Aunt Dobson's Farmhouse

Paducah Kentucky Quilt Show

2011-06-21T21:53:00.000-07:00

I'm so proud of my sister-in-law, who won first place for her miniture quilt at the Paducah, Kentucky Quilt show this spring.

Dobson Farmhouse Quilts

2010-09-12T17:10:00.000-07:00

Some of the Dobson's family quilts that I promised to share.

Colonial Rose Quilt (1850-1860)

This quilt is called Colonial Rose and was made between l850-1860 by Ida's husband, Ralph Dobson's, grandmother. The border fabric is French. The quilting on it is very fine. These photos were made at a quilt show. The speaker told me about the quilts and what vintage they were.

Colonial Rose quilt made at the Dobson farm by Uncle Ralph's Grandmother

Closeup of the Colonial Rose appliquéd quilt showing more detail of the French border fabric.

These two quilts were also made by Uncle Ralph Dobson's Grandmother.The quilt on the left is Turkey Tracks, Wondering Foot, or Iris Leaf. The one on the right is know as String or Eight Point Star. The star points are made up of tiny strips piece together.

Two more quilts from Ralph Dobson's Grandmother

The quilt on the right in the photo below was made sometime between 1850-1860. It is known as the Dresden Plate. Ralph Dobson's Grandmother made it also.

The five quilts below were made by Ralph Dobson's mother, Elizabeth Jennings Dobson. From left to right, front row: Butterflies, Dutch Doll. Second row, left to right: Double Wedding Ring, one with the blue background is named either Wheel of Fortune, Wagon Wheels, or Baby Aster and the back row right is called Four Patch.

Five of Uncle Ralph's mother's quilts created at the Dobson Farm

Quilts were usually made in winter time in the 19th and early 20th Centuries because spring and summer activities on the farm and in the garden did not leave any time for quilting. I can imagine the ladies quilting by the fire on winter afternoons.

Aunt Dobson Family Heirloom Quilts

2010-09-01T21:15:00.000-07:00

I just now added some quilt sites to my "Reading List" on my profile. My interest in my Dobson family quilts is renewed because of my blog. It excites me to be able to share the things that are near and dear to me. In a few days, I will have some photos to share of some of the Dobson family 19th Century quilts. Sharing what you love brings life to its meaning.

Pound Cake Recipe

2010-08-31T10:47:00.000-07:00

Here is a cake recipe very much like Aunt Id's that I remember so well.

Sour Cream Pound Cake

From: The Best of Home Economics Teachers Bicentennial Cookbook, 1976

Preheat oven to 325°

In large mixer bowl, cream together the following in this order:
1 cup of butter or margarine softened ( I soften in microwave.)
3 cups of sugar
¼ tsp. of baking soda
2 tsp. of vanilla or lemon extract.
If using orange extract, grate orange rind into batter too.
Cream above well with the sugar and butter
6 eggs
Add one at a time while the mixer is running to creamed mixture.
Add: while mixer is running
1 cup of sour cream
3 cups of flour
Add the flour a little at a time. Scrape the sides of the bowl when necessary.
Put batter into a greased and floured Bundt or tube pan and bake for 1 and ½ hours at 325° or until cake tests done. (I have better luck with the cake baking evenly in a Bundt Pan.)
Let pan cool on rack for 5 minutes.
Loosen cake around edge of pan. (I never had to do this.)
Invert pan onto rack. The cake should turn loose of the pan. Let cake cool on rack completely.

"Mountain Treasures, Simple Pleasures."

2010-08-31T09:01:00.000-07:00

The Franklin Chamber of Commerce logo is "Mountain Treasures, Simple Pleasures." That describes perfectly my feeling about Aunt Dobson's Farmhouse, and what my guests usually comment about their visit.

2010-08-31T08:50:00.000-07:00

The Farmhouse

The Dobson family home was given to me by my aunt, and I maintain it much as I remember it those many years ago. It is a memory of an experience that I share with the guests who want to come visit and “rest a spell” in the majestic Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina.

I share the Farmhouse with guests who oftentimes become friends because of our shared love of the farm and the mountains in western North Carolina.

Aunt Id and Uncle Ralph Dobson lived in the Dobson house on the Dobson family farm a good part of their lives. The farmstead supplied all their needs and afforded them a cozy home on the mountain. They enjoyed a lifetime of beautiful Smokey Mountain springs, summers, falls, and winters in their home.

My favorite holiday memories are those times that I spent on the mountain with Aunt Id and Uncle Ralph Dobson. I often spent summers with them. In the days before air conditioning, the cool summer evenings on the porch with my aunt and uncle were some of the best memories. Being a town girl, all the Dobson farm experiences seen through my eyes were a wonder to behold. My cool private mountain retreat with two wonderful people to dote on me made for perfect summer vacation retreats.

I remember Aunt Id's pet Jersey milk cow named Brownie. She milked Brownie daily. We had the best milk. She had a big garden beside the house and canned many different kinds of vegetables and fruits. She made the best apple pie and pound cake. I still imagine the smell of her pound cake when I walk into the house.

Aunt Id sewed little sundresses for me and saved the scraps to make me a Flower Garden quilt.

The table we ate our meals on was made from trees on the farm by Uncle Ralph's dad, William Dobson. The rocking chair and the small pictures presently in the master bedroom are of Uncle Ralph Dobson's mother, Elizabeth.

Fall Photos at Aunt Dobson's Farmhouse

2010-08-31T08:22:00.000-07:00

Aunt Dobson's Farmhouse
photo by guest fall 2009

View of Patton Valley from the Farmhouse porch

photo by guest fall 2009

View from porch

Smoky Mountain sunset overlooking the hay meadow
photo by Sarah

Fall at the Farmhouse

2010-08-30T19:11:00.001-07:00

Aunt Dobson's Farmhouse
photo taken by guest fall 2009