Guest Book Comments

Some guest book comments this summer.

Photos to accompany previous entry

The rocking chair and the small pictures presently in the master bedroom are of Uncle Ralph Dobson's mother, Elizabeth. She is the one who planted the boxwood hedges in the front yard. In the spring, lilacs bloom by the house and yellow double heirloom daffodils display their sunny faces.

Spring Daffodils from Aunt Id's home place

The Farmhouse 

The Dobson family home has been in my family for over 100 years, and I maintain it much as I remember it when I was young. 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.

Images from around Franklin

Franklin NC Chamber of Commerce 

Photos for the Snapshots from Franklin NC blog are provided by Eric Haggart of Timeless Moments Imaging. 

Dry Falls

Rhubarb Jelly

Remembering the things Aunt Ida Dobson liked to cook; she always grew rhubarb in her garden and made this jelly.

Rhubarb Jelly

5 cups of rhubarb cut in 1/2 inch chunks

5 cups sugar

l large can crushed pineapple

Mix and and boil 20 minutes.

Set off stove, and add l large package wild strawberry jello

Stir until jello dissolves.

Pour into pint jars and seal. Makes 4 pints

Compliments of Ida Dobson

Recent Guests:
Loved it! Thank you!!!
Some of Katie's photos:

photo by Katie guest summer 2014

photo by Katie guest summer 2014

photo by Katie who titled it the Dobson tree which dates to the 1800"s

photo by Katie

two of the summer guests
Loved It. Thank you!!!!

Paducah Kentucky Quilt Show

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

Monday, June 20, 2011

I didn’t get a chance to write in the journal but I wanted to make sure and thank you so very much. We had a wonderful time enjoying the quiet and the view. I have attached a couple of pictures of my husband and dog and some of the views that took my breath away. What you see our dog doing in the pictures was about all he could manage to do all weekend – other than chase a couple of lightening bugs on Saturday night. Saturday night we all sat on the front porch and talked and laughed and made memories that I will carry with me forever, so thank you for sharing your little corner of the world for us to do that. You have a beautiful home and I hope we left it as we were expected to. Thank you again.
Jennifer
South Carolina

Dobson Farmhouse Quilts

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 Uncle 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. These quilts are not on display at this time.

Aunt Dobson Family Heirloom Quilts

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.