Monday, June 20, 2011

The Electricians Are Coming!

Well, it's not ET... it's Aric from York... the electricians have arrived to start work in the MMQC Gallery!  Pictures to follow- I'm back in Friend now.  I can't wait to get the space cleared out- to start the ceiling repair and consult about renovating the floor! 

OH SO COOL!  Can't wait!  Stay tuned for more...

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Construction is Underway!


MMQC Gallery space from north enterance looking to the south
 Well, the bids are in and secured.  Houlden Construction has begun the framing process for the large bathroom, with the sleeping loft above, as well as framing the southern wall, utility room, and a new wall around the sprinkler system pipes.  There are still a lot of "things" that need to be sorted and either stored or carted to the dump, but progress has begun.

Another view from the front door

The future Mary Mary Quite Contrary - A Gallery of Beautiful Things
located in the far west Suite D location of the Friend Historical Society's Warren Building


Monday, June 13, 2011

Something Very Cool...

So, you know how sometimes you see someone, in a place you'd never expect it, and you almost convince yourself it's not that person... just 'cuz you have no concievable reason they'd be there?  Yep- it happened on Friday night.  An old friend, Joe, suddenly appeared at the end of the PHouse bar.  I thought it was him... asked the lady next to me if she knew him... she didn't.  So I figured Joe had a twin out there.  Later that evening, he was back in the same space, so I approached him.  "Joe?"  "Yes... HEY, Carey!"  Sure as xxxx it was Joe.  He was attending his class reunion party, hosted at my PHouse.  Joe and I were fellow members of the "very charming, very much fun" Martini Monday club a few years ago.  The thing that makes this rambling even more fun is that Joe drove past the PHouse a few times, but when he saw the "Mary Mary Quite Contrary... coming this Fall" banner in the window, he knew he was in the right place.  YEP!  The Gallery that is not yet open, was the eye-catcher for locating the PHouse.  Joe'd seen the link on the http://www.visitthepourhouse.com/ website, and had checked it out.  So, Joe, if you check out the blog-  thanks to you and your wife for visiting, and visit Friend again soon!

Friday, June 10, 2011

The Story of Mary Mary Quite Contrary - A Gallery of Beautiful Things!

When I was a kid, I was really lucky to spend every holiday with parents who were married, 2 sets of grandparents and several great aunts and uncles.  In fact, I pretty much grew up with my great aunts Mary, Ardis and Elaine.  Aunt Mary was always my favorite aunt.  She was fiesty and opinionated.  When the town of Dorchester erected the community siren in her alley, she had a hissy-fit.  Sometimes she'd shoot at it when it BLLAARRED signaling it was 12-noon.  She was a seamstress, a gardner and almost like a grandma to me.  She never had any kids of her own- which was good for me and my brother, because she and uncle Cap spoiled us rotten.  We got 50cent pieces every time we walked into her house, and she always made sure the candy drawer was fully stocked.  Her favorite saying was "It's a great life if you don't weaken".  amen!

So, I've always wanted to do something cool for Mary... and when the opportunity to renovate the gallery space came available, it was a simple decision to name the gallery after her.  So, Mary Mary Quite Contrary is named for my very contrary great aunt Mary.  Her picture, as a young teenage woman, is our new logo. I thought it was not only perfect because it is beautiful, and of her, but because she is at the wicker desk, writing or drawing something.  That's what this gallery space will be about.  Beautiful and creative things.  Art work, artisan crafts, pottery, handmade jewelry, furniture, textiles... and some writing here and there too. 

Connie, a talented artist, friend and fellow-wine lover, speaks of "feeding the soul".  It's a necessity in this world, if we're going to step out of the rat-race and into a happy space.  The MMQC will be just that kind of place.  I've not been this excited about a project since... well... PHouse.  MMQC will compliment PHouse exceptionally.  We'll plan to do group wine tastings, private parties and catered dinners at MMQC, and at some point we'll even work with the Historical Society to rent the San Carlo and Welcome Center so we can use the entire block of space for a weekend of "Feed Your Soul" events.

I've vowed to keep this blog current, with pics, so I can share my vision with you, and to document yet another really great renovation.  I can't thank the Friend Historical Society enough for endulging me and allowing me to move ahead with the project.  Construction is about to begin.  I'll try to post pics later today.  Our website is under construction at http://www.marymary-quitecontrary.com/ 

Cheers, and remember to feed your soul!
c