Figs

I love figs. This tree was planted in our backyard about 14 years ago. For the last few days, I've gathered what I could reach, saving them to make fig preserves.

I reached as high as I could and bent the very pliable branches, so that I could pick them.

Then, from my studio, I've watched the squirrels and birds have a feast! The squirrels would carefully pick one and NOT devour it. They would scurry from one oak, to another, through the labyrinth of branches, until they found the perfect spot. Then, they would sit and feast on their one, carefully chosen morsel.  When this tree was smaller, I'd put a net over it, in an effort to protect the fruit.  It's entirely too tall now and I don't mind sharing.

As a child, I was a spider monkey, very tall and thin. I would be the one to climb up the fig tree to pick what I could, then bend down the branches for my father to reach.  I remember both my grandmothers and great grandmothers, making fig preserves and serving them with hot biscuits and butter. I love how such simple foods can evoke wonderful memories. Even the thought of them...

I wanted to show you this quilt. I love it! It's in the newest Pottery Barn catalogue (No, no paying endorsements here!). The original is housed in the American Folk Art Museum in New York.  It was made near Philadelphia around 1835 of approx. 2,900 pieces.  There are also others, including Gee's Bend reproduction quilts. No mention of where these reproductions are made in the catalogue.... but, you know me, I called.  Yes, China.  Supposedly, these are all paper pieced and quilted by hand. When I inquired about the backing fabric, I was simply told that it is a floral. Regardless, they are inspirational to look at and there's a video about how they "re-created" these (Which still does not mention China!).