Bliss

This trip has been therapeutic in so many ways. It's always nice to have the hub fly here into Riverside after an overseas trip so he can rejuvenate himself. That he is doing (sleeping).

There have been several art shows in town, one on the Bay (above) and one right down the road at Big Daddy's. How great is that? And it gets even better. When the kid and I arrived on Thursday, we saw our neighbor, Darlene, walking her dogs. She told us about the art show at Big Daddy's but I didn't know she was an artist! Love it! She was sweet and told us to come over one night after the hub arrived for some wine and to sit and chat. So last night, when she phoned, the hub and I went up river a couple of houses to do just that. What an absolutely delightful time! Both her and her husband are like long-lost friends. We sat on the river and talked about so many things and it was as if we had known each other for years. It's so refreshing to meet people and just click with them. I have found that very hard the older I get. Guess I'm set in my ways. But, what a delight these two were. First of all, their house is full of Darlene's artwork--everything from oil paintings to papier mache to pieces made from driftwood and on and on. I felt like I was in dreamland, everything was so wonderful. We sat on their dock and drank and talked for hours. Dean even had some pork butt smoking and once finished brought it out for an impromptu dinner! I love my bbq, but I have to say this is some of the best I have ever had. I even brought two "butts" home to freeze and have later. I absolutely love these people! As we sat, several turtles popped their heads up from the river, asking for a bite or two. It was so different than our little piece of the river. Their house overlooks the island which makes it private and cozy and oh so quiet. Can you tell I had a wonderful time?

This is at the pier in town. They have a lovely rose garden and the roses were delightful this time of year. The weather has been absolutely perfect. It was so clear, you could see Mobile (bottom, right-hand corner).

Perfect!

Today, we went over to Big Daddy's to see more of Darlene's delightful pieces. I loved the cover of her portfolio. The sun face sits in her house and I just ooh'd and ah'd over it. Isn't it precious? She is unbelievable with paper mache.

Look at these new pieces she just started making. She's trying to come up with names on what to call this type of medium. Canvassed memories? Any ideas? Don't you love it!

She took some old dress up clothes from her daughter's growing years and put them on canvas! If you could see them up close in person, you would be amazed. How fun!

These are antique doll clothes that she used here. I loved this piece. It is covered with wax, and you know how I love wax.

Some of her fabulous paintings.

And she is brilliant with papier mache. Looks like me and the hub! She pointed out the dress shoes and black socks. Love it!!

And mermaids! She has mermaids everywhere in her house and these two were for sale! Well, you know where this is going, don't you?

Yes, I brought "Free Ride" mermaid home with me. She is absolutely perfect on the wall overlooking the river.

And a bonus. As the kid and I were leaving, Dean picked some Meyer lemons off their tree and Darlene some satsumas! Now that's being the best neighbors ever! I wish you could smell them.

Yesterday, I found these things--Bahama (star?) fruit at the local farmer's market. I had never heard of them nor seen anything like it. They are huge! Larger than cantaloupe. Yet, when you cut into them, the fruit is much smaller and quite like sweet pink grapefruit. Yum.

I will take pictures when I do cut into them.

Oh, and Darlene even gave me some of her Spanish moss to drape over our trees.

You know how I feel about that stuff too. I can't wait for it to grow so I can continue tossing it over limbs. It's like Christmastime around here!

Now it's nappy time, at least for some (Bella and the hub). Actually dinner time at this point. I could handle some more of Dean's bbq, let me tell you! Hmmmmmm.

It's starting to feel like home. Just in time to head back to Tennessee tomorrow, right?

Annual Shrimp Festival--2007

This was our first time here at this festival; and I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I am so happy that we went early on Friday. By the time noon rolled along, it was already getting a little too crowded for the kid's and my taste. It turned out to be the most beautiful day. The high was only in the upper 70s (ƒ) and a cool breeze came off the Gulf.

My being brought up and learning to drive in DC and having to normally hit one of the Smithsonians several times a month, I am accustomed to driving to where I want to go and looking for a parking space there. No stinkin' trolleys for me, no sirree. So, we drove as far as they would let us (a block away from the beach) and the traffic person flagged me to turn. Low and behold, there was a spot right there on the corner, I kid you not. Right where I took this picture. Excellent. Good sign.

There were lots of artsy booths but only a hand full that I was interested in. The isles were full of mostly beachy stuff. I did, however, support the local artist who did this year's poster and brought one of those back to Riverside along with a T-shirt for the hub and kid. I did like the above artist. I would have loved the dragonfly painting. It would have looked perfect at Riverside. Maybe I'll catch her down here again some time.

This was a great booth. Look at all the barnacles. Now that's amazing! I remember having to scrub those suckers (literal) off the boat when I was little. They are tough little buggers.

I took this for Bethy. Her domino art is so lovely, I thought this would give her some ideas on selling her pieces. This booth was hot. Hint hint, Beth!

I loved this artist. Absolutely gorgeous pieces. Johanna Littleton's work reminded me a lot of DeGrazia. My friend Pam (who will be here this weekend) introduced me to him. Her family was from Arizona and he is quite famous there. I would have loved to been able to purchase one of these.

There were several large stages set playing various musics. This large one, sponsored by the place where we visited this summer and saw the Coastal Living Idea House, had a very load rock band playing. In this setting, I preferred Coconut Dave and his steel drums. I could sit and listen to that forever. (After we left, we were at The Wharf and were told that Jimmy Buffet showed up and was playing! Sorry we missed that. He's from these parts so I'm sure he had a good time playing for his "hood.")



Then it was serious eating time. Look at all the choices we had (and then some). I loved all the cajun influenced items. Yum. Now, we don't get this good stuff, even as far south as Nashville! The kid and I were like kids in a candy shop. What to decide on. I decided on a fried shrimp and rice, and the kid got a popcorn shrimp basket. I wanted to get some red beans and rice but I was too full after my large helping. Darn. You'll notice my shrimp and pearl necklace that I wore all day yesterday. I have it hanging on the rear view mirror now.


Before we left, we sat and enjoyed the beautiful Gulf of Mexico. We should have thought ahead and brought some chairs so we could have enjoyed it a little more. Oh well, live and learn. I should always have beach chairs in the car from now on!

As I've sat here typing, I have had the enjoyment of being able to watch a beautiful male cardinal, a blue jay and an unknown bird peek into the window (need to find my bird book!), as close as two arms' lengths away. They have no fear of me sitting here. And now, there is an osprey cawing away. I just can't tell you how peaceful it all is here. Can't wait for the hub to arrive in the morning and be able to chill with us. Yay!!!

A Good Day for a Fair

Franklin is having it's Main Street Festival this weekend. The weather is picture perfect. Just beautiful. We went out last night to go to the amusement area but it wasn't in it's normal location. Hmmm. (Didn't think to look on the river front!) So we just went and ate the normal fair fare consisting of Italian sausage with onions and peppers and those potato chips they make fresh--talk about grease! We sat and listened to the live music coming from two stages at each end of the blocks. One had a Latin flair and the other was playing the old funk music that got the body (booty) moving. The hub, kid and I had a great time. The teenager was supposed to go with his girlfriend; but when we called him to see where he was, they had decided to go to the movies instead. Guess they prefer the darkness of the theatre--hehe, remember those days, when holding hands and an arm around your shoulder was to be done incognito. Lawdy.

I got up this morning, ran some errands and then headed downtown to check out the early-bird booths. There were some wonderful new exhibits, which always delights me. I was in and out before the crowds arrived. I "don't do" crowds much. At least, I try and avoid them whenever possible. I cant' tell you how excited I was to find on of my all-time favorite artists exhibiting in our little fair this year. I first found Jeri Landers when I moved to Tennessee and went to a fair in Rugby, TN. If you remember, she is the artist who does amazing scherenschnitte, (previous post here). Her whimsical artwork and use of animals reminds me of another fav, Jan Brett, who I also had the pleasure of meeting at a book signing here several years back. I was happy to see Jeri had published her book and, of course, picked one up. The illustrations in this book are amazing! I look forward to sitting down and reading it later today.


I got this little piece specifically for Riverside. It will go with my other artwork that I seem to be collecting there. It is entitled Home and Hearth and is by an artist named Emily Allison. I wasn't able to find any links to her online, sorry. Of course, I had to have it because my favorite number is 3! I loved the jacks embedded in the wood and the tape measure . . . oh, just everything about it is fun! (Just like Riverside!!)

I purchased a couple of fun magnets made by Rhanna Nyman, a fiber artist who combines her artistry with her grandmother's poetry. She had a beautiful display but, unfortunately, she does not want any of her work on the web in fear of it being used. Lordy, I sure am glad I asked if she minded if I take some photos. I try and remember that rule of thumb. There are just some artists that do not, under any circumstances, want their artwork online. And so, I can't show you anything of hers, which is a shame, because it is beautiful stuff, really. Oy.

The hub and kid went back out to the carnival today, since we couldn't find it last night. In the meantime, I finished planting my wave petunias and potted some plants for the porch. The beds still look pitiful, but I'm hoping in a month's time, the will fill in. I also put the ferns out on the top deck yesterday. Let's hope it stays warm from now on so they don't turn into the rest of the greenery around here--dead.

OH, oh oh, the kid's best friend is going to be on Desperate Housewives tonight! I think it may be the opening piece where he's going to ride his bike to Mrs. McCluskey's to ask her a question. Dun dun dun. We are soooo proud of him but miss having him here in da hood. He's in the original hood of LA, the little actor that he is. Sendin' a big ol' shout out to Masta J!

Riverside & Fairhope Steet Festival (March 2007)

View from kitchen window @ Riverside

These are the pics that the hub had on his laptop of Riverside. Since I've been longing for Riverside, I thought I would post entry this one. This was our first day at the new retreat; and the kid and I are totally mesmerised by everything. Sigh.

Here's the kid in the kitchen area as the sun begins to set.










Our new found friend Reese, our favorite neighborhood dog, who watched us carry everything up all those stairs then laid down to rest.








This is at the Fairhope craft fair that I have briefly mentioned. There were so many wonderful artists and I wanted to buy so many things. I enjoyed visiting Suzy Toronoto's booth. She has some wonderful prints with great sayings for women. You have to visit her site! I bought a few magnets for myself and friends and a couple of 5X7 prints. I bought myself this one (borrowed from her website). Wacky, indeed!


And speaking of wacky, here are some more of those crazy pelicans hanging around on the corners of downtown Fairhope.


A pleasant surprise was meeting up with Maggie Lindley from non-other than Franklin, TN. If you'll remember, she is the one who does the wonderful phrase artwork that I so proudly display now both here and Riverside (See here). When I approached her, I told her I loved her artwork and owned several pieces, that I came from Franklin and enjoyed seeing her at Franklin's Main Street Festival each year. She was so sweet, just as I remembered her. When I told her I had put her in my blog, she knew who I was! hehe. This blogging world continues to amaze me! I certainly had a chuckle over that. I can't wait until the festival here in a couple of weeks. I think I need a couple more. I carried my old "Cherish" canvas to Riverside and it is now hung in the old gun cabinet(ew), displayed beautifully.

This exhibit was fun. I wanted to buy a piece, but the price range was above what I could spend. Su Abbott had wonderful pieces that I still think about how nice they would look at Riverside. grin.


Here again is some of Sloane's work (like I know him!). I am sure I have more pictures of his booth, and I think the hub is holding out on me with some of my pics on his laptop! hehe.

Anyway, here is the other piece I bought. How appropriate for Riverside is this? If you'll notice, he uses all types of materials in his pieces. This one has an old Alabama license plate in it which fit the bill perfectly. It is now proudly hung over the fireplace mantel. The flag that I posted yesterday, he told us, has old pieces of his father's and grandfather's legal library book covers incorporated in it. You really must click on these to see the detail and "ingredients."

Yes, I just found more pics on the hub's computer. I loved this! Wish I had more info to share, but all I have is the photo.


These are some of Robert Griffis' pieces. I am definitely thinking about getting some of his canvasses for Riverside. The colors would work so well.

Here is the front hall as we left. Grab your tissues.