A documentary

Tonight we went to see the documentary Handmade Nation in preparation for Artscape this weekend. A majority of the crafters interviewed were crafters we represented at the Creating Place in Juneau, AK.

If you are a crafter or creative person I think you will enjoy this film. It was inspirational for both of us. Check your local listing for showings in your area (it will be available on DVD in September from www.buyolympia.com).

There was a question and answer session with film maker Faythe Levine I enjoyed equally as much as the film itself. She mentioned she will be traveling to Alaska promoting Handmade Nation in the future.

Visitors visiting

My dad and nephew visited us last weekend. They traveled North by train which took roughly 24 hours. They arrived in Baltimore Friday night and left on Monday afternoon. We jammed as much touring fun as possible into the two full days they were here.

Saturday - Started with us rain soaked running from building to building trying to make it to the Aquarium downtown.

The rain stopped just in time for lunch and a Harbor tour on the water taxi. We explored Ft. McHenry where dad (below) pretends he is in jail. We all participated in helping unroll/hold the flag (see below)during a very entertaining presentation.

Sunday - We woke early and drove to D.C.. We started by walking past the White House (where Brayden is sure he saw President Obama!) over to the Washington Monument, Jefferson, Roosevelt, Lincoln, and Korean War Veterans Memorials. We toured the National Museum of Natural History and the National Air and Space Museum. We walked D.C. from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. we were officially worn out! We somehow had just enough energy to get dinner in Little Italy (Baltimore) a tasty end to a great Fathers Day!

What fun, Hon!

"HonFest is a local tradition. The Bawlmer term of endearment, Hon, short for Honey, embodies the warmth and affection bestowed upon our neighbors and visitors alike by historic working-women of Baltimore. HonFest is an annual celebration in honor of these women." www.honfest.net/whatis.html

When in Bawlmer do as the Bawlmerons do....

For a girl who loves to dress up this is the best festival ever! Forget the fried food I just want big hair!
The Hon transformation started with the hair. I decided on a wig over the real thing. I wanted something I could wear again and again. I may just clean the house in my beehive...

Next I had to choose the right dress...
The above dress was too subtle, Hon...

Every Hon needs a great pair of glasses...

These Hon's joined the competition for best Hon...
A whole lot of dancing Hon's, Hon.

How is a Hon judged you might wonder. She has to look authentic, big hair, the tighter the outfit the better, but mostly it's the attitude and lingo that makes a true Hon.
If you can talk Bawlmerese you are a true Hon. There were no toilets at the fest but instead there were TURLITS...
The Hon slogan : The higher the hair the closer to God...

The above and below Hon's were also in the competition.

There were Hon's of all ages. I even saw one dog Hon in a tiger print outfit with pearls and a pink bow.

I recommend checking out the official Hon website (see link above) for more Honformation.

Hoisting the main sail

When you think of sailing what do you think of?

My first image of a sailor was Popeye. Eating his spinach for strength, always winning his battles, and an admiring Olive Oil near by to boast about his victory. More recently when I think of sailing I think of Capt. Jack Sparrow who of course is a pirate. 

Inspired by pop culture and the idea of spending the summer on the Inner Harbor, Ken and I joined a sailing club. 

Sunday we went to a sailing open house. Ken hoisted the main sail and we both took our turn at the helm (tiller or wheel). We also both had our turn at tacking (working to windward by sailing close-hauled on alternate courses so that the wind is first on one side of the boat, then on the other). Our first time sailing was great fun! Bring on the spinach!

none of the above images are mine.

A day on the water

We went downtown with the idea of spending the hotter hours of the day in Barnes & Noble but a docked water taxi changed our plans. The water taxi (map below) stops at many different points of interest in the greater downtown area. You can ride it all day for $9 and you get coupons for free beer! We had so much fun being on the water and exploring neighborhoods we have only been to a couple of times. I was also introduced to my new summer beer - Allagash White - it's light and delicious. Perfect for summer. Thanks to Max's in Fells Point!
These images were borrowed from the web. I didn't bring my camera

thinking we were going to B&N.

Annapolis, MD

Having a three day weekend is very exciting. We decided to tour Annapolis. It only took an hour to get there but it was a whole other world. Tourists milling about, Navy t-shirt shops in every direction, and massive boats lining the harbor. We had a great time. It's a mix between good old St. Augustine and Baltimore. 

We stayed at the State House Inn right across from the capital and in walking distance to everything.
This is Main Street. 

Cherry Blossom Festival - D.C

Sunday morning we woke early for an adventure in D.C. to take part in the Cherry Blossom Festival. The weather was perfect, blue skies and cool. We found parking without any trouble, only three blocks from the White House. We got a warm cup of coffee and fell in with the early morning crowd. First walking by the White House around to the Mall, then to the Jefferson and Roosevelt memorials. Man made and natural beauty everywhere we wondered.