ZEStfest?

When you hear the word Zestfest what comes to mind? The first year I saw the bill board with this word  I actually thought of oranges. There was an announcement about the event coming to town. After the event happened found out what it was about. Zestfest is a festival that introduces your taste buds to spicy sauces and foods. The second year that it came to town, not going to lie, didn't seem that interested since I am not into spicy stuff. Yeah, I know this Mexican doesn't care for spicy foods. I do eat chips and hot sauce but not the real burn on your tongue hurt in your belly feeling. My partner wanted to go but didn't think she would enjoy taking me since I wasn't going to play along. So I promised her and myself that the next year it came along I would definitely take her.

taking the challenge (Heather Shoulders and Steph Dickinson)

I didn't think I would enjoy it but it's one of those things you do for your love. It seems to be held at the Irving Convention Center every year. It is a big room with several isles that you go up and down tasting the goods. They had spicy dips, spicy pickles, spicy margaritas, spicy coffees, spicy chocolate, and especially spicy sauces. The goal is for you to try the goods and buy the best tasting one. The one you will enjoy the rest of the year. Like the commercial where the grandmother says that "she puts that s!!! on everything". The thing that was interesting was that they had milk stations at almost every corner. We were there for quite some time. I didn't try a lot of tastings because the ones I did try made it to where my throat was burning. I am a big wuss when it comes to spicy foods so I got to try the other alternatives. There is something for everyone. I got to try flavored coffees, toffee, spicy chocolate, bought some no sugar added pecan pralines. I was bad I know it. They have a little of everything even sausage and one of my favorites, frozen wine.

My senorita and a friend took on a challenge that had men tapping out of the tasting. It's called Ca Johns Execution Station. Known for the Guinness's World Record on hottest pepper, the Carolina Reeper. Had men turning red, sweating, even one said that he couldn't feel his face. But these girls made it to the finish. I know I couldn't have done it. Takes certain taste buds and a strong stomach to handle all this hot pain. I was prepared with water while she held a milk jug. Didn't even break a sweat. That's my girl.

I recommend Zestfest to any one that wants to take the challenge. It's only an experience if you take on the challenge. If you don't like spicy foods don't go into their kitchen but if your friend or loved one enjoys it be there to wipe the sweat of their forehead or carry their water.

Be on the lookout around this time next year. Make your mouth feel things you didn't know it could.

a typical weekend

So ready for this weekend to be here. I get excited over anything. Work has made it too unbearable to be there. Walking out the doors will feel literally like having a huge amount of weight off my shoulders. Then I think about how hard it will be to start over and wanting to help provide for my little family, wanting it to grow won't allow me to just walk away and never look back. So when that time clock hits end of shift I'm too tired to run out of the doors. I have gotten better at walking faster. I like to think I live another life when I am not at work. I turn into this other person. So when I say I'm so ready for this weekend I am.

"Heart Song"

If you would like to join us. We will be at Converge Artist Workplace tomorrow Friday 02/08/2013 for The Love You To death Art Show starts at 7pm. This show continues onto Saturday 02/09/2013.

Heather also has a piece for one night only 02/09/2013 at Kettle Art for The Love Of Kettle starts at 7pm.


"Strings"

Both are free events. Swing by and check out the artwork. Heather has accomplished more than I could have expected. As long as I have known her she has always been my artist but others have just seen her work in the last two years.

A while back when we saw the movie about the true lives of Julie and Julia I vowed to buy her cookbook and try a recipe I have yet to do that. In the meantime we have decided to let Susan Nicely as Julia child cook for us. This I could not have imagined so we will see how interesting this will be.

Sunday there will be a Mardi Gras Parade in Oak Cliff. Yes Oak Cliff knows how to throw one heck of a party so you might want to check that out.

So even if work can be just a tad too crazy I look forward to what I make my life exciting. We are into February already and have only done one thing for this new year that I had mentioned. I have a list I need to start crossing them off.

Want to say thank you to friends and family for voting my photo in the Nasher Sculpture Center Contest. Thank you for taking the time to check it out.

Onto the next adventures.......

mustaches

A big and important part of my life is Heather (my babe). I support all that she does. Whether small or big. You see she is full of so much creativity. She is good at anything she sets her mind to and I'm here to give her that push. Just recently she started to show others what she had been doing all this time. My life would not have been what it is today had I not met her. Who is to say I would even be here writing this blog if it not for her.

This past Saturday we participated in the 4th Annual Main St Event in Irving, Texas. It's actually our second time what I like to call setting up shop. Heather is really shy so she wasn't that crazy about it but me on the other hand was excited. We don't like to do this for the simple fact that we are always on the other side of the booth. We like to go to the festivals and see what we find. We have fun doing this one especially because it's in a city we know well. Heather gets to show a totally different crowd of people the things she loves to do. She makes jewelry and small paintings to sell. Love the reactions from people when they stop to look. It's different every time.


small staches on wood

pearl , shell , and wood necklaces.

This year her knew project was to make mustaches. Why you ask? People actually did ask. Well because it's something new and people are crazy about mustaches. Aren't you? I mean if you don't consider a mustache an art then why does a male even think about shaping it and making sure it looks good on his face. This is where the famous phrase of the day was introduced to us :

I mustache you a question?
But I will have to shave it for later.

Love the family that stick it out with us. Love the company and friends that stop to say hi. I'm sorry for the friends that find out a little to late to attend but I just know that we will probably do this again. This will probably be the one thing that we will continue to do till we get old or heather takes a break.

We are already coming up with ideas for next year. I can't contribute much but support. Heather is the hands on and the brains to do it. Check out her fan page on facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lucahroo-Studio/122212734502309




eveything you find here is made by heather

We are sorry if we missed you we were not able to stay to 6pm. We closed shop at 4pm to attend Heathers artist reception for Made In America.

Thank you again until next years Main St Event.

Till then be proud of your mustaches we all have one.