So Now I Know

Birthday Girl! Baby Girl!

2012-02-13T15:25:00.000-05:00

Twenty four years ago, Valentine's Eve, I gave birth to my last child. Since I was on my fourth Cesarean, I was pretty sure that this was the end of a run. I can still remember asking my obstetrician that fateful question: Can I have more children? And I also remember the look on my mom's face when I told her that I had asked about it. Incredulous, overwhelmed and a teensy angry, she sighed a sigh of relief upon hearing that due to the nature of an overworked incision, I should call it quits, productively speaking.

I knew as I spent my required five days in the hospital, that this sweet time, this time of introducing yourself to this new little person and spending time being cared for while you healed and while your other children are being seen to, was to be my last time in the Sweet Introduction place of mamahood. I was filled with conflicting emotions but the dominant one was: I Shall Savor This Last Go Round Like None Other.

And I have.

I have been a more patient, tolerating mama to this Baby Girl than I was with the other three. I have been able to see things through her eyes much better than I had before. Of course, I was older and 'wiser' but I do believe that the thought that I should not pass this way again, made it more intense, more sweet, more enjoyable than times before.

Make no mistake. All of my children have been amazing journeys. I have learned so much from each of their unique personalities and ways. I have been overwhelmed with mistakes made with each of them. I have been saddened at the errors made in the name of pride and arrogance. I have cherished each stage of all of them in their own individuals lives.

However.

When the end of a time comes, you view things differently. I believe that Baby Girl understood that she was unique in her position from her siblings by being the last one. I remember wishing that she would be the little baby for a long, long time, she was just that enjoyable. But, since she had so many elders in her life, she naturally, grew up the fastest.....Sigh......

So it was with great joy that Hubby and I were able to spend her 24th Birthday with her this past weekend. After an overnight visit to check in with Sweet Adeline, we pushed north the next day to whoop it up with Baby Girl, Her Hubby and of course, Lil Lady. We spent the next 48 hours, cooking, laughing, talking, dancing, playing, shopping, laughing, eating and in general having a wonderful, memorable time. BG and her little fam live in family housing on campus and their square footage totals something like 500 square feet. You do know how memorable a weekend can be with five people in that space? While we climbed over each other, cooked in their kitdinliving room, we laughed over the craziness of it all. But then, it is something that we have come to expect from BG and her tradition of being nontraditional.

So, as I reflect on this day 24 years ago, the day of big beginnings of my life, the letting go of what had been before and the focusing on the next stage, I rejoice in how it all turns out. Just when you think that your time is passed, mothering wise, you find that you get the precious joy of continuing on through the observation of your children parenting children. It is indeed the most awesome spectacle of nature I have ever experienced.

As Baby Girl celebrates her day with her little family, as Her Hubby treats and celebrates and cossets her on her day and as Lil Lady reminds her daily that she is loved, needed and adored, this mama sits back and watches and rejoices.

Ah. The Fifth Act of Life....

How very pleasant it is.....

Happy Birthday, Dearest of Baby Girls!!

LYSMICETY......

(thank you, Britography, britography.com, for the always lovely photos!)

When Life Gives You Leftovers, Make Quiche!

2012-02-07T17:41:00.002-05:00

My friend, Crazy Dee, has a propensity for making large amounts of food.
She is the person, when you leave church, will pull you aside and say, Come over for dinner! There's enough! And yes there is. CD usually will make much more than is needed because that is how her life rolls. She is aware that dinner time can have just her and her hubby in attendance or two thirds of their children and their families dropping in. As the extended family gets older and more able to do for themselves, this does not happen too regularly now, but yet, something within CD's brain has not adapted the proper switching from cooking for a gang to just two.

While this is an annoyance to her husband who turns his nose up at leftovers, it is a royal hit for me. Crazy Dee will pack up her cast offs and ship them off to me, knowing that they will be reincarnated into something else entirely. Yesterday, after painting trim in her kitchen, I arrived home from my nightly dog walk to a counter full of leftover containers that I recognized from previous visits to my refrigerator. I tsked tsked as I placed them in my fridge and immediately started contemplating today's meal. Crazy Dee had provided sliced ham and vegetables and I had salad, some other veggies, refrigerated pie dough, eggs and milk. Rolling the ingredients around in my mind, I quickly saw a quiche forming.....

It's always a good thing when you can go to bed knowing what you will be making for the next day's meal. It's a good thing when the meal is nearly free too! As meal time came nigh, I chopped ham, cut up broccoli, searched for leftover mushrooms and beat eggs. I even had some leftover potatoes from another meal to add to the mix. A second shift man needs a little sustenance so I took an airy fairy sounding meal and added enough umph to it to keep him till it was lunch box time much later in the evening.

I only season the milk/egg mixture with salt and pepper and red pepper flakes and the tiniest baking soda. Parsley and all purpose season salt works quite well too. After the eggs are beaten well and a modicum of milk is added, the mixture is poured over the chopped meat and veggies and cheese are sprinkled over the top. When I make an official quiche, I use half and half and Swiss cheese. But the purpose of this exercise is to use what I had at hand and skim milk and mozzarella was what was in the fridge. I also shredded some fresh Parmesan over the finished product just cause I had it.

A half hour in the oven. A quick salad tossed and lunch is ready.

What's sitting in your (or a giving friends) refrigerator waiting for a re do?

Winter Occupations

2012-02-03T16:24:00.001-05:00

When the warm winds of Spring start blowing, (and I don't mean this Pretend Spring that we are currently enjoying), I want to be outside. I want to dig and rake and plant. So while the calendar says January and February, that is my cue to keep myself occupied with Inside Things. In January, I caught up on orders and bookkeeping. Last Spring, I ripped up my living room and entry way and staircase. Even thought the library was staring me down with painting needs, I promptly ignored her and told her that she would just have to wait till colder days. So as I wrapped up my duties, it is with great excitement that I prepared my trusty trim brush, my special mini roller with the long handle, grabbed a most interesting audio book and set to the work of equating my library with the rest of the downstairs. Whew.

With the exception of my upstairs bathroom, all my house is now painted some shade of yellow. My favorite color since kindergarten, I have slowly replaced all other colorage from my home and without planning it, finally succumbed to the idea that Yellow is The Color of my Life. I am very much happy with this turn of events.

I have had my red stage. My goldish/bronzish stage. My green affair. But yellow is my true love. With a dash of turquoise. This combination love goes back to my childhood. I remember very clearly, a lovely turquoise wool jumper that my mama had bought for me. It had the smallest yellow embroidery on the bodice with yellow rick rack trim. A sweet little yellow blouse with puff sleeves came with. I can remember wearing this memorable outfit to the hospital to visit my very asthmatic, very sick mama when I was seven years old. I remember being told that I was too young to go to the emphysema ward that she was in and I had to sit, alone in the waiting room of our very old, very intimidating hospital. I have no idea how long I waited for my dad to come and fetch me. In the hours that it seemed, that sad little girl found much comfort in staring at the lovely colors on my outfit. I remember the texture of the wool. The complementary colors entertained me greatly. And still does to this day.

Well.

Now that was a nice little Bunny Trail Story, wasn't it?

Back to painting....

The first weekend we moved into our home, Kindred Spirits Friend and her hubby came to visit. She came with work clothes, paint and anaglypta wall covering. The library had dark paneling and KSF came many miles to relieve me of it. She primed and filled paneling ruts and hung anaglypta till the wee hours. The next day she painted over it. That productive weekend, we also ripped out carpeting.

Years passed and the years of darker walls came into vogue. One rainy cold January weekend, I painted a very cozy caramel color over the anaglypta.

More years pass and more shelves were needed. They are now working their way all around the room. I love my books and my very special library. It's the one room I spend the most time in.

However.

You can see that painting around all those books will be a bit of a challenge.

Hubby has offered to be on board while I climb the dreaded ladder and hand down pile of books after pile of books to be able to reach the trim and cover the caramel with the butter yellow that I knew this room was destined to be.

As I get older, tedious jobs are less burdensome. In my younger days, I would rush and splash and dash just to get the job done. I am more deliberate these days. What's the rush?

I always work better hanging a carrot in front of me.

This weekend's carrot is this:

Kindred Spirit is sending me her green swirly curtains from her dance with lime green swirlies, to cover the cushions on all my library sitting surfaces. When KS saw my colorful fabric for my living room curtains last spring, she raved on with me at the joys of Susan Sargent's creations.http://susansargent.com/. She also reminded me of her curtains from years before and how well they would go with my new Living Room window treatments.

When she visited last fall and spent time in my library, which is by the way named after her for her aforementioned work done at the very beginning of my time here and for the number of books she has donated to the cause. I have her poetry on the walls and her photo properly displayed. Her Hubby created a couch/settee that I cherish that sits in her room. I call the library her, Not Quite Memorial Library.

While I was writing this, she text me that the curtains were in the mail and should be here on Monday.

Impetus for painting book shelves if I ever had one.

Cushion making next week.

Reveal later.

In the meantime, reflect on how color affects us on so many levels. Complementary colors soothe our spirits just as complementary friends soothe our souls....

Grab a daunting task this weekend and pleasure it with the thoughts of who you will please in the doing of it....

A good carrot if I ever heard of one.....

Thank you KSF for being the turquoise to my yellow....

Staircase on a Shoestring

2012-01-29T17:55:00.000-05:00

The women in my family do weird things,decor -wise. (Well, I guess if I was honest, I'd say that we're kinda weird in other ways as well. There I said it.) However, when I asked Eldest/Admin what project she needed for Operation Nesting, when I visited this month, she answered quickly: 'The Staircase". Now, we know that the baby will not be anywhere near the staircase for quite awhile, but E/A and her mother's ways, I knew exactly what she needed done. She wanted her nasty old carpeted stairs updated so the New Baby would not think poorly of her when she came to her new home come May. I brought four babies to my home and for each one of them, I prepared and cleaned and redid things like the Queen (or King) was coming for a visit. With one child, we opened up our roof and added a room to accommodate a 7 pound 2 ounce baby. So I know the peculiarities of nesting mothers.

E/A had her main bathroom redone this past summer after a particularly bizarre storm accident. Strong winds toppled a large limb of her aged tree in her back yard to the very small vent pipe on her roof taking out the plumbing on her whole house. The construction crew that did the redo, professional that they were, did not take care to protect the not so tidy carpet on the staircase. E/A did not mind so much since she was clearly looking for an excuse to rip the demon carpet off the old stairs. Problem was: Project Bathroom Redo eliminated any budgetary requirements for any other home project. Especially if the steps were going to need more attention that was assumed. A year ago, in my last winter week long visit, we indeed peeked under the demon carpet and saw that perhaps the job would not be too daunting. E/A and I are always up for a project for most of my visits. Wouldn't be a true visit unless we spent some time at Lowe's or Joann's. The grittier that better. We love trying to make a plan work by using our brawn and brains rather than depending on our pocketbooks. Absolutely thrilling, really.

So it was with a great deal of enthusiasm for the Grandmotherly Nesting Instinct, that I packed my 'work clothes' and headed for Cincinnati.

It should be mentioned that these projects always bring a great deal of fun for E/A and myself. We usually laugh and giggle at our own determination to make something work. We love the challenge that an elderly women known for falling off ladders and a pregnant lady with a replaced hip and a nearly three year old bring to the table. I will tell her, 'Get off the ladder right now!' She says, 'Oh just look the other way!' She will say, 'MOTHER! What are you doing!?' And I say, 'Oh just look the other way!' Miss Viv is getting into the rhythm of our projects by being able to identify sandpaper, Phillips screwdrivers and Mimi's special paint brush.
In Training.

Eldest/Admin's home was built in the mid 80's. The steps were never finished, just carpeted over probably a few times. However, the treads were in good shape. The risers were made of particle board, sufficient but not pretty. We reflected on many different ways to cover this shortcut and I think what we came up with was a dandy idea.

The whole rehab cost us less than 25.00. Seriously. I don't count brushes and things I shall reuse. Those are investments. Here is the breakdown of the process and the costs:

Ripped up carpet and pad, tack boards and staples. No cost. Came up easy-peasy. And Miss Viv helped.
Hand sanded treads. No cost. And Miss Viv helped.
Painted woodwork. Primed Risers. 4.00 spray Kilz. No cost for the paint; had paint leftover from our last project last fall.
Purchased a textured wallpaper to cover the risers. It was a corduroy type wall cover, perfect to hide the roughness of the particle board. A huge roll was 18.00. And much left over for the next project somewhere else.
Polyurethaned the sanded stairs. Purchased a random can of stain last summer at Lowe's from their reduced table. 1.50. Originally 13.00. Seriously. And the perfect stain color; a perfect balance between her staircase and oak flooring. There was absolutely no fumes and this was a big concern for this Mimi. Chance? I think not.....
Painted the spindles on her staircase to update the look. We decided to leave the banister and face plate the original finish. Good call.

Do you have any idea how much I love helping my Big Grown Up Kids with their projects? Whether it's planting flowers or sewing costumes or renovating their lovely homes, I absolutely thrive helping them in their day to day lives if only for a few times a year. It is when you are co laboring with them that you see them at their best. You see them working toward the goal of making their lives cozy and comfortable for their beloved families. The care that goes into their projects, warms my grammy heart to my very core....

So when New Baby is old enough to scoot down the stairs on her little patooty in a year or two, this Mimi will smile, remembering the sanding, the painting, the being serenaded by Miss Viv and her musical daddy and me listening to the hum of my Eldest's very own household while I busily, happily bustled about my task for the visit....

God Bless This House....

In It Together

2012-01-24T15:09:00.000-05:00

It has been quite awhile.

It's time had come.

And the blessing in the doing of it has been beyond what I could have expected.

After a bit of a ban on socializing, fellowshipping and otherwise interacting with most people outside of my family and close personals, I have resurfaced. Sometimes things like that happen. Sometimes you have to be knocked on your keister to straighten up your inner life, your personal viewpoint, your direction and redefine and retool your life.

Fortunately for me, I have several Close Personals that have kept me sane and cool. Faithful Friend has been an excellent mentor, though she is nearly two decades younger. She has been the one that I could grumble and moan and ...complain. She would let me do all that then she would do that smile that told me, 'Are you done?' And then with a gentle admonition, she would help me ferret truths from distortions and help to cope to see another day.

And then there is Sweet Sharon, my confidant and prayer warrior. This lady can hear about anything I have to give her and make sense out of it. I know that she is praying, praying for my different needs in my life and different times. She is there for me even though we are geographically distant and not terribly communicative with each other on a regular basis. We just 'get' each other and know that we have each other's back.

This is a rare and amazing blessing. In my dark years, it has been my light. In my confused and overwhelming distractions, they have been a lifeline.

So when a time came several months ago when I was able to spend a generous amount of time with SS, I announced to her that indeed, the time had come. I was ready again to be a part of a group designed for the personal spiritual development of my life. She was glad to hear it and promised to pray for just the right group for me.

It took quite a few dog walking prayer times to realize that if I had the resources, that if I had the need, that if I had the desire to grow spiritually, perhaps there were others out there that would benefit as well. Most of you know from this blabbery space,that I love to have guests in my home. I love sharing all what I have been blessed with and I love knowing that the gift of hospitality has been given me. So it was with that revelation (duh!) that I decided that my new group shall be one of my own creation. Faithful Friend was notified quickly so that she could give me her input and suggestions and advice. Wouldn't do too much without it.

It was with great satisfaction after some fine tuning and ideas that came from response to this blog that helped formulate my latest adventure.

I have fought Facebook off for many years. Friends would encourage me to join but I would vehemently protest saying, 'I do not want to communicate with anyone let alone people in my past'! My Closed Door Policy did not fly with the openness of Facebook. But then my little business started developing and Eldest/Admin convinced me that I could have just my business page without having a personal page. She reassured me time and time again that I could closely monitor and limit any or all interaction. So I gave in.

I still struggle with the day to day of Facebook, but it certainly has enabled me to reach many people that I would not have had the privilege to meet. Facebook's event invite seemed the perfect venue to announce my decision to share my quest.

Wow.

Was I surprised by the response! Grateful, humbled, exuberant, excited and well pleased, I eagerly studied, prayed, read, prayed and sought wise counsel. I eagerly checked the event status for those signing on and needing info. The invitation has brought together the most unlikely group of women with one goal in mind: To know in an intimate way, the God of the Bible. Participants have come from vast and varied backgrounds. Participants are in various stages of their spiritual journeys. Some are just beginning; some have been ham strung by difficult questions or complicated church past issues. Whatever. All that is very irrelevant. The focus, the point of the whole gathering is starting at Square One, from this day forward, perspective of God and Who He is and what He wants us to do with that.

This eclectic group of searching women gathered last night.

Sixteen women gathered for a common purpose.

Sixteen women willing to share fractions of their lives and interests.

Sixteen women willing to leave their comfort zone, go out on a limb and see where God takes us.....

Thank you Lord for this adventure.....

.www.crazylovebook.com

Travels with Mimi

2012-01-21T13:43:00.000-05:00

Two words that strike a chord in a long distance grammy's heart: Child Care.
When Lovely Wife text that she had a hole in her child care and needed someone to fill in for one day, this Mimi responded: Packing Now.

So it was on a warm January day, that Papa took two days off to take care of the delightful 'task' of watching our Sweet Adeline for eight precious hours. (Warning: Precious Child Beyond Words Rant. You were warned.) Seriously, this child is such a doll. Gentle spirited, calm and sunny, I had the thought that perhaps her Sitter Susie, should pay mama and daddy for watching her! In all my years of child tender, have I had the pure delight in babysitting. Sleeping peacefully when needed, gobbly eating when it was time, didy changing with a happy disposition and enjoying the outside in the warm January sun, taking in all that wintry nature had to offer. Hubby and I found ourselves just watching her discover her little world afresh. Her diminutive little size (10 pounds at 5 months) makes her so much more precious. But make no mistake, she is no Light Weight when it comes to development. This feisty little miss keeps up with the best of them, just in a teeny way. I am smiling as I write this merely in the pleasant memory of our visit with her.......

When Sweet Adeline's mommy returned, we headed southward to start our Child Care Part Two.

This day was Eldest/Admin's thirty third birthday and it appeared that her and Wonderful Man had made special arrangements to celebrate her last birthday away before their family burst into a family four in the middle of this year.
Once again, Hubby and I had no qualms of taking on the first overnight with Miss Viv. As a very talkative three year old, she is very good at conveying her needs (and wants) and had an understanding of the fact that mama and daddy were going to be gone for One Sleep. Her little face took all the information in and processed it with her three year old knowledge. She looked back and forth at her beloved Mimi and Papa and tried to weigh the advantages of saying good bye to mommy and daddy to staying with the rare opportunities with Mimi and Papa. Something told her that it was going to be okay. This was to be our trial run for the Day in May when little sister shall arrive and perhaps she may be away from her parents for awhile. A lot was riding on her ability to tough it out. Pivotal in her life, we wanted it to be a grand experience for all involved.

So we went to the zoo.
In January.
Half Price Day.

And a Penquin Parade.

And another generation for Papa to show all the intricacies of the Reptile House.

Miss Viv spent a great deal of time this past summer at this wonderful zoo, so she led the way for a lot of it....We were unsure if Manatee Springs were open, and when we hesitated and started to walk on, she exhibited her ONLY strong emotion of the weekend. If the manatees were closed for the season, we were just going to have to break in, it was that important to her...Fortunately, no crimes were committed and we spent a great deal of an hour watching all the sea creatures and our most animated granddaughter.

All that zoo walking created quite a hunger so off we went to Miss Viv's favorite: Chick-fil-a. She ate all of her meal and a lot of mine....

Our night time adventure went very peacefully thanks to Half Price Day at the zoo. Our little girl passed out between us after only four books...

And look what we got to see when we awakened! The sweetest little face with good sleeps under her belt. Mimi fixed her yogurt and french toast. She was snarfing all the toast when she noticed a 'little' cinnamon and sugar on her cute mug. She says, 'Mimi, I need a napkin!' Then a pause when she realized that all the good stuff on the french toast was yummy. She then updates by saying, 'Nebermind - I'll lick it!' And she did.

We said good bye to Papa for the week and hello to mama and daddy and thus began another seven days of a most lovely visit with My Little Family.

The week was productive, fun, adventurous and busy. I got to attend EA's prenatal visit, go to all my favorite Cincinnati's haunts, got my haircut, watched movies about silly penguins with Miss Viv, cooked and baked and restored a staircase. I got to be serenaded while I painted away and decided that most work is better when Wonderful Man and Miss Viv are singing .....

The time came to return to the Sewing Room and that is how it should be...
However, the memory spent with my dandy little girls provides the fuel for my time on this sod....

'Grandchildren are the crown of the aged......' Proverbs 17: 6

Amen and amen......

Queenies for a Day

2012-01-17T16:03:00.000-05:00

I'm a big birthday fan. I believe that it is important to celebrate, in a big way, the creation that is you. I believe that it is not a vain occupation, oh no. I believe that it is a God Honoring thing to celebrate that your creation was very important to God in the huge, grand scheme of things.
I believe that if we are drawing breath, there is a purpose, an intentional purpose by our awesome Creator for your place on this sod. And that, my friend, is something to celebrate.

So if I think that each one has merit and value in God's eyes, just imagine how silly I can get over my own dear grandgirls.

The days that they were introduced into this world was a big, big deal.
My life was changed beyond all reason and how their lives will affect this world is something so exciting to me that I get goosebumps just thinking of the possibilities.

Birthday Days are wonderful to a crafting Grammy. There are birthday banners to make, birthday outfits to think about and now, the ever popular birthday crown to prepare for the noggin of the little girlies new year.

The tradition started with Miss Viv sharing her birthday week with her Unca Joco. Unca Joco was very clear that on each year, he would prepare a Birthday chapeau, singling out the two of them from the lessers, birthday wise. When the first birthday approached, I could see that Unca Joco might need some assistance to accomplish the goal of proper hattage for The Day

I cannot tell you how much fun I have making these crowns.
I love the feel of pearl cotton.
I love the vibrant colors.
I love the gaiety of them.
I love that they make me smile.

So, I thinks, if I get so much entertainment from such a simply made item, wouldn't everyone? (Or at least a few more outside my inner circle)

As I traveled recently from hither and yon, my felt and my pearl cotton were nearby. Nothing makes grandchildren miles go faster than making sweet little flowers and vines circling a tiny ring of felt destined to a small tike's head.

Soon, very soon, the Yet To Be Personalized Crowns shall adorn my Etsy site for your enjoyment as well. I can embroider your most special Birthday Child's name on the front for you to make it a truly one of a kind gift that could last far into their twenties and beyond. (Notice I said grandchild, because even though I have no male grandchildren, I hear that they are out there. I intentionally made some crowns with not flowery like embellishment but kingly jewels and suns...)

If you are of the opinion that each life is to be celebrated big and would like to eschew the papery kind of birthday hats, then this crown's for you...

Celebrate each day as a gift.
But celebrate your little ones special day with crown made just for them......

Bags on Parade

2012-01-17T04:35:00.000-05:00

It's been awhile since I've updated my listing on bags completed.

Some of these bags headed off to New Leaf Salon and Organics,http://leaforganicsalon.com/ just in time for Christmas....

Some were special orders....

And some were presents....

This one was a Button Challenge, brought to me by most favored Pretend Granddaughter. Before she left my home on Thanksgiving, she had trolled through my button box and after finding a most appealing vintage button, laid it on my sewing table and challenged me to do something purse like with it.

And I did. And it was a hoot.

Sewing Room Magic.....Gotta love it...

Spontaneous Party

2012-01-03T22:07:00.002-05:00

I could count on one finger the number of times Hubby and I have celebrated New Year's Eve in the traditional 'dress up and go out' definition. Sure, we've had small gatherings at out home. Sure, we've gone to little mini parties at someones home. But to be honest, it just slips under the radar around here. A more reflecting, peaceful kind of celebration is more to our liking after the hubbub of the long holiday season. You know what it's like eating cake and hot chocolate with a cookie chaser? Too much of a good thing and that is how I view New Year's Eve. I think of it as some vegetables and vitamins in the midst of a candy store- needful and necessary if I'm going to be productive in the length of the long season of winter. And this plan suits us fine.

Every now and then a serendipitous event happens that supersedes all your non plans and you are doubly blessed for the doing of it. And that is how this year's New Year Eve/Day celebration played out in our home.

Eldest Son and Lovely Wife and Sweet Adeline were scheduled to stop by our home to say goodbye to us on their way to their northward home. Hubby and I were slowly putting Christmas to bed around the house and figured that a solitary celebration would be fine and dandy with us. ES and LW arrived in time for some lunch before their departure. A short game of bastardized Banangrams (thanks ever so, Sweet Sharon for the addiction that has spread throughout our family!) developed and then it was time for a short nap for SA. By then, it was time for the fire to be set in the fireplace in preparation for our NYE quiet celebration. As you know, a roaring fire is a draw to come and sit awhile. We slowly picked out spots in the living room and ES and LW started talking about their plans for the evening, which was not cast in stone anywhere. While talking continued, I slipped out to thaw some special steaks that Hubby had purchased for a special occasion. Little Miss Addie continued to mesmerize us with her big five month old skills as four adults sat on the floor, watching her like we had never seen a baby before. The glory of this mama watching her Eldest Son adoringly smile and coo with his little daughter, warmed my heart and caused me more than once, to hold back tears of joy. Watching this little family interact is absolutely enchanting. Such soft sounds with love oozing out of their collective pores. You can't help but stare.

While LW commented on their imminent leaving, she, at the same time, was taking off her shoes and curling her legs under her self as she settled into her favorite fireside chair. I quietly smirked to myself, seeing the writing on the wall; these chickies weren't goin anywhere!

My trained restrained motherhood ways kept me from 'forcing' them to stay. I was giddy and pleased but was sure that I kept it to myself so that they didn't feel pressured to commit to spending their most special New Year's Eve with the Old Folks. By the time the steaks were grilled and the salad tossed, we were in active planning for an overnight. Suitcases, earlier destined for home, were brought back in while Hubby and I cranked up the heat in the Lower Level Guest Suite (basement with a bed) to cozy it up for our most youngest member of our family. Sweet Adeline surely would need to prepare for the new year by cleaning off her old birth year with all it's grittiness and grime, so Mimi dunked her in the bathroom sink while her mama photographed and her daddy prepared her nightly electronic collection in The Suite.

Adorable, obedient baby that she is, after getting clean and enjoying her last meal of the day, she said nitey nite to us and left us adults to the fireside.

The pivotal hour drew near and we quieted ourselves down to quiet conversation and slower movement. A last minute wine purchase went quite well with the Dubliner cheese and borrowed crackers from Younger Son's nearby abode.

The new year arrived and hugs and kisses were shared and ten minutes later the elder two of this delightful group were ready to climb the stairs.

Yes, this new year eve was extraordinarily wonderful. Spending relaxing hours with our Eldest Son and Lovely Wife and brand new Addie, filled me with a warmth that shall carry me through the cold months to come. Watching your son father in a way that you are in awe of, is a wondrous thing. Knowing the love of his life is a woman that supersedes my fondest prayers and dreams for him.....well, it is a wonderful thing.....

Young mama's of little boys: Pray, pray, pray for your son's spouse. Pray specifically. Pray determinedly. Embrace the love of their life and love her like your own. Some day in the future, you too will get to smile contently as your married son and his family are snug in your home after a spontaneous party planned only by God......

Blessing on your new year.....

Different Days

2011-12-24T07:57:00.000-05:00

Since my Young Mama Days, Hubby has managed to surprise me every year with the most wonderful gift.

His Time.

He would save up his Use or Lose time off throughout the year then in the busiest of months, he would spend it all. This would mean that the whole month or at least a majority of the month of December, He Was Mine. To a young mama with four children and a very busy life, this meant daily support with gift making, treat baking, snow playing and shopping. wrapping and decorating. It was the best gift ever. And we loved our time together even though we were usually just grabbing smooches as we passed each other en route to another task.

Then our house got empty.

Our little kiddos had homes of their own and Hubby and I found ourselves without the busy-ness that consumes young homes. However, we are creatures of habit and Hubby habitually saved his use or lose for just widdo ol' me. I haven't sent Christmas Cards in years. We quit gift exchanges long ago. This year, the big tree stayed in the basement and only the newest of decorations came out. In short, there just wasn't much for either one of us to do. Not being the type to sit still, this year, we sought out Different Days. This year, our time off took us to different occupations, things that in the previous years of parenting would never been possible....or even considered.

This year, the last big shopping weekend before Christmas, we went to an auction.
While most were scurrying around in the mall, Hubby and I searched out the most rural of locations on a very temperate Saturday in December to a hidden home that housed most of the vintage sewing machines known to man. I got a glimpse of my own estate auction in the future walking through this elderly woman's collection of all things sewing. Materials, kitschy furniture and dishes from another time, out buildings full of all kinds of useful and decorative things spanning many decades. The day was bright and agreeable to be out in, unlike most mid Decembers. We passed on the lengthy wait for a very special vintage sewing machine, but felt a little lighter in spirit after leaving the beautiful, distant location.

We found an unusual stop for lunch in the nearest town. A deli with an emphasis on cheese. All things cheese. No indoor seating, so we just took our very unique sandwiches and ate in the car. Because it was Different Day.

We needed to leave the auction so that we could help Youngest Son prepare for his First Annual Christmas Dance. A hoot if I ever saw one. YS rented out a local dance studio and put on a most jolly of dances in lieu of gifts for his friends.
We had a blast baking and decorating and of course, dancing to his well selected play list of musical favorites and obscure (to me) artists. Hubby and I waited for the right song, danced hard, then departed, leaving the younguns to their Big Fun.

A few days later, found me preparing to go to my Christmas Brunch with my Fleur de Lis Ladies. Any time this fun group of women meet is a joy, but the Christmas Gathering is particularly inspirational. Our hostess is our poet laureate of the bunch, a 91 year old jewel of a woman, that hosts us at her home, prepares the turkey, yeast rolls, dressing and dumplings. Two other ninety year old members, brought covered dishes as well. The encouragement I receive from the tiny time with these wonderful women, spurs me on like nothing else. They are gifts. This year, the hostess left this message on my answering machine:'Don't forget Fleur de lis Christmas Dinner Monday. Bring a covered dish. (pause) And put something in it!' See? A positive hoot.

I tried to take her photo but she kept moving as I aimed the camera. Lord, may I have her energy when I am her age.

Of course, there has been plenty of time for crafting, embroidery, crocheting, while Hubby drives me around the countryside and while we watch an endless selection of Netflix streaming.

Then, our Biggest Different Days Diversions:

1. Passport Application!! Yes! First time out of the country this coming year in celebration of our 40th Anniversary. We headed to the Big City to accomplish this only to find out a bit into our journey that we had left our filled out applications in the buffet drawer. In the dining room, ten miles back. In days passed, with time of the essence, we would have railed at our stupidity and cursed at the waste of time. This time, in the era of Different Days, we laughed and shook our heads and whooped at the craziness of leaving at home, the main purpose of the trip. Too funny. Other years, it could have been the reason for a rather large To Do......

2. Hand Gun Purchase! I KNOW! For years, I would not let Hubby even reveal his guns in my presence. I had no idea where in the house they even where, that 's how good he was at hiding them. But as in all things changing, I have come around to the thinking that a little personal protection might not be a bad thing. I plan to take a firearms class, practice at a shooting range, and become a very legal hand gun owner with my very own gun. Hubby and I were coming home from a rather superfluous errand the other night and after 'rocking the value menu' (E/A's Hubby saying) at our local fast foodery, we happened by a new gun shop in town. They were closing as we passed but Hubby pursued on, asking the owners as they were leaving for the day, their hours etc. The men leaving their store decided to reopen their shop, show us the best arm for my needs and we proceeded to fill out the proper paperwork and off we went, intending on shopping for tulip bulbs at Lowes and coming home with a very nice firearm. See? Different Days! Who Knew??

For all you most busy of young mama's: Hang In There! Your time is coming...!!

Different Days is well worth the wait......

A Very Girly Christmas!

2011-12-20T12:54:00.000-05:00

Last Christmas, those of us gathered to celebrate, awaited anxiously for the news of Lil' Lady's arrival to this world. Two days after Christmas Day,a most charming little granddaughter appeared. The next day, we piled into Papa's red sleigh, and headed northward to oooh and ahhhh over this precious gift. Eldest Admin, Miss Viv, Unca Joco and Papa and I shared a hotel room that night so we could spend some more time admiring this addition to our family. I can remember clearly walking down the hospital corridor and seeing the open door to Baby Girl's room and noticing, from a distance of about 20 feet, the deepest, cutest dimples on my new granddaughter's nursing face. I melted and fell in love all over again. How could this be? Miss Vivien had encompassed my grandmotherly heart yet, the same overwhelming love I felt for her, was showing up again. Amazing.

Then this summer, I'll be darned if it didn't happen again! Lovely Wife presented my Eldest Son with Sweet Adeline, our most tiny, adorable little baby girl. Three Girls to fawn over, to engage with, to sew for, to admire and train up to be a most Proverbs 31 like woman. Granted, most of the responsibility is in the hands of their very adept and capable parents, but I do believe there is much to learn from the grandparental units. I constantly have to seek wisdom and guidance from the Lord to know just what it is/will be that I shall impart to these darling girls.

Then last Friday, it was revealed to this very happy family, that indeed, we shall be blessed with another wonderful female grandchild!! Dare I tell you that I am already gearing up for that magical moment when the first glance quadruples my Mimi heart to embrace this newest grandgirl into my life? Months ago, I began the quilting of her sunshiny quilt. Months ago, I have reserved in my scheduling, a time to go and help E/A 'nest'. Months ago, I have prepared my emotions for the welcoming of a long awaited infant into E/A's eager heart and home and have girded myself with prayers for the safe carrying and delivery of this much planned and anticipated baby......

At this wondrous time of year, when anticipation is high, joy is near and excitement is at it's apex, it is so good to think of the blessing of new life. An old year wraps up and hopes for the new year all comes down to the advent of birth and rebirth.

This season exists because of the One Life that provides eternal life for us all. God knew that we would respond to a babe. He knew that the story of His Son's life would draw us. He designed us to listen to Someone that had walked this earth and knew what we experience. He knew His Son wrapped in humanity in the form of a helpless babe, would be the way we would respond to His message...

Thank you Lord for the blessing of babies and for the special gift of Your Son........
Amen and Alleluia.....

39 Years.

2011-12-15T22:41:00.001-05:00

You wouldn't know it to look at these two youngsters, but we knew everything.

We had three months to plan our wedding before Uncle Sam would be taking my young hubby to Vietnam. (President Nixon stopped the draft 5 weeks after our wedding. I did ask Hubby if he wanted to return me since he wasn't leaving. He said, 'Nah.')

Of course, I had conflicting ideas with my mother as to what a young December Bride should wear. Hubby to Be and I thought we would just pay for our wedding so we could have the final say on the decorative, fashion elements for the day. After viewing these photos, I'm sure you might have suggested that we listen to Mom.

At the time, I worked at a fabric store and I knew the day after we decided to get married, which fabric would clothe myself and my bridesmaids. The most beautiful border eyelet became my dress, made from two different patterns, by my talented manager at the fabric shop. She made/designed my dress as her wedding gift. An all cotton calico became the most simple bridesmaid dresses. Eyelet and ribbon trim, de rigueur for the day, was all the detail the dresses had. Different colors for two attendants and a bright yellow for my three year old niece as flower girl. All four dresses cost 50.00. Total.

I made the straw flower arrangements that my girls carried. I designed our wedding invitations and my printer brother in law, printed this most out of the ordinary for the day invitations. Hubby's brother took our photos. My daddy was in charge of maintenance at our local Eagles Club so the reception venue was taken care of. Magnums of champagne were purchased for 10.00 per since Daddy-o had an 'in' with the supplier. Hubby's aunts brought the reception food: baked ham, salads, jello, chips. My sister and BIL paid for our overnight stay at a local hotel; a rather extravagant sum of $25.00 per night One night. Hubby had to go to work the following Monday. Our whole florist bill, which was reduced by having the good fortune of marrying in a Catholic cathedral with all it's grand Christmas decor, totaled 68.00, my bouquet and wreath included. Looking through our receipts in our wedding book, it appears the grand total for the whole shebang was a whopping $500.00. That's a lot of fabric cutting and pizza making for this crazy young couple.

Three decades have past and I still get that little leap in my heart when I see him enter the room.

Bumpy times have come and gone. We have seen each other at our absolute worst and have loved each other anyway. That is what it is all about. Complete commitment. Depending not on feelings but choices we vocalized with our very young voices on that very cold December day.

Best $500.00 investment we ever made......

One of Those Days.

2011-12-09T11:49:00.001-05:00

I was making lunch when Hubby pointed out that perhaps we weren't alone. Looking up, on the roof over the back door, was our neighbor's cat, peering in with that 'Whaaa?' look.

It reminded me of the book 'Wacky Wednesday': 'Cat on the roof? Cat on the roof shouldn't be there at all!'

But it was Thursday.

I took it as an omen.

See this purse to be? It was in the doing of it that I first should have known that things could go awry.

I was too excited. Too pleased that I had a new machine that would sew through the leather on the ex belt to be a purse strap. Too giddy that most of my pressing Christmas Sewing was wrapping up.

None the less, I, flibbertigibbet like, grabbed my new machine (well, not exactly grabbed; more like grunted and groaned) as I lifted it into it's new position in The Sewing Room. I introduced my Japanese Friend, Janome Jean, old sewing machine, to the current crush, Heavy Duty Harry. Harry seemed quite pleased with being in the forefront as Janome Jean politely bowed to his appearance. (JJ is very hospitable). The Operator plugged in and poked around, checking out all the buttons and gadgets. HDH is very plain; simply utilitarian and functional but I needed to get familiar. On his shiny new motor and wheel was a most obtrusive orange thingy. With saw teeth and bright color, I figured it must be a temporary thing placed on it for shipping it safely. Surely it couldn't be permanent?

Without so much as a hesitation in my go go go mode, I grabbed my snips and SNIP! That was it.

It was pretty much immediately following that crisp sound that I had second thoughts. Useless and empty, I could not even consider my last action.

Until I Pressed On The Pedal And It Would Not Go.

"NO!" I says to myself.

"NO, NO, NO!" I says louder to myself in case the first one didn't work.

The next thought was denial. Something else must be wrong.

Time to get Hubby involved.

I call him sweetly, "Hubby dearest, would you mind checking my new machine? It appears, dearest hubby, that something could be wrong with it?"

But I knew.

Hubby appeared with his Rescue Ranger Look on his face. Hubby is always ready to attack a mechanical problem. It's his thing. I almost hated to ruin his day.

I looked straight into his eager eyes.

" I do believe I know what is wrong. It appears this rather useless looking thing seems to be something rather important."

I showed him where I clipped it off from, held the ruined Lug Belt in my hands and we just looked at each other incredulously.

Then we Laughed Our Arses Off.

Hubby sensing that my laughter was reaching hysteria, came to a non mechanical rescue with these words:

" Well, honey, at least you figured out what you did! You saw how it doesn't work without it and put two and two together! That's good!"

Good Ol Hubby. Wise Hubby. He hasn't lived with me for nigh on 39 years for nothing.

Leave me alone enough with my frustration and anger and I will beat myself up pretty good without any help.

He turns around to leave the sewing room, shaking his head at another bonehead action that I have managed to accomplish in this last year. But wisely, not saying a word.

Lest you think that I am angelic in my dilemma, you can be sure that my best naughty words were brought out for the occasion and that all day long I was found to keep repeating, "I CANNOT believe I did that!! How stupid am I", throughout the house. Even Miss Dixie was getting tired of the tirade.

On the bright side, after all was said and done, HDH was shelved till the Mighty USPS delivers his brand new Lug Belt, hopefully, next week, and most gracious Janome Jean returned to her rightful place, with enough joy to finish Sweet Adeline's most brilliant Christmas Stocking! Nothing like sewing for one of my little grandgirls to make me forget the silliness in my day to day.....

Do not let the Grinch of Circumstance rob you from your proper joy this season.....

Christmas Debustle

2011-12-05T11:29:00.001-05:00

This is the extent of my bustle these days.
Haven't done gift exchanges with the kids for years.
Hubby and I haven't exchanged gifts forever. We kinda like the ongoing, through the year, surprise you big time gifting.
This year, the bustle has quieted to some hours on the Internet searching for the right, green, local, organic gifties for the grandgirls. The other time is spent in the sewing room making sure each one of the girls has a Mimi Made gift and ornament.
This extra time is a gift for me. Time to appreciate time with friends. Time to reflect on the source of the celebration. Time to appreciate the talents of others.

Last year, we started a Pink Tree Tradition. Little pink trees have been purchased for each of the grandgirls. We decorate each one with symbolic things of the little girls past year. This year, we have a Mary Poppins tree, complete with a vintage Mary doll and lots of Mimi made kites. A Happy Meal penguin from 1999 and a little pin that says 'lets go fly a kite' completes Miss Vivs theme this year. She is quite the Poppins fan. Last year was a Sea Booty (translated: Sleeping Beauty) tree due to her infatuation with the classic movie.
Lil' Lady's tree has sparkly royal blue ball ornaments,her favorite color. She has some of her mama's ornaments to complete the look. BG ordered lots of crocheted snowflakes this year for her home and Mimi got addicted and used up a whole skein of yarn for all three trees. Our latest pink tree has some of her daddy's ornaments, her initial ornament and blocks and the sweetest snuggle bunny ornament. This December 16, we shall find out if Mimi and Papa will be buying another pink or...dare I say it....a BLUE tree for next year??!!

This past years redo in the living room screamed for new Christmas decorations. Something simple. Something turquoise. Something in keeping with the New Look. Think I found it....

Years ago, Kindred Spirit's daughter, Emily (The Fashion Designer) made these fabu ( a word I first heard from her!) Christmas Stockings for me. Made from vintage sheets and just the right colors, you'd think she was positively clairvoyant, seeing my turquoise/orange/yellow Christmas needs years ago. The size will be perfect for the Grandgirlies toys.

In case you have noticed an absence of a big tree, you are absolutely astute. Since this is the year that all the chickies spend with their other families, Hubby and I will be on our own and we just didn't see the need to put up the big tree. We shall enjoy our little pink trees and what they mean to us and save our energies for other fun Christmas projects and people.

Last night, during a Mad Men a thon with Hubby, I made the felt ornaments for the girl's trees. On the way to and back from church yesterday, I finished up the crocheted snowflakes, courtesy of Attic24.

http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/crochet-snowflake.html (can you see Lil Lady's dolly to be peeking around the snowflakes? Her First Birthday is two days following Christmas.)

And after a year or so of working on Pretend Granddaughter Sara's Big Girl Quilt, I am finally at the point to do the yarn tying......PGS is an animal lover, particularly doggies, so I don't even think she'll mind the Miss Dixie popped into the photo shoot...

Hoping you're taking the time to drink in the wonder of this season.....

Every Thing Old is New Again: Leftovers and Such

2011-11-29T12:34:00.001-05:00

Just this week, Baby Girl made a rather revealing statement to me. She says, 'Mom, you are the Queen of Leftovers! ' While this appears to be a dubious distinction, I did take it for what is was worth and have reflected on it since.

It appears that raising a family of six with one income and an agoraphobic wife/mother, has made me somewhat of a Meal Designer Extraordinaire by default. I never really thought of it as special, but in these days of frugality and using what you have, perhaps my day has come.

For instance, this is what I prepared for the past week for my visitors:

Enchiladas - leftover meat turned into chili days later
Thanksgiving Dinner: Stuffed Turkey Breast - turned into eggrolls; Root Vegetable Gratinata- turned into a chicken casserole; steamed broccoli - turned into broccoli/cheddar soup; Sweet potatoes/squash -turned into creamy sweet potato soup; homemade crescent rolls- added to almost every meal throughout the weekend
Devon's Birthday Spaghetti -( nuthin leftover (sorry Dev)
Chicago Style Pizza a la America's Test Kitchen
Roast Beef Wraps to serve with the Broccoli/Cheddar Soup, thanks to deli RB

Baby Girl and I agreed that if your larder has been adequately supplied with the basics, you can put together a meal quickly utilizing what you have on hand. So you ask, 'What is an adequately supplied larder? ' Well, I'm glad you asked. I would get a bit twitchy if I did not have the following in my pantry.

boullions of all kind; vegetable, beef, chicken
assorted condiments: ketchup, mustards, soy sauce, worcestshire
oils (olive, canola, Crisco)
flours and sugars
vinegars
frozen rolls (okay, technically not in my pantry)
assorted spices of all kinds
pasta of all varieties (including egg noodles)
assorted canned vegetables and fruits
Nutella. seriously. Drop in guests can be treated with Nutella on apples or grahams.
Oatmeal
assorted rices (brown, long grain and instant kinds)
beans of all kinds: kidney, canellini, chick peas, butter etc. etc.
dried milk (I know. Would not drink the stuff straight but comes in handy for sauces when the last drop of milk has just been used)
cheeses (in the fridge, BTW)
all canned tomato products
canned mushrooms
potatoes, onions, sweet potatoes, turnips, parsnips
canned bamboo shoots and water chestnuts

And this is just the dry portion of the larder.

Keep in mind, that most leftovers can be divided into several categories:

savory (cream sauces and soups)
mexican (adobo sauce, cumin, cilantro, cayenne, paprika, chili powder)
italian (basil, oregano, rosemary, garlic, parmesan)
asian (soy sauce, paprika, garlic, red pepper flakes)
other ethnic

If you possess one of these in one form, with a little help, it can become something else almost without anyone notice. Few noticed that my chili meat had previously been known as the yummy enchiladas we all enjoyed a few days before. Many a leftover spaghetti dinner has been magically turned into a baked pasta before you can say freezer burn. And the most magical of all, when leftover any meat becomes....TA DA! Authentic Eggrolls!!

Add your larder with a fresh supply of veggies and fruits each week and you are set.

Back in my young mama days, Hubby did ALLLLLLL the shopping (see above mentioned agoraphobia). Back then, he was known as Frugal Fred and he would give all the coupon clippers a run for their money. That man could squeeze a grocery budget dollar dry. He knew how to shop and pack at Aldi's like a pro. He was aware of end cap scams. He knew that it was senseless to use coupons for things you don't need/use just to 'save money'. He knew that the things you really could use, rarely had coupons and you just shopped sales. Hubby did all the grocery shopping on one trip. Once a week. We DID NOT go to the store other than the appointed day/night. If we did not have it , we made do or did with out. We did have an extra freezer so it is safe to say that we were not deprived. And I have to say that it made me the creative cook I am today. I cooked what was brought to me and that was it. Every now and then, after perusing a magazine and finding an exceptional recipe, I would jot the needed items on my list, and wait for grocery day. If it wasn't on the list, it was not purchased. No spontaneous purchases only the really good deals that might not have been advertised. Before you think that Hubby was trained by the Gestapo, let me just say that with all my grumbling and complaining, in hindsight, I think that it was a brilliant way to do things. Like I said, Single Income Family. It could not have happened if I was in charge of groceries. Oh, the things that I would have drug home. Thank you Lord for agoraphobia. It reigned me in properly.

Speaking of lists: Do you have a Grocery List Location? Secret to successful shopping. You need to keep an ongoing, running tab of all the things that you just used the last of. Three more teabags? On the list. Somedays, I might be off on one of my benevolent visits and Hubby gets a hankerin to do groceries. No need to wonder what the little lady needs; it's there on The List where it always is. I return home and voila! Needed groceries are in their proper place! Install the habit of ongoing grocery list making.

Since the chickies have all flown, the Hubby and I are a bit looser on the grocery visits. I have been known to now run into the local for Just One Thing. Hubby still gets a bit nuts about that, but since our abode is in a small town now with the grocery just a bit away, he can't pull the 'Save Gas' line of the past. However, we still buy up the deals as they happen, meat wise. He has been known to buy round steak or rump roasts by the half dozens or more. Boneless skinless chicken breast on sale, reminds us on to buy more freezer bags for dividing the deals, usually in 10 pound packages, into Empty Nester proportions.

Now that I have pridefully boasted about the amazing skills in the kitchen that I possess, I suppose I should invite you to drop in on me sometime and have me show you my culinary stuff.

And that's just what I'll do.....

Drop on in anytime for a meal.....

Or Nutella on graham crackers.....

Full Heart sigh

2011-11-28T16:37:00.001-05:00

Not many words today.
Heart is imploding and lots of sighs are expending but words just fall short.

Having a house full of my favorite people just does a number on this very very very very thankful Mimi.

Making food for my sweeties always takes me over the top. Listening to their conversations while I saute and bake keeps a smile on my face for days.

Taking part in my grands first holidays darn near takes me over the edge, emotionally. Observing that I do indeed have the most adorable in laws ever, seals the deal.

The transformation of the quiet little house to crazy, hectic party home tickles me like nothing else.

Running the dish washer three times a day makes me laugh at what it must be thinking. Wondering how four dozen eggs, innumerable loaves of bread, gallons of tea and juice and never mind the pounds of butter that were ingested and enjoyed, could have disappeared, makes me giggle.

Pretty sure my muscles groups that seldom carry little ones, are thinking that I've lost my mind. Pretty sure I have. And my heart. Many times over.

Remembering the joy of pretend play as Papa, Unca Joco and Pretend Cousin Sara played Daddy, Mommy and baby horsies with Miss Viv for hours......

We even had two courageous men head out to Black Friday to score some deals....

In keeping of the competitive and wacky spirit of gaming in this household, a trophy was awarded the high points of some video game that involved unicorns and rainbows. I think. All we know that Miss Viv's Mommy horse was sacrificed for the honor of becoming the trophy. I told you; things get strange around here.

On Sunday afternoon, after four days of wonderful camaraderie, lots of food and laughter and baby holding, my adorable guests searched the house for their belongings and added some things as well and packed their cars well as they headed off to their real lives, far away from this Mimi....... The silence was deafening as the house sighed in contemplation as to just what went on.

So as we head off to the Merry Month of December, let us carry in our hearts the warmth of our relationships and the priorities of family and friends.
And may we be kind - as if at the end of the Christmas Season, we shall receive a trophy as dandy as the one that was fashioned out of my sewing room this past weekend by Baby Girl's Hubby....

My dear children: I love you more than my luggage.....

When the Chickies Come Home to Roost

2011-11-21T16:29:00.001-05:00

Most times, I have accepted that having the privilege of having my grown up babies nearby, close or neighborly, is just a dream. But every now and then, we all get the moment, the day, the, dare I say it: A Span of Days, where we all get to breathe the same air, be under the same roof, share a table.

This type of gift is a rare blessing and is fodder of a multitude of pre event texts, regaling the wonders of all of us being able to Be Together.

I Homeschooled my children for eleven+ years. They were with me day and night, in season and out of season for most of their time in our home. I clucked and supervised and nosed around their lives, welcomed or not, for as long as they lived under our roof. Not quite a Hovering Mom, but certainly 'involved'.

But.

Once they flew the coop, that was it. I let them fly and roam and pursue their lives, loves and interest with barely a phone call. Honest. Ask them. Barely call, usually text, email or Facebook. We visit when we can but normally, we wait to be invited, wait for them to call when it is convenient and thoroughly enjoy our time with them when it all lines up. I rationalized that if I was vigilant when they were under my care, then once they left, I would have little to say about the goings on in their Adult Lives.

I make no opinions unless called upon and even then, I make it short and sweet.

They are, after all, adults. Always my babies, but also their own selves with their very own lives and I shall not butt in.

So.

When they come home, I rejoice. I plan and plot and dream of what to feed them, what to entertain them with, how can I squeeze out the time we have together to its maximum potential, so that when they leave to their individual lives, I have the memories and the grand satisfaction of dropping in on their lives for a fragment of time.

This past month, I have squirreled away recipes, reviewed old favorites, cleaned like the Queen is coming for a visit, made sleeping arrangements to suit all our New Members (ie. grandgirls!) and in general, bask in the wonder of who my children are.

So as I make my yeast rolls and freeze them for the day, as I cook the cushaw for the pie that I so enjoy, as I procure a boneless turkey breast for the amazing Stuffed Turkey Breast recipe that was such a hit last year, as I stump the cashier at the amount of rutabagas purchased for the Root Vegetable Gratinata with Cream and Fontina, as I search for the hidden frozen gooseberries purchased at the Farmer's Market just for this week, as I finish sewing projects to gift them, my heart is indeed full.

And quite honestly, with Guests like these two lovely girlies, wouldn't you be.....?

Whether your home hosts one or the thirteen or fourteen that shall be upon us, enjoy them, tell them you are proud of them and always rejoice......

The Happiest of Thanksgiving to you...

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

2011-11-15T16:14:00.001-05:00

As you know, I celebrate by birthday all month long. Why not?
I embrace my years, thankful for all the mistakes I've made in my life and the lessons learned from them. Thankful, indeed, and quite celebratory that I managed to survive in spite of myself. So, it was off to do what I do in November- Have Fun.

I started off the rather long weekend by seeing to it that I had time with Faithful Friend. We go to Salem Indiana to share a dinner at 'our' favorite restaurant: christiesonthesquare.com They let us stay there for hours, enjoying their atmosphere and not charging us rent for the lengthy amount of time that we park ourselves. Their Cobb Salad was huge enough for next nights dinner, (as well as the Tiramusu dessert. Yum). Good time.

The photo on top shows that I include work in the mix. My work is an amazing blessing and thrill for me so it can barely be counted as 'work'. This past weekend, by friendship with Rabbit Rita ritabunny.com took me to Louisville, Kentucky, in the wee hours of the morning, to help RR with a private showing preview for the holidays. Early, early up and helping set up in the darkness of Saturday morning, fuels my adrenalin, not drain it. I borrow off her abundant energy and learn through her long years of creating and sharing with the masses. It was a jolly good exhaustion when the Rabbitmobile dropped me off at my residence a good twelve hours later.

Sunday morning found me packing for my next Birthday Event: visiting Sweet Sharon in Jasper Indiana. SS used to live down the street from me and she is missed. Her birthday is in early December so we make it a point to share some time somewhere between the two dates to celebrate the wonders of us and our own quirky sense of humor.

This visit was particularly memorable because I got to help her nearly thirteen year old granddaughter with the wonderful joy of sewing. Sewing Stephanie asked for a sewing machine for Christmas last year and she has been want for some direction since then. It was a joy to witness this young lady view the wonder of piecing two squares of material together to make something that you can declare that you made! SS was a natural! She took charge of her machine like a pro and the more instruction I've gave, the more she embraced it and ran with it. I love to kindle the spark. I believe we have not heard the last from this budding creator....

Sweet Sharon pursued on in our quest for a swell visit....We shopped at a country fabric store in a huge pole barn yet with fabric for all types of sewing. fabrichideaway.com. We played games (ones that SS made up and changed rules as we went along). We watched a movie and DVR'd shows. I knitted and quilted. SS made wonderful meals and I slept like the dead.

A wonderful respite for this crazed woman of much busyness. Sweet Sharon's lovely home and generous hospitality, fueled my creative juices for new work in the weeks to come. I got the chance to slow down my movement so that I could plan and prepare in a neutral territory with no obligations, for nearly 48 hours. Pure balm for a busy mind and body.

Sweet Sharon is one of the most humorous people I know. She's one of those ladies that can get you in much trouble because no one expects the silliness that she exudes to come from such a lovely woman. From me, yes, but not my most wonderful of friends. Her proper exterior belies her crazy sense of humor. We Get each other. And I am ever so thankful for her friendship and laughter in my life.

Thank you dear friend.....

Please; be a respite for someone today.......

Old Blazer; New Hip Bag!

2011-11-09T16:30:00.000-05:00

I look at all cloth as a potential something than what it is. I walk through Goodwill and see fabric,not clothing. I see tablecloths or place mats or curtains and think, 'what else can I make this?'

Same goes with my closet. Today, I asked Hubby, 'Do you have any corduroy that you're not using?' He does not think this is strange. He has been answering obtuse questions like this for nearly 40 years. He just goes to his closet and looks around.

Youngest Son wouldn't think of throwing out used clothes. He brings too small sweaters and well used pants into my sewing room, knowing for a fact that he will see them again, transmogrified into something else.

So when this old blazer at St Vincent de Paul's Thrift Shop hopped into my hands, no one with me thought, 'Hmm Deb. A bit dated huh? A bit too big?' Nope. They knew that I would bring it home, cannibalize it by removing buttons, pockets and yes, even labels (I collect them too) pop it into a steamy hot washer and equally hot dryer and wait for it to become an extremely felted wool, just waiting to be a crossover/hip bag for some lovely person.

The breast pocket was just dandy and I knew that I had to utilize it's handiness. I cut long strips out of the back panels for the extra long straps. Searched my stash for the right vintage button. Even used some old blouse material for the lining. A true repurposing manifesto.

Always donate your cast offs to charity. However, if there is a piece that you just have trouble parting with, consider transforming it into something else useful to elongate your loving relationship with that particular item. You will be quite pleased with yourself.

Birthday Bliss

2011-11-04T17:06:00.001-04:00

The day dawned clear and deeply blue, setting off the last of the autumn color.

Wait a minute. No it didn't. Rainy and cold, it was a perfect day for me. I love rainy days. No dog walking first thing or urgency to go anywhere other than a different spot on my mattress. Hubby agreed.

Once I did join the conscious, I skipped downstairs to find a brightly colored gift on my front door knob. This was the second time this week this has happened. It could become a habit for me. I like it. Editor Friend left a most jolly gift yesterday and Sweet Sharon completed her yearly habit of leaving my gift first thing in the morning. The tradition started many years ago when as an elementary teacher, she would be off to work before the crack of dawn. Like a small child, I would sometimes smile to myself as I, half asleep, would hear her car pull away from my curb after accomplishing her delivery. For some lonely birthdays, this was such a blessing to me. This year, since she lives miles away from me now rather than the convenience of down the block, she had Birthday Fairies deliver the yearly surprise.

Monday morning, Pretend Daughter Emily came for her regular breakfast visit. This time, we shared lunch rather than breakfast and she blessed me with a lovely fall bouquet. She is a November Gal as well and we shall do her birthday next week. November People stick together.

As you can see, the flowers went well with some of my other gifts: Chocolate Iced Chocolate Brownies, Extremely cool vase from Sweet Sharon and more chocolate from Crazy Dee. My friends know me.

Crazy Dee had called earlier this week to reserve me for The Actual Day. She did not allow Hubby to come with. She is crazy that way. CD did take me to my favorite spot for lunch and brought a BIG bag of wonderful, me-like gifts to celebrate. She knew she better. When I am by myself in her kitchen, I tend to place 'reminders' on her planning calendar. I conveniently let her know how many shopping days are left till the Big Day. Nice of me, yes? Do not worry. She is worse about her birthday than I am about mine. We have a good time out doing each other.

On the way home from lunch, in the midst of pouring rain, a lone garage sale was taking place in a wee little town. Lots of fabric and the most wonderful milk pitcher and matching tea pot. These type of kismetian opportunities are special little kudos from God. Only God could have arranged that sale on this day in that community. In the rain. And cold. And I do believe I might have been the only one that went to it. I did wake up the 'proprietor' in her van as I knocked on the door of the rented space that was the garage sale door. I have the most fun.

After I was home for awhile, the doorbell rang. Huzzah! Another gift! Neighbor Natalie brought by her Little Neighbor Meisa, to give me a vintage Coca Cola sign! I was very touched by her acknowledging My Day. And this year, I didn't even have a sign in the yard! Extraordinary!

I had a bit of time before Youngest Son escorted me to our local Mexican Restaurant for supper. The rain was turning colder and I turned to one of birthday presents for a little warmth. Earl Grey Lavender Tea sounded just right.

After festive feasting with YS, I came home to wrap my mind around my new dining room curtain material. A day off of other people's work, I indulged myself by measuring, cutting and making the curtain and cutting out more for cushions.

The hours of the evening ticked on while I wrapped up the day reading my Facebook wishes and counting myself well blessed by the incredible people in my life.

So here's to year Fifty Eight!
May I do it justice!!

[Postscript: Next Day: One beautiful sculpted angel for my creche crafted and created by Rabbit Rita! A post unto itself! Birthday Brownies received in the mail from the consistently amazing Most Loving Friend. I receive brownies for most life occasions from her: birth, bereavement, birthday, bed and breakfast jaunts etc etc. She is swell. Sigh.]

WIPS*- Personal Best

2011-10-29T20:30:00.000-04:00

(* Works In Progress)

In the 60's, before Attention Deficit Disorder had an official name, children like me were just called names like 'flibbertijibits'. I was the child that could not sit still. I frustrated teachers and wore out my parents. My pencils were the smallest in the class due to the countless trips to the pencil sharpener. I was the Teacher's Helper who insisted on passing out papers. If I had to sit still, I had to have something to draw or write on, a practice that continues to this day. However, what was unfortunate for a little girl in a very structured Parochial school, where the nuns walked the small aisles of our over heated, over crowded classrooms, Ruler of Correction ready in their eager hands, has turned into quite the bonus for a crafty mama with business on her mind.

To add to the benefits, I have also discovered that I need less sleep these days. Post menopause has afforded me with extra energy and shorter nights. This elderly flibbertijibbit can oft times be seen up and wondering with her pads of paper in the wee hours of the night, plotting, planning and writing, always writing.....

I have several note pads on my bed side table, http://sonowiknow.blogspot.com/2010/05/importance-of-having-bedside.html, that help me organize my night time brain. The nights that the ol grey matter will just not shut down, the nearby pen and paper helps me to organize my rushing thoughts and helps me to plan my day, week, month, year. Just the other night, the pen had to take over when the brain just had too much to process. I started thinking about the holiday season forthcoming and my thoughts just kept bumping into each other. Once I started listing all the things that are on my agenda for this next month, even I was amazed. How in the world did I get all this on my plate? And who would of thought that I would be this excited at the prospect of accomplishing it all? These kind of lists do not overwhelm me. They amaze me. How did I get to this point? And who knew that it would all roll out like this? I rejoice at the ability to do what I do. I am overjoyed at sewing/creating for people. It just kinda rolls out of me and I am tickled to be able to share my time and talent with others.

Let us review this weeks list:

I have bought yarn for my first knitting project. It will be for whomever it fits once it is completed. Could be a child of Miss Viv's for all I know. But I shall count it as a wondrous opportunity for growth in so many ways. I believe understanding knitting will aid me in many ways on my crafty adventures.
I have a crocheted afghan to finish for fireside this winter. Started it last year whilst helping Baby Girl with her spanking new Baby Girl. BGBG is now 10 months old. Whats the rush?
I have hand embroidery always at the ready. The hour and half drive to the Big(ger) City, finds me in the co pilot seat, with embroidery floss or pearl cotton flying away, busily creating pockets for my custom bags.
I have a new grandbaby due come the merry month of May. I have a quilt top to quilt before then. Another car trip project. I also have another quilt nearly finished for Pretend Granddaughter Sara. I would love to have this finished before Christmas. Or at least before she goes away to college.....
The living room makeover of last spring is spreading throughout the house. Before Thanksgiving, when all the chickies shall roost, there shall be new curtains and cushions in the dining room. I hope.

I have twelve bags on order. Twelve. I LOVE this. But they must get done this month. This Shall Be Accomplished.
I have Christmas Banners to make for Rabbit Ritahttp://www.ritabunny.com/Welcome.html and her festive holiday booths and my etsy shop. etsy.com/shop/mamascollection
Second Grade Teacher Angela has recruited me to aid in her quest to feature her class tree at a holiday Fantastia; a Christmas Tree auction where groups decorate trees to be auctioned off for charity. This too, shall be accomplished this month.

So those of you that are bothered by your own flibbertijibbit,please be patient with her/him. As annoying as it is in childhood, it is the person

that will get things done for you as an adult. We are the caregivers, the doers, the movers the shakers, the multi crafters....

Take that, Sister Alverna!!

The Mother of All Deep Dish Pizzas

2011-10-21T16:44:00.001-04:00

Simple ingredients; complex instructions.
Common food; uncommon taste.
In my nearly 58 years of pizza snarfing, I do believe I have, just today, consumed the best pizza ever. Big ol' claim and I can substantiate this broad statement with a qualified taste test of the most delicious kind.

No simple pie, this.
The recipe, snatched from my favorite food program, Country Cooks on PBS, is pretty incredible and a bit Type A. Hubby loved the detail. I tolerated it, trusting good old Christopher Kimball, host of CC, to not fail me. I have tried several American Test Kitchen recipes and was very impressed with the quality, so, I pursued

on with all the details, just to be able to reap the harvest of superior pizza..

Cook's Country usually comes on around 1:00am for us, about the time Hubby gets home from work. The other night, I was nearly asleep when I heard them announce the program center piece- Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza. In my sleepy haze and with my eyes closed, I listened as Christopher and his side kick describe just why this pie was superior than most. Before long, I was propped up with my salivary glands wide awake. By the time they were taste testing it, I wanted to run downstairs and begin my pie.

I waited till today and I must say, that the hype was purely true.
The best crust, the mellowest taste ever. Melt in your mouth wonderful. Hubby was silent in his admiration. Youngest Son, Pizza Cult member, agreed with the most amiable groans as the mozzarella melted in his mouth.

The secret to this wonder crust is 'laminating' the dough. I know. I had no idea what they were talking about. And I wondered how you could roll dough 'dry'- without any additional flour. This step is usually what makes pizza dough tough. Who knew?

Once the dough has risen, it is rolled out, spread with butter (!) then rolled up jelly roll fashion, then split in half. Each half is folded in thirds then seamed and placed into a squarish ball. Then into the fridge so the butter can get cold before the last roll out. See? Told you it got a bit tedious. But in a fun kind of way.

Two cups of mozzarella. NO meat. NO vegetables. (The cook was adamant about this. Said veggies belong in a salad; not in her pizza) Yes Ma'am. The sauce that you make while the first dough rise is absolutely perfect. Clean taste. Perfect accent to the dough. Fresh Parmesan topping and in the oven it goes.

For a l-o-n-g twenty minutes........

But oh soooooooo worth it.......

One piece was all that was needed for this 1200 calorie gal. And that was all I needed. A salad topped off the amazingness as I slowly ate bite after luscious bite....

If the complexity of the recipe scares you off, consider hosting a pizza party where every one can pitch in. All gatherings will have at least one type A in attendance, and he/she can keep you on task.

Make sure you copy this recipe http://www.americastestkitchen.com/recipes/detail.php?docid=21349&extcode=M**ASCA00.
Make sure you try at least one superlative Chicago Style Deep Dish pizza in your lifetime.

Just don't take mine.......

Buon appetito!!

mamascollection's photostream

2011-10-18T23:17:00.001-04:00

mamascollection's photostream on Flickr.

A Beary Good Costume Idea!

2011-10-13T10:48:00.000-04:00

In my life as an artsy-fartsy medium income mama, I have made some pretty interesting costumes. Some years, we could go all out and actually buy material for four children's costumes. Most years, we made do with what we could scrounge around my fabric stash. Usually those costumes are the most memorable because of the level of involvement of the creative brain cells contained inside my head. I'm now in my second generation of this type of costume production. And I love it.....

This year, Baby Girl gave me the challenge of coming up with a Three Bears Costuming for her Baby Girl, Her Hubby and the precious, precocious Lil Lady. In LL's pre born days, she was known as Baby Bear, so it only seemed fitting that her first costume foray, should be bear related.

I began by going through my old sweater bin. These are sweaters that have fallen out of style, favor and size but are just really too good in quality or color to let them go completely. I recently made purse out of one and have made stuffed owls and pillows with others. Sadly, no good color of bear brown to be found.

Very fortunate to have a visit with the Three Bears and that included a Goodwill visit to hunt out some bear hide. No sooner had we walked in the door, when Hubby, BG and I scored enough brown sweaterage to outfit the whole bear family nicely. Thank you, once again, Goodwill.

Baby Girl found a very girly, lacy kind of brown sweater, perfect for mama bear. Added to the ensemble, was a vintage gingham apron gifted from Most Loving Friend that very weekend. Providential. Her Hubby has a very Mr. Roger's type sweater to go with his nice little newsboy cap with ear flaps and properly outfitted with bear ears. Baby Girl's curly locks will be set off with her bear ear's headband. Positively adorable.

Lil Lady's costume started out as a very stretchy, very soft veloury type of sweater. I grabbed a sweater that fits her fine now as a template to cut out the main body and arms. After tucking in the sleeves of the sweater, I used the shape left as a pattern for the body. Before stitching together, I used some soft wool that BG had lying around (family trait) and made a most fuzzy belly for Baby Bear. I blanket stitched to the body piece for a comical, fantasy look. The sweater was a small so I used the sleeves as, well, sleeves, for Baby Bear. I laid out the sleeves in her functioning sweater on the bear sweater and cut out a copy. Two actually. Sewing the main body parts together on the sides and teeny shoulders, I now had two armholes to set in the sleeves. This all was sewed by hand for several reasons, one being that we were just too lazy to get out her sewing machine and set it up. The other reason is that machine sewing on very stretchy knit can be a bit of a challenge without proper equipment which I did not bring with. Sewing by hand made me more mobile in her small apartment with nosey, nine month old hands nearby. And remember, this is a costume so it does not have to be perfect; it just has to hold up for one night. Sewing costumes is excellent sewing practice for that very reason. Whaddya got to lose, right?

By the end of the evening, everyone had bear ears, Lil Lady had a very soft, beary nice costume with Her Mama adding brown leggings, an adorable little layered brown skirt and, of course, she already had a bear hat. I was on a roll and making shoe covers for her oxfords with soft woolly paw bottoms just seemed necessary. Since the sweater was so stretchy, she bearly(!) noticed that we tried the top on for the fitting. And with all the fawning over the adorableness of it all, she couldn't help being very giddy and taken with herself.

Could you blame her?
I could bearly stand the cuteness of it all......

Take a chance with costume making this Halloween. What fun you'll have messing with material and winging the sewing! Good practice and a whole lot of fun!

Right, Lil Lady??!!

Spoofin' Supreme

2011-10-03T17:34:00.001-04:00

The planets lined up.
The weather was perfect. I mean perfect.
The dog was kenneled.
Our bags were packed.
Our car, Sharky, was scheduled for it's routine maintenance for a proper spoof.
We departed in a timely fashion for an amazing weekend, full of family, festivities and LOTS of wonderful deals.

The weather decided to turn to that coolish daytime/cold night time of loveliness following a most beastly hot summer.
Sharky has proper climate adjustments so we just adjusted accordingly and comfied in for the long trip to our original hometown.

I believe the Yard Sale gods smiled hardily upon these Autumnal Travelers and there was a proper amount of sales on the winding state routes between here and there.

Sharky has a big trunk for the finds. By the time we meandered home days later, Sharky was full up, nearly bursting with our wonder treasures.

It is a good thing to pack a good project for busy hands to content themselves while the miles pass. We like to bring along a particularly interesting audio book to fill in between conversations. It aids the quilting process.

Hubby loves the sales more than he would like to admit. He seeks them along the road as I quilt/crochet/knit/embroider, points out details that I miss, pulls out his wallet and then carries the twelve point buck to the car. What a guy.

Our sojourn took a stop at the wonderful digs of Oldest Sister's lovely new home. She parted with her comfy bed for two nights. She also managed to organize a huge subdivision wide sale for us. While we waited for her to arrive from a visit to her nearby VA hospital with her Lovely Hubby, my Hubby and I scoured the sales for some nice, upscale clothing for the grandgirls. She did take credit for the sale, but I believe it was truly the Yard Sale gods again.....

Could you imagine a better, more gorgeous day for an outdoor wedding than what Springfield Illinois experienced last Saturday? Sapphire deep blue skies, breezes that only early fall can provide and sunshine aplenty just for the sheer joy of it. Sitting with Hubby's multitudinous siblings, I was reminded again that to be a part of a large family, (Hubby is 5 of 10) is indeed a glorious thing. Knowing all the history that has passed in all our lives, we still manage to come together like it was yesterday. Comforting.

When we do gather for Hometown Occasions, we make it our habit to go to the cemetery to visit Mom and Dad. We stand around and chat, much like we did when we visited their home. Then, Dad would be quietly playing solitaire at the dining room table, smiling over the din, while Mom desperately tried to get a word in edgewise, while the chaos of our offspring bounded throughout their well worn home.

We stood nearby their headstones and cracked jokes about our current conditions and some historical anecdotes about each of the parental units, now in their eternal reward. Strangely fun.

Between the raucous 'younger' music and our Family dance to 'We are Family' and 'Celebration', including the sister in the walker, we managed to talk each other's ears off. Lots of stories and plans were made in those fun moments at the reception.

It's never an official trip 'home' until we've done the tour of our homes: The one Hubby was raised in and the ones we occupied as newly weds. Always, we go by Gabatoni's, the pizza place that Hubby worked at when we started dating and then when we first married. Hubby still makes the glorious Italian Beefs that he cooked at that small Italian restaurant back in the day. The pizzas there are the best and the one that we measure all other pizzas by. Nearly 40 years later, the pizza we shared this lovely fall night, was the same as the pie that we would order, many years ago, at the walk up window and carry home to his parents house nearby and eat on the porch swing. We were so full of memories that night we nearly choked on the emotion.

Sunday wanted to show off to Saturday. If the weather hadn't made the day, Big Sis wakes us up for the most amazing breakfast. Ever. We drifted out to Niece Lisa's home. Hubby caught a fish and soaked up atmosphere . Just spending time with Lovely BIL on the deck was treat enough. The rest was icing.

When all the goodbyes were said and hugs and promises were made for future visits, we climbed in to a very full Sharky and headed southeasterly toward home. We continued on with our book and my quilting until the crescent moon rose in the sky and our tummies reminded us to eat.

Stopping at the Blue Door in Greencastle to refuel for the evening, we sighed and reflected and reminisced.

And we thanked God for the Spoofin Extraordinaire Weekend that had just taken place.

Amen.

Festival Wind Up

2011-09-26T14:19:00.000-04:00

While the Persimmon Festivities carry a broad scope, around my house, these days, it revolves around Food, Family, Fun, Friends and Fotos. (!) These days, my only contribution to the community effort is taking vast advantage of the multitudinous yard sales and the daily opportunity to schmooze with the locals at The Methodist's and Baptist's luncheon cafes and seeing to it that the Local Photographers have a place to properly share their talent and be judged by their peers.

While I prepared for weekend, with it's grandbaby and pretend grandbaby visits, I puttered in my sewing room, fabricating autumnal banners for Rabbit Rita's booth at the Chautauqua Festival in Madison Indiana http://www.madisonchautauqua.com/. Since I was on a roll, I created a banner for my fall mantel, anticipating all the fun activities that surround our fireplace in the upcoming season.

My mind kept focus on the daily tasks, whether it was overseeing the Photo Exhibit/Contest and tabulating votes or arranging menus to feed the dozen or so Festivalites that would filter through the days, working on reunion duties or helping at the Persimmon 5K http://persimmon5k.eventbrite.com/ or merely coming to see Grammy Deb and her toys.

Of course, the weather is usually fickle on this third week of September here in Southern Indiana....

..... but it is best to make a silk purse out of sows ear. Whether it is building the first fire in the fireplace to ward off the wet cold, or pulling on your boots that your wise mama packed for such a calamity as non stop rain, altering your attitude can make the worst weather positively glorious.

With good food, wonderful friends, and endearing family surrounding you, you can hardly go wrong.

Put up your umbrella, smile a lot and enjoy your week!!

For a special treat, here's the First Baptist Churches recipe for the ever popular:

Persimmon Pudding

2 cups persimmon pulp
2 cups sugar
2 lg eggs, beaten
1 tsp soda
1.5 cup buttermilk
1.5 cup flour
1/8 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup cream (milnot or half and half)
1/2 stick butter

Add sugar to persimmon pulp. Then add well beaten eggs, stirring well. Add soda to buttermilk and stir until foaming ceases. Add buttermilk to persimmon mixture and stir. Sift flour, salt and baking powder and add to persimmon mixture. Add vanilla, cinnamon and cream.. Melt butter in 9x13 pan. Add to persimmon mixture and mix well. Place mixture in the pan and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until done. ENJOY!!!

Little Lessons

2011-09-22T10:36:00.000-04:00

You know how most days begin: Your feet hit the floor and soon after your brain catches up with the goings on of the day. Your brain tries to absorb the details and duties while your eyes are still smarting from the light of day. And then there are those days where before you can flush, you are on overload. Too much info too fast can cause a brain freeze that is not too friendly to early morning. And thus it began this morning. But, as is so often in my life, I was to get a wuppin from the Lord.

I bounded down the stairs, phone and walking shoes in hand, eager to get this show on the road. My list of To Do's was rolling off the edge of the paper and I needed to get movin! As usual, while I put on my shoes, I check in to my window on my world via the Internet. Hubby, very clever in his subtleties, devised long ago a password to our computer that would keep things in perspective. He uses a word and number that would keep us accountable as we approach the great beast of computer land. I know this number as well as I know him. But today, as I entered the holy word, it was rejected. Frustrated as this loss of.....micro seconds......I regrouped and wondered what in the world I had done wrong. Soon, I realized that instead of the most proper word, I had used my own name. Smack. Yes; I got it immediately. I had put myself right where I certainly did not need to be. My foolish self, thinking I had anything to do with the outcome of this very day, thinking that I had any control over the seemingly 'important' agendas in my very small life, thinking that I was going to 'git er done' on my own volition. Ha.

Needless to say, after this very appropriate wuppin from the Lord, my walk went most differently. I adjusted my Me-Mobile to the So What is it YOU want me to do today, Lord, perspective and did I ever have the most lovely, peaceful, joy filled walk. The Gotta Do It Now thing got laid down to a more acceptable level and a time of thankfulness replaced the panic.

It was with new eyes, that I got to enjoy this early fall morning. I noticed the tiniest of details on miniature mushrooms on the edge of the road. At the abandoned trailer home of three children that I once had the pleasure of nurturing years ago, I received the gift of the beautiful primroses blooming amazingly in the midst of a yard full of overgrown weeds. My prayers burst forth in hope as I pictured their fractured lives blooming forth like these misplaced but incredibly healthy blossoms. The Lord gave me hope to my heavy heart over the current state of these children. My spirit soared as this secret message was given in the form of a flower that I could have easily overlooked had my mind been off kilter.

I wrapped up my walk passing by an empty house that has started to show it's neglect. The fence is being vandalized, picket by picket and the shrubs are overgrown. But there, in the cool autumn morning, are the most delightful new roses, newly refreshed from the drought by the gentle rainfall this week. No one has watered these roses for a long time except for.....Oh yes, the One that is in control......

What is your chaos today? Who is your peace?
Take a walk. Look for the details. And glory in the little lessons......

Festival Begins!

2011-09-17T18:47:00.000-04:00

Our 65th Annual Persimmon Festival began last night! A ball, a Candlelight tour in Spring Mill State Park, a road rally, a vesper service for the youth, all went on this weekend and that's just the beginning! Tomorrow the rides will be set up, exhibits registered and tons of behind the scenes procedures shall begin.
But today, I was all about the Community Wide Yard Sale Event.
I scanned signs and looked for houses with cars wrapped around them as I walked the doggies early in the morning. After scouting things out, I went home to collect Hubby, his cash and our beat up pick up truck, that we have just for this kind of day.

And we did good. Really, a turquoise and yellow tablecloth in very nice condition: .25.

Shanango china cups: .10 ea. Turquoise and olive green metal tray: .10 Round zippered patio tablecloth: 1.00 in original packaging. A generous yard of knit material perfect for my yoga top pattern: 1.00. LOTS of little girl clothing for all my little grandgirls....

Hall's Kitchenware Vintage bowl in my favorite blue with morning glories: .25. (It's chipped but so am I)

And the piece de resistence: a hand-pieced fan quilt top, made from the most delicious vintage fabrics: 10.00!!

See?!

Pretty dang cool.....

May the rest of the week be so fun!!

Weighty Issues

2011-09-14T16:46:00.000-04:00

I have many reasons and excuses why I gained 30 pounds ten years ago.

Wanna hear them?

Caregiving my dad took me from a three level home to a three room bungalow.
Dad was suffering from cancer related malnutrition and it was my job to fatten his 89 pound body to a more agreeable....100 pounds.
Cooking with fat and calories was no problem for me in my earlier skinny self. One day, as I was eating his breakfast of sausage links, home fries and scrambled eggs, it dawned on me that perhaps I should not be eating with him.
My wardrobe agreed.
Depression that can creep up on you during caregiving can alter cortisol. Dramatically.
Lack of exercise and medication due to # 5.
Becoming a bit south of 45.
Blah blah blah.

My Dad has been gone for eight years now. What took me so long to see that perhaps I am not in the best of shape, weight wise?

I like food.

I like to cook.

I like big family meals.

What I don't like is not knowing how to correct my seemingly healthy diet by being aware of the nutritional values and needs of each meal of the day. I often say that if someone just told me what to eat to maintain a healthy weight, I would do it in a heartbeat. Otherwise, I drift to cravings which ofttimes directed me to sadly inadequate nutrition.

That said, I would like to say, loudly: TA DA!!!!

Meet my new friend!

caloriecount.about.com

Well, well, well.

The most helpful diet helper that I have found.

No point counting.

No carb counting.

Everything, and I mean everything is done for you.

Food Log, Analysis, suggestion to complete your nutritional day in a wondrous way.

What have I learned:

At my 58 years and smallish frame, I only need 1200 calories per day!!! Not per meal, but per day!! Amazing!! Who knew??
A starlight mint has 60 calories.
Nuts, while being a great source of vitamins and minerals, is so full of fat that I can tip my allotment just by adding 1oz. to my morning cereal.
That I need only 6oz of OJ in the morning, not 12 oz. Can really wonky your sugar allotment.
That oatmeal (steel cut or old fashioned rolled) and blueberries can make a nice supper.
That spinach has so much lovely Vitamin A that it pleases my Vitamin A needs with one serving.
That this info is as close as your iPhone or android.
That after breakfast and lunch, I know exactly what I can eat for supper based on my 'analysis' and nutritional data. Yesterday, I knew it was an oatmeal/blueberry/banana supper. Tonight it's salad and spinach/tomato kinda night.
That I can eat Steak and Shake for lunch and not be too bad off, depending on the portions and what I need to eat for the other meal.
That my computer and the Internet continue to still awe me.

Stay Tuned as this weight saga continues. Feel free to compliment me if I start showing signs of success. And thank you for these past year not saying anything about my obvious weight gain. Well, okay two people were brave enough to say, 'Wow, Deb! Have you gained weight!!!' But they disappeared shortly after that.......

To good health and honest food logs!!

Rootin Tootin Teething Bibs!

2011-09-12T20:29:00.000-04:00

Kool Kortni has two little O's. Owen is a Big Brother who recently started PreSchool for the first time. Little Bro Oaklee is still the teeny baby brother that just stays near mama and these days, it appears, he is gearing up for some brand new toofies.

This event sent KK looking for some 'manly' bibs for her baby boy. Stumbling upon etsy's treasure trove (today, 945) of very macho bandanna bibs, she queried my Facebook page to see if I was up to trying this very easy and practical AND fashionable baby item. Always one to add another baby item to my repertoire, I gladly took this challenge on.

Eldest/Admin and I had loads of fun in JoAnne's in Cincinnati trying to find just the right shwanky fabric for the very stylish Little O.

Cowboys, robots, dinosaurs and cars and trucks........Does it get more guy-like?

Back this fun fabrics with some vintage gingham, add some elastic to make sure the bandany is snug around the widdo neck, slap some Velcro on the tabs.....
And you got a pretty cool way to collect all the droolys that occur when first teethies are a comin in!

Thanks KK for the opportunity to try out this new accessory for babies!!.

Precarious Perspective

2011-09-11T15:37:00.002-04:00

I listened to AM radio during the morning after my children went to school, a long ten years ago. I listened to get familiar with the area's going ons and to get used to names and locations that locals found easy to remember and know. I straightened up the kitchen after our morning's nutritional prep for the day. I would await news updates and weather reports before I would head to the nursing home to check on my dad. For two months, his broken hip and resolute spirit was repairing in a nearby nursing home and I visited at least two times daily to keep his mind engaged and entertained. That morning, I was particularly refreshed. The deep September sky and the hint of cooler days ahead, filled me with the energy it was going to take to care for my dad full time in as little as one week. I was positive and hopeful and as the autumn breezes swept through the house, I knew I could do it. I knew I could care for my dad despite all the internal warnings that were going off in my heart.

Who would have known that so many were going to pushed to their absolute limit, emotionally, physically, spiritually that very profound day?
Who knew so many cared for so many that they never met nor ever would had not this thing happened upon our soil?

The news was graphic, shocking, overwhelming. The news was unbelievable.
Should I contact my husband, who worked at a government armament facility? Swift emails were passed back and forth as long as they could before they were shut down for security reasons. Riveted to the two foot space in front of my television, the world became surreal and speaking out loud to myself seemed to reassure my panicked heart.

Selfish questions and concerns: My son was draft age. Surely a war would result from this horror. Would he be going? And who would we fight? Unknowns, unknowns; the worst fear.
Would my husband's arms producing facility be next?
My brother in law was a pilot for United Airlines. What was his shift? Where was he?
My children were in school in a small town hemmed around by the Hoosier National Forest. Surely, they were safe? Should I go get them?
Were any of us really safe?
Grabbing my keys, I went where I knew I needed to go.
I went to see my dad.

A veteran of World War II, a veteran whose silence about the horrors of war, spoke volumes about what I needed to know to handle this tragedy.

As I entered the nursing home, the obvious upheaval to the normal schedule was unsettling. The loudspeaker was turned up as reports of the horrid drama unfolded.
Veterans and wives of veterans pulled their wheelchairs into the hall to hear the details. Many, who had not understood every day life for some time, grasped that this was a memorable sadness and sought each other out for comfort and understanding.
I entered dad's room and found him riveted to the never on television in his room.
His voice stilled by age and illness, his eyes said it all.
His handkerchief dabbed at tears for our nations tragedy.
I held his thin hand as we watched the reports together. We stared silently and incredulously. I was wishing that my daddy would once again pull me on his lap and reassure me that everything was going to be all right, like he had so many times before.....
I looked into his sad eyes and asked him point blank, 'Dad, what do I do?' He knew. He had the right to tell me since he had paid a price that he still bore from the war that had imprinted on him sixty years before.

He said in his weak voice, 'Go home and put up our flags. Remember our nation and pray. Always.'

With that, I embraced him tightly, reassured him that it was going to be okay and that I would do what he told me.
I went home, placed our flag in it's holder and at his cottage and I remembered our nation and I prayed.

Ten years and nearly twenty flags later, I still remember his advice. The flag still flies on our front porch and I remember every time I notice it.

I look at the ten years and pray that in the experiencing of it, we all have grown and drawn closer to the only Hope that we have in the uncertain world.

Blessings on your soul as you reflect on this day......

Jesus/Church/Sunday

2011-09-04T15:34:00.000-04:00

Most Sundays, Hubby and I travel forty five minutes northward to church.
We do not feel like this is a burden or something to be ticked off our To Do list, but a genuine desire to intentionally set aside one day of our crazily busy week to honor and worship The Author of our lives. If we were to be honest in our self evaluation, we would deem it necessary to certainly commit more than the few hours in community worship and daily seeking time to cover our sinful selves.

We are not publicly linked to any one church in membership; our frenetic wandering lives keep us from that kind of commitment. We see the merit in many kinds of churches meeting many kinds of needs. In the thirty three years that I have publicly committed to Jesus Christ, I have attended quite a few different types of churches and found that I was where I needed to be for such a time as that in my life. For varied reasons, I was lead/directed/inspired to attend varied churches to get all that the Lord was to teach me in that particular location.

I see God's plan in creating the church. I see the blessed fellowship of the joining together of kindred hearts, lifting up praises to The One that got us through the week.. The One that created me. That loves me when I am quite unlovable. The One that saved me into eternity by sacrificing His Son for my sin, disgusting and proliferating as it is.
I know, I know, I know that I shall be in Heaven someday despite myself and my propensity for sinning and disappointing. I know that it has nothing to do with my 'goodness' or what I 'do', but everything to do with His holiness and His willingness to take my punishment. This is awesomely overwhelming to me. If Creation and Salvation from Hell was not enough, He sent His Spirit to strengthen, encourage, support, convict, comfort me while I put in time on this globe. How could I ever survive the onslaught of this earth without this mighty Triune, Holy, All Knowing, Perfect God?

Everything in my life points back to a Holy God. All that I have is from Him. Any talent, wisdom or knowledge comes directly from The One that wants me to know these things for His Greater Purpose that is completely unknown to me. If I indeed, did know it, I would be so full of myself and abilities that I would be pretty much ridiculous to know. He alone knows when to take me down a peg and how to do it. He alone knows how to show me the err of my ways and how to correct it. He alone cares enough to correct me.

In this world of vast belief systems, I choose God.
Amidst multitudinous religions, I choose to have faith in the fact that this universe has an orderly fashion ordained by The Only One that could have possibly planned it all. Anything else just simply takes more faith than I have.

I do so love Jesus.
I am thankful His awesome gift to my life.
For all our lives. Free and loving and non conditional and obtainable by all. He has given us instructions. We just have to decide if we are going to follow it.

Thank you Lord for helping me follow it and forgiving me when I don't.

Blessed Sunday to you....

'And if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things are gone, behold, the new has come.' 2 Corinthians 5:17

Adaptation

2011-09-01T16:13:00.002-04:00

Hubby had a Wild Hair on Sunday. He proposed, since Baby Girl and her Baby Girl had departed from their Delightful Spontaneous Visit and we were once again Empty Nesters, with no commitments, no expectations and no responsibilities, that we should go Spoofin. 'Spoofin' is defined (by us) as random meanderings with no real goal or destination, just goin' where the wind blows us.

Hubby has a few out of the way places left to explore since our arrival in Southern Indiana twelve years ago. He keeps this little pretend list in his brain for occasions such as this. This time, our meanderings led us to Hindostan Falls. This little burg was established in 1818 and build to a booming 1200 residents before The Great Sickness overtook the whole town in 1828 and wiped the population off the map. All that is left is the falls and eager fishermen on Sunday afternoons.

This Spoofin Adventure was different because Hubby asks me as we walk out the door, 'Don't you want to take Dixie with?' What, I say? What? Was that a post BGBG hallucination?? It is not a secret that my dear Hubby only shares space with a dog because he kinda likes me; NOT dogs. Miss Dixie, in her infinite wisdom, has taken to The Boss with such unashamed affection, that even a hard nose Dog Disliker like Hubby had to melt his winter chill towards the little Jack Russelly imp. To the drastic point of asking her to accompany us on a Spoofin Adventure. Very rare. Very.

When I came across the tree in the above photo near the Falls, the word 'Adaptation' came to my mind and stuck like glue. I stared and stared and took countless photos of this crazy tree clinging so confidently to the very edge of the river bank. I wondered at the decision that this tree made to hang on instead of falling over into the rolling river below it. I wondered at the source of nutrition that kept it alive for a very large amount of years. It seemed impossible for it to be able to hang on given the positioning, but there it was. Content and green and very tall. It had adapted.

And then I looked at Hubby hanging on to Miss Dixie's leash. Well. What a very long way he had come to reach the point where he was content to bring along the formerly irritating noisy terrier and embrace her as a suitable companion with his sweetie on a Sunday Afternoon. He adapted.

Miss Dixie has done some adapting herself. Instead of protecting me like a Rottweiler, she is now content to give warning barks to those who step into a three feet radius around me and then, when you are approved, she will let you pet her. Her barking, which has been known to wake the dead, is not quite as urgent and intense. She is adapting.

Soon, ol' Hubby and I will be making many adjustments as we approach Retirement Day.
As we watch more vigilantly our budgets, our time, our health. We will save up for fuel to visit our Faraway Grandchildren and treat them well while we eat cereal for supper. And we could not be happier to do that. Seriously. We are adapting happily to the older state we are in and it is fine and dandy.

So stand strong you trees out there and make the best of where you are placed.
The standing, in spite of the odds, will make you unusual and admired and your heart will be content despite your location.

Enjoy the scenery....

Phenomenon

2011-08-23T10:19:00.000-04:00

I have had the wonderful privilege to be invited to my grown up children's grown up homes to share the first weeks of their firstborn's life.
This is something I do not take lightly.
I understand that being allowed in the sacred air of the welcoming of a new human into a couple's life, is not something to impair, invade or opinionate. I seek to be a help and not a hindrance to the process of welcoming the New Person.
These unforgettable times so imprint upon my soul that I can barely speak when I journey home. Hubby has come to recognize the unmistakable signs of my overwhelming joy/sadness that comes upon me as I process and download all that I have experienced on these Mimi Journeys. There is a silence that rarely afflicts me as my mind scurries around trying to put all the input that has been experienced into places that have never been before.

Watching the adult child perform as the loving, caring, sacrificial person you always hoped and prayed would be there amidst their selfish little childish selves, fills ones soul with such gratitude and peace that I become too touched to respond. Words of affirmation are pitiful in light of the crazy thankfulness that the heart feels.

It is one thing to know that your child is a responsible adult. It is quite another to see their day to day in light of another person in their life that is their life and then, oh then, there is the amazing transformation that takes each of them from loving spouse to the viciously protective, sacrificially caring , copiously loving parent. Many times, I want to almost turn away, the union and emotion is so raw and intimate amongst this new partnership.

And to think, I was invited to be a part of it all.....Three times. Blessed beyond description....

Thank you Dear Children, for being beyond what I could have ever dreamed for you....

New Leaf Collection of Bags

2011-08-21T17:37:00.000-04:00

Designing Donna http://www.facebook.com/leafgirl65 ordered another batch of mama's collection bags.

Because we like to live and create a little bit left of center, she gave me some inspiration by sending some fabrics that she had lying about. These fabrics shot me right back to her salon in my mind, recalling those wildly inventive cuts that she used to give a much younger me. My designing mojo kicked into hyper mode.....

I loved working with the fabrics from her collection since they 'told me' information as to what they wanted to be; Designing Donna had selected them, used them, liked them and now they were destined to another invention. Short of speaking right out loud, I got it right away for each piece of cloth.

The top green bag was an amazing batik print that grabbed my attention immediately. This bag is packed with pockets and a most interesting tie dye lining. The strap is a Patagonia Belt; sturdy and well constructed. The batik flowers have vintage buttons accenting their centers. My favorite.

The second bag is made up of five really swell cloth napkins. Quilted, sewn together and lined with useful pockets and decked out with key, bead and button embellishments, this very practical tote is about as creative as it gets.

Then there is the Celtic Tablecloth/bedspread Hippie Bag. In order to utilize the twining Celtic knots that border and center the tablecloth, I cut it on an edgy triangle and used the border to be the straps. Pockets went high up near the straps on this unlined bag and an embellished weighted flap closed it nicely. Wouldn't be a Hippie Bag with out bells and beads on the point on the bottom, now would it?

And for the traditionalist, we have another tablecloth from an entirely different neighborhood. The Safe Bag, unlined and normal looking because I have to remember that not everybody walks on the edge. Vintage buttons and a useful pocket on this unlined bag make it a market bag that you can proudly use and use again.

Because Designing Donna knows that I will try to repurpose anything, she threw in an odd quilted pillow sham so as to mix it up a bit. Adding some bits of brass saddle embellishments procured at an Amish Store down the road from me, this handy little bag is fun and soft and perfect for those outings when just a small bag will do.

Do you remember this fabric? Pretend Daughter Kris bequeathed this lovely vintage Waverly Fabric from her mother's collection to me last fall and I made a diaper bag out of it for Baby Girl.http://sonowiknow.blogspot.com/2010/11/sewing-sidetracks.html. This wonderful fabric practically makes itself with all it's wizened history and lineny goodness. It is so full of linen, that it indeed has bits of flax woven in this very nice finished product. With some of DD's brocade fabric to line it and a few vintage buttons, it turned out to be high on my list of faves. DD termed it the Autumn Bag and last I heard, she was calling this one her own.

Some very utilitarian canvas, sturdy and strong, decided to be retro by adding some flowery buttons and vintage pillow case embellished and I could see it being the hit of the Farmer's Market, able to carry books and eggplant quite aptly.

On this shipment, I got to premiere my new mama's collection labels. Baby Girl took care of this for me and I am quite excited about them. Hence the blurry photo.

So by now, the bags are being displayed gleefully, proud of what they've become and waiting patiently for just the right someone to come and make them theirs.

Makes a mama proud.......

Crazy Simple Things

2011-08-11T16:19:00.000-04:00

Few things put me in a better mood that good weather. Be it a golden autumnal morning a blizzardly white winter evening or a splendidly, sunny, breezy summer afternoon, I simply have a hard time staying crabby when the weather whispers to my serotonin levels. It's those favored days that my creativity level soars and my hands cannot keep up with the ideas, thoughts, plans that my refreshed brain has conjured.

I knew that today was to be a busy day but unlike those heavy humid, heat oppressive days that we have been struggling with, (20 90degree days!~), the numerous chores at hand seemed positively effortless with the summer air wafting in the hardly-been-open-this-summer -windows.

It was while I was walking Sir Scout on his mid afternoon potty break that I realized how much simple things absolutely enchant me.

I noticed all the flowering weeds on the city property where we take our MAPB. I watched how the deep blue of the late summer sky showcased the flimsy white clouds flitting around the stratosphere.

I came back in determined to continue to notice The Crazy Simple Things.

Next on my agenda was Tomato/Spaghetti Sauce Making! Fav Photographer Mom had an abundance of tomatoes. My tomatoes needed company to round out a full day of sauce making. I was about to have Hubby set up the beloved KitchenAid to puree the parboiled, skinned maters, when my Simple Thoughts stopped him. I says to the Hubby, 'Never you mind. I do believe I shall use my handy dandy hand masher squisher thing from Pampered Chef to accomplished this task.' And what do you know? It worked just grandly for this humble task.

I truly don't think I could cook without my garlic press. I've had this baby since 1975 when I worked in a gourmet/import shop. And my scraper! I've had that before I married! After watching years of Graham Kerr's Galloping Gourmet throughout my teens, I just thought every chef wannabee had to have a scraper. So I ordered mine through a Lillian Vernon catalog in the late 60's. It's rosewood handle is still wonderful and with the exception of a little bend on one corner, it looks pretty good after years and years of scraping dough and scooping errant tomato juice from my cutting board.

My Santoku knife is a new friend. As is my most wonderful Food Network silicone spatula/spoon tool. . I have managed to span the decades in delightfully simple tools that make a chore into a delight.

Look around. Open your windows. Saute some onions and garlic and breathe deeply. Let the breeze carry you outside and list in your vacationing mind all the simple things that you just couldn't do without.

And enjoy.

Summer afternoon - Summer afternoon... the two most beautiful words in the English language.

Henry James
British (US -born) author (1843 - 1916)

Kindred Spirit Friend

2011-08-08T11:09:00.004-04:00

Kindred spirit - Idiom Definition - UsingEnglish.com

The first time Kindred Spirit Friend entered my home, she knew that we needed to know each other better. Twenty two years ago, she came to help out on a homeschool cooperative effort that our group did every Friday. We shared skills and talents with the children of our group and it was my turn to do crafts with the 9-11 year old girls. It was also the day that I had my first appointment with a psychologist to deal with the agoraphobia/anxiety disorder that I had struggled with for nearly ten years. KSF came willingly. It was also my 36th birthday. This was well noted by KSF since this was the date of her own dear mother's birthday. Upon further discussion of this phenomenon, it was discovered the my Hubby shared the birth date of her own dear father. See? Kismet.

In the years to follow, we would enjoy the unfolding of many, many kismetian aspects of our parallel universe lives.

Our children are nearly the same age. I had an extra one just for interest. My youngest was only a year old when we met so she has known KSF all her life.
We homeschooled our children. We both have been involved in the pro life movement in a proactive way. Our husbands worked at the same government installation.
We are voracious readers; hers more non fiction, helpful knowledge kind of books; me, more entertaining fictional bent. Independent movies are quoted frequently at our gatherings.
Our Third Children are crazy funny people. Nothing was more entertaining than eating lunch while her Third Child read to us from an antiquated sex manual, in a proper British accent. Much choking from laughter ensued.
We talk with our hands. Kinda dangerous if you're nearby.
When I moved away from her, I received lengthy hand written letters in artfully designed envelopes, some with silly messages on the outside so as to entertain my mailman. Or maybe scare him off. Postcards were her speciality. The more absurd, the better.
We both think that the other one is the most extraordinary person alive.
We both had rocky, interesting childhoods and now see the humor/wisdom in them.
We can call each other with grim news, sobbing and uncontrolled and we know what to say to each other to calm each other down.
I called KSF first when my mother died.
She called me when her father had a stroke and I got to the hospital first for her. We both cared for our invalid fathers at home for a lengthy period of time.
KSF and her wonderful husband, Boseph, took my mother to a theatre an hour away, in their pick up truck to see 'Much Ado About Nothing', when our local theatres did not carry it. My mother was not an easy person to take to the movies due to her loud commentary. But they took on the task and made it memorable.
KSF, when asking what she could do for me on the occasion of my mother's death, and I responded that she could do the eulogy, and she did so with great love and compassion.
The first Thanksgiving in our new town, my sons opted to travel to her house to celebrate rather than be reminded that they were the new kids in town on a holiday. That, and the fact that one of our most fabulous Thanksgivings were held at her house.
She has designed a stained glass window in my home. KSF and her Hubby came to my home the first weekend we arrived, to pull up carpeting, fill in paneling, hang anaglypta, paint and now provide poetry written for me in my Renee Busha` Not Yet Memorial Library. After this past weekend's visit, it appears she still has a vested interest in the RBNYML since she informed me that she has the companion piece fabric to my new living room curtains and has plenty to cover the cushions on my wicker and Busha' Bed (a couch her husband made from the head and foot boards of an old bed of their daughters) in the library for it's makeover in the fall. See? In all the land of fabric, we managed to pick out the same designer.
She is the artist I wish I was. I live artistically, vicariously through her.
We stay on the same side of the fence politically but our religious preference are delightfully different. We learn from each other through our discussions in our faith beliefs. I am decidedly Calvinist, while she embraces Arminianism. ( Of or relating to the theology of Jacobus Arminius and his followers, who rejected the Calvinist doctrines of predestination and election and who believed that human free will is compatible with God's sovereignty.) We have both been involved in Inner City ministry and have learned a great deal in the doing of it.
We have camped together at a music festival for thousands.
We have tended a garden together.
We love to write; she studied English/Writing in college in her grown up years; I just pretend I did.
I barely graduated from high school; she dropped out. We both think that we are pretty much the smartest people we know.

As our visit this past weekend came to a close, I kept having to ask myself if this could have been real, it was so perfect. We chatted and sat on the porch and farmer's marketed and lunched at the co operative, we watched the movie Temple Gradin http://www.hbo.com/movies/temple-grandin/index.html from the comfort of my bed.

Since KSF knew me when the agoraphobic disorder that plagued me for years was at it's zenith, we never have traveled together. Yet. This weekend, it was decided that if we aren't buying the house together that we looked at Saturday, we really should go on a trip, celebrating her 35th anniversary and my 40th to our teenage sweethearts.

This kind of friendship makes a girl want to be a better person if for nothing else that to make your kindred spirit smile and be proud of knowing you. It urges you to embrace life and enjoy the sharing of it with someone that 'gets' you.

Thank you KSF for our time together and your long travel to get to me.

I am blessed by knowing you.

Sweet Adeline

2011-08-01T17:04:00.002-04:00

I clearly remember being pregnant with Eldest Son and having this niggling fear that I dared not speak of. It hadn't been that long since Eldest/Admin had been the baby and my new mama protectiveness and passion for my firstborn was still coursing through my veins. Finally, one night, I admitted my deep, dark secret to Hubby. I nearly whispered in the dark, as we watched the in utero shenanigans of ES while E/A slept sweetly between us. I said, in that quiet tone, 'But what if I don't love this baby as much as I love My Firstborn? We have gone through so much together; I have grown up through her and her mere existence has changed me forever. I owe her. How can it possibly be that I could love another as much as I love her?'

Wise Hubby. He is used to my rants, my self doubts, my fears, and with a sleepy voice he responded, 'You don't take away the love from this one; your heart multiplies, not divides.' He probably rolled over and slept peacefully while I considered this new perspective.

Indeed, one second after being introduced to my sleepy Second Child, First Son, I could almost feel my heart enlarge in order to hold this new love.

And the theory proved true again and again. Hubby was oh so right.

Then Grandmahood came into my life to nearly form a whole new heart to encapsulate all the love that is to come. Miss Vivien started the Gramma Heart within me. She made sure there was plenty of room to fit all the cousins I'm sure that she knew would follow. And good thing for that! Lil Lady cozied right in filling more of the space in breath. Funny thing about this Gramma Heart; it makes ones countenance peaceful, ones wisdom honed and ones ability to let major things roll right off the back in order to assist and share life with the beloved grandchild.

This weekend added a whole new chamber to this Mimi's Gramma Heart. Sweet Adeline arrived in a flurry of medical intervention to assist her harrowing birth. Funny thing about harrowing births. You admire the wee little peanut of a girl's tenacity and feistiness. You admire your son and daughter in law as they handled the medical emergency with grace and peace. You view your 'Little Boy' and his Lovely Wife in a new light as they begin the amazing, incredible and scary journey of parenthood. I could almost visibly see and feel their previous limited hearts, expand and grow right before my very eyes. A wonderful thing to behold.

So as we left Sweet Adeline in very capable hands today, silence filled our car as we ventured home. Picturing her grapefruit sized head in the hand of her daddy. Sighing with the image of her mama sweetly feeding her with the patience of a saint. Trying to imagine her growing each day to fill her preemie clothes. Wondering how to divide up my time to accommodate all my precious grandgirls.......

But I need not fear anymore about dividing up my heart. That dilemma has more than been taken care of. I know now that only the time needs to be divided. The love is multiplied over and over again....

God Bless You, Sweet Adeline.....Mimi loves you abundantly.......

Inspiration

2011-07-28T16:16:00.000-04:00

((pictured: sauteed red potatoes with leeks and summer squash; sauteed radicchio with garlic and leeks and lemon juice (thanks Farmer Teresa!) Amish corn and the best little rib eye ever!! Thanks Hubby!))

You may recall my CSA rant back in May. No? Well, then: http://sonowiknow.blogspot.com/2011/05/community-supported-agriculture-joys.html.

My Wednesdays have become my menu base this summer. Hubby and I wait for the knock on the door when the CSA Fairies deliver their wonderfulness (Thank you ever so, Jogging Jean, Kool Kortni, and Running Mama for your efforts!) Then the fun begins! Plotting and planning our dinner and making sure we have enough garlic and olive oil to do it up grand.

This week, as Hubby and I cooked up the summer squash and leeks for lunch, I had a scathingly brilliant idea. Our dining room overlooks our garden. Or jungle depending on your viewpoint. These past few years, I just haven't given the attention to my flowers like I need to in order to make the back yard wonderful. Between the Call of the Sewing Room and the Quest for Fun, I am just not interested much in my in ground flowers anymore.

But I'll tell you what, I am really interested in aiding my CSA for next year with my own produce in the place formerly known as my flower garden.

While Hubby and I noshed away on our vegetabley goodness, we discussed what to do with our mass of echinacea: (Lovely Wife and Eldest Admin) and the nicest little natural fence on our north side. Our perennials; Move to the front. This summer, we bought a composter as a preparation for this shift to our own little back to nature movement.

Hubby hates outdoor work. He supplanted our early married income with lawn mowing and I believe he burned out (literally) any interest in all things out doors.

However.

Hubby retires this December.

You see where this is going, right?

With half the income and twice the fun, the two of us mini farmers are going to go organic in our yard with vegetables to share and can and freeze.

Our voices got higher as we tried to top the other on superbly fresh ideas for our retirement days.

It sound terribly cliche and trite but oh so lovely to these two elder farmer wannabees. If we could talk Neighbor Nancy into raising the chickens, we would have it made.

You heard it here first. Keep me on task and when the dark of winter oppresses us, check with the two retirees regarding their 'Farming Plans' and make sure that we are on it.

I must go cut into my CSA cantaloupe and wish you were here to share it with me......

And Now, For Some Refreshment.....

2011-07-27T15:13:00.000-04:00

Seventeenth Century Nun's Prayer

LORD, thou knowest better than I know myself that I am growing older and will someday be old. Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion. Release me from craving to straighten out everybody's affairs. Make me thoughtful but not moody, helpful but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it all, but thou knowest, Lord, that I want a few friends at the end.

Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details, give me wings to to get to the point. Seal my lips on my aches and pains. They are increasing, and love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by. I dare not ask for grace enough to enjoy the tales of other's pains, but help me to endure them with patience.

I dare not ask for improved memory, but for a growing humility and a lessening cocksureness when my memory seems to clash with the memories of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken.

Keep my reasonable sweet; I do not want to be a saint - some of them are so hard to live with - but a sour old person is one of the crowning works of the devil. Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places, and talents in unexpected people. And, give my, O Lord, the grace to tell them so.

Amen.

Sweet Spirited Sweetie

2011-07-21T21:55:00.000-04:00

This Little Girl.

She is the captivator of my heart.

She is my bud, my sweetie pie, my little kindred spirit.

Physically, we have few similarities. Her mama resembles her dad more than me, so Miss Viv fluctuates from looking like her daddy one minute to zooming me to her mama's toddler days in a breath.

Since her first days on this earth, we have bonded closely. I can still remember the soul searching stare that she gave me at three days old. We had a pact, we two. At that moment we made an unspoken deal that we would be there for the other. I could feel the essence of her personality in that one soul piercing moment. I constantly was concerned that my absences would make her forget our pledge, but I would only wait for the perfunctory few minutes before her little synapses would fire and she would grin and reach for me and we would reconnect our hearts.

I love that her little head is the shape of her Papa's. Hubby has the nicest shape head and it was nice of him to share it with our kids and now grandkids. I love that her smiling eyes hearken me back to Eldest/Admin's innocent, sweet, toddler eyes. I love that her strawberry blond curls match completely the little snippet of curl that I have in an envelope of E/A at two and a half. So, what, I have thought, is there of me within this sweet little composition of DNA? I have contemplated this very thing till my recent visit with my little sweetie...

Compassionate and sensitive, she has fears. I clearly recognized the look, the excuses, the reflection of things which could be considered....risky. When she found this tree in Unca Debbin's yard, you could tell, when she lifted her legs from the ground, that she had performed a very brave thing. Vivie has not been the child that you had to over warn about danger. Indeed, she will warn us. 'Be cahful, Mimi', she will remind me as I carry a large load. 'Mimi, you okay?' she will call if she hears my voice take a different tone. Her looks of concern as she see other children 'get it' for bad behavior, shows the degree of empathy that she carries. I know those looks. I wear those looks. I could deride her when she does not get on the rocking horse that talks. Instead, when she looks at it skeptically and responds that it's 'too big' for her, I agree and say, maybe later, leaving the doors open for more courageous experimentation at some other time.

It is okay, these fearful things of hers. In time, with the right combination of encouragement and patience, she will make strides in trust of the world. (which, seriously?) Anyway, her Mimi will be there for the testing of her courage and applaud her simple victories. When her little feet came off the ground and wrapped them around the tree, I secretly said, good for you Viv, I know that took a lot. Outwardly, I just kept taking photos of the moment, knowing someday it will be important to her.

So as she sang loud and strong and kept yelling for Unca Debbin to 'See me? See what I am doing?', I rejoiced for the simple victories in life and am prepared to partner with her in the challenges.....

I love you, Vivie......

The Shop is Open!

2011-07-18T22:00:00.000-04:00

I started writing this post about my NEW ETSY SHOP only to be interrupted by MY FIRST SALE!!
Well....

The opening of my etsy shop is the next step in my business plan that started in my brain (and those of my two girlies) two years ago.

Eldest/Admin wanted me to be prepared well for business and wisely advised on taking Baby Steps.
While I still have miles to go, I now see how wise she was in the gradual evolution of The Plan and how it has played out. And I appreciate those that have showed me by their own wise shops, how to do it well. And to Rabbit Rita's ritabunny.com encouraging tutelage.

Mama's Collection is just that. My age old collection that now needs others to care for it. Baby Girl would most likely take it all but is limited by space. Soon, I shall add my bags, utilizing my full fabric collection, to the shop, but for now, while I keep up with orders, I shall be content to enjoy watching my things on the internet being viewed by the international scope of the marketplace of etsy.com.
Adding new things each day will help keep the assortment fresh. So, if you don't see something you're looking for, just ask; I could have it!!

So here's to my first sale and onward to many more!!

(just click on the link to the right to view the shop!)

So Now I Know

Birthday Girl! Baby Girl!

When Life Gives You Leftovers, Make Quiche!

Winter Occupations

Staircase on a Shoestring

In It Together

Travels with Mimi

Queenies for a Day

Bags on Parade

Spontaneous Party

Different Days

A Very Girly Christmas!

39 Years.

One of Those Days.

Christmas Debustle

Every Thing Old is New Again: Leftovers and Such

Full Heart *sigh*

When the Chickies Come Home to Roost

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Old Blazer; New Hip Bag!

Birthday Bliss

WIPS*- Personal Best

The Mother of All Deep Dish Pizzas

mamascollection's photostream

A Beary Good Costume Idea!

Spoofin' Supreme

Festival Wind Up

Little Lessons

Festival Begins!

Weighty Issues

Rootin Tootin Teething Bibs!

Precarious Perspective

Jesus/Church/Sunday

Adaptation

Phenomenon

New Leaf Collection of Bags

Crazy Simple Things

Kindred Spirit Friend

Sweet Adeline

Inspiration

And Now, For Some Refreshment.....

Sweet Spirited Sweetie

The Shop is Open!

Full Heart sigh