Monday, September 29, 2014

Counting down the days

Gypsy Madness

The days are racing along and I know it will be no time at all before I find myself at the doorway of the Blue Moon Gypsy Tea Room. The tented ceiling with its array of color will billow and welcome me.  The scent of clean hay and the thought of the Turkish coffee that will soon be in hand lets me know I am home.

The tables will be set, the cushions fluffed, the waft of incense drifting lazily through the long room that becomes our Vitsa's life for the next eight weeks, beckons. Laughter follows naturally and stories of the past twelve months, when last we were all gathered beneath the same roof get shared.

Walls need to be adorned, the chests aligned, and tables need to be repaired. There is the large new table that needs a good addressing of sandpaper and oil; elbow grease to the rescue! The "kitchen" needs some attention, a bit of shifting about to accommodate the planned layout after the new pony walls are erected.

The ugly chairs need some new camouflage, and some cush for the tush. A new shelf or two, perhaps, and the front counter needs a bit of attention, about 6 or 8 inches I'd estimate. The new chair for the hostess with the mostess needs some panache. 

It's coming together, at least in my head, no need to worry or stress. Not going to do it, not this year. I believe that the Faeries and Dragons will be about, playing in the streets and I expect a scolding or two for taking so long to get back here. It's grand to be loved.

Pictures will be coming this week to share in the transformation, but right now, it's utter chaos.

Baksheesh!!

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Strolling through the Renaissance, an After thought

Murphy was at it again. When you want something so badly to work out so right, and yet the little bugger keeps coming in and overturning the process. Well....

All that aside, the Stroll was visited by a ton of people who even managed to get around the road closure that is plaguing the lovely little town of Magnolia, Texas. The performers of the Texas Renaissance Festival were there in droves. It was a grand sight indeed!

The Barbarians were there standing by, ever watchful, the Beefeaters not too far keeping watch over the Barbs, simply grand. And the Pirates, shiver me timbers!

Dan Lowe was there, our TRF Vendor Coordinator, keeping things moving along, graciously accepting the Teapot Cake, sans spout and handle, hence the "Amphora" labeling. (Note to would-be cake crafters, Sunnyside Fondant is NOT the choice I'd make again.)

The sky attempted to bless the gathering with holy water, a drop or two here and there, otherwise the weather was perfect. It was just a wonderful day, all in all.

And this wouldn't be made possible, as far as the cake goes, with out my sweet friends, Katie and Brad who allowed me to use their kitchen to make a mess and be creative with the mini-teapots. I have another day to go over there and attempt to finish up the last teapot, to see if it can be made to look like it's supposed to. At least I already have the handle on that one.

Wishing everyone a blessed day and looking forward to offering you wonderful memories at the Texas Renaissance Festival's 40th year anniversary!

Baksheesh!!

Sunday, September 21, 2014

It's almost here

The Texas Renaissance Festival opens up on Saturday October 11th, at 9am. It's a chance to be transported back in time to a much heartier, lighthearted time. At least the New Market Village is lighthearted. The real Renaissance time was anything but, though there had to be snippets in each life that was thusly appropriately monikered. Lots of tongue twisting there.

I have been active in the Renaissance and medieval re-creation since 1983, though not as much as I had been in California, with the SCA events and such, getting everything geared up for my own, yearly adventures is plenty of activity for me.

So what goes on at the Renaissance festival? Lots. There are acts, activities for the kids, and adults, romantic things like getting your hands encased in wax and forever held together to be placed on the mantle. Though Texas heat isn't very kind to the hands, I learned that myself. A stroll through the Magic Garden, or even getting married at one of the Wedding Chapels. You could come to the Blue Moon Gypsy Tea Room and have us help you sneak in a proposal. Food, lots of it and so many different kinds; Turkey legs, steak on a stick, alligator, gyros, yummy olives on a stick, greek, chinese, fish and chips, the best german hamburgers, and so much more. Oh, and the fudge... cue Homer Simpson drool.

There's beer, beer and more beer. Definitely a must visit to the Brigadoon Brewery to sample their delicious Texas brewed Ales.

And what is beer with out wine? We have wine tasting, and lots of wines and mead.



Other awesomeness is the leather and clothing, boots, skirts, belts and nothing makes your day better than paying a visit to Castle K'zar to meet Raven and Kilber, and the rest of the tribe. I promise they won't bite. I can't promise you won't come out of there with out something memorable. Awesome folk, lots of fun there and fantabulous leather headgear. Must be the horniest place in the entire Village, just look at Lord Kilber!


For walking sticks and awesome staffs go visit Lady Mac's right in between Brigadoon Brewery and Castle K'zar.

Oh, and pay the dead critter place a visit (between them) and say HI to Brian, check out all his fox tails and other wonderful pelts.


This doesn't even touch on all the wonderful things to do and see, like the jewelry, arts and hand made crafts by wonderful artisans, like Lucia and her spirit inspired jewelry.
Face it, you can't just see the festival in one weekend, it takes several to even catch half of it.

Be sure to stop by and visit the Gypsies on the far side of all this awesomeness, you'll find us down at the German area near the Tower stage and the Beer Garden. Have your tea leaves read, or have one of our awesome readers help you find the answers through their gifts in the Runes, Tarot, Palmistry or Scrying.

Baksheesh!!

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Rain Rain every where

and not a drop of water to drink....

I had plans to work outside today, and yesterday, oh and the day before, but the rain keeps throwing a monkey wrench into my plans. At this rate I'm just going to take everything down to site and work inside the booth. That might be the only choice I have. Hrm... I need to borrow a body and a truck.

I've gotten the wood for the table and the pony walls. I have the new fridge. I have yet to wash the fabric though, and then we have to do all that sewing. I suppose I could go to the fabric store to pick up some canvas, but I really hate the idea of spending any more useless time driving any distance just to get supplies and spend more money.

Does this sound like a gripe fest? It feels like one. My apologies.

I'm accomplishing things aside from this brief interlude of mental flatulence. There are 40 coins ready to be stamped for the Tea Leaf readings and so far the purple divination coins total about 37. I'm planning on making that 100.

The business of getting a business up and running out at festival is probably different for every person. Mine is a lot of mental posturing to get everything how I want it. Which means I over think things. I will just have to get it in gear a little faster.

On that note I will bid adieu and return to the mundane tasks of preparing. Here is to a fantastic season!

Baksheesh!

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Texas Renaissance Festival

It's nearing that time. Talk about down to the wire. Just three weeks to get it all done and so much has been springing up to get in the way and make it seem an impossible task. But we are not daunted.

We have new faces and old ones joining us. The family back together with some new twists for the coming season. I can't wait.

This is a short one, but some ideas to toss out there and share.
Inspiration from flickr for a tea pot cake
I found this lovely and had taken a class on making these a while back. I thought, why not? It really isn't a difficult cake to make and certainly a lot easier than the full size electric guitar I made last year for a birthday cake. I'm thinking of offering something like this for the tea parties, but not part of the original cost.

Behrwulf and Faye of Faerie Favor is back this year. So is Cameron, and Cae will be making a guest appearance the first Sunday of Festival.

New to the Vitsa will be Shadow and Sophia, bringing animal spirits, tarot, palmistry and runes as well. Tony and Cyndie are also joining the team this year, but you most likely won't be seeing Tony except out in the streets, running amok, maybe.

This year we're offering Tea and Turkish coffee for the Tasseomancy and scrying. Runes, Tarot cards and Palmistry, and as said before, Scrying.

We're accepting reservations now for the Tea Parties which is $40.00 per person, up to 7 people. The tea leaf reading is normally $25.00, but this is more than just a single cup and 20 minutes, you have food and time to sit with friends, have the undivided attention of Baba Anjali and some of the best organic teas in all the realm.

We look forward to planning and plotting your party with you!

Baksheesh!

Friday, April 18, 2014

After the Blood Moon

So much energy stirring around and the garden cries for attention. Armed with my trusty shovel and hoe, the weeds will get plucked and the soil turned, planting energy seeds of love, joy, hope, prosperity, good health, nourishing the soul and the soil.

I'm looking forward to the bounty that comes from my little garden, just as soon as I finish putting up all the barriers to keep a rather rambunctious Mr. Wiggles (my goat) out of the veggies and herbs. His father decimated it last year and now that he's the head honcho and last remaining hoofer, I want to be sure that he doesn't do the same thing.

Of course the next step is finishing up his pen to repair from the parental hurricanes that had climbed and pushed over the barbed wire, and well.. this is getting off tangent a bit.

It's a good day, beautiful in all aspects, to plant the hopes for a better tomorrow on the tail of the Blood Moon, gracing energies that like the comet's tail dance and paint a streak along the star-lit skies.

My newly acquired companion rests upon a bed of copal and dragon's blood (plus a few other ingredients) to charge while I do the sweating for the next couple hours.

And on that note, I hear an impatient rumble so must hussle my bustle on out of here, but count on a quick discourse upon my return.

Walk in a beauty Way.