2014 Kempenfest Roundup!

Despite this past Monday’s rather biblical downpour (I swear I saw kittens and puppies marching two-by-two toward Kempenfelt Bay), it’s safe to state that Kempenfest 2014 was a success! Thousands of people showed up over the three-day event and enjoyed music, food, sunshine (albeit, only briefly, on Monday), and a two-kilometre shoreline stretch of arts, crafts, and antiques.

This was my first year as a vendor at Kempenfest and I have to say – I enjoyed the experience immensely. In fact, I’ll be sending in my application for next year’s 45th Anniversary event as soon as they’re made available!

I was lucky enough to have a spot that introduced me to some new talented and amazing people. And I even did a bit of post-birthday shopping for myself. Care to see my lovelies?

This fun throw pillow not only matches my sofa and love seat to a T, it indulges my nerdy love of cameras and photography! The girls at Cherry Blossom Décor have a whole slew of gorgeous, funky custom made pillows, drapes and art work. Oh, and if you’re not really sure where or how to place your new-found treasures, they’re also professional interior decorators. So they’ve got you covered. 😉

I also picked up this fab little make-up bag (yay for skullies and spikes – never mind that fantastic tea-stained skeleton-print fabric!) from Vanidee Designs. Danielle makes beautiful clothing (I have my eye on a particularly smashing orange print skirt!) and adorable purses & bags. So go check out her Facebook page to have a look at some of her work and see where she’ll be next!

I’m particularly looking forward to seeing what she and our other Kempenfest neighbour, Damian Spaulding (Apostrophe Men’s Apparel) come up with for his clothing line!

And, since I mentioned Damian, this seems like the perfect time to tell you about my most favourite festival barter EVER. Damian’s awesome wife, Lisa (her name is Lisa, how could she be anything but awesome?), is an ICNHA-certified henna artist who has been providing professional henna artistry (her company is Henna Creations) in the Barrie area for the past 8 years. And when she wanted a pair of Weezie World earrings customized to something a bit bolder, I jumped at the chance to create something on-the-spot. And, with the option to do tradesies for a stunning work of body art, how could I say no? So, I turned the earrings on the left into the earrings on the right:

And, in exchange, I was adorned with this fantastically, glittery peacock (which still looks amazing now that it’s – sadly -glitter-free!)

Lisa’s going to be at the Hamilton Festival of Friends this weekend (Aug. 8, 9, 10), so if you’re in the area and interested in getting safe, professional, gorgeous henna work done, be sure to stop by and say hello!

There were so many other awesome people at Kempenfest (Manitoulin Botanicals and Creations by Crystal were two more of our immediate neighbours) that it would take a blog post at least quadruple the length of this already-hefty entry. I hope to see all of you again. And I hope to repeat this year’s Kempenfest experience!

✺✺ Have a gander at a few more photos! ✺✺
[nggallery id=5]

Oh, and if you think I was kidding about the rain?

Post by Weezie World.

’tis the Season, Part 1: The Potluck

Once again, the season of eating is upon us. I know, I know – Goodwill toward Mankind… blah, blah, blah. But who’s kidding who? There’s a reason gyms have ramped up their marketing (seriously, if I didn’t know any better, I might be offended at the number of flyers that litter my door and mailbox every effin’ day!) and will rake in a KILLING in New Year’s Resolution memberships.

Having made some slight headway in my own personal fitness, I’ve decided that this is the year I won’t gain the inevitable 10 (15?) pounds. Yes, I know – best laid plans and all that. I amuse myself, too. A girl can try, though.

My office is having the first of what will, no doubt, be personal challenges throughout this season of merriment: The lunchtime potluck. There will be a slew of delights to choose from… and it’s going to take an iron will to resist all the fatty, yummy, morsels that will be on display. But who wants to be the dick who goes around asking what’s in each and every dish prior to taking a bite?

Not this girl.

So I thought – why not create one hearty, tasty, good-for-you dish to contribute? At best: I have something I can eat without the usual Potluck Remorse. At worst: I’m asked not to participate next time.

But it’s not like I work with an office of sloths who roll around consuming calories like there’s no tomorrow. In fact, there are quite a few who watch what they eat, make regular trips to the gym and, generally, care about their own health.

So (and here’s where I continue to impress myself… all modesty aside *ahem*) I found a tasty recipe and altered it somewhat to make it slightly more filling & just a smidge less fattening. Let’s be honest: why waste calories on things like processed cheese, mayo and oil dressing when they can be better spent on chocolatey, creamy, buttery or pastry-y concoctions? Exactly.

And, so I give you: Weezie’s ChickPea, Cucumber & Tomato Delight (everything else uses the word Delight over the holidays, so I figured I could too. Feel free to rename as you see fit.)

Ingredients
½ C Black Olives
540 mL can Chick Peas
Cucumber
551 mL Grape Tomatoes
4 cloves Garlic
¼ C Red Onion
5 tbsp Kraft Fat Free Italian Dressing
Litehouse Salad Herb Blend

Directions
Drain & rinse chick peas & set aside
Drain olives
Mix all ingredients into bowl
Toss with Salad Dressing & Salad Herbs
Let sit for at least an hour… if not longer (over night is ideal)
Makes 14 ½-cup servings

Oh – and I also brought chocolate chip cookies. It is a freakin’ potluck, after all!