Hemmed In

Well, so much for my being an everyday blogger. Or even an every other day blogger. And so much for being retired with too much time on my hands. Who knew the retired life could be so busy??

First, it appears that everyone who's not married in our church is about to get married. Showers. On a bi-weekly basis. And those who are married and young are all having babies. Showers, on a bi-weekly basis. And apparently we are currently in a speed mode because in less than two weeks time we are having like four showers. I often take part of the food, and usually make whatever gift I give, or at least part of it. I can't keep up!! But I do feel it's important to support these young couples and families.

My house is looking rather, umm, dusty. I did take time out the other day and swamp out the frig. Yesterday I attacked our bathroom, worked at the shop for three hours behind the counter (love that!), and then came home, heated up the last of a batch of black-eyed pea soup (pressure cooked!), and then fell into a heap while we watched In Harms Way, one of my favorite John Wayne movies. We found the DVD Saturday night at Shopko after leaving a graduation party for our friend Will (of Will and Briana) who graduated from WSU. (It was a cheap $5.50 and now we don't have to view an old, worn out taped-from-TV video.)

Meanwhile, while trying to find a temporary home for Moby Stitch, I was motivated to clean out my sewing room closet. It's a big walk-in space with shelves. Who knew what was on those shelves? Not me. So it was sort, ponder, stack, and reshelve. There is still work to be done, but I have a large box of things to donate somewhere. And I have done a bit more stitching:


The pattern for this runner is from Anka's Treasures and it uses charm squares. The squares I used were part of a birthday gift from Ann several years ago (charm squares have to age!). I was going to use my BSR, but I don't have a steady spot for Moby and he bounced too much, so I just stitched in the ditch instead. I'm still toying with adding some machine-embroidered quilting to it.

I had a lovely Mother's Day and enjoyed lunch after church with Ann, Eric, Cameron and Keaton. Matt called on their way home from NYC where he'd taken Amy for Mother's Day. He had ordered tickets for the Statue of Liberty back in January and they climbed to the crown as part of her gift. He said it was windy and they could feel her sway! We agreed it was probably not something I would ever enjoy... As he and I were talking I could hear a strange voice and finally asked what I heard. He said it was the GPS talking to Amy as she made her way onto the Beltway. Amazing!

So here we are. I need to make the bed (the cat is still snoozing away on it), fix some lunch, make some cookies for a men's Bible Study, and then attend a shop staff meeting at 5:30. Oh yeah, I need to find time soon to machine quilt a quilt made by a local class of kindergartners. It shouldn't take too long, but it's on that list in the back of my mind. Nagging at me. Gotta get it done.

I'm off to get something done. Even if it's wrong. (Credit to Jane Frensdorf)

A Completed Project

I got the little wall hanging done, but I think for now it's turned into a table topper. Or a desk topper. :-) This little piece of Americana turned out so cute! It's a kit I bought in a "Snap Sack" a few weeks ago and it's called Liberty Belle. I loved stitching it up on my new machine.


My summer decorations are all flag based since the holidays focus on our country: Memorial Day, Flag Day, the 4th of July, and Labor Day. Next to Christmas, it's my favorite time to decorate. And it's just about upon us!

By the way, Dan has taken to calling my new machine "Moby Stitch." Since it is a Great White Bernina, I think I like it!

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.