WELCOME

WELCOME to the Take Joy Society. We are a group of ladies who first met because of our love of Tasha Tudor's art and lifestyle. We are broadening our focus to include other artists/writers/people of interest who embody Tasha's philosophy to Take Joy in all the good that life has to offer. Here you will find a record of our get-togethers and resources to help you see that the gloom of the world is but a shadow so that you, too, can Take Joy by Creating Joy in your life!

Thursday, November 2, 2017

Frederick Get-Together - November

The Take Joy Society's third town to explore is familiar to three of us since we live on the outskirts of Frederick.  But we made some new discoveries as we parked the car and took to the sidewalk.  Our first stop was the public library.  Debra took us to the Children's Department to see a fun mural in a room I'd not been in. . . .


This tree sculpture was carved by local artist Erin Aylor . . .

Debra also pointed out this very detailed and imaginative quilt designed by Rose Hahn of Frederick for a special exhibit, "Quilts for the Young at Heart" for the International Quilt Market in Houston, TX in 2001. . . .
"The Wiz"
Just outside the library is our famous Carroll Creek park.  The channel for the creek and the linear park were created after the downtown area was flooded by Hurricane Agnes in 1972.  The bridge over the creek is a good place to get an overview of the creek. . . .

You can bring your lunch and sit on the library's terrace overlooking the creek. . . .

There were still a few waterlilies in bloom and the ducks were enjoying the sunny morning. . . .



When we got to the Community Bridge Mural I had everyone stand by this gate where I always take my guests' photo.  The gate is actually trompe l'oeil as is the ivy and the stone work.  This VIDEO tells the story of the Community Bridge Mural project. . . .

The photographer gets her photo taken, too. . . .

Finally, some Autumn color. . . .

Outside the Delaplaine Visual Arts Center, our next stop, I pointed out the anamorphic angel. . . .
(stock photo)
What is unique about this is that it is painted skewed in this way so that once we were inside the Delaplaine we looked out the window and saw her as she should appear. . . .

In the galleries we enjoyed the newest exhibit being set up for this coming weekend. . . .


We stopped in the gift shop before leaving (as evidenced by the shopping bag). . . .

On our way to our next stop I showed them the Sky Stage.  . . .
This venue is used for musical groups and plays, as well as yoga classes, among other things. . . .
You can see more photos HERE.

Just down the block was the Visitor Center.  It moved into this renovated 1899 building in 2011.  The others had not stopped in before so I was delighted to share this treasure with them. . . .

One of the highlights is the video highlighting the history of the area. . . .


Next we headed for Everedy Square and Shab Row.  You can read the history of these buildings HERE.  This is where our lunch stop was, but first we popped into the Frederick Basket Company store where you can find all sorts of wonderful locally-made food items as well as other items to fill a themed gift basket.  They can also make up a basket for you for any occasion and ship it.  More Christmas gift shopping!

Then it was on to the Frederick Coffee Co. & Cafe for a lunch of sandwiches, salad, and soup. . . .

The Shab Row Tea Emporium was next door so we stopped in to sample the tea and browse the gift section. . . .

More shopping accomplished. . . .

Primitive Homespuns was a few doors down. . . .
We also visited its sister shop, Primitive Homespuns Wool & Needleworks, further down the block.  Rug hooking classes and other needle crafts classes are held there.

Charlotte's Cottage Quilt Shop also offer classes. . . .

More shopping was to be done at La Niche Boutique and a looking around in The Little Pottery Shop admiring the beautifully crafted pottery.  Our afternoon ended at the Frederick Fudge & Ice Cream Shop where we enjoyed our ice cream on the patio behind the building . . . .

If you didn't already, I hope you will click on the links (highlighted in green) to see more photos and read further about this amazing town.

❤️Take Joy❤️

8 comments:

  1. It's nice to visit one's own hometown. I really like the angel at the Delaplaine. ♥

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    1. Yes, we often overlook our own backyard! ❤️

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  2. What a delightful town! Thanks for the tour!

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  3. Wow, you have a great day in Frederick, Cathy! Your area certainly has a lot to offer, especially with history in mind. No one can say there's nothing to do, that's for sure! Reminded me of a tradition we used to have in our family - well, we girls had at least. Each Fall, my Mom & sisters & I - later SILs too - would choose a [hopefully] nice Saturday or Sunday in October and do what we called our Fall Trip. The first year this was just a drive around the area for a few hours to see the colors, stop to get a pumpkin & cider & I think a fresh-from-the-fryer doughnut. But "the trip" quickly became an event we really looked forward to each year. It's funny--because we never really planned what to do in much detail at all--usually we'd just pick an area we wanted to "hit" and off we'd go. But somehow it would always magically work out to be a really great day. We always managed to find interesting stops along the way. I remember pottery places, antique stores, toy stores, quilting & needlework shops, big farm stands & apple farms, Amish furniture stores [fyi - Western New York state is saturated with apple orchards - you can actually smell the apples just driving past orchards starting in September]. One year we went to a college town in the next county where one of our state universities is located & found a terrific bookstore & art supplies store. I spent a lot more than I budgeted on souvenirs THAT year. The only rule we ever had was that lunch could NOT be at any kind of a "chain" eatery. Icksnay on Olive Garden or Arby's or Applebees's or any other franchise deal. And we always found some little independent "mom-&-pop-hole-in-the-wall" place that turned out to be fantastic. Often the owner was also doing the cooking! These places were usually busy too because we were far from being the only leaf-peepers roaming the vicinity. On one of these trips I had what I would honestly have to say was one of the 10 best meals I've ever had in my life - and it was - believe it or not - a burger! An incredible out-of-this-world burger served with something called "hunter sauce" that was just amazingly-delicious. And with perfect French fries and a salad that tasted like the greens had been plucked about 10 minutes before the salad was made. I'll never forget it. Anyway, our Fall Trips were always wonderful & a lot like your day in Frederick. Except that you didn't have to drive all over to visit your "attractions" - they are all in your own town! I checked the links - as I always do on your posts - and especially enjoyed the tea shop & the Primitive Homespuns shop [I could easily spend $500 there right now - sight unseen]. Did the grands have a fun Halloween? Hope you got to see everyone in their costumes & doled out some grandma treats! Have a great weekend! ✨

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    1. I think you should revive that tradition, Janet. Having others to share the fun with is always wonderful. I agree about finding one-of-a-kind cafes. We try to do the same whenever we're on vacation. Olivia's and August's parents didn't want to subject them to scary costumes so they are taking them to some costumed kid event tomorrow. And Alejandro is in Mexico right now and will be doing the same tonight, so I'll be getting photos soon.

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  4. I love touring your town when I visit! I didn't know about the Sky Scape theater. Very interesting read!

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