More Pics of Cocktail/Dinner

Open House at The Art Studio

Every year we host a big dinner for our friends who come in for the annual B-H meeting. This year we started Saturday night off at Andy Peter's Art Studio -- as so many of the guests know Andy but had never had the opportunity to see his work. And since his studio was within a mile of Barb Schlott's B & B (as the crow flies), we decided to start off there.
Andrew Peters, Artist, moved back from the Scottsdale area about 2 years ago and purchased an acreage for his studio on the outskirts of Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he'd grown up. Andy has been a wildlife or landscape artist since he graduated from Iowa State many moons ago. He is represented in the finest galleries throughout the Western United States and does commissioned pieces as well as areas he seeks out himself. His website is www.andrewpetersart.com.



Andy in front of one of his
pieces.

Sue Knight, an Omaha Artist and Faith
Sheridan, an Interior Designer from Seattle.

Saturday Night Dinner At Five Oaks B & B

We had the best weather ever for our annual B-H dinner! We moved venues this year to Barb Schlott's home -- Five Oaks B & B on 113 glorious acres on the outskirts of Council Bluffs. We set up outside and our table, with its fresh and fragrant lilacs was to die for -- don't you think! Everyone wanted to steal my lilac colored tablecloth I bought at the Yves DeLorme store in Paris in 2000!


Over 35 people were in attendance (and two dogs!). Thanks to Joe Bob & Lily Hitchcock who shipped in a case of Behrens & Hitchcock wine from their cellar in Calistoga! (Yes, he's the Hitchcock in Behrens & Hitchcock). The most wonderful wines --we blew through the case in no time!
On the left is Mark Reed from Chicago, Scott Peters from Council Bluffs and Dick Phelan from Omaha -- all in front of the appetizer and bar table. And here we have the two dogs in a classic wait and see what they drop pose! Below is Mary Jo (from the store on the right) and I doing cocktails and pics!

Friday Night Cocktails For Berkshire-Hathaway Annual Meeting

We had a great weekend!


We had great wine and cheese and visitors from all around the country Friday night. As always, there were over 40,000 people in town for the annual meeting and it seemed like most of them were in our mall Friday night for cocktails! Mark Reed, our Sferra rep, was in all weekend conducting seminars and one on one's on "Lose Thread Count" -- which focuses on the importance of all the factors that make up a great sheet -- not just thread count. The highlight of MaryJo's evening was when a women came into the store and said she'd been voted from her cocktail group to come in and tell us that we had spelled "Loose" wrong on all our signs. So, to Paul Hooker of Sferra, you need to change the name of the program to "Loose Thread Count"!

Thanks to all the customers who stopped by for the seminars, to see our store and register for our drawing for a set of Celeste sheets. Thanks again to Mark for all his valuable help and the new iron!

Berkshire-Hathaway Weekend

It's that time of year again -- when over 10,000 people will descend on Regency Mall for the annual Berkshire-Hathaway stockholders meeting events. This Friday night is the annual cocktail party hosted by Borsheims jewelry. We'll be open and serving wine and cheese -- stop by and have a glass and introduce yourself to us. Meet Sferra Rep Mark Reed. He will be conducting daily informational sessions on "Lose Thread Count" -- the importance of all facets of a fabric -- not just the thread count. These sessions will be daily at 1:00 -- Friday, Saturday and Sunday. And, Mark will be in the store during the entire weekend to meet with you and answer your questions about Sferra -- and their wonderful linens.

Special savings are available -- up to 20% off through Monday. These savings are in store only -- so you must call the store to get this special pricing. Store hours over the weekend are: Thursday 10 - 8, Friday 10 - 9, Saturday 10 - 5, Sunday 10 -5 and Monday 10-8. Call toll free 1-877-399-5242 for assistance.

As part of the festivities, we are having a drawing for a free set of Celeste sheets from Sferra. To register, email the following to linensanddown@aol.com: Name, email address and phone number. We will add you to the drawing.

Day Five: The Day of Enlightenment

Woke up extra early today and decided I needed to walk the beach -- a task I had yet to do. The boats pictured come into the bay and moor -- but have to stay outside the area of the resort. There is an abandoned resort (right after the scarecrow) that we could probably lease from the Barbuda government --any investors???? On the return trip, I ran into someone else out for a morning stroll and we had a great conversation on the way back.
Joann and I played tennis -- but it was really hot at 10:30 am so we didn't last too long. We had a big group photo at noon and then it was time for lunch again (it seems like all we do is eat!). Unfortunately, I had a little wine for lunch and I went back to my room for a fifteen minute nap and woke up 2 hours later. Missed all but one hand of bridge!

Then I began to paint my starfish -- on canvas this time and I'll finish tomorrow morning bright and early (has to have time to dry). Followed with a set of doubles and then cocktails on the beach. As a thank you to Joann and Carmen for organizing this wonderful trip, it was announced that a fund for women's health would be established on the island.

And then there was our assigned reading -- The Happiness Project. Interesting book (if I ever finish it).

And-- as with any trip with 35 people, there are only two degrees of separation. Pictures me is Karen Mandy from Rye, NY, who's daughter is friends with the only people I know outside Manhattan -- Sharon and Greg Hawkins. Sometimes I'm amazed! (She's also one of the few volunteers who said I could put them on the blog! Thanks Karen!).

At dinner, we celebrated Joann's 50th -- and sang two songs written specifically for her. Followed by dinner and a good night's sleep! We de camp at 11:00 on Friday! And will miss this paradise!

Day Four: A Beautiful Day on the Beach

It started out raining and we feared the worst, but by 9:30 it started to clear. First things first, I took the resort manager to sea my starfish as they can clean it (I researched on the internet -- it is a Cushion Sea Star), but , it moved and turned out to be still alive. We got a tub of salt water and put him back in. As the weather started to clear, we figured out snorkeling was on for 10:30. I hurried up and sketched my star for an art project and biked over to the docks for the snorkeling expedition.What fun -- once you get the hang of it. First I jumped in, put on my fins and while I did that, my mask and tube promptly sank to the bottom of the sea. One of the girls located it and we determined it was probably 15 feet deep (felt like 30) and I swam down to get it. Then I was out of breath for 10 mins. Took me quite awhile to figure out the breathing tube thing, but once I got the hang of it I was off!!!!!! Saw lots and lots of coral reefs, little pools of colorful fish and although I didn't see it, a large group of baracuda. Now I'm determined to borrow the goggles and mask and just swim out a little ways and see what we have on our shoreline. (That's Ann Harris to the left picking up large conch shells on the Atlantic side for art projects).

Before lunch we took the starfish back to the ocean -- hoping he is still alive. We placed him in a bed of sea grass/weed and he is largely hidden from view. The internet never gave me a straight answer about how long they could live out of water -- probably has brain damage.
After lunch (it seems like all we do is eat and drink) I joined a bridge table -- beginner and played some preset hands with newbies and one of the bridge instructors. Learning a lot!
Tennis followed bridge -- a rousing game of doubles and then a dip in the sea to cool off.We had a cover band last night and everybody, including the resort staff jumped in and danced (got some great video). Dinner was a great buffet -- but I ate some things I'm still not sure what they were (in an island accent, mussels sounded like mushrooms to me). Another great evening at the resort!

And I promised Joann that I wouldn't name any names on the blog -- as some people might be sensitive about being "out there on the internet", but I must say what an amazing group of talented and interesting women! I feel like I am getting 35 new friends -- it's great (and it's a women thing)!

Day Three: The Day the Rain Came

They say "Water is Precious in Paradise" -- but it was plentiful yesterday. Woke up to a clear morning -- although we had rain during the night. Thought it would be great and at 8:05 (5 minutes into our tennis game) the skies started to open up and it never stopped! But if I have to spend a day in the rain, I'd rather spend it in paradise then just any old place. Ten o'clock snorkeling was put on hold, anticipating that eventually it would clear and there would be better light to see beneath the seas! So, soon after breakfast I ventured into the Art room (a section off the main dining room with great light and one long table). Ann showed me the fundamentals and told me to get started -- my four little postcard masterpieces were fun to do. Painting is very relaxing -- and it was amazing how many Type A's were calmly sitting for hours totally enjoying themselves and their new found time.

Of course, there was another fantastic lunch (I had Quiche with Bacon, Leeks and Tomatoes) and then it was on to bridge again. Most of the four beginner groups came back and there were one or two additions. UK Bob had had one lesson before he left Wales and was thrilled to be joining our two Bridge Instructors for essentially, 3 hours of private lessons a day! Even our young twenties something male interloper who plays connect four in the lobby with his girl friend every day decided to give it a try! I got to play at The Big Girls Table again and did okay, taking my contracts in the few hands where I was the declarer (correct term?).

Due to the rain, the computer room was in constant use and a source of bonding amongst those dependent on technology. Around 5:30, three of us decided we had to get some exercise before dinner (and that the exercise class was not going to be it). So, we stripped to our bathing suits which had been on all day and took off -- even though it was slightly raining and most people would say, chilly. But, the water was lovely. I was amazed that Helen and Nan could swim and talk at the same time. I lumbered ahead -- swam down to my room at the end of the resort and decided to swim back. That's when I discovered the large starfish!!!! He was just off shore in knee deep water -- technically in front of Joann's room. I marked my spot and swam to get my underwater camera for a photo op. When the girls and I got back and found him, we kept wondering why he wasn't moving with all this activity around him -- of course, he was dead! Will be bringing him back home! Another great relaxing day!

Day Two: Additional Photo Ops!

This is my nighttime visitor!!! Crabby -- isn't he!

To the right -- British Bob from Wales -- our featured song leader!





More pics of the cocktail hour!

Day Two: Doing It All

Today was the first full day of activities at Coco Beach. The morning started off bright and early with a stretching class lead by Renee -- who is one of our two resident triathletes! Did I attend -- no, but there's always tomorrow! Exercise class was followed by beach time --which included a major 3 mile shoreline walk. I choose to go out for a swim beyond the rafts with Renee as my protector (against age and cramps)! We swam the entire length of the resort and were on the lookout for little shelfs of reef holding starfish and other pretty fish! Haven't swam that much in a long time! Ended up at the beach equipment shack and got some fins for my feet to help me get back a lot faster.

This was followed by lunch -- french onion soup (love my cheese) and a ceasar salad with grilled shrimp and soft shell crab. It was delicious! The afternoon brought bridge lessons -- there were 4 beginner tables and two advanced tables. Got bumped up from beginner to advanced where I sorta held my own for four games -- I must have learned something from Irene. But I'll probably go back to the beginner tables once they catch up with me!For those not inclined towards bridge, there are art lessons from Anne Harris -- our muralist from New York and a good fiend of Joann's. I promised myself I'd do art on Tuesday!
as 5-6, followed by cocktails on the beach. Following dinner, we had a good old fashioned sin along -- led by Bob, one of the three lone mails stuck here with all of us.


Nighttime sleep was interrupted -- 3:30 or so, by this noise outside my screen door. After 45 mins of not being able to go back to sleep, I finally got up and turned the lights on to go look outside. Couldn't see anything, but heard a noise that was "up". Low and behold, a large crab had crawled up my screen door and gotten stuck in the frame. I opened and shut the screen and he came crashing down. After turning him over with the umbrella, he started to crawl away, got hung up in my Tory Burch thong and started to drag it off! Had to rescue my thong! Alas, I'm not sure he survived the fall, as he seemed to be nestled in the sand out side my room this morning. Will turn him over to Ann, who will make the cook clean him and will use him for art class!

This morning we were suppose to play tennis, but its pouring down rain. Hope it clears in time for snorkeling at 10:00.