Pfun with PFATT Pfriends

I have finally caught my breath and have rested after preparing for and then participating in  PFATT Pfest 2008 here in Northern California.  Eleven of us enjoyed five days of sharing, visiting, giggling and lots of touring and shopping. Some of the women had not flown yet, and this was their first trip to the West Coast. Others had been to San Francisco before on vacation. Colleen and I planned a whirlwind itinerary that took us to:

• the Napa Valley wine country with three winery visits and the Dreyers Ice Cream touring bus.
• Antiques by the Bay at Alameda Point, where more than 400+ vendors sell antiques of all types outdoors at an old naval station.
• the Sarah Winchester House in San Jose. Some in our group are ghost hunters.
• Port Costa to visit and shop with artist Wendy Addison in her studio and workshop.
• Berkeley's fourth street where we shopped at Castle in the Air and Scrapbook Territory.
• San Francisco's Union Square and a shopping at Britex Fabrics  and then a cable car ride to Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 for lunch and shopping.
• lunch in Sausalito and shopping in San Anselmo at Susan's Storeroom
• the local Safeway almost everyday to fill the larder and liquor cabinet
• evening "show and tell" about our treasures and workshops on art techniques

The 5,000 square foot house we rented had spectacular views from high atop a hill in Lafayette. We sipped lemon drops and watched the sun dip into the east side of the Oakland Hills, followed by the soothing bubbles of the outdoor jacuzzi.

Our view looking north east:

 

Evening cocktails by the front porch fountain:

A metal horse sculpture greeted our return each evening after our day's sojourn:

 

Here I am at Wendy Addison's Theater of Dreams in Port Costa, a quaint little ghost town on the Strait of Carquinez.

The group heading to Wendy's studio in Port Costa:

We were all touched by Wendy's magical studio. With the lights down low and music surrounding us, we were treated to the appearance of Ms. Addison's almost life-size fairy, who danced for us:

The next morning, we hopped on the Dreyers bus for a day-long trip through Napa Valley:

Madonna Estates was so generous in treating us to a private tour and tasting. Susan Bartilucci, an accomplished artist herself, was such a gracious host. We walked among the grapevines, which were beginning to get leaf buds, and toured their winemaking warehouse.

The weather cooperated fully and we took advantage of the sunshine and had lunch and a wine tasting at picnic tables outside of Clos du Val winery on the Silverado Trail.

Then it was off to the sparkling wine maker Chandon. They have beautiful grounds, including this stone mushroom garden. We sat and sipped five different kinds of champagne, before boarding the bus and heading home thoroughly exhausted.

While some went to the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, several of us headed to Marin County  north of San Francisco. Lunch and then a visit to Susan Storeroom made for a great day.

It was finally time to say our goodbyes to our sisters. But before we did, we all thought about my dear Brianna and my terrible loss and cried. Many of these women knew me and prayed for us while Brianna battled for her life. Although the mood became somber, we all felt closer to each other and better understood how each of us bears the pains and scars of life, along with its precious moments of family and dear friends.

Colleen and I put together a keepsake travel  journal for each woman. Wrapped in pretty tissue, the gifts were presented to the group on the first night. Some stashed tickets and brochures in them as mementos of their trip. And on our last night we all sat like school girls and signed each other's with heartfelt notes of friendship.

Although most of us came away exhausted from the flurry of activity, we all were grateful for the experience of getting to know each other better.

I hope you too can experience a short trip with like-minded artistic friends. It fed my soul.

Comments

[Shirley]

Iva,
I posted on your other blog, but wanted to write it here, too.

I have just read the May/June 08 article in Somerset Studio about your daughter and the hero she was to you and others. I can't imagine the pain you have suffered, but I want to tell you how inspiring your story is to read. Your atwork is beautiful and I am sure Brianna is very proud of you and the artwork you are creating as you heal. Thank you for sharing your story and exposing yourself raw on the page. You are my hero!
I send my sincere love and hugs to you.
Shirley in Florida

[rochambeau]

Looks like you had a wonderful time Iva!! Isn't it amazing that you have met so many like minded souls? People that surround you with their kindness and creativity and share in your joys and sorrows? There are good people everywhere and reading about your adventure is proof!

xox
Constance

[Dede Warren]

This trip sounds amazing! There are a few places I have been that you featured, and many more I hope to visit one day. Thanks for sharing your retreat with us.

[Chris Klingler]

GREAT PFATT Pfest pics. Looks like you all had a great time. :)

I adore your Fool-O-Ween piece too & thanks on mine as well!

Spooky Hugs,
CK

[Julie King]

iva,

your article in somerset studio was very inspirational. what a wonderful tribute to your daughter, brianna. after reading you blog, your website and checking out your art in several places, i can see that you are very creatively dealing with your loss and making the best of what must be a very difficult situation. my heart goes out to you.

take care and please keep creating!

julie

[carolee]

What a wonderful and inspiring week. Spending time with kindred spirits truly feeds the soul. Thanks so much for sharing the photos!

I wasn't aware of the Somerset article, but will definitely pick up a copy...

Hugs,
~ Carolee

[Chris Klingler]

Happy Earth Day Iva!

CK :)

[Kimberly Kwan]

What a MAGICAL week! These kinds of "retreats" are SO important in nurturing ourselves, aren't they??