Randomness...

I'm a fan of the talented Maggie Bonanomi and have decided to hook this fun rug from her latest book.

I have never transferred a paper pattern to linen. I have some of that red dot paper and a black Sharpie ready to go.  And I've had the pattern blown up to the recommended size. Any advice would be most welcome. 

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Thomas Jefferson was not the only notable person we met on our trip to Philadelphia. We paid a visit to Betsy Ross and found her sewing away in her shop.

She took time to come out to her garden area and cut a five point star for Annie. Annie was a bit intimidated as Betsy was talking "in character".  

Elfreth's Alley is a beautiful block of original 18th and 19th century houses...continually lived in for the last three hundred years.

George Washington's chair is the only original piece of furniture in Independence Hall. Lucky save!

Of course we met Rocky...on a cold and rainy day!

Then warmed up with some hot soup at the local Whole Foods. And scored some 

great Halloween cookies for dessert.

The iconic symbol for the city of brotherly love.

Annie and Clancy awaiting breakfast from room service. The kid knows how to enjoy life! The night before she even scored a bottle of ginger ale...soda is banned at our house. 

I spent a lot of time looking out this window. That's Logan Circle out there. I sat here day and night...knitting, drinking tea, watching...just being. It was a highlight of the trip for me!

Saying goodbye to the Four Seasons...Philadelphia...Annie and Clancy are anxious to get home!

It's chilly here this morning and I'm loving it!

Enjoy the day,

Robyn

November Kitchen Window

My kitchen window for the month of November  holds many of the same favorite things as my October window. A Shooner turkey is happy sitting among the branches of bittersweet.

Of course the appearance of my favorite turkey is the first sign that Thanksgiving is coming.

If you are new here, this beautiful feathered fellow is an original watercolor by Lori Brechlin. He's around all year, but holds pride of place in November. I should give him a name...hmmm.

A new addition...pines cones fresh from Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.

Another piece of Shooner Redware...the colors perfect for the season. Similar to October with a few changes here and there...but a window that reflects my favorites this time of year...Shooner, bittersweet and pumpkins. 

Hope you all are enjoying this fine Halloween. Annie readied the basket full of candy early this morning and placed it by the front door. I, on the other hand, got my yearly Halloween duty done early in the month...I consumed a bag of candy all by myself. Whew, glad that's done! Pressure's off...I'm the only one in my house that eats candy...marked it off the list early this year.

Enjoy the day,

Robyn

...a Virginia Gentleman

This dapper gentleman addressed the Florida Bar Board of Governors while we were in Philadelphia last week. He talked about his thoughts while writing the Declaration of Independence in that very  city. He was a big hit!

Poor fellow was accosted by a few of the wives after leaving the meeting. 

Annie told him her mom was born in Virginia, too.

I wanted to bring him home, but there wasn't room in the car.

Enjoy the day,

Robyn

Valley Forge

If you read my last post and guessed George Washington, you are correct. George...and Martha...did indeed sleep in this room.

We just returned from spending a wonderful week in Pennsylvania. On the way to our destination of Philadelphia, we spent a couple nights in Valley Forge. It was the highlight of the trip!

The house that General Washington used as his headquarters during the long, cold winter of 1777-1778 is pictured above...it is the original house. Unlike the British who commandeered homes for their personal use, Washington compensated the owners for the use of their property. Martha joined her husband here during that bitter winter. The home was relatively new at the time.

This room served as Washington's office. All the woodwork and most of the floors are original to the period. The floors where the public walks are not original. The Park Service has done a remarkable job of dressing out the quarters. They look so authentic to the period...just wonderful!

This room was the bedroom of George and Martha. It is dressed out perfectly! The early bed clothes...the furniture...the small details make it a visual feast!

Next door...another beautifully dressed bedroom.

And a third bedroom down the hall.

So many wonderful details in this historic house!

Washington's personal flag.

Mr. MW and I read a lot of history about the Revolution. To be able to visit Valley Forge made for an unforgettable day! 

If you are ever close to Philadelphia, take a ride out to this beautiful place so key to our freedom.

I'll share more pics from our journey later in the week.

Enjoy the day,

Robyn

p.s. Because it is part of our National Park System, Vally Forge and all it's glory is free to the public. They have a great visitor's center with lots of info, exhibits and a film.

Mr.MW has a print of this painting hanging in his office and was thrilled to see the original painting here at the visitor's center at Valley Forge National Park.

Hmmmmm...

Do you know who slept here?

Candlelight

                                                                       

I lit a few candles this evening. Old habits die hard. When I was a young girl away at boarding school and things got tough, I'd make a visit to chapel and light one of those little red votives. The simple act made me feel better. It still does.

The candles burn every night at our house.

Their soft glow is warm and calming after a long day.

And, although it isn't a chapel, our little house is surely our sanctuary.

Hope you all are enjoying the lovely evenings of October...in candlelight.

Enjoy the evening,

Robyn

Gratitude...Shooner Redware

If you follow this blog, you know that I am a big fan of Shooner Redware. I have a nice little collection that I have gathered from here and there, and it still makes my pulse race when I dust and rearrange my pieces. I simply love the look of it...it is so authentic. 

My latest issue of Early American Life arrived last month and the page shown above advertised a limited offer of this wonderful Shooner platter.

The lone word Gratitude caught my eye and I was on the phone to order in a flash.

Today it arrived and I wanted to share this beauty with you. It is large...measuring fifteen inches across.

It is a limited edition of twenty...mine is #14.

It came straight from Greg and Mary's studio, complete with a certificate of authenticity with Greg's signature and a little bird drawing.

I love this beautiful redware...but I ordered this piece for the single word that appears on it. 

Gratitude is such a splendid gift...I love that it appears on this splendid plate. 

What a beautiful combination!

Enjoy the day,

Robyn