The Inspiration of Helen

Have you ever seen that commercial where this young man sees his life flash forward in 15 seconds? Well, I wish I could figure out a way to share my own version of that with you here-but oh, well-we will just have to settle for a story and some pictures, :)

But first-don't you remember when summers were full of long days with your face turned up to the sun,sitting on that tire swing under a huge tree-the drone of locusts buzzing; what little there was of a breeze lifting the damp hair from your face? And one of the best sounds of the day was of the icecream truck winding it's way down your street?

Oh, to have those days back.....

"Where have you been?" you ask. Let's see,where to begin....

I should probably go back a little, maybe about four years ago now, I think. I have this dear friend who has three little boys and she lives down the street in another part of the neighborhood. She is a beautiful, kind person and is a professional photographer by trade. One day, she invited me over to her grandmother's pool which is about a block away. Of course,the girls and I were thrilled to have a place to swim.

This was how I met Helen.

Helen is my friend's grandmother, and is quite an amazing person. Beside the fact that she will be turning one hundred this year, which is incredible in and of itself, she is funny and clever to boot. And of course, we immediately fell in love with her. My daughters and I treasure the summers because we know we will get to see Mrs. Hauser and have some fun splashing in her pool. I often times will take along my art stuff and paint while the kids swim.
Her pool is such a calm and beautiful place to reflect and get centered again. We don't get to enjoy it often with our busy schedule, and I treasure these times very much.
Two years ago, Helen and her family made the landmark decision to share the bounty of their orchards and vineyards with the people of Gettysburg, and they constructed a spectacular winery.
I am not exaggerating at all when I make the statement that it could rival and possibly surpass any similar operations on the West Coast.
It boasts a gorgeous view and the luxe interior of the tasting room transports you instantly into an atmosphere rich with the aroma of the fine wine and hard cider they have become so well known for.

This is where my story begins with Hauser Estate Winery (and explains what I have been busy doing for the past month.....) As part of "giving back" and strengthening their bonds within in the community they recently started to display art work from local artists. I am honored to say I have been invited to hang some of my art work for the month of August in their Tasting Room on the square in Gettysburg.
(Do you think I caught these tourists by surprise as I captured this photo?) I can't imagine a more fitting personal thank you and tribute to Helen, the "grand matriarch" of the Hauser Estate in all it's splendor. How fitting to be able to share some of the paintings I completed while enjoying the lovely surroundings of Helen's backyard.
I can't tell you how honored I am to have this opportunity. I am a self taught artist and I know I will never aspire to anything more than this, but still, it is something that I had written down on my "Bucket List" of things to do in this lifetime. So in all my recent spare time , when I haven't been taking care of my family, or been at the barn with my rescued, retired DC Police horse, or spending afternoons in a summer marketing job with a cyber charter school, (or mornings innkeeping at a lovely local B&B), I am painting like a madwoman, lol!

I thank the Hauser Family for their kindness and support in allowing me to realize this very special moment in time. They will be participating in "First Friday" on August 6th-sponsored by the Gettysburg Area Retail Merchants Association. Each month Gettysburg businesses join forces to offer special events and refreshments. Approximately 25 businesses throughout Historic Gettysburg participate by hosting special receptions, guest artists and authors, sales and later business hours (until 8:00pm).

As part of the First Friday at The Hauser Wine Shop located next to 17 on the Square, there will be music by Sharon Knowles of Fynesound, and light hors'doevres provided by the Fairfield Inn. I would be so honored if you would mark your calendars and come out to celebrate all that is wonderful about summer with me on August 6th!!!! I realize my work is very naive, some will say it's primitive, but I promise you will be viewing a lot of my passion and heart that has gone into these pieces.....

Picture of the Day....

This almost looks like what I imagine judgement day might look like, but no, it was a Fourth of July event in the midwest somewhere. I think it has a very ethereal quality and is quite beautiful.

Quote of the Day....

Quote of the Day....

Things are more like they are now than they ever were before.
Dwight D. Eisenhower

It's Official!

I am honored to announce I have joined the staff at the Historic Fairfield Inn.

This beautiful home is located right on Main Street and was built in 1767 by Squire William Miller and his wife Isabella Henry Miller. The Inn was completely renovated to include large private bathrooms for each room. Some baths have old fashioned claw foot tubs and free standing showers while others have whirlpool tubs. The six suites and guest rooms are decorated with antiques, some with four-poster beds, others with private balconies overlooking the quaint, historic town of Fairfield. All of the guest rooms and suites have private baths, air-conditioning and cable television.

In addition, to compliment the Inn's fine accommodations, there is the Mansion House Restaurant (a favorite dining spot of President Eisenhower), and Squire Miller's Tavern serving a wide selection of classically prepared and artistically presented dishes. The hotel's two chefs and their team offer an imaginative menu of grilled and roasted game, pastas, seafood and mouth-watering steaks. The restaurant opens onto a delightful front porch perfect for spring through autumn dining; open log fires blaze in the hearths during the winter months. There is an inviting parlour for a quiet nightcap and a banquet salon for business meetings and exclusive receptions, luncheons and dinners.
Did you know the Inn holds the oldest Tavern License in Gettysburg and the surrounding area dating to 1786? It is the oldest, continuously operated Tavern in the area and one of only five serving since the 1700's in America.

A wonderful touch is the self guided tour which is open to the public. Joan and Sal (the owners) thoughtfully compiled this delightful journey which showcases the historic significance of many areas of the house. See where President & Mrs. Eisenhower enjoyed their dinners; you can see (or sleep) in the room General J.E.B. Stuart stayed in or where General Robert E. Lee ate, view the room where Statesman Patrick Henry (1736-99), famous for the quote: "Give me liberty or give me death" conducted meetings, as well as many other historically interesting sites and stories including the hidden Underground Railroad room.
Walking to the back of the home on the first floor and turning to the right there is also what used to be a courtyard (which has since been enclosed and is now another room and dining area); this is where generations of guests have been placing coins in the cracks of the "Wishing Walls". Similar to the idea of a "wishing well" or throwing a coin in a fountain, wishes are made with the hope that they'll come true-the tradition has continued through the entire place, as you travel to the second floor there is evidence of this above the entrance to the grand ballroom.

I would love to have you drop by for a visit sometime and maybe we can place a few coins in the wall together and make some wishes! See you soon!

Today Would Be a Good Day To...

One of the books I checked out this week was 365 Things to Do With Your Kids Before They're Too Old to Enjoy Them. I knew it was going to be good because as I thumbed through the pages, I rested on suggestion 104: "The next time your child asks you to come and see something right away, don't say you're busy, even if you are. Stop what you're doing and go see whatever it is your child is brimming over with enthusiasm about."I think we all need to do this more often. The time we have at this very moment, we will never have again. Try to remember that today on your journey.

Love, Andi

Getting Centered

Ah, beautiful Broadkill Beach, where we have been migrating every year for a week each June; kids and dogs in tow. This year, we were blessed with my grandmother and aunt for a couple of days. It's not often we get to spend time with them, and my grandmother's health has not been the best. We all just wanted to hug and touch her alot and tell her how much we love her. My aunt is equally as dear-she is so kind and thoughtful-it was all incredibly special and will make for some lovely memories for a long time to come.

Part of my time is spent catching up on reading material which has been piling up since Christmas, I'm embarrassed to say, but I am glad to report, I plowed through most of it. In these quiet moments, perusing through pages and pages of books and magazines, I am convinced that God is trying to send me a message. I promise to go into more detail in the coming days, but for now, I will leave you with a lovely passage from Hope Rising which I finally finished the last chapter of!

"...with the tenderness of an angel's kiss, I crooked my index finger and touched the space between her nostrils. It was as soft as a butterfly's wing. It was the first time that she came to me actually searching for the comfort of my hand. That moment flooded my heart with warmth. From then on, each day built upon the last. She allowed me to touch her muzzle, her cheek, her forehead-and finally her neck and body. Working with her was like stringing a precious necklace, one pearl at a time."
This was a much different account than the first time the author, Kim, had laid eyes on this little filly-"she was like every other child I'd ever known, starving for all of the physical and emotional sustenance that gives hope to live another day. Time for her was running out. Like a battered child, she wouldn't raise her head or even lift her eyes to look at me. My presence seemed to inspire only more fear in a heart that had already been tattered by more sorrow than she could bear....she reminded me of many of the children I work with-conditioned by long periods of rejection, they learn to fall back into the shadows, to say nothing, to think nothing, to be nothing.In full view of the world they gradually wither and disappear".

God spoke to me this week, and I actually took the time to listen. I vow to you Lord, I am going to try harder from now on.