Of Fireflies and Friends

The days pass quickly and are spent in quiet stolen days at the Goode Comfort Cottage and The Busy House. With the passing of Finigin, we have all felt his spirit and life gone... making for a very quiet house. Our furry friends have always found us and captured our hearts. Molly is no exception. She is a Sato puppy, rescued from the streets of Puerto Rico. At 3 1/2 months old, she is such a lovely girl. her under bite giving her a smile to match her sunny personality. Her first adventure with us was Midsummer's Eve. We spent it at our favorite Drive-in. A place nestled along the meadows and wooded areas not far from the Comfort Cottage. A young couple serenaded all of us while we waited for for the dark to come. Guitar strings and soft voices drifted among us. Little ones played ball and ran around, already in their pajamas. Fireflies gathered and danced along the wooded edge at nightfall. One can't help but smile and enjoy it all.

The garden is complete finally, although we did not get the butternut squash or brussel sprouts as we had wanted. Netty gave us some beans to try and they are growing fast and furious. I am fast at work with drawings and orders. This week I start models for new patterns and licensing designs. Requests for Mrs. Goddard continue to come in. Who knew that the little dolls that I designed for my doll house would capture so many other hearts? I will be trying make some this summer, but she will be a limited doll. I am certainly blessed by all of you that make it possible for me to do what I love as well as take care of my loved ones.

I also want to share with you a kindred sister and Keeper of Olde. Teresa, "The Seamstress of Blackstone". A click on her link, The Seamstress of Blackstone (on the right side) and a cup of ice tea, will make for a wonderful break in your day. I met Teresa at the Heritage show as a fellow vendor. She stopped by one day as I was doing the finishing work on my Colonial dressed Raven, Kat. I did not realize until the next day as we talked how kindred we indeed were. I saw the look in her eyes and recognised it as the same I had when I walked through Netty's home and world over 10 years ago. Teresa has embarked on a wonderful and artful journey and is adding to her accomplished path that she has given heart and soul to. Her love of "The Before Days" spreads warmth in all that she does. Take a moment to stop by and say hello. I know you will see as her blog grows, the unfolding of a wonderful soul in Teresa.

An Inspiration To Many

Tasha Tudor has gone home. She has touched so very many of us, not only with her gift of Illustrating, but with her way of life. I first learned of Tasha from Netty, a couple years after Jessie was born. Oh how I enjoyed her spirit! You can check her out in the link provided of some of my favorite places by scrolling down a bit and to the right. If you haven't before... enjoy the gift of Tasha. I know there are many who although did not share her way of life in real life, shared the same love in their hearts. I know I speak for many when I say that when I pass, I hope to meet her somewhere in the 1800's. Blessings Tasha~

Fast Days

It's amazing how fast the days can fly by sometimes. It's mid June already! I'm wondering just how it happened. Sometimes I just sink into my own little world, happily making my designs and enjoying family. This week was similar with one exception, I missed a deadline! On Wednesday morning as I discovered this horror, I sat down and drew this matronly frog. Originally, my frog was supposed to be something quite different, but once drawn she took on her own spirit. She continued that same journey as I dressed her, quite differently than I intended. You see, originally, she was going to be Mrs. Dashwood, from Sense and Sensibility, but she did not wish to be dressed in black, nor wear a fancy mob cap. She threw me into a tizzy alright, she had no name. Once I got her pictures off and sat down to think about it, her name came quite easily. I don't know why I was so worried, I just had to listen and let HER tell ME. She is sitting beside as I write and enjoying every minute as I share with you a most important rule; if you just take the time to really listen, the answers will unfold to you. Mrs. Goddard is available on TDIPT and is just a hop and a jump away by following the link to the side. Enjoy her and all the offerings of such talented artisans!

Quiet and Close

It was a quiet morning here in Granville. We are experiencing a heat wave and it is to continue for a couple more days. The early morning was quite warm to begin with as the birds began to sing. I stayed in bed and listened until just after 6 and let ideas swirl in my head. It's never too hot in the morning for Caw-fee as we refer to it here, and so along with a couple scrambled eggs, fresh from the farm with tomato chopped in it, I started this day.

It is too quiet here as we are all missing our "little buddy", Finigin. He was spoiled, and a bit of a "Dennis the Menace" always getting in to things and underfoot. He went home last week, after several weeks of not being well. After 6 years, it was time. His life shortened by epilepsy and strokes. I'm enclosing a picture of the little bud when we brought him home with Jessie, ever the "Keeper of the Critters". We have always given homes to abused and homeless and we know that when the time is right, a friend will find us.

It is the last week of school before finals and it is nice having both girls in the Jr./Sr. school. We have been busy with Band, Chorus,and track activities that have wound down and now looking towards the summer. Activities have already started in the North Country. This weekend, Lake George hosted the Americade to 50,000 bikers. It is wonderful to see them riding through and some of the bikes are amazing. Next week holds the Larac and Zonta Art Festivals. The Festivals, have, like many shows changed through the years. Many would be accepted, only to bring things made in China or work done through patterns. LARAC was intended as a juried show and the work had to be all original designs by the artist. Like so many shows, it has waned over the years with the abuse, but it still is a good show and worth checking out. There are still quite a few original Artists that have done the show for so many years, and also it is a good place to get handmade gifts for the upcoming Holidays. If you are nearby, do stop and visit the Taylor's who will be selling leather work for the first time there.

Our weekends will be busy with the garden and our backyard sanctuary this Summer. The pool and screen house are the perfect place to enjoy evenings along with hot dogs and s'mores from the fire pit. We will remain close by with no big travel plans. It will be nice to visit a few shows as a buyer this year along with day trips to the Stockade or Mabbee Farm. There will be berries in need of picking and freezing. Of course, evenings at the Drive - In. We have found one out along the countryside and it is perfect to watch the fireflies and listen to the peepers with the movie. Of course, there is also, "Midnight Margaritas" inspired from the movie, Practical Magic. The girls love to be awakened to the specific part of the movie while I bring out Margarita flavored jello chilled in glasses. It's just TOO fun. All of us are looking forward to family fun from our own making this summer....the simple things.

Meet Seth

Meet my wee friend, Lttle Seth. He is available on Lemon Poppyseeds. Just click on my link over to the left and take a little trip to visit Seth along with the offerings of other fine Artists. Little Seth has a wonderful little story about him and you can read all about it there.

I've been very busy this past month and time sure flies fast. Raven's Haven will be available in the UK later in June. Many have asked about new patterns. Yes, there are several. A few are friends that you have already met, but there are some that only the little house mousies have seen here on my table studio! In it all I am trying to learn how to update my website by myself. It is slow, only as time allows, but take a peek on occassion!

I know the economy is rough on us all. Many are putting in gardens and putting aside vacations this year. Keep family close, do the little things together and stop in to see an elderly or disabled friend. A visit could mean the world to someone.