Galena is a historic city in the northwest corner of Illinois bordering Iowa and Wisconsin. The city lies on the Galena River among bluffs and valleys. Eighty five percent of the structures in Galena are on the National Register of Historic Places including the home of Ulysses S. Grant.
We enjoyed the sightseeing and some shopping.
I managed to find a few treasures:
a prim carrier with a great patina.
Some great old keys that I've been really drawn to lately, a four leaf clover old cookie cutter for luck and a miniature metal document box with only hints of its original decorative painting. I've never seen one this tiny before.
We enjoyed a great dinner at Fried Green Tomatoes. Then returned to the lovely house that we rented in Eagle Ridge Territory - a five bedroom home with a lovely dining room with plenty of room to spread out our stitching and knitting and enjoy the views all around us.
We stayed up til the wee hours of the morning creating and enjoying the gently falling snow. 
We awoke to new views of a quiet winter wonderland.
We enjoyed the morning with more stitching/knitting. Unfortunately, I can't share what I worked on right now, but there will be a TDIPT update next weekend... I also worked on a swap project that I'll share once it reaches its new home (Hi Audrey! Be sure to scan down to the photos of her lovely 1840's home...)
Then it was time for me to head home. Family commitments prevented me from staying the second night, but I was so happy that I was able to go at all!
The roads were pretty clear, but after two hours of driving I decided to take a break and stop at my favorite primitives store in Rockford Illinois - Forgotten Treasures. I treated myself to a Schneeman bird and a Stein's bird. 
And I just couldn't resist this Schneeman angel: 
I just love her fringed wool skirt and her sweet expression.
It was a lovely weekend filled with friends and fun - I can't wait until next year!
I hope that your weekend was just as blessed...
Blessings, Patti
Can you believe that another month is over? Where does the time go?? It speeds by way too quickly... and yet spring seems like it is taking so long to arrive. So instead I had to focus all my offerings this month on Spring.
Click here to read more about my Winding Vine Designs offerings. Also take the time to look at all the other talented artists as well. While you're there, be sure to sign up for the TDIPT mailing list - this month you will be entered in the TDIPT's 2nd Birthday prize drawing! Take a peek at all the lovely prizes. If you make a purchase before March 20, you'll double your chances to win!
Blessings, Patti
My sister made me these lovely red mohair mittens! Aren't they great? I wore them all weekend - yes both outside and inside (ggg).
Isn't this sweet? It's a freebie pattern by Sherry Senicar Designs. Click 
And some things really aren't my style (or my ususal colors), but I just can't resist as they make me smile!
The 
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."