Stagecoach Mcgraw!

Stagecoach 2009- Sean Patrick Mcgraw played in front of 30,000-40,000 people. This is what the LA times had to say!!

Stagecoach 2009: Missing a stage, gaining a McGraw
04:31 PM PT, Apr 25 2009


One of the first things you might notice upon arrival at this year's Stagecoach is that despite all the barbecue, it feels a bit slimmer. It's not for a lack of lawn chairs, beer koozies or brisket though -- the fest is just down one stage this year. What was the Outdoor Stage last weekend has become barbecue alley, leaving a Mane Stage, a Mustang Stage and a new Palomino Stage in what was the Sahara Tent at last week's Coachella.
It's not all lean times early this Saturday, however. The Mane Stage saw a last-minute early addition, and a welcome one at that. Sean Patrick McGraw, a "Nashville Star" semi-finalist (and, as he specified, "not related to Tim, so I didn't pull any strings to be here") scampered in at the last minute to ply a zeitgeisty brand of country-rock that confirmed why he did well on the show. His tenor is strong and befitting of the bar-brawler ruckus that so many of his younger peers are working in right now. (It doesn't hurt that he kind of looks like Dwight Yoakam to boot.)
His early contender of a hit, "A Dollar Ain't Worth a Dime," is one of the first of what will surely be many recession-themed laments, but unlike John Rich's "Shutting Detroit Down," McGraw keeps his sociology enticingly vague, warning that "People do desperate things in desperate times/ if a man don't turn to Jesus, he'll turn to crime," but it doesn't feel like Christian proselytizing -- more an acknowledgment that neither course of action is likely to help in the long run.
But it's not all doomy warnings -- in between song banter, McGraw welcomed the occasion to be in California, where he could "let his freak flag fly" and indulge in our lax botanical pharmacopeia laws, which is our kind of country music philosophizing. As far as unexpected visits go at Stagecoach, McGraw can swing by any time he likes.
-August Brown
Photo credit: Getty Images

A rough week and then the water started to leak!

The last few weeks have been really, really, stressful. Which is very sad since my mother was here and she was so helpful and lovely to be around. Still, we had a difficult client situation which took the wind out of our sails...Literally. I think we all needed to get through it. The funny thing is even when life is bad it can always get worse. Knowing this is one thing. When we were kids we could never have a problem because my mother would always say "At least you aren't a Curd!" True, our lives were not embroiled in civil conflict but,,, when you are 16 pain is pain. Gratefully, we have changed our attitudes, turned a corner and made money this week! WE all have to continue to manifest ourselves...Then just when we do....My mother calls and says that her water line has broken and the Village can't seem to find the shut off so her yard and basement are being flooded. As the day progresses, the water rises and a double, triple time plumber is in the yard destroying her driveway trying to find the shut off. Suddenly, she remembers that the old owner (she has owned the house for over 20 years) so, I really mean old, might know where the line is...Sure enough he does but not before the driveway has been destroyed and the water has risen in the basement. Did I mention the repair is many thousands of dollars? I would send her to Paris but our Paris apartment connection just emailed me her whole guest bathroom caved in and the apartment won't be available until June! So, Mom, all I can say is "Thank God, you are not a Curd!"

Ode to a few of our Favorites

Our clients are just as unique as the furniture we make for them. As we go from home to home, spreading our Tumbleweed love, we can't help but want to share it with all of you. Here is a little taste of some of our Favorite homes that we have worked on and enjoyed so much...

Simple Romance added to a room can make your space feel warm and welcoming.

We Love the sunlight beaming through the windows radiating warmth through out the room.

Bead board cabinetry adds great subtle detail.

Simplistic and Clean.

Beach living at it's best...

Just a little Interior eye candy courtesy of Tumbleweed & Dandelion.

Is it a depression or are we just depressed?

When I need a break I think of Big Sur. When I am lucky I visit Big Sur. When I'm really lucky I get to take my friends with me. There is something so fullfilling about sharing a place you love with the ones you love.

On our tour we stopped at Hearst castle. It's a tour that never gets old. This time though, the message was different for me. This time, the story I heard was about a very successful and rich man who built a castle during the depression. It has really seemed like we are in a depression recently. The news and the outlooks are gloomy. I find myself steering towards the positive. We have heard so much lately about people (celebrities) who are downplaying their fame and fortune in reverence to the hardships many are facing. I understand this but at the same time I hope we don't sacrifice beauty, art and creativity in order to show our loyalty. We are a wonderful and exuberant nation filled with ideas and stories.

I hope the current economic crisis stimulates our ideas and senses to create what we have maybe been too lazy and satisfied to think of. On the tour they said we can never build another Hearst castle. I beg to differ. We must build more places of wonder for the world to enjoy. We must cherish what is old and reuse it in ways that embrace it as art and something new. We must recognize our power and celebrate our lives. I know success is a team effort. I thank you all for making Tumbleweed & Dandelion so successful.

Coincidences

This is a birthday blog...I have two friends that have the same birthday. They are both very special to me. We have all been through many changes in these past few years. Our friendships have changed. Our lives have changed. What will not change for me is how much they will both always mean to me. I sent Suzy a new item we sell that seemed perfect for her. Wine stoppers with intials on them. The funny thing is she sent me a wine stopper with a heart on it...I guess we both wanted a corkscrew? There is nothing better than the gift of friendship.

The Beautiful Things

It's a two egg day! I am so grateful for this experience. Everyday is like Christmas. Really, I pretty much forced the chicken life on Jonny but I must say, as always, he's handling it like a champ. I love that we can give fresh eggs to our friends and clients. I guess, I like the business of giving back.

" A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they will never sit in"...Pass it on.

Valentines Day

photo by Hunter McGee

A few weeks ago we started laying eggs! Yes, that is correct the Fineman-McGraw farm has eggs. Not all of our girls are laying yet but we know a Polish chicken and Big Daisy are. So, our Valentines Day will begin with some Daisy egg omlets and then off to the weed to sell our wares.