I recently moved to the town of Carlsbad, California which is just north of San Diego.
In 1882, long before I ever moved here, a farmer named John Frazier was drilling a well on his land when he struck a deep aquifer of alkaline mineral water.
It was very similar to the therapeutic mineral water from Karlsbad, Bohemia so they decided to name it Carlsbad Mineral Water.
Until the 1930's many health conscious people from all around the world came to Carlsbad to "take the waters." But during the Great Depression the whole thing to fell into disrepair. The depression had that effect on a lot of things.
Until the 1990's when a nice man named Ludvik Grigoras, who was born in Karlsbad now the Czech Republic, decided to declare Karlsbad and Carlsbad Sister Cities. He then worked to raise money to help restore the California spa. He even had his Czech sculptor friend create a bronze statue of John Frazier.
Yay for Ludvik Grigoras!!!!
If any of you have ever had a swig of tap water here in Southern California you would have to admit that it doesn't taste great. It comes all the way from Colorado and picks up some funky stuff along the journey so it tastes a bit "off" by the time it gets here.
Spring Water is the only way to go.
So you have to pay for it. Big deal. I think it's worth it.
If you are a Spring Water fiend like I am, I would like to introduce you to FindASpring.com
This web site shows you where to find Cool Clear Springs all over the World.
There might even be one close to you! Check it out.
So what does a Barefoot Aquarian wear to collect Spring Water?
A rayon dress with pictures of Cranes Flying over Water of course!
Made from this pattern.
I'm on a mission to make as many of my own clothes as possible.
Ha! We shall see.....
I leave you, hopefully well-hydrated, with some Vintage Cowboy Coolness*
Heading over to Patti's Visible Monday. See you there!
*I'm sorry if you can't see this on your ipad. I'm trying to figure that one out!
It's just a bunch of dapper old cowboys. You're not missing much.
I guess tap water in NYC is even worst )
ReplyDeletexxo
NYC water is supposed to be very good. Go figure.
DeleteWell,I still drink only from the filter :)
DeleteHello Connie, alkaline mineral water must taste so good. My Aunt who lives in LA drinks alkaline for health. But our tap water here in Toronto is very safe to drink so far.
ReplyDeleteYour dress is stunning. Love the fabric you chose. You are so talented Connie. I hope you are feeling better. Take care, Pamela
Alkaline water is supposed to have all sorts of health properties. I'll take all the help I can get! So happy YOU are up and feeling better!
DeleteWow! You made that dress? It's gorgeous, and you're gorgeous in it. I almost bought a scarf with that print today...
ReplyDeleteI'm an Aquarius, too. January 24th.
It is a cool print, isn't it. Of course you're an Aquarius!!
DeleteWell, that dress is rather fabulous isn't it! Looks lovely on you. I love the way people can take a paper pattern and make it look really special, just by the choice of fabric.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the story of your town, thank you. Lovely to have something of note where you live. xx
Thanks! I'm trying to appreciate where I live.
DeleteYou are a dark horse, Connie, I didn't know you were a seamstress! What a gorgeous dress, the fabric is beautiful. And it is always a joy to see YOU, especially up and around and smiling!
ReplyDeleteThat's a great story about your town and its sister in the Czech Republic. Love the statue, and the fact that someone was good enough to raise money to renovate your spa.
I can't imagine not being able to just turn the tap on and drink the decent-tasting water, perhaps I should be more grateful for that.
Can't see the song on my iPad (why does that happen?) so will check later on the PC to find out which Vintage Cowboy is singing Cool Water! Xxxxxxx
I know! I can't see youtube videos on my iPad either. I'll have to figure that one out!
DeletePerfect dress for collecting spring water Connie and you made that dress!
ReplyDeleteNice story about Carlsbad nice that someone raised enought funds to restore the spa- I like that, they demolish so much these day to make room for new so it's nice to see that someone cares -
Have a good weekend!
Ariane x0
I grew up in Montana where the water is sparkling spring and glacier water so I was thrilled to find this place. Ahhhhh.
DeleteI wish I knew this when I still lived in San Diego:). Portland Oregon has the best water I have yet to drink so I'm lucky, but we also have springs all around, maybe I'll give one a try:). Love the print on your dress and the fact tat you made it rules!
ReplyDeleteXxoo
You are so lucky to be living in wonderful Portland.
DeleteThank you for you lovely comments on my posts. What a lovely piece of history we have a spa back in my home town of Tenbury wells in Shropshire Queen Victoria called our town the town in the orchard not because of the spa but due to all the apple orchards. I grow up in the countryside. Love your dress you have made the fabric is gorgeous and you look beautiful, dee x
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dee. I grew up in the country, too. But I've lived most of my adult life in cities. When I'm in the country I miss the city and when I'm in the city I miss the country. It's all so confusing.
Deletelike the print on the dress....
ReplyDeleteThanks. Me too.
DeleteThat Dress is fantastic!! There is a little spring on the way to the OR Coast where you can stop and fill up water jugs for free. I have not done it yet because I always forget it exists until we pass it, one day though!
ReplyDeleteOregon is such a clean fresh place.
DeleteThe dress is absolutely gorgeous and holy guacamole, you made it yourself! So talented!!
ReplyDeleteSarah xxx
Ah heck. You make awesome stuff for yourself all the time!
ReplyDeleteThe spring water looks delicious. And you look gorgeous in your "cranes" dress - wonderful! Thanks for sharing with Visible Monday.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Patti. Visible Monday is lots of fun.
Deletebeautiful dress, unfortunately I have absolutely no sewing talent...
ReplyDeleteI am fascinated by people that are skilled at sewing
Well, Marla. You have plenty of other talents!
DeleteConnie I was SO excited to see a photo of your gorgeous self!! i didn't know you sewed... I am trying to get back at it some myself!
ReplyDeleteWishing you a wonderful week my dear!!
Sewing can be so relaxing. Plus you might end up with a new outfit!
DeleteWow, Connie!!! Absolutely stunning dress - and self-made, you're amazing. Cool to learn about where you live.
ReplyDeleteThank you. It's a nice enough town but it's not the beautiful country like where you live.
DeleteBeautiful pictures and I just love the dress, I wish I could sew too! You are so talented! It's very hot here in Rome so we are drinking lots of water.
ReplyDeletewww.hungrycaramella.blogspot.com
Oh yes. Drink lots of water.
DeleteFantastic dress! I love the Japanese pattern, it is so pretty! I wish I could find the time and the patience to make my own clothes too.... I already got the sewing machine and a bunch of fabric... I'm getting there!
ReplyDeleteYou have such fabulous style. You would most definitely create some wonderful things.
DeleteOh man, that dress is GORGEOUS. Straight-up. Carlsbad Springs sound cool. I love that people used to go to springs to cure themselves (I suppose some still do though it's not as big as it once was). Very cool post.
ReplyDeleteI'm drinking this alkaline water every day. We'll see what happens.
DeleteHowdy, Connie! That has to be one of the most beautiful dresses I've seen this year. You should be so proud of your work ... I'm so taken with the spectacular fabric and your choice of silhouette for it. You look as airy and cool as the cranes. Lovely.
ReplyDeleteI'm an old Escondido girl. And spent lots of wonderful days in Carlsbad. I miss SoCal so much these days. Enjoy your summer!
Hey fellow Californian! Then you know all bout the cranes that fly around the lagoons here in Carlsbad. Escondido is quite the brew pub place these days.
DeleteThat dress is amazing, the pattern itself probably wouldn't have attracted me but the fabulous fabric you chose makes me love it! You look stunning!
ReplyDeleteThere's a natural spring under my parent's house. I should bottle it and make myself a fortune! xxx
Yes! Kinky Melon Spring Water. You'll be rich!!!!
DeleteOhhh that's such a beautiful dress Connie. You did a lovely job making it.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was little and was visiting relatives who lived on a farm. Their water was ABSOLUTELY disgusting it just tasted like metal and eggs. *LMAO* I think it scarred me for life because I have never forgot about it.
Hmmm. It was probably full of healthy minerals. Or maybe just dirt.
DeleteHi Connie,
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you found my blog! Thanks so much for your lovely comments. I am so impressed that you made that beautiful dress yourself - sewing is the one skill I don't possess that I wish I did. You're a gorgeous lady and I love your sense of style!
Alicia
Thanks Sweetie.
DeleteHello, my dear angel.
ReplyDeleteI love to see you by the spring of fresh water.
Glad to be back.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
I'm glad you're back!
DeleteOh my gosh, the print on your dress is so beautiful! I wish I could go out and buy your dress right now!
ReplyDelete- Caitlin
http://woreoutblog.com/
Dear barefoot Aquarian, I am so impressed, the dress looks great. These days I have a job on to even thread a needle. I filter all our drinking water; a spring of fresh water sounds delightful.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the story & nice dress :)
ReplyDeleteThat dress, my goodness, how engagingly, sweetly beautiful. It's a wearable work of Asian inspired art if ever there was one.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for your blog comment on Monday, dear Connie (white shoes are a pest to keep pristine, it's true!). I really hope that your September is off to a stellar start!
♥ Jessica
Fabulous dress for a water sprite. I'm inspired. Will have to think up a libran take on this dress.
ReplyDelete