A week of surprise

A box from Linda Starr with a great pot inside.
I think I might have to fill this with flowers.
I loved how she used some sponges as packing material.
Everyone should do this.
Thanks Linda! 

My good friend Laurie Abela, the soap maker, contacted me this week to see if we could get together for a bit this week. It has been a busy time for us and, of course, when a friend calls you find the time.
I know we can all identify with that feeling of being just too busy.
That is how I have felt the past few weeks.
I don't know where the time goes and if I am, at times, being present in those moments.
There are times that you need someone to call and slow you down a bit.

When Laurie came over she had something for me along with a pocket full of tissues.
When my sister Lee was dying from cancer one of the things she needed me to do was clean out a storage trailer that she had.
I found many unfinished projects that she had started and set aside.
You know, life gets busy.
In one box I found some quilt squares along with some sewing items that I thought Laurie could use.
When she came over I just loaded her up.
One of the things in the box were some quilted squares.
I gave them to Laurie and just knew that she could either make something with the squares or give them to someone that might use them.
I also gave her a dress that Lee once wore when she was younger.
It was green with flowers.
I can still see Lee in that dress, young, red headed and full of life.

Today, Laurie gave me back those squares, made into a quilt using Lee's dress as the first row around those squares. It is beautiful, made with care and love by a person who I have made a deep connection with. Who has listened as I talked about the loss of my brother and sister, who handed me a piece of Lee back today.
A quilt made of love.
 I have learned that Laurie is a person of great determination, and a big heart.
Kind, generous, thoughtful, steady and my friend.
Thank you Laurie.
I will treasure this quilt made by you for me.
And, on those days when life seems difficult, I will wrap myself in this love and think of all the good things that life can give.

Meredith

Pretty Maids all in a row

 You just can not beat this cool spring weather.

 It is not often that we get to actually enjoy the coolness of spring. Last year was one of those years that danced us right over to the higher temperatures of "early" summer.
In fact by July we were hitting 3 digits.

Part of what I did this weekend was to walk around the farm taking in what was blooming.
I picked these pitchers right out of the spring garden, they were ripe and ready.

 Then I wandered over to check on the Iris to see if they had finally started to bloom.
I have dug up some of these and moved them closer to the house.
I am sure that those will not bloom this year since they will need to establish their roots first.
I find that Iris just take my breathe away with their color.
Pretty girls...

 I have been waiting for the peonies to open. I was checking them everyday and finally one day a bloom.
Then the next day 4 opened, then 4 more opened and then another 4 opened.  I had a dozen open in less than 24 hours.
I have them all over the house in small vases. They smell so good you would think we had been invaded by a perfume company.
 If you have never smelled one you must find one to put your nose in, they are amazing. 

I was also trying out the other camera that we own.
There are times that I think I should be able to figre out how to use it.
It is more complicated than my little point and shoot number.
I just went all over the farm taking pictures on Sunday.
Then when I loaded them up on the computer to look at them I spent the better part of an hour deleting all but about 6.
They were really bad.

It seems there are many things for me to learn about that camera. My little one is much more forgiving.

We have a bisque on to preheat today, pitchers; like the ones up top, are being made, tiles are being rolled, I want some fresh strawberries, clay needs to be picked up and there are many odds and ends to be done.





And, today is our son's birthday
Happy Birthday!
XXOO!

Joel and my Dad at Christmas...

Seeing Red

Last night Mark and I went up to the North Carolina Pottery Center to the opening of the latest exhibition.

  Big Red
 Chrome Red and other Red Glazes of the North Carolina Piedmont.
May 10-July27 2013

Worth the trip.
You, who are close enough to come, should go see this show, it is spectacular.

Here are some reasons for you to go:

There is more.
Get in the car and go.
Admission is a small 2.00 per person, less than it will cost you for a coffee on your way out of the city.
That 2.00 will buy you some time with some great pots, and after you see the pots, please go out and support some of the local potters.

We also went to see the Show at the NC Museum of History in Raleigh.
Art In Clay
Masterworks of North Carolina Earthenware
I would show you pictures but, picture taking was not allowed.
Admission on this one was 5.00 each, we took our son with us, down from 10.00 each.
I liked this show but I am really sad that I could not share any pictures with you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMjg7qUgfXg

There are a variety of videos on youtube you can find.
If you are interested go take a free look.
Cheers,
Meredith