GREENWICH COFFEE, NY part 1

If anyone read my last blog it too was about a trip. This is as well but I will not go into details of the preflight snacking situation. As usual the 5 am alarm goes off too early as I anticipate the arrivals of my little buddies, Tracy and Robb, who will accompany me to Greenwich. It is def a Dunkin Donuts morning at JFK .   I am quite excited to be working on an install with one of my oldest and dearest clients, who I have code-named UB (you will have to ask me personally to un code this).

We arrive late afternoon to the beautiful house of UB, as she graciously slides down the stair banister in greeting yelling out GG, GG, where are you GG. We then are quickly escorted out to dinner. At The Box Car Cantina we quickly make up for lost time while kicking back a few SUPER CHIEFS (Margarita’s). My good time ends into a blissful sleep on my third floor private ensuite accommodations.

The morning starts with a jolt at 8:00 am as the house is converged upon, by hundreds (well maybe not hundreds, but many) workers. We have scheduled electricians, painters, installers, movers, and various other construction types. Meanwhile the three dogs are barking incessantly RUFF RUFF GRRRRRR RUFF RUFFF. It really is organized chaos. Thankfully Tracy has it all organized and is conducting it all like a beautiful orchestra. The House is looking great and we are ready for some serious shopping. Tuesday is all about Stamford art and antique shops. We are stunned at our great assortment of art, accessories and furniture. Our delivery company is picking up from 4-5 different vendors. We cannot wait to see it all in the house. Wednesday, more antique shopping in Stamford and a jaunt to the Big Apple to visit ABC Carpets. Of course while driving we are virtually stopped on the highway, now serving as a parking lot. We are going nowhere and nowhere for quite a while. While, my little buddies and UB are happily singing along to Lady Gaga, the mood changes. Tracy decides Mother Nature is calling and unceremoniously exits the car and on to the highway running past all the stopped cars. As he scampers off into the woods, UB and I are terrified. My clutched pearl necklace has basically broken as I live in fear we may start driving soon and Tracy will not be able to catch up. We are dangerously at a bridge as well so Tracy must make it back now or he may be LOST FOREVER, OH DIOS MIO……… phew disaster averted as my little buddy makes it back safe and sound.

Later that evening returning to the safe confines of Casa UB, we decide to have a quick impromptu cocktail hour with a few local friends. As the privileged guests arrive I note each has made a coffee run. How nice, a little java to warm the bones. I must have Naïve stamped all over my head as I note more and more refills of “coffee” are being made in the kitchen. As I sneak a peek while the guests are getting their final “Greenwich coffees” for the road I am aghast to see it is virtually pure vodka in a coffee cup. WHAT!!! OMG, why I have I not thought of this earlier. I LOVE GREENWICH!!!

Friday comes, the house looks AMAZING, UB is ecstatic. Me and my little buddies are very happy with how beautiful the house looks but exhausted. Design job completed. Check out some photos and be prepared for

 

NY part 2, “THE CITY OF DRUNKEN SANTAS”:    

Talking turkey with Gary Gibson

 

I don’t know about you but 7am is WAY too early to think of boarding a plane. Drastic measures must be taken to be sure this day before Thanksgiving will start on the right foot. Only the architectural wonders of those Iconic Golden arches can calm my preflight anxiety. Thankfully my drive to the airport routes me directly through these arches without even needing to turn off the car engine. After a quick linguistic grapple with a gender unspecified voice through an order box, I am sure my taste buds will finally be awake. Nothin’ quite like a warm and toasty McMuffin to soothe my early flight ailments and hunger pains.

I like a friendly chit chat like the next Harry, Mary and Moe but little Miss perky 14C is truly riding my last nerve. I am thankful I brought along a few fabric samples as if this needless talk of Twilight the movie continues, I am quite sure a silk velvet will amply fill her pumpkin Pie Hole (see I have the holiday spirit)

Finally make it to lovely Aurora Oregon and am greeted by my sis (photo), Mom and niece. Why even Marge  and Large seem happy to see me!!! 

FAMILY TIME BEGINS…… Ok it was almost a full hour with the family. Now I am at my Art studio struck with inspiration.  Well at least I am inspired to clean it up and get ready for when I am geniously inspired.

 

 

 

 

After moving into the Cabin 6 years ago, I am finally organizing, lighting it correctly and making sure all my supplies are on hand at a given moment. You never know when whimsy strikes me. Usually I can break into a quick little two step or rumba while at the showroom but now at the cabin I can really let my inspiration take form onto canvas.

Check out some more before and after photos:

    

As much as I would love to share the details of a GIBSON FAMILY Thanksgiving dinner, football watching, board games, scrabble, lawn tennis and general scratching, ultimately my biggest inspirations comes the day after Thanksgiving. With my overzealous and cheery hiking mate, brother-in-law Bret, we are ready to venture out into the cold damp dark Oregon day. Bret suggests we visit Donald for a few beers. Sure, whose  Donald I say???

    I am all about the beers but cannot figure out who Donald is?  After wondering down pebbled streets lined with much floribunda, creeks, a few friendly critters (this is a shout out to my trucker friend Gabe enthusiastically wishing us a happy Thanksgiving WOO WOO- still thankful we were not shot) I finally discover Donald. Apparently Donald is quite the tourist attraction as it is the city with train tracks, antiqued buildings and a nod to  industrialization.  With such clearly marked signs, we have happily found the place to have BEER. Now I made it here but at this point I am a bit tired, wet and perhaps a wee bit beery I mean blurry eyed and think a ride home would be great. Gabe’s already made it past us in his 18 wheeler so I am going to have to call Gay. Thanks Sis for picking us up.