Maine at last!

After so many states, laughter, meeting people in many areas and walks of life, here I am in gorgeous Maine, New England.
It’s been an extraordinary journey, taken with a wonderful man. I’ve loved every minute of it. I have seen gorgeous countryside, beaches that stretch miles, little cute shops and homes brimming with charm. within a two day period of arriving here, I have a new work opportunity in Kittery and a gorgeous attic in a barn on 10 acres in the same area to live in. I continue to provide my telephone guidance and will be offering massage/healing hands-on sessions for locals and visitors alike once settled.
I’ve loved taking this journey with all those who have been reading my blog. I promise to update you every so often, but of course, now I’m settled I’m going to be more interested in being of service in guiding you!!!

Georgia to North Carolina

we spent 2 days at lovely Jena and her family. Georgia was fun, having lunch in the historic districts and mooching in the shops.
Then we left and began our drive to Raleigh, North Carolina, to see a great friend, Katherine. The drive was gorgeous and I love where she lives. We ate in an Irish Tavern with live music – so much fun. I had pretty good crabcakes, and of course, grits were served. Not bad either!!! North Carolina- safe, friendly and absolutely beautiful everywhere you drive, with a moderate climate, is my favorite place so far on this journey. I was sorry to drive away from it.
My two friends were so gracious and they opened their homes and hearts to us. Thank you! Today we left and drove 10 hours – through Virginia, Washington DC with a $5 toll and high gas prices, Delaware with a $4 toll and also high gas prices, Pennsylvania to Philadelphia, which didn’t feel so safe, so not a fave of mine. Russ booked me a massage, and then we are going out to have a Philly steak dinner and crash out tonight….
tomorrow our plan is to see the Liberty Bell, go thru Conneticut, and continue our drive to New England! I am sorry this part of the adventure is coming to an end but thrilled it’s been such a positive experience with Russ and so glad that I feel as though I’m coming home…………

next step on the pilgrimage

Memphis, Tennesse to Marrieta, Georgia. Phew, a long drive but so worth it. To arrive directly at a friend’s home that I know and love is the greatest gift. We got washing done, were driven around and got to hang with a really sweet family, who welcomed us with the best of Southern hospitality. We saw old character rich areas, simply brimming with shops, restaurants, charm and history. The people were a little stiff compared to other places, but perhaps they take a while to warm up to new people. I didn’t find Georgia oozing Southern charm from the people, even though it is extraodinarily pretty and warm. Our friends, however, were extraordinarily hospitable, and the occasional shopkeeper was considerate and kind, but it wasn’t commonplace. I was disappointed in that aspect, but the buildings and areas are simply gorgeous. I made a chicken macaroni cheese, garlic bread, salad dinner with rice pudding for dessert and my sous chef was Jena and Craig’s youngest, Graham – he was fun to cook with!!!

It’s been fun and tomorrow we leave to drive 7 hours to Raleigh, North Carolina! I am half excited and half dreading getting so close to reality of working, finding a home and saying goodbye to Russ who’s been a wonderful friend and sweet partner for this journey.

Amarillo to Memphis

so, I am still on the road, the Southern route, on a pilgrimage to find home. There’s some great tips for taking long hot journeys. One is to have with you in the car and every few days put in the engine, a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water, to keep the water levels up and prevent engine over heat. The other is to make sure the tire pressure isn’t too high to prevent blow out. We check oil and water levels early in the morning when the engine is cool and top up where necessary.
There’s been some happy surprises along the way on this journey. One is my separated husband and I are doing wonderfully well. Maybe better than we’ve ever done.
We completed our Texas time with a visit to the second biggest canyon in the West, to see a live show. We had overflow seats, which means you basically sit on hard cement with no back support. you can imagine how comfy that was after sitting in the car for hours. It also included bbq dinner, which we lined up for over an hour, but there was live music and line dancing which I joined in and while following the steps like a true novice, I couldn’t stop smiling, as it was fun to look foolish in public to the tune of great country music. The food was big and sloppy but fairly tasty – not quite worth lining up an hour for. There were only 2 empty seats in the open air auditorium and they happened to be right next to us, so we took our weary achy bodies and slipped into those seats, then promptly gave them away to a large, older couple, who looked more uncomfortable than us, and left early to get a hotel room for the night. Our average cost has been $80 per night, and although we could have spent a great deal less, we have so much stuff in my car, it feels safer to stay somewhere that doesn’t have banged up cars in the lot, or stained curtains hanging on the windows.
 
I have experienced some scenery surprises. I didn’t realize that the lovely red Sedona type rock you get in Arizona continues all the way through to Oklahoma. I had no idea that Arkansas was so green and pretty, even on the freeways, and had no idea that Memphis was such a strong, buzzing city with jazz clubs and great tourist things to do. It’s right on the river too, and is a pretty city that cares how it does business.  We parked our car and took a carriage ride through the city, with a guide who knew and loved his Memphis. That was so worth doing. They’ve really made a great city. So, our long 12 hour day passed eventfully, with lively conversation, lovely scenery and sampling a great flavor of the States we are meandering through. Our day ended after midnight when we finally found a motel chain to rest our weary selves. Memphis trivia …………… the lit bridge in the shape of an M is in the guiness book of world records as the largest lit structure in the world. Memphis is one of the few cities that borders 3 states, Tennesse, Arkansas and Mississippi. There’s more songs about Memphis than any other city in the World.

Santa Fe to Amarillo

we woke really dragging ourselves out of bed. long journeys, late nights, strange and new hotels/motels and beds, scenery etc. A whole new page in the book of life every single day. Exciting but very exhausting at the same time.
Santa Fe is gorgeous with its adobe homes and structures. A very picturesque town square and otherwise a sprawling area of the country, with red poking out everywhere, amongst green brushy trees and low hills. we caught a wedding at the cathedral. We went to the oldest chapel in the town, which has a spiral staircase built by a sacred carpenter, who didn’t disclose his name and took no money – just built this staircase out of a continuous piece of wood, with no nails, screws, etc, and left. It’s beautiful and the chapel is full of light, with gorgeous stained glass windows. they charge for everything, including a dollar to light a couple of candles, but it’s still worth seeing and sitting in the sweetness of the chapel. There’s jewellery, artists and galleries everywhere, with bronze sculptures of children that are delightful. It’s a little expensive but hand made and very different.
We got on the road as we still had a good 5 hours to Amarillo Texas. It was a fairly flat boring drive, with very few interesting pit stops on the way. Then we were in Texas. Cowboy hats, jeans, button up shirts and belts with buckles are the absolute fashion here. So, when in Rome do as the Romans do, I bought slightly pricey cowboy boots. As I have big feet, I had to buy mine in the guy section, but in Texas the guys seem to wear colorful boots just the same as women. So it was another thing I had to ram into a corner of the car. Phew!! then we found out about a canyon that was second largest to the Grand canyon in the nation. It was playing a live show, and bbq food. Sounded very Texan, so off we went.
The canyon was amazing compared to the very flat land we’d seen all day. The live band and the country dancing was the best.
the show was cute, a bit corny, but lots of dancing and singing, and the bbq food was not the best, but it wasn’t half bad either.  would I recommend it – sort of. would I do it again – no.
but I’m glad we did. we then, after 10pm found a cute country inn and snuggled up for a night of well deserved rest before a long trek to Tennesse tomorrow. Yee -Ha!!!

L.A. to Vegas

writing from Santa Fe. I’ve attached photos for you to post. first is a sunset in Shasta. second is a day out in laguna beach.
third is hoover dam’s new bridge being built. fourth just proves I was there and I’m happy seeing this great land. fourth is Arizona to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Fifth is one of 4 rainbows we saw in New Mexico.

to anyone reading my blog………….
I have officially left Dunsmuir and the gorgeous Mt. Shasta area. I had such a wonderful time. I had the very best landlords you could imagine, while renting my sweet little cottage, surrounded by pine trees. I enjoyed catering events with a very talented and special lady Chef Sylvia, who is now continuing to cater without me. ( I’ll miss her – it was fun!) But for a long time New England has been calling my heart and if I don’t go there and see what it’s like to live there, I’ll always wonder. So, here we are in this pretty difficult economy, myself and my husband who are working on the possibility of reuniting, driving from Thousand Oaks, and L.A. where I’ve been staying for 2 weeks, with a great friend, Lisa and her family. They made me so welcome, and when I tried to pack up the stuff on my roof, none of us could figure out how to work ratchet tie downs, so the guys at OSH spent almost an hour getting my stuff all set and tied and off I went with their encouraging waves and blessings. AMERICAN SPIRIT IS AMAZING!!!
I left yesterday, August 13th, to visit my special friends/clients in Hermosa Beach then to LAX to collect a long lost friend and separated husband, and drove to Vegas. The hotel we stayed at was noisy, but exciting. They did charge for absolutely everything though. $14.99 for internet access, $3 for phone if you use it or not, etc etc. Tonight we are in Santa Fe at a chain, where they charge for so much less. Breakfast included, use of a washer and dryer, no cost to connect and no phone charge. Plus, the room is larger and bed huge and comfy!!!
We drove through no less than 4 rainbows, and beautiful country. I LOVE AMERICA!!!! This land is so worth exploring.
I am going to create work on route, as tomorrow we drive to Texas. Yee-hah!!! It’s worth putting 50/50 antifreeze and water in the radiator when traveling long distance in August as it helps prevent overheating. Thanks for that tip J.D. will journal again soon.

On the Move…

I loved my time in the Dunsmuir/Mt Shasta area. It is such beautiful, breathtaking scenery but I have had this hankering for New England and the East coast for many years, so have to go find out if this is my true home and put it to rest or just settle there for the rest of my years here on earth. I am already in the Thousand Oaks area right now until August 14 and then on the 15th I travel via a couple of special people, to the East coast. I’m excited and yet my heart still has a huge place in it for the Northern Cal and Southern Oregon area. It is the most gorgeous place I’ve ever lived in. I may yet be back, but I have to go find out about New England and in particular, Southern Maine. Will keep you all posted…………….enjoy the photos…………………..

Engagement Party Appetizers

I made some wonderful appetizers for an engagement party and a spa lunch and would like to share some photos. The lunch included sandwiches and salad, and the engagement party involved a thai appetizer; guacamole and chips. I had so much fun playing in these appetizers and the spa lunch. They were very popular.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Going NoCal from SoCal- I’m moving to Mt Shasta!

Talk about standing in almost blind faith. I am almost packed to move to Northern California, to the little town of Dunsmuir, near Mt Shasta. It feels so right yet I am moving into an area where I have to start anew in every area of my life. I leave some glorious friends and family here in Southern California and precious clients, who have become such dear friends. This move is difficult, yet it feels so right.

I am going to be renting a little fully furnished stone built cabin right by the river; storing everything I hold dear from my life and working in a gorgeous spa there that is already welcoming me with open arms and more importantly an open heart. I know this may all sound very spiritual and glam, but here I am awaiting a visit to a sweet and talented massage therapist, as my body, my breathing, my neck and shoulder on my left side, is all completely locked up. It’s a lot to take in. And of course, there’s always more…………………
I turn North and I am full of mixed emotions, but also a shiver of excitement, as I’m trusting my heart and listening to it more strongly than I ever have before. I’ve helped others but this time I’m helping me.
I look forward to keeping everyone posted on this adventure and will post pictures. Friday I begin the drive. Saturday I complete it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Having an interesting time in England

Hi everyone,
here’s what I’ve been up to. I helped a young entrepeneur to re-open and launch his 2nd cafe. We put a fountain in, sparkling lights and lots of orange, the color of creativity. Our menu includes loaded baked potatoes, homemade cakes and cookies, panini sandwiches and fabulous soups, salads and pastas. Our sauces and dressings, pestos, soups and more are all made on the premises with fresh herbs and spices. Yum!!! My intention is to bring this to America the land that I love and miss, and re-create it there.
I will return home soon………………….