Pieces of Lives

Last month, during a relaxing visit with Most Wonderful/Loving Friend, she gifted me with precious vintage items from her mother in law.  The amount of elderly fabrics positively overwhelmed me as I eagerly plowed through the two large shopping bags.  It might as well have been gold, I was that excited.  Then midway through the second bag, my hands lifted out this amazing piece:

 A 20x20 inch pillow cover, made long ago by creative hands and obviously stored away for that special time which clearly never arrived.  This nearly 50+ year old creation was intricately fashioned from an abundance of feed sacks, bits and pieces probably squirreled away by some prudent mama.  The little postage stamp bits of fabric, brilliantly sewn neatly and accurately, are of such variety, one marvels at how many sacks were collected.  The colors are still vivid and the design of the pillow is unique.

On the back is a piece of vintage fabric full of different images from different lands.  Odd color combination that I just love.  The ruffly corners amuse me.  I wonder if the sewist started out with thoughts of a quilt and quickly tired of the intricate effort?  I love to investigate the feed/flour sack pieces and think of long ago days when flour was selected depending on it's best cover for the next needed dress.

Then, today, I hosted my gathering of Fleur de Lis Club. As I have posted before, this group is in it's 127th year, and I've had the privilege of being it's president for three of them.  Our group is an eclectic bunch; currently we have three ninety year olds, several octogenarians, and some seventy and sixty somethings to balance it out and  then there is the young cub, me, at a spring chickeny fifty seven.  As usual, the tangents that these ladies can take us on provides incredible entertainment for a Monday afternoon.  One of our detours took us to talking about growing up in the depression and all that was demanded of their mothers.  The day to day hard work, the unceasing chores and the endless laundry.  The ladies then discussed that most of them had never owned store bought dresses till their teen years. Do you know what kind of work that involved in light of the other daily chores?  The thought of outfitting nine or more children for their every day needs?  No store bought patterns, no vast assortment of fabrics, just making frocks and shirts with whatever the current flour/feed sack wrapping was offering that week.  Listening to them share their stories of the hard work done without complaint, awed and amazed me.  And they ALWAYS encourage me without any of them addressing me directly.  Their lives are pieces of living positively despite tragedies and trials and always making the best of what they have.

Now, when I look at my special pillow cover, I will picture these ladies in  their younger years, looking fresh and innocent in their best frocks, created by their mama's hands with what she had, intent on making the best for her children.

This pillow is now a symbol for me, representing the best in those that have been honored with years and serve the rest of us well by their testimony of endurance and joy.

May I do the same....

Sunday Squash Soup!

I love squash.  I love the color, the designs, the smell. Everything about it.  I believe a lot of it stems from the babyhood of Eldest/Admin.  The sweet, little  Picky Eater rejected all things green and only would open her wee mouth to orange veggies.  Carrots and Squash.  And being a dutiful young mama, I would cook and press and puree the vegetables and to this day, the aroma of cooked squash zooms me to the toothless grin of my happy little baby girl, getting her way and enjoying her squash.  She still loves it even though years ago, her pediatrician informed me that she had developed Carotene Overload from all her orange indulgences.  The cute little blond baby looked like she had a really nice tan, thanks to her squash love.  Too Funny.

 So as I meander through every available pumpkin patch scouting out the most unusual squashies, my mind wanders to develop an assorted use of the abundant gourd at this time of year.

 This year, I came up with a most pleasing soup, hereby dubbed Sunday Squash Soup.  It's perfect for making Saturday night while you're making supper, for a quick warm up when you get home from church on Sunday afternoon.  Make plenty (you do see how many I purchased at the Great American Pumpkin Patch in Arcola Illinois, right?  Yes, that is my wagon below, filled with some beauties!) and invite some friends!

Sunday Squash Soup!

2 baked squash (I used a butternut and an acorn)

Cut them in half and bake in a shallow dish with a modicum of water.  Cover with foil and bake at 400 degrees for 1.5 hours.

Saute an onion, 2 cloves garlic and peel and chop several carrots, and several Yukon gold potatoes, till tender and lightly brown.

In a large bowl, microwave 4 cups of water with 4 chicken bouillon cubes.  Add this to the sauteed veggies. Peel the baked squash and add to this mixture.

Stir well and add 2 tsp parsley, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp ground pepper, 2 tsp raw sugar.

Cook till veggies are very soft then softly mash the squash.

Some crusty bread, a green salad and you are set!

Enjoy the Season of the Squash

Sewing 'Sidetracks'

'

A great deal of my time is spent in front of my computer screen.  Never was is it more obvious until that option was not available and I filled my time in Useful Activity called My Business.  Here on Not So Simple Saturdays, is a collection of my Useful Diversions whilst I awaited the return of Fiona, my computer,(I gave her my favorite name after learning of the apparently close relationship I have with her, enhanced by her departure!) I had the wonderful opportunity to get a good go on Baby Girl's Baby Girl's quilt.....The gentle stitch, stitch of assembling something that will encircle her for a long, long time, gives me a peace and comfort in the doing of it.  Stitches bring prayers for a safe delivery, a healthy arrival and a wonderful life....

And in between the quilting.....

Baby Girl and I hit upon several amazing vintage fabric opportunities during her recent visit .....

 Lots of driving (as a passenger, of course!) places gives me good crocheting time.....Even made a matchy one for her Baby Girl and The Illustrious Vivien....

 Baby Girl wanted to do an easier version of Anna Marie Horners baby wall decor as seen in our fav book....I donated some fabric, made the letters and BG did the rest....We had a blast on this project....

 Cannot travel with a quilt without a proper mama's collection Quilting Bag!  An inner pocket is a reinforced vintage hanky donated my Most Wonderful/Loving Friend and her generous nature...

 Three diaper bags have showned up from the aforementioned Anna Marie's useful, helpful book.  Above is BG's bag and the red one is Pretend Daughter Kris' bag to hold dinosaurs, diapers and changes of clothes for my two adorable Pretend Grandsons, Will and Ollie....

Found out that the more my mind is overwhelmed, the more complicated my life is, the more I must, must sew.....I have to be in my sewing room surrounded with Creative Potential to be able to neutralize my brain....
May you have an opportunity to clear your cobs with your favorite activity soon....

Journey Without a Passport

Get up!  Get up!  Let go of that cart!  I don't care if you are at Valley Thrift in Cincinnati!  I don't care if it is 25% Off Mondays!!  You cannot miss our Journey to Computerless Land!! 

 You can jump on your horse for the journey.....

But only if Vivien can make the clop clop sounds that she does so well.....

You should probably borrow Mimi's shoes....The land could be perilous, frought with hidden dangers....

You could ride with your best wheels....Wearing a Cub hat will only show the world what you are  made of; durable, taking hard hits well, and let's just admit it; partially nuts.....

Packing a bag just might be helpful....

Bring tissues for crying, wallets for all the money that you will need....And a camera....

Our travels shall take us across mysterious landscapes, containing shadows and substance...

Strange sights will fill your minds as you try to figure things out: the whys the whats and the of courses......

Yet peaceful vistas will smooth your spirit as you seek answers and regain your composure.....

Soon, the cryptic messages left circling your brain will be dispelled by the view of  Baby Mountain....

Oh.  Did you think this trip was free??  Silly.  The journey is only good when it cost you...Value, you know....

Now, now!  Tut-Tut!! No attitude!  Did you expect to get through the journey without costs and difficulty??

But look all you get!  The amazing soaking of nature at it's best, including the beauty in large, yellow and orange (*shudder*) spiders....Ain't that how it is?

(Did you miss your jack o lantern??  I think I know where it went....).

Oh, and lunch is included with the trip.  Always lunch but never better than with Spider Man and the Best. Waitress. Ever.....

And then, before you know it, the journey leads us back to the hearth; family, home, puppy dogs and all that brings you peace......Computerless Land is a nice place to visit but is confusing, isolating and often frustrating to dwell in for long...Thank you for your patience as I traveled....I have missed you and look forward to telling more of my crafting creations while in Computerless Land....But for now I shall just smile, glad to be back......

Update:

Still waiting to hear about the condition of my Old Buddy, Fairly New Computer.
He is awaiting an inspection and I stand by holding my breath...
In the meantime, Providence would have me caring for my bruised family and their little families, so it has been indeed providential, that in this private time for my family, my computer and my writing get a rest...
My mind still thinks in blogs so once life settles down, I'm sure the outpouring could be daunting.

So.
Until that day, please take care.  Enjoy your families.  Lanquish in the beauty of autumn.  And love deeply and care grandly....

Oh Dear

While I am enjoying the fun and frivolity of visiting Eldest/Admin, her Hubby and Miss Viv, my computer days back at home, appear to be on pause....
Hubby notified me that on his arrival home this week, the foreboding smell of burning electrical filled the house.
He stated that it appeared it was coming from The Computer, my friend and communicator and storer of my memories.
Youngest Son called me last night to proclaim it dead.
Of course, The Book that I have worked on for years, more recently, working on the third draft with the urging of Pretend Daughter Kris, has perhaps evaporated.

So be advised, Dear Reader, that posts shall be delayed whilst a prayer for the Computer Phoenix to visit once I return to home....

Aromas of Autumn

The sewing room is needy but the gorgeous day going on outside is beckoning.
I have things to do before the homecoming of most of my babies for this weekend.
I am giddy because I get to see My Vivien and to embrace Baby Girl's bountiful growth.
I am excited like Christmas and this beautiful day isn't making it any easier to focus.
Extra dog walks just to be outside.
Even weeding takes on a renewed joy.  Not the sweaty, drippy task of summer.  This is pleasantly puttering and noticing the changes in the garden preparing for sleep.
This is the kind a day that  I remember the young mama days.
Today, after my lunch dessert of sliced apples with peanut butter, I began the clean up before heading outside to 'play'.  Eating alone can sometimes provide a bit of extra that you just can't finish.  As I picked up the apple core and two small slices of sub par apple, I quickly remembered an annual autumnal practice that I had forgotten about till this very day.
On those pleasant fall days of long ago, when my young ones asked to do their school work in our tree fort on on the porch or patio, I would make up late afternoon snacks to keep them till supper time.  In fall, the treat often turned to apple slices with peanut butter or cheese.  The younger ones usually fought with apple skins so I would attempt to peel the apple in one long spiral strip.  Sometimes, the olders would chomp away on the leavings, but mostly I had other plans for the peels.


In an old pan, I would add the peels and cores and sometimes the occasional bad spots.  I would fill the pan with water, a teaspoon or so of whole cloves, three or more cinnamon sticks and a swig of vanilla.  This lovely concoction would brew and soon fill the house with an aroma to rival any packaged potpourri.  This mixture would last for days before it had to be thrown out but in the meantime, we all enjoyed the simmering, spicy, fragrant apples.


I know, as sure as I sit there, that when my kiddos come home to roost tonight, the first thing that they will comment on is the smell of the house with all it's appley, cinnamony goodness.  The last time BG was home, during a reprieve from the heat and the windows were open, she proclaimed quickly, 'It smells like my childhood in here!' since we did not have air conditioning while the children were growing up.  The smell of fresh air was a given in our Little House on the Prairie, technological starved home.


Something tells me, I will hear that same statement at least three times tonight.....


Enjoy your weekend.....