Last Beach Day This Year?

The best way to work off multiple Thanksgiving feasts is a very long walk on a favorite beach.  At least in my opinion it is.

My husband had business in Jacksonville on Monday and promised if I came along we could have a whole day at the beach.  Quickly checking the Weather Channel, I found the forecast was for sunny days and pleasantly warm temperatures, so I was upstairs packing in a heartbeat.  Oh yes, best thing ever!

So, Saturday after Thanksgiving we drove down and started our Sunday with a fabulous brunch at First Watch in Jacksonville Beach.  If you've never experienced a breakfast or lunch at First Watch, I highly recommend it.  We learned about this restaurant chain when we lived in Overland Park, KS and will stop at one whenever we have the opportunity.  So good.

Then, it was straight to the beach...the ocean really was calling me.

Almost there!

 I have loved being at the water all my life.  Whether a creek, river, lake or ocean, I have always been called to the water's edge.  Some of my earliest memories involve being either at or on one of the Great Lakes or at Bishop Park in Wyandotte, Michigan hoping to see a big freighter going by.  No freighters at Jacksonville Beach of course, but we did see a couple of cruise ships passing way out in the water - not quite the same but still fun to watch.

                                                                    Hello Ocean!

It was a perfectly beautiful day to walk the beach and maybe find a perfect shell or two or even 4,845 shells.  The unmistakable scent of sea water in the air and the sound of rolling waves drew us and kept us willing captives for the entire day.

                                                                    Lazy, rolling waves

The beach was fairly empty - not a lot of children running about, a few couples either shelling or just walking, and only a sprinkling of umbrellas.  If I lived nearby, I know I'd be right here for hours every day.

Later in the afternoon a few young men arrived with their surf boards and had what looked like a lot of fun riding the waves.  There seems to be a sand bar just about 100 feet out from shore, and the waves break nicely over it.

                                                             Looks like fun, doesn't it?  

Later in the afternoon, the wind picked up some and the waves grew larger.  maybe the currents were to strong out further, and the surfers all came in.  The stronger waves sure brought in more pretty shells to add to the rather large collection I had already created from the high tide line, and increased the number of people gathering shells as well.  I had an inspiration of what to do with some of these shells...I'll let you know if that works out.

                                                             The majesty of the ocean                                          


About 4:00 these three squawking gulls landed and just stood at the water's edge, looking around and not really moving about.

                                                                   
Soon, a very large flock of their friends landed literally all around the first three and did the same.

Turns out they were patiently waiting for dinner.  The waves brought in maybe tiny fish or some other type of tiny sea creatures.  Florida seagulls are different than Michigan seagulls.  Up in Michigan they just dive for their food, or scrounge for leftovers from forgotten or discarded picnics.

We decided to take one more walk down the beach - by this I mean a mile or two down to the boardwalk and back again - to see if we missed anything we really needed to see before it started getting dark and this awesome day came to and end.

We walked for a ways and I found the biggest piece of driftwood ever:

                                                             Probably 8 feet of a tree

Had to leave it there.  Too bad - it would have made a great focal point in next year's backyard landscaping.

The sea oats are looking a little ragged - they have lost that lush summer look.

 These sand fences make a pretty picture:

In a sunny , well protected spot we found the last of the beautiful little beach flowers.  Last time we were here they were everywhere.  Guess winter can't be far away, even at the beach.

With evening coming on, it was time to leave.  Shoes full of sand, a bag full of seashells, and the memories of another glorious day to keep forever, we had to say goodbye to the ocean for a little while.  But, like the endless waves breaking on the shore, I will be back.

                                                                   Goodbye, ocean









                                   

A Weekend In Franklin, TN - or - OMG!!! I Found Another Perfect Storefront!!!

We spent this past weekend in Franklin, TN for my niece Stefanie's wedding.

Stefanie was the perfect beautiful blushing bride -  her dress was gorgeous, hair perfect, and the six bridesmaids were attentive and beautifully dressed as well. The ceremony was held in a very quaint circa 1867 chapel that looked like a picture postcard on the side of a hill covered in vibrant autumn foliage.

As the recessional music soared and we all exited the chapel to congratulate the newly weds, the expected cold front arrived.  Big time.  The sky turned dark as midnight, lightening streaked through the lowering and threatening clouds, thunder roared and the wind picked up.  A lot.  Like it blew really really hard. All those vibrantly colored leaves were now literally whirling wildly around us as everyone gauged how far away their cars were.

One of my sisters asked us to take her daughter and two grandchildren with us as our car was quite close.  She, another sister, and a couple of the chapel ladies had to "pick up" before they could go.

We made a dash to the car, hoping to get to the reception location only a couple miles away before the storm hit - and it was coming fast. 

Well, we got to I65 and the rain started.  Again, really hard.  After a few hundred yards or so of creeping along, with my husband struggling to keep the SUV upright as the winds were super strong and seemingly coming from all directions, we noticed all the brake lights ahead.  And the wind picked up yet even more.

At the risk of sounding like a bad novel - the lightening was bright and continuous and the thunder literally rattled the windows.

Because a tornado was crossing I65 not 100 feet in front of us.

That was a conversation stopper.

Once it passed, we did uneventfully proceed to the hotel for the reception, which was held in the ballroom. Very pretty.  My husband let us out under the canopy at the front doors, and went off to park the car in the pouring rain. At least it was a little less windy by then.

Why do men not use umbrellas?  I had told him of the two umbrellas in a most convenient cubbie at his fingertips, but no.  They remained dry and he did not.

Eventually everyone else did arrive, some with tales of escaping the storm as well.  Those who sheltered in the chapel remarked at the awful noise of the wind and rain against the little 145 year old wooden structure.

We told them why.

But, all is well that ends well.  Everyone got to the reception undamaged, we had the kind of mini family reunion that occurs at occasions such as this, and Stefanie was launched into wedded bliss in a most memorable way.

Sunday morning dawned with partly cloudy skies and much cooler temperatures, so we decided to spend the day being tourists.

After breakfast, read: after Myles recovered from yet another bacon orgy courtesy of Embassy Suites' complimentary breakfast, we decided to visit a few of the plantation and house museums as we both love history and the fabulous architecture of the period. First on the list was Carnton Plantation as it was so near.

For those not familiar with Civil War history, the Battle of Franklin was fought around the Carnton plantation home on November 30, 1864.  Carnton became a field hospital, sheltering hundreds of wounded and dying soldiers in and around the house.  In 1866, the family donated two acres of land for a cemetery and oversaw the reburial of nearly 1,500 soldiers from their hasty battlefield graves.  Robert Hicks immortalized Carrie McGavock, mistress of Carnton, in the bestseller The Widow of the South.

                                                               Carnton Plantation


The house is set in a stunning location and is beautiful, though not as large as expected.  However, the knowledge of what happened there truly weighed on the atmosphere - the tragedy could literally still be felt all these decades later.

We decided one plantation house was enough.

Needing a more upbeat experience, we decided to explore historic downtown Franklin.  So many shops, boutiques and little restaurants, all in exquisitely restored buildings, beckoned us in from the cold November air. Such fun we had exploring and admiring the hand made crafts and art, antiques and a couple of really cute herb shops, not to mention the late 1800's architecture, all surrounding the old town square.

And then...

We came upon a single, empty storefront.

I think I really did hear my husband, Myles, groan as I rushed up to the dusty entrance and peered inside.

OH MY GOSH!!!!  This is what I saw:

An 1890's building just waiting for me! The floors appear to be original and are GORGEOUS.  Plenty of space for a gift shop featuring, of course, my aprons, handbags, and more, all cleverly and artfully arranged.  Lots of room for racks and shelves for the many other gift items.  Maybe I could even have a cooperative and bring in other crafters and artists.  And look at those retro lights!

Bright, airy displays begged to be created in the twin windows flanking the entrance:

Probably would have to start with Valentine's Day - couldn't accomplish the renovation in time for Christmas, but that's ok - that's why there are so many holidays.  Plans flashed and swirled in my mind like the twinkling lights I would use ... oh the possibilities!

I wondered aloud if we could raise the dropped ceiling and expose the heating ducts like so many of the other shops we visited had done - that alone added such volume to the space and really enhanced the 1890's look.

Best of all - look at the back of the store - stairs leading up to a spacious mezzanine where my so organized sewing space complete with a large cutting table, sewing table, shelves for fabric, and where, of course, my mannequin, Betsy Madelyn, would be prominently displayed wearing one of my latest creations!  So perfect!

Excitedly I explained all that to Myles and how he didn't have to build a long sales counter as there was a beautiful one already in place at the back of the store.  All I needed was a display for gift bags, plus shelving, racks....

I did note at that moment a certain lock of response from my beloved.  When I turned back to find out why, he had actually retreated to the curb and was shaking his head.

What?!?  This is Franklin, TN - not Panama City like the last time!!!  What could the issue be???  There isn't anything like this in Marietta!!!

In his most pragmatic voice, he replied - that's exactly right.  This is not Marietta.  But - there are living quarters above ...that's about all we'd be able to have after all you're talking about.

                                                               
                                                                     Upstairs living?

Oh.

Myles may have won this little skirmish, but the war isn't over yet.

Wish me luck!

I Love Yard Sales!

Maybe once a month or so, my husband - who also loves yard sales - and I will get up early on a Saturday, put on our comfortable shoes, and, armed with Starbucks venti somethings, head out on a treasure hunt.

There's really nothing in particular we're looking for, but the fun is in never knowing what you'll find.  Although finding a box of pristine vintage fabrics or trims is pretty high on my list of things to look for.

Once, we found a lovely kidney-shaped oak writing desk for only $20, and another  time we found three vintage suitcase for $5 each - those are stacked nicely in the corner of my sewing room.  Just a couple of weeks ago we found a set of crystal wine glasses - all eight of them! - for only $5.

My husband even found a set of golf clubs in a yard sale several years ago - and for just a few dollars found out that golf wasn't his thing after all.

We always find hardback novels that were on the best seller lists only a month or two previous for $1 or $2, and there are always boxes of paperback books in gently read condition to search though as well.  Both of us have a weakness for books and inevitably bring home more than we agreed to before leaving out, but again, that's the fun of it.  When our bookshelves are groaning full, we just head up to Mc Kay's in Chattanooga and trade them in for more books - that's a fun day that usually ends up with a great meal overlooking the river.

There was even a period of time when we lived in Kansas that our youngest daughter, who was in her middle teens at the time and into sleeping late, would accompany us on our hunts.  This phase didn't last long, but we will always treasure those memories.

Another fun thing about yard sales is when we decide we've driven all over half of Georgia and either found nothing interesting, or as on some occasions, found way too many interesting things, and the hungries strike - we get to go to brunch.  Brunch is when we thoroughly discuss what we did or didn't buy and just kick back and relax for a while and enjoy some quiet time together before we head back home to begin the "real" Saturday stuff.

Looking ahead to this weekend, I see that the weather is going to be quite nice - no rain in sight - just a perfect fall day.  Yard sale signs should be sprouting up everywhere by Thursday evening...maybe even a community yard sale sign or two if we're really lucky.  I've gotten quite adept at picking those out form among the "House for Sale" and various other signs that clutter every corner and entrance to every subdivision.

My husband is heading back to Georgia as we speak - his ETA is Friday morning.

I'm thinking we'll be planning on getting up early Saturday and following the yard sale signs yet again, looking for that elusive something we didn't know we needed till we saw it.

Life is good!

Coffee Addiction - A Shared Obsession?

My husband thinks I'm a coffee addict.

The power went out Saturday morning just as I was heading downstairs to brew up a delicious, eye-opening (huge) mug of coffee.  Since I'm currently limited to only one cup, I make sure it's an extra large, highly-caffeinated one.

Power outages are fairly frequent and sometimes long lasting here in Marietta, especially on Saturdays, so this was no trivial matter.  It wouldn't be an issue if we had a generator, something that has been mentioned previously and thoroughly discussed a great number of times, but we don't.  I guess he forgets I drink coffee for his protection.

I had no way to make the mug of deliciousness that had totally occupied my thoughts all during my shower, anticipating that first sip and almost tasting the exquisite wonderfulness of it.

Clearly this was a crisis of epic proportion calling for immediate action.

There was only one thing I could do.

Off to Starbucks for a Venti Pumpkin Spice Latte!  Heaven in a paper cup only 1.2 miles away!

Of course, my husband came along for a Salted Caramel Mocha Latte, and it was only after he finished his latte that he accused me of being a coffee addict.

REALLY!!!???

Where This Woman Creates

Have you seen the latest copy of Where Women Create, that gorgeous, slick, pricy magazine from Stampington and Company?

In their words:  Where Women Create invites you into the creative spaces of the most extraordinary women of our time.  Through stunning photography and inspirational stories, each issue of this quarterly magazine will nourish souls and motivate creative processes.

Where Women Create is truly a beautiful magazine.  The photography is just as stunning as claimed, and will generate lots of "I wants" from me with every issue.

Except...I couldn't work with all that stuff surrounding me!  I'd spend all day marveling over the multitude of things in jars, plastic cubbies or baskets on all the various shelves or in the various cabinets.  When would I have time to create if I was out and about, busy collecting all those things?  And where do you go to find all that "stuff"?

Please don't get me wrong - I am absolutely in awe of some of these studios, but I personally need open spaces and light!  While I draw my inspiration from patterns and colors of fabrics, too much of anything is sensory overload for me.

A spacious and clear cutting table, a bulletin board, a long desk of a comfortable height for my beloved Janome sewing machine, and my lovely mannequin, Betsy Madelyn, for modeling my creations are all I need.  I love the organization of my fabric on shelves with spools of thread in a large, penny candy type jar and buttons in another - bobbins do really need organization, but I'll figure out something soon - and that just about concludes the tour.

Well, I guess I could use a couple more jars for other items, but that would truly be all.

I hope I'm still the fabric artist my daughters think I am, even though I don't have all that space filled up with all that stuff.  If I'm not, I'm going to be really sad.

Does This Ever Happen to You?

Does this ever happen to you?

On my way to my day job (sigh), traffic was surprisingly light.  The sun was only medium bright, and the temperature was already in the mid-70's - not bad for July in Georgia.  In other words, just a lovely day in the making.  A Bob Seger CD was cranked up loud that I was singing along to, back windows down...and then it hit me.

That old urge to wander.  Far.

Only a couple of miles to I-75, turn left and go...home to Michigan.  Or, turn right and go south to a Florida beach and be lazy.

Oh the possibilities!

For a moment I let myself embrace the idea of either visiting family I miss so much, along with freighter-watching, fog horns, channel marker bells, waterfalls and the piney woods "up North".  Or, turn the other way to the delicious, fresh seafood of the Gulf, sitting in a chair on the white sands, watching waves and enjoying total relaxation under the hot sun, baking away my cares and woes.

I could imagine myself standing at the edge of Lake Superior, only the soft sound of waves lapping gently at my feet, the scent of pine and clean water mixing in the cool air, a hot cup of coffee in my hand and peace in my heart.

On the other hand, I could see myself on the Gulf coast, in a comfortable reclining chair under a big umbrella, bigger waves rolling unto the white sandy beach, the scent of salty sea water in the air with laughing children building their sandcastles nearby and seagulls squawking overhead.

Oh the choices I could make.

With the turn into work fast approaching, reality and responsibility took over.  I made the turn, parked by car, and went on in.

Daydream over for now.



I wrote the above a bit ago, as I debated, agonized and struggled with a life-changing decision of whether or not to leave the security of my day job to grow Gypsy Wind Designs.  Honestly, there were many sleepless nights, maybe even a few tears, and much talking with my patient and supportive husband over the time before the final step was taken.

All the angst was worth it - I do not regret for one moment the decision to make that leap, and truly I embrace the challenge I've made for myself.

Now the hum of my Janome is music to my ears - Michigan or Florida will have to wait a little more.

Here a Stitchery... there a Stitchery!

While it is true that one of my favorite things is sitting down at my beloved Janome with a piece of beautiful fabric and creating something, I really love making stitcheries.

The whole process – drawing words or pictures with a water-soluble pen, sorting through my stash of floss for the perfect colors, and then the actual stitching – is just so relaxing and enjoyable.  Because I work in a country primitive style, the words are not always perfectly straight and the figures don’t have to be photographic quality.  Cats and houses, words and pumpkins, snowmen and snowladies – anything my imagination leads me to.  It’s just plain fun!

Psychologists should explore the relaxing effects of the backstitch.  Sewing a picture has to be therapeutic.  No matter the stresses of the day or the noises around me, watching the needle moving and creating is almost meditative.

I remember back a number of years ago, at a show my husband and I did in a Kansas City, KS suburb.  I was arranging pillows stitched with clever sayings in what I hoped was an artistic display when a couple of fellow crafters wandered by.  Both ladies stopped, aghast, and said, “Oh my, those will never sell.  We’ve never seen anything like that before….”

I sold out.

And I was hooked on stitcheries from then on.  Not just because they all sold, but because I could do something I truly loved to do and share it with others.  I will never lose the thrill I feel when someone sees something I’ve created and their face lights up as they reach for it.

I am truly blessed.

All I need is muslin, warm and natural batting, a disappearing marker and an idea.

Ready to stitch!

Stitching...love this part!

All pressed and trimmed - this stitchery is ready to be made into a pillow.  This beautiful fabric is called Blueberry Crumb Cake - just perfect for a little country style pillow!

Finished!

Road Trips

Until just a few months ago, my husband was an owner-operator. This meant he had a big blue hole on shiny chrome wheels that he poured money into. But that’s another story for another day.

Over the years, when I felt the urge to wander around the country some, I’d pack a bag and hop aboard for a week or two, vacation time and circumstances permitting. When the girls were younger, both did the same when summer vacation turned into summer boredom or the need for adventure became too strong to ignore.

Last time was for a couple of weeks over winter shutdown for my day job. Had a lot of fun seeing the St. Louis arch in a snowstorm, upside down cars in Iowa – a result of the same snowstorm – and frozen farms in Nebraska.

 It's hard to see - but yes, The Arch is there

The Rockies are breathtaking in the winter in more ways than one, and western Kansas is still flat – except where the snow piled up. I finally got to see Texas Canyon in Benson, AZ, where our younger daughter loved to play as a child, and lots of wild antelope and coyotes.

Our daughter still remembers playing on these very rocks as a child.

It’s really not a bad way to travel if you don’t mind the close quarters and constant rumble of the big diesel engine. With the very necessary coffee pot, microwave, toaster oven, crockpot and refrigerator, it’s much like having a micro-kitchen very close at hand. The desk makes a perfect dining table, too.

Over the years, we’ve had some truly awesome candle-lit dinners under the stars in places I’d not have ever thought I’d be, and without anyone for miles around us. I remember one particular evening we pulled off a remote country road and grilled out by the bright light of a full moon, with the hood of the truck nosed up to a “Welcome to Texas” sign…

My husband can be quite the romantic.

It’s also a great way to find quilt shops in places I’d normally not be, and fabrics I don’t find here at home. I never ever leave home without my pathetically worn and dog eared copy of The Quilter’s Travel Companion, especially on cross country trips. Just thinking of the opportunity to visit some of my favorites in Overland Park, KS, Omaha, NE, Denver, CO and more, makes me misty-eyed.

Yes – my best beloved took me fabric shopping in his Western Star. I only had to promise not to fill the entire truck with bolts of fabric. It worked out well.

Its’ been a while since I’ve felt the urge to wander, but it’s starting up again, niggling in the back of my mind and softly whispering in my ear. I keep hearing what sounds like Moda, Red Rooster, Joel Dewberry, French General over and over and over.

So – once again, I am forced to admit – I am a fabric-aholic!

A frozen Nebraska farm

Happy Endings Happen!

After a long and sad two year separation, my love and I have reunited! It is with great joy that I announce this reconciliation, and I have vowed not to go through that agony ever again.

It began when, in some moment of apparent insanity, I decided that Gevalia coffee was just too expensive so I stopped my monthly deliveries and cancelled my membership.

What was I thinking?

My coffee addiction has long been documented. I live for that perfect mug of coffee to begin my day and perk up my afternoons. In times of stress, I find comfort in a (huge) cup of Royal Vinter or Stockholm or Café Sperl. Yes…tea is nice too, but I truly love a cup of steaming hot, fragrant coffee.
Maybe crave is a better word. Maybe.

In the approximately 730 days since cancellation of my Gevalia membership, I cannot say I did not have a nice cup of coffee. Truthfully, some were pretty good. For a while I thought I might have found a suitable (read less expensive) substitution. In other words, I really did try to feed my addiction with other coffees.

Then, the Gevalia ads began on television, inviting me to have a cup of Johann. Oh my. The morning cup of joe became even less satisfying as the comparison crept around the corners of my mind and niggled at my taste buds. When I came home to a “We miss you” invitation to come back to the Gevalia coffee club in my mailbox, I saw the stars aligning, heard angelic choirs singing, felt the earth moving…fate was calling but I still didn’t listen.

But I did save the mailing.

Last night, I actually dreamt of a large mug of Gevalia coffee. Yes, I really did; no, Johann was not serving it, but the die was cast.

First thing this morning I rejoined Gevalia, and this time it’s for life. Like a good marriage, coffee is forever!

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