I’m usually posting photos of the scenic outdoors in Newfoundland, or wildlife/birding experiences, but I thought I would share a little of the indoors of my Newfoundland, for which my site is named.
From when the door first opens, it’s like a giant “hug” of home… I’ve enjoyed it in quietness, with the companionship of my beloved Mom, hosting friends around a good meal and great conversation, and let it be used by others for their honeymoons or respite times.
I am a sentimental girl, and surround myself with memories of happy times, special adventures,, serendipitous finds in little out of the way unique shops, and a world of art that has so much more meaning because of who created it or gave it to me, knowing I would appreciate it.
Like this special painting of Long Point Lighthouse, Crow Head done by Fenella Smith, who resides in the community I manage. This was a mother’s day gift to Mom, as it was one of her favourite places to visit and watch for whales.
Or this one Mom bought for me as a birthday gift, of a delightful scene in Salvage, another of our favourite hiking places, painted by Elizabeth Burry, who has a lovely studio shop in Trinity.
This stained glass piece was commissioned by me from a lovely glass shop in Chapel Arm, which sadly is no longer there. It depicts all my favourite things – seagulls soaring above the waves, icebergs, whale tails and of course the proverbial lighthouse.
When I view the handmade items, I can recall, usually, from which shoreline the shells or seaglass were retrieved, or how I finished a hike with pockets bulging full of “osie eggs”, driftwood, cork floats, windblown feathers, unique beach rocks, etc. and love to remember who was with me at the time, if anyone – special moments with Mom, which dog was playing at my side or a quiet moment with my own thoughts in the sea air.
I loved to add elements to Mom’s white and blue room, a treasured bottle, a pewter knick-knack, an embroidered quote. She always loved to retire to it at night early to spend some time reading and enjoying before sleep enveloped her, and she loved to wake up in the morning to the sun shining in. The antique rocker was a rare find in a lovely shop – the owner wasn’t sure it was for sale, but I managed to secure it – such a wonderful addition to my home!
Mom’s room also houses some of the quilt collection … lots to choose from and cuddle up with!
The living room is also blue and white, with many books to choose from, wonderful dimmer lighting, and comfy furniture for a nap or a read. The dolphin box I managed to buy from Creative World in Clarenville at half-price, and stores all manner of maps, hiking books and tourist info for the wanna-be wanderer…
It houses a painting I bought down in Rockport on a vacation with Mom – I don’t even think I was out of my teens. It was $20, and I never had anywhere special to hang it for another 20 years, but still love it’s calming scene and the room embraces it.
There’s not much wall space still vacant … lots of photographs/trinkets on my gallery wall, the beautiful shelving done by a local carpenter who built the kitchen cabinetry in this home long before I owned it. I am a proud owner of the delightful folk art of Ben Ploughman (his studio in Port au Choix is an awesome place to visit and you’ll leave not only with his art but a good old Newfoundland tale or two from the owner). A brass bird picture reminds me of my beloved maternal grandma who did a number of these pieces – always busy with her hands – guess she passed that on to my dear Mom, and me! I’m also enchanted with Chris Rickett’s paintings – Chris is from King’s Cove and owns the amazing Round Da Bay Inn together with his lovely wife Karen.
The dining room has another unique shelf made for the room (you can never have enough shelves!), filled with travel treasures as far afield as Pakistan and Jerusalem, and the soft yellow walls are adorned to please the eye of those waiting between dinner courses!
Pull up a chair in the family room, it’s bountifully filled with treasures depicting puffins, whales, shells, moose, boats, port-hole clock (not that we track time time here!), antler and whale-bone carvings, lighthouses, saltbox houses, caribou, and all things wild and charming…. complete with my dear father’s binoculars in their old leather case – I well remember him using these on our Algonquin trips, and now I can use them to scan the coast – he would have loved to use them here as well. It is also very special to have my dear friend Graham’s painting on the wall (one of a few I have), depicting an old shelter in nearby Jamestown which is no longer there. Sadly, Graham’s eyesight is also gone so the value of the painting is intensely increased for me.
And when the day is near its end, a hot bath surrounded by coastal elements awaits, and then it is off to bed to rest before another day begins.
One of my most treasured items is a crocheted blanket Momma made for me when I first bought this home. To sit beside her as she made it, using colours I had chosen, and see it be created by her awesome, aged hands, and to have it now and remember all those hands did, not only for me, but for others, is special indeed.
And that, my friends, is a little excursion into what makes this my “Sanctuary by the Sea”…
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