I'd call this a good snow day! We had a doctor appointment today, so we had to leave our cave for a bit. Martin got to use our new snow shovel for the first time on the driveway. The snowplow was on the job quite early this morning on the church parking lot behind us, creating a tall snow bank up the the fence in our backyard. It has been snowing steadily all day. It's quite lovely.
This is all about Linda Gooch's art again. Linda, multi-talented, made this cute snowman for us several years ago. Of course, knowing us like she does, she had the snowman sipping on a little cup of tea (made from an acorn). The pen & ink drawing in the frame is also a Gooch piece. Linda, along with a few other Lompoc artists, did some illustrations for our writing group's first (& only!) book called Mantel Pieces, a collection of short stories. This one, called "Mississippi Mantel" illustrated a story I wrote by that name. This mantel is still in our old tearoom, Penelope's, in Lompoc. The antique sofa was sold. I used to buy and sell antiques through the tearoom. I've always loved the way Linda drew this scene. It makes me feel cozy and makes me want to have a nice cuppa and read a good story. It never snowed in Lompoc during the 10 years we lived there. We haven't seen much snow in our part of Canada yet this year, but they say it's coming tonight! If so, I'll have pictures of it tomorrow.
Today was the day for our anniversary outing. Our destination was about an hours drive from Chatham near the town of Aylmer. It's called Pinecroft, and includes a B&B, tearoom, gift shop, and a pottery studio, among other attractions. We hope to return sometime and explore the area further. We had a very enjoyable lunch in the Green Frog Tearoom. Mart had mushroom soup, a great roast beef sandwich, and Caesar salad. I had chicken & dumplings, cole slaw, and a roll. Everything was homemade, even the bread for the sandwich! We only have one puzzlement, and so far it seems to be consistent. Why do the tearooms in Ontario not serve real tea (loose) prepared in a real teapot?! What's with the hot water and a tea bag? There, I've got that off my chest. I had to say it.
Today I'm beginning a retrospective on the Linda Gooch art in our home. I've communicated with Linda and she thinks it's a fine idea. I think everyone will enjoy the tour, seeing life through her eyes. Her art, like all artists, is her life. The colors, the light, and the perspective, are what Linda sees and seeks to share with us. The painting I've chosen to share today is one our our favorites. It's the home of our dearest friends, Barb & Chuck Arnold, 1890 House Bed & Breakfast, in Lompoc, Calif. It's also where Martin and I tied the knot exactly 12 years ago today! It is also where Barb & I first began serving afternoon teas together. Two years later, Barb & Chuck helped us launch our full-time tea room and gift shop, Penelope's Teas & Gifts. Penelope's was purchased by Shelley & Billy McCabe in 2007. The painting of this house was reproduced as a greeting card, and has always been a best seller in the tearoom. Many people have enjoyed the hospitality at the 1890 House, and Linda's beautiful art has captured that for us.
