Sunday, August 10, 2008

My First Post

HI, bloggers! It's exciting to get started on my own blog after peeping into so many of yours. I want to thank my friend, Patty Kelly of Dogpatch Primitives, for helping me get my start! Can you keep a secret? Ok, I call her Yoda because she's short, but not green, and is full of old wisdom and great advice. I don't know if she likes it but...well, you know how nicknames go!

Anyway, I'd like to use this space to express my inner most thoughts and put myself right out here in hopes that others might get to know me better because I have learned so much about many of my prim sisters - it's amazing - like seeing the heart behind the name.

Lately, I've spent alot of my daydreams thinking about home. Most people I know are home or can get there fairly easily, especially during the holidays. Home for me is pretty far away. When I was a baby, my parents packed us all up and moved to South America. I have one brother and one sister and the five us shipped out to the lands of llamas.

Our first years there were spent in Peru. We lived high in the Andes mountains in a little town called Cerro de Pasco. I don't remember too much about Cerro except that I would play alot. The women that cared for me would tote me around in a bundle on their backs. My favorite memory was going to the ponds to wash clothes. My babysitter would load all our dirty garments into a funny hat that was shaped like a bowl on the bottom so she could balance it on her head. While she busily scrubbed clothes between rocks in the ponds, I would sit in that cool water and catch tadpoles. There were lots of ladies there, so kids were plentiful and there was always someone to play with. I spoke spanish before english and considered these beautiful people my family.

The air had a smell to it - like fresh bread. I haven't touched foot to that soil in 0ver 40 years but can still smell it as though I were standing right atop one of those mountains that secretly surround little villages and hold all their secrets. I remember most people were barefoot or wore very primitively sewn shoes, without socks. To this day, I love to be barefoot!! The minute I get home - off come the shoes!!

There's alot to tell about my life in South America but for now I just want to say - I miss home! I'm planning a trip to Cuzco, Peru. I want to see Machu Picchu again. I was there once but don't remember it. All I know is that when I see pictures of it I have a yearning. My brother told me last month that he isn't surprised! He recalls that when we were there, I never wanted to leave. Something about those ruins and the majestic views that held me spellbound - even back then. Well, I'm headed home! Not for a couple of years but I am going home!!

For now, I spend my daydreams in a land high in the mountains were the air smells of fresh baked bread and the wonderful people are welcoming me home with gentle eyes and warm smiles. Here are some pictures I found to bring my dreams some life and oh how I love to look them.





















These represent the first faces I ever knew. The precious sweet faces of Peru!

I can't possibly close this blog without sharing Machu Picchu with you. Last year, new seven wonders of the world were unveiled. The old seven wonders either do not exist now or never really did. The new seven wonders are all places we can see and can you imagine my delight when Machu Picchu was selected as one of them! I was so proud - I cried!!! Enjoy machu Picchu. I'll be back to tell you more real soon!



























30 comments:

Dogpatch Primitives said...

Julie, what an interesting picture. Please tell about it. The backgorund is breathtakingly beautiful!

7_Crows_Hollow said...

Thanks, Patty. Those are the Andes mountains.

Dogpatch Primitives said...

what a beautiful first post, and and the country of Peru is even more beautiful, and w/ so many fond memories, no wonder you're day dreaming of the place you grew up in.
I hope you get to go soon Julie!

Congrats on starting your blog. I did nothing, but steer you in the direction, you did the rest, and I knew you could.

Welcome :)

oh....and I wonder if I'm as short as Yoda? It's so funny when you call me that.....I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy..lol!

GoldieLoo Woodworks said...

Julie great job on your new blog, looks fantastic. The pictures of Peru are lovely. Looks like heaven on earth.

Bittersweet Pastimes said...

Julie, I think you were born to blog! What an interesting first post and gorgeous pictures.

Susan Walker said...

Beautiful pictures Julie! Thank you so much for sharing your story with us! I can hardly wait until your next post! Hugs--Susan

Countryfolk Keepsakes said...

Congrats on your blog, it looks great!
What beautiful pictures and wonderful childhood memories. Thanks for sharing. :> )
~Peanut

7_Crows_Hollow said...

Oh - look at all these comments. I've tried commenting on blogs and never could! I can't wait to browse all of yours again - as a real participant - not just a PEEPER! :)

Thank you for coming by and for all your kind words.

:)

Patti said...

Welcome to blogland and WOW! What an incredible first post. I love it all. Your blog is so professional looking, it looks like you've been blogging for years...

My uncle-in-law has been living in Peru since the 1960's. We've been talking about visiting and I think that you have now convinced me!

Blessings, Patti

Janelle Willis Hurt said...

Julie...GREAT job on your fist blog post!
Oh how I remember studying about Machu Pichu when I was in high school...it's so beautiful!

Janelle

Katherine said...

Julie, Congratulations on your new blog! What a perfect first post. Thanks for sharing your sweet memories and gorgeous photos!

Nancy Malay said...

Oh, Julie, I just knew your blog would be the best "read"! Wonderful photos, too.

Where would the world be without "Yoda"?!! I'm so happy she encouraged you to start your blog.

I'll add your link ,

Nancy

Briar Rabbit Primitives said...

Jules, your Blog is Fabulous, Sister! The pics of Peru are breathtaking. I can see why you didn't want to leave. Thanks for adding my link. Hugs, Starla :)

Sharon Stevens said...

WoW! How interesting. That country looks wonderful, no wonder you have a yearning to go home. Thanks for sharing, Julie. Add me to your blog and I'll add yours to mine.
www.mustardseedoriginals.blogspot.com

7_Crows_Hollow said...

I'm so glad to see you all on my blog! Thanks so much Nancy, Janelle, Katherine, Starla and Sharon. I'm having FUN but need to figure out what to post next...

:) Julie

Linda said...

How Amazing Julie! I don't think I've ever really seen pictures of Peru or heard anyone speak of it before and now after reading your post and seeing your pictures I think I'd like to take a trip as well and see those Beautiful sites in person. Amazing.

You have the gift of blog girl! lol
Looking forward to reading more!

~Linda

7_Crows_Hollow said...

Thank you, Linda! I'm so glad you stopped in - book the flight - we'll go together ;)

Carrie Huber said...

Machu Piccu! That is one of the places I cannot wait to travel to!!! It is one of my top 3 "must see" destinations ... My other two ... Florence Italy, and Angkor Wat Cambodia.

Happy travels!!!

And - welcome to blog-land!!!

Briar Rabbit Primitives said...

Hey Jules...I am passing BB's "Brilliant Blogger Award" on to you, my friend. Love your Blog! Just stop by my blog & click on the "award" to pick it up! Love your Merc Offerings! Hugs, Starla :)

pywackit said...

Oh Julie. How wonderful it is to read about your background. It is all so beautiful. You have done a lovely job of bringing the sights of that faraway land to us. And I loved seeing your beautiful dolls so much.

Susan Walker said...

Hey Julie -- stop by my blog. I have an award for you!!! Hugs- Susan

Linda said...

Julie, I have a blog award for you to pick up when you have a sec!!
~Linda
http://simpletresures.blogspot.com/

Jamie Lott said...

YaHoo!! Your first post! Welcome to blogland, my friend!

Btw, let me know when we're loading up for Peru...I'll have my bags packed!

~Jamie

kornkribprimitives said...

Congrats on starting your blog! this was truly a touching, first post to your new blog and I can't think of a better way than to allow everyone to get to know you. It was truly heartfelt. I am so happy I found your blog and look foward to more of your posts.
Blessings, Linda

7_Crows_Hollow said...

Thank you all so much! I'm happy to be here and need to find time to write! i have so much to talk about. Thanks also for the awards! I'll pick them up as soon as I figure out how!

:)

Anonymous said...

Where did you go? I love your bunnies and am interested in purchasing some of your work. I hope all is well.

Naija said...

lovely dolls welcome to the blogworld

tbcfarm said...

Hi Julie, I've been wondering how you are and found your blog. Great stuff! Many prim blessings, Wanda

Mihir Sarkar said...

Very Nice in your bloge site,,,Click Every thing aloes good

Wanda Wilkerson said...

Hello Julie, I've been thinking about you so much the last few months and wondering how you are. I would love to hear from you and that you are well. Blessings! Wanda