This is where my travels began to Alma Jane's in Eastern Oregon, in the Geiser Hotel in Baker City.
We always are nostalgic about eras of the past. I think I would have fit right in with the dress, formality, and elegance, but could I live without my computer, my iphone, my skype connection to my children and grandchildren? I think not. These experiences help me appreciate the history of other times I deem wonderful and elegant, but they also help me recognize the ways of communication that I take for granted in reaching out to family.
Alma Jane's is "the little white cottage on the southwestern corner of Adams Avenue and Maple Street in downtown La Grande, specializing in mid-twentieth century furniture, linens, china, pottery, and clothing" as well as home decorations, collectible cookbooks, sewing, and everything related. It is a charming house filled with quaint rooms waiting to be explored!
All around the cottage are the most beautiful gardens....
lovely props....
filled with charm and delight.
And the dear and sweet Sammy who stayed close to us for the entire workshop! (He loved the belly rubs whenever we took a break from our painting!)
It was a beautiful day. I am rolling brown paper over the sidewalk so I can open the Chalk Paint and not worry about spilling any drops.
Here are the exuberant ladies waiting to get started!
....and now focused and starting to paint.
Kathy's husband, Gordon, was happy to accommodate us and take our photos at the end of our day of painting exploration and fun!
We had our projects and samples posed for a photo shoot also.
Even Sammy decided at the end of the day that we had all put in our best efforts and we were happy with the results. But it was time to go home and rest and restore. We took our cue from dear Sammy that it was a productive day and time to move on to the next day and week for projects, ideas and further exploration.
Before I headed home, I drove up to Joseph to see the most beautiful lake, Wallowa. Such a setting and beauty beyond anything you could imagine. The town of Joseph is most charming with lots of fun and inspiring shops to explore. All this was recommended by the sweet Jeana who shares a love of the outdoors and moments of solitude.
Thank you, Kathy, for inviting me to your idyllic surroundings and your beautiful and nostalgic shop! I loved meeting all of you...April, Emily, Jeana, Gordon, and Sammy. These are treasured moments for me.
Please visit Kathy and her friends at
http://almajanes.com and see what they are doing with Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint as well as the many offerings and finds they offer in their shop as well as their website.
