Yesterday was the Vietri Outlet sale. I had never been to one of these, but my friend Kathleen (please see her GORGEOUS Italian paintings: http://gwinnett-art.com), and my friend Barbara met in Hillsborough for this event. And EVENT it was!
I arrived 45 minutes after the doors opened, and my number was in the 500s! There were patrol officers directing traffic, and even in the fine, misty rain that accompanied us all day, people upon people milled through the tents of Italian pottery set out for sale. The event was well orchestrated -- there were helpers for loading boxes, holding areas, wheeled carts for huge orders and the like. It took me 4 trips around the tables to BEGIN to decide on a few pieces. The prices were slashed -- and I cannot tell you how much of these beautiful works of art -- virtually flew out the doors! I don't remember seeing so many humongeous boxes filled with vases, plates, platters, glassware! WHEW!
Barb, Kat and I collected a 'few things'! LOL I bought some Christmas gfts (which I won't sketch to keep the surprise for the holiday!) -- but just before leaving, I ran across these glorious glasses! They're finer crystal than I've sketched -- with green olives surrounding the glass. I just fell in love with them!
After we packed our cars, we headed to town for lunch.
We stopped at the Farmer's Market -- and I found some pumpkin bread for my daughter in law (we'll visit the grands today), and some of the best tasting sheep cheese. I brought Charles home several small containers to surprise him! YUMMY stuff.
We explored the fine eclectic shops downtown -- a fantastic Mercantile with books, art displays (including Kat's -- see above), soaps, artistic greeting cards, and all sorts of those wonderful things one stuffs into stockings or surprises a loved one with for a nice gift.
Kat knew of a really fine restaurant, The Saratoga Inn! What a treat! It's one of those wonderful cafes that is located upstairs of a store and overlooks the main street. Tables are covered with floral tablecloths, chairs are comfy, atmosphere unrushed, and the food -- fantastic! and not too expensive! I dined on pecan salmon, salad and scone ... and topped the meal off with some macaroons from a French bakery I never knew was there! YUMMMMMMYYY! (I see a long time at the gym today -- SIGH!)
After eating, we visited a children's store -- again, unusual clothes, toys, gifts ....
It was one of the nicest "girl" days I've had in a long, long time! Good chats, catching up with Barb (she and I worked on several projects together when I was at UNC), ideas for the future and another date for all of us, including the 'boys' to see Monet's work at the Art Museum.
Mercy, these last several weekends have been so full with delicious and wondrous events -- I can only exclaim my gratitude for these memorable moments.
8 comments:
It sounds like it was a WONDERFUL and memorable day!
What a FUN day!! I've got one of those planned on the 14th - husbands just don't do well with crafts or outlets - ha.
LOVE, LOVE the stemware!!
Lin, what a glorious day. Isn't a joy to have some great girlfriends to do stuff with!?!
I looked at Kathleen's art...super!
Hope you all have a fun day today with the little kids! We are off to find a local church and then, I think, to rest today before the trip back North to Wimberley.
This does look like a beautiful set and what a great job on sketching it. The whole day sounds just great!
I'm jealous--I'd love to be able to buy some of that lovely pottery and glassware at good prices. They're sky-high here. Sounds like a great day and a nice memory of it in your pretty painting.
What a lovely day Lin, and I love the glass looks wonderful. Have been scrolling through your stuff since I went to my textile classes, boy are you prolific and they are so lovely.
Sounds like a perfect day, even with a fine mist of rain it didn't dampen any spirits!
The glass is lovely, and is nicely painted.
I can never do glass -- the showdows defeat me. I love what you did. And your description of the day made me feel I was right there. You need more of these!
Hugs,
Lorraine
Sounds like a fabulous day. :o) Love those glasses. They must be gorgeous in reality, because the drawing of them is gorgeous too.
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