.  Or was she purposely doing that because teenage girls are teenage girls weather zombified or not.

And teens do love their phones.  I can imagine that even turning  wouldn’t separate a young girl from her device.

When the walk was winding down, we tried to do a call in take out order for food just in case, but the wait was still quite long. And when we spied that the line was dwindling, we checked inside to find out they were out of noodles.

I don’t know how many zombies paraded through Lawrence, but we watched them lurch by for about an hour and a half.

They start at the south end of town, about 11th street, walk up one sidewalk to 6th, then down the other sidewalk back to their crypts, or cars, or wherever they end up.  

We noticed that many of them trickled into the downtown bars and restaurants after their hungry march, so the options for takeout just got smaller for us.

As we looked into the windows of restaurants we passed on the way to our car, we saw them full of hungry zombies.

We figured we’d be cooking at home, then noticed there was a lull in the line at Chipotle.

 I mentioned that I’d only eaten there once since Ryan died, it had been a favorite of his and held too many memories for me.  Back in January, Sugarwings had the idea to eat burritos and watch zombies on tv on Ryan’s birthday, and it had been emotional, but satisfying.

So we thought it was fitting to pick up a bag of food there to take home with us and watch something scary at home while eating in honor of him.  We walked right up to the counter, just to see the line immediately fill up behind us as the horde poured in to feed.  One more lucky stroke for us, and Sugarwings said Ryan was with us and had guided us that way.  He loved zombies and burritos, we would celebrate him with a dinner of Chipotle and more walking dead.

I was so glad that everything about the evening worked out like it did.  We almost didn’t go because someone, not naming names here, was late with a bit of schoolwork.

I told them that I really, really wanted to be there on time to get a seat, and reminded the kid of just how much I loved this event.  I said, “You know how much you love sea turtles?  I feel that way about zombies.  They are my favorite animal.  I’m sorry there isn’t a sea turtle parade to take you to, but you could finish your homework and take me to the zombie parade .”

Homework was completed, we got seats, parking, and even dinner.  (By the way, Sugarwings has some pretty good grades that need to be mentioned, I’m proud of that and they way the homework got finished in time).  

It was my idea of a lovely, fall evening.

 

Molly goes pumpkin shopping

Now that my grand fairies are growing up, I need to treat my dogs more like kiddos.  We took Molly to the punkin patch and I let her be my little kid instead.

Ha, not quite true!  While the doodle enjoyed our trip, this child (verging on 17-1/2) seems to have inherited my joy in outings that other people might consider “for kids”  and had a great time too.

My partner in crime.  
No, in adventures.  Especially silly adventures.

I hope they never outgrow that.  I can see us at 80 and 30, exploring together.

This pumpkin patch has such gorgeous vistas.  It feels like you can see forever into the Kansas horizon.  Doesn’t the sky look limitless?

Well, it felt even bigger after we claimed our perfect pumpkins and hauled them across numerous fields in a driving wind (with tiny dust tornadoes swirling around us and aiming at my eyes). Somehow, even with the wind, and a couple of  too hefty gourds, we had some laughs and enjoyed the walk.  We did not linger at the maze or other attractions, though, by the time we left, that blowing dust was making rethink my commitment to contact lenses.  And doubt my upper body strength.  I should’ve gotten a wagon…

Molly didn’t mind the wind, she met a new buddy who hung out with us for most of our walk.

She met someone who did not want to be her buddy too.

And kept her distance from these potential pals.  

We had just picked her up from the groomer before taking her to the driving dust bowl, I mean, pumpkin patch.  After her hairstyling and bath, she was given a Nightmare Before Xmas scarf.  Sugarwings admired it so much, the groomer gave them one too.  
One of our goals for the day was to find a pumpkin to match Molly’s fur.  This was as close as we could get.  

 

 

KC Renfest and unique hearts from Ryan

Renfest season is here!  Sugarwings and I snagged a little getaway time and spent a couple of hours wandering around the grounds.

The kiddo isn’t such a kid now (17) but still my partner in adventures.

Both of us are more into exploring the sights than being fairies now.

There are still plenty of laughs and silliness though.

I have always loved the art and architecture that makes this place special.

The details, big and small.

And the characters.

We even saw a couple of the Sanderson Sisters.

It’s the first year that Sugarwings wasn’t into dancing around the maypole with the fairies.  Although we did do a dance together along the sidelines.

We were nostalgic, talking about when Kya worked as a henna artist, when Sugarwings’ daddy participated in building the stone castle and sold his art there, when we’d come as a big family group, all fairied up in glitter and wings.

And we talked about the year Ry Guy came along to help me when I was on my own with two tiny grandfairies.  He was never a person who did well among hoards of people, but he loved those little princesses and was a trouper that day.  

It was extremely crowded, and extra hot that afternoon.  The kids were great, we did have fun, but it was past nap time and past Ryan’s crowd quota.  So we headed out before we became too overrun with heat and frayed nerves, leaving at just the perfect point, when everyone was still in good moods.

But then, oops.

Where on Middle Earth did we park?

Years ago, I had a car that I simply never recognized. I lost it quite often.  Once even getting into the driver’s seat of someone else’s car as they were loading a baby into the back.  We both screamed like that scene in ET when Drew Barrymore saw the alien for the first time.

Anyway, my car was lost in the over full, giant parking lot, and we slowly slid past the time when everyone was “still in a good mood.”

After 40 minutes of trudging through heat and dust, pushing a stroller and wanting to leave, we realized we’d walked right on by that car many, many times.  Over the years, that became one of those jokes Ryan and I had between ourselves that we would reference and laugh about.  Uhm, not that day, though.

Sugarwings didn’t remember that part of it, but we laughed together when I told the story.

Then my little sprite, who is always looking for glimmers from Ryan, pointed out these hearts.  My horror story loving boy would have loved those!  

A Barbie Dollhouse turned into a Haunted Mansion

In the previous post, I left out pictures of Sugarwings’ Barbie House redo.  At first, I was going to vintage it up with old wallpaper and sell it at Good Juju.  But as I was starting to wrestle it down the stairs, it dawned on me that the kiddo had requested “Haunted Mansion” as the room theme.

Well, dur.

This thing could make a fantastic haunted house plus it was large enough to use as shelving for books and stuff.

On high gloss surfaces, I brushed on a primer then painted it black.  Elsewhere, I used black acrylic paint directly onto the existing dollhouse wallpaper, trim, and flooring.

The paint was watered down and wiped off in some spots, and I tore the paper on the walls before washing it with the black.

I especially like the effect in this room.

I could’ve easily gotten carried away and dolled it up with furnishings, but held back because I knew it was meant to be a bookcase/shelf.  I filled it with some of Sugarwings’ belongings and added this antique, plaster lion for the teen’s 17th birthday in August (Leo time).

It still needed a nod to its dollhouse beginnings, so I let this person move in.

Off to see the Wizard

When Sugarwings was just tiny, that kid was obsessed with the Land of Oz and all things Dorothy.  That theme lasted for many years, with a Dorothy costume in every size from baby to teen.  Ruby slippers were worn out and replaced over and over.  The beloved Dorothy doll was restitched and salvaged many times.  A yellowbrick road pathway was put into our flower bed.  Every Oz event, movie screening, or play that was available was attended and we wore our costumes each time.  

I perfected my witch’s cackle and my husband learned all the words to the scarecrow’s song.  I also got really good at pretending to be a flying monkey and sweeping in to run off with Toto (our Yorkie, Twinkle.)


That child’s love of the Wizard of Oz never waned.  So when I saw a collection of Oz books at an auction a decade ago, I snapped up the stack for Sugarwings to read someday.  But the Grandfairy ended up being an audio book fan instead, so I don’t have any sentimental reason to hold onto this collection of old books.

So now, they are going into the mall, along with some other Oz themed loot for the next First Friday weekend sale.

This special set deserved a display worthy of it, so I started with a vintage wallpaper rainbow backdrop and added some colorful items to amplify the rainbow effect.

Then I sorted my collection of books into colors to match the shelves and filled in with Totos, witches, lions, and more.

There is a heart for the woodsman, a picnic basket on top of the cabinet, and an antique black satin dress made for a wicked witch hanging on the door.

I used copies of a portrait I’d done of Dorothy as tags.

Isn’t this chalk ware Lion great?

After it was all set up, I liked the look so much, I almost packed it back up to take home and reset up in my studio.   Nope, time for these books to go to another Oz fan.
 

The elves are drunk

Some of these elves are from my childhood, others have been collected over time. I’ve always loved the little sprites and one of my favorite memories at the holidays was being allowed to play with the three mouse head elves on the tree.  

Why were the elves mice? That wasn’t a question that I ever thought of back then.

When the Elf on a Shelf craze started a few years back, I bought the grand fairies a couple new ones.  We didn’t really play the spy game with them, they were mostly cuddled, loved, and included in holiday activities.  Like a favorite stuffy.

Now that Sugarwings is a teenager, the elves are getting into trouble  that kid surprises me with various drunken elf scenes and messes.

I bought some of those chocolate liqueur candies and the elves think I purchased those just for them.

I never know where I’ll find a drunken elf getting into trouble.

One seems to be the instigator.

They try to make up for it by doing something sweet.

Have a Lovely Thanksgiving!

Sugarwings and I jumped ahead into Christmas celebrations before Turkey Time.

Again. 

We have a Thanksgiving celebration planned with most of the  family, after some twists and turns to accommodate my husband’s schedule (he took a consulting job) and travel plans for part of our North Carolina group.

Before all of that, the Grandfairy and I had our first cocoa party of the season and did some crafting too. This is Sugarwings’ clever take on a gingerbread house storage box.  We will keep our Nutty Buddies in it.

And why on earth do we consider Nutty Buddies a Christmas treat?  Well, they are named after Buddy the Elf, of course.

At least in our minds.

Red and Green aren’t my typical colors, but when it comes to cocoa parties, I’m all for the shades of a traditional Xmas.  The teapot was my mom’s, the tray was one my boys set out with cookies for Santa on it, and the tablecloth has been around since I splurged on it at Kmart in the 1980s. Back when we were on a tight budget and most things I decorated with were handmade.

 I remember the turmoil of the purchase.  This was back when I’d put toys on layaway at Kmart and pay on them for months before Santa swung by to pick them up.  Buying a tablecloth was not in the budget.  

Sometimes you gotta do something special for yourself, and this bit of floral fabric was a major indulgence that I treasured.  And still do. 

(By the way, Spray N’ Wash is great at getting cocoa stains out of so called “family heirlooms.”)

 

 

 

 

Treasures

Before school started, we tried to make up for missing out on some of our regular summer time activities and made trips to the Topeka zoo and spent some time on the lake. Along the way we met some friends.  

The larakeets loved Sugarwings’ hair  we decided it was because it looked a lot like one of their toys.

The zoo was pretty quiet, I think the heat kept others away.  But it’s a small park with lots of shade and many indoor exhibits, so the heat didn’t bother us.

The gemstone sluice wasn’t running, but we had a treasure hunt anyway.  Over the years we have discovered that you find just as many pretty rocks and fossils in the mulch under the structure.  Here is our precious haul.  

On the way home stopped at our neighbor’s farmer’s market for fresh sweet corn and tried to guess what animals would be on the porch to greet us.  Because you just never know there.  We got lucky and it was this very nice goat, who we nick named Oreo.

A sweet ending to a lovely day out.  Ki Ki, Avahni, and Dewdrop are all going to be living far away, Sugarwings is 16 now.  

A true treasure for me is any day with a grand fairy.  I am holding each one close to my heart because I know that as they grow up and fly away, there won’t be many of these days left.

 

 

 

Grandfairy Time

It’s after the 4th and we just got our boat out on the water for the first time this season.

Partially because Rich has been traveling. He has been vacationing as well as shuttling kids across country for family visits.  And look what we got in return! Yep, he brought Dewdrop to be here with us for a bit.

Between her time split up with other family in the area, I’m making the most of her being with us and getting out to go to our favorite places.

I always wonder if it is my last year to do our traditional activities, if they have out grown them or are heading towards that stage where they might be too cool for silly outings.

 But then I think, hey, I enjoy this stuff and I’m 50 years older than they are!  There is no reason to ever outgrow it.

We’ve filled carts with craft supplies at Hobby Lobby, and our stomach with popcorn at a 3D movie.  We’ve shopped for clothes and for fireworks, and headed toward the zoo.

Before going into the Topeka Zoo, we stop at the 100 plus year old carousel, and I had a moment of thinking that the time I’d been dreading had come.

 Had Sugarwings turned into a moody teen and was not enjoying our day? There was a very unhappy look on her face halfway through their ride and when they got off the ponies, I was asked to take them home and not go to the zoo!

Oh no!  

Was it wrong of me to be relieved that the poor kid simply was feeling a bit ill, not bored?  (Sugarwings feels better now, nothing major).

We followed our typical 4th of July habits of watching the neighborhood spend thousands of dollars on fireworks while we had a few snakes and sparklers.  Then, Fin, who worked at a firework stand this year came by with rockets and set a few off.  

Surprisingly, the dogs were fine with the never ending booms coming from surrounding homes for days.  Poor little Twinkle used to be terrified, but without her this year, there was no need to comfort any dogs.  

The kiddos and I have limited time to make plans and do our regular excursions, so I hope to make it back to finish our zoo day.  Soon, we will have even more fun coming, though.  We are hosting a family reunion starting next week and will have a houseful staying here with us.

Before they all arrive, I am trying to take advantage of having my little ones here together.  Because I know how fast things can change.  I have been blessed with so much fun with them and am enjoying seeing how they grow and change.  Whenever I try to choose a “favorite age” I always go back to right now, because they just get better and better as they get older.

I am lucky they still like to go on adventures with their Grams, but am also enjoying watching them grow up and change their perspectives.  Like after all those years of going to this merry go round, they just now noticed this extremely odd thing on the back of this wooden horse.

WTF?

And I appreciate them still enjoying an outing, but in a more grown up way like discussing the movie together after leaving it, looking at make up together while shopping, not just toys. Laughing about things that would’ve been over their heads when they were younger.    

With Adam and Dewdrop both moving to North Carolina, we have limited time together.  Kia has moved to Oregon. And now Fin, who I have been so happy to have back in our lives and living nearby, is moving away too and his adorable sister, Clover, is heading to college.  There are rumors of Avahni leaving.  

It isn’t easy to be grown up about other people growing up.  And to be happy for them to move on and find their own happiness.  The trick is to appreciate the time I do have with them.  After losing Ryan, I understand how fleeting it could be.  And watching them all grow and change becomes a delight when viewed properly.

But please, please, little grandfairies- always remember to look for the fun, don’t outgrow the ability to enjoy silly outings!