On Saturday, after Carole and I had finished visiting the last home on the tour in Ivoryton....we stopped at Gather....a wonderful shop run by Deanna Pinette. There was a Farmer's Market outside the door....with all kinds of baked goodies....(the last cupcake got away from us!!)... but we did get a muffin which we devoured in the car....also fresh cherries and strawberries and other vegetables....everything was displayed so charmingly in old fashioned striped market baskets.....If I lived anywhere near here...I would be sure to visit each and every Saturday morning! Inside both Carole and I found a treasure or two to take home......Deanna's husband waited on us as Deanna was off on the garden tour with her daughter....
....Carole had a surprise for me from Maynard Greenhouse....a pot of the herb...chocolate mint! It smells so delicious! I had commented on her blog and she remembered my weakness for chocolate....she's such a sweetheart!
Inside Gather.....there are all manner of wonderful antiques and treasures....I snapped just a few pictures before that darn camera started acting up again.... I loved this old wood carrier....cute with the plants tucked in it...(what kind are they Carole?....here's my guess: asparagus fern ?)
Baskets and spools....I'm always drawn to the same things!
This sign hangs on the wall.... and here's a little history according to Wikipedia:
Ivoryton is a small village in the town of Essex. It was known for its production of pianos in the early 20th century and takes its name from the ivory industry that imported tusks to be shaped into the covering for piano and organ keys. At its height, 90% of the ivory in the United States went through Ivoryton. The Comstock and Cheney Company built two factories and the Ivoryton Inn was the housing center for the workers.
After Carole and I returned to Paula's enchanting home......Surprise! Deanna from Gather was there with her beautiful daughter as well as our lovely and dear friend Kathleen....we all shared a toast to Paula and to a long but happy and fulfilled day.....(I would include a picture here of all the girls but I promised I wouldn't put it on the blog.....we're a shy bunch....)
Afterward, Bill and Paula treated me to a delicious dinner at Bill's Seafood.......there was a great jazz band playing and Bill and Paula danced the night away....
The plan was to leave early the next morning...Paula had work (she's a pharmacist you know) and I had to travel back to New York...... I went to bed in one of Paula's upstairs bedrooms.....we like to call it the Princess Room.....I believe that is the name that Paula's nieces gave it when they were small......The room is decorated in Paula's unique garden style....and with antique linens, the window wide open and the smell of lavender in the air...I drifted off to sleep, content and happy with all I had seen and done this day.....
I awoke about 5 a.m. on Sunday morning and opened my eyes to see this lovely sight.....the sunlight peeking in... shining on this lace ruffled cuff on this sweet jacket adorning Paula's antique dress form.....so pretty.....I reached over to the bedside table, located my glasses, found my fickle camera and snapped this picture.....
Then I took a few more photographs .....
The table on the other side of the bed.....
This is a closeup of part of an assemblage by Cheryl Kuhn....it was actually the first piece I ever bought of Cheryl's and I gave it to Paula as a gift...I think for her birthday a few years ago... the bird made me think of Paula as she loves all things bird related and the wrench made me think of Bill....a tool and metal guy....with its touches of red....it looks just perfect in this room....
This angel dolly sits on the other side of the room holding an antique wooden shoe...
And this is Twirly Girl by Kim Stout of Thistle Hill......a fanciful creation that we found at the Wilton American Craftsmen Show a few years ago......
Tomorrow.....I will show a few more random pictures from Paula's home ....she is always so gracious and willing to share....until then....good night!
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