We started our Holidays with a trip to Austin, where our main purpose was to go to the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar. It used to be fun and quirky. It still is! Hurray! It is a little more upscale these days.

Our favorite place was a rock and mineral shop, just east of I-35. It served the scientist with lots of fossils and beautiful rock specimens. It served the mystic with singing bowls and healing crystals.

Ella was loading a bag with polished rocks, when one of the staff said, “Do you know that crystals have healing power?” He showed Ella how to hold the quartz in her hand and feel its vibrations. Even my geologist husband said, “Quartz does have some weird electrical characteristics.”

Eva found a sweater stone for me there. It’s not what you think! It’s a piece of rhodochrosite. I’ve always said my pink Seveness cardigan has the look of rhodochrosite. Amazing! I’m going to start taking it to workshops with me.

on the wall of Austin Art Glass building

We wandered to South Congress Avenue, where we stopped by Austin Art Glass. This was painted on the side of the building. It reminded me of yarn, which was good, because we didn’t have time to visit Hill Country Weavers. Aww shucks…I guess we’ll have to make another trip to Austin.