Serenity Sunday...Week 9

Reflecting upon Friendship...

"A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still, gently allows you to grow." - William Shakespeare

V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N !!!

Ok...let's talk about this. I'm 'on vacation' but staying home as, I'm sure many of you, are this year. I usually take some of my vacation time from work to stay at home. It gives me time to work around the house, enjoy time with my family and friends, take a little time to have some alone time to read and figure out what projects will occupy me for the summer (or fall etc.).

I have taken the week of July 4th for as long as I can remember. It seems that there is always something going on around here...a festival of some kind and let's face it, it's always a good time for estate sales. One of my favorite shops The Granary, will be open for the July 4th weekend. They are an 'occasional sale' kind of shop.
Although it's a vacation week for me from my full time job, I will put in some time at my friend's antique shop (The Colonial Housefitter) this week. (I do plan to go into the office for a short time on Tuesday morning, and will explain later. It's a surprise and someone might read this blog and spill the beans!) It happens to be right down the street from me in the village of Jamesville. I love working at Chris's shop! It's such a departure from my other job that it's refreshing. The customers are interesting and I love talking to them about their home renovations and redecorations. Some of these customers have become friends which is always a bonus.

(Photographer unknown)

So...anyway...I'm thinking that this week...I might begin to work on my home workspace. It's in need of a face-lift, in a big way! It's a small room in my house that I use for my computer, sewing and of course, it's where I paint! I don't need to paint, did that already. I used a linen white paint. Those of you who work with color (painting etc.) know that using a color (especially in a small room) in the space that you paint, is not a good thing. The wall color will skew the colors that you are trying to lay on the canvas. What you believe is a brooding sky, when the canvas leaves the studio, can look brighter or gloomy. If you are working with whites and you have a green wall, will never look quite white. So...the walls were painted linen white. It's warm, inviting and any artwork I put on the walls looks great!

I'll try to remember to take pics as I go...if that ends up being the plan for this week! ;-)

Mourning......

Just a quick note to acknowledge the loss of Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson.

My heartfelt sorrow is extended to the families of both of these bigger than life celebrities.

May you find peace in your sorrow...

Serenity Sunday...Week 8

Happy first day of SUMMER!

AND...Happy Father's Day to my Dad!

The question begs to be asked...

Holy Cats! Has this week flown by as quickly for you as it has for me? Don't get me wrong...I'm not complaining about it being the weekend or anything, it's just that it feels like the five days in between barely got started and they were gone!

Why does it seem that as we get older (ahemmmm -I had a birthday this week) the time goes faster? Is there scientific proof of that? I swear there must have been an Ivy League School study from somewhere because I hear about this phenomenon all the time. People are always saying 'there are not enough hours in the day' and I believe them.

Do you remember when you were a child? How the summer vacation just seemed to go from one day to the next with no stops and starts. Only the household 'chores' (that a kid must do in order to spend the rest of the day being a kid) having any kind of 'claim' on your time. It seemed like the summer was months and months long...and now...summer flies by way quicker than the winter months do.

I do not understand it...it's a mystery to me how this happens...I do not have the answers, I can only ask the questions. Enjoy your day!

Serenity Sunday...Week 7

In a Balloon

In a balloon, I can soar far into the sky,
Beyond any false boundaries,
beyond the limits of gravity.
I am the pilot, and the navigator,
mapping my own course,
letting my heart guide the way.

In a balloon, I can see far into my future,
and I can retrace my past adventures,
using memories and life lessons…
to better plot my new path.

In a balloon, I can see clearly
the mistakes and triumphs
that are the footsteps of my life,
the passage that brought me to this new journey.

In a balloon, I can do all of this,
With faith, hope and confidence,
without fear and self-doubt,
And still believe in my heart,
I am my own pilot.

Copyright
Tamara J. Egan
July 9, 2001

Annual Jamesville Hot Air Balloon Fest

There are annual town and regional traditions that we, as residents, look forward to every year. The area surrounding my town (the metro Syracuse area) has so many it's difficult to keep track. In the winter, they have a pretty big festival, aptly named "Winter Fest", and if you are familiar at all with my blog, or watch the Weather Channel at all, know that we are, very often the winner of several 'most snowfall' awards and are known for our annual snowfall totals. To go along with that, we will have the "Jazz Fest", "Oldies Fest", "Greek Fest", "Apple Fest", just to name a few.

Having said all that, I note that we are just beginning the summer season and top of the list is the annual "Jamesville Balloon Fest", which is in it's 30th year. About a mile or so down the street from me, is the Jamesville Beach County Park. There is a nice sandy beach, plenty of shady woodland picnic areas, pavilions that can be reserved for private parties, play areas for the kids, row boats for rent, fishing spots. In the summer they hold swimming lessons for the 'little fish' and most summers they host a weekly concert evening that residents can bring a lawn chair and enjoy the musical entertainment of the big band sound, oldies, jazz, symphony, etc. played by various bands and groups. Not surprising, they usually draw a pretty good crowd.

So, back the the Balloon Fest which is always held on the 2nd weekend of June. It starts Friday evening and runs through Sunday evening. The Balloons are scheduled to go up at sunrise and sunset through the weekend. The only time the lift-off is scrapped, is if the rain is coming down or the winds are too strong.

About 7 years ago, myself, my Mom and a family friend had purchased tickets for a balloon ride on the Sunday morning flight (not too bad, about $125 if I remember correctly). The rides usually last an hour or so, depending on the winds and other variables and include the traditional champagne toast upon a safe landing. The people that own the property that the balloon lands on are usually invited to participate in the toast. My parents have had them land in their side yard many times. We arrived at the field at about 5am...ready to go, only a little bit apprehensive, but excited beyond all reason, only to have it postponed because of the misty rain that had begun to fall, then about an hour later, cancelled when the misty rain became a rainy morning. I can't tell you how disappointed I was! I had camera in hand, one of my friends was going to watch (from the ground, I tried to talk her into going, but to no avail) with her camera as well.

Besides the obvious hot air balloons, both traditionally shaped and speciality shaped, (over 2 dozen that come from near and far), there are bands that play through the weekend (remember "Orleans", "The Fabulous Thunderbirds", "Night Ranger"?) to entertain the masses, crafts to purchase, amusement rides, so many food tents that your mouth will water and various beverages (for children and adults as the fest is co-sponsored by Bud Light). In the evening they have the Balloon Glow after dark, which is really something to see. Admission is only $5 for adults...can you think of a better to entertain yourself for just $5?

These are a few pictures that I took a couple of years ago. I prefer to go to watch the morning flights, it's so peaceful and the crowds are way smaller. Unfortunately, over the years, my best balloon pictures were taken with my 35mm camera and I don't have my scanner hooked up. These are pictures that I have taken with my digital.

(above: watching the balloon being filled)

(above: partially filled)


(above: almost there)

(above: a few balloons that have taken flight)

(above: Another special shaped balloon. The kids love these!)

(above: waiting for the next one to go up)

(above: the morning crowd isn't too bad.)

19 Butternut: The Elusive Bird Shower Curtain

Stacy over at "19 Butternut" has an auction going to raise money for the Junior Diabetes foundation in her young daughter's name. Go on over and post a bid on this cute "Birdy" Shower Curtain and help her raise a little cash!


19 Butternut: The Elusive Bird Shower Curtain

Serenity Sunday...Week 6

Copyright

June 2000

Tamara Egan

The Granary Antique Shop...

This is it...my trip to the Granary Antique Shop in Skaneateles, NY.

I was greeted by Frank's duck and goose. Believe it or not, the goose thought it was her job to protect the duck, which she did with vigor!
This is a piture of the old barn that has since become the 'shop'.
Notice the huge stained glass windows. I'll have more on them later...


3 floors of treasures....


treasures...

More treasures...

even more treasures...

now....the windows from the inside...

look at the structure of the roof...

the barn is loaded with more stuff...

the structure that holds this barn up is amazing...

lots and lots of chairs, various styles...

I just can't get over the roof structure...

I was looking out one of the upper side doors and

took this picture of the side yard...really pretty flowers...

Around the back of the building, there is a small apartment.

I took this picture through a door in the back. A few years ago,

the apartment was open and for rent and I toured it.

It's small, but boy is it cute!

Look to the left of the picture above, and you'll see the pond. Isn't it great?

This....is what I scored! First, I got this awesome stool. There's a tag on the underside that says it's from the Syracuse University School of Environmental Science and Forestry. (SUNY ESF as we call it around here).

I also picked up this tarnished, silver creamer,

ironstone soap dish and advertizing box.

Close up of the creamer.

and another of the box...it's from a paint company in Niagara Falls NY...

Here's the group.... I hope you enjoyed my trip to the shop. Honestly, it's only about 25 miles from here, but there's so much to see on the way, I thought it would be fun to take you along....