SATURDAY ADVENTURE -

Every spring and fall here in the Pleasant Valley the crafters hold an open house event. First, let me explain a bit about the Pleasant Valley. We are located at the foot of South Mountain on the East and just about 30 minutes to the Applachain chain on the West. Located in our valley are the small towns of Sharpsburg, Keedysville, Rohrersville, Brownsville, and several other small towns. Also located here are the Potomac and Shanendoah Rivers, as well at the Antietam Battlefield and Harper's Ferry. This is one of the most scenic and historic areas of Maryland. It is truly a serene area in which to live.


The crafters number among their members ceramic artists, weavers, spinners, artists working with many different fibers, photographers, and many others. Hagerstown, just 10 miles to the West has a very fine museum of the arts that show not only well known artists works but also show the works of the residents of our valley.

While there are about 20 members of the artistic group, my daughter and I only managed to get to two of them on Saturday. Just to many other things to do on Saturday.

Our first stop was at VanGilders pottery. I am very fond of the beautiful pottery that Bill VanGilder produces and have a small collection of his pieces.

I have collected these pieces over the 8 years I have lived here. This is my favorite wine chalice and my favorite food strainer.

I added these two pieces on Saturday. A charming sugar scoop and a very large wine chalice. Can't fill that many times and still operate!

Then on to the next crafter. This collection of hand made items, including some hooked pieces, penny rugs, christmas ornaments, etc. are the work of Barb Twigg and Beth Rockwell. The exhibit is held at the Twigg house. When we arrived the yard was packed with shoppers cars.

Thought that you would like to see the house. It is a log cabin that once resided in the town of Boonsboro and was taken apart, piece by piece, and re-constructed by the Twiggs.

A closer view of the house with customers entering thru the side door.

Close up of the side entrance. Hurry, hurry, lets get in before all of the goodies are gone!

A few goodies displayed on a lovely shelf.

Handmade Christmas Ornaments displayed on a small tree. Very, very nice ornaments. A great addition to any tree.

A little better picture of some of the ornaments and a Santa.

Two customers sampling the good eats table.

This also is a social time in the valley. We meet neighbors that we haven't seen in a while and we sit and chat and partake of the dessert offered.

The fireplace in this lovely log cabin home.

The log cabine dining room.

This lovely wall hanging hooked by Barb graces one wall in the kitchen.

I wish that I had gotten to more of the artists in the valley. The open house is thru today but other duties call me today. Yesterday ended with a trip to Michaels to get some supplies that I needed to complete a Christmas ornament project that I am involved in and a stop at an "all you can eat" buffet restrurant for a late lunch.

I am starting to get my foods stored in the freezer for our Christmas family dinner. So far today I have made 2 quarts of plain gravy and I have the ingredients ready for a like amount of giblet gravy. Just have to get back to the kitchen and get going again. The pause in kitchen work to get my blog updated has given me the respite I needed for my back - so back to work.

Hope all of you are having a productive weekend.

Doris