My Garden Retreat

My Garden Retreat
photo Gridley Graves for Country Living

The Gift of a New year

Happy New Year Dear Friends!





I hope you all had a Wonderful Holiday Season spent in the company of friends and loved ones.
Last year was such a difficult year personally that I look forward to the New Year with much excitement!

My New Years resolution is  simply to slow down...
 Enjoy the journey...
Wherever life takes me...

Look for the Silver lining...Find the joy

And Follow it!


I also want to be thankful for 2010...even the difficult times...
For I  have grown so much from these experiences and learned to lean on Him  
which is as it should be.



This past week...my journey took me to my dear friend Rebecca's






I got to spend a few days unwinding from all the goings on of the store...


The drama of the kids...(My youngest son was one of the many stuck at airports for two days  following Christmas...his luggage is still not to be found!)


And away for the constant stresses of our home renovation...just for a bit!


We talked....(Alot!)
shopped...(In Geneva!)
ate amazing food...( At her house and a couple of restaurants)
and sat with our laptops at her vintage kitchen table (which is actually a gorgeous iron patio set)...drinking tea or coffee~Rebecca style!


The entire mini vacay was like a dream
Her home is an oasis....filled with fabulous treasures...and oh so beautiful!




And then....
There are her studio spaces!


Words cannot describe!
So I think I will let pictures speak for me!






While we were at her Water Street studio...Rebecca futzed around with a necklace piece...




She was actually teaching me how to refashion a  vintage necklace I had bought into a bracelet!








But I didn't get it finished...so I will have to share it with you at another time!




But Rebecca...has but to attach to cross this piece of wonderment!




Made with vintage finds! Of course!


As I was getting ready to leave and head back home to Indiana...
We ventured out into her home studio....


I promise...



I became Alice falling into the rabbit hole!


I have been to Rebecca's store....but nothing prepared me for this!



It is heaven here on earth!



Every inch of this room...



Is filled with jaw-dropping displays of vintage treasures....


I got to bring this small vignette home!




Maybe some of this...
For my birthday! (Hint, Hint!)



 Amazing treasures....

Just waiting for Rebecca's talented hands to turn into a one-of-a-kind wonderment!

It was an amazing trip!
Shared with one of my dearest friends!

I can't think of a better way to begin a New Year!

Looking back at the year now behind me and forward to the gift of the New Year in the company of a friend.





Back home at the reno ranch....my new closet is taking shape!
I will be back very soon with the latest!
For now!
Have a Blessed New Years Day!

23 comments

  1. Donna, donna, donna, You are a lucky person. I'd give my husbands right arm to see her studio in person. But, she'd kick me out for drooling all over the stuff. Thanks so much for sharing. Happy and healthy and luggage finding New Year!
    Leslie

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  2. Donna, I love your resolution for the new year!

    Thanks for sharing Rebecca's amazing studio with us. Lucky you to have stood among all the lovely treasures.

    Happy New Year!

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  3. wow does that sound like a fabulous time! lovin that box of creamy white string in the last pic. oh be still my heart. glad you got some r&r, you so deserve it.

    hugs,

    shelley

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  4. Happy New Years!
    I'm in love with that blue ribbon...and what a beautify work area
    have a great day

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  5. Oh what a huge blessing that was, I'd love to have been there with you two.
    hugs and love, dear Donna, for a wonderful blessed New Year!
    Debra

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  6. Hi Donna,
    I wish you a wonderful year in 2011. I hope you get to relax a bit more! Those photos look so yummy...especially all of those pretty ribbons! New Year Blessing!
    Lisa

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  7. Mmmm! I was going to comment on the beautiful first photo...then! I see what you mean!
    Happy New Year :)

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  8. Hello Donna......happy new year !!! thanks for the past year !!! .....you are a lovely blogfriend to me...love Ria...xxxxxx

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  9. Wonderland it is! How fortunate for you to get some R & R. Looking forward to a wonderful year of inspirations. Happy 2011

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  10. I was so jealous when Rebecca e-mailed me and said you were there! But a good jealous! I so glad you gals had a great time! Glad you got some relaxation!

    Rebecca is such a talented person! Most people don't know her home has been published in several magazines (years ago) and her house was on the show Country Home on HGTV! I remember seeing it and wanted to see it again, but never caught the rerun!

    I can only imagine when you get two talented people together what a great time you all must have had! I can't wait to see more of your cottage remodel! I also love you style!

    Hope 2011 brings you everything you dream of!

    Theresa
    aka:tot

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  11. How I envie you two getting together. Sometimes you wish you could make time stand still and I'm sure that's how your visit went.

    Happy New Year,
    Carole

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  12. I was so tickled to have you stay with me and My whole family loved you, including the little man.
    It was so much fun! But we hardly made a dent in shopping and hopefully the next time you come the weather will cooperate.
    Thank you so much for coming and being there for me.
    I love you Girl
    RE

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  13. Donna, you lucky girl! Oh how you deserved this my lovely friend. Two of the sweetest girls I know having a great time...now that's a blessing!!!!!!!!!!
    Oh Rebecca has such an amazing studio. Someday I WILL see it for myself (I hope)
    Sending you big hugs tonight...

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  14. happy New Year my friend!...
    How fun to spend some time with rebecca...looks like it was grand:).. blessings...

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  15. Oh my, Donna! THAT is a studio...or two. Oh, the things I would dream up in a space like those! How lucky you are to have been there, RELAXING, sipping on coffee, and tinkering. Love the vignette that came home with you, too. I'm wishing you the best in 2011. Thank you for your friendship!

    Can't wait to see the closet. I can only imagine how amazing you make an ordinary closet look.

    Hugs,
    Jami

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  16. What a gorgeous studio - thanks for sharing the beautiful pictures! Happy New Year!

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  17. Sounds like it was so much fun! Thanks for sharing all the eye candy ;-)
    Many wishes for a Happy New Year! ~ Rebecca

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  18. Donna,
    What an amazing time for you and Rebecca! The blue ribbon is just exquisite and I know you have wonderful plans for it.:)
    Happy New Year, Friend!

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  19. Donna,

    I am sorry that you had a difficult year last year. I pray that the Lord will bring you many new blessings to you this year.

    On a lighter note, Rebecca's studio looks like a dream and I love your vintage blue ribbon-Yummy!

    Mandy

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  20. all the eye candy (along with my *cuppa joe*) is making me want to go on a treasure hunt!!! adore her studio - it inspires, as does each post you have for us to read.

    happy new year!!!

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  21. Dear Donna... I pray that 2011 will be a much better year for you personally. Your mini vacay sounds delightful and the creations are lovely. I love your trims... my passion for vintage trims and fabrics runs deep!!!

    Dawn... The Bohemian

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  22. I can see why you two are friends! So much creativity between the two of you! Happy New Year, Donna! Hope 2011 hold many wonderful things in store for you. xo

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~Donna ReynƩ