In what’s become a new winter tradition, Nora, JoAnne (her business manager) and I spent last week at Nemacolin. This is not to be confused with Girls Spa Week which happens in May with a larger group and The Stupid Scoreboard. This was a week to relax and brainstorm for the year ahead.
Last year, we extended the stay by one night because of a miserable storm that blew through the western part of Maryland. THIS year, we had three days of sunny, nearly 70 degree weather. Which is alarming and confusing. I mean, I did get out for lovely walks, but early March and late spring weather in the Laurel Highland of PA? I infinitely prefer cooler temps during my March walks.
On the positive side of the chart, for the first time since 2019 — due to the factors from Covid to bad leg joints — I hiked all over the property. Nora and JoAnne kept their workouts indoors with lovely views.
We stayed in the newly refurbished — or “reimagined” — Grand Lodge. It’s right next door to The Chateau (the usual accommodation) which is going through it’s own transformation right now. Girl Spa Week wll also be in The Grand Lodge, but Nora hopes to stay in her regular accommodations at The Chateau for her visits in June and November.
Our days fell into relaxing patterns. We all got in a workout first thing — Nora ran JoAnne through the paces from cardio to strength to yoga. I opted for walks, some Peloton rides and weights over at the gym.
Nora put in a couple hours work on the May 2025 release every day. By the end of the week she was pleased with the progress of her latest draft. I dealt with social media and emails. JoAnne was fully on break and enjoyed her mornings.
The afternoons were for treatments or reading or starting the puzzle of the week. Friends, I’ve learned something about myself: puzzles are not my vacation jam. I don’t have the same feeling of trepidation as I do for games, but my ability to spend hours at a time on a puzzle is pretty low.
Fortunately, I’m an excellent pitch hitter so I was able to step in when Nora and JoAnne needed a break. BTW, this puzzle did not reach the levels of agony that the cupcakes from 2022 did, but converting an oil painting to a puzzle made for some interesting spots of light and texture.
Speaking of oils, light and texture, in January, Nora tried her hand at oil painting and she suggested we give it a try during our annual afternoon paint class (wine included).
Clare Hardy — one of our favorite people and artists — came to the suite to teach us how to recreate a painting of tulips Nora discovered online.
I love watercolors so my first strokes were watercolor-y, flattening the paint onto the canvas. Nora and Jo got fully into the spirit of loading paint on their brushes and leaving color and texture in their wake. Then Claire broke out the palette knife and I got on board the texture train. Nora tried her hand at the palette knife as well, enjoying the process thoroughly.
Two hours later we had finished products that reflected each artist. By my count we’ve painted together at least 10 times and this was the one that made JoAnne the happiest. We left the paintings with Claire to dry and will pick them up in May.
On Thursday afternoon, Nora and I sat down for a Facebook live. This link should take you to our conversation: Nora & Laura Live
And then, it was time to go home. We’ll be back in 60 days with the bigger group. Gives me enough time to get ready to face The Stupid Scoreboard.
Laura
Wow, just wow! Love those pictures! The scenery is breathtaking!
And Nora’s creativity is incredible-actually all three of you should be thrilled with your paintings!!
Love the Laurel Highlands especially in the Fall. Seven Springs has a Fall festival every year and so does Ligioner. The colors are so vivid and bright. My husband and I went this past fall. It rained all day on Saturday but Sunday was just beautiful.
I totally get where you’re coming from, Laura, on the painting. I do oil paints. The first time I tried watercolors was horrifyingly bad! 🤪
Sounds like a productive time together…and the weather while freaky had to help. Respite from the confines of Covid!!!
Kudos to the painters…wonderful!!!
Have y’all switched from The Greenbrier? I thought The Dreaded Scoreboard happened there
There is NO scoreboard at Greenbrier. The tradition is wholly Nemacolin. -Laura
I love – and so appreciate – how you share your fun times. Hugs to each and every one of you……from an old bitch in South Florida who appreciates every word Nora writes – and who – in her mind – is as clever, as witty, as devious and as kind as Eve!
Any chance you would consider a raffle and bring a fan into your girl time? 😬 that would be awesome!
No. It’s really a time to rest and regroup. -Laura
Love it!!! Love the paintings. All three are georgeous just as you 3 women are Beautiful and peaceful looking place you all were at. Fun Times. So nice to see girlfriends together out playing and sharing everything. Awesomeness!! This old bitch from the Midwest sure wishes her life away waiting on books that Nora writes to come out so I can go on with the story lol Sad but true. Enjoy ladies!!! May you have many more good times ahead Bless you all
My gran was fantastic with oils, I still have one of her landscapes. She taught me blending with pastels and acrylics, but threw up her hands in resignation when it came to me and watercolor – lol. Every person has their own picture in their head, that’s the magic of art. I love how the three paintings are obviously from the same model, but each had their own interpretation and quiet beauty. Hope you all had a good, restful visit. BTW – the snowstorm was dancing it’s way through the Rockies corridor – wet and wild. Take care.
wow, never knew you ladies visited Nemacolin regularly; I grew up / lived near there down the mountain in Uniontown; 1950 – 1972, and again after retirement 2005 – 2023; was in MD working in DC 1972-2005 when I retired; my sister and I recently came back to MD, this time to the eastern shore; Nemacolin is truly a beautiful facility and Mr. Hardy was a wonderful benefactor to U’town for many years; enjoy your visits there in the future and thanks for sharing about your March visit; AND, my sister and I read all your books .. esp. love the trilogies, BUT this new one is awesome, I couldn’t put INHERITANCE down — wow, what a story! Waiting for book 2 with great anticipation, your fan Betsy.
Love the wine and paint!! LOL, looks like all had a great time and the scenery is wonderful! What a great way to recharge! Can’t wait for the “Mirror”!!!
Beautiful paintings!
Love the paintings, each is different and beautiful. Beautiful views whether from the suite or from you walk, wow just wonderful. I have never done oils, just water colors. Glad you had a nice break.