Philadelphia Flower Show

Here's some rose photos for you to enjoy from the Phildelphia Flower show! (Ignore the printed dates on the images, need to correct my setting)! I always treat myself to flowers! This year's theme was Paris.















Hmmm... inspired to plant sunflowers around my son's classic car.



This sink was supposed to look like a scene from long ago, but it's just like the one in my kitchen!



How can you resist smiling at these rudbeckias?



And a happy Good Morning to you!



There are almost as many cameras at the flower show as there are flowers!



One of the most striking exhibits- shadows of can lids, strategically placed cutouts and bric-a-brac that created alluring shadows!



Happy feet!



Perhaps I could do this, too! These gals attracted a crowd of onlookers as they painted floral scenes "en plein air"



This photo shows fellow bus passengers riding the escalators to the show's entrance. Over the course of several years, some of these ladies have become welcome faces and friends.



This shows our snowfall earlier this week!



Any weather is perfect for grilling!





After heavy rains, our snow's nearly gone,



..the creek's rising...



and best of all, the snowdrops are visible again!

Snow drop!

The weekend's warm temperatures melted the dingy remains of past snows, revealing a forgotten bag of hyacinths atop my garden but never planted, and clusters of white snowdrops, bravely blooming, heralding Spring. Well, the brief taste of Spring has been quashed by an overnight snow storm, dropping over 14 inches on us! Goodbye, snow drops! I know you're down there and look forward to seeing you again!

A Cat in the Hat Day

Today is definitely a Cat in the Hat Day- too wet to go out and play, so I'm sitting inside, downing a few cups of tea and devouring the Sunday paper.

The warmer temps have melted most of February's snow (more is predicted tonight)! Before the rain got too heavy, I relocated more cat litter from the yard and front border and took a quick walk around the back garden to see if any Spring shoots were emerging. To my surprise, I found a bag of 25 hyacinths that spent most of the Winter beneath the snow in a back corner of my garden! Last Fall, I must've been in a planting frenzy and gotten sidetracked, forgetting all about them! Anyway, I brought the bag inside, opened it and arranged the contents on a dinner plate. They looked like earthy appetizers ready to be served at a troll's garden party. They seemed solid. Some had green sprouts emerging from the tips, but none had much root growth. I only tossed two mushy ones into the trash. Hmm. Decided to try planting them in my porch boxes! Nothing to lose by trying! I cleared out the ragged remains of white pine branches, found my trusty trowel, and planted 23 bulbs among the three boxes! Now it's time to sit back and wait and see what happens!

Signs of Spring!

Today's wind swirls around the house in brisk gusts! The snow's receding quickly! The season's first snowdrops emerge! Ten gallons of maple sap simmered on top of our wood stove, enough to fill a clear quart-sized jar. (We had pancakes, bacon and fresh syrup for breakfast)! Our winter wood supply is dwindling: time to scrounge for enough to keep us warm throughout Spring. It will be harder to stay inside and draw or quilt, now that Spring whispers, "Come out and see what's new in the world!"

Under the Wire

February's almost over, but thanks to Winter's relentless snow and a lingering cold, I'll manage to post a blog for this month. Dad continues to sift through letters, photos, and recently gave me this jubilant one of him and Mom after they received the news he wouldn't be shipped overseas, even though his bags were already on a ship to Italy.



We went down to Warren Center, PA, in Mid February to celebrate my cousins', Sherry and John's, fiftieth anniversary. Dad and Sherry's mom, May, were the eldest ones there. Many people came over to pay their regards. Sherry presented a crocheted throw she made from scrap yarn to Dad (shown here) which he will use in his napping chair. In turn, I gave Sherry and John a small lap quilt made from scraps leftover from other quilting projects, interspersed with plain muslin squares. It's neat we had similar gifts in mind! It was a lovely party, lots of good food and folks, in a lovely setting.









I've been working on a commissioned cabin drawing to combat cabin fever- almost done. Ready for Spring!



Whenever money allows or we feel like getting away from the usual routine, chances are we can be found enjoying the atmosphere of Autumn Cafe in Oneonta, NY.



But more often than not, you'll find us at the local Afton diner, Henry's, which is a great place to meet and greet and eat. Pictured here are Dad and I at home at Henrys.



Here's a picture of a baby quilt I sent to Oregon to celebrate the recent birth of a cousin's newest grandchild.



And here's a baby quilt that I made for baby Josepine in Washington state, the newest grandbaby of our friends, Elaine and Jim.





It's funny how things often fall into place as if planned (I think it's called serendipity)- my friend, Marilyn, gifted me with the perfect fabric for backing Josephine's quilt, just in time for me to use it! She didn't even know I was making a baby quilt or what colors I needed!

I guess I've been doing a lot of sewing lately. My machine purrs smoothly after being oiled, too! It was literally gasping and grinding before I thought to try oiling it! Results are easier on our ears and less broken thread!

New Beginnings

Its a New Year already! My Mom died December 14th. What can I say? She will be with me always. I realize it's impossible to write a sufficient eulogy that encompasses all she did and meant for me and others as well. Some remembrances are best to keep close to my heart, others, I'll gladly share. Earlier today, I was thinking about her weekly ritual of ironing in the kitchen on Saturday or Sunday afternoons with the radio on in the background. I'll be grateful for each memory as it bubbles to the surface, sometimes unexpectedly, sometimes encouraged by thoughtfullness.

My Dad has the laborious task of sifting througn nearly seven decades of accumulated memories. When I talk with him, he'll mention finding a letter or stash of photos he doesn't recall (this man has the mind of a computer) so I believe him when he says he hasn't seen a snapshot of me when I was nine months old, held by my brother, Gary, another brother holding a cat, and another one, staring at the camera, empty-handed. When I visit, I'm overwhelmed- every single letter I ever wrote them has been kept, every photo. too- boxes and boxes! We tackle stuff at random, one day it may be sorting candle stubs from decades of bridge parties and entertaining dinner guests.Another day, we might sort through socks and sandals. It's nice he's able to sort through old memories; I hope they don't overpower him.

Do I have any resolutions for the New Year? Not really- just to continue being mindful of each day's uniqueness and grateful for each day we get to experience, whether it holds wonders (a pretty sunset), small blessings (cups of tea) or aggravations (carpenter ants encountered unexpectantly).

Here are some pictures from the past few months-


These flowers were at an art show my daughter exhibited at in New Paltz.


Dad visited me at the CV Craft show in November.


A blurry picture of a nice memory, celebrating Mom's 94th birthday


A memorable sunset over the valley


Prepaing apple pie for Thanksgiving


Grandma D and grandkids (my 3 on right)


Saw the Canadian Pacific Holiday train enroute to Binghamton!


One of my last photos of my Mom


Joe tkaing a foul shot at Deposit


Getting our tree at Zs Trees


Willowpoint hung some pictures from Mom's room near where she sat in South tower 2, a nice tribute


Portrait of my childhood home done my our neighbor's father in the early 60s


I love this picture of my Dad at his home, watching Sunday afternoon football


Shaun and Rachel

Fresh Off the Drawing Board!

Today I had planned to visit Mom and Dad, but a dull, nagging headache kept me at home. I played a little Words Free (a virtual Scrabble-type game), made moussaka for the first time, baked apples and made dinner, etc., and FINALLY signed my name to a drawing I've been working on forever, it seems!

(Please don't ask how long it took- I honestly don't know since I don't keep track. It'd kill the joy of drawing, if I marked down time spent with pen in hand. I do know, if I charged for my time, no one could afford my artwork, even if I charged minimum wage!)

Anyway,Jan, a friend from the diner next door, (my country club), has been documenting covered bridges as she and her friend travel around the region, on a quest to visit as many of these man made wonders as possible. They are becoming quite knowledgeable about them and have travelled extensively in NY, PA, WV, and some New England states.She provides me with a wealth of reference photos and I'll give her prints and calendars in return. So far, I've completed three drawings that will probably be in my covered bridge calendar for 2012. So keep posted, and I'll show you previews from time to time!

Whitney Point Meet / What We Had to Eat

On Tuesday, J placed 12th at the Whitney Point Cross Country meet. The top 25 runners all earned Golden Eagles' ear-warmer hatbands. (More practical than trophies or ribbons). Yes, that's Afton's mascot, The Crimson Knight, in the distance!His presence fit right in because the general atmosphere of these meets is similar to medieval fairs:

hundreds of people milling around in no perceived order, colorful tents boasting team colors

scattered about, a three-ring circus of activities such as runners running and doggedly finishing, proud spectators and focused parents, busy coaches and stopwatch-and-clipboard toting officials, all enveloped in the enticing aroma of food wafting high overhead on the breeze, emanating from booster club grills

and a nearby McDonald's.

These meets allow new friendships and respect to develop and continue

between competitors and a chance to catch up and compare times after each event.

Meanwhile, back at the farmhouse....

...as the weather grows chillier, I spend more time baking and cooking.

Today, I baked an old time favorite- apples (drizzled with honey, filled

with brown sugar, cranberries and cinnamon).

I also made moussaka for the first time- it simmered on the wood stove all morning.

It's very easy to make- peeled and cubed eggplant, diced onion, a can of diced tomatoes and spices. (I used garlic, oregano, salt and pepper). Eggplant's like a sponge- it absorbed all the liquid and flavor. Maybe I should keep an extra eggplant slice or two handy to serve as a sponge the next time I wash my car?