Goodbye Lie Diaries - Carolena Decorates with Jewelry

Late 1800s
 Fernandina on Amelia Island, Florida

Carolena Dunnigan writes:  I heard  word my sister, Breelan, wrote to you, Jane Marie, sharing her perfume tip. I can't have my baby sister show me up, so this is my idea. ( See Breelan's tip here. )
     Instead of leaving my bracelets and necklaces tucked away in my drawer or jewelry box , I decorate my room with them.  I drape my favorite necklaces on lampshades and hang my bracelets from the pulls on my chest of drawers. 
     I am forever changing them out for new pieces as I wear them. And they look different when the candles are lit compared to the the light of day.
     Jane Marie, thank you for trying my style of decorating and taking photos to share with your friends.  I don't want to brag, but little creative touches of all types add to my interior designs for our family's Aqua Verdi Passenger Line grand ships and yachts.  Business is brisk, so I must dash.  Daddy promised I would have my sketches to the gentleman from Boston completed and in the post to him by week's end.

shade by night decorated with butterfly necklace

bracelets on drawer pulls

                      necklace on lamp by day

same necklace, shade turned at an angle, by night

Carolena Dunnigan is the
 featured player in
 Amelia Island 's Velvet  Undertow.

                            Carolena Dunnigan

Click here for Amelia Island's Velvet Undertow  eBooks and paperbacks.  Set on Amelia Island, Florida in 1889, Amelia Island's Velvet Undertow will twist, turn and torture you with Carolena's passion for her family, her art and her lovers, all from her deep and dawning creative soul.

-Necklaces handmade by Jane Marie's sister, Nancy Kamp

-Bracelets handmade by Jane Marie's granddaughter, Ava, Nancy Kamp and Jane Marie 

What Is It? - Goodbye Lie Diaries - Carolena

     What on earth, or off the earth for that matter, could this be?  An underwater scene from an animated horror movie?  Perhaps the landscape of a death star?  While you guess, read an entry in our Goodbye Lie Diaries from Carolena, the heroine from Amelia Island's Velvet Undertow, part of The Goodbye Lie series set in the late 1800s in north Florida in the tiny city of Fernandina.

Late 1880s

Fernandina on Amelia Island, Florida

Carolena

     Carolena writes: For anyone who does not know, I am the interior designer for our family's Aqua Verde Passenger Line and Shipyards. Let me clarify.  I draw the plans and add the colors and materials and oversee the creation of our ships and private yachts.  Before discovering my affinity for this,  I feared my career choices were relegated to  teacher, nurse or shop girl. Since I love to draw, always have, I found myself suggesting the silks and brocades, the style of column and layout of cabins and staircases to the men working for our company.  To my happy surprise, they were more than willing to take my suggestions, appreciating my apparent eye for a vision of the finished product.  

     With regard to your picture, Jane Marie, I can only guess it comes from a dark mind, seeking hope, what with the lighter, welcoming shading on the upper left. Is this your imagining of what could be mysterious black ice cycles?  

Present time

Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, Florida
     Jane Marie writes: Perhaps you are correct in thinking you might not be suited for teaching or nursing. Aren't we glad there are others who are.
     With my dark mind, I can see your black ice cycles, Carolena. (I am smiling.) I must say I have enjoyed the variety of comments I've received so far as to what this picture could be. And yes, this is my creation, but only because of a combination of nature and a program we have in our time to alter photographs.  It's generally referred to as photo shop. 

     So what was my original photograph?  It was a shadow of landscape against a white door.  I noticed this shadow, thought it was pretty in its simplicity and took a picture of it.  Then I applied the photo shop program to disguise it and try and fool folks. I can be a little minx, you know. 
     See the original shadow photo below.

Amelia Island's Velvet Undertow Excerpt - Grey and Carolena

     You won't like Carolena Dunnigan, featured

female in Amelia Island's Velvet Undertow. A quick temper, a bossy manner and stubborn ways, you'll quickly understand why I say this as you read her less than charming exchange with Chief Engineer Grey McKenna, set in 1889 on Amelia Island, Florida.

E-books and Paperbacks HERE

     “Where have you been?” Carolena shouted. “All I can say is thank you ever so much for leaving me out in the dark and the cold and damp. I may have caught my death for all you care. And have you gotten me a cabin? Or did it slip your mind that my tail, as you so coarsely put it, was even on board? I’ve been everywhere looking for you so I could give you a good-sized piece of my mind.”
    Grey was shocked by Carolena’s shrewish tone, and she was surprised when he lifted her to her toes by her upper arm and rushed her away from the door and into the passageway.
     “Let me go! Just because you wrassle equipment and engines and things on
this ship, gives you no leave to bully me!”
     He released her once they were a distance from any ship’s activity. The smile on his face was gone. “I don’t give a damn if your daddy and
brother-in-law own this ship, missy, I won’t tolerate you talking to me like that.” His head cocked as if at the point of discovery. "Fascinating, if you don’t sound exactly like that Aunt Noreen of yours. Pity the poor fool who finally marries you.” His searing look intensified. “It’s a lucky thing you’re a woman. If you were a man, I’d pound you flat!”
     "How dare you?” she responded. “Handle me  again, and I’ll have your job!” She was upset. She was so mad, she could spit mud. Grey’s eyes narrowed, and what Carolena witnessed in him frightened her. Her temper disappeared, replaced by bewilderment. Was she afraid of him?
     Speaking softly and slowly, “No one, not man nor woman, threatens my job.” He leaned in closely. “You want to run things, do you? Well here, my dear, I give you full dominion of my responsibilities on the Coral Crown,” adding,
“with my compliments.” Grey pulled away. He ripped the golden crossed anchors from the collar
of his uniform, seized her wrist, and slapped them onto her upturned palm. A casual about face and he walked away, leaving her alone in the corridor.
     She stood trembling, unsure of what to do. In all her ups and downs, she’d never before felt faint. At this moment, she was quite certain she was near to it. It was clutching at her, pinching off the breath to her brain. She leaned against the
wall to recover. She straitened her sleeve where he’d twisted it on her arm and righted herself.  In the event anyone witnessed the spectacle, she spoke aloud, “If that insolent oaf wants to quit and leave hundreds of passengers stranded in the event the ship breaks down, then he’s simply showing his true colors. No loyal crewman would abandon his obligations if his feelings got bruised.” How I’ve misjudged him, she thought. He’s neither the kind man nor true friend he
purports himself to be. He’s an animal!
     Calm down, Carolena, she ordered herself. Just put Second Engineer Casey in charge, and that’s that! Then it came to her. Who was she to be
putting anyone in charge? Yes, she knew about the ship, but all she knew was its interior design. Of its basic construction, she understood only that burning coal in the fire room produced steam, which pushed piston-things, and they turned
engines. Her tongue had gotten away from her, and her interference had caused Grey to quit his post.
     Would Casey take over without talking to Grey? She doubted it because the chain of command was inbred in him the same as in any faithful sailor. When he and the captain learned the reason for the resignation, oh God. What if word gets out among the passengers and back in Fernandina? I can only imagine the rumors. And when it gets back to Waite and Bree and Daddy, I’ll be so ashamed, they’ll probably ask me to leave the business, and rightfully so. When I was a
little girl, I remember Daddy telling me respect can only be given. It can’t be demanded.
     What have I done to myself, my family, and the reputation of the Aqua Verde Passenger Line?  Animal or not, I need Grey.

A Special Cookie for Mother

Have you ever heard of benne seeds?   How about sesame seeds?  They're the same thing!  Sesame seeds comes from the benne plant, which slaves from Africa brought to America.  These delicious treats have become popular, particularly in South Carolina, and worldwide, for their nut-like flavor.   While there are all kinds of recipes for cookies and candy, here is my favorite. Oh, the alcohol will bake away and leave behind only its flavor. Treat Mom with a homemade batch of these goodies served on a pretty plate wrapped in a new tea towel and tied with a bow. She'll love them and love you. Well, she already loves you. :-)

     Enjoy, 

  Jane Marie

You'll Need:

• 1 cup white sugar
• 3 eggs
• 3/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup brandy
• 2 cups flour
• 1/4 cup sesame seeds to taste, more or less

Cream sugar and butter together well.

Slightly beat the eggs and add them to the creamed mixture.  Mix well.

Add the brandy and flour.  Mix well.

Roll out the dough and evenly sprinkle it with sesame seeds.

Press the seeds into the cookies and cut out circles (or other shapes) or roll up the flattened dough and slice off 1/4 inch circles.   Place slices or shapes on a greased cookie sheet.

Bake at 300°F for 4 to 8 minutes or until golden.

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Goodbye Lie Diaries (and scroll down for VIDEO):

Late1800s

Fernandina on Amelia Island, Florida 

Amelia Island's Velvet Undertow

                          Carolena's story                                                    

Carolena Dunnigan

 Carolena Dunnigan writes: As I think back to my--turbulent visit to Charleston, the way the chilled air crept beneath my skirts to cover my body like an icy shroud--Never mind that. It was miserable cold. When I eventually warmed due to the --Never mind that, either. What I will say is I certainly know the meaning of gluttony when it comes to anything benne.  I've never had a cookie recipe like Jane Marie's, with the brandy, but I'm willing to give it a try. So long was benne seeds are involved, it, for certain, will be wonderful. 

WATCH Amelia Island's Velvet Undertow Video HERE:

Carolena Dunnigan is the lead character in Amelia Island's Velvet Undertow, an historical novel packed with mystery, suspense, romance. She leaves the safety of her beloved Amelia Island and travels to Charleston in 1889. Lie upon lie drives her to Johnstown, Pennsylvania and into the great flood on Decoration Day of that year. Danger, Dread and Drama...   

The Goodbye Lie, Amelia Island's Velvet Undertow and Amelia Island's Mark of a Man are available in ebook and paperback at book sources everywhere.