Vintage Rose Collection

I just stumbled across the most beautiful website and blog http://www.vintagerosecollection.com/ and http://www.vintagerosecollection.blogspot.com/ction.blogspot.com/ . You must take a look! Artist JoAnne Coletti creates rose embellished artwork that makes you want to just move right in to one of her paintings. I think I will have her paint a portrait of Shady Gables. This got me to thinking about the beautiful portrait of Shady Gables that artist Joy Marie painted. It was featured in her book Teatime Treasures. (Now, sadly, out of print.) Joy Marie allowed me to use the portrait and it now graces the cover of my cookbook and has been made into postcards which are for sale at Shady Gables. Visit Joy Marie's website at http://www.joymariedesigns.com/ When my sweet niece, Lauren, was younger, she took a photograph of Shady Gables and entered it into a photography contest. She won a prize with it. She then gave the photo to me and I framed it with this poem...

I shall always love an old house, for in those timbers strong

Is love and life and memories of children's carefree song.

A house that's used to wind and rain

and a towering oak above.

Used to sunshine, laughter and lilacs

Will protect those who give it love.

(Author Unknown)

Shady Gables is a very special house. It gave Ashley and I stability when we so desperately needed it. She grew from the age of 10 to a lovely young woman in the house. Then Shady Gables offered us the opportunity to fulfill our business dreams with the shoppe at Shady Gables. So many of my customers, upon entering Shady Gables for the first time, stop and tell me that they feel something very special in this house. It is true, the house is very welcoming. You can feel it the moment you walk in. It feels like home.

Some of my favorite photos of Shady Gables. A bridesmaid and the flower girl from Courtney's wedding... Me and Ashley on a rainy day... Me and some of the Shady Gables crew... The Gazebo... The backyard with hydrangia's in bloom... The front yard... Just a little piece of heaven to me!