Home Sweet Home

 

"19th Century-Inspired Wool Hearth Rug"

design by Maggie Bonanomi

from her book Buttonwood Farm

 

It's finished!

 

I stitched the last berry as we pulled in our alley.

I backed it and labeled it and it is now complete.

I intend to display it on our hearth during the summer months,

but for now it is on our kitchen table so that I can admire it every time I walk by...

 

Our family vacation was just what I needed.

 

Lots of canoeing down the Namekagon River

 

Lots of kayaking on the Chippewa Flowage.

 

Lots of fishing on the flowage

 

I caught quite a few ~ always catch, take photos, and release.

 

Lots of ATVing in the Chequamegon National Forest

 

And most of all, lots of time to reconnect with my husband and our sons.

 

I tried to focus on living in the moment.

 

Enjoying the views and just drinking it all in.

 

The day after we arrived home it was time to return to Ravinia - for my Mother's Day gift - ticket to Goat Rodeo Sessions. What an awesome evening enjoying the incredible talents of Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer, Yo-Yo Ma and Chris Thile (and Aoife O'Donovan, not pictured).

It was such a treat and a joy to watch their passion and enjoyment in performing.

 

Now it is time to catch up at home and work

and get everyone ready for the upcoming "back to school" season.

But I will try to keep the calm and contentment of vacation and the concert in my heart as I go...

 

 

"By day the Lord directs his love,
at night his song is with me—
a prayer to the God of my life."

~Psalm 42:8

Blessings, Patti

The World of Small Club Kit #1

"World of Small Club Needlebook"

design by nikyscreations

 





 

What a treat it is to receive a little package from Niky with such a sweet little kit in it ~ coming all the way from Italy!

I have finished kit #1 just in time as kit #2 has now arrived.

 

The top photo shows the front of the needlebook. (Don't tell anyone, but I made a mistake when centering it, so I added the three tiny mother of pearl buttons so that it isn't so obvious. shh...)

The bird is the back of the needlebook.

 

And here is the inside:

 

I love the tiny print cordouroy.

You can find Niky's blog here.

And her lovely Etsy shop here.

 

On Mother's Day, my husband, sons and I went down to historic Prairie Avenue to see the wonderful old mansions where Chicago's elite lived in the late 1800's. Only about 20 still remain standing. The neighborhood sat in incredible neglect and despair for almost 90 years, but in the past 25 years has seen a wonderful rebirth.

 

The Glessner House, designed by H.H. Richardson, is now a museum. We went on a walking tour, but photos are not allowed inside. Almost all of the furnishing and artwork are originals from the house ~ truly a wonderful example of the Arts and Crafts movement. Beautiful William Morris wallcoverings and textiles and lots of quartersawn oak.

You can read more about it on their blog:

The Story of a House

 

 

After our walking tour, we had dinner in a lovely little Italian restaurant near my son's dorm.

I received these beautiful yellow tulips and a handmade card - my favorite!

I also received two tickets to see the Goat Rodeo Sessions featuring Yo-Yo Ma and Chris Thile at Ravinia this summer! I cannot wait!

Lest you think my family is too perfect, I asked who would be going to the concert with me. The response, they will draw straws and the short straw will come with :) 

Nonetheless - I am blessed!

 

I have to share my favorite Goat Rodeo Sessions song with you here.

 

"because of your father’s God, who helps you,
because of the Almighty, who blesses you
with blessings of the skies above,
blessings of the deep springs below"

~Genesis 49:25

Blessings to you, Patti