Philadelphia Farmers Market and Utley the water dog

I'm so behind on posts but want to stay chronological for our holiday week. Bare with me as I fight with my computer to send fun updates on our second day in Philly and our week in Asbury Park.

After the fireworks in Philly we met Scott and headed back to Katie's apartment. We had to take a photo of her gigantic staircase. That is Katie waving at the top. I could hear the soundtrack to Rocky playing in my head as we hauled up these great steps. Man.

We had a very fun night and at one point I misheard something that led to Katiecakes now having another nickname, Tex. Scott was saying something about a text, but I thought he was calling Katie, from Texas, Tex...so it stuck! 

The next morning I woke to see yet another mural outside of Katie's apartment.

Her place is just fabulous with Morning Glories climbing on the railing.

Her outdoor art is wonderful too. She befriended so many artists when she was at the American Visionary Arts Museum and has quite the collection.

Isn't this bird house just the coolest with Vollis Simpson's mini whirligig outside the perch?

I can't remember the artist's name but love this pink guy. It was on her balcony at AVAM.

We knew Scott was in the house with his signature bow tie key fob.

After Katie's beautiful brunch we descended the staircase for our next adventure. I don't think the photos do this bad boy justice. Katie basically won't have to join a gym due to the stair-master she has to encounter each day upon arrival home. I remember calling Scott the day he helped her move in and he was out of breath for most of our conversation. Now I get why! So nice to have such a great best friend!

Too bad the Tarte shop was closed. Our workout justified a sweet treat.

I was taken by these darling "flutterbies" on the awning of this shop.

They were made from aluminum cans.

Katie and Scott were sweet to wait for me as I kept snapping photos. Eric is so used to me lagging behind now that he knows I'll catch up.

We were making our way to the Philadelphia Farmers Market. I couldn't get over the wonderful streets lined with flags and bunted windows. What a fun city to visit during the Fourth of July weekend.

We stopped in for a quick pre-market coffee at Bohdi where the guys were very keen on  the bar stools. Two minutes later a couple walked in that E knew from DC. I love how my husband knows someone everywhere we go. 

We arrived and I noticed the flutterbies beat us to the market and were drawn to the light. The space was beautiful with a long narrow gallery of vendors.

Each stand was more beautiful than the next with rustic baskets, burlap sacks and of course the star of the show, the produce.

I simply must do a painting of this gorgeous head of lettuce. Seriously, is that not the most beautiful object?

I snuck in a Love Bar purchase for our anniversary prize. These babies are gluten free and vegan. 

The display was gorgeous with real cacao beans. I had visions of the movie Chocolate.

We bought cherries and blueberries for our drive up to Asbury Park.

It was a gorgeous market filled with great and creative flower vendors.

Each vegetable looked so beautiful. You go God!

Yellow Beans

Onions

Garlic

Zucchini and Squash

Lettuce

The flowers and vegetables, albeit gorgeous, were overshadowed by the cutest thing ever. Utley, the water fountain loving dog. Watch the video. Katie and I couldn't stop giggling.

He loved the water so much that he was whining to go back one more time in this photo.

His owner let him play one last time for the day. What a delightful end to the market.

My Daddy suggested we go to Bookbinder's for dinner. 

Sadly we found it had been closed for what looked like a long while. This was one of the oldest seafood restaurants in the country.

George and Benjamin's busts were on the outside of the restaurant. 

The place was empty other than an old cash register in the window.

We had one last group shot, thanks to the self timer on the camera, at Sassafrass.

After our last toast we were off to Asbury Park for our week vacation.

Tex, you are the honey in my bourbon love! Thanks so much for the hospitality. Scott, thanks for the great company as well. We will see you both very soon!

What Makes Us Smile?

When you walk down Key Highway toward the entrance of the American Visionary Arts Museum (AVAM) you are greeted by sunflowers. I can't get enough of these cheerful flowers. They definitely make me smile. 

My colleague Tom and I were invited to the preview party at AVAM for the new show called What Makes Us Smile.

Ted and Billy greeted us at the entrance of Sideshow, Ted's most excellent store. More about the shop later in the post.

Rebecca Hoffberger, founder and director of the museum and my sweet Katiecakes also gave big hugs as we entered. 

Matt Groening and Gary Panter were co-curators of the exhibit. 

Groening handed out his cards to all the kids who attended. Panter is the guy that designed Pee Wee's Playhouse and Groening gives Panter credit for inspiring Bart and Lisa's spiky hair design in The Simpsons.

Gary Panter signed these books for Ted at Sideshow. They are on sale now if you are a collector. 

This fan was very prepared with his Marge Simpson Pez dispenser and sharpie in hand. I ran into him later and he did get Matt Groening to sign it. Groening even drew a tattoo on a guy that was headed straight to the Tat Parlor to get his ink set permanently. 

Katie introduced me to this nice couple, Steve Hestler and his wife Dolly, saying they lived on Capitol Hill. I said one of E. and our best friends, Mary Margaret and Scott, just upgraded to a bigger Capitol Hill house. Steve said, "You aren't referring to Mary Margaret Plumridge are you? I sit on a board with her in DC." Of course you do. These small world moments happen to me all the time.  

When you enter the museum the ceiling is lined with flying contraptions.

I love this ode to Snoopy and the Red Baron flying with all the planes.

Bill and Ted created maybe the most fun item in the show. 

A Whoopee Cushion bench.

There were little boys in this room every time I went back. They just couldn't stay away. It was so fun.

Prepare yourself for a bit of silliness and get ready to smile your face off.

Chris Roberts-Antieau is from Michigan. We love her hilarious quilts. Watch this funny video of her life. Panels of The Embarrassing Dog Quilt are below and capture the moments so well.

This was my favorite piece in the whole show.

Look at the artist's smile. He is from Lake Erie and used drift wood to create this piece, "Sweet Face".

Rev. Aitor is an artist that draws unflattering portraits.

He was talking about how sometimes the imperfect things about our partners are the things we love the most. The sleep in their eyes in the morning. Bed head. Drool crust. It is funny when you think about it.

I think Ted looks very flattering. He's too cute for words.

Rebecca's warmth shows through her portrait as well.

I caught John Waters viewing the portraits.

There is so much to make you smile in the exhibit.

Gloria uses makeup to paint. That is her mother Rose on the right.

Anado McGlaughlin and his partner live in San Miguel, Mexico.

You have to click here to see Anado's home. 

This was a little creepy, but I had to push the button.

Dreams that wake hold warning. Huh. Not sure how this makes me smile.

The greatest part of this opening was hearing roars of laughter in the different galleries. It was infectious.

There was even a hallway that was decorated in Cheetah!

There are surprises at every turn.

Sideshow is the gift shop at AVAM. You can see Ted's eyelashes from far far away. He is always behind the desk and will help you find anything you need.

He's so helpful.

He even has Chris Roberts-Antieau's quilts for sale.

Fun and chunky rings.

Holy bobbles.

I couldn't get enough of Bill and Ted's eyelashes!

They even have ta ta's for sale. Perfect for October breast cancer awareness month.

Great options for Halloween costumes.

Our buddies Susan and George arrived for the big party and we headed over to the barn.

There was a DJ playing happy tunes.

And there were painted ladies, a staple at AVAM parties.

The curators invited all the guests over to see the show. 

I took a little rest inside Fifi.

Thanks to Katie and all the gang at AVAM for such a nice event. I look forward to going back again and again. There are so many fun things to make you smile.