Ta Da!!

There's a new toy in my sewing room and it is the most amazing machine I've ever had. At the risk of sounding like an ad for Bernina, this machine is everything you could ever want rolled into one! I don't think I've ever bonded so quickly with a sewing machine (and for those of you who've been reading a while, you know there've been a few).

My Bernina 830 arrived at its new home Sunday afternoon. My dealer is great! They got it in Saturday evening, stitched it out, and called me to come pick it up Sunday when they went into the shop to do some office work. It's been a pretty easy learning curve so far as it has many of same features as my last machine. The size, however, is something else!! It's huge, and I need to find a more workable table to use it on. I've been making do, but hope to inspire Dan to create something more permanent soon.


It stitches beautifully. So far, I've made another little bag like the one for my iPod, a bib, and monogrammed a towel. I think a small wall hanging will be next.

Meanwhile, spring seems to have gone into hibernation. We had snow yesterday and today saw a few flakes mingled in with the rain. Our tulips are bravely facing the cold, however, and stand shoulder to shoulder, giving us a hint of warmer weather to come.


Don't you just love the dandelions?? And now I've got some sewing to do!

Bagging It

I've been doing a little sewing and the project I just completed is this bag for display at the shop. I like it, although if I make another, I think I'll make some construction changes.


My other project (completed last week) is this cutie little bag--just right for holding my iPod.


Meanwhile, yesterday saw a new addition to my sewing room. Stay tuned for updates!!

Family Gathering

It was Mom's Weekend at the University, so my sister-in-law, Karen, was up to visit her son. She brought along my niece, Kirsten, and they stayed at our house. Bruder Bear came, too, but stayed with Mom and Dad down in our hometown. He brought them up Saturday for a combined birthday party for Dad (87 on May 4), and their son, JR (20 on May 1).

My sister-in-law is a fabulous cook, and for this occasion she made barbecued ribs that were absolutely scrumptious. In a word, "Yum!" Mom brought a salad and ordered a carrot cake from a local bakery, and I provided a few things, so it was a community meal. Aren't they just the best?

For the last few years Karen has made my Dad pies for his birthday and Christmas presents. He loves pie. This birthday was no exception, and here's a picture of her taken Saturday morning as she made him three apple pies.

How does he eat three pies you ask? He freezes them. When he wants a piece, he goes to the freezer, takes one out, cuts a piece (he may be almost 87 but he's strong), zaps it in the microwave, and puts the rest of the pie back in the freezer!

Here's a picture of the birthday boys:


And one of Kirsten, Mom, and Bruder Bear:


It was a wonderful weekend.

Happy Saturday

We slept in this morning, and while I was in the process of making gingerbread pancakes for breakfast, Ann called to invite us to Cameron's 10:30 soccer game. She mentioned the sun was shining which, we agreed, made it an opportune day to go. Spring soccer games are often prey to bad weather in our neck of the woods. We ate, bundled up (sunny yes, but the wind was blowing and it was a cool 48 degrees) and set out. It was a wonderful way to spend a Saturday morning and even though they lost, we did get to cheer as Cameron made his team's only goal.

After lunch, I settled in to finish a new dishcloth. I bought a knitting magazine last week and it's been fun to look up websites from advertisements. A full page ad for Soho Purl took me to a treasure trove of inspiration and some free patterns. One was for a log cabin wash cloth and I decided to give it a try. An added bonus was the realization that I could use up leftover yarn. I just finished it and while it's not perfect, it was fun to try something different.

I need to get busy now. Since we left in somewhat of a hurry this morning, the bed didn't get made and so I think I'll change the sheets. Over at Homestead Happenings, my childhood pal, Kathy, has just been reminiscing about making beds. It was a fun read, and apparently she was somewhat influenced in her topic by my confession of hating to change sheets. I'm always happy to help out a friend! :-)

Meanwhile, the sun it still peering through the clouds and spring seems to be trying to come our way. These daffodils are across the street on a little bank below some woods.


Happy Saturday!

This n' That

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter. We did. Mom and Dad, Ann, Eric, Cameron and Keaton, and my nephew JR were all able to come for a picnic dinner. Easter dinner is hard to do because we're always at church in the morning, so several years ago I finally hit on the idea of having a picnic dinner. A spiral cut ham from Costo (heated in the oven on timed bake), several salads (fruit, marinaded bean, and pasta), olives and pickled beets, and rolls. Lots of rolls. Homemade rolls are BIG in our family. Here's a picture of the pan I made for Sunday:

And here's the recipe:

Polish Bread
Combine:
2 cups warm water
2 packages yeast

Beat together:
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tablespoon salt
1/4 cup oil

Add above to yeast and water and then add 6 1/2 to 7 cups of flour. I often use up to half whole wheat, and this time I tried some of the King Arthur White Whole Wheat flour. (I use my 6-qt Kitchenaid mixer to make the dough.)

Let rise, punch down and shape, and let raise again. Bake at 350 20-25 minutes (check).

Makes two large loaves, or three dozen rolls.

If you're wondering what we had for dessert, it was two Cyrus O'Leary pies--lemon meringue and Kahlua Creme. The rolls must be homemade; the pies, not so much.

Here I Am, Bruder Bear!

Whoops! You know you're behind on your blog when your brother calls you up to see if you've been sick because there've been no new posts in a week.

So here are my excuses. First, I did the last two in one day because I added the ABC's of me. Then my parents were up for a day. Saturday. I have no recollection of Saturday. Hmmm...

Sunday was busy with church. Monday was super busy because our church decided to try something new and we had a Passover Sedar Monday night. Ann and I ended up taking care of the table settings since Pastor wanted to have real plates and cloth napkins. Several other ladies helped furnish plates and silverware, but Ann and I set out the dishes, etc., and between us provided all the setup for five of the tables ourselves. (Apparently many ladies are not as enamoured with dishes and napkins as we are.) We were glad to be able to help out and justify our overflowing cupboards. Have dish, will travel. :-)

Tuesday was spent washing up table settings and napkins. Before I was through I felt like a commercial laundry service. Many, many napkins passed through my wonderful new washer and dryer and then to the ironing board. By the way, OxiClean works wonders on grape juice soaked linens! I was afraid some of the napkins were ruined, but an hour's soak in a strong concentrate made them good as new. (Note to Bruder Bear: send my thanks to your wife for this wonderful tip!)

Yesterday was Wednesday and I was in charge of a kitchen shower for our church kitchen. Whenever we've had a potluck or something like the Passover meal, the people doing the cooking have often had to bring their own needed items from home. The time had come to better equip our space. Last night was the night and we had a fun get together while we filled our shelves and drawers with utensils, pots, pans, bowls, and more.

Today? A trip to Costco to get one of their wonderful spiral-cut hams to have for Easter dinner. And obviously a few other things as the check I wrote out was for $338 plus change.

And there you have it. A typical week in the life of a little old retired couple someplace out west. That's my story, and I'm stickin' with it.