So hard to say "goodbye". . . . . . . . .

. . . . . so how about arrivederci, or just a good old plain cheerio!

Four days in paradise - such a fabulous time that even the kidney stone

is almost forgotten! The positive things about that unexpected episode were

 having kind friends who cared, and a nearby country hospital where ER service

was excellent and, after a few hours, I felt fine again and could return to the farm!

Those lovely days at Villa Vista were even more exhilarating and

 wonderful than expected.

Occasions such as this continue to make me realize just how great

 meeting blog friends can be. But for blogging our paths would never have

 crossed, and all those great times with special friends would never have

 happened in my life.

Above, me loving every moment on the farm.

We picked vegetables, we cooked, we ate both inside and al fresco, 

we painted, we toasted with champagne, we shared stories of life and travel, 

we met neighbors, we did a little sightseeing around town, we sat comfortably

 taking in such incredible views, we watched huge families of winged wonders,

 skid across the pond. . . . . 

. . . . oh yes, I did say we talked didn't I? In fact we never stopped!

All photos above taken at different times of day at the beautiful farm in the alfalfa field. 

As you can see, my time there was so special and I felt so very happy and peaceful

in this lovely place, surrounded by nature and with the most delightful hosts.

Be sure to visit Gina here at ART and ALFALFA to enjoy more stories, and 

her beautiful photos, from the farm.

Around the kitchen table. . . . .

I've aways enjoyed sitting around casual kitchen tables of friends, sharing a mug of

coffee, a cup of tea, plus of course a natter and catch up of any news.

Here in Gina's comfortable kitchen in the farmhouse in Utah, it was even more special.

Besides chatting - we sent our men away to check out vintage tractors in the barn, 

plus a visit to Mr. G's friend who builds beautiful Windsor style chairs in their tiny

 farming community - we got out the paints, brushes and blank bisque tiles and

 I received an awesome art lesson in Italian Renaissance style ceramics painting.

Gina's painted kitchen cabinet and many of her colorful ceramic pieces.

Note the walls - Gina painted them and embedded straw for this special farmhouse look.

I was a little nervous. . . . actually a lot nervous!

Having worked in an administrative capacity in commercial art and advertising

 for several years, I've never considered myself an artist. I decided to paint

 something with figs and Gina, with much patience, showed me the steps.

My practice tile - manipulating and learning the brush strokes, shading, blending

 the colors.  When my fig tile was finished Gina kept it - the practice one also - to glaze

 and fire in her kiln. My finished tiles arrived a few days ago and I'm so thrilled with them.

I love how the colors have come alive and can see myself perhaps painting more

 if I can buy materials and find a kiln service in my area to fire the tiles.

This is a 6X6 inch tile - I'm using it as a coaster here in the gazebo. I love how it

 turned out and many thanks to Gina for taking time to give me such an enjoyable

 lesson. It certainly got my creative juices flowing after such a long hiatus.

Here's the link to Gina's Etsy shop where 

you will see more of her beautiful work. . . . 

. . . . . and that special kitchen table!

Pleasures and Passions. . . . . . . . . .

Surely there is nothing more special in life than following your 

dreams and then fulfilling them with passion. Often it takes a lot of

hard work, even physical labor, to put those dreams on paper, to

design what you see and feel in your heart and head, and then

transfer your dreams to a surface.

Gina at ART & ALFALA has done just that over many 

years, decorating the interior walls of her beautiful home with

stunning paint finishes in warm Italian colors.

Here are some of the lovely surfaces in the light-filled guest 
accommodation on the farm, the carriage house, where we stayed. . .  
 . . . and I never wanted to leave! 

The delightful little kitchen area.

One of the two painted balconies on the carriage house. Note the grapes clambering
 up (home to a flock of tiny birds) which Gina tells me are now ripe for picking
 since we were there less than two weeks ago!

Morning coffee here was so special. Later, we crossed the courtyard to the

 main house for a delicious breakfast served on the porch - the chickens 

supplying the just laid eggs, and Gina's homemade jams and 

jellies - it was certainly the tastiest start to the day ever. 

More to come when I show you the lovely interiors of the main

 house where Gina started her painting passion many years ago,

and a very special art lesson at Gina's kitchen table!

First light . . . . . . ..

Today I awoke and was up before the sun - probably because Bob allowed the

 storm door to slam at 6:00 AM when going to pick up the newspaper!

It rained again during the night but no thunder or lightning, and now we are

 looking at some fabulous weather for the next week. Hopefully it will dry up

and we can enjoy outdoor time.

After being at Gina's farm in Utah, seen in these photos, with stunning scenery

 stretching to the mountains, and the shining pond full of large winged visitors,

 my landscape here at the cottage feels somewhat encroaching and dark. . . . . . . .  

. . . . . I loved the openness of the garden and surrounding fields, the light shining through the dancing water of the irrigation system. . . . .  

. . . . . . the cackling birds on the bell towers of the gorgeous barn - you can just see

 the outline of the mountains here. . . . . 

. . . . . . . and then the sun appearing to make the colors of the buildings positively glow.

Gina's 'green thumb' produces such gorgeous flowers.

Early morning view toward the main house from the guest house - 

 Life at the pond - this year's parents and their now grown juveniles.

Speaking of waking early - I had no idea that on my second morning on the farm

 I would be awakened at the ungodly hour of 3:00 AM in excruciating pain!

  I knew immediately what was happening. . . . . . . another kidney stone on my left side!  

After waking Bob with my groaning, crying and flailing around from bed to the lovely

 comfy sofas, and back and forth to the bathroom downstairs, for a couple of hours, 

ready to jump from the balcony and drown myself in the pond (if you've had a

 kidney stone you know where I'm coming from!), Bob said to start packing and he'd 

drive me to the hospital in Provo, the closest large city! 

Before that occurred, Bob told Gina what was happening - thankfully she and Mr. G. are

early risers - and she insisted in taking me instead to a small hospital just 5 miles up the

road. (Thank you again dear friend of being so caring and understanding, and not

allowing me to be embarrassed at my plight in your home).

What amazing service that little ER gave me. How kind and caring were the staff.

The physician - actually a PA - was the best doctor I've ever had treat me - all

others should take 'bedside manner lessons' from him.

The sweet nurse had me hooked up to pain killers immediately. Lab tests were done.

The CT scan was completed in 10 minutes - the x-rays sent via computer to be read

 at a major hospital in Salt Lake City - and that apparently tiny stone causing such

 havoc was located in my plumbing system!

Outside a medi-vac helicopter was revving its engine - thank goodness it

wasn't for me - another patient, a poor woman in even more pain than me -

was being airlifted to the city.

In a few hours I was back on the farm enjoying another spectacular day,

grateful for modern medicine. . . . . . . and wonderful friends.

More from Utah next time.

Arriving in Utah. . . . . . . . .

Arrival in the peaceful Utah valley on a hot August afternoon.

The drive from the city through mountainous scenery was slightly hampered by smoke

from wildfires burning on the ridges. The fires continued during our stay, somewhat 

obliterating the beautiful mountains in the distance, however by our last day the air

was better - you will get to see the clearer landscape in posts to come.

The carriage house, our fabulous home away from home.

Welcomed by our friends with warm hugs and chilled champagne here in the

 sitting room, we immediately fell head over heels in love with this stunningly 

beautiful farm. Yes, this exquisite home is a farm. . . . . . . and, for me, a

 piece of paradise.

As the sun lowered over the distant mountains, the beautiful colors of the

 Italian architect Andrea Palladio (1508-1580) style house, and out buildings,

 positively glowed in the light.

Other residents of this beautiful farm also came to welcome us. . . . . . 

. . . . . . and in fact often showed up at an entryway looking for treats I think!

Looking across to the pond where this year's enormous gaggle of Canada geese

 visit daily. Can you blame them?

This magnificent sunset welcomed us to our first evening in Utah and, most

 importantly, to the fabulous home of a very special lady - and her most

 charming farmer, Mr. G - sweet Gina of the blog Art & Alfalfa.

I know some of you follow Gina and how all of you, like me, have been blown

 away over the years by the photos and stories she has shared from her home

 in the alfalfa field.  

Going to meet Gina and Mr. G has been a trip we've tried to do for a few

 years - this year it came true. It was certainly worth waiting for.

I have a lot to share with you, and thank Gina for giving me permission to share

 some photos I took of her home. I know you will enjoy seeing this piece of paradise

 in a quiet Utah valley.

  

Clyde and Lola - the resident white geese - basking in the warm

light of sunset at the pond.

I have so much to share with you from the days on the farm.

The warm welcome and ongoing caring attention of Gina and Mr. G were

 just unbelievable. From the moment of arrival I knew it was going to 

be very hard to leave. . . . . . . it was, and every day was fun and full of

amazing happenings!

Gina's flowers from the garden - we all know about her 'green thumb' and love to

see the colorful floral bouquets she gathers here on her blog Art & Alfalfa.

Mr. G. gave me a great tip - add a spray of dill to the vase, it will keep the 

water fresh.

Come back later to read more about our very special visit.