2026 Happy Blog Challenge

Thunder and lightning were very close in the morning and woke us up.  It was a day with off and on rain showers.  Here are some happy things: The last lampwork bead making challenge was in the morning.  The theme was potpourri.  For this challenge we form a bead and then someone pulls a popsicle stick out of a bag with something written on it.  That prompt is what we do to change the bead.  It could be adding a color, pulling with pliers, rolling in a heat sink, or other things that I hadn't done before.  It was a lot of fun.  I made two beads.  I lost count with both of them of how many different things I did to each bead.  I ended both of them by rolling them on a heat sink.  It is a neat effect. First bead. Second bead. Keziah headed up a small dinner of around 40 people.  Maybe that is more of a medium size.  Anyhow, I was able to help out with that.  I had to leave for a bit and go back to help with the clean-up....

Here are some happy things from today: 3:30 AM is early.  That is the time I was supposed to wake up.  I woke up about two hours earlier for an early morning Watch shift.  I did try to go back to sleep.  The Watch shift with my former protégé went well.  It was nice to get to spend time with a friend.  The sunrise was magnificent.  After a nap, I rested more!  Haha!  I pulled out the last sekanjabin, cinnamon.  Another great flavor! Today was the Opening Ceremonies.  This is the day the “War” begins.  I didn't stay for the ceremony, I just processed in with the barony.  There are so many people here!  Keziah thought she saw my niece, or someone who looked like her.  Later on Facebook it was confirmed.  My neice… Grandneice to be precise, is somewhere at Pennsic.   Something flying by. Instead of watching Opening Ceremonies I went to the lampwork bead challenge.  There was a choice in challenge...

Some happy things from the last day of July: The class I took today was on making the Skjoldehamn Belt .    The belt is made using a 12 strand braid.  I wasn't late, but I also wasn’t one of the first ten to arrive and therefore didn't get a kit.  A couple of the late comers (like me) stayed to audit the class.  One of the people who got a kit let us practice it on hers.  Whether I am able to remember all I learned today when I get the time to try it is another thing. 😅  I have a handout, took some notes, and I know the teacher. I made a fingerloop braid for one of the camp mates who has been extremely helpful around camp.  It came out nice, but I forgot to take a picture of it.  It was black and purple and the colors worked together really well. It was Mint Sekanjabin for today's water enhancement.  My limited research on the syrup implied to me that mint is one of the more traditional flavors.  I've liked all the flavors my frien...

Some happy Thursday things: Sometimes the best part of the day is the quiet time when there aren't a lot of people around.  That is when a gray catbird found something to eat about 15-20 feet from where I was sitting.  The sekanjabin I chose to try today is the orange one.  It is pretty good.  I've been having a hard time drinking just water lately, the flavors are helping.  That they also contain electrolytes as I overheat during the day is a bonus. Only two flavors more to try. The bead making challenge tonight was something about spinning.  Or spirals.  I got there late and the theme has twisted in my memory.  😉  Anyhow, I am making mistakes and having fun in the process.  Everything seems challenging for me right now, and that is okay.  I definitely struggled with getting the glass hot enough.  In hindsight, there are special glasses to wear to keep our eyes safe.  I wore two different types tonight and I wonder if th...

Some happy things from today: Keziah and I got up early for our shift volunteering for the Watch.  We drove around the entire encampment in a golf cart looking for things that were out of place and being a radio source if anyone noticed us and needed help.  Our shift was from 5-8 AM.  We started in the dark, tried to watch the sunrise through the clouds, and drove around as people woke up and started their day.   Some of the following photos are thanks to Keziah who snapped some pictures while I was driving. After a nap and lunch I made a fingerloop braid for Keziah’s medallion.   Keziah chose the light blue clasps. The sekabjabin I pulled out today was a very delicious Ginger. Keziah and I took a lampwork class.  Keziah made three beads and decided that the craft isn't for her.  I made three beads and decided to go back after dinner to do more.  The later lampwork time was for a challenge.  The challenge theme was ‘Black and White’...