Life is a patchwork of experiences
Quilt Inspiration – This Burano Sampler quilt was inspired by the many colorful houses on the island of Burano in the Venetian Lagoon. Each of the houses on Burano is painted a different bright shade, so that as you are walking through the town, it feels like you are in the middle of a big box of crayons.
Continue reading ““Burano Sampler” Quilt – An Original Quilt Design”
The Garden of the Gods Illinois and Shawnee National Forest provides outdoor recreation, interesting history and beautiful scenery, all of which is within an easy 6 hour drive from 30 cities and towns in the Midwest. After road tripping through the Midwest, I am sharing my list of things to do in Garden of the Gods, Illinois.
Despite having lived in Chicago for many years, it is only as a recent visitor back to the state that I discovered the wooded beauty of the Shawnee National Forest and the Garden of the Gods Illinois. Who knew there was so much scenic wilderness in a state known for growing corn?
Continue reading “There’s a Little Bit of Paradise in the Garden of the Gods Illinois”
The Ohio River forms the southern boundary of the state of Illinois. It is a source of transportation and recreation. And also a source of food. I had the best freshly caught fried catfish dinner at this floating E-Town Restaurant. And the meal came with a free gorgeous sunset to boot.
Thanks for visiting.
Rose
This was one of the first quilts I started, and many years later, once the kids were off to college and I had more time, it was also one of the first quilts I finally finished. It also taught me that there can still be beauty in imperfection, even if the mistake is huge.
Continue reading ““Step Into My Garden” – A Perfectly Imperfect Watercolor Quilt Design”
How to experience spring in the Brandywine Valley gardens.
I absolutely love spring in the Brandywine Valley of southeastern Pennsylvania and northern Delaware. At this time of year I don’t need to travel because I am surrounded by some of the most beautiful gardens in the country. Starting in March and continuing nonstop through May, the gardens that were formerly part of DuPont family estates glow in a riot of vibrant colors as a succession of blooms brighten the landscape and my spirits with them.
You can read my article about spring in the historic Brandywine Valley in the most recent issue of Travel World International magazine.
You can see more spring garden photos in my post Tip Toe through the Tulips-A Colorful Collection of Spring Garden Photos at Longwood Gardens.
Thanks for visiting.
Rose
Discover the Quilt Gardens in the heart of Amish country in Elkhart county Indiana as you follow the Heritage Trail to see gardens designed like quilt blocks.
I’ve seen quilts displayed on beds and hanging on museum walls. I’ve also seen quilt designs painted on barns and on the sides of buildings. But one of the most unusual quilt displays I’ve seen has to be the Quilt Gardens in Elkhart, Indiana. More than one million blooms make up seventeen large quilt designs that are on display each year from May 30 to Sept. 15.
Indiana’s oldest continuously operating grist mill is in Elkhart county and is part of a 222 acre county park that also has miles of trails for hiking, biking and cross country skiing. I just appreciated the beautiful early morning view when I visited the area last fall.
Thanks for visiting.
Rose
The atmospheric Gedi Ruins near the town of Watamu on Kenya’s Indian Ocean coast are a fascinating visit. A trip to the Gedi Ruins can easily be arranged by your hotel and a local guide can bring the local history alive.
These were the parting words that my guide said to me as we finished the fascinating tour of the Gedi Ruins near Watamu, Kenya on the country’s Indian Ocean coast. After three hours of touring the site with him, I could understand why. Other than a local school group, I was the only tourist there.
After two weeks in the Maasai Mara I was ready for some quiet and relaxing Kenya beach holidays. I found a boutique hotel and lots of soft, white sand at Jacaranda Beach. I am sharing my Kenya beach resorts experience to inspire your beach vacation in Kenya.
By the end of February my body and soul are usually quite winter weary. My soul needs some bright sunny days to lift it back up and my bones need warm sand and surf to lubricate the joints. After a two week citizen science conservation experience in Kenya’s Maasai Mara, I also wanted to get in some Kenya beach holidays. But, I did not want to have to spend a lot of time or effort getting there. Jacaranda Beach on Kenya’s Coast was the perfect answer (and was my personal alternative to the Seychelles)
I have seen this many times in Africa – women effortlessly carrying large loads balanced on their head as they easily walk from one place to another. In this case, it was early morning on Jacaranda Beach in Kenya, and this young woman was carrying a basket half as tall as she was, while wearing flip flops and walking in the shifting sand, taking supplies to one of the nearby beach restaurants. This must be the secret to why African women have such beautiful long and graceful lines to their figures.
Thanks for visiting.
Rose
