Love and Marriage

Its wonderful to celebrate a loving marriage.   Our good friends, Dick and Ivy, came to visit last week and shared their 54th wedding anniversary with us.  John was the Best Man at their wedding, in England, in 1956 - and they honored him again by naming their first child after him.    We had a great week.   Ivy and I watched 'the boys' remember and tell stories about their days together in the Army, and we could almost see them grow younger with each tale.  We spent hours over pictures and the time just melted away.   When you see a love that endures over a lifetime you know you are getting to be part of something really special.   We are grateful to them for sharing their special day with us - and we look forward to the next visit already!

                                                                              CHEERS!

Going, going, gone ..

Susan and I love to go to Crumpton - and when she came to visit last month that's just what we did. The Dixon Furniture Auction in Crumpton, MD is open every Wednesday through the year, except the weeks of Christmas, New Year's and July 4th. 
There is always something for everyone at Crumpton.   Here on the inside tables you can find everything from glassware, buttons, lamps, small toys, books, seashells to carvings and small furniture.

In the field outside, the auctioneer rides along in a golf cart, while the crowd follows watching and waiting for their coveted item to come up for bid.  You have to keep your eyes and ears open because he moves pretty fast - not to mention how fast he talks! Stay alert and you can win your bid and bring home a 'find' to repurpose into a 'treasure'.

and ... let's not forget the food!   This is only a fraction of all that's available.   We sometimes go just for the hotdogs - wrapped in soft pretzel dough - they are 'melt-in-your-mouth' 'to-die-for' good! You will also find ice cream, baked goods, roasted chickens, a full scale restaurant, home canned goods, fresh meats of all kinds, and cakes  & pastries ... and although we didnt find our 'treasure' in the field this time, we surely did find something sweet to bring home!!

I hope she comes to visit again soon ...  my mouth is watering for a pretzel dog:)

DIVAs Give Back

I am fortunate to be friends with a great group of women who gather regularly (?) - or semi-regularly - to talk about design projects, our likes and dislikes in decorating, creating crafts, learning from each other - and always sharing good food and building friendships.  We call ourselves DIVAs - Discovering Individual Vision & Ability.  Most recently we gathered at Judith's house, starting off with dinner and catch up conversation.  Then we unleased our creative energy decorating mirrors we donated to Laura's Home - a women's shelter in Ohio.  My friends, Terry Graul and Carolina Martin, have partnered to bring about a makeover of the shelter, building on a theme of "Inner Beauty - A Sparkling Idea from the Inside Out".  With that in mind, we used a poem which was a favorite of Audrey Hepburn to inspire us in our crafting

We worked into the evening, still laughing, chatting and thoroughly enjoying ourselves.

Then we wrapped them all and sent them off to the deserving ladies of Laura's Home

... our inspiration poem ....

Beauty Tips by Audrey Hepburn

•For attractive lips, Speak words of kindness
•For lovely eyes, Seek out the good in people

•For a slim figure, Share your food with the hungry.•For beautiful hair, Let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.•For poise, Walk with the knowledge you'll never walk alone.
•People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed; Never throw out anybody.
•Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm.
•As you grow older you will discover that you have two hands; one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.
•The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.
•The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a Woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she knows.
•And the beauty of a woman, with passing years only grows!

Spring has sprung!!

Every where I turn there is color to behold!  A trip through the Farmer's Market this morning was like walking through a rainbow of flowers.

Back at home we are enjoying the blooms of the pear tree, nectarine tree, and the lilacs! It makes dinner on the patio a feast on every level! What could be better than spring color, dinner al fresca, and a little wine to slow the senses and take it all in??

The Gallery Show

April's First Friday in Chestertown was a wonderful warm spring evening.   It seemed like the whole town was out to enjoy the festivities of 'downtown' Chestertown.   Cathy and I were thrilled -- so many people came to view our gallery show at PNC Bank!  Everyone loved her pastels, and my screens were a hit as well!  As is usually the case, about half of everyone was familiar with the history of Baltimore Painted Screens - from either living in Baltimore, or visiting grandparents, relatives or friends there from 'back in the day' when these screens were so popular.  The other half were amazed to realize that the paintings were actually on a real window screen!  The bank provided wonderful refreshments , and we had a chance to visit with our friends and neighbors who stopped by -- thank you all!!

What A View

We took our first boat ride of the season today -- the view was super.   The water was cold, and the air crisp -- but the sun was wonderful.   We watched Osprey working on their nests.  Max had a chance to chase sticks in the water, and John and I toasted each other and the beginning of spring.   Life is good ....

Marshmallows and Wine

Do marshmallows and red wine go together??   Well, sure ... if its early spring, and you are sitting by the fire  with your sweetie, waiting for the full moon to rise ---    then marshmallows and red wine are perfect together!!

Folks Like Us

Yesterday Cathy and I spent the day hanging our artwork getting ready for the show that opens on Friday, titled "Folks Like Us".   It was a cold, rainy day - not at all what we wish for in Spring.  Once we got everything inside we could stay dry for a while.  We shuffled her pieces and my pieces, looking for the best arrangement to please the eye.  We think we have a great show in the works.  Even the bank manager stopped by to say how much she liked our art and how well our pieces work together.  That was nice to hear.

We took a break for a late lunch and walked the long way back in the rain, stopping into art galleries and admiring old buildings, budding gardens, and the promise of spring.    Then we had a fresh look at our gallery, made a few adjustments and left feeling confident in our presentation. 

We are both looking forward to the opening reception Friday, April 2, from 5-8 pm  -- 211 High Street, Chestertown,  if you are in the area be sure to come by and say hello   --- I'll have pictures on Friday

DIVA Dinner

Our DIVA (Discovering Individual Vision & Ability) group has been getting together on a sort of regular basis for 4 years now.  We all met in a 6 week class on Introduction to Interior Design.  When the classes were over we stuck together.  We started out discussing design projects, makeover ideas, and DYI lessons.   We visited each other's homes, make a variety of crafts - from floor cloths to mosaics & stepping stones - and we always have a great meal!!

This week's meeting with the DIVAs was a cooperative dinner at Marian's house.   Marian and Diana coordinated the main dishes for our meal, Marian hosted at her lovely home, and the rest of  the group filled in with appetizers, salad, bread and wine!!   As usual, we ended up with a feast.

Diana made chicken, & artichokes in bechamel sauce PLUS she made Pots De Creme with Frangelica for dessert!  Yum........   Marian made chicken with fennel & onion, with a wine & pine nut sauce.  It was so delicious.   Then we were seated in Marian's lovely dining room and raised a glass to friendship, good food, and more good times to come. 

Marking 11 years!!

Thank you, Bob - thank you for the flowers, the gifts, the celebration - and for giving me such a great place to work -- and, thanks Steve --  for wine, friendship, and a helpful spirit always .



Wow - can it really be 11 years already?    In a small town even a casual comment can change your life.  Back in 1999 when I heard Robert Ortiz was looking for a 'helper', I made a casual remark about how much I admired his work.  He makes original design furniture that is so exquisite its a real work of art.  Little did I know that I would have the good fortune to work with him and not only see first hand, but also be part of,  his amazing creations.  He took me in with no experience and taught me how to finish furniture that everyone wants to caress.   Along the way he has taught me so much more.  He's a capable, kind and patient teacher.  He sets high standards for himself and makes those of us who work with him want to rise to our best level too.    Every March he indulges me to celebrate my 'anniversary' with the wood shop -- today Bob, Steve and I had lunch,  filled with good food, good friendship and lively conversation   - in a small town there's always something to talk about  ---  and sometimes it will change your life.



This bubinga top looks like it has 'hills and valleys' - but I assure you -- its totally flat

Here, I'm working on a mahogany case with a wenge top  --- wenge is a beautiful chocolate brown wood with a fine straight grain, from Africa.