Happy Columbus Day (2014 International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta)

 

While it's not really one of his ships...

It was so fitting.

I just got back from the International Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque.

 

The Special Shape Balloons always delight.

I think the Blue Whale had to be my favorite this year.

 

Yoda's eyes looked right thru you. That was pretty cool.

 

 

There is always room to get crazy at the fiesta...

 

It was just getting light, so you really don't get the full effect of this hair color.

I've never seen anything quite so vibrant...

Especially on someone who was at least my age!

I never thought of florescent pink as a color I could wear.

 

LOL!!

This guy proves that

 a good time was had by all!

:-)

 

Sweet Homecoming!

Nothing beats a great trip, more than "fun" mail when you get home!

This past week was a fabulous one.  I arrived home to find this bright and beautiful, Halloween Table runner in my mail.

     
If the top isn't just the best, the backing is will certainly put a smile on your face.    I just love the adorable little witches!!!

Bet your wondering just who sent me this, and why????  Well, it was none other than the wonderful Ruth in Pasadena MD.  Quilted Table Yahoo group hosts swaps 4 times a year, and Ruth had my name.  If the table runner wasn't enough, she also send me fabric postcards to send to my friends this fall!

 

Now how cool are these?

 

I also found a package from Connecting Threads. Seems like our friend Bea, over at BeaQuilter picked me as a winner of her give a way for the Twist to the 60's blog hop. Wow, thank you sew very very much! They are fabulous!

 

 

 

So, where the heck have I been you ask...

                                                  Just a little clue...

Yes, I have been to the International Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

It's an almost annual trip. My BFF lives in Albuquerque, and in the past 35 years, I have only missed 2 fiestas.

 

Some would be tired of it all, the crowds, the traffic...

 But when you see these things flying overhead, it's all worth the early hours too!

 

Balloons have come a long way... this one has 3 sides.

 

While impossible to get photos from all three, there were 2 decent ones I managed to get.

 

 

The eyes on this were truly a work of art. It was so real looking that it almost looked like it was watching you as it flew overhead.

 

Yep, it certainly was a week to remember. Great weather, great friends, and way too much great food. :-)

Let the diet begin!

Rats!

 

 

I would have loved to make these photos larger for you to see, but blogger seems to be having issues today. It is determined to only let me enlarge 2 photos.

LOL!!

 

 

Last of my vacation

One more part of my vacation I want to share. For the last of my time off, I went to Albuquerque to visit my best friend and to see the International Balloon Fiesta, one of those things I have done for over 30 years now. The weather was spectacular this year which was such a change from the past years. Only a few of the night events ended up cancelled due to winds, that picked up. But for those who know about the infamous "Albuquerque Box" it was truely alive and well this year. That is when the winds are optimal and a balloonist can actually fly in a box pattern by adjusting the altitude of the balloon. If it's as much fun for the pilots to fly as it is for us on the ground to watch, then it was a stellar week.  My favorite after all these years is the special shapes. They continued to delight is this year. Never mind the fact that we almost didn't even need jackets which is unheard of!  :-)

FEEDING THE PLANET ONE HUG AT A TIME

Probably one of the best moments this year though, was the grand opening of "Tim's Place". I had the honor of meeting Tim about 6 or 7 years ago at a Special Olympics" event. Tim has downs syndrome and is such a wonderfully special young man. He was so delighted to share his stories of the Downs Syndrome Symposium with me, that was held in my home town. It is just captivating to talk with him. I see him from time to time, last year he was working at Applebee's. Even with it being just once a year, he remembers you and makes you feel like he's known you forever. Last week, with the help of his family, he opened his own restaurant, "Tim's Place". They serve Breakfast, Lunch and Hugs, and that is just what they do. No one leaves the place without the "special of the day", which is a Tim Hug. Never mind the fact that the food is out of this world. I had the best omelette that I can remember, and had to go back a second time before I left, for another. The experience is such a profound one to see this great young man touch the lives of so many others. The feeling of warmth and caring can't even begin to be explained, but it makes you feel like your are so at home. It was fun to see the love from everyone, even strangers, towards each other for the brief time we all share space in the restaurant. If you live near Albuquerque New Mexico or are planning a trip there makes Tim's Place a place to stop. They are located in the shopping center at Wyoming and Alameda. There will be a hug waiting for you!

Up up and away

I've been down to Albuquerque New Mexico for the International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta. It's a yearly event for me. Coupling the color spectacular in the sky with some quality time with my dear friend Laura, what could be better. 43 years is the number we came up with for the time we have known each other. Scary isn't it??? At least for Laura who has had to tolerate me for that long! LOL. What are friends for though right!

The weather was good for the most part this time. Sunday's final mass ascention didn't happen because of the wind, but the rest of the time I was there, was just beautiful. Thursday there was some winds that came up and caused a little chaos for a friend of my son's who had a balloon. He had a little incident that landed him on the Today's show and the front page of the newspaper, but all was well, and his balloon was back in the sky the next day.

Special shape balloons are my favorite, so I am posting a few for you to see. It's all truly spectacular though.