paul, roxy, gabi, her friend emma and i drove to utah for the long weekend. we had things to do (fun things) and people to meet (fun people). paul and sebastian, it's always so nice to be with him, had fishing dates set and i had an afternoon organized with my mom. paul and i also had a black tie event to attend, a 90th birthday soiree for a dear english gentleman friend of ours (and what an amazing evening that was). we also had an exciting appointment with a dear friend, meeting to unveil a magnificent project she has done for us. (more on that in the future) gabi had an appointment with a local artist for a costume fitting and photo shoot as well as cousins and friends to hang out with. emma was a star and happily went along with all the plans. gabi and emma stayed at auntie laura's downstairs "apartment" up the street from paul's mom and dad, mervyl and gerry's place, where we stay.
one morning, i had a quiet hour alone at mervyl and gerry's and took photos to share of their renovated-by-gerry's-own-hand enchanting cottage. it is named, the beehive, the same name and house plaque from their busy family home to nine in cape town, south africa where i first was introduced to and entered into this unique and marvelous family. mervyl's touch in the cottage is felt by every sense and among every space. sight, sound, scent, taste and touch are awakened on entering and every glance encounters a new and ever changing study in still life. the depth and layers of meaning, family, history and passions mervyl expresses in her daily activities and arrangements of flowers, fruit, books, gifts, momentoes, cards, photographs, art and all that is beautiful creates a fresh flow of love and appreciation for the past enveloping the vibrance and life of the present. the new and lively influx, demand and abundance of friends, food, family, flowers and garden coexists in this home peacefully and in tune with the ever present, stable influence of the masters of art, literature, music and poetry adorning walls, bookshelves, mantles and nooks. mervyl is an artist of the every day.
outside in the garden, mervyl's eye and hand extends to create more beauty and gerry's love of animals combines to fill the air, trees, bushes, lawn and paths as well as the myriad of bird tables and feeders to call forth assemblies of the neighborhood's flying and scampering gentle folk. truly enchanting.
we were also there to celebrate mervyl's 83rd birthday amongst close family, whose numbers reach in the 20's, and join in a picnic at tessa's. the best is relaxed family time to catch up with loved ones including newlyweds abigail and dillon and reminisce about days when all the big, brawny guy cousins were little, although the pool games remain the same and ben you were very missed, and the now beautiful, strong and accomplished girl cousins are no longer our little, baby girls. as always, a memorable and heartstrong weekend in utah.
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