cocktail hour blogging

No, I haven't  given up blogging; I've been kidnapped by aliens. A frantic week of packing, three days of driving, a week of shopping for things like a decent bed for my guests to sleep in, porch furniture (there wasn't any), and other essentials.  This was followed by a two week visit of my wonderful French cousins, which included nonstop eating/talking/driving

and stopping for an espresso (when we could find one) every afternoon.  Here we are after a lovely stop at a café in Boca Raton with my cousin Mimi, who took the picture.

Our travels included a visit to St. Augustine, where it was so COLD that Phil had to buy a sweatshirt!  However, the architecture was a dream.  This church was the most beautiful one I have ever been in.  Build by Henry Flagler in memory of his daughter, it is unusual both inside and out.  The ceiling was drop-dead gorgeous, as was everything else.

One of Henry Flagler's hotels is now the City Hall of St. Augustine. gorgeous! -- inside and out.

I skipped the Fountain of Youth, since I knew it was too late for me.  Which reminds me, I was getting my pedicure today in West Palm and a woman came in for a haircut.  Rather frail, she walked with a cane, but had all her marbles.  She was 101. Maybe she drank from that fountain - or she has amazing genes.
My partner Phil and my cousins hightailed it out of the Palm Beach International airport yesterday and my friend Marni is arriving tomorrow. 

Today, I have done laundry, vacuumed, done some sewing, had a mani-pedi, and picked up the forwarded mail which consists of about 1000 bills to be paid.  Right now, I have given up all of the above and am pretending I am on vacation by sitting on the porch with (of course) my gin with basil & lime, some nuts and olives, and my computer. Ahhhh....

The porch furniture is really too big for the rather narrow porch, but we don't care because it is so comfortable.  My father loved to sit out here and read, and I understand why. But the old furniture was in shreds and the porch was a disaster by the time I inherited this place.  Here is where I am sitting now.  It is raining.  I am relaxed and happy.

I brought a ton of fabric, batting, etc. with me but have little-to-no time to work.  However, I am playing around with something inspired by my trip to Africa. I brought it with me and hope I can put it together and stitch it before I leave here.

More on my experiments, later.  I am putting together a couple of on-line teaching classes (which said I would never do but I couldn't resist this relaxed, personal way of teaching).
More on this subject when I can give you some info.

Meantime, cocktail hour is over and it is time to get back to work. xoxo