This is a big example of the reason I love my job. ♥
People bring me presents when I sign books! This one will be on my fridge the minute I get home! I think you see why! ♥
I work alone so much of the time, kind of face-down over my watercolors . . . in the quiet of my studio with just old creaking-house noises and kitty snores to break up the silence . . .
And then (it seems so sudden!), it’s time to get out of the jammie-outfits, iron real clothes, put on real shoes, and GO OUT into the real world and see actual people. It’s a bit of a shock and takes a little getting used to . . . this trip has had a lot of that in it. And yesterday, I signed my books and calendars at Judy’s show and met the most wonderful people! They wait in line, because I like to visit with everybody . . . to find out a little bit about them; but they are laughing and having so much fun; they make it seem like they don’t mind the wait!
You know how much I love the connection between moms, daughters and grandmas! These three generations came all the way from Arizona (in a Mini Cooper!); aren’t they darling? ♥
And here are three-generations-to-be! There’s a baby girl waiting to be born, and a grandma-in-waiting! This photo does not do the new mom justice, she was so darling. I loved the little belt! ♥
Then of course, all the sisters and best friends!!! I love my people! (I hope you don’t mind if I call you my people? I’m your people too, so I think it’s probably OK.)
And I know lots of Twitter Girls (Tweetettes) will love seeing Joann (@Myheartsathome) and her husband Rod from Colorado — here with Joe. It was wonderful to see her . . . but with so much going on, I didn’t get to spend as much time with them as I would have liked. I felt like I knew her, like we’d been friends forever! ♥
And then there were the sisters-of-the-heart — these girlfriends travel together all the time!
And, the littlest generations coming up . . . if you remember the story I had on my old website at one time called Pancakes, about a woman named Vickie? This is Vickie and her precious little daughter. ♥ So cute! They are both wearing silvery flip flops with bling, and each of Vickie’s toes are painted a different color!
In the left corner of this photo you can see a bright orange spot? It’s the pumpkin watercolor at the top of this page, tucked into my bag, and these two are the authors . . . Sydney and Jessie, age 5, best friends. This and all these photos that came before, are why I love my job!
I signed Girlfriends Forever for these little dolls and then they each signed their names in “cursive” — their idea, and my delight. (The hair; please.)
Just off to the right of where I’m sitting and signing are Bonnie and Kellee — I could not have done this (or lots of other things btw) without them, or Joe who was handling the camera most of the time!
♥ ♥ ♥
And here’s Judy, keeping everyone entertained with her “Junque Queen Crown.” Lots of good photos were taken with this crown Stephani made using costume jewelry from Judy’s Mom’s collection.
It was my honor to be a part of this wonderful event . . . everyone had such a good time; we all learned new things, and made new connections. Romantic Homes Magazine came to check out the action, and I found out my blog has been honored in their November issue, which is just out!!! I haven’t seen it yet, but today, between packing to go home, and saying goodbye to Judy and Kellee, I have to go get my hands on one of them! And YOU? You would have fit right in at this show! It wouldn’t have been half as much fun without you coming along! We are the world girlfriends! ♥♥♥ xoxo
Beautiful San Luis Obispo; this is the view from our parking space! We’re at the base of Madonna Mountain; as we climb out of the car, the smell of warm sun on new mown hay hits us, smell that? And when we turn around, we see this . . .
. . . the event center of the Madonna Inn where the show took place. Before yesterday, Judy’s vintage show has always been in a 
But look, besides the gorgeous drive up, and the beautiful morning, old trucks, hay bales, and pumpkins set the tone for casual country event — darling from the first moment.
How could it be anything else with that face in charge? This is Judy! Her show is a family affair; we had hugs with her husband Steve outside, interrupting him in the middle of directing everything; her handsome son Ryan is in charge of ticket sales, her beautiful daughter Devon was there to help too. Judy also makes sure all her local antiquing girlfriends are included — they all have booths at the show!
And what booths! Besides our local dealers, the vendors at the show came from all over the country and they went all-out decorating their booths; this is a roof over the first one we saw as we came in the door, complete with cupola and weather vane.
And this is what was under that roof! Everything is for sale! It’s so exciting, it’s scary! How is a person supposed to choose?
Everything, one of a kind. I love that little hand-painted “E” pumpkin.
Whatever you love to collect was here, and much more. It was the perfect place to learn about decorating too, because things were set up in such a creative way. There was gorgeous silver . . .
. . . And beautiful French linens.
Very fun, handmade, one of a kind jewelry — Judy chooses her vendors based on the quality and charm of what they do! Her show was voted Number One Vintage show in the country in the August issue of 
There were vintage suitcases, beautiful baskets, antique dolls . . .
Old dishes and painted hutches . . . Judy had a UPS booth there, ready to ship to anywhere!
Aisles of fun and lots of happy people; the creative spaces all in different styles, everything reflecting the passion and love of each vendor; it’s like a home magazine come alive and everything purchasable!
I don’t even know what this is, but I love it! I hope you are feeling like you are there! But in case you’re not . . . try this:
One of the most popular booths was this one, pumpkins in the hay . . . all with messages . . .
