Vintage Roses

Twenty one yrs ago we purchased our home from Mike and Harriet Carr Van Valkenburg. Harriet was born and lived in this house her entire life until she and Mike moved to assisted living, they never had children. Harriet was an only child and her mother too was born and lived here here entire life, also an only child. Harriet's grand mother moved in at 1 yr. old and also stayed here her entire life, again an only child.

I was fortunate to have been able to correspond with Harriet every month,as they held the mortgage. I learned much about the town, village and the house. About a year before Harriet passed on she stopped by and was able to see the changes we had made. I think she approved.

One of the thing she shared was that her grandmother had planted the climbing rose bush at the back door, right around 1900-1910.

After so many changes here it remains constant. The roots probably go to China at this point, lol. It blooms every year, except for the years we cut it back for a rest. Once we had a robin nest in it. And every spring our song sparrow visits and serenades us. It is right by the door to the yard off of the kitchen. This area was once a porch before being closed in.

My New Studio Sign

You can't miss the studio now, eh??

Two years ago I had an Open House at the studio to introduce my rental business. I hung my bright batik Lucky Stars quilt on the front of the building for the day.

My friend, Pam Ross, loved the way it looked and asked if she could paint it for me. Well yeah!! She asked how much detail I would like and I told her, just enough so there is texture to the piece. She delivered it on xmas eve and I was blown away. She did an amazing job! I was a bit afraid to hang it lest it get damaged, lol.

Last weekend David and I had a moment of free time and got it put up. Wowzer, it looks great, no?

Thank you Pam.

My Poor Wisteria

My poor wisteria blossoms were not able to withstand three nights of temps in the 20's. We have had the strangest spring weather! Luckily the wind blew down one blossom and I was able to press it. It might be the only wisteria I will ever have!

We have flowers!

At long last we have wisteria flowers. Not what I think of, when I think of wisteria however. After 15+ yrears of waiting I hate to be ungrateful, but..... shouldn't there be some leaves?? I remember seeing beautiful lush green vines with pendulous purple flowers. This poor vine looks naked!

Can it possibly be?

Around 15 years ago our dear friends Steve and Naomi gifted us with a wisteria plant from their garden in Virginia. David built a trellis and it grew happily around and through it. Patiently we have waited for flowers, tried to coax it to bloom by pruning, chanting ( not really ) you get the idea. The birds love the foliage to camouflage their nests and we hang a thistle feeder on the trellis for the goldfinches and a bird bath beneath. We watch the trellis from our kitchen window, season by season, year by year and nary a bud or blossom.
So last night around twilight, David says" LOOK! NO, it can't be" What? I say, wondering what kind of bird was visiting. No, he says, look, BUDS!


Well, I am hoping these are buds, having never seen them on the vines before I am assuming so. Now we wait and see if we are graced with flowers. I will be amazed!

Monday a lady?

I always find it hard to drag myself out of bed on rainy mornings, especially Mondays. But I have a full day, full week ahead so I am up and at 'em. David used to wake me saying "up and at 'em Mrs. Adams" lol.
Yesterday's Meet the Teachers, was very nice. I always enjoy spending time with my comrades and with out this scheduled day I probably would not see many of them. My Machine Quilting 101 class in June filled right up, ten students and a waiting list, so I have added a second class. I am amazed at how popular this class continues to be. This is my fourth year teaching this series and the classes are still full. Good thing I love to teach!

Sunday morning

This morning is a lazy, rainy, sleep late Sunday. Could even qualify as a jammie day except I have to attend a "meet the teachers" event at a local quilt shop this afternoon. Bonus is that I can stop by Wegman's (grocery store) on the way home and pick up dinner. Now I know that going to a grocery store is not much of a bonus to most, but Wegman's is not your everyday grocery store. It is a foodies delight!