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

So you think you are keeping up with things until you look at the date of your last post, eeehhhh gadssss how did that happen. The last time I posted was after the quilt retreat.....lol
I could say I was recouperating from it, which I was, but in truth have just been dealing with ordinary life. Clean up the floors, wash the dishes, do the laundry, feed the animals, play with grand kids, take care of niece hospital visit and doc visit after, no matter, you take care of family, catch back up on sleep. I have to tell you, when I miss a nights sleep now, it takes days to catch up. I remember when younger how, you just slept in and kept going. My how life has changed, or come to think of it, I did get mono from burning the candle at both ends....hmmmm
Does this mean I can say I have gained some wisdom because now I catch up on that sleep by taking it easier and taking those naps and going to bed earlier....lol
At least I sure would hope so!!!!!
So this week, I am taking a trip to Kentucky. I am excited and nervous at the same time. I am meeting up with some wonderful farm girls at a gathering there at Miss Wilmas. I get to learn crafts that I haven't done before. So since this is only my 4th plane trip in my life, you can imagine my slight nervousness.....getting there on time, making it to the gates on time, making sure I don't have anything that isn't suppose to go on a plane, wondering how well the silly Fibro will be.....looking forward to meeting gals I have talked to for a long time in person, laughing, eating very well, a pie made by Jonni, Miss Wilma and her antics. I know for sure that I won't be able to keep up with her, she is one woman who gets an astounding amount of life done in a day. Getting together with women from different parts of the country and learning what their lives are like, how they cope with challenges, knowing that laughter truly is the best medicine for me. So I am sure I will come home with plenty of stories and good laughs, enough for a lifetime.
Now that sounds delightful,
so whatever adventure you have planned for the day, whether just dealing with ordinary life, or something more, delight in it.
cs

These are a couple of photos and not always so good of the lovely place I got to go to for a small gathering of friends for a quilt retreat.
It was nice to take the break and funny how you don't realize how much you need one until you have gone and come back.
The place we went to is Simply Country Retreats. The gals that started it quilted with their friends and wanted a place where others could go and do the same. It is set up so well for doing just that or crafting. If you want to take a better look at the place go to www.simplycountryretreats.com to take better looks at the place.
It was a wonderful group of ladies, 4 that I already knew and 4 I didn't. We came from all different ages and backgrounds so it makes it fun to get to know others lives. For the first day, I spent a lot of time just chatting and getting set up, having a leisurely dinner. Then down to sew and laugh some more.
On Friday I actually got some sewing done, I have had the pattern for Jinny Beyers Moonglow for a very long time, but when I bought it I was not up for the difficult of a pattern,not sure I still am. I did get one block done and I thought that was exceptional because I really was exhausted. Prior to getting to go, 2 of the wonderful grand kids were sick, one has asthma. She was in duress and we tag team as a family unit when it is like that. Needless to say, sleep isn't something that happens then. So on the day I was to leave, dd came down and followed the list and helped groggy me pack up. I will have to say the drive out their was spectacular because you drive out through wheat field territory and the golden color is awesome. So I considered Friday a success with getting that one block done, then I worked on another smaller project that I got a head start on Friday and Saturday. It was a good break for me, regardless of what I got done. Sometimes just having the time to connect with woman is the important part of the trip. AT least it turned out being that way for me this time. Woman need woman at times, to bounce ideas off of, to share a tear and a laugh, to commiserate and to move on. We are unique that is for sure and I sure appreciate the wonderful time of uniqueness I had.
Have a wonderful time connecting with the women in your life......
cs

Now aren't I just a cutie, Nana sure thinks so......
A couple of pictures I took this week when baby boy was hanging out and playing at Nana and Papa's house. His smile can sure make me smile especially on a day where life just didn't go as planned. You know those days, where you think, okay, I am just going to do this little bit in my sewing room, only to realize that there was a mouse capade that had happened in the kitchen and you just discovered. So life takes the detour that ends up taking a few days instead of the one that you were hoping for. When you finally get back to your sewing room, it has exploded, kaput, everything everywhere and you are leaving for retreat, mind you quilt retreat in days. Panic begins to set you because you realize you cannot find anything in your sewing room at all, your sewing machine is buried, what floor, are you sure I have one, how many days do I have....where is the shovel when you need it.....yep that would be my last week and today. So me thinks, I have to unbury myself a little more and find stuff for quilt retreat. Then abandon ship!!!!!!!!
Here is to hoping your adventures are not so crazy, but knowing life......yep, here it comes......lol
cs

Was out in the yard checking out how the tomatoes were doing and caught this picture of the bee busy working. Kinda like I have been doing in the house. Found the lovely present of a couple of mouse "presents" so cleaned all the cupboards. That wasn't on my agenda at all, but the kitchen has had its fall cleaning to say the least. My body sure as heck does know it. Overdoing for me is a painful, painful process. Overdoing means my muscles go on fire and spasm, but at times you just can't help it. Like having to be on mouse patrol. So I will be the couch potato for a few days and try and settle it all down.
Getting to see the bee in the flower and actually getting a good picture was a gift for me today. When you are feeling down and your body is revolting, getting a moment like that picture was precious. Just like watching the hummingbird lit in the butterfly bush, or my grandson giggling. It doesn't take big thrills, just the every day extraordinary life. Seeing the wonder in small things, makes the load lighter. Don't we all need those small moments to lighten our loads. So here is hoping you have a small moment of wonder to lighten your load today.
cs