9.02.2012

The Power of Suggestion


In real life, I never planned to open a shop on the Coast of Maine called Frenchmans Bay Tea Co. -- I only dreamed about it.   Now it has become a reality that I am very excited to share with you!  



 I am so thrilled to be able to welcome you to the real Frenchmans Bay Tea Co., sited on the 3 mile long peninsula of Sorrento, which is surrounded by the waters of Frenchmans Bay.




First, I must share a couple of  things with you that are interesting about my new shop.  It is housed in an old mobile home that we gutted and salvaged on a shoe string budget.  Our major investment became the cost of several gallons of white paint that we used to transform it's dark, drab and dated interior. We wanted to create the look of a well-worn, yet inviting space that would house a retail shop for our raku pottery and fun vintage treasures as well as coffee, ice cream and sweet treats.   Mission accomplished.




But there is one more thing about the location of our shop that I must share with you.  When we acquired the property and the mobile home, it came with a long forgotten cemetery hidden in the woods, neglected and overgrown with vines, brambles and thick brush.  Granite footers embedded with iron pipes were the only evidence left that it was once a burial ground, and where years ago all of the headstones were mysteriously removed.



In our efforts to restore this cemetery, we hope to honor the memory of each unknown person that is buried there by eventually placing a concrete monument on each of the 17 sites we have found to date.  The above concrete cherub is one of the first monuments that we have placed in the cemetery for this purpose.  

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Rather than delete my previous entries of pretend from this blog, from this date forward, I plan to use this site to share the goings on here at Frenchmans Bay Tea Co. as well as chronicle our fervent efforts to restore this long forgotten burial ground.  I hope you join us in our quest to find out more about the identity of these forgotten residents of Sorrento as we continue to learn how they may link to the very customers that find their way into Frenchmans Bay Tea Co.  Our adventure has just begun!  



25 comments:

  1. Lili, this is so incredibly, unbelievably exciting. I have thought of you so often and wondering what is going in your little corner of heaven. And to learn about your Real shop, and also this cemetary. Admiring and envying you. What a dream come true. Now we can enjoy some real adventures in the shop. Who will be your first customer? And will a real ship's captain visit? Or will there be a mysterious patron who leaves unique requests for strange and unusual items? Much much good luck in your new venture. Hugs and blessings. Robin.

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  2. How exciting for you, Lili! Congratulations on the opening of our new shop. I hope someday to see it.

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  3. Oh Lili, I'm so excited for you!!! I know the shop will be a huge success, and how wonderful that you are restoring the graves in the graveyard!

    Best wishes and much success!

    xo Kat

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  4. Congratulations! This is wonderful! But we need more details!.....what are your hours, will you be open year round, what kinds of treats? More details please! I'd love to make the drive up there this fall! :o)

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  5. Lili, what a delight to finally hear from you, and then to be directed to this wonderful blog. Somehow this blog's existence has escaped my usually observant eyes, and so I am seeing it for the first time. Congratulations, I believe that your grief over your special feathered friend has opened up the wealth of creative energy within you that was just waiting to be put to good use.

    Friend, I am so proud of you, even what you are doing to restore the long forgotten cemetery where the headstones have mysteriously disappeared. (Do you they could have been stolen by a collector?)

    And what a privilege to be your friend, and be a part of this new season of your life.

    Blessings on your new endeavor. Everything you shared by way of words and pictures is absolutely beautiful.

    Much love
    Lidia

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  6. Lili, this is fantastic. You have put a smile on my heart and I admire your decision to restore that long forgotten cemetery. I share your fascination with old cemeteries but to find one long forgotten and give honour to those buried there is truly a blessing. Congratulations on your little sweet shoppe and maybe one day Maine will be on my wish list!

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  7. How very kind of you to restore the cemetery...what a wonderful thing.

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  8. I am dying! This is so awesome! Congrats, and how wonderful that you are restoring that graveyard! Will you have an online presence -maybe an online shop that is an extension of your bricks-and-mortar location?

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  9. Oh Lili . . how wonderful. Im so excited for you and Henry. I can hardly wait to see more beautiful pics. I can imagine how nice it looks with your good taste. Best of luck with your new shop and Congratulations. Blessings, Sandy xo

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  10. Oh, I am so excited for you. I will absolutely be down to visit! (and if you ever need some extra inventory...hit me up ;o)

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  11. Wonderful, Lili!
    It was truly meant to
    be, as I can think of
    no better caretakers
    of the past than you
    and your husband....
    who will be tying that
    past to a brilliant new
    future.

    I would so love to visit
    you and your shop, someday!

    Best of luck, sweet friend!

    xo Suzanne

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  12. congratulations on making your dream a reality and i wish you a much luck and good fortune and i hope to visit someday in the not so distant future .. xo

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  13. Congratulations Lili

    You are always on a special and creative journey. This one takes on a sacred apect as well. So sorry not to be there to see it. The shop looks lovely.

    Diane

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  14. Wow - what a journey you are on - I am awed by what you accomplish. I'd love to be able to be inside your quaint little shop - it sounds like such fun. The photos are great, as always.

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  15. Somehow...I knew this would come about, Lili. when you started your imaginery shoppe online. It just seemed a dream that was possible for you and Henri with your gifts and vision. Never stop dreaming...for one day....who knows?? yes. (Hugs) for you for this new venture and may you have the desires of your heart fulfilled. :-) I will watch for all the events and fun you will share with us. I can't help but wonder if a new little creature of some sort...fur or feathers, might join your life again and be your shoppe mascot???? I can see it. Glad to see you back. I have taken a break this summer. Needful. xoxoxo

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  16. Oh, I never would have guessed! All the best on your great adventure..., it does sound like an adventure with the cemetery and all. Fascinating!!

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  17. Yay! I was hoping all along that you would open up a real Frenchman's Bay shop. :) Now, I just have to get back up to Maine to visit you!

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  18. Yippee!!!! I knew it!!! I've thought all along that this is what you needed to do-- if ever there was anyone who could pull this off so perfectly- its YOU!! The photos of the shop are stunning-- I'd love to be there to pilfer among your treasures. I'm so happy for you-- and so very proud of you for following your dreams. So often we don't-- and it's so sad when dreams die.

    I love the cemetery and your plans to restore it to a place of beauty. Only you would think to do this. The cherub is lovely-- so fitting. I can't wait to read more about this amazing transformation and to see more photos from the shop. I'm here waiting for every detail and picture. Truly-- I'm just giddy with excitement for this new chapter in your life. Kudos to both you and Henri for making this dream come true--

    Love--
    Vicki

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  19. what a fabulous story! congratulations on your new shop, which looks so beautiful! i wish i could come see it in person, but will have to be happy with soaking in your words & beautiful photos! i can't wait to read more!
    best wishes!
    deb

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  20. This is a fabulous venture. I came over from your other blog to see your news, and how sweet to place a cherub as a first headstone.

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  21. Lili dear, this is SO you and Henri, so you. So rich looking, filled with a sense of place and history, filled with love and creativity. I am proud of what you have accomplished.

    What an honorable thing to try and restore the cemetery. How could someone remove the headstones.

    Lili, I love the sound of the sea. Makes me so miss our little cottage at Christmas Cove. Soon, soon. I can't wait to fall asleep with the sound of the sea filling our hearts and our home.

    Sending love and best wishes,

    Sharon

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  22. Congratulation. Wow and dreams do come true and mostly with lots of hard work. I love your images your music and your blog . I could rest here for awhile.
    xo

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  23. What wonderful news! I'll bet it keeps you real busy. I wish you the best of luck with it and the next time we might be up that way, I will try to stop in. Elenka

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  24. So good to find you here Lili, love the new look and feel to your new blog and your new adventure! Looking forward to all you have to show us/me :)

    Kim

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  25. Hi Lili- I'm back from travels and just checking in--- anxious for more photos from your beautiful shop and your outdoor project!!
    Sending hugs-
    Vicki

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