A Cowboy's Sweetheart

Yee-Ha! The night of our first date he arrived wearing cowboy boots and blue jeans. I thought that was pretty brave. Here I was a serious art history major (working on my master's degree in Museum Studies), and I had never seen anything like it. He took me country western dancing at the Red Door North, and we have been two-stepping ever since.

Perhaps that is why one of our favorite waterning holes is the Corkscrew Cafe at Georis Winery in Carmel Valley, CA.

The winery and cafe are owned by the amazing Georis family. The two brothers were members of The Sandals, (one of the original surfer bands), and they composed the music for the iconic surfing film "The Endless Summer." They have now turned their artistic, as well as gastronomic talents to creating iconic restaurants, such as this, as well as Carmel's Casanova and La Bicyclette.

Lots of Cowgirls here,
including one of their wines,
which is called ~ Cowgirl Red!

The interior of the Corkscrew Cafe

The bar in the Winery Tasting Room

A Wagonfull of Lavender

Always a place to hang your hat!

Out West of the Great Divide,

Marjorie

My Teahouse Collection

Whenever I am lonely for my life in China, I visit my collection of antique Chinese tea tins, and Once again I am sitting in the old Green T House in Beijing.

This was my place of refuge from the big noisy city,

and where I learned the Language of Tea.

I spent hours there ~

Tasting exotic varieties of this popular ancient beverage,

Sampling tea-based cuisine, and Creating tea lifestyle events and products.

Inspired by my new passion, each weekend I trolled the flea market at Panjiayuan (The Dirt Market) in search of tea artifacts. The mystery of the once fragrant contents, and the beauty of the colorful images (from Chinese history and mythology) first attracted me to the tins.

From the splendor of the Imperial court ~ where the Emperor frolicked with his courtesans;

to the lush green of landscapes dotted with pagodas and tea gardens;

to the glamour of actresses from 1930s Shanghai cinema;

to the optimistic propaganda of the Cultural Revolution, ~ it's all there.

How prophetic, that after we returned Stateside, I found this table lamp...with a base fashioned from an old Chinese tea tin!

Still dreaming the tea life,
Marjorie

Labor Day 2010

Grab a hammock, and have a peaceful day!

Back to California from the East Coast,
Marjorie

The Cat Formerly Known as "Sweet Pea"

The fields near the cottage were a tangle of wild sweet peas when a little stray cat appeared at our doorstep. We named her “Sweet Pea”, and she was just as sweet as her name.

We fed her, watched her grow, and made a place for her in our home and in our hearts. Along the way, we shared many adventures ~ sunrises and sunsets, cat naps, nights by the fire, and a memorable trip to the vet for her shots. Imagine our surprise when the doctor announced that we had a very happy and healthy little boy cat. So “Sweet Pea” became just “P”.

The fields of bright Goldenrod flowers announced the end of summer, and time for “P” to leave. Sandy (owner of Swansdown Antiques) has taken him to live in the snugness of her Main Street apartment. Not only does he have a new home, but a new name~”Tux” (short for tuxedo, which Sandy says he looks as if he’s wearing). We are lonely for kitty, but are thankful he will not be spending another cold winter alone at the lake.

But she’ll ~ I mean he’ll always be “Sweet Pea” to me.
Marjorie

Camp or Cottage?

Our lakeside summer home has always been ~ "the Cottage".

When Aunt Margaret married Uncle Bob, and went to live in Vermont, she quickly adopted his way of calling the family cabin in the woods ~ "Camp".

Being an Easterner transported to California, I was thrilled to discover a shop in near-by Carmel Valley devoted to Camp and Cottage Lifestyle.

So, whenever I would get homesick, I would put on pink Minnetonka moccasins, and head out to Carmel Valley for a fix.

An old clunker of a truck was always parked out front of the shop, which consisted of a conplex of red clapboard farm sheds, which contained Molly's eccletic collection of: Adirondack, Twig and Hickory furniture; worn brown leather club chairs; primitive oil paintings;

Beacon and Hudson Bay blankets;

Feedsack pillows with colorful graphics, canoe paddles;

Skookum dolls; rustic lighting; birchbark souvenirs; baskets; vintage turquoise and silver trade pieces;

and other sundry trinkets. Tiny balsam bags with the scent of the forest were a popular take -home item.

The shop and yard are now empty, and a sign is posted which announces that the owner, Molly, has moved South. Come September, I see a road trip in my future.

Savoring my last few sunsets by the lake,

Marjorie

Three Bears Sited in Upstate New York

Once Upon a Time There were Three Bears. I know what you are thinking, that I am going to tell you the story of Goldilocks and her three furry friends. But, this story takes place in the sleepy hamlet of Ovid, New York (down the East side of Seneca Lake).

Here, on a knoll overlooking the village green are The Three Bears. This is the name that the locals have given to the Courthouse complex (Circa 1845 - 1860) ~ four-pillar Greek Revival buildings, built in descending size. In 1976, these architectural treasures were added to the National Register of Historic Places.

There's Papa Bear...

and Mama Bear...

And Here's Baby Bear!

No one was home the day I visited. But unlike Goldilocks, I didn't go in and make myself at home.

Perhaps, I was too early for tea!

That's the End of My Bear Story. I hope you enjoyed it.

Marjorie

Kitty Home Come!

Sweet Pea is her name. This adorable stray cat first came to the backdoor of the cottage needing a nuzzle and a meal. Ever since she has been the centerpiece of family life.

Sweet Sweet Pea

The kitty has even been granted special permission to nap on Grandma's favorite chaise lounge.

Lately, though, I have begun to worry about what will happen to kitty when I fly away home, and when the North wind begins to blow. I am told, not to worry... that she has already survived at least two Upstate winters (one even in the attic of the cottage garage). But Sweet Pea needs a real home. With that in mind, she has just applied for a position as chief mouse catcher and shop cat for Swansdown Antiques at Rose Hill Mansion in Geneva. Finger crossed she aces the interview.

Call me Smitten,,

Marjorie