A Hike Through History

This past Sunday was spent with family doing what has become a yearly hike. Just outside of Albany and not far from Altamont is Thatcher Park. The park has a wonderful hike along it's limestone cliffs. The history here dates back to the late 1500's. The trail is called the Indian Ladder trail and it was used by the Mohawk/Iroquois Indians to reach Henry Hudson's Trading Post.

In 1777, Jacob Salsbury, a spy during the Burgoyne Invasion was found hiding in the caves along here. The Battle of Bemis Heights, is the 2nd Battle of Saratoga. It was the second and last major engagement in the Battle of Saratoga. Burgoyne's expedition had failed in its attempt to gather supplies, previously at the Battle of Bennington in August. Burgoyne later surrendered at the final Battle of Saratoga.

Finally, the Helderberg War, was a tenants' revolt in upstate New York during the early 19th century. Dutch settlers were brought here by Patroons. They paid heavy rents until they freed themselves. It began with the death of Stephan Van Rensselaer III in 1839. Stephen, was a landowner and a patroon of the region at the time. The patroons owned all the land on which the tenants in the Hudson Valley lived. They used feudal leases to maintain control of the region. This Anti-Rent War led to the creation of the Antirenter Party and influenced New York politics from 1846 to 1851.

This weekend, it was a wonderful hike of about 3 1/2 miles and A LOT of stairs. The history makes it even more interesting to think that you are walking the same path as so many of our ancestors. The limestone cliffs are as beautiful as the view across the valley to the Adirondacks and Green Mountains. If only I had worn my heels, I probably could have seen Granville!

A Simple Wish....Answered

In '96 I saw my dream come true. Our little family moved up on the hill into a little house near woodlands, with a view of the Green Mountains. There was a little brook that babbled in the back yard during the spring and we saw rabbits,turkeys, deer and even a moose. As a girl I would read Mother Earth magazines while other girls read teen magazines. I had grown up living with my Grandparents between the moves that are part of a military family. I learned how to cook and can because, in an Italian family, the kitchen is the heart and everyone pitches in. I took all of this with me up on the hill, with visions of a small vegetable garden and a wonderful yard perfect for flowers.

Five years later I came down the hill. Dreams shattered, a broken marriage and wondering if I was making the right decision for all of us. The girls would come with me and we would live 10 miles away with my parents, both of which had serious health issues and needed me. As I drove down the hill and I could see from the main road, the only flowers that I was allowed to plant. My beloved sunflowers and burgundy Hollyhocks. I left that day with tears in my eyes and a wish that someday I would have at least the hollyhocks to I would know that everything was going to be OK, I would be on the right path.

This Spring Tim watched as a plant grew in an odd place. It was growing in a crack of concrete as one walked out the back door and onto the stone patio. A bird must have dropped a seed he said.. at first he was sure it was a pumpkin, but nixed that within a couple weeks. He decided to wait and see what it was~ "probably, I'm waiting on a weed." During the spring Tim made some big changes in the patio area. I was planting sunflowers. They are a symbol to me, of giving back by feeding the birds and the squirrels.

The plant by the door continued to grow and suddenly I knew.. it was a hollyhock! "Amazing!", I thought , the neighbor had yellow ones, and surely that was it! As you can see, it wasn't yellow. The pictures came out a little brighter, but they are indeed burgundy. I have gone around the neighborhood and haven't seen any hollyhocks except for the yellow ones. I know now that all is answered. I made the right decisions and my path is the right one for my daughters and I. He answered and I knew He was listening that day.

Looking Forward

So much to share with all of you! I decided to wait until Crow Soup opened and share all the goode happenings here at once. First and most importantly is a little angel banner off to the left of the blog. It may be little, but it is of utmost importance. A posted link will take you to see a wee angel that needs our help. I'm very honored to be a part of this auction that holds the biggest of hearts and prayers for this little one!

Next is the above banner. I have been a part of this forum since it's beginning and I can't tell you how much I enjoy the ladies there. Thank you Donna of Cameo Moon! It is her vision and dream to start an online magazine for those that love Halloween. Artist, Verlene Brooks will be making this happen. As most of you know, I just sell my patterns over the Internet, except for a rare occasion. My finished goods go to select stores and trade shows, other than a small local show. That keeps me quite busy in itself, but this called to me and I'm excited to be a part of it all. Please visit on September 10th.

Life is full of goode things and goode news. As some of you know, Netty and I did a couple of local shows last year. After several years of The Gallery and Trade Shows, we wanted to come back home a bit. The big shows are very big and amazing, but also exhausting. The local shows were very well received and we will do more. In September, we will be at the Eagle Mills Show in Broadalbin, NY. http://www.eaglemillsfun.com/cidermill/ This is perfect! Several had asked us about doing this show and we listened. The show coordinator, Sandy is very tough about making sure that the work is all artist made. Exactly what we were looking for. Netty and I will be there on the 15th & 16th from 9-5. Unfortunately we won't have enough inventory to sell on both weekends, but perhaps next year. If you are near, please do stop by and say hello~ we love to see you. As dates approach for other shows, I will post the information here. It is really goode to be back, I must say.

Tag~ I'm It!

Now who would do such a nice thing??? Angie Kuether of Love The Prim Look. Angie's Link is on my page. She is certainly one of the nicest people that I know on here and is dear to me. I think she has one of the biggest hearts I know! Sigh.. but alas, I can't tag her back. And so as the morning continues 5-7 of the nicest and dearest Goode wifes you shall see~~

1. Katie of Home Keeping Hearts ~ it's like you always know what is my heart on so many things!
2. Emily Franz~ of Hootin'Annies and also Blonde and Blithe. You have so much fun just being YOU and are never afraid to embrace it all!
3. Cassie~ of Mockingbird Hill~ A very new friend but how I enjoy the lively spirit that is you! You always make me smile and what could be nicer?
4. Lauren~ of Alice Lands~ A very nice friend and a wonderful artist. You are my eyecandy in all that you create! A new friend too and so very nice. The joy of nice friends is welcoming new and sharing all the goode with old and new!
5. Christe', Netty, Kat , June, Jane, Cheryl & Emily ~ Although you have already been tagged or don't have blogs, I do want you to see that you ARE the nicest ladies I know.

I am very much honored to know all of these ladies~I hope I have not forgotten anyone! The banner and the tag have given goode reason to let each of you know that you do touch my life and I enjoy each and every one of you. Not only for who you are but for all that you do. You rock!

Thank you Angie and a high five back at ya!

psssst~

"Pssst" whispered Mr. Mouse to his beloved Ms. Mousie, "The Goode Wife is fast at work making the models for the new Crow Soup magazine on the 15th. It is said that she will share not only goode patterns but some goode news as well."

"ahh" replied Ms. Mousie ,"how exciting!"

"In the meantime my dear, perhaps a bit of heart shaped cheese to help pass the time away....", whispered Mr. Mouse.

All Goode Things

I wanted to share with everyone a little more about what I do and what I love. I have been selling my art for over 30 years now. These are a few of my favorite things~.The Graphics will all be available soon as notepads. Drawing is my very first love of all the arts.I also love very old tintypes and enlarge them. This is Francine, one of my favorite paper people that surround me as I work at the Goode Comfort Cottage. The chalk ware is from various sculptings that I did for Netty. She is always kind enough to share a piece with me. I didn't have any of my chalk ware with me to photograph, but I will do that for you soon. And finally, a bit of what I do here in the evenings to relax right before the stars appear. Knit! There are so many wonderful yarns and ribbons, and I decided to try making a simple scarf from a beautiful ribbon I found. As the sun sets here, we light the candles outside and enjoy the beauty of the flower gardens. There are areas strung with fairy lights and little candle lanterns so that perhaps if we are very, very quiet... we will spot the fairies coming out to dance. I am very blessed to have so much Goode!

Berry Booty!

Best Berry Cobbler

1C margarine, 1/3 C Milk room temp
1C sugar, 2 C berries
1 C water, 1 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 C flour, 2 Tbsp sugar
1/4 tsp salt
2 1/4 tsp baking powder

melt 1/2 cup margarine in baking dish. heat sugar & water until sugar melts, set aside. mix flour, salt and baking powder in bowl, cut 1/2 cup margarine into flour mixture, add milk. turn out onto floured surface knead slightly. roll out to 11" x 9" size, 1/4 " thick. spread berries onto dough, sprinkle cinnamon on top of berries roll and slice. place in pan on top of melted butter and pour sugar syrup around slices, crust will absorb syrup. bake 45 minutes at 350F sprinkle 2 Tbsp of sugar on top bake an additional 15 minutes, will thicken as it cools.

I wanted to share this recipe with all of you. You can use any berry and mixed berries are wonderful. I've been up at my Parent's home for a couple days to help them out and we decided tonight to go visit my Aunt Iva and Doc. They live just over the border in Vermont. They own Liebig's Strawberries and have been growing strawberries along with other fruits and vegetables for over 40 years. In our family, once you reached age 12, you worked in the strawberry fields during the summer. It was my first summer job and I've worked nearly every stage of the strawberry operation and picked nearly every fruit. I worked there even when I was pregnant with Bailey. As Doc would say...."its a family business".

I took my Dad and Jessie tonight to pick blueberries.. there are rows and rows just bursting with the best fruit in the world! In June, there are 50 miles of strawberries. They also have 12 miles of raspberries and 10 miles of blueberries. Jess hasn't picked blueberries in a couple years, but tonight she realized just what hot and hard work it is in the summer. We only picked for an hour, but she had a difficult time thinking about picking every day for hours. This was the way that I earned my money every summer to buy my school clothes. I know she has a new found respect hiding under her wish for a piece of warm cobbler later this evening.

Peggy Sue Got Married

She married Brutus , the rooster and now they have a start on their family! It is with great joy that Bailey and Jessie introduce "Miss July" She's a couple weeks old now and enjoying her star status.....well, we hope that it's a "her".

A Word of Thanks~

To not acknowledge the outpouring from so many of you would be remiss of me. Some of you posted on the blog , others picked up the phone, and amazingly so very many of you filled my inbox with mail! I want all of you to know, that you do very much touch my heart! I did not realize that when I spoke out, I was speaking for so many. I also did not realize just how many of you knew the truth and have watched this for years. I am truly blessed to have so many dear to me! I do continue to pray that the two who started this whole thing, conduct themselves in a more positive and honest manner. I'm sure with their talents they will reap wonderful rewards. There is nothing better than goode friends and goode Karma!

Meet the New Duncan!

It is with great pleasure that I introduce to you, the newest of the Duncan series. He will be an official pattern on Crow Soup~ the 15th of August. Many thanks to Jane who has become my right hand person in helping to bring many of my designs to life faster than I ever could. She is certainly a Godsend! I loved the title that she gave it. It is also with great honor that I introduce this pattern and give Jane the credit for the title.....

"Duncan, the Spider Tamer"

On Being Sane In Insane Places

I had to read this short story one semester for college., and the title seemed to fit perfectly here. My apologies as I don't remember the author. It basically was about a young woman that had issues and was placed in a Mental Facility. They put her through shock therapy. Her issues were not mental health and she was quite sane, but there wasn't a facility or diagnosis to help her at that time.I feel as she does at times. Someone just assumed and never looked at the facts.



In the Art world as you stick your neck and your heart out, there are people ready to swipe with cat claws. Those that know me well, know I value honesty a great deal and I put it forth. There are those people out there that swipe at all you do and you wonder...am I dreaming this? Friends , family and wonderful customers have validated my art journey. What does one do with malicious attacks? I've never run. never had anything to hide. I've been honest and told those that have come across such people, " never stop doing what YOU love for them". Time puts a stamp on your work and it tells the truth as to what came first and what was copied. Now... I want to make it very clear here, that I LOVE to inspire people, and people have been inspired with different concepts, techniques and design elements. This is not about that. These people usually state that they are so inspired, either publicly or personally and I say.. go for it!. But others are just very mean spirited people.



I've run into this only twice.. and twice is enough. Honesty and truth continue to work so well for me. Pam Gracia, of Soft in the Head put a very mean spirited piece on her blog about me. While a blog is certainly no place to post ones unexplained bitterness, it does allow the truth to come out for all to see. She posted a drawing that I had done for her a few years ago. She wanted to do some bat wings and was having difficulty as was stated in her blog. As a friend, I drew them out for her. I told her that she could use the body, if she wished to make finished pieces at shows. I'm now accused of taking her bat and making it a pattern. The truth shows for anyone wishing to see. If you compare her drawing with my Bob the bat on my website, you will see that the wings are CLEARLY different in size and SHAPE. Bob even has some quilting done inside the wings if you have the pattern to see. She has her wings as she asked.. free of charge. What is the problem? I used my bat body design for one of my patterns?



I purposely did not put up pictures of each, but they are easily found if anyone is curious. I need not feed into such negative energy. My patterns go on Crow Soup every month on the 15th. That is a time stamp. The Internet can very much be honesty's advocate if you let it. It is so here. It has been noticed by many that watch Pam and I that she occasionally seems to put a pattern out that is somewhat similar to one I have already put up.. generally within a few weeks. Is it riding on my coat tails, or that I simply inspire her? I hope that it is inspiration. I very much hope that Pam goes on and continues to make wonderful designs. She certainly is a very talented woman. I would only advise that she keep honesty and truth beside her in her work and her living.. they really are the best partners you can have in life.

Suitcase O' Help

I'm almost there.. almost finished with the samples I have been working on. I've traipsed back and forth to help my parents and work here at the Goode Comfort Cottage. Not that it is bad, mind you.. just busy. I've come across the conclusion that I am a Gypsy Artist. Pack and go at the spur of a moment. No need for a studio, any kitchen table will do! I've had a real enjoyable time making up samples, but I'm ready to move on and delve into some new designs that I have drawn along the way. I still have a couple days left and then some graphics to do.. but I'm excited to look forward.

Now it's one thing to have a portable sewing machine and a box of stuffing.. but what about everything else I need to do my work? Needles, beads, paint , string, wire? So many things, not to mention thread, scissors and needle. How does one do it all? I had, at one time bought a wonderful sea grass basket at a show and dumped all that I needed to take with me at shows into it. It wasn't the best thing, but it worked. As Netty and I packed for our first Trade Show there were so many things to bring and we both brought a lot of finish work to do in our room at night. I bought myself an old suitcase from Goodwill. I absolutely love it and it goes nearly everyplace I do. I feel like Mary Poppins a bit, but I couldn't get by without my sturdy "Suitcase O'Help" as we affectionately call it. It could have been worse I keep telling myself....at least it's not my handbag.....

Good News!

I wanted to share a couple of things with everyone and THANK YOU! Some leave comments, some email me privately and some just enjoy I hope with a cup of coffee or tea. I hope that you do find it all....a Goode Place. I would certainly not be here, as I am, without each and everyone of you~ so on this note. I am honored to share.

First! I am a member of a couple very nice forums and this one is particularly nice. I enjoy my time among these talented women and hope that you do also. They have an online magazine and asked me to be one of their Editors. So it is with with great honor that I leave this link to share with all of you.

• http://www.thesimplertimes.com/

And if that isn't exciting enough, I received a call today from Kathy, from Primitives by Kathy. I had sent some graphic work in to be used as notepads. They have all been accepted and she would like me to do more so that the Spring Catalog will have a good amount from me. I love that the notepads are all made in America! It's back to the drawing board, literally. I have a few more soft pieces to give detail to and the samples for next year are all set. She seems quite excited with the descriptions. I hope you will be too.

Charlotte Slaughter Scott

This is one of my favorite pieces of Art. I have always been drawn to the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. This doll is inspired by a real slave in Virginia. Charlotte Slaughter Scott. I met Charlotte's ancestor, at a Gallery Show. She told me the story of Charlotte, how as a slave she cut off some of her fingers, so that she would not be sold and could stay with her family. She went on to be a midwife and learned much about herbal medicine. It is my honor to share what inspires me with you.

I am thankful to Sherrie~ She is very honest about my work and said that I bring honor to Black Americans. I don't exaggerate features. They are done with a simple dignity to them. I added a touch of me in her headpiece. The knot isn't on top of the head as most of history would depict it, but rather done in a little different way, in what I felt a midwife may have done in the Southern heat and humidity.

When Did THAT Happen??

When did I become an Artist? It's always seemed a journey and a goal, something that I would be, someday if I was very lucky. Sometimes even being told by friends and family, I still didn't FEEL it. Most of the time I was too busy enjoying the media, still learning techniques and rules of media so I could bend and toy with them. It's all about practicing....I was practicing the way someone would play an instrument or dance. The history and technique is a part of the process and that is what we do first. Something is sparked so we investigate it. Then we experiment and continue to practice. We don't wear a badge to tell the world, we just do what we love. We are defined by many things that are a part of our life and Art is just the place where we go quench the thirst of our spirit. It is the same with all of the arts.



As a child I took oil painting lessons while my friends sold Girl Scout Cookies. As a teen I apprenticed and worked my weekends beside a China painter. For no payment mind you.. to learn about the media and techniques. Then I was off to Art School and then College. Even with degree in hand.. to me I wasn't an artist yet. Art was a side thing for me, a love, a drive... a calling. I knew in my head that I would have to work for a living if I wanted to live Upstate and the chances of making a living off from my art would be difficult at most. I made Art to feed my spirit ( I was still practicing mind you), I worked other jobs to feed me. I did work several jobs that had nothing to do with my degree and somehow that seemed to be part of the times. As I taught decorative painting, I still didn't feel it. When my life changed through Netty, I was apprenticing again.. it was still the journey and I was still practicing.



I'm a single Mom now and have been for several years. It took all of three years to weigh the pros and cons of licensing and I'm comfortable with knowing that I am making a living for my daughters and I. I used to think my work was too whimsical to be art, but whimsy has a place too. I found myself looking back and realizing that Arts really do dance with so much of what was a part of our schooling, whether we chose to continue our education beyond High School or not. To continue education was well worth my time and effort. We all start out as "self taught" but I wanted more and I was fortunate to attend college. I have learned many things from my professors. It doesn't change your gift, it is knowledge gained and can enhance it. History, sciences and math do touch the arts without us realizing. We look back and realize that they have danced beside all along. We reach towards what inspires us and naturally delve into much the time period of the inspiration, the science of technique and the measurement of math if we pay attention to our steps. It is similar in all the Arts. You don't have to search for it, it dances beside you while to follow your heart. Art isn't forced, it happens. We make art to please ourselves. I have been fortunate that my work is not only a self expression of me, but so many others enjoy it also.



I know now that I am an Artist. It didn't come with a degree or just giving myself a title... it came on the heels of time and thirst for knowledge, starting with the media. It hasn't been with the journey of a year, but with many. It comes with an open mind that knows that you can learn many things if you just listen to those around you. It's not letting an ego get in the way and not taking it all for granted. I came to this place with a wonderful gift and yes... I can now say I've reached THAT part of the journey... but it's way not over yet! I will do it to the day I die. It is nothing that one retires from. It's who you are if it's truly a gift.

Trombone Reading....

Ok, ok, I admit it. I've joined in the ranks of, "The Trombone Readers". You've seen them or are a part of that club. Over 40 and suddenly, you can't read fine print. You hold it closer, pull it back in little intervals to big. Sometimes just going for the "all the way" at arms length. We do it at restaurants and stores. We even borrow glasses in hopes that it's just a momentary thing. Finally we admit it, another coming of age.


What to do? A sign of the times. One either goes for it and goes to the eye Dr. or like me; not wanting to take the time, hoping it's just temporary... we go for "The Cheaters". Off to the Dollar Stores to try on a pair to get us by. My "Cheaters" are a lovely shade of dark turquiose. I was hoping that they would be easily found where ever I set them. Sadly it's not so. What to do? Back to the Dollar Store for a couple more pairs because not only can I not see close up, but apparently I'm going blind altogether and can't find the darned things.

Now I'm resorting to one of those nifty neck chains to keep them on me while I work. I feel like the blue haired lunch lady of my youth. Argh... I began a search, If I was going to have to wear these things on my neck, I was going to do it in a funkier way. After searching several stores I rejoiced in finding a lovely turquoise beaded neck chain. Thoughts of my Arizona trip and and all it's beauty were held in this neck chain. Where did I find it? The Dollar Store of course. Right next to the rack of "Cheaters".

You Touch My Heart....

I want to thank everyone of you for stopping by. Some of you visit quite a bit, some have found me quite by accident. I found this little Neocounter on a kindred friend's blog. Thank you, it gives us all a chance to see that it is a small world after all! I would have never in my wildest dreams have guessed that I would have touched so many of you with my writing...but then again, it is because of you that I am sharing my journey. Please feel free to leave a comment or drop me an email. If this is your first time, grab something to drink and enjoy. You are most welcome here and I hope to call you friend. For all of my friends here.. thank you for being there for me.

The Good Wives Shows

Better Is One's Own Path~

A couple of days ago, Netty stopped by my house with a bag of fabrics that she could no longer use. We were chatting away , each sharing projects ahead and the joy that we both share designing for Halloween.

We were looking back to our very beginnings when she asked me to draw for her. I loved it and also loved the sculpting. I have just started my journey this Spring, sculpting and casting Chalkware. I first met Netty in the Craft Dept. of a store that I had worked in for years. I didn't know who she was, but I always looked forward to seeing her and chatting with her. One particular day I was talking with her about an article that I had read in a magazine about Chalkware. I had spent time on the Internet and in the library trying to find how the process was done. It seemed to be quite a secret. I had spent a few years as a young teen apprenticing to learn how to pour ceramics and we later owned a shop for many years. I didn't mind pouring molds, but I wanted to cast things that I had made. Chalkware could give me that. Netty shared with me a few things, that the molds were made of rubber and yes, it was a very tight-lipped media, not many would pass on their secrets. Imagine the joy to be able to eventually work for Netty and sculpt for her! She has followed her path along the years and explored Chalkware and wax casting. Her love of paper remains a great love also. It is all a journey, a path that an artist will explore blending history, science and willingness to learn from others.

When I first saw Netty's dolls, that was where my heart went. I didn't know how to sew though.. a great obstacle? Even if I could sew, I'd need a pattern. That was "The Rule". I had watched my Mom sew Barbie clothes to earn extra money here and there. Many of my school clothes and summer shorts were made by my Mom. It was quite a process to lay the fabric out, pin on the patterns, cut and then follow the rules to put together something in the right order..... I REALLY loved the dolls though...enough that just maybe, I could follow what my Mom had done so painstakingly and lovingly and what I thought was ....torture.

I asked Netty about it one day.. How do you make these dolls? Is there a pattern? She laughed at me and her eyes twinkled. She told me.."draw it out on muslin and sew on the line. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't." "You'll get the hang of it." In that moment, she gave me the world. It dawned on me~ as artists we are rule breakers, we don't need patterns , we just need to understand the process. Netty has been beside me now for about 10 years. She has been my mentor and my friend. She has shared so much with me and has inspired my work greatly. Like a Mother, she has always encouraged my journey and has always had confidence that I would find my way, just fine. Just like Mom, she has always been right about that. When Netty and I do a show together, many are surprised to learn that neither one of us knows what the other has made. We load all of our work in the van and set up our things. It always works out great, like it was ment to be. We don't need to know what the other has made, we each enjoy our very own journey and love what we do. It all comes together. We also enjoy the journey of the other and appreciate the gift that each of us has. We constantly inspire each other. There are no egos, no jealousy of another's gift. We simply enjoy the gifts that each has and watch the other's journey with smiling eyes. You don't need a license for the journey but sometimes you just need to be reminded that there are no rules. You will find your own way.

"Better is one's own path, though imperfect than the path of another well made".
author unknown

This was my quote in my Senior yearbook.

The Summer That She Was...DELORES...

I was going through some photos and came across this one. One of my very favorites of my two daughters. In a blink of an eye, they have grown so much! This was taken at my parent's house, about a year before we moved in with them. It was the summer that Jessie became her own person. Her big sister Bailey just loved mothering her and taking charge. Now Jess is a very independent child and this was her start. She was given a pair of glasses/sunglasses by her Grandmother to ease the unfairness of her big sister getting all the attention with her new glasses. Jess loved them and loved that she could flip up hers when they weren't sunglasses. I pretended that I didn't know who she was with this new look, and called her, Delores.

Funny how things stick! These are forever her "Delores Glasses" And she played the whole persona off. She loved denim and I found the cutest snap up pleated denim skirt for her. Most young ladies would wear it fully snapped as a skirt... not Delores! Delores wore hers with only the top snapped and shorts underneath. I asked her why."It's for when I run , Mommy, look!". The skirt peeled back as she ran, thus giving her a more, "super hero" appearance, she later explained in her 4 year old language. It became her daily outfit that summer.

Jess is nearly 12 now. We have to find a bathing suit that doesn't show her stomach and tank tops are too low cut. She still dresses her own way. We still hold dear the glasses... and I'm quite sure that she WILL be a super hero someday.