On Saturday, I attended the 53rd Annual Scottish Games.  It was a first for me.  It’s a competition and entertainment festival dedicated to promoting Scottish heritage. There’s bagpiping, drumming, Highland dancers, modern Celtic bands, proper sweets, traditional demonstrations of weaving and sheep herding, Haggis,  feats of strength and more. I have to say that the Massed Bands (that’s where all the competing pipe and drum bands march the field together) and watching the bagpipe competitions were my favorites of the day.  That’s not to mention hot guys in kilts too!

While they wasn’t much for a vegetarian to eat in the whole place, there was beer and pretty decent beer too. I managed to stay all day!

Here’s a video of the Massed bands taking the field. Thinking of how much my Grandmom would have loved this made me one sappy, crying mess watching this, but I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.

I bought a quart of the very first strawberries of the season today and I decided to poach some of them since they are already going a little soft. What do you did when life gives you too much fresh fruit? Why you poach it in booze, my friends!

I poached half the strawberries and the rest of some non-local organic cherries in St. Germain’s elderflower liquor, vanilla, cardamom and a simple syrup of local honey and water until they were soft. We will eat them still slightly warm tonight after dinner. I will also be serving some local Haruki turnips and greens and foraged ramps alongside the mister’s honey glazed chicken and my tofu.

{via pinterest}

One of  my friends gave me and a few other crafty friends some plastic flamingos that she wants us to decorate for her yard.  The sky’s the limit, she gave us no parameters for this project at all, and much like a contestant on Project Runway I’m feeling the pressure.

One idea I have is to paint one of  flamingos (I have two) like an owl. I like owls and I like the concept of a species confused flamingo masquerading as an owl. I’m not sure that I can pull that off though.  I also thought of painting one all black and using glow in the dark paint to paint a flamingo skeleton on it.

{via pinterest}

I don’t know though. I did turn to Pinterest for inspiration and found some serious painted flamingo over-achievers. I will keep you posted on what I come up with.

Sometimes I am just knocked over by the creativity of people. I mean, seriously, it’s ridiculous.

I was perusing the vendor list for the Art Star Craft Bazaar, because I am going there on Saturday and I do like to have a plan of attack for these things. (I was also scoping out some early birthday presents I am going to buy myself).  And I was like literally (okay figuratively) blown away by all the amazing and creative goods I found. It makes me feel somewhat inadequate as a creative person…yes, I know you aren’t supposed to compare your creative spirit to anyone else, but come on it’s completely unfair how talented some people are. I have creative envy.  It’s a thing–and a real thing, not like penis envy.

Anyway, here’s some stuff that I want.

• Navy Blue and Gold Metallic Clutch Purse by On3Designs
  
• Chalkboard Tablet Reclaimed wood and leather by Peg and Awl
• The Knotty Owl Wooden Bracelets
• Gioconda Padovan Rubber Stamps
• Rose Gold Fox Ring by Concrete Polish
• Wall Art Owl by Faune Yerby

I am always adding jewelry diy ideas to my Pinterest…here’s a few that I recently came across. Click on the images to go to the how-to.

In addition to writing here at Indie Fixx, I’m also a freelance writer and write for a variety of other blogs. It’s a chance for me to try new things and to keep keep myself sharp–it also helps pay the bills.

One of my newest freelance writing jobs is writing for the sites Organic Authority and EcoSalon, both at which I will be sharing home decor/shelter related articles about once or twice a week. Periodically, I will share those posts here, if I think they are things you might like.

This week I wrote about 13 Creative Uses for Repurposing Paint Cans and Emerald Green: 3 Ways to Add 2013′s Color the Year to Your Home Decor, which are both topics I think are up your alley. Take a look, let me know what you think and make sure to keep checking back at Indie Fixx as well as Organic Authority and EcoSalon for more great stuff.

{image via pinterest}

Next Saturday I will be visiting the Art Star Craft Bazaar, one of the best indie craft shows in the US in my opinion and something I look forward to every year. This year, I will be going with Indie Fixx Jr–it’s my Mother’s Day present. We will shop from some of the most creative independent makers and artists around and then head out somewhere for dinner and cocktails (don’t worry, Junior is 21).

I might even have to buy an early present (or 2 or 3) for my birthday. I have to do my part to support indie after all!

What: Spring 2013 Art Star Craft Bazaar

When: May 11th & 12th, 2013 from 11am – 6pm

Where: The Great Plaza at Penns Landing
Columbus Boulevard between Market and Walnut Streets
Philadelphia PA 19106

My Grandmom passed away on Monday, so I will be taking a short time off from blogging.  In the meantime, please join me in honoring her life and memory by enjoying these photos from her younger days. She was a beautiful woman, inside and out.

Happy Earth, my dears. I am off spending some precious moments with my grandmother today.