Billy goat, lovely lambs, and the county fair

Last week I got to spend some quality time with my family after my grandfather had passed. In the small town of Cherokee, Oklahoma, the Alfalfa County Fair is a big deal.

I had already established my love for Billy, the goat owned by our friend Lindy and her family.

When we heard that Billy was going to be at the fair, even better! We arrived shortly before the "Goat Show."

We took a quick tour of the arts & crafts section. Isn't this peacock feather filled boot great?

Maddy, Lindy's 11 year old daughter, won a gold ribbon for it, cool!

Before hitting the goat show, we got a glimpse of the other fun animals...

The no name pig. I prefer to call him "Wilbur." Oh so Charlotte's Web, no?!

Baaaaah!

Of course, I thought of the fashionable influence of these lovely lambs. Don't their groomed legs look reminiscent of these groovy boots from Isabel Marant? Who knew?!

Then it was time for Billy to hit the stage...

Alas, Billy got 3rd place in this competition.

But back at the farm, it was all smiles.

XO, M.E.

this and that, prairie style...

Ahh, what a few weeks it has been.

In the midst of ME & Blue launching its fall collection at the Magic show in Las Vegas, I got word that my 100 year old grandfather was nearing the end. Off to Cherokee, Oklahoma I went for a few days... that has turned into a couple of weeks. It has been a blessing to see life go out as I feel new life inside of me.

Goofing around in Oklahoma... a week later, a more formal ceremony would take place.

I'm used to high rises and mountains as landmarks when I am driving. In small towns like Alva, Oklahoma, the grain elevator is a typical sight.

Sunset at the Great Salt Plains. Gorgeous. It's a great place to dig for salt crystals.

I love this sign, in nearby Helena, Oklahoma. It always makes me laugh.

Chilling out on the front porch. Fake beer and watching the traffic go by in the small town of Cherokee, Oklahoma.

We all stayed at my grandparent's house. And got the player piano going.

A formal funeral... my grandfather was the Chief of the Border Patrol and had a beautiful ceremony full of Border Patrol officers who did an amazing job of honoring his life.

He wrote this book , "The Journey" that discusses the significant historical events of his career...

Flags, 21 gunshots, and lots of olive green. The uniforms looked the same as they did 70 years ago.

Each rose represented a member of the Ster/Hughes/Molnar families. I view funerals as a chance to think and celebrate the best of the person and to think about how you want the rest of your life to go.

Later that day... a drive in the old pickup truck.

With my sister, Blue and her hubby, Kevin and Sallie who was all smiles.

Later that evening, family time at the Great Salt Plains State Park. Gorgeous.

It's been great to spend time with family and I'm fortunate to have a loving hubby who has been taking care of my life in LA. I can't wait to see him in a couple of days!

And many thanks to the ME & Blue gals (and guys!) who have helped me keep the business running while away.

XO, M.E.

OOOHH klahoma!

Last week my brother, Donald and sister, Blue joined my

Mom & Dad for a few days in Oklahoma. They all got together

to visit to our 100 year old Grandfather to the small town of

Cherokee, OK where he grew up and is now still living in...

I was recovering from my trip to London and will be heading out

there in the next week or so. I'm sorry I missed it. Fortunately,

my sister took these photos so I didn't feel like I missed out so much.

Blue in front of a rusty pickup.

Chloe Mae, the stray dog my parents found.

Uuh, purebred is more like it! She's GORGEOUS!

My Mom & Dad in front of the town elevator/silo.

I love this sign!

Donald jogging out on the dirt roads. Every intersection

means you've jogged a mile. If you every fly over this

part of the country, it looks like a quilt. The best part of

it? The grid system is great for tracking mileage!

I love this!

Donald and Blue at the grave site of our

Grandmother who passed late April of this

year.

Sunset.

XO, M.E.

If you can't stop...

This is my favorite hand painted sign. It's at the base of a giant "Co-op" grain silo. Everytime I'm in Cherokee, Oklahoma I stop and use it as a photo opportunity. It's Dave's first time in this quiet area of the country. And the first of many more photos. Do you have a spot that you always stop and take a photo?

XO, M.E.

a big birthday...

If you've visited the boutique, you know that I have vintage photos of me as a kid as part of the displays. This is one of my favorites. It's from Christmas Day circa 1972. I look all proud, my grandfather looks a bit confused with my crafty gift. And now we're celebrating something even bigger than a crafty gift. He's turning 100 in a few days. Wow!

XO, M.E.

party on the prairie and plenty of inspiration.

My mom and I took a detour from my recent trip to North Carolina to attend the funeral of my dear Aunt Frances. I had a chance at the end of the bittersweet day to hang out with my mom and cousins at the Cherokee, Oklahoma farmhouse where she and my Grandfather grew up. We hung out until the sun set, reminiscing about Frances' mom, Mary Ellen Blue Coppock and the memories that we had of her.

The outside has peeling paint, lots of land, a silo, and maize growing in the field.

The inside looks like the setting for an Anthropologie catalog, with floral carpeting, wall paper, and light switches. The red shag carpeting is a throwback to the early 70's.

My extended trip has been a gift in sharing quality time with my family. I'm fortunate to have quality help at my boutique until I'm back next week.

XO, M.E.