Mrs P's Amherst, Nova Scotia: Merci !

What can I say...Merci!

L'Eglise du Sacre-Coeur
Sacred Heart Church, Saulnierville, Nova Scotia

I had an awesome weekend! La Guilde Acadienne de Clare went above and beyond!

Joan & Elaine were at the hall on Friday night to welcome us to help 'set up shop'. They were ooh-ing and ahh-ing over the car load of materials I had brought. I admit to having been nervous, setting out on this new venture. I will never forget their welcome that Friday night. They opened their arms and just accepted me!

I can never thank them enough or express verbally what the guilds' feeling of friendship means to me as both a female in business, and as a person. I felt and still feel, so cherished. It wasn't just one person- it was everyone in the guild and those came to see the trunk show, that gave me that feeling. A true sense of belonging to their community.

Karen Neary's original Patterns with Samples on Display

Karen's works were beautiful splashes of colour that instantly drew people to that side of the room.

Mrs P's Trunk Show & Sale

One of the best surprises of Sat morning was, Simonne! She normally works at Clarence's Shopping Mart in the fabric section. Simonne showed up on Sat, unable to do the workshop because her son was graduating- Congratulations! She wanted to show her support, so she offered her expertise and cut fabric for me! Way faster than I ever could and we shared where we got some of our items from. It really was magical! Thank you so much, Simonne!

We stopped in on Friday to see Clarence's and it was spotless. A real treat, well merchandised and a variety of goods. If you are down that way, Clarence's is in the Foodland and it's wonderful! They also have an aisle of beads for jewelry, craft supplies, shoes, giftware and groceries!

Dinner was served across the road from the hall at La Cuisine Robicheau. They had just been reviewed by The Chronicle Herald newspaper on Thursday.

http://thechronicleherald.ca/artslife/1128360-spurr-acadian-cuisine-carries-on

Sitting down with the group was a cultural treat. I had ordered a small Chicken Rappie Pie. There was orders for seafood chowder, clam rappie pie, seafood lasagna and hot lobster...

Seafood Chowder

Everyone waited while I tried the Rappie Pie for the 1st time. They use grated potatoes- so it is a creamier texture than anything I had tried before.

My limited cooking experience came into effect as I showed total astonishment that the guild ladies at the table buy the potatoes already grated! I just wasn't expecting that ... I figured you always had to grate them...

A Small Chicken Rappie Pie !

The pie was fabulous! Hot, with big pieces of chicken, it was like a hug in your stomach. It was delicious! Followed by a hot cup of coffee, I was full and content.

That afternoon, I was also able to visit Panier D'art in Comeauville. They have an amazing selection of fabrics and sewing machines.

I chatted with lots of interesting people at the trunk show. This guild has 80 years young people there, right along with 8 years young juniors just learning to sew. It is a real success story of an inter-generational project working in the community for the community. The Guild coordinates and offers sewing classes at the elementary schools. This is a very vibrant area of Nova Scotia.

I truly treasured my time with the people in this guild and in this beautiful part of Nova Scotia. I will never forget the welcome and joyful acceptance they showed to Mrs Pugsley's Emporium and myself.

Thank you to everyone that was part of this spectacular weekend.

Karen Neary has posted her experiences on her blog, which can be found via her web site...

http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/sewkaren/

Joan's experiences of the weekend are on her blog...

http://ouvragesduneacadienne.blogspot.ca/