Taken along the roadside on a walk near Auty.
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Friday, July 17, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
craft day in the chateau studio
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Greeting us in our rooms on arrival was our own cheery French General craft bag, sewn from Kaari's new Rouenneries fabric line for Moda. Inside were several smaller kit bags, the longstanding French General jewelry tool kit, and a needle book from Moda.
After Monday's leisurely breakfast, we gathered in Lizzie's reconstructed craft room up the narrow railinged staircase among the rafters over the barn. Our first craft session with Kaari was a lesson in needle felting, using dyed alpaca wools.
Greeting us in our rooms on arrival was our own cheery French General craft bag, sewn from Kaari's new Rouenneries fabric line for Moda. Inside were several smaller kit bags, the longstanding French General jewelry tool kit, and a needle book from Moda.
After Monday's leisurely breakfast, we gathered in Lizzie's reconstructed craft room up the narrow railinged staircase among the rafters over the barn. Our first craft session with Kaari was a lesson in needle felting, using dyed alpaca wools.
Photo by Cathy Mogull
Many of the ladies made sweet little felted animals. Sitting across from me, Megan made a bumblebee complete with wings, while I made a striped heart. Lizzie had also hired two masseuses to give massages throughout the day, so one by one the ladies interrupted their craft sessions to go be pampered.
We also laid out our supplies to start putting together the necklace and bracelet kits from Kaari's bag. The studio remained open for us to come and go, working on our crafts as we had time, even after dinner if we could muster the energy.
Later in the afternoon we headed off to Septfonds for a tour of Chapeau Willy's, a small local hat factory and one of the oldest in the area. In spite of its age, we couldn't see evidence of old millinery supplies, so we asked. Isabella, the 6th-generation family owner, told us her sad tale of a burglary followed by a fire that destroyed fingerprints and almost all the old inventory.
As we gathered around her, a woman who had worked in the hat factory for over 40 years nimbly machine-stitched together strips of straw braid to make the factory's specialty, the braided straw hat. Most of the machinery, both sewing machines and hat-pressing molds, were fairly old, a few newer machines sitting idly by and critiqued as unequal to the task.
Cathy spotted this straw beauty, one of the few remaining older hats hung on the factory wall. Since Isabella could not part with it, Cathy decided to have a similar one made. After choosing the width and color of straw braid, she found some rosy vintage-looking flowers high on a shelf plus chocolate grosgrain for the rim, and ordered the molded shape she wanted, all to be done by the end of the week.
After another full day, dinner on the veranda was followed by a local wine and cheese tasting, presented in French by a local sommelier. Lizzie translated while we sampled fig and nut breads, soft cheeses, goat cheeses, and red and white wines, all specialties of the neighboring areas. Dusk enveloped us after 10 pm, but we lingered on.
.
We also laid out our supplies to start putting together the necklace and bracelet kits from Kaari's bag. The studio remained open for us to come and go, working on our crafts as we had time, even after dinner if we could muster the energy.
Later in the afternoon we headed off to Septfonds for a tour of Chapeau Willy's, a small local hat factory and one of the oldest in the area. In spite of its age, we couldn't see evidence of old millinery supplies, so we asked. Isabella, the 6th-generation family owner, told us her sad tale of a burglary followed by a fire that destroyed fingerprints and almost all the old inventory.
As we gathered around her, a woman who had worked in the hat factory for over 40 years nimbly machine-stitched together strips of straw braid to make the factory's specialty, the braided straw hat. Most of the machinery, both sewing machines and hat-pressing molds, were fairly old, a few newer machines sitting idly by and critiqued as unequal to the task.
Cathy spotted this straw beauty, one of the few remaining older hats hung on the factory wall. Since Isabella could not part with it, Cathy decided to have a similar one made. After choosing the width and color of straw braid, she found some rosy vintage-looking flowers high on a shelf plus chocolate grosgrain for the rim, and ordered the molded shape she wanted, all to be done by the end of the week.
After another full day, dinner on the veranda was followed by a local wine and cheese tasting, presented in French by a local sommelier. Lizzie translated while we sampled fig and nut breads, soft cheeses, goat cheeses, and red and white wines, all specialties of the neighboring areas. Dusk enveloped us after 10 pm, but we lingered on.
.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
sunday afternoon brocante in toulouse
.
Sunday afternoon we sped along curving roads and through numerous traffic circles to the monthly Toulouse flea market, about an hour southeast of the Chateau. Arranged in a long loop, with vendors lined up both sides of each aisle, the brocante offered tons of stuff to sort through. The vendors seemed to know each other and were enjoying the weekend company, visiting back and forth, calling on a friend for help in translation. We wondered whether the slowing economy had also affected their sales. They were certainly happy to see our group ambling through the booths. Necessity being the mother instigator, I found that my rusty French was creaking back into usable phrases. By the end of the afternoon, I was engaged with a toothless vendor in a lengthy discussion on how to care for my newly-purchased large embroidered linen sheet, most of which I understood, I think.
My favorite booth may have been this one with stacks of embroidered convent linens on and under the tables. However, since we all seemed to converge on this vendor at the same time, asking how much for this and how much for that, she apparently felt overwhelmed and scuttled away. Later, on my second loop, I made my small purchase of napkins embroidered with the initial P.
As we neared the end of one side of the loop and were just about pooped from the heat, there was a counter selling sausage, frites, and drinks. Kaari, Molly, Kick, Cathy and I took advantage of the respite to regroup. But as soon as we finished our frites and started down the second aisle, I was diverted again by an old lithograph in an ornate frame sized just right for my larger suitcase. Luckily for me, Molly was ferrying our mounting purchases back to her car. Toward the end of the afternoon, we gathered in a nearby park for a picnic, sitting on Sandy's newly purchased linen sheet spread out on the grass.
After another delicious dinner by MamaJo back at the Chateau, we shared our brocante finds and our stories of bargaining for le bon prix.
Cheryl, Moda's design director who is collaborating with Kaari on her new French General line of fabrics, happily showed off her linen torchons and fabrics.
Sandy, a senior designer for Moda, found a vintage painting on canvas to roll up and take home to her studio for inspiration.
And here's the large embroidered linen sheet I bargained down to almost half price, with Kaari and Lizzie helping to unfold and examine it on the verandah. Plus a sampling of other treasures of the day.
.
Sunday afternoon we sped along curving roads and through numerous traffic circles to the monthly Toulouse flea market, about an hour southeast of the Chateau. Arranged in a long loop, with vendors lined up both sides of each aisle, the brocante offered tons of stuff to sort through. The vendors seemed to know each other and were enjoying the weekend company, visiting back and forth, calling on a friend for help in translation. We wondered whether the slowing economy had also affected their sales. They were certainly happy to see our group ambling through the booths. Necessity being the mother instigator, I found that my rusty French was creaking back into usable phrases. By the end of the afternoon, I was engaged with a toothless vendor in a lengthy discussion on how to care for my newly-purchased large embroidered linen sheet, most of which I understood, I think.
My favorite booth may have been this one with stacks of embroidered convent linens on and under the tables. However, since we all seemed to converge on this vendor at the same time, asking how much for this and how much for that, she apparently felt overwhelmed and scuttled away. Later, on my second loop, I made my small purchase of napkins embroidered with the initial P.
Kaari's sister Molly, Kaari Meng, Kaari's mother Kick
As we neared the end of one side of the loop and were just about pooped from the heat, there was a counter selling sausage, frites, and drinks. Kaari, Molly, Kick, Cathy and I took advantage of the respite to regroup. But as soon as we finished our frites and started down the second aisle, I was diverted again by an old lithograph in an ornate frame sized just right for my larger suitcase. Luckily for me, Molly was ferrying our mounting purchases back to her car. Toward the end of the afternoon, we gathered in a nearby park for a picnic, sitting on Sandy's newly purchased linen sheet spread out on the grass.
Photo by Cathy Mogull
After another delicious dinner by MamaJo back at the Chateau, we shared our brocante finds and our stories of bargaining for le bon prix.
Cheryl, Moda's design director who is collaborating with Kaari on her new French General line of fabrics, happily showed off her linen torchons and fabrics.
Sandy, a senior designer for Moda, found a vintage painting on canvas to roll up and take home to her studio for inspiration.
Photo by Michelle Jorgensen
And here's the large embroidered linen sheet I bargained down to almost half price, with Kaari and Lizzie helping to unfold and examine it on the verandah. Plus a sampling of other treasures of the day.
.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
sunday morning st antonin farmers' market
.
Early Sunday morning, after a Continental breakfast of croissants, fruit and yogurt, coffee and tea laid out in the cool-toned dining room and eaten outside on the shaded verandah, we boarded the mini-bus for the short drive to the weekly farmer's market at Saint Antonin Noble-Val. Vendors of fresh produce, baked breads, meats and sausages, spices, cheeses, assorted packaged foodstuffs plus clothing and knick-knacks lined the medieval streets winding away from the town center. Every display was enticingly laid out for choosing and occasionally for sampling.
This vendor so enjoyed using his English to cajole our friendly group of American women that we all were treated to free samples of his prized patés. While he had our rapt attention, he did a tidy business in patés, olive oils, and other plane-worthy comestibles.
Like many of the enduring old towns in southwestern France, Saint Antonin was subjected to the religious upheavals of Catholic, then Cathar, then Protestant influence, plus various incursions from northern kings. Nonetheless, its wealthy merchants left a marvelous heritage of medieval houses in all the streets leading out from the place de la Halle. Above the market booths as they wound along were these wonderful old facades with interesting stonework, especially around the windows with their colorful wooden shutters, plus the occasional gargoyle and church steeple. At every corner, narrow streets jutted off at crooked angles.
Not surprisingly, the old town was used as a location for the 2001 movie Charlotte Gray, starring Cate Blanchett.
After depositing our purchases back in the minibus, we were off to spend Sunday afternoon at the monthly flea market in Toulouse. But you've been patient enough with these morning photos (there are so many to choose from), so I'll be back. I hope you are enjoying the views with me.
.
Early Sunday morning, after a Continental breakfast of croissants, fruit and yogurt, coffee and tea laid out in the cool-toned dining room and eaten outside on the shaded verandah, we boarded the mini-bus for the short drive to the weekly farmer's market at Saint Antonin Noble-Val. Vendors of fresh produce, baked breads, meats and sausages, spices, cheeses, assorted packaged foodstuffs plus clothing and knick-knacks lined the medieval streets winding away from the town center. Every display was enticingly laid out for choosing and occasionally for sampling.
This vendor so enjoyed using his English to cajole our friendly group of American women that we all were treated to free samples of his prized patés. While he had our rapt attention, he did a tidy business in patés, olive oils, and other plane-worthy comestibles.
Like many of the enduring old towns in southwestern France, Saint Antonin was subjected to the religious upheavals of Catholic, then Cathar, then Protestant influence, plus various incursions from northern kings. Nonetheless, its wealthy merchants left a marvelous heritage of medieval houses in all the streets leading out from the place de la Halle. Above the market booths as they wound along were these wonderful old facades with interesting stonework, especially around the windows with their colorful wooden shutters, plus the occasional gargoyle and church steeple. At every corner, narrow streets jutted off at crooked angles.
Not surprisingly, the old town was used as a location for the 2001 movie Charlotte Gray, starring Cate Blanchett.
After depositing our purchases back in the minibus, we were off to spend Sunday afternoon at the monthly flea market in Toulouse. But you've been patient enough with these morning photos (there are so many to choose from), so I'll be back. I hope you are enjoying the views with me.
.
Monday, July 13, 2009
postcards from Auty
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Now that I'm home from my vacation and workshop sojourn in France, I have a few photos to share. After spending the first part of a relaxing week casually strolling the parks of Paris with my husband, on Saturday I flew on to Toulouse while he continued his journey to Kuwait. At the Toulouse/Bagnac airport, I joined the lovely group of 14 women from around the States who were spending the next week together (July 4-11) at the first French General Chateau Getaway with Kaari Meng. Once we all packed our suitcases into the mini bus, we headed off through the countryside in the southwest of France to Auty. Our bus driver was in full Tour de France mode as he sped and careened along the narrow curving roads, but the scenery was beautiful.
Chateau Dumas is in the rolling fields of Auty, about an hour's drive northeast from Toulouse. Chateau owner Lizzie Hulme welcomed us with cooling drinks and then showed us our rooms before dinner outside on the veranda, overlooking the chateau grounds. My light-filled room on the third floor included a sweeping view of neighboring farms and a reservoir in the distance. Fields of sunflowers stretched in all directions.
Although the original Chateau was destroyed during the French Revolution (a sad tale we heard over and over as we toured the region), it was rebuilt during the 19th century. As the story goes, the Baron who owned the Chateau was a card enthusiast who continually gambled away the local farms he owned. His wife would then repurchase them during the following days.
Our delicious dinner, and most of the meals to come, was prepared by MamaJo, Lizzie's mum, who kept us fortified with her cookbook-worthy specialties, lots of fresh produce from the region, and plenty of local wine. In anticipation of a full Sunday with trips to two markets, we headed (relatively) early to bed. In following posts, I'll try to recap each day for you.
P.S. I forgot to mention how this Saturday started. Since my husband and I were leaving at different times from the Charles de Gaulle airport, I was there quite a bit earlier than my flight to Toulouse. As I was reading in the gate area surrounded by sunny windows, a wedding party arrived for a different flight -- charming chattering happy people dressed for a summer wedding, some with long dress bags to hang on the nearby kiosks. Then the treats arrived. Armloads of pastel Ladurée bags were passed out to each member of the wedding party. Not one person could resist unwrapping the beautiful boxes inside and eating the delicately colored macaroons on the spot.
.
Now that I'm home from my vacation and workshop sojourn in France, I have a few photos to share. After spending the first part of a relaxing week casually strolling the parks of Paris with my husband, on Saturday I flew on to Toulouse while he continued his journey to Kuwait. At the Toulouse/Bagnac airport, I joined the lovely group of 14 women from around the States who were spending the next week together (July 4-11) at the first French General Chateau Getaway with Kaari Meng. Once we all packed our suitcases into the mini bus, we headed off through the countryside in the southwest of France to Auty. Our bus driver was in full Tour de France mode as he sped and careened along the narrow curving roads, but the scenery was beautiful.
Chateau Dumas is in the rolling fields of Auty, about an hour's drive northeast from Toulouse. Chateau owner Lizzie Hulme welcomed us with cooling drinks and then showed us our rooms before dinner outside on the veranda, overlooking the chateau grounds. My light-filled room on the third floor included a sweeping view of neighboring farms and a reservoir in the distance. Fields of sunflowers stretched in all directions.
Although the original Chateau was destroyed during the French Revolution (a sad tale we heard over and over as we toured the region), it was rebuilt during the 19th century. As the story goes, the Baron who owned the Chateau was a card enthusiast who continually gambled away the local farms he owned. His wife would then repurchase them during the following days.
Our delicious dinner, and most of the meals to come, was prepared by MamaJo, Lizzie's mum, who kept us fortified with her cookbook-worthy specialties, lots of fresh produce from the region, and plenty of local wine. In anticipation of a full Sunday with trips to two markets, we headed (relatively) early to bed. In following posts, I'll try to recap each day for you.
P.S. I forgot to mention how this Saturday started. Since my husband and I were leaving at different times from the Charles de Gaulle airport, I was there quite a bit earlier than my flight to Toulouse. As I was reading in the gate area surrounded by sunny windows, a wedding party arrived for a different flight -- charming chattering happy people dressed for a summer wedding, some with long dress bags to hang on the nearby kiosks. Then the treats arrived. Armloads of pastel Ladurée bags were passed out to each member of the wedding party. Not one person could resist unwrapping the beautiful boxes inside and eating the delicately colored macaroons on the spot.
.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
prepping pages for the plane
.
While taking a few moments to prep some pages in my travel journal, I decided to collage a page with just a few scraps gathered from my desk. Collecting bits of wallpaper, Jenni Bowlin paper, Anna Griffin paper, some leftover Sizzix die cut shapes and letters, and a couple rubber stamps, this page was arranged in minutes. I applied some bluish ink and washed it over the pages for background color.
After gluing everything in place, I penned in some words and hope to continue journaling on the plane, where they still do allow pens, if not embroidery scissors. Can you tell that I'm excited to be on my way?
.
While taking a few moments to prep some pages in my travel journal, I decided to collage a page with just a few scraps gathered from my desk. Collecting bits of wallpaper, Jenni Bowlin paper, Anna Griffin paper, some leftover Sizzix die cut shapes and letters, and a couple rubber stamps, this page was arranged in minutes. I applied some bluish ink and washed it over the pages for background color.
After gluing everything in place, I penned in some words and hope to continue journaling on the plane, where they still do allow pens, if not embroidery scissors. Can you tell that I'm excited to be on my way?
.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
embroidery party
.
Even though I forgot my camera and can't show you the yummy chicken salad made by Amy's dad or the dainty little cupcakes showcased on their pedestal stand with little fairies beckoning us to taste, I can tell you what a fun day we had lunching and stitching at sweet Amy's embroidery craft day. Claudine, Lorraine, Sue, Hope, Lia and I all came together to progress with our beginning or rusty embroidery skills, bringing our bits and pieces to add to our sampler and to share across the table.
Beforehand, as a little treat to myself, I started a needle book to keep track of my needles. So far I've hand-sewn the cover, using soft pink chenille on the front, lining it with white felt, and binding it with pink blanket tape. Inside I'm adding a pink linen page for the needles, binding the raw edges with red blanket stitch. But, since the page is double-sided, I'm having trouble ending and starting the threads without making a big lump where I anchor the ends. So I brought the needle book-in-progress to Amy's for advice.
Happily, both Amy and her mother Marjorie with her soft southern drawl demonstrated stitch after stitch. Marjorie showed me a blanket-bag project she was edging with blanket stitch and showed me how I could roll my linen edges to hide the raw fabric and tuck in the thread ends.
Amy's joyously-colored embroidery sampler (see here and here) inspired us all to draw some squares on our background fabric and get started. My beginner's hand was a little shaky, but Claudine plunged right in, sewing on some buttons and beads to remove that blank slate feeling.
My sitting next to Sue afforded me another visual treat. Sue used to own a vintage dress shop and generously shared her pile of gorgeous vintage lace bits which she plopped temptingly right next to me. Using Claudine's idea to get over the hump, I found a small lace remnant to sew as a corner frame above the bird Amy iron-transferred onto my linen. I think Sue called that row of white stitches I made along the top of the lace an entredos stitch. Then I bravely tackled some French knots to anchor the little flower sections. And finally I used some back stitch and Amy's fill stitch to add a leafy branch. Phew! So much time, so few stitches to show you.
Next up is the little bird. And if the early mornings stay cool for the next few days, I think I'll take my embroidery out to my favorite deck chair. My comfy chair (shown in the first photo) is covered with the quilt I purchased at half price at the Beekeeper's Cottage at Luckett's last week on our girls' shopping day. Oh, and my sewing bag is from last year's Silver Bella Prada Schmada class with Charlotte Lyons. And then I'll carry my embroidery on the plane to France, just in case I have any free time during my visit . . .
.
Even though I forgot my camera and can't show you the yummy chicken salad made by Amy's dad or the dainty little cupcakes showcased on their pedestal stand with little fairies beckoning us to taste, I can tell you what a fun day we had lunching and stitching at sweet Amy's embroidery craft day. Claudine, Lorraine, Sue, Hope, Lia and I all came together to progress with our beginning or rusty embroidery skills, bringing our bits and pieces to add to our sampler and to share across the table.
Beforehand, as a little treat to myself, I started a needle book to keep track of my needles. So far I've hand-sewn the cover, using soft pink chenille on the front, lining it with white felt, and binding it with pink blanket tape. Inside I'm adding a pink linen page for the needles, binding the raw edges with red blanket stitch. But, since the page is double-sided, I'm having trouble ending and starting the threads without making a big lump where I anchor the ends. So I brought the needle book-in-progress to Amy's for advice.
Happily, both Amy and her mother Marjorie with her soft southern drawl demonstrated stitch after stitch. Marjorie showed me a blanket-bag project she was edging with blanket stitch and showed me how I could roll my linen edges to hide the raw fabric and tuck in the thread ends.
Amy's joyously-colored embroidery sampler (see here and here) inspired us all to draw some squares on our background fabric and get started. My beginner's hand was a little shaky, but Claudine plunged right in, sewing on some buttons and beads to remove that blank slate feeling.
My sitting next to Sue afforded me another visual treat. Sue used to own a vintage dress shop and generously shared her pile of gorgeous vintage lace bits which she plopped temptingly right next to me. Using Claudine's idea to get over the hump, I found a small lace remnant to sew as a corner frame above the bird Amy iron-transferred onto my linen. I think Sue called that row of white stitches I made along the top of the lace an entredos stitch. Then I bravely tackled some French knots to anchor the little flower sections. And finally I used some back stitch and Amy's fill stitch to add a leafy branch. Phew! So much time, so few stitches to show you.
Next up is the little bird. And if the early mornings stay cool for the next few days, I think I'll take my embroidery out to my favorite deck chair. My comfy chair (shown in the first photo) is covered with the quilt I purchased at half price at the Beekeeper's Cottage at Luckett's last week on our girls' shopping day. Oh, and my sewing bag is from last year's Silver Bella Prada Schmada class with Charlotte Lyons. And then I'll carry my embroidery on the plane to France, just in case I have any free time during my visit . . .
.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
reading corner
.
Another day filled with rain made my reading corner just the place for a relaxing break. It's next to the window so I could listen to the heavy drops cascade into the garden while I started some homework. Next week sweet Amy is hosting an embroidery party, and I decided I need at least to learn some stitch vocabulary. Plus today I signed up for a Silver Bella embroidery swap hosted by Rebecca. Such fun ahead!
I found the two paperback books on eBay, and they look so enticing that even as a beginner I'm hooked. Luckily, they are both filled with diagrams and directions. Crewel and Surface Embroidery by Trish Burr is a 2008 publication, still available on Amazon, with 17 projects from beginner to advanced levels and lots of tip on techniques. Monograms, the Art of Embroidered Letters, by Susan O'Connor was published in Australia in 2007, so it's harder to find. Again it's filled with illustrated techniques and two sets of templates.
Beside my carved Victorian reading chair, on the old table bought in Holland in the 80's, are three handblown balls from North Carolina (others have broken in our many moves) in a Coalport china bowl acquired when I worked for Wedgwood in Germany. A hand-carved lion made by the same carver and from the same stone being used to restore columns in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre when I lived in Jerusalem in the 70's sits next to an old iron pedestal stand found long ago in some antique shop. The silk flowers are leftover from an art event I helped decorate. This quiet corner, like many others in my home, reminds me of all the countries and houses I've lived in, pursuing my adventures.
Another day filled with rain made my reading corner just the place for a relaxing break. It's next to the window so I could listen to the heavy drops cascade into the garden while I started some homework. Next week sweet Amy is hosting an embroidery party, and I decided I need at least to learn some stitch vocabulary. Plus today I signed up for a Silver Bella embroidery swap hosted by Rebecca. Such fun ahead!
I found the two paperback books on eBay, and they look so enticing that even as a beginner I'm hooked. Luckily, they are both filled with diagrams and directions. Crewel and Surface Embroidery by Trish Burr is a 2008 publication, still available on Amazon, with 17 projects from beginner to advanced levels and lots of tip on techniques. Monograms, the Art of Embroidered Letters, by Susan O'Connor was published in Australia in 2007, so it's harder to find. Again it's filled with illustrated techniques and two sets of templates.
Beside my carved Victorian reading chair, on the old table bought in Holland in the 80's, are three handblown balls from North Carolina (others have broken in our many moves) in a Coalport china bowl acquired when I worked for Wedgwood in Germany. A hand-carved lion made by the same carver and from the same stone being used to restore columns in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre when I lived in Jerusalem in the 70's sits next to an old iron pedestal stand found long ago in some antique shop. The silk flowers are leftover from an art event I helped decorate. This quiet corner, like many others in my home, reminds me of all the countries and houses I've lived in, pursuing my adventures.
.
Monday, June 15, 2009
lovely ladies in love with vintage
.
This past Friday, Heather brilliantly organized a lovely shopping day in Leesburg that brought together blogging friends from PA, OH, MD, VA, and even KS. She further managed a day full of sunshine after weeks of thunder and rain here. We enjoyed wonderful hours of laughing and shopping and eating -- and getting to know each other in person.
You'll enjoy such a treat when you visit each of their blogs (see links above) for gorgeous photos showcasing their favorite images of the day. Although I'm lucky enough to shop at these vintage places more often, it's such an eye-opener to see the day through their eyes, and to see what I may have missed, too. And yes, I was too busy chatting to remember to take many photos myself.
Our full day started with a couple hours at Lucketts, the Beekeeper's Cottage, and the Design House. Inside Lucketts is the small shop Fleurish where, as blogging serendipity would have it, we met the owner Karen, the Graphics Fairy, who came to life right before our eyes. Down the road at On a Whim, the owner Donna told us stories about her wonderful prom gown collection and took our group photos. In Leesburg at The Cottage, owner Ann was pleased to see old and new friends come to visit.
Needing a mid-day refreshment break at Lola's, we indulged in homemade cookies and lemonade and cokes in the green bottle while examining the very prolific pages of Hope's journal. Fortified, we made our way to the Antique Emporium and then Ekster's, where the light subtle European tones of gray and white delighted everyone.
Ok, I was compelled to take this photo of my raspberry sherbet dessert at Tuscarora Mills where they graciously gathered together a looong table for our 11 hungry selves. Lacking a sweet tooth, I seldom eat dessert, but this was delicious!
And afterwards we stayed on chatting outside Tuskies through the balmy evening . . .
.
The Ladies Leesburg Vintage Society
Back row: Jessica, Pam, Lori, Amy, Heather, Andrea
Front Row: Hope, Karla, Beth, Stephenie, Robin
Photo by Donna Troxler, owner On a Whim
Front Row: Hope, Karla, Beth, Stephenie, Robin
Photo by Donna Troxler, owner On a Whim
This past Friday, Heather brilliantly organized a lovely shopping day in Leesburg that brought together blogging friends from PA, OH, MD, VA, and even KS. She further managed a day full of sunshine after weeks of thunder and rain here. We enjoyed wonderful hours of laughing and shopping and eating -- and getting to know each other in person.
Amy, Karla, Jessica, Lori, Andrea, Heather inside the Antique Emporium
You'll enjoy such a treat when you visit each of their blogs (see links above) for gorgeous photos showcasing their favorite images of the day. Although I'm lucky enough to shop at these vintage places more often, it's such an eye-opener to see the day through their eyes, and to see what I may have missed, too. And yes, I was too busy chatting to remember to take many photos myself.
Amy, Heather, Stephenie, Lori at On a Whim
Our full day started with a couple hours at Lucketts, the Beekeeper's Cottage, and the Design House. Inside Lucketts is the small shop Fleurish where, as blogging serendipity would have it, we met the owner Karen, the Graphics Fairy, who came to life right before our eyes. Down the road at On a Whim, the owner Donna told us stories about her wonderful prom gown collection and took our group photos. In Leesburg at The Cottage, owner Ann was pleased to see old and new friends come to visit.
Robin, Beth, Jessica outside Lola's
Needing a mid-day refreshment break at Lola's, we indulged in homemade cookies and lemonade and cokes in the green bottle while examining the very prolific pages of Hope's journal. Fortified, we made our way to the Antique Emporium and then Ekster's, where the light subtle European tones of gray and white delighted everyone.
Ok, I was compelled to take this photo of my raspberry sherbet dessert at Tuscarora Mills where they graciously gathered together a looong table for our 11 hungry selves. Lacking a sweet tooth, I seldom eat dessert, but this was delicious!
And afterwards we stayed on chatting outside Tuskies through the balmy evening . . .
.
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
high flying in boston
.
Heading off to Boston this week to be WOWed by some high-flying action. My son's newest high-rise building project will have its opening ceremony on Thursday, with the mayor helping to cut the ribbon. And although she loves flying through the air, I think my 9-year-old granddaughter will come down from her trapeze long enough to join us at the celebration.
.
Heading off to Boston this week to be WOWed by some high-flying action. My son's newest high-rise building project will have its opening ceremony on Thursday, with the mayor helping to cut the ribbon. And although she loves flying through the air, I think my 9-year-old granddaughter will come down from her trapeze long enough to join us at the celebration.
.
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