I felt the need for flowers yesterday. Two reasons come to mind; the gorgeous 61 degree weather we had yesterday, and I wanted to see a vase of flowers on the island. More expensive than Trader Joe’s, but when you figure in the money I have to pay for gas to drive an hour to get there, it all evens out.
I love our kitchen. I’m in love with our kitchen. And I know that it doesn’t look like any other kitchen. I don’t want a space that could be anywhere. I see a lot of those in magazines and on Instagram. I want it to be our space, unique to us. It’s a work in progress, but we’re very happy with it as it is.
A few pictures from our trip to Phoenicia.
The Phoenicia Diner, with someone you know walking to our car.
I love places that have older waitresses that have clearly worked there for a long time. This place was packed, with a 20 minute wait for a table, and they were working hard. Nevertheless, they were so friendly and helpful and down-to-earth. The food is terrific.
On the way into the little main street area.
My just under 6’5″ husband looks petite here.
Loved this charming little house. The colors used are wonderful.
Likewise here, in this bed and breakfast.
Check out that intricate detail on the trim.
We were intrigued by this theater. It’s a community theater that has its own performing space. They’re currently raising money to redo the exterior. There are a lot of New York actors who have weekend homes in this county and several of them (some of whom we know and have worked with) have participated in benefits and readings to help raise funds for the theater. We plan to go see something there whenever their next season starts.
Both of us have roots in community theater and we believe in it and what it offers to the the many people who aren’t necessarily professional actors, but have talent and a desire to perform or design or direct or run lights and sound, not to mention what it offers to the community. In some ways, it reminds me of a clear and unadulterated time in my life – by that I mean when I worked 40 hours a week doing something I disliked, and used every bit of my spare time to do what I really loved. 40 hours in the office, an additional 20 or 30 in evening and weekend rehearsals. Driving long distances in order to act. Don had the same experience early in his career; none of the complexities and, frankly, BS, that comes with a professional career. We did it because we loved it. We met and worked with wonderful people. Becoming a professional was the goal in our case, but we now really appreciate and miss that time when we worked with no pay, just because we loved it so. I worked with some incredibly talented people, who, for whatever reason, chose to do it on the side.
Anyway, we got nostalgic. We still are, a few days later. Phoenicia is a community that has a strong artistic presence. There is some sort of society there for the voice – as in singing – and they’re going to perform Tosca! I suspect we’ll discover more when spring and summer come because it’s a tourist area as well. Lots of fly fishing and camping and tubing.
Okay, I better hit publish!
Happy Tuesday.
Oh,Claudia! How I love these little trips that you share with us. What a charming town. And,as for your kitchen, I can see why you are in love with it. I have stopped subscribing to so called shelter magazines published in the U.S. because nearly every house looks the same . Now and then I treat myself to a British edition of Country Homes where I see not only creativity and individuality,but fewer ads or adverts as they say. xo
They do. They all look the same and they’re all overexposed already on Instagram.
I love the British Country Homes, Annette! Thank you.
What a fun little trip!! That diner looks wonderful and that Veg sandwich looks fantastic!! The wee little house truly does look charming. We have a pretty strong community theater in our little town and we try to attend as much as we can. Sounds like you will be returning to Phoenicia. Oh, and ~~ Call Your Mother ~~ perfect!!
Isn’t that the best?
Thanks, Chris!
what an absolutely wonderful post! thank you! I enjoyed little Phoenicia and all the pictures! xo
and p.s. YES! your kitchen is perfect! :D
I’ll bring more of Phoenicia to you in the Spring, Tammy. Thank you!
thanks for more photos of your great find now at home. that stainless steel island sure belongs with you and don. looks great!
thanks for the tour. phoenicia looks charming.
i, too, love diners and serendipitously finds. and a nice drive. maybe this weekend i can do some of that with my family.
happy tuesday and mardi gras!
kathy in iowa
Oh diners are so wonderful, aren’t they? I always want to stop when I see one.
Thanks, Kathy!
Thank you for Phoenicia – love the Americana architecture – gingerbread – call your mother (priceless), the reminiscence of community theatre – my beginnings, as well. As you mention, so many talented people who did it as a hobby. And the wonderful kitchen – always a welcome view.
So many talented people! I remember them fondly and am still in touch with several. Thanks, Martha!
I’m definitely in love with your kitchen. It’s enormous and it has loads of light. And Stella! And the same pretty yellow mine used to be. I almost repainted the same color, then thought, “time for a change,” which was right, but I adore that shade. Maybe the bedroom would be pretty that color! Imagine, waking to all that sunniness!
Phonecia looks beautiful, a really charming town. I love the little theatre. Oh, your post reminds me of the hours I spent doing as you did — committing every second of my off time to something I loved. We’re lucky in Lansing to have a surprisingly good theatrical community for a city that really doesn’t have all that much else to offer except very nice people. (Seriously, we’re a state capitol and the downtown is awful, killed by the interstate cutting through.) But somehow, the theatre community is very strong with an Equity regional company in nearby Williamston, the very good U program and some community theatres that command outstanding directors and casts, many with experience outside our area. We’re very lucky in that way. Those houses in town are darling. Gotta love a spot like that!
My brother went to school in E. Lansing so I spent a fair amount of time there when I was much younger. It’s been a long time since I’ve there, though. Even longer since I’ve been in Lansing. Thanks, Jeanie!
Phoenicia looks charming. I can imagine you and Don stealing away for the day there again, in the near future.
Tulips are a great treat, aren’t they? And no calories! I just can’t get over your luck in finding that island, and how remarkable it looks in your kitchen! ;)
I love tulips! And I sure love this island. It was meant to be. Thanks, Donnamae!
Oh Claudia, Phoenicia looks like a charming town. It seems like a place you can feel comfortable living there and always welcomed. The hoses are lovely. Thank You for sharing this special place.
Marilyn
You are most welcome, Marilyn!
What a charming town! I love little day trips like that, where you discover wonderful restaurants, shops, pretty houses, and interesting architecture.
I do too. We need to that more often. Thanks, Melanie!
It’s great you sorta discovered/re-discovered Phoenicia; it’s charming; thank you for sharing the road trip with your readers; really enjoyed it. “Call your mother” certainly gave me a smile. The Methodist Church looks like something off a holiday greeting card. Wonderful stuff!
That church is so charming. It was hard to get a good shot of it because I was shooting right into the sun. Thanks, Vicki!
Lovely post!! Thanks for the photos and the backstory of your lives in community theater. For some years, we had a restaurant in our little town owned by a Lesbian couple who also established a community theater which was a wonderful addition to our little valley. Sadly, one of the partners had MS and they were eventually unable to keep their businesses going. It’s so good for a small town to have a theater where people can not only act or sing, but can help build sets, raise money, learn lighting, etc. Phoencia looks like a perfect area with all the requisites for life–except I didn’t see a bookstore! Maybe you mentioned it earlier. Anyway, like others, I am smitten by genuine diners and since moving to New England I’ve learned to especially look for Greek ones for the best food–not Greek food, but the best diner food. It’s all comfort food in diners and the deco of the stainless steel and tufted booths (if they’re preserved) really feels like home. BTW, I loved the shot of your manly-man with his beaver-haired bud, but instead of an axe, Don was carrying a tin picnic basket! He’s a lumberjack, but he’s OK. LOL
No bookstore that I could see, Nora. Thank you!
This is such a lovely post both entrancing in the reality of the various scenes but also atmospheric drawing on our emotional responses. I spent time near the strictest definition of a 24 hour diner with nicknames such as “The Aluminum Room” & “House of the Seven Stools”. It was ultimately moved to a museum to be preserved. I recall frat boys perched on top of the cigarette machine filming movies of the late night diners post Sat. night parties. Alas, I’m dating myself.
Thank you for sharing your charming adventure.