The first picture is of bittersweet, that is a weed back in Kentucky that I think was so absolutely beautiful. It is such a brilliant orange and the leaves are waxy, almost like they aren't real. What others tend to call weeds we call flowers, now isn't that the truth.

It was part of the beautiful decorations for the gathering at Miss Wilma's. I got to help doing some of them. Maggie and her husband, George came and helped Miss Wilma out decorating. I got to help do some of it too. Maggie was in her eliminate doing this and she brought this grand pasta salad. The second picture is George, Janice, and Maggie working on the decorations on the fence. They were fun to be able to meet and help with.

Just a part of the glorious time that I had there. This was on Friday afternoon, in between chopping and cutting and laughing and eating and chatting some more. Friday afternoon, Jonni and Justin, Janice and Dave were there working on food preparations, I was the go to girl. What ever they needed done, tell me, so I can do it. I love doing that.

The weather the whole time I was there was sunshiny and warm, that made it even better.

So let me back track a few here, Thursday morning I was up and awake at 8am there time. I don't even want to think about what it was my time, cause I knew my body would start screaming at me that is was tired. This was my first full day in Kentucky and I was up for fun.

I meet Janice and Dave downstairs at the desk and then we had breakfast at the hotel. And what a bunch of choices there were. I tried country gravy, then a banana and muffin and a little of this and that. Then it was off for the drive down to Miss Wilma's. I loved getting to talk to Dave and Janice and learn about the state. About the Kentucky Derby, the land itself, that it is on limestone because of how it was created by the volcano's and floods and freezes. I always liked learning those kind of things because my Dad always was teaching us that kind of stuff.

I also learned about the tobacco industry. I think I gave them a good laugh when they were showing me tobacco barns. I had never seen any so I had no clue. They are painted black, for the best amount of heat from the sun, they have louvers and doors to let airflow through for the leaves to dry. When we got close to Miss Wilma's, they turned on a road and I got a picture of a tobacco barn. Yep, tourist here. LOL

Then it was on to Miss Wilma's and Sterl's. You drive down this long lane with the tree canopy touching each other and covering the road, some leaves are green, bits of yellow as well. Then there is the clearing and you can look up the hill and see Miss Wilma's. There were cattle grazing and we pulled up into their place. Dave checked around for Miss Wilma and found her done in the shop. That is her house that has her antiques and primitives in it. So out of the truck we went, to hear a vacuum cleaner going. Dave called out to Miss Wilma because we sure didn't want to scare her. Janice stood in the doorway and Miss Wilma turned and saw her. She came out the door and there I was. Her first wonderful comment to me was, "Why, you're just a youngin!" Now that was a compliment indeed. Yes, I got my hugs and then we set to unloading and helping Miss Wilma get the house ready for the rest of the girls coming in on Friday. Dave helped set up beds, we helped put things away in the primitive part. Ok, I just plain ogled, and touched and asked questions. I put my luggage in the wonderful room I got to sleep in and then off to the main house we went for some lunch. We had sandwiches and I got to eat some of Miss Wilma's and Sterl's frozen white peaches. Oh, they were so so so sweet.

Then off we went to go a junkin. I had the best time, handling stuff in this older warehouse, just getting to see all the history. The furniture, old fans, doorknobs, books, boxes, and getting to ask all the questions of, now what is this and what is it for. I sure wished I had brought a tape recorder and my camera but that didn't even cross my mind when we took off. How silly of me. But I had a great time with telling the owner that ok, this is the money I have, what can I get for it. Then I pulled out the change I had and said " You haven't got it all yet, what else can I get?" It was so much fun. Then we stopped at another place of Miss Wilma's that she liked. It was wonderful, but that early morning getting up was starting to get to this girl.

So there were headed off to I want to say Glasgow, I think that is right, for shopping for food preparation for the next day. I voted to go take a nap cause this girls tushie was majorly dragging. So down to the little house I went, laid my head down, and my eyes were wide open. It was all those primitives calling my name. So I got up and wandered around for a bit, because they was so much to look at, dough bowls, chairs, quilts, toys, books, pillows, lanterns, clothing, you name it, it was there. My senses were on overload trying to take it all it. Finally, I went back and laid down and slept for a bit. It was twilight when I woke up and went up to the main house. I got a tour of Miss Wilma's and Sterl's and supper to boot. Now that was a great way to have an evening go. After supper, Miss Wilma made this great peanut butter fudge and taught me how to make grape jelly. I had always done jam and never done jelly. That was easier than I had thought it would be, plus I got to drink some of Miss Wilma's homemade grape juice that she had done this summer. I also got to work on helping Miss Wilma turn some of the projects we were going to be doing on Saturday. Then it was off to bed for this girl.
What a full and fulfilling day.....and the adventures continued.....later,
cs

So here is a photo of Miss Wilma's little house where I stayed. It was filled with all kinds of treasures. Old quilts, dough bowls, primitve dolls, chairs, dresses, hats, wooden blocks, her famous and wonderful beyond belief pillows, sticherys, towel holders, one from later part of the 1800's, tins, rolling pins, history in every little space around me. Learning some of the history of "what is this" was lots of fun.

Now you can laugh at me, but I thought I did such a great job getting pictures and I did for me, but as I have started going through them I realize that it hasn't left some people in the best poses. No one wants their back side only in a shot. At least I sure as heck wouldn't, so it will take me a bit to see what I can do about some of them. But I sure can share my memories with you and let the photos follow in a bit. I know, wahhhhhhhh.

So I have not flown but 3 times in my life and this was to be my 4th. Yes, I was a nervous nelly to say the least. I had my bags ready to go the night before, then double checked them like crazy the next morning. Then before I knew it it was time to head out the door, hubby drove me to the airport and hung around until everything was cleared, kisses and then through security for me. It still all felt like a dream, like ok, this is happening to me. I got on my first flight and it was fun lookin out the window to see the city that I live in from the air. I was in the middle seat and will make sure I ask for aisle or window next time. Middle not too bad but if you are tired leaning on the window is rather nice. So had one plane change in Minneapolis. That is a big airport, but had fun walking around for a bit, streching the legs. Then it was on to the next part of the journey that would land me in Kentucky. I did decide that taking a pain pill right before the descent into Minneapolis was not a good idea. NOt having enough in your stomach added to the descent was not my wisest move. Kinda like I don't take the meds that help me soon enough, I keep thinking oh, it will get better. No, but I sure want to think that....ahhhh such is life. So we were almost to Louisville and they said it was 10:30pm. I am going what, I thought it was only a 2 hour difference from me. I didn't realize that part of Kentucky was in eastern time zone and the other part was in central. That threw me for a few minutes. I did see the most beautiful sunset from the skies that night thought. It was so beautiful with all the colors reigning clear out to the distance and the north star shining bright. So I landed in Kentucky still pinching myself that this was really happening. I am all bright eyes looking around, cause I am really here, the sign says welcome to Kentucky. So off to baggage I went to claim my bag with goodies for the get together. So I found my bag and sat down waiting for Janice and Dave. Then the thought hits me, I am in an airport, have never meet them in person, will I know who they are. Just as this is running through my brain, Janice and Dave show up with my first Kentucky souviner, my Kentucky purse. What a releif. They took me to a hotel, first feeding me dinner and then helping me with my bags to the room. Talk about hospitality from those two, yes, when they left it made me cry. I felt like a queen. Of coarse, I was so darn excited I couldn't sleep till after 2am. My mind was buzzing and then my body finally said, enough girl!!!!! And the first day of my adventure was done.....
and the saga shall continue....lol
cs

I have not fallen off the face of the earth, I have been off having some major fun.

I got to go to Kentucky and visit some of the most amazing women.

First of all, I have never been to Kentucky so there was lots to learn. I was headed for a gathering at Miss Wilma's. She is one amazing energized lady with a heart as big as they come.
She had a farmgal gathering at her farm in southwestern Kentucky.

The country side in Kentucky is the most gorgeous rolling hills and hollers. The start of the colors turning was beautiful as well. And I saw the most brillant orange color in bittersweet. It is an invasive weed, but I thought it was beautiful. Some weeds are, you know. It was bright orange and had a waxy feel, they looked like a really good dried flower arrangement. When I have seen bittersweet on embroderiery I had no idea what is was until now.

I would post pictures but for some reason the toolbar for that didn't come up. NOt sure why, but will have to ask some gals that are more in the know than I am. For tonight, just starting you up on where I have been, with lots more stories and hopefully pictures to come.

I got all the pictures downloaded to the computer so now it is trying to figure out what I did with this toolbar. I can hope it is on their end for tonight but something tells me it is something that I did. LOL.

You all have a great morning....
cs