Art Fest Midwest for 2012

There is a lot going on in Des Moines this weekend.  The Des Moines Art Festival is going on downtown by the Sculpture Garden.  Some years I go to that, but I always try to get to the other art show.  That's Art Fest Midwest. The advantage of Art Fest Midwest is that it is inside the Varied Industries Building at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, which is air conditioned.  We are supposed to reach 90 today, so that is a big consideration.  It is also on my side of town, so it's easy to get to.  An even bigger issue for me is that most of the artists at Art Fest Midwest are, as the name suggests, artists from the Midwest, including many local artists.  Also, I can usually find some small item at this show, that I can actually afford.  Most of the time I buy one of the steel flowers for yard art, but this year I bought a yarn bowl.  What a clever idea, and I really "need" more knitting paraphernalia.  I like functional art, things I can use in daily life, but are beautiful. It made for a fun afternoon. 

Olivia and Grandma Grandma

Summer and Jill are in town this weekend with their sweet little Olivia. Olivia is almost ten months old now and really getting around.  She wasn't too sure about her strange relatives, because she hasn't seen some of us since Christmas. As the evening went on, she began to warm up to us.  Of all the photos I took, this is my favorite of Olivia, with her Great Grandma, who Jacci has titled Grandma, Grandma. This is a precious shot.

Downtown Farmers Market

I got up bright and early today, so I could go to the Downtown Farmers Market.  I am beginning a new way of eating this week, so I need to stock up on fresh veggies.  The market goes on every Saturday morning in the summer, but I seldom get there.  As I was reminded again today, it is really too crowed for my taste.

It is big, so there is lots to choose from, even this early in the season.  Now days there is lots more than produce at the market.  There is clothing, crafts, street musicians, art work, even puppets, and dogs; lots of dogs.  I'm going to check out some of the smaller farmers markets that take place around town.

I did time it right, because it was very overcast when I was there, but it didn't start raining until I was on my way home.

Tea Shopping

Friday was my day for running errands, the most important of which was Tea Shopping.  So I made a trip to the East Village to Gong Fu Tea Shop.  I was out of some of my most favorite teas, Constant Companion, Le Tour de France, Red Fruit Melange, which is excellent iced, and Garden Grove.  I try to make myself drink the ones I don't like as much, but I never want to.

Turtle

Winnie and I took a nice walk around the neighborhood. Bailey had a sore leg, so he couldn't come. While we walk, I enjoy looking at the lawn art in people's yards.  I'm especially partial to turtles. I have a turtle collection in my own yard.  This stone turtle is in a yard a few blocks from my house.

Front Yard

I love this time of year when all the Day Lilies and Daisies are in bloom.  These flowers are in the flower bed in my front yard. I made the collage on PicMonkey.

Two Cute Dogs

I actually got both dogs in the same photo.  Two Cute Dogs; Winnie and Bailey.