My Sunflower Gourd

I have been unfaithful to my blog these last few weeks.  I have been working on another blog for the quilting group that I am a member of.  But now I do have a few things to share... Like this great bottle gourd.  Last evening our gardening group got together and painted gourds.  Marilyn, one of our members, grew these gourds a few years ago.  She dried them and then was willing to share them with us.  It is a challenge growing gourds, the conditions have to be just right!  This summer all the members of our gardening group are going to try to grow them so that we have more to paint and share.  My gourd is hanging above our deck that overlooks the Keswick River.  I can't imagine that a bird would want to live in my gourd, but what a great view if it chose to live here!