Home WIll Always Know Me

This lovely mixed media painting says, "It's good to know that home will always know me."  I've been in Birmingham for the past 4 days, my childhood home.  And although I've not lived there in about 20 years, it still feels like home.  It still feels comfortable.  It still makes my heart tickle when I drive over the mountain and see that great big bronze guy pointing towards the sky.  Birmingham still calls to me.  Everytime I leave, a small part of my soul longs not to leave.   In fact, I returned quite reluctantly this time around.  Of course my reason for being home was for personal reasons, and this made leaving even harder.  But nonetheless, a part of me wanted to turn around a stay.

Billy and I used to talk about moving there and raising the kids, getting out of the Atlanta race.  And then he got elected.....and elected and twice more elected.  So we've planted ourselves here in Newnan.  We've grown deeper roots and adjusted our lives to be fulfilled and meaningful in this community.  I can't imagine leaving here.  But on the flip side I can imagine a new life beginning there for us one day.  For now though, life has to move forward in Newnan.  I have much on the horizon both personally and work related.  It's going to be a great holiday season.  And hopefully, I'll get back home to Birmingham very soon.

Road Trip!

Hey guys!  Well I'm back from my road trip....which was such a great idea.  I tell ya.... nothing better than the open road, sunroof open and MY music blaring.  I thought I'd give you a little photo glimpse of the days and share my finds and thoughts.  So here goes. 

Tuesday I drove to Birmingham to meet my Dad with William.  The plan was for William to stay with Dad at what we are calling "Camp Pawpaw" while Mailey went to church camp all week.  After the exchange I hit the ground running.  First stop, The Naked Art Gallery.  I had to talk with Vero about some of the Solo Show details.  And since we've moved the opening, wanted to see the new space.  (I don't think I've mentioned this yet, more later)

Next stop was out to Tarrant to a community center.  This is a HUGE project that I am 99% sure we are a go on.  I met with the owner Eric who loved my thoughts on how to involve the community in the rather large undertaking.  We are talking at least 12- 36"x48" canvases.  Like I said, HUGE.  I'd be an artist in residence for about 3 days completing the project.  To say I am excited about working with this group is an understatement!

Next stop was to downtown Homewood.  I wanted to check on a new shop carrying my work, Seibels.  I will post a blog just on them later, but here's a glimpse of store happiness.  I could totally camp out here a few days!

So there was a snack break at Savages Bakery before I began my little paparazzi run.  (peti fours, dolphin cookies and double doozie....I didn't eat it all in one sitting of course  Hehehehe...)  I have a few ideas swimming in my head for paintings.  So I drove around Homewood with the window on the van down snapping photos.  It was fun.  I got caught outside one house.  But after explaining my reason, they were like take away!

After the photo run, I was off to see Aimee's new house.  She and Will have done an amazing job of renovating an adorable house in Vestavia.  Then I was off to Mountain Brook to see Suzan and her husband John.  We enjoyed dinner, ice cream (man I ate a lot of calories this day!) and catching up.  So around 10:15PM I pointed my little orange van in the direction of home.  It had been such a productive day  I was literally singing out loud to MY music.  And then it hit me.  I was beyond tired and it was 2.5 hours until I'd hit my bed.  When I reached the Pell City exit the van just went ahead and turned off and pointed towards the lake.  I arrived to find Dad and William passed out asleep in front of the TV.  I borrowed a sleep shirt and toothbrush and joined them into the land of slumber.  You see, I had no intention of staying the night so I had nothing with me.  Waking up at the lake is so refreshing.  We always enjoy coffee on the deck and talk about the days plan.  And I had a plan alright.  I showered, put back on the clothes I came in and hit the road.  Only this time, I pointed the van in the direction of Opelika.

I found some more painting inspirations along the way.  Even got the attention of a rather large dog at one stop.  And got biten by something gigantic at another stop on the hiney....not allergic thank goodness, just itchy now.  On the way into Opelika to the famous Angel's Antique Mall there was a billboard for Harvest Thrift.  Hummmm....yep......Let's turn orange van.  I walked in and the angels started singing.  Literally.  It was a Christan based thrift store and the Christan singers were singing praises.  And I was singing right along.  Giddy actually.  New hot spot for sure.   I got so much fun stuff for my booth at the Flea.  See: 

The find of the day is here.  I can't show it all.  It's a surprise you'll have to just come see for yourself at the Flea.  So today I am getting all the goodies cleaned and priced so tomorrow I can rework the booth.  It's super quiet here in the art studio today.  With lots of ideas to work on and inspiration bountiful!

A Few of My Favorite Things

Our last Field Trip was a trip down memory lane for me. The kids and I headed to Birmingham, Alabama for the weekend. And I swear, I ate my way through the weekend! There is something magical about the restaurants and bakeries in this town. Seriously, I gained 4 pounds. So here's the first stop: It seemed so much smaller than I remembered, but looks exactly the same. The menu is stillon the wall! Lag's was a place we ate at least once a week as a child. Mr. Lag retired years ago they said, but still comes in every Friday to eat. I was so hoping he'd come by!

After Lag's we drove around the old neighborhoods and houses I lived in as a child. There were many you see. My parents were the original house flippers. It was embarassing back then. If HGTV was around though, we'd have made a great mini series! Then off to downtown Homewood for back to school shopping at Sikes shoes and Jack and Jill. I spent some serious dollars on Mailey, the nostalgia of it must have gotten the best of me. After those dollars were dropped, we headed to the bike shop, Pink Tulip and last but not least here:

Yes, there is a heaven, and it is cooked right here in this little bakery. Smiley face cookies and petit four cakes are my favorite since childhood, and now I pass this gene on to my children because it's their favorite too! They have so many delightful treats it's hard to choose. I looked quite silly trying to photograph them. But here they are:

And a shot of the cakes that I had at every birthday growing up as a child. Yes, that is ALL icing. OMG is it good for you. You heart, you soul, your mind..........it's just very good.

We hit severel more fun jaunts and then attended my 20 class reunion meeting. It went so well, that we stayed out listening to old Show Choir buddies in a band until the wee hours. The children were nestled all snug in their beds, promise! I on the other hand, will be dreaming of these amzing confections until September 12th, which is when we plan to meet again! Hope you had a sugar coated weekend!