Gerties & The Garden Wren

Thankful

2011-11-24T18:43:00.002-06:00

Geez..last Mother's Day was my last post...so much has happpened. I reopened my floral/yarn studio at the Cherry Building..love it...
I have a grand daughter...Elle...love her...and two grandsons...Grady and Mack..love them.
The people I continue to meet are wonderful...everyone has a story...I do believe in magic and will write more about that later. Many of you know...I have unique connections to each of my children...and my son, Kyle is especially a spirit of a one of a kind..I love him so...and he has started signining his email..Live Free...well...this is so me...that I am going to continue his "spirit"
and you can too...I love my freedom..in thought, in opinion, in love, in my choice of friends, in my daily living...I am free...thank you Kyle your reminder of my favorite word..FREEDOM...

I have sung a song for so many years...If I had a hammer....I would ring out freedom... you remember it I am sure...well..every day..I have meet someone special...and I get to share a little piece of freedom... here's to the little man...that came into my shop and is weaving a bag...I hope to see you again.

I am thankful!

Live Free,
Cheryl

A Little and A Lot

2011-05-08T08:47:00.005-05:00

Happy Mother's Day 2011

The gifts just keep coming. This morning the sun is shining, and the birds are singing my name. I have flowers to plant, leaves to rake and weeds to pull. The temperatures are finally warming up and it feels like Spring!!

The family celebrated Mother's Day last night with a gathering at the Brown Bottle in North Liberty. We honored three mothers - all fabulous, amazing mothers. Well, at least two of them can learn from my mistakes. :) Last night I looked at each one of my five and thought of memories of their childhood, and the challenges/rewards of being their mother. I think about how they are doing with their lives, where they may need a little more guidance, and have wandering thoughts on what they will need from their mother this next year.

I admit it...I am not a traditional mother. I have made a few cookies/brownies over the years for those class celebrations, wrapped up a child or two in toilet paper for Halloween celebrations and attended a class dance with a nervous eye. But, my children's grandmothers have been there for ALL those times that my brain or body was elsewhere working on something I am sure of a creative nature. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! for some more amazing women and a special grandfather!!! I often wonder if I could go back and do it over and be a different kind of mom, would the kids and turned out better, be happier, less "damaged." I just did ok...being a mom...no awards would be given...and even then...I had a lot of help. There were so many times
I didn't know what to do, didn't have the right answer, gave the wrong answer and was too tired to even give an answer. So last night while looking at each ones face, I thought, hmmm... I am 50 something...in the unknown years that I have left...what more do I need to give to you. AND of course I have a LIST for each one!!!!

As we shared cards, gifts and always....laughter with some "interesting conversation" I noticed my oldest son standing up holding his son...my grandson. He had his cheek snugly next to Grady's cheek and his arms, wrapped so tightly pulling Grady right into his chest. Well, I know this look!! I have picture after picture of me holding my son the SAME way. I felt I was hugging Tyler so tight that I was pulling him right into my heart. I glanced over to my daughter and saw a daydreaming stare, while she rubbed her growing belly...baby Elle due in August. I know that look too! Kyle sat next to me and looked at me in that way I can never describe..right into your eyes, with love..and said Happy Mother's Day...and he doesn't have to say anything else...
Anna, was anxiously waiting to get the heck out of there and be with her girlfriends, and I knew that was not reflection of her love for her mom....we won't even go there..cuz she has a universe of love for me and I know that too.....even with all of these scenes flashing before me...I still wonder...if I did enough, was good enough and wonder what they will really remember about me. Then I opened my card, and Grant wrote..."Thanks for always being there." And I now think...for each one of them...that is what they will remember.

Little Things

2011-01-16T09:41:00.004-06:00

A new year brings many things...resolutions, old & new challenges, the list is different for all of us...or maybe it isn't? I was reminded as I cruised through 2010...take time to enjoy your friends and family, exercise your mind and spirit, find a balance with work and play and discover happiness in the little things. Meet Millie... our killer Chihuahua..who loves four people in the world..and I am lucky enough to be one of the four. She's a little thing..

Happy 2011 -A year of a lot of little things.

Little Man, Amanda & Bob

2010-10-22T17:32:00.020-05:00

Meet my favorite "little man" from 2010 wedding season and his wonderful family...I waited all season for this wedding! And how magical for me...I attended as a guest. a tired, dirt under the nails and no makeup I might add...guest...

The venue was also magical and I highly recommend it,
especially for intimate, "cocktail" style weddings.

http://www.campbellsteele.com/ - a wonderful, classy art gallery filled with ambiance. Priscilla and Craig are very gracious hosts. Thank you Craig for hanging our chandeliers. The lighting was perfect!

The bride walked down the isle with her "little man" and well...Goosebumps is all I can say...and a few tears of joy.

Oh..I guess I can say a few more words...the bride made her own wedding cakes...darling and delicious. Is that crazy? Almost as crazy as a florist, designing her daughter's florals.

Best Wishes to you all! Cheryl

The Nest, Gertie and the Garden Wren

2010-10-06T16:06:00.009-05:00

I started this blog last February...my first post was full of whining and complaints about not being able to open my windows..tired of winter...I was begging for Spring. I deleted that post, as soon..I will be writing it again..as winter nears.

Then I saw a draft I started on the eve of Mother's Day...I published it today as it reminded me of what a fabulous day I had, how wonderful my children are AND what a great spring and summer I had. Now into our fall season...I have started rooting around in my yarn stash..and I have KNITTING on the brain.

Which leads me to this post...We have a new location for our yarn!!! VINTAGE in Marion is a resale cafe...and I love it...I have space...a little nest...to sell my yarn, teach knitting classes...and of course enjoy the coffee and pasteries this little cafe has to offer. This location will blend perfectly Gerties Knitwear and The Garden Wren floral design studio. I will bring in florals to showcase in the shop, but the focus will be on the infant gifts, yarns and classes.

So exciting...we are setup and have already had some knitters in to buy yarn. Classes will start in November. I will be posting the schedule in the next few days.

We are having a GRAND OPENING for Vintage and Gertie and the Garden Wren October 15th, 16th and 17th...Stop in say hello!!! Call Cheryl with questions at 319.241.9987 or email at thegardenwren@yahoo.com.

Vintage is located at: 933 8th Avenue, Marion Iowa Find Vintage on Facebook

Some Days are Magic

2010-05-09T19:44:00.005-05:00

On this Mother's Day, a big hurrah to all mothers. Twenty seven years ago I celebrated my first Mother's Day. I was pregnant with my daughter, Lindsey. We sat on my parents front porch, sipped on lemonade, laughed at my already huge belly and I opened presents. I received my first real maternity jumper in denim... a very fashionable tent, that I loved and wore proudly. (As the months progressed, I needed a tent.) My parents were elated and couldn't wait for this baby.

Since then I have been fortunate to have four more children and celebrated many Mother's Days. Some were good, some were not. Sometimes, I felt forgotten, taken advantage of and just plain depressed that my family didn't shout to the sky to celebrate my hard work. Other times, I felt pressured in to going out to eat at a "chain" restaurant, that I hated. Many years, I was even asked what I wanted to do for Mother's Day and my honest response was taken seriously,,,"just nothing."

Today, was a perfect Mother's Day. I woke up to a ray of sunshine streaming in the bedroom window. My 22 year old son was spending day two on a much needed roof and shingle job over our kitchen. Yesterday was tear off...today he even came back...to put the shingles on. I went out into the yard early,,,said a good morning to my son, greeted every flower with a smile and began digging in the dirt. Throughout the day, I shot a glance at my son...and was proud. He did an amazing job, and worked his fanny off. I couldn't remember having him around all day, all weekend for a long time.

My daughter called and wanted to know the plans for the day...I said...I am working in the yard...come on over..she did with a bag of my favorite goodies and we all just relaxed outside. No pressure, not having to go somewhere, prepare something, rush, rush, rush. Just some conversation.

I had called her earlier at work and expressed a little dismay that so far only two kiss mee over the garden gate flowers had reseeded....then while digging...to my surprise I discoverd two larged patches of them sprouting through the grass!!! And even some Sweet Annie! Well,,,that is a photo op...so I ran to the house and grabbed the camera.

The day went on...I planted and planted, new seeds that will grow new surprises...
The yellow glow from my daugther's gift, a candle - frangrance "Happiness", welcomes me inside as we settle in and prepare the upcoming week.

Happy Mother's Day.