I’m thinking about those of you who are just arriving at La Finca del Nino, nestling into the cozy rooms of your own little casitas. Rest well, and tomorrow wake to a warm, sunny day in southern Spain. (They are lucky dogs, aren’t they?) You and I are still at home, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy a bit of the experience, too. Read on and dream of our own adventure in Spain…maybe next year? ANYTHING is possible. Especially when I’m in the mood to celebrate the end of my chemo treatments! Read on and dream…
So, today is your very first day at La Finca del Nino. You can smell the soft fragrance of flowers gently making its way into your open window. If you’re up early enough, and are in for a bit of exercise, you can stroll down to the Mediterranean Sea (downhill all the way) to the small village there and have a wonderful dark coffee at the local coffee shop. Or you could choose instead to have handmade churros and chocolate! Yummmmmm. The churros are a fried pastry (remember, you’re on vacation, it’s all ok) which you dip into a rich, chocolate sauce and pop right into your mouth. Hmmm…coffee or churros. It’s pretty cool when you realize this is the biggest decision you will have to make today. You just have to relax and enjoy. Enjoy it all.
OR you could stroll along the warm sea and pick up sea glass. But don’t tarry too long because our host, Denis, will soon have the warm croissants for breakfast in hand and be ready to drive us back UP the hill to La Finca for breakfast. Ahhh…this is the life.
Because today is our very first day here, we take it easy and spend the entire day at La Finca. But OH! what a day. As we look around, we realize that there is one small vignette after another…patios of flowers, pots, doorways. How will we choose? We have time. Perhaps we’ll paint it ALL!
    
    
Tomorrow we go out to a wonderful location. I wonder where we’ll go and what we’ll see…and what we’ll eat. Which reminds me that I’m smelling something pretty yummy coming from the kitchen. Mmmm. One great day at a time. I’m going to enjoy it all, even if it is second hand…for now.
So, here’s to all of you already in Spain. Have the time of your life!
And to the rest of you, thank you so much for reading. Come back for my after chemo-celebration and keep dreaming of Spain…
Kathie
Thinking of you,
Hugs,
Ann Lanham
Sorry I’m missing this, but hope I can be there next year. Congratulations on the end of your chemo. I think about you a lot and hope to see you before too long. Speedy recovery! Hugs, Margie
You inspire me! Praying for you!
I know how much you like to travel so I’m sure you are missing this trip. Think of you everyday! Hang in there! We are all pulling for you!
Pat
Dear Lord, I pray for strength, healing and happiness for Kathie in your precious name. Amen.
I love you sweet lady!
Ah yes, one day, hopefully soon!
Hope you’re well on your way to great days and great health! xox
Keeping you in my prayers and looking forward to your after chemo celebration!
Ah, you are luring me in showing that picture of Angel Trumpets….on my list of “TO PAINT” is this very flower and mine are peach colored which I will set to a dark background but still paint them as the light source coming from behind them! I am anxious to see Karen Hebert’s paintings, Ralph and I have known here since first grade and hoping this trip helps to heal the loss of her Don. Love your updates and I too, say Amen to the prayer Mary has written to God on your behalf!
We will all celebrate to your good health! Prayers and Big Hugs! Vicki & Max
I know all of those in Spain right now are missing you, Kathie! You are in my prayers!beautiful photos!
Wow! Your beautiful writing took me right back to Spain, Kathie! I LOVED my trip with you last year! One of my favorite trips ever! Big hug for you!
I can smell the croissants already! It looks like a beautiful place. I can’t wait to hear all about it and see May’s pictures. Next year, Kathy! Then we will celebrate big! xox. Judy G
Thinking of you everyday and praying all the chemo and feeling the side effects will very soon just a bad memory, love you
So enjoy your love for the beauties we behold….I too see paintings in each of your photos… Joy abounds…prayers continue for your strength and good health.
I’m going to be celebrating with you!
Your trips sound like wonderful dreams. Anxiously await your recovery and celebration.
Kathi, so pleased your chemo is over. Hope you are feeling better. Now I’m ready for your recovery celebration and trip to Greece next year…………oh, wish I could go with you!
Bucket list!
Oh my gosh, Kathie! You make it so inviting/enticing! My thoughts are with you – God speed your recovery and the end of the tunnel is in sight!
Thinking of you! Hoping you and I get to Spain together SOON!!! hugs!!!
I just had a thought for you, Kathie, and for all those who read these posts. Have you heard of the Lifebook classes and Tamara Laporte? She is a British mixed media artist and she is such a sharing inspiring person. Anyway, here is a link to her latest free lesson in mixed media that you may find of interest. I am currently doing Lifebook 2015 and I think it is wonderful too. She also adds meditation exercises, creativity things etc too, which I enjoy, but those are totally optional.
http://www.willowing.org/2015/05/19/feeling-feelings-through-creativity-free-art-lessons/
You were on my mind this morning, wondering how you are doing. I am amazed at your courage and stamina and your ability to continue blogging through it all. Exactly when is the end of chemo? I guess I forgot the date, if you ever said….sorry…continuing to pray for complete healing!
Good morning Kathie!! Wow!! Your enthusiasm is contagious! For once- little to say- your friends above couldn’t have expressed my feelings & prayers for you any better! Yahoooooo!!! end of chemo soon! Love you!
Prayers coming your way. You are such an inspiration.
Congratulations on the wonderful article in the Watercolor Magazine. You are a rock star!!!
Much love, Sue
Felt like I was there! The pics are stunning! Painting from each one! Hope you are feeling better. Keep praying for your healing. Love you!
I am so glad you are at the end of chemo. Life will be better. Love to you. Pat
Looking forward to you going on your trips again. 🙂
You are an amazing woman! Never had any doubt that you could get through this. And you kept up the blogging. Congratulations!
Kathie, I’m glad you’re doing better. Last chemo,YEEEEEEEEEEE. Praying for you for a fast recovery. Love and hugs, Pat Scribner
Everything Kathie describes is very real. Her fabulous organization skill has assured that we are having a wonderful time. We miss her of course and Barbara is doing a great job keeping us all focused on fun and learning.
Kathie you are never far from anyone’s thoughts here at La Finca.
We miss you and thank you for this wonderful opportunity. Hugs. E
Looking forward with you to last cheemo. May your strenghth return soonest and your days be filled with all the things you love.
Thinking of you! End of Chemo! yeah!
Kathie, I had a wonderful time in Spain. Wish you could have been there, then it would have been perfect! Barbara and our other teachers did a fantastic job and we were busy every day, in some way. Loved it, and are sooo looking forward to October when I will be going with you to Tuscany. Do they say chow? I guess it is spelled chao?
You can do a dance of joy when your chemo is over and you can rebuild your strength. You’ve been an inspiration to us all. Happy days to you.
PS – Bet you will be glad to have your hair back. When my grandmother was young, she lost her brunette hair to diphtheria and it came back in as blonde.
Oh what a blessing you are almost done!!!! Then you can begin to start feeling better again. What an ordeal, but I know you will come out smiling and ready for more adventures. I am sorry you were not able to go on this retreat– I am going to try to get signed on one with you for next year!!!! Get better soon! Missing you.
Almost DONE yeaaaa! Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Hope you will be back strong as ever come August and MISA. Looking forward to all the Batiks! Love Ya, Christie
Looks fab! Do you have a mailing list? This looks like a bucket list kind of thing…
You made me feel like I was there. Celebrating with you.
God bless you, Kathie. You are still in my prayers and I hope that it will be smooth sailing for you from here on out.
Bless your heart…you made my mouth water with your description of the fresh-baked treats! Such a positive lady you are!