Atomic Christmas

This month, and I hope in time for the holidays, I bring you some more artsy crafters. I don't know anything about them - other than they keep their lawn retiree-neat year round, and for the last 11 years - at least - they've offered up these awesome holiday light configurations.
And I say "holiday" consciously. I don't care if you don't put up a tree and Christmas isn't your thing; it's my opinion that everyone can enjoy decorating their houses with greens and lights. That harkens back to a muuuch older tradition.

Stepping off of her soap box, your friendly neighborhood Dentonista asks, "You recognize these lights, right?" They aren't just holiday lights - these are pieces of classic Americana.
Made in the traditional fashion, from roughly a squajillion Solo cups, you need to see them to fully appreciate the clever craftsmanship - my crummy pictures certainly don't do them justice. (I hate this camera.)
And you can see them, at the corner of Panhandle and Fulton streets.

You know what else I like about them? Their fresh, contemporary appeal.
As you know, mid-century modern style is all the rage right now (here, here, here), and I can think of nothing more atomic-chic than these Sputnik-y lights.
And you know what? You can take one (or several) home!
That's right. For just $20 you can own your very own bit of hand-crafted holiday kitsch.
Even if you're not lucky enough to live in an atomic ranch, (and I know they're tough, though not impossible, to come by in Denton), these lights are so classic, they'll go with everything. If you live in one of the gazillion post-war 'grannies' (check out the Panhandle, Egan, Congress streets area, right around this house), these lights are even architecturally appropriate.
So drive by and check them out, or call 940.387.1480 to grab some of these awesome lights. I have the feeling that when they're gone, they're gone for the year.

Oh, and have a very happy holiday season and a safe and lovely New Year, my dears.

Denton Arts and Jazz Fest

I want to apologize for being gone so long. I’ve been a bit under the weather. Actually, more like under the duvet and propped up with pillows, thank you for asking, but I’m on the mend.

And, to celebrate my return to the living, I ventured out this weekend, with one of my favorite women (never a Dentonista, damn it, but a life long sister) to the Arts and Jazz Fest. Now, I’m sure you already know, without your friendly neighborhood Dentonista telling you, that the Arts & Jazz Fest is one of the things that makes Denton the best. Of course you know it! People come from far and wide, not just to check it out, but to perform and show their beautiful wares.

(I should apologize here for not having pictures for you. I can only say that being out of it for so long has left me weak-limbed and twitter-pated, and I did not think to schlep along my camera.)

However, I found no shortage of goods tempting me to schlep them home, and the soaps from Fleegal Farms won out. Up from Austin, the lovely proprietress was selling huge, handmade bars of super-fatted and super-yummy-smelling soaps, scrubs, and lip balms. I snagged Mexican Chocolate Spice, Peppermint Chocolate, and Lemon Smack soaps.
This soap is all natural as well as so creamy and luscious, that when I got home I was able to easily cut the lemon bar in half, to fit my weirdly small kitchen soap dish. And now I’m treating my butter-coated baker’s fingers to lemon-riffic cleanliness!
Happily my shower soap dish is normal size, so I can embrace the full delicious-ness of that Mexican Chocolate Spice bar. Words can hardly describe how good it smells. Seriously, I’m hoping these amazing soaps inspire me to learn to make my own…
My sister? Took one sniff of the Melalueca Mint bar and was hooked.
You think mint soap sounds weird? Let me tell you, it is the most refreshing yet delicious smell you can sport.

Of course there was no shortage of beautiful jewelry there either. Several artisans had gorgeous displays that sorely tempted me. But, since my days as a gainfully employed office drone are numbered, I womanfully resisted.

I had to resist the really wonderful varieties of pottery available too. I was happy to see two vendors again, whom I recall from last year. (Whose names and businesses I did not record… Again, I’ve been out of it. Sorry.) Both were located in the Civic Center pavilion, and both are older gentlemen.
One, down from Oklahoma, makes the most beautiful vases with what looks to me like kingfishers on them, and this year he also had small covered dishes with chipmunks for handles. That sounds insipid, but they were just perfect. Almost an Arts and Crafts feel to them. The other gentleman is more local, if I recall, and he uses an Indian horse-hair technique on some of his pieces. When fired the horse hair ‘melts’ into the most unusual and visually arresting designs. I also saw a truly local (Dentonisto) potter whose large display included cherry blossom and koi motifs. Really gorgeous. And all these potters? Well priced. Seriously, if you were there, you could have scored some awesome gifties.

Now, I could go on about all the things to tempt the kiddies, but I think I’ll concentrate on the freaks instead. While chowing down on a sausage-on-a-stick (natch), I turned to my sister J and remarked, “It’s nice to see the uniform of teenage rebellion hasn’t really changed since I was in high school.” And my dears, it hasn’t. I was watching a group of teens go by kitted out for a Smiths concert. Or reunion. So perhaps, it would be more correct to say that everything old is new again… Certainly the neo 70s surfer look so many other boys were sporting that day (in land-locked North Texas) pre-dates my teen years… And don’t even get me started on the senior citizens rocking full Highland regalia; they made my day. I admit, I was a tad disappointed to find they were actually a dance group. None the less, they were a joy to behold. The lady in leather pants, though, was a real head scratcher for me…

What else can I say about this fantastic, annual shin dig? Did I mention it’s free? Yup, 100% free. How often does that happen? You can shop, eat, and gawk to your heart’s content, as is my want, or you can kick back and listen to any or all of the roughly gazillion bands and musical performers. This year? The Arc Angels were here! And, of course, those perennial Dentonistos Brave Combo performed.

Please don’t let my weak coverage of this marvelous event be your only impression. Mark your calendars for next year, and get here and do it yourself. I also want to invite anyone who was there to comment and tell me what your favorite part was.

The Cupboard’s Customer Appreciation Weekends

I know I’ve sung the praises of Cupboard Natural Foods once or twice, but I haven’t yet mentioned their customer appreciation weekends. I think they have them twice a year, and you do not want to miss out; it's a blast!

Why is customer appreciation so much fun?

Well, does 20- 50% off sound like fun to you? That's music to your Friendly Neighborhood Dentonista's ears. In fact, once I twigged to the huge savings one can rack up during these events, I was completely prepared to buy in bulk the items that will keep on my shelves - vitamins, cosmetics, body care, frozen food, etc. I keep my eyes peeled for gifts too.

So, you like discounts like I do?

Good.

How about free? Do you like free? I looove free, and there is tons of free stuff at these events too. Vendors come with samples of all sorts of things - cookies, soap, wheat grass juice. (No joke, the first time I EVER had wheat grass juice was at the first customer appreciation I stumbled into. It's not nearly as weird as you think it is.) In addition, the happy hippies at the Cupboard raffle off all sorts of thing, every hour on the hour. We've won pet food, resusable shopping bags, and gift baskets of New Chapter vitamins and herbs. Awesome.

Why am I telling you all this now? Because, there’s a customer appreciation weekend this weekend!
Now, be warned, with all the vendors set up and bargain shoppers circling, it will be crowded. Happily, this is a crowd at the Cupboard. Vegans, hippies, moon children, even home-schoolers, tend to be a mellow and affable bunch. You might even enjoy feeling like you're amongst 'your people'. I always do, and I hope to see you there.

 

Weldon's Saddle Shop and Western Wear

I think I’ve mentioned that I’m a displaced Yankee? I’ll let you in on a secret, I’m not just a Yankee, I’m a New York Yankee.
Oh yeah. The yankiest of Yankees, I’ve been told.

That said, when I tell you Weldon’s Saddle Shop is fun for everyone – you can completely believe me. I mean, if there was ever a woman less naturally inclined to groove to a western wear and tack shop, I’d love to meet her. We could drink (gin) martinis, listen to NPR, and discuss Vanity Fair articles together.
Now, one of the best things about Weldon’s might be the first thing you notice – the pervasive and delicious smell of leather.
Oh man.
This is the smell Ralph Lauren couldn’t bottle.
This is the smell that makes anyone who isn’t a rock star buy hide pants.
This is the smell you want in your new car. (If, you know, you’re not an ethical vegetarian.)
This may be the smell that gets country-bar cowgirls hot and bothered.
If they’d just pump that intoxicating scent out into the square (like Mrs. Baird’s used to pump the smell of baking bread into a Ft. Worth underpass), I certainly would have found my way in sooner. 
As it was, I entered while on a quest for a Stetson.
Not for me! Oh no, no, no, no, nooooo (though I DO think I look rather fetching in one) – for my significant other (SO). A native Texan, and great lover of the outdoors, he has the perennial red neck to prove it. Prior to my entrance into his life, things like sauerkraut, mustard, angst, and sunscreen were unknown to him. As a concession to my constant worrying, he now wears a brimmed hat to work in the yard.
Sadly, that original hat is faded and falling apart, and, when worn with his preferred (shall we say ‘eclectic’) gardening ensemble, makes him look like Woody Allen. Only crazier.

Yep.

No more.

So I suggested, a straw cowboy hat. And why not? Designed to take a beating in a truly tough job, and with a wide wrap-around brim, they’re not just practical, they’re culturally relevant.
And, can you imagine, they’re buy one, get one for a penny, right now!
Turns out they’re moving out the summer stuff for the winter/felt hats.
Go know.
Two hats turned out to be $40.01 for us.
(So it looks like there WILL be one for me to wear, whilst cutting irises…)
Even with that amazing sale, we ended up dropping around $80.
“How did that happen?” you ask.
Well, let me tell you.
Not only do they have hats, boots, and Cruel Girl jeans (don’t you just love that name?), they have a nice selection of kids stuff, appropriate for gifts. And Texas is one place you can still get local-ish gifts. You know what I mean? Even other parts of the country (and world) sort of understand and can be enchanted by the myth of Texas.
So even a non-native will be sending Texas-ana around the country as quick as she can.

**Hanukkah\Christmas Spoiler Alert**

Want to know what I found? HAPPY to share:
Tex and Sugar
L is for Lonestar: A Texas Alphabet

And don't miss the Texas Centennial antiques and life-size horse mannequin, sporting a beautiful sterling silver saddle and bridle. You could be a holiday hero delivering that, if the $15,000 price tag doesn't give you pause. While you're there, check out the vintage lunch boxes. I spotted a Roy Rogers and Dale Evans for $399. Yep - Weldon doesn't fool around with the collectibles! Go on; swing by and talk to him about them. You know that guy has some great stories.

The Cupboard

If you're a regular at health food or natural grocery stores, the size of Cupboard Natural Foods, "The Cupboard" to locals, won't surprise you. But the first few years I shopped there, mostly for Aubrey Organics, produce, and milk, I thought, "How do they stay in business? They're so small!"

Well.. Years have passed, my Dr. tells me my lab work looks good, and I find not only should I eat organic, whole foods, I want to. Frankly, high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oils freak me out. (Though I will not argue against the deliciousness of a Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pie - even if there are like no actual food ingredients on the label!)

ANYWAY

Turns out you can shop very nicely at The Cupboard. With the exception of fresh meat, they have everything. And they DO have meat - it's just frozen, but you know I get my meat from Burgundy Pasture.

I think the Cupboard has just gotten better and better over the years. And as my reliance on, and preference for natural food has grown, I find they DO have pretty much everything I need - even Ketchup and sweet pickle relish.

What do I buy there? Well, besides the aforementioned:

Mychelle 

Wolf Creek veggies and herbs; they're local! 

New Chapter Vitamins 

Boar's Head and Applegate Farms cold cuts (and bacon!) 

Bulk nuts, seeds, and cacao nibs - for my trail mix and just for hand-to-mouth snacking 

Nature's Baby conditioner - not just for babies! 

Burt's Bees moisturizer 

The occasional chair massage - from the good folks at the Kneaded Touch 

Rice Crackers - gluten free! 

Ezekiel Bread - low glycemic index! 

Lindt dark chocolate - just delicious! (OK - it's an anti-oxidant too.)

I know Target has a selection of organic produce and frozen food, and while I applaud them, it's way the hell across town, has one of the worst parking lots in the city, and it isn't a local business. And I love that about the Cupboard. Even the hippies, sweet or sour, working the registers are - say it with me - local. And their parking lot? Lovely.

I know I've mentioned the cafe in a previous post, and now they have a new menu! Breakfast Panini? Bison tamales? Oh man! How can you go wrong? If you're feeling like a grab and go, you can always hit the soup and salad bar. Sure, you always feel virtuous getting soup and salad, but now you can feel superior and righteous - eating organic and natural. And y'all, with the heavy vegetarian audience, you know this is a bad ass salad bar.

Also, don't forget to check out the community bulletin boards and hilarious customer comment cards, conveniently located by both sets of doors. Be sure to find the note from the guy I refer to as The Barefooter. You'll know his comments when you read them. And then you'll think, "Oh, I've seen this guy!"

And I hope I see YOU there, my dears.