01 January 2008

That thing I couldn't tell you before

Remember this little secret? It's been burning a hole in my mental pocket.

But now I can share the news, because there's an official press release posted, finally.

We're both being flown to El Paso the second weekend of February for wining and dining and touring and tie-straightening and prize-accepting. We're very happy and excited.

So 99.9% or more of you have never heard of this award, but in our obscure little world, the fine press realm, it's something very lovely and yes, even significant. Not quite the Nobel Prize, of course, but certainly prestigious enough to cause my fella to blush and me to beat my chest. It's good for morale, good for business, good for our reputation, good for seeing part of Texas on someone else's generous tab, good good good, oh, goody!

Rob hates it when I call him Mr. Big. But I can't resist teasing him, with all the pride and affection in my heart.

He'll get honors, a check, and . . . A MEDAL. We're still chuckling over that one. I will get a new dress, a la our business account. I'm satisfied—no complaints here. And we get to fly on a big ol' aeroplane. Are we country mice, or what?

Thank you, Mister J. Carl Hertzog and company.

(P.S. HAPPY NEW YEAR!)

39 comments:

Anonymous said...

May I be the first (here anyway) to congratulate you both?

Anonymous said...

And to tell you it couldn't happen to finer people. I hope you have a lovely time.

Happy New Year to you, too!

Elizabeth-W said...

Congrats!
That's my old stompin' grounds! I used to go to tri stake dances down there.
Happy New Year! I sneaked some black-eyed peas into a black bean dip, and will have cole slaw later today--my grandma would serve steamed cabbage, but that ain't my thing.

i i eee said...

Oh congrats!!! That's so cool! And a MEDAL! Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

GrittyPretty said...

YAY for Mr. Big and his medal and Geo and her new dress! and yay for el paso in february. score.

Geo said...

Thanks, ladies! Yippety-skippety!

Geo said...

EW. I'm taking the straightforward approach to my good luck this year—no disguising of the peas. My husband knows well his duty every January 1st. Must. Eat. The. Peas. At least I'm trying a cajun recipe this year, so that ought to liven things up.

We make a killer cole slaw here. It's a house special. It's a hundred times better than steamed or (worse, ack, ecch) boiled cabbage. That was my grandma's favorite—boiled.

La Yen said...

Hooray! I don't know what "touring" you will get out here, but hopefully they will take you to Cattleman's--the best steak for three states.

Anonymous said...

Speaking of the peas: this made me think of you.

QueenScarlett said...

That is AWESOME. CONGRATS! I love how you describe it in your post. ;-)

Have fun.

ps. Where can we see the actual book design?? VERY VERY COOL.

Geo said...

LA YEN. Ooo, thanks for the tip. I don't know if we'll have any choices in the matter, but if we do, I'd love to have a good ol' Texan steak.

C-DUB. Sounds like a winning recipe. The main thing is getting them et. Getting them et deliciously is bonus. (Of course, it's not that hard to do.)

QUEEN. I am going to be seriously hard at work for the next little bit, redesigning our press web page and shooting new photos of all our books. This was on the docket for early 2008 anyway, but suddenly, now we've got this Hertzog award thing adding fuel to the fire. Got a new camera yesterday, and now I have to figure out a homemade lightbox or something, and then crank this stuff out. I'll let y'all know when the press page has been revamped.

Meanwhile, here's at least one pic of a page from the book.

LuckyRedHen said...

Spooky... about 12 hours ago I was molesting your "Love came down" card (I can't get enough of a delicious letterpress - heaven to my finger tips, knuckle pits and palms) and proudly declaring to our NYE guests that my beautiful friend is the creator of such magnificence.

Make-shift lightbox via tracing paper... as suggested by a commercial photog I ran into at FedEx a few weeks ago, Lincoln Potter. Set up a tent-like structure using tracing paper and shoot the flash through that to create some thorough light. Or, fly me down for a weekend and I'll help slash do it for you ;o)

b. said...

Goody Good Good for YOUUUU!!!

That page is absolutely Beautiful!

I know and Love you. I've met Rob at least twice....am I lucky or what?

Rynell said...

What wonderful news! Many congratulations...I just love it when great people (with great talent) get their due accolades.

Geo said...

LUCKY. I can't afford you. Not unless I hock Mr. Big's medal-to-be. Even then. Sheesh. But thanks for the tip. I remember seeing some cool Ikea hacks for devising a light box on the Make Magazine blog, but your idea might be even better. I think we have something like tracing paper in the flat files somewhere . . . .

When you have worn out your last letterpress sample, let me know and I'll hook you up with another. A person like you should never be without a swatch in her pocket, just for the sake of security.

xoxoxo

B. THANKS!

Well, I know YOU and love YOU and I get to have lunch with you tomorrow. Am ***I*** lucky or what?

Geo said...

RYNELL. And I just love it when my friends are great cheerleaders! You're so sweet. Thanks!

Am'n2Deep said...

A fantastically, wonderful surprise indeed!!! I am so happy for you both! It makes me want to do a dance for ya! (well, in private--oh, that didn't sound good either...ok, forget the dance--can I give you a big squeeze tomorrow instead?) :Z

Lois said...

How exciting is this? Congratulations! Too cool.

I think you should wear the medal to church every week. Heck, wear it grocery shopping!

Kalli Ko said...

brush a little dirt off your shoulder... and maybe some off of Mr. Big's.


Congrats!!!

Geo said...

AM'N. Sure! And we'll do the dance of joy together!

LOIS. Good ideas. I'm not above being obnoxious.

KALLI. Look out, El Paso, here come the Mormon hayseeds.

Jamie said...

On the award: Bravo, my lovelies! That's wonderful!

But I always thought of a trip to El Paso as punishment...

HA! The new dress adn the plane ride will be nice, though!

Love you! What a great thing (and a gospel-sharing piece!)

Geo said...

JAMIE. It's not the Bahamas, it's true, but hey, it's a trip, and it's a trip with a purpose. El Paso? Bring it on! At least we won't be freezing our butts off.

P.S. By the way, I'd rather go to Iceland than the Bahamas.

Melissa Goodsell said...

WOW that's really awesome...congratulations!! Thanks for stopping by my blog too :O)
Melx

Amy said...

Geo, the comments on this blog are getting out of control. You're so popular! But big congrats to you both, that's so great! Have you guys got pics of the Olive Tree online anywhere? I've wanted to see it since I first heard about it. It's wonderful when awards go to the right people!

Wendy said...

That is fantastic! Congratulations!!

Chemical Billy said...

waHOO yippee ti-yi-yay!! Go Mssr and Madame Buchert!

Geo said...

MELISSA. Oh, welcome! It's nice to have you here.

AMY. These are all my paid friends. You are the only volunteer to show up here and comment. I s'pose now that the secret's out I'll have to arrange to put you on the payroll as well. (It's totally worth it!)

As for the book, I will be shooting photos very soon, and I'll let you know when they're up for perusal.

WENDY. Thanks, I agree!

BILLY. Cowboy's in my blood. Maybe some red boots for the occasion?

sue-donym said...

Oh I wish I would have read this before lunch today - I would have given you an even bigger hug. I'm so excited for you! What deserving people. Will Rob let you wear the medal to lunches and stuff?

Geo said...

SUE. You give great hugs, no matter what's going on.

The medal? I thought I'd knit some kind of headpiece that will hold it onto the middle of my forehead.

Janet said...

Wow, this is GREAT NEWS!! No wonder you were having a tough time keeping the secret. This is a deserved honor.

Now you can print that book about getting married. Probably won't win art awards but it will probably sell.

Rob's illustrations are amazing. I must stop and see this gem.

Janet

KJ said...

that's really something to be proud of!

Geo said...

E-COACH. Thanks, Janet!

If I can ever get the originals from my friend, maybe I will print that book.

KIMBERLY. Welcome! Thank you for your comment.

Brooke said...

oh, congratulations-- i'm all about new dresses.

and awards.

Nigel said...

I failed to make pork and sauerkraut and/or black-eyed peas, but as a great man once said "There is no luck, either you're blessed or you ain't." Congrats on the prestigious award. Too bad it didn't come with a leg-shaped lamp. But seriously, y'all are as close as I've ever seen to a self-made man/woman

Elizabeth said...

Wow!

Congratulations!

Carina said...

Because you do lovely work.

Jory Dayne said...

WOW!

Not that I am, at all, surprised -- but congratulations! That's wonderful!

SusieQ said...

Congratulations to Rob. And to you, too, for getting to buy a new dress and take a trip to El Paso with your love. Too bad you couldn't have been there in time to see the Oregon vs. South Florida State Sun Bowl. GO DUCKS!! (if you're into football)

Geo said...

BROOKE. Thanks! Any suggestions for where to shop?

NIGEL. I'm glad to pass on the lamp—we'd probably have been given J. Carl Hertzog's leg. I'm guessing not too attractive.

EVERYBODY. Thanks!