This is where I left you last summer:
And, this is the roof I spent most of September on.
I was tuck-pointing, roof-tarring, glass-glazing, window painting and dealing with other issues that needed attention in the back of the building. (Let’s not talk about it.)
Besides this work and the shop, I took care of six of the village’s gardens. I added another garden to the list this year. Many people stop to talk throughout the hours, as you can imagine. Gardening is a social event in a small downtown area.
It is autumn and I have been washing and ironing the textiles I found over the summer. I still have more to do. These American quilts are wonderful, aren’t they? The blue on the Victorian postage stamp quilt is indigo dyed and the red color is the infamous Turkey Red.
Last night, I finished tucking in the last of the flower gardens for a winter nap. The night was warm with that kind of soft, wild wind that we have in Illinois in October. I wanted to cross the gardens off my list so I gardened until 8:00 pm under lamp and moonlight. The town is closed on Monday night so no one saw the crazy gardener in the dirt-covered blue jeans. I didn’t care if anyone saw me, anyway. It would be something to talk about.
And the “In a Pickle” dining room cabinet? I could have sold a half-dozen of them!
Ginene
Fox and Finch Antiques in Richmond, Illinois 
Lovely to read you again, Ginene, and to see your beautiful, nostalgia inducing photographs
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I like that, Derrick, the lovely to read you sentence. That is charming.
Ginene
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Well, THIS certainly answers most of my questions as to your whereabouts this warm season! Goodness, Ginene, you should be very proud of yourself for all you accomplished! Not only hard work, but things that, while they may only be noticed by you for what DOESN’t show (water, cracks, etc.), will be very much appreciated when the snow blows and ice forms. But that rodent – yikes!
I so love the old textiles – no blue in my decor, but everybody wears jeans, right? That postage stamp quilt is the essence of vintage make-do to me. Those aprons remind me of husband’s mother – a staple in her wardrobe.
Life is good, and thank you for sharing your corner of the world.
Rita
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I enjoyed this post so much Ginene! Your photos and descriptive writing brought me right into your story and made me want to stay. Your building is just gorgeous. I love the morning glory covered window and the honeycomb. “In a Pickle” is beautiful as well. Thank you for all the inspiration! xo
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I wish you could come over and stay for coffee or tea!
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Hi, Ginene! You were missed. 😊 But I figured you were using the warm weather to catch up. Once again, you amaze me with your stamina. You accomplished quite a it. I must say, I am in love with your back entrance. Those black-painted rounded windows and red door! And… The postage stamp quilt really caught me eye. That was definitely a lot of piecing. Not sure I’d have the patience. You deserve a rest after such a busy summer! (I’m sure there’s an interesting story about a bat 😜).
Joanne
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Joanne, I am running in over-drive at all times.I would like a nonchalant kind of day. Oh, I wish I could show you the postage stamp quilt in person. Can you imagine?
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I have missed you too. Love all your flowers! Do you wash your quilts ever? If so what do you use?
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Pam,
The quilts have to be washed when I bring them home. Sure I wash them. This building had a cafe in it for a year so there are deep sinks like a restaurant would have. I fill up one of the basins with hot water and then, for every five gallons of water, I add 1 Cup of Cascade dishwashing powder and 2 Cups of BIZ. Stir in with a big wooden spoon. I leave the textile immersed in this sink for three days. The water always turns brown to black. Then I wash the quilt in warm water on the delicate cycle. I need to know that the quilts are strong enough to sell because customers will be washing them. I go over them and make any repairs by hand before I put them in the water to soak. I dry them in the dryer. Needless to say, I don’t buy any that are not going to make it through this ordeal. It absolutely amazes me that these 140 year old fabrics (I am talking about the ones with indigo, Turkey red and calico fabric.) are still strong, still bright, and still able to be used. In this group, the ones with fabric from the 1920-1940 also have much older fabric incorporated.
I’m glad you missed me!
Ginene
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It’s wonderful to hear from you, Ginene, and I can definitely see why you were remiss this summer. Ooh, wasps and bats, I’ve had my share at the lake. Love when they get inside (and we’ve had both).
The garden work sounds hard but rewarding. You must be quite good for the town to want you! :)) And putting your own gardens to bed? I’m not nearly finished. I love how you described the “soft, wild wind”…isn’t that true for us, even with the miles between us It’s been blustery these past few days and with no rain, dry and gentle.
The quilts are beautiful. I gained a lot reading your response to the comment on how you repair and wash them. I lost many old quilts not knowing much in this regard. I hope to start collecting again.
All the best and Happy Fall. Rest!
Jane x
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Jane,
I wouldn’t be surprised if some people, somewhere, have a name for that wind. I first noticed it when I was a child. It made me feel like something exciting could happen. You said it perfectly when you said it is blustery, but gentle.
Ginene
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What can’t you do?!!!! From roofing, to gardening, to anything and everything antique, I am amazed by your talent to do and to write about it. Thanks for sharing!
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It comes from necessity, Debbie, and the will to be free of corporate America! Thank you for bolstering me up, Debbie. I have a sister, Denise, who is general contractor. Now, she can do anything.
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You have indeed been so busy and it looks all so lovely. The textiles warm my heart indeed! What unusual photos from bees and the bat…where they visiting your house? Well, I hope you had a good rest! xo Johanna
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Always enjoy your blog–your photos are spectacular and your stories are real life.
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Thank you, Beth. I like reading yours, also. It is always interesting to meet other people in the area is this field. Hope to meet you someday.
Ginene
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What a fun looking place to work and live!! Minus the “pests” :)
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Your shop is so charming! I’m guessing that is a picture of it. I bet it’s never a dull day having all of that to take care of.
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Hi Ginene, Your patchwork quilts and aprons made me gasp. So lovely! –Marisa
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Marisa, there is nothing like a bib apron. I’ve been wearing them at home since I was in my twenties. They are so handy for carrying things upstairs and downstairs, drying hands, etc.
Ginene
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So many beautiful things to see in your post, as always. The quilts and aprons are divine and I love the furniture…. Great handles!! Every photo is gorgeous… You are such an artist in so many mediums
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Thank you, Cynthia, I think of myself as an artist, although I haven’t painted in years. That is why I appreciate your work so much.
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Thanks. You may not have painted but you are a truly wonderful artist
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I would love to visit your shop! Those quilts are gorgeous. I was reading about how you wash them. Thank you for visiting me earlier this summer. I’ve been in non-blogging mode the last several months as I lost my husband in May. Maybe I’m coming around again soon.
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I hoped your husband had made it. I am so sorry to hear about this life-changing loss. The evenings must be the hardest time. Keep yourself cozy, please, this winter. You must give yourself time to build up your strength.
Ginene
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