Life as I know It

My photo
San Luis Obispo, California, and South Bristol, Maine, United States
Author ~ Illustrator ~ Lecturer

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Pure Inspiration


Dinner at the family table.


Sometimes a visit with old friends is enough to renew my spirit and give me a jolt of pure inspiration.

My old friends David and Julee were some of the first people I met when I moved to Cambria in 1983 and opened Heart's Ease. We shared so many of the same passions and interests, friendship was inevitable.

When Noah and I decided to move to Cambria, they pitched right in and helped transport furniture, big pots of plants and trees, and more to my new home. They helped me feel like I had a family.

David and Julee and their fabulous daughter lived in a tiny trailer while Julee taught and David labored on their amazing tree-house home over a canyon. He built every inch of it, and he and Julee furnished, decorated, and filled it with life and love. But, you don't need more words about them. You need to see some photos of little vignettes found throughout their home.


The hand painted chairs at the family table say "Eat," "Drink, "&" "Be Merry."


Family photos and meaningful words–"We do not remember days...we remember moments."


Julee said, "You always had chalkboards with poems and illustrations when you had your shop. So this little menu board is a tribute to you." 


David is famous for his caesar salad. Delish.


"Julee says I use too much pepper, you do it, Sharon."


This is the creative Julee–mistress of the house.




A small, but wonderful guest room.


A desk in the guest room.


Even the bathroom has artistic vignettes.


This is a paper nautilus atop the jar.


You can see how important the natural world is to David and Julee.


Another collector of heart shaped rocks.


And, on to the hummers, who are quickly outgrowing their tiny nest.


Their first rain. Look at how their feathers are growing. No more porcupine look.


I was about 5 inches from them when I took this. I don't have a fancy camera, just a little Canon, which cost about $135. I had a reader write and say that I must have spent a bundle on my camera, but I didn't; it is just a matter of patience and stick-to-it-iveness. I'm not lucky with the shots; I keep trying.


Look at them looking at me...are they precious or what?

Back to work on my book now. Slowly but surely, just like with the photos, I keep trying.

All joys to you,

Sharon


P.S. The winner of Ivette Soler's wonderful new book The Edible Front Yard is Susan Freeman of Ash Tree Cottage. Susan is also a member of the Grimy Hands Girls' Club, so she will also receive an extra gift surprise. Congratulations Susan (and Bentley).

38 comments:

suzanne said...

Dear Sharon

Early morning here. Husband out cycling and children still asleep...I've come visiting to see such lovely inspiration. David and Julee's home is wow..just beautiful. I love the natural wood and those corners of interest. Your hummers are little toddlers already~! Oh I would love to hold one...

Sharon, a Happy Easter to you and Noah.

Lots of love and happy days to you~
Suzanne
X

suzanne said...

Ps....I had no idea hummers were short for hummingbirds~ A little embarrassed but so delighted~!

Suzanne
X

Johanna said...

what a lovely home your friends have. They seem like such interesting folks!
And your baby humming birds are so so sweet. Thank you for letting us see them.
xox Johanna

Lori ann said...

What a treat! both the hummers and the house. the name of this post was well chosen!

Darla said...

Thanks to your friends for letting us have a glimpse inside their lovely home. My are those Hummers growing. Congrats to Susan on her win!

Sheilagh said...

What a beautiful home your friends have. You can see there is a lot of love there.

The Hmmers are a delight too, can't believe you were so close to them:)

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Thank you for sharing your wonderful day with your friends and their lovely home.

Now you've got me wanting to frame some of the heart rocks we've collected through the years.

I also love the little blackboard idea.

Congratulations to Susan on her win of this great looking book.

Those little hummers are so sweet and growing up quickly.

Have a wonderful week Sharon.

FlowerLady

P. S. My 'Pesto Basil' seeds have sprouted. :-) Thanks again to you and Renee.

Deb said...

Mornin' Sharon
I am so in love with your friends' home. Every inch posted was gorgeous. I love all the white, the natural, the beautiful framed photos (oh my!). I got a few ideas here. The little birds are so sweet. I hope they do well and live long.
Love your blog and look forward to your posts. Hugs, Deb=^..^=x5

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

thank you for this post
feel as though I have been
on vacation

The Unusual Farmchick said...

Such a beautifl atmosphere to spend your time with great friends.
I am in love with the shadow box of rock hearts! Can you recall what the message reads at the bottom?
I have a few heart shaped rocks which I would love to make similar to David & Julee's beautiful piece.
I recieved the Grimy hand girl's club package this week. THank You! Frog is very excited about the zinnia's. She is in charge of the boquet flower growing this year. She so badly wants to plant them now, but we still have a few weeks before it's safe. <3 The notecards are so lovely. Panda begged me to part with one so she could put it in her room to admire.
Have a beautiful week Sharon.

jaz@octoberfarm said...

what a wonderful home! just lovely!!! i love seeing the hummingbirds!

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

Your friends have created beautiful rooms and it sounds like you had a great visit.
Those hummers are really growing. Thanks for the update.

As the Crowe Flies and Reads said...

Reading this post was such a lovely way to start my day. I *do* hope that one day our paths will cross, but alas it won't be at Ethel's memorial service in June...

Julie Marie said...

Hi Sharon, what lovely friends and a beautiful home... I love homes filled with treasures from Nature... those little hummers are precious!... xoxo Julie Marie

Anonymous said...

I love the quote , the table display and well its all just beautiful.Such a wonderful day you had,, lovely,

Pat said...

All the soft blues in your friend's home - so natural and serene...
The baby hummers have sure grown! You are getting some amazing photos.
We have been to Alaska on a number of trips & one visit we found a gardener who lived waayyy off the beaten path - she also had a fabulous heart shape rock collection. She also had installed upside down tree trunks so that the wide roots formed a canopy to support flowering vines.
Received my Grimy Hands Packet - love the cards! Now am headed out to the herb garden to get my own hands grimy! I think Spring is finally here.

Vee said...

Your friends have a charming home and I'm sure that the hospitality is rich and warm. Those little hummers...why do I feel as if this may have been the last time we'll see them unless you are watching every possible minute? All the best with the writing...

Larkrise garden girl said...

Hi Sharon, I am so glad you used a simple camera for your photos. Thank Goodness there is hope for us all. I love the gardening world and I especially love looking at your wonderful friends and their artistic endeavors.Heart shaped rocks Wow! I know what I'll be looking for when I am out in my garden. Cheri

Susan said...

Your little touches are so inspirational. I baked a hummingbird cake this weekend in honor of your new book. Love you, Susan

Donna said...

Sharon, your friends have such a beautiful and creative home! I would love the stay in their guest room! Your hummer momma and babies are just beautiful. I cannot believe the momma smooshed on top of your bubbler birdbath. And I do LOVE the Do Not Enter sign on your gate so momma and her babies can have their privacy! Good luck with your deadline. I'm working on one right now myself. I think I sometimes work best the closer I get to a deadline! haha... Donna

Sharon Lovejoy said...

Good morning, and it is a BEAUTIFUL morning here in California...I've been gardening like a wild woman and also keeping my eyes on the hummers, who are trying out their wings.

I have received a few e-mails and one comment asking what the poem is in Julee's framed heart rocks. She will get back to me with the words.

Happy Monday,

Sharon

Anonymous said...

Hi Sharon,

I have so enjoyed watching the little hummers grow...what a treat to witness such wonderment through your camera lens! Your world of words, pictures, and friends is very special and you've inspired me to share what is going on around me just now as I sit here writing. A flock of goldfinches is happily munching on thistle seeds, a songbird perched atop the old dinner bell out front has burst forth in song, bumblebees are scurrying about as they flit among the verbena blossoms, and best of all, a tiny ruby throated hummingbird just visited the red geraniums on the front porch right beside me. Does life get any better?!!

Many thanks for sharing your words, pictures and friends with me.

Love,

Diane in North Carolina

Unknown said...

Beautiful place and friends! I love their creative ideas sprinkled throughout their home. Thanks for sharing your " visit" with us along with the hummers progress too!
Love my seed packet and beautiful illustrated note cards... they arrived last week on a cool, rainy spring day! Thanks for the sunshine!
Sending love,
Deb

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

What a neat home Sharon! Lot's of inspiration there!
And your bird pics are so good too!
We are finally getting a little spring here, but it sure has been late!
Hugs,
Cindy

PAINTORDIG.blogspot.com said...

I just discovered and joined your blog.Love the hummingbird photographs!

Annelies said...

Grimy handed Annelies here to wish you a great Spring day and thank you for the adorable "Gift" in the mail. I have never grown lettuce...but am so excited to try!!! Your spirit uplifts mine and for that I am SO grateful.

Anonymous said...

How beautiful their home is! I would love to stay and visit :)

The hummers are growing so fast! Adorable, absolutely adorable!

Warm wishes,
Sara

Susan Freeman said...

Hi Sharon! I was so involved reading your delightful post and looking at those sweet hummers and then suddenly I saw that Bentley and I won your great giveaway. I can't begin to tell you how excited I am because my neighbor Amy ( Momma to Thelma the chicken) has an edible front yard and I want one too. Thank you so very much!!!

Lots of love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Lili said...

Those baby hummers couldn't be more precious! And their nest is absolutely another work of art. How I enjoyed seeing all the inspirational images of your friends' home and collections. That's a great display idea for the heart rocks too, I collect them as well. Also love all the little bird elements on that desk. That is so cool that the chalkboard was a special nod to you, what a fun and creative couple they are! xoxo ~Lili

Marguerite said...

Sharon, I just wanted to let you know I received your wonderful Grimy Girls package. What a wonderful gift to start the long weekend! Many thanks to you and hope you enjoyed a wonderful Easter holiday. Marguerite

Natalie said...

That is such an incredibly lovely home, and it looks like a lovely time was had by all. And the precious hummingbirds! I love that you nickname them "hummers"--even more adorable.

Anonymous said...

I find myself coming back to your blog to see the beautiful photos,, its been a fantastic week for me,, my new blog has made me a very happy woman,,, I want to thank you for being the first to comment on my blog it meant so much to me,, I've been a fan of your s for well years,, thanks again,,Laurie

Kit said...

Love reading about your friends and your picts of the hummingbirds are wonderful. Kit

Kay's flowers said...

How beautiful! What perfect little vignettes. The hummies are looking so big and adorable. Have a great weekend.

Blessings,
Kay

HolleyGarden said...

Thanks so much for commenting on my blog. Your pictures of the baby hummers are incredible! Though we have hummers here, I can never find their little nests. Like you, I have a cheap camera that I use the 'keep trying' method with!

Bonnie K said...

Sharon,
I love the photos of baby hummer's first rain. They are so cozy in their little nest. What a gift! Thank you for the tour of Julee and David's home. I love the wall of family photos. The quote is perfect! Always a pleasure swinging by your place to see what you are up to.

Dee/reddirtramblings said...

You had me with the heart-shaped rocks. Framed even. You are such a sweetheart. That's why you make such great friends.~~Dee

Carol said...

Precious! Precious!! Indeed! I am just amazed and in awe at this wonder of life and your capturing it to share. Thank you Sharon!