Through Rose-Colored Glass

I was doing some cleaning recently, and while wiping the windowsills I took a good look around. I'm lucky enough to have stained glass pieces in many windows, and lots of these are gifts from very special people. In order for me to better treasure and appreciate them I'm going to share them with you.

This little rosette and cheery yellow bird were here when we moved into the house (along with a horsehair-filled mattress, but that's a story for another time). I like the primary colors and think the little bird is sweet, so they're still in the windows 27 years later.

The rainbow "quilt square" was a housewarming gift from a dear friend. It hangs in the window over my kitchen sink, where I spend a lot of time and can look out on my back yard through glowing color.

My mother dabbled in lots of crafts (sewing, knitting, rug making) but she took a class in stained-glass making and found the one she really loved. She made lots of little Christmas ornaments and then started to branch out into larger pieces. This fuchsia is one of the first she made for me. I love the shape and the beaded edge.

This little lamp that sits on my phone table was my mother's next gift. I got to choose the base and glass colors and then just sit back and wait for my lamp. It's the perfect size and casts a lovely glow.

My mother didn't make this butterfly specifically for me, but it was one of her completed pieces that we found while cleaning out her things after she passed away. I am happy it found a home in one of my dining room windows.

In my other dining room window hangs a very special favorite. My mother made this just for me, even letting me pick out special glass for the rose petals. You can't appreciate it from the photo, but there are very tiny bits of gold in the glass that lend beautiful sparkle and depth. The movers broke it when we moved here from Syracuse and I was heartbroken, but my mother patiently took the whole thing apart, replaced the broken pieces, and put it all back together. You can see why I love it so much, for its own beauty and for what it represents to me.

This rose bower is in our living room window because John thought we needed more roses. It was a thoughtful Christmas gift that provides us with flowers and loveliness year-round.

I feel fortunate and grateful to have so many stained glass pieces helping me to enjoy a rose-colored view.