Rendezvous out yonder.

Busy, busy, busy. That's what I've been. DH and I have been doubling down on getting a little rental house in Decatur ready to sell. We've fixed a shed, torn out a small deck, painted on a porch, used scrapers to get ick off a concrete porch, mowed and mowed, cut down a couple of small trees, and that's just the outside stuff. We're getting all that done while the weather is still good. Lots more to do inside, but it will be just cute as a button soon.  On my rare days off, I've been getting ready for the fall festivals and bazaars I signed up for.  The first is this weekend, and it should be so much fun. The weatherman says the weather will be fabulous for it.  It is a Rendezvous, just west of Moweaqua.  There will be old canvas-style tents, maybe a teepee or two (?), re-enactors in the garb of old, demonstrations of all kinds, blue-grass music at 2:00 by Thrashin' Grass, a great local band and just all kinds of hoo-rawin'.  Come on out and see me.  I haven't had as much time as I'd like to get ready, but I have managed to make up some soaps in a few of the old, favorite scents. I have a spicy apple, vanilla-scented oatmeal-honey, cinnamon hand scrub, lavender-chamomile, and hippy chic (this one is a sandalwood scented bar with patchouli sprinkled on it.)  The quantities are limited somewhat, just a dozen bars of a couple of them, since my method of production has changed and the final output is so much smaller.  It's a good way to ease back into soapmaking on a limited basis, I think.  Anywhoo, here's what I have, pre-labeling:

If I get more time between now and Saturday (hahahahaha), I'll try to stir up another batch or two. If I don't get it done in time for this event, I'll be a vendor at the Clark Farm's "In Plain Air" farm event near Herrick the last weekend in October, at the Shelbyville Craft Vendor show on November 3, and the Moweaqua Methodist Cookie Walk and Bazaar on December 1. 

I've also been gathering odds and ends on short jaunts around the yard, and assembled these pretty fall swags:

The colors aren't a bit true in the pictures, but you get the idea.  I love the dried grasses and of course the sweet annie base adds the green and the soft, sweet scent.  I'll add a bow or ribbon in fall colors and these will be available on Saturday.

You've already seen the mug rugs I've made, and sadly there are still only two of the Halloween print rugs. I'm hoping I can add a few between now and then.  What I need is a rainy day. Oh, wait!!  That's today!!  DH and I are so stiff and sore we decided to take today off, so I'm freeeeee for a few hours. Yippee.

I am looking forward to being around many of my friends, being in the old-timey atmosphere, listening to good music and generally enjoying a gorgeous fall day.  If you're in the area, why not come out?  To get there, just go west of Moweaqua, on the blacktop.  Drive past the golf course and in about another mile or so, watch for the sign on the north side of the road. There may be more signage up that day, but there's a lovely hand-painted sign up now. You can't miss it.  If you come to the crossroads where a large rock pile used to sit, you've gone too far.  Hope to see you out yonder, if the good Lord's willin' and the creek don't rise.

Happy fall blessings,
Brenda