sharron & joyce have been friends for nearly 40 years. since i met joyce a couple of years ago, she's been telling me about her friend sharron. we've talked of having an art retreat together, but it took until this week for that to happen. it's okay. it was worth the wait.
it was love at first sight with sharron. i always fall for the quiet types. joyce had told me about the legendary sunday dinners sharron makes for her family. they gather around the huge wooden table in her old orchard farmhouse. my imagination was off and running when i heard that and i conjured up a story about sharron that wasn't far from the truth. i spun out an entire novella in my mind and had been adding chapters piecemeal.
but when we pulled off the road and down a lane shaded by the avocado groves. as we drove deeper and deeper into the tall trees of the orchard. as shards of sunlight lit the path. as it began to remind me of a southern gothic novel. i changed the setting of my own novella.
we sat at the table. the scene of the sunday suppers. and ate joyce's acai sorbet, fruit stand fruit, homemade granola. heaven in a bowl.
look, a widow's walk! this orchard and house has been in sharron's family for generations. californians. early settlers in carpinteria. they once owned land from the mountains to the sea with family members spread across the valley. and this is the original homestead parcel.
i kept thinking about our dearly departed huell howser of california's gold, and how much he would have loved this tour and time with sharron and joyce. history + california + stories = huell howser.
sharron's daughter has studied the lost art of gilding. her work is golden perfection.
i have studied the art of staring at things hungrily until they are offered to me. i'm not above resorting to theft if the situation calls for it. which is why i just finished a piece of toast with blackberry jam from sharron's kitchen, but not in sharron's kitchen. here at moss cottage. of course i didn't steal it, but i did lunge for the jar when she offered.
the blackberry vines are rambling on an old fence behind the back kitchen door.
hmmmm…time to decide on my favorite chair. where i might sit and think and add another chapter to my novella cum novel. then later in the afternoon i will get my basket and go pick blackberries and figs. pull down a recipe book and make a batch of jam. by the time i finish i'll be ready to light my lantern, don my velvet cape, and go for an early evening orchard stroll. maybe i'll see a litter of bobcats or a fox or a coyote or a werewolf. i might.
oh wait. i forgot to tell you about the dinners sharron's family have in the orchard among the trees! on old quilts! on the ground!
and i forgot about her journals! piles and piles of them.
talk amongst yourselves till i return. no fighting over those journals!
Well, MAM, I started out with your vid of Venice…and I miraculously…didn’t cry.
Then I meandered here and took one look at this MAGNIFICENT house and wept like a baby. Have been trying to figure
out what to do with my spaces…and found out…right here. So I cried until I was done.
Wiped my nose…then went to the top and read your words and cried some more.
You’ll be happy to know I’m done …for now ;))).Totally un-done…then re-done. It’s a good thing.
And I am so happy I was able to have 2 BEAUTY-FULL!! trips with you in one day. Thank you so much.
You touched my heart …twice.
Peace,
Sass x0xx0x-xoxox0x0x
Had to come back again… spent most of fifth period daydreaming of this beautiful home, and wondering how I could ever find such a place of my own.
I will never be the same, what a lovely home. All those absolutely gorgeous books and journals. I am starting to make journals, now I am so inspired….like I said I will never never never be the same. Thank you. Carla
I have been hoping with bated breath that someone would take over where Mr. Howser left off. Of course, no one could replace him, but I knew there were more treasures out there, and this post confirms it.
Oh joy… what a stunning dreamboat of a house… mwaaaaaaaaah! Thank you 🙂
Sharron – You’re a star and rightly so!! Love your house, it’s soooo you!! This looks like it was a simply wonderful time!! Miss you and Joycie!! xo Ginny
I ditto on what Liv wrote…it makes one feel very good just to look at the loveliness…a visual feast for sure. You are so lucky to have that connection. Thanks, for sharing!
Oh what a wonderful place. All those wonderful books and journals. Your description of getting there had me hooked. Ah I can dream……………..
You’re sooo right about Huell!!
PLEASEpleasepuulleeeze tell me you have pictures to share of what is in those luscious-looking journals!!!
Such a lovely home and lady of the manor! I would love to ramble through all those old books and avocado groves, snacking on homemade jam. I would even promise to wipe my feet and not stick my fingers in the jam jars if I could look through all the journals while sitting in that cozy blue chair.
OH OH OOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH WOW! Really, double WOW! All of this is making my heart so very happy. I’m drinking it all in with my eyes. This might take all day but I’m gonna dig in right now and enjoy this visual feast, one photo at a time.
MAM I understand you PERFECTLY, (and all the rest of you commentators for thath ´matter)
OK, I know exactly where I want to curl up with her journals … on that wonderful sofa in front of the window… for a long weekend … Thank you for sharing Sharron and her wonderful old home.
wow. great post. loved the photos and the captions
What I want to know, Ms. MAM, is how your posts often serve as a guiding signpost when my life is at a crossroads? My house has become a blank slate (new floors). Love the emptiness, the peace of no clutter. Truth is, I’m a collector, artist, cook, yoga teacher. Do I put the house back the way it was (cozy) or keep it empty and serene. Guess what? Serenity is NOT my middle name. The answer is in between. Sharon’s amazing home has reminded me who I am really. Thank you both.
Love “the man who came to dinner idea” – very funny. How’s about it? I know a guy…
LA Native, Carpinteria has been the “scene of the crime” for several life adventures. I remember when the beach houses were shacks made of clapboard with no insulation. Nice to know some of the old places are back there in the dusty avocado grove.
Off for an entire week of yoga teacher training. No job, no teaching, just learning.
Lordalmighty that is some place! It could be the basis for a whole movie. You really were fortunate to visit, and I’m not even talking about Sharron! She must be one special woman.
WHOA! What an experience of a lifetime…old home with history and all those books/journals. Exactly my kind of vacation.
Remember the movie “the man who came to dinner?” Well, you need to plan a return visit and then BREAK YOUR LEG. bad. unable to move or be moved. long extended recovery needed. Six month extended MEDICAL leave of absence. Yep.
You have an eye for beauty, haven’t you?
Thanks for sharing
What a glorious, wonderful, delight filled home. She must be a super special lady. Thank you for sharing, I hope I end up with a place like that some day soon.
Thanks for sharing. Just made me smile.
Ahh. She decorates with books and journals. How I love that.
Thank you for sharing Sharon’s house and all the related tidbits with us. Love it all!
Awesome post. Thank you.
My day is complete…with a cherry on top! A lovely post.
Holy Crap!!!! I would have had a very hard time leaving that gorgeous place. I am drooling on my keyboard and trying to keep my mind centered on your words. Reminds me so much of my Nana’s place. Ah, Reading!!!!!
Loved this….
Wow, I would have drooled all over everything especially the old books and journals. Bet you had to keep pinching yourself.
Omigosh! Absolutely gorgeous! She looks like a very sweet & awesome lady too!
Sheila
W O W!
OMG! I can’t stop drooling on all of those great old books and THEN the journals popped in!! That was when my chin hit the desk! Oh My! Thanx for a great end of the day treat!