American Gothic

While we were driving through Iowa last month we decided to stop at the site that the painter Grant Wood was inspired by to paint "American Gothic."

It's one of my favorite paintings. It seems the painting was controversial...Iowa felt it was being poked fun at. Did you ever read any stories about the movie "The Bridges of Madison County" which we also stopped by for a picture. The farmers of Iowa were sure their wives 

would never commit to such goings on. But who knows what a lady would do if Clint Eastwood came knocking at her door.

 Mr. b finished this picture for me when we got home. 

I'm so lucky that he also does the framing for his pictures.

~b

birds

 Octobirds...

I challenged myself to painting birds this month.

I'm thinking leaves and pumpkins in November,

both of which will also be a challenge for me.

~b is for bird

Americana

I'm determined to get this old sock done! This week!

I'm always on the lookout for barn quilts. We saw this one in Iowa.

 ~b is for balance

 If you know me you know that I don't always take the easy road.

We stopped at a roadside stand where I bought two pie pumpkins to bake with.

I turned this one into pumpkin bread. The other one will be pumpkin bars.

Always take the long slow road if you can.

~b

Wood Smoke

 Today was a good day for a fire in Dakota Man's woodshop. 

He has an order from me for candle cups.

He picked up a few pieces of exotic wood on our way through Iowa.

I was looking for black walnut.

These places are far and few between. We've never found a place here in South Dakota.

I can't wait to see what he turns this pile into.

Texas will be his next stop for wood this winter.

~b

Country Roads

 Every few years Mr. b and I have to do a pilgrimage to Iowa.

We spent the last four days driving to the Mississippi River and back.

We were hoping to see more color on the trees but we weren't too disappointed.

We saw lots of beautiful countryside.

Driving the back roads is how we like to roadtrip.

~b

too

Somedays I feel like Goldilocks. This block is too small, this block is too large.

This orange is too orange, this orange too pale.

I've been digging out all the fall colors in my little sewing sweatshop.

Dakota Man has been making me these little wooden measuring cups.

You know in case I get my own cooking show.

~b