Bridget Beth

I woke up early, threw on a shawl and grabbed my camera, then set out for a dewy morning walk.  It’s funny.  For some reason it didn’t occur to me that the sun hadn’t risen yet.  But as I was taking pictures of this landscape, suddenly and to my delighted surprise the sun peaked over and winked right where I was looking. I didn’t even know I was looking to the east!

Here are some of my pictures as the morning unfolded… I am now going to drink a watermelon mimosa and eat doughnuts in bed, and then head over to the spa for a jasmine mud wrap and a rose oil massage.  I also finished Shadow and Bone last night and cannot WAIT for the next book! It felt so good to be able to read a whole book without interruption!! (Except for the occasional swooping bright sapphire swallow or red tailed lizard stopping to see what I was up to :)

I could not be more elated to be right where I am!

Carneros Inn by Bridget Beth

“You’ll be by yourself most of the time,” Beau told me.  I smiled.  Just what I need. I’ve been wondering where I’ve been lately.  It would be good to have some time to be still.

When I first got here Beau was busy with registration and events so I walked past all the plumped lips and gucci bags and found an adirondack chair overlooking a meadow to sit in.  I rested my head with my eyes closed and cried a little. I feel like a fish out of water in a resort like this (thank goodness for finding designer clothes second hand before I left!) But when I opened my eyes, I was looking right at the moon.  Well hello, friend!  Will you be here with me?

Suddenly I felt grounded.  I’m the same here, he’s the same there.  Throughout the evening it was as if he was showing off for me. Pink plumes!  radiant stars! See what I have for you that’s free? Always with a bright crescent smile.  I chatted with the staff (a big no no in Napa apparently…ha!) I painted a bit of the beauty around me, I took a few pictures of the grounds, I ate my enormous BLT like I had never learned any manners, and pretended to be Jasmine in my private garden with a double gate.

This morning I haven’t seen the moon just yet, but it’s ok because last night I found him, and he helped me find me.

I had no idea what I was getting into when I decided to join Beau on his work trip. I thought…hey, even if I’m cooped up in a hotel I’ll still be relaxing and it’ll be free, right??

The answer is: OH MY HEAVEN!
I am currently sitting in my own cottage at the Carneros Inn, with a private patio, after enjoying a massage at the spa, and a glass of wine and cheese by the vineyard pool.

Eeeeeee!!!

Maybe I’ll order my very first room service…

Here is the story of my latest favorite sparkly…

My Great Matriarchal Grandmother Elizabeth, who went by Beth (My middle name!) was married with a pretty Edwardian diamond ring 100 years or so ago. She wore it until the diamond fell out in the nursing home when she was in her 90′s, and then gave it to my Grandmother Pauline sans missing diamond. Pauline put her birth stone into it, a Mediterranean blue aquamarine. (Both of my Grandmas have the same birthday, so it is both of their stones! But I digress.) When my sister Lucy turned 16 Pauline gave the ring to her. But Lucy didn’t love it. I did. Soon Lucy traded the ring with my mom for one more her style, an engagement one with three rows of diamonds that belonged to my Grandmother. Anyhoo…When Beau and I started getting serious I was describing the perfect ring. It was exactly the style of the aquamarine one. So my mom very graciously gave it to me. Beau took the blue stone out and put in a manufactured meteorite. (I wear a shooting star…huzzah!) At the same time he put the aquamarine into a ring for my mom. He gave it to her as a promise he would remain faithful to me.

Fast forward 10 years later. My mom decided it was time for me to wear the ring, and she gave it to me on Mother’s Day as a 10 year/mothers day gift.

So as you can see, the rings I wear are multifaceted in their meaning, as well as their sparkle. Just like the women in my family.

Me and my Harry.I’ve been having fun with photoshop today. (cross process and a little added pink!) This is the last picture off of my OLD camera.  Beau got me a new camera for Mothers day!!  Eeeee!  I can’t wait to take it for a test drive!I’m also enjoying old watercolor greeting cards! I want to make some with my own twist.Sweet Harry has so much fire and spice.  He makes me belly laugh every day.  He’s smart and crafty and has the perfect twinkle in his eye to make me melt as he gets into trouble.  I’m so lucky I get to be his Mama!