I recently returned from a brief stay with my hosts in the Kalotaszeg (HU) region or Țara Călatei (RO) of Transylvania, Romania. This was my sixth time visiting them, in preparation for the embroidery retreat in June 2020. It had been four years since I was last there.

Mária embroiders and has organized exhibitions of local textiles in Germany. Her husband István is a traditional wood-carver. He has made wooden Hungarian grave markers for local church cemeteries and carves spoons, tools, and plaques commemorating significant Hungarian people and places. Mária’s father lived in the attached house across the courtyard until he passed away several years ago. He would often play the piano in the afternoon. Once I visited his living room where I got to see his art collection and a painting of his wife and Maria’s mother who had passed away many years prior. He won many local tennis tournaments when he was younger and had quite a shelf of trophies. With the window open on a warm fall day, he played the piano and Mária shared more about his paintings and family photos. I love experiencing how people live and what they make, keep, and cherish.

Some things I love about staying with them:

Handpicked chanterelles from an Apuseni mountain forest

The tiled stove furnace, painted furniture, and odd pile of embroidery in their home.

Goulash (guylás) cooked in a pot hanging over a fire in the backyard.

Their sweet dog. I was so happy to see him after our first meeting when he was a puppy.

Homemade nokedli, egg noodles similar to German spaeztle, and kremes, layered dessert with custard and whipped cream.

Mária’s collection of embroidered textiles and István’s studio.

Always being sent off with a sandwich (homemade bread this time!) and a bag of herbs from the garden.

We will stop by their home on the June embroidery retreat! Interested in joining us? Full details are coming soon!

Email me to pre-register.