Carroll Book Festival

I love book festivals!  The celebration of authors, of reading, of books!  They are a magical place to be!  The Carroll Book Festival was held in September.  This was the first year for the Carroll Book Festival, and it was a ginormous success.

We arrived early, roamed around, visited with many vendors, bought more things than I honestly needed, and attended several author talks.  The food trucks were fantastic, and a bonus (in my book) there were many bathrooms with running water.  

Held at the Carroll Farm Museum, the venue had more than enough space to spread out in order to accomodate all of the people and vendors.  The staff working the event was beyond helpful in pointing out how to find all of the things and directing people to the author events. 

Here are a handful of my favorite pictures from the day:

 Belle at the children's meet and greet.

Some of the vendors, right by the front as the gates opened. 
As you can tell, it was a beautiful day!

Look at that powerhouse team of children's authors and illustrators!
Kenny Curtis, Greeking Out - books and podcast (in the hat)
Rachel Rene Russel and Nikki Russel, Dork Diaries (both in pink)
Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr (her back is to the camera she has a yellow bag) 
The Real McCoys, The Cookie Chronicles, and SO MUCH MORE.

The "It Takes Two" discussion with the authors mentioned above.
Note, Kenny's daughter, Jillian Hughes, who co-authors the Greeking Out series is seated to his left.

I'm already looking forward to next year's festival!

How about you?  Have you been to a book festival near you?  Give us all the information!  We'd love to know more about it!

Voting Plan

Do you have a plan to vote in the upcoming election?  Are you prepared?  

Ask yourself these questions:

1) Are you registered to vote?  

I checked my status on Vote 411.  This website is run by the League of Women Voters.

2) Do you know your election dates? Both for Early Voting and Election Day?  

Do you know the hours that the polls are open?  If you have a mail in ballot and are planning on dropping your ballot in a box, do you know the location of the nearest box?  Do you know the dates that the box will be available?

3) Do you know your polling location?  

In Maryland, you vote in your assigned voting district.  Early Voting locations are different than Election Day locations.

4) Do you know who you will be voting for?  You can find out information about your candidates from the League of Women Voters, on their Vote 411 website.  

Maryland sends a sample copy of the ballot in the mail before the election. I research each of the candidates in advance of voting day, and I take the sample ballot in with me, marked with who will be receiving my vote.  I am familiar with any ammendments up for a vote, and I have researched what each initiative will mean for me and my family should it pass. 

Election Day is fast approaching.  Take the time now to do your research on your local candidates.  Nobody should be making last minute decisions at the ballot box.  Start working on your plan now.

Basket Weaving

 My wild and crazy day this month was a basket weaving class at the arts center!  I thought I would enjoy the class.  But good heavens, I did not know just how much I was going to enjoy that class!  It was taught by a local basket weaver who used to be an Art Teacher at one of the high schools.  Now that she has retired, she is persuing her passion - basket weaving - and sharing that passion with others.

We were making melon baskets.  I signed up for the class not knowing what a melon basket is.  It turns out it is not a basket designed to hold melons!  It is so named because the shape of the basket is reminiscent of a melon!

The instructor provided a handle with the starting ribs attached to the basket handle.  She then talked us through how to start weaving, how to add more ribs, and how to change colors.

The handle with the first ribs attached.
Beginning the basket was a little tricky.
You need to be very careful here.

My basket, at the first real stopping point.
Notice that I've added more ribs!
Wow, everything was so wet!

Once I fell into the rhythm of weaving, time slipped away from me and I entered a very meditative zone. I know I spent hours weaving, but it honestly felt like no time at all had passed!  I honestly think I I could take up basket weaving as a hobby!

Look!  It's my finished basket!  I can't wait for the next class!