Good Day Sunshine

Thank you for the Mother's Day wishes!  Hope everyone had a lovely day of it.  My happy-go-lucky weekend was just over way too fast.   Imagine visiting inspiring places, having quiet time for crafty sewing, good weather for garden puttering, with other thoughtful little presents scattered throughout, including phone calls from wonderful grown children living near and far; delicious food (cooked by someone else), including chocolate cupcakes baked by Grace, (the real kind you can actually sink your teeth into), and that would be the sum of my weekend.  The fun actually began on Friday with this bouquet of flowers from the Mister and an afternoon trip out to a sweet little shop in the woods that opens its doors just a few times a year. 

I blogged more about it here last fall.  Grace and I went together this time, and I credit her for this picture.  The bird was perched on the sign above an amazing patio structure made from old branches and twigs, along the path, that lead to the little cottage of sweet treasures.  We're talking homemade pies, jams, and baked goods; garden things, potted flowers, bird houses, scrumptiously sewn smocks with sparkly buttons; collectible china and dishes.

And handmade things like pillows, jewelry, and other pretties like these. The heart is filled with dried lavender and smells wonderful.   I could've made these myself, I know, but sometimes it's nice to support the local crafting efforts.  Besides, I couldn't resist these colors.  Anyway, a funny thing happened when I was over there poking around.  The lady who runs the shop recognized me from my blog and we started chatting.   It's funny, because I tend to think that I'm quite obscure in my own neck of the woods, outside of close friends knowing what I do, but I'm telling ya, this blog has taken me around the world and back again, several times now.  I have to admit, I love that about it.  That moment when a connection is made and suddenly you realize that you share common ground.  It's been amazing too, that I keep crossing paths with people that live in the old neighborhoods where I grew up or graduated from the same high school, but neither of us knew it until the blog.  Gotta love the Internet for that. 

So...back to the adventures...we took two garden tours on Saturday.  Both were having 'plant sales' and opened their backyards to the public.  This neighborhood backyard was small but it felt huge because every inch of space was utilized to the max with lots of smaller garden areas within it; steps leading to arbors and benches and lovely paths throughout.  When the owner's two sons grew up and left home a few years ago, the transformation from grass to garden began.  We left with a pot of blue geranium for a hanging basket, which I was able to get planted and hung up, out on the patio already.  I told ya it was a great weekend!  I'm running out of time, so will continue the garden tour all week long with another FAQ Friday.  And for all you farmgirls out there, don't forget today is 'national wear an apron' day! 

Comments

[Casey]

sounds like you had a lovely weekend. :) I always am a little caught off guard too when people recongnize me from my blog as well (which is really weird... cause mine is *quite* obscure), but sometimes the most wonderful conversations spring up and kindredspirits are found. :) thats what I love about the internet... oh, and happy (belated) mother's day!! :)

[Isabelle]

Sounds like you had a wonderful weekend.
Is that bird a live one? He seems too pretty to be real!

As for the lovely things you bought... I couldn't agree more. It's good to support others' crafts, even though "we could do it ourselves". Unfortunately we don't have much of that here, but thankfully there's our dear Etsy to take a worldwide tour of local craft shops!

[Anina]

Ooh, blue strawberry pincushions. I'm going to have to get adventurous and try other colors.

[willzmom]

What a wonderful weekend, and some good shopping too! Glad you had a good one.

[Niki]

Come by and check out my newest contest! lol. It's my very first and I have no one entering. lmbo. :(

[Linda Nichols]

I love your mini quilts. When in the process do you do the embroidery? On the muslin before the square is cut? After the top is pieced? Or does it matter?

You've inspired me.

[geekxnerd]

Oooh! I'm a big Mary Jane fan! I'm reading her book right now, I'm such a wannabe farm girl :)

[Gillian]

LOVE lOVE LOVE the blue pin cushions!

[Felicia]

How pretty. Those blue strawberry pincushions are delightful :)

[little jenny wren]

What a great weekend. I love those little strawberry pincushions and the heart. I would love to have that kind of business that only opens a few times a year and people look forward to coming to visit. It sound s really special.

[Krissy]

Do we get to know where the store is? Or the name?

[anita]

I'm wondering where this sweet little store is and the name of it, too! Such sweet goodies you found there!