Photos at left, the spa, backyard and
waterway that runs parallel to the house.
Below, a crafting area inside the retreat.
were in Florida. They found the property on Aralia Road and Jerry
set about to get it ready for their big plan.
Jerry is a retired U.S. Navy chef who loves to cook, woodwork
and garden. When asked, he downplays his role in the retreat, but
after some conversation it becomes apparent he enjoys all aspects
of the retreat far more than he lets on. In fact, he has the daily run
of the place, as Becky still has an outside job.
Jerry decorated the three guest bedrooms in different themes -
nautical, Americana and “around the world.” The wallpaper in the
nautical room is stunning, and the lamps are made by him, complete
with sailor’s knots. The Americana room features a John Deere and
earth motif, and the around-the-world room is a conglomeration
of things the couple has collected. It is a favorite room for many,
as there is a window that looks out at the backyard, and at Jason,
Clifford, Arthur and Remington. Those are the four alpacas that live
with Becky and Jerry.
The large main room can be set up for scrapbooking, quilting,
sewing or other crafts. They have 12 small tables that can fi t in the
room, so each crafter has their own space. There is also a pulldown
quilting wall, made with a material that holds the quilting squares in
place. It is much easier to fi gure out a design that way, as you can
move each square around until you fi nd a pattern you like.
Becky’s mixed media art adorns the walls in the main room, and
she gave us an example of how easy it is, and how fun, to create
such a piece. In fact, she teaches classes, to those who wish to learn.
“You can use rice paper, put modge podge on it, make it nice and
fl at, then decorate it,” she said.
As we moved into the large kitchen, she explained that the
groups have full use of the cooking facilities, and many groups cook
for themselves. Jerry does cater sometimes, though.
Becky said one thing she has learned in the four years they have
been open, is that scrapbookers like to cook their own food, while
quilters seem to prefer to have their meals catered.