Monday, September 17, 2012

summer camp for nerds (and the people that love them)

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The second week of September was spent at Walker Creek Ranch, about 90 minutes north of where we live. The drive up was gorgeous, a little bit foggy, but still breathtaking.

We went to Nodeconf summer camp.



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As the evening came, so did the fog. It creeps over the hills...



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How retro is this cabin? For being built in the 70's (I'm guessing) the ranch is very well maintained. It's still a camp after all, but it was pretty nice. They even had wifi. (with all those nerds, they better have wifi!)


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We were told to leave our cabin doors shut so the foxes wouldn't get in. And I was like yeah right, we won't see any foxes- and them bam! Here was this lil guy chilling in the garden!



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He was about the size of a large cat.



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And here is a Mr. Sheep.



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There were some really pretty wildflowers...



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I loved these pink colombines. 



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Then we roasted marshmallows by the fire. I was glad for the fire, I was cold! I actually wore my wool winter coat that I haven't worn since moving to California...



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The we went to the "Boogie Barn" for a laser light show and some music.



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I got a few crazy shots...



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Here is Jasmine raving it up with her special summer camp flashlight.



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Direct shot of the lasers.




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Since we aren't big on dancing, we snuck out and went to bed. 

Bed meaning 2 twin mattresses pushed together and I couldn't sleep because my nose totally plugged up because I forgot my allergy meds. Also, our room smelled funny. Probably because 100's of sweaty kids have camped here since the 70's.



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The following morning, instead of going on a hike- Jane, Monia and I went into Point Reyes for essentials. I badly needed allergy medication, and they needed wine and coffee.



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The coffee house was in this feed barn. Point Reyes is a really cute little town!




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This hotel looked very charming!



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My tether ball injury. Not a good idea to play tether ball with two children and a diamond ring. 



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Later, we went "swimming" at the lake. It's more of a pond. And it was cold. So only the kids got in.


I braved the water by getting into a plastic kayak with Monia's son Matthew. I was so bad at paddling that I nearly scared the crap out of him. Once I got him to safety, I was much better at paddling.



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Mandatory dock/water foot photo.

I slept much better the second night. But by the time we got up, (we slept through breakfast) we were ready to go home, to our fluffy towels and comfy 2 person plus cat friendly bed and real food. Camp cafeteria food was ok for the first day. Then we wanted to run away to find some decent food.




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So we went back into Point Reyes...



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And I had this delicious pulled pork sandwich, Danny had the mac n cheese, and it was fantastic. We walked around for a bit then we headed home.

Once we were through the door- I grabbed my book, Danny grabbed his iPad and we lazed about in bed for the rest of the day. Ahhhhh. We do laziness at home very well.


Wondering what the eff Nodeconf is? It's a nerd thing, a computer geek thing. This was an "un-conference" whatever that means. So all of the nerds got together and talked about nerdy crap, and the wives/girlfriends hung out and did other things. When we went to Portland it was also Nodeconf, except that it was an actual conference. But our husbands still got together and talked about nerdy crap, and the wives hung out and did other things. It's a social nerd thing. 

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

home again home again, jiggity jig

Ever since Renegade- I have been absolutely swamped with custom orders. It's all I can do to keep up.

And to that I say...finally! Hallelujah! 

That being said- I haven't had a lot of time to do much of anything else. Like blog. So pardon the sporadic posting. And if you would like to see what I've been up to, check out my website: rag-a-muffin.

I went back to Utah to meet my new nephew, who was born just a few days before I arrived. In the week that I was there- I missed Danny's birthday. Rude, hu? Well, before you think I'm a terrible wife-he was supposed to go with me, and then he changed his mind.

So I ordered him some toys for while I was gone...


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Ten bags full of teeny tiny little lego parts and 3 instruction guides. I thought it would keep him busy for a couple of days. But he's an expert lego builder and it only took him a few hours.


I arrived on a hazy monday morning. 



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Iris cautiously greeted me.



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On wednesday, Lindsay Loo and I had lunch at one of our favorite places- Red Robin. Here she is eating, showing you her food, drinking, and then cut! All her idea. She asks me to take photos of this sequence pretty much every time we go out to eat.



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Then we went to visit the new baby, Henry. Lindsay did really well holding him. He just slept...



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I love this little scrunchy face!



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Then we went to the new mall- specifically the new Disney store, so she could get a Prince Charming for her Cinderella.

On thursday my mom and I woke up waaaayyy early (early for me) and went out to Lehi to drop off Henry's baby quilt to get quilted. We had to be at Broadbents at 9. 

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We love this store! 



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Not only do they have a super cute selection of fabric- but they have candy, gifts, and reproduction depression glass.


Since we started the day out with fabric shopping- we decided to fill the entire day with it. We went all over the Salt Lake valley shopping to our hearts content.



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Some fantastic vintage doorknobs at Gardener Village. We ate lunch at Archibalds, shopped for fabric at Pine Needles, and got ice cream at one of the other little shops. 


Afterwards- I had a late birthday present to give to little Van.

I planned on having it finished and sent for his birthday at the beginning of August, but then I was so bust with orders after Renegade that it just didin't get finished. So I finished it like the day before I flew out. 

At least he's only 2, and won't hate me for it.



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He loves his cars. He's always carrying them around, so I wanted to make him something that would allow him to carry them easier, and he would be able to play with it too. See more photos and details about Van's car play mat.



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Then we played! OMG I love this boy so much. 



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He wanted to show me dad's new project- rebuilding a cafe racer aka motorcycle.



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And the light goes here? You can just tell that he loves watching his dad take apart and build this bike- just like I imagine my brother did when our dad used to rebuild cars. There are photos of him all bundled up with his binky, out in the garage hanging with dad, surrounded by small parts.



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There was a mini farmers market going on in South Jordan while we were at Material Girls on Saturday to pick up Henry's quilt.



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Me and the Loo.



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I was up early (again) on Monday (the day I was leaving) so I decided to make some granola for my family. I had made some for Nan earlier in the week- and my dad fell in love with it so I wanted to leave some for him when I left. 



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My mom and I went to Brugge's for a chocolate stuffed belgian waffle with vanilla bean ice cream. Mmmmmm.



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Then we went to Trolley Square, one of my very favorite places. My mom always took us kids when we were little- she'd gets us all dressed up and we would browse the cobblestone walkways and neat little stores for hours. 



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We saw that Sam Weller's bookstore had changed locations- it used to be downtown. But now it's in Trolley Square and it's now called Wellers Book Works.


We took the finished quilt to Nan, and said goodbye. 
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Which was so hard and sad and and and. 

But she liked the quilt and Van was happy to see me and I got to take some fantastic photos of baby Henry that I will show you hopefully sometime soon.


Then off to the airport. I swear- I needed another week. I just didn't have enough time!



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The plane back to San Francisco was huge. Well, not huge huge, but huge for the planes that usually fly between SF and SLC. And, I got a whole row of 3 seats to myself. I totally stretched out and took a nap. Best flight ever!


I sent 4 boxes of fabric back home. Well, 3 boxes of fabric and 1 box of cupcake supplies. So all in all, it was a great trip- personally and for my business. Now if I can only catch up so that I can restock the shop...



Monday, September 10, 2012

adventures with friends

Remember my friends the Lunds? Cute little Linus and the sweet little miracle baby Laura? Well they came to visit a few weekends ago. We went on a few adventures while they were here...

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We took the ferry to and from Sausalito. We didn't have any time to spend in Sausalito, just ride the ferry. The kids were so excited to ride the boat! And now I know what I can do for a nice relaxing day to myself- as soon as I get one, that is!

The next day we went to the Exploratorium!



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It's a place full of sciency stuff for kids, but we adults were pretty entertained as well.



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I pretty much followed this little cutie around and gave her everything she asked for.



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Linus copying some girls making heart shadows with their hands...



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Every time Laura would finish with something she would dust off her hands- signaling "I'm done! Moving on!"



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She got in front on this crazy mirror and puckered up- she's a girly girl already!



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Awesome string installation.



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Hi!



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Whirly.



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Watching all the other kids playing down on the bottom level.


At the end, we walked around the Palace of Fine Arts, where the Exploratorium is currently located. (It's moving to the pier next year) It has all these super high columns and stuff- it's really pretty. We walked around a bit...



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Linus obliged a photo on one of the huge columns.



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Linus, Sky, Kim and Laura.


Then we drove to Pier 39 to see the sea lions and grab something to eat.



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Totally lazy. With a ton of people snapping photos all day long. Also, fishy.



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I love this kids energy!



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Linus found a photo booth that he wanted to try, and dad said no- so instead I handed him my iphone with the photo booth app loaded up and he loved it.

Man, do I ever miss these guys. I need to make a trip down to see them, like soon!