In Praise of (Good) Clothespins

Really good clothespins are hard to come by. Can I get an "Amen"? I have a handful that I've used for years and years. They've been weathered by the sun, and wear a beautiful grey patina. I used quite a few of them when Verne made my quilt design wall, and now that it's time to hang the laundry out, I'm lost without them.

I've tried a few packages from Wal*Mart and *Lowe's*, but have been sorely disappointed with both. What a waste of money! Good clothespins must be able to hang heavy man-jeans and heavy towels alike.

Just the other day Verne spotted some while at the local farm supply store, and bought me two large packages. Yes! They pass the test- heavy towels are secure even with a wild wind!

Stopping to Smell the Proverbial Roses

If I've learned one thing in my 40th year it's that life is not a race to be run as quickly as possible. I've learned to slow down a bit, and enjoy what each day has to offer. It seems as though we've moved to a tropical rain forest, or at the very least the Pacific northwest, with all of the precipitation that has fallen in the last few months. We can scarcely get a day in without a thunderstorm. While my beloved frets about gardens getting planted, grass being mown, and the like, I'm enjoying the slower pace that the rain allows.

All of a sudden there's plenty of time for settling into the rocking chair with a bit of hand-piecing and viewing episode after episode of Lark Rise to Candleford with Abigail.

I've missed hanging laundry on the line, but I must say that some days the rain, and the slower pace it offers, are down right cozy.

"Living to know God, Dying to make Him known." ~Lecrae

Last Friday evening Autumn, Mary Lou, and I shared a table during the annual homemaker's meeting. We ate too much, and giggled our way through the evening. Saturday morning I showed up at The Farmhouse for our monthly Farmer's Wife class. When I had a migraine, Mary Lou helped me carry my things to the car, and sent me on my way with get well wishes. And tonight, I sat in Mary Lou's living room and mourned the loss of her son, Sam.

Sam and Collin were good friends. They took chemistry together, ran cross-country, played basketball, enjoyed the same music, and had very similar personalities. And now, Sam is gone. As a mother I can't begin to imagine losing a child, but even with this loss, I know that God is good. Mary Lou and Jeff know it, too.

Today, despite this heart-breaking loss, there is much to be thankful for. Gifts# 385 -399:

* a life well lived, and worthy of celebrating
* a hard-working young man, who gave his all to everything that he did
* a young man who lived Christ's love out loud
* an affectionate personality that left his mama with no regrets
* good sportsmanship, displayed whether he won or lost
* an encouraging spirit

* a father, deployed in Afghanistan, returned home a few weeks before his son's passing
* time spent homeschooling, which meant more time with the family
* a church gathered 'round to comfort those whom mourn
* women who can clean a house not their own from top to bottom in less than an hour
* food, brought by many
* visitors to share in the memories of a life cut short, each one thankful for how Sam touched them personally

* the witness of a family to the doctors, nurses, and EMT personnel
* the HOPE of the RESURRECTION!
* soothing words, full of wisdom from dear friends, "God doesn't waste a life, or a death!"

Even in the mourning, there is joy to be found!

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. - Philippians 1:20-21

Mary Lou's Magical Mystery Tour

A little of the mystery is revealed, but the suspense is killing me. 

How to Make a Quiche

I'm guest-posting at Randi's blog, i have to say today. Head on over and say hello!

The Merry Berry Month of May

Let's see, now. We've had angel food cake toped with fresh berries, vanilla ice cream topped with fresh berries, berries in our homemade yogurt, and berries by the handful straight from the garden.

And French toast. Homemade bread, our own eggs, and fresh strawberries. It was a perfect lunch!

Next up? Either strawberry-rhubarb pie, or strawberry shortcake on homemade vanilla scones.

Decisions, decisions.

A Walk in the Rain

I'll never be a runner.

I'm married to a man who asks me almost every morning of my life if I'd like to run with him, but I've never taken him up on it, and probably never will. But walking? That I can do. Actually, I can walk much faster than my runner-husband.

I set out this morning to walk in a 5K, and my only goal was to walk it in an hour. It was chilly so I donned long pants rather than shorts, a jacket, and was carrying an umbrella. And keys. And my iPhone. Yeah. Like I said, I'm no runner.

I got very warm as the rain let up, and folded my umbrella as I kept my pace. It wasn't long before the jacket had to come off, too. I tied my jacket around my waist as I walked, and my keys were practically dragging the ground in my coat pocket.


What to do? What to do?

Got it! I put them in the umbrella, which I was carrying horizontally in one hand, and so I kept walking, all the while digging my keys out of my dragging pocket. Yeah- I bet I looked very classy.

Just as I was rounding the cone at the halfway point, my phone rang. I had to fish my iPhone out of my other dragging pocket. Mmmhmm. I answered the phone to hear Abigail asking me questions about homemade yogurt. She was at home, making the recipe that I'd left her with. Not long after I hung up with her, and got my music back on, the rain started again. It felt good, and I didn't bother to put the umbrella back up, but I looked down to realize I was wearing a white t-shirt, and needed to put my jacket back on lest I look like I was in a contest.

More fumbling with the jacket, the umbrella in my hand, and my phone.

Long story short, I was surprised at the finish line when they told me that I finished in 51 minutes. I'll never be a runner, but multi-tasking I can do!

A New Growing Season

Today starts the beginning of preserving at our house with three gallons of strawberries being placed into the freezer. Just in time, too. We were down to our last quart!

Sadly, this means that the list on my side bar must be erased and started fresh. I know it's silly, but I loved seeing all of my labors listed right there, reminding me of God's bounty and our hard work. I'm exhausted just thinking about trying to do all of that again!

And so, for posterity, last year's list:

18 cups Cooked Pumpkin 8 half-pints Pineapple Habanero Jelly 4 quarts frozen Butternut Squash 7 pints frozen Butternut Squash 13 1/2 c. portions frozen Butternut Squash 4 half-pints Vanilla Pear Jam 4 half-pints unsweetened Spiced Vanilla Pear Jam 9 half-pints Spiced Vanilla Pear Jam 42 individual portions of Pear/Assorted fruit Fruit Leather 31 pints Diced Pears 9 half-pints Pear Honey 9 pints Caramel Spice Pear Butter 29 half-pints Caramel Spice Pear Butter 66 quarts Pear halves 3 pounds Carrots, dehydrated 5 ears Corn, dehydrated 5 lbs. dried black beans 17 pounds Roma tomatoes, dehydrated 24 pounds assorted tomatoes, sliced and dehydrated 71 pounds pears, dehydrated 55 pounds apples, dehydrated 52 Stoplight Peppers, dehydrated 7 half- pints Blueberry-Lime Jam 7 half-pints Cherry Love Jam 7 half- pints Spiced Rum Peach Jam 8 half-pints Cherry Jam 9 half-pints Strawberry Pineapple Jam 15 half-pints Blackberry Jam 15 half-pints Habanero Gold Jelly 16 half-pints Cherry Habanero Jelly 16 half-pints Strawberry-Lemon Marmalade 17 half-pints Blueberry Jam 16 half-pints Peach Jam 19 half-pints Triple Berry Jam 19 half-pints Strawberry Jalapeno Jam 2 gallons Blueberries, frozen 3 gallons Strawberries, frozen 38 half-pints Strawberry Jam 3.5 gallons Blackberries, frozen 3 quarts and 20 pints Dill Pickles 5 quarts and 8 pints Volcano Pickles 7 pints Beets 7 pints Apple Wedges in Cinnamon Red Hot Syrup 5 quarts and 7 pints Tomato Sauce 15 quarts Applesauce 7 quarts Peaches 2 quarts and 1 pint diced Tomatoes 4 quarts and 14 pints Pickled Cauliflower Medley 11 quarts Spaghetti Sauce 14 quarts and 1 pint Tomato Juice 27 quarts and 1 pint Mixed Fruit 36 half-pints Banana Peppers 74 pints Salsa 55 quarts Sweet Corn 61 quarts Green Beans

Dresdens

It all started out because we were asked to bring two old-fashioned blocks, done in 30's fabrics, to the quilt meeting. I figured it would be a great way to give paper-piecing a try with no commitment. Well, the joke was on me. One, and I was hooked. My little handwork case comes everywhere with me these days. I stitch them up, and everyone else likes to arrange the spokes for me. Teamwork!

Paper Roses

When made by hand and given in love, they're even better than the real thing!

Cleaning the Closet

This morning found me emptying the majority of the clothes from my closet, but not just because the seasons have changed. No, my size has changed as well.

Being the baker that I am, each time I lose another five pounds I think to myself, 'There goes a bag of flour.' I've lost 22 pounds or as my dear friend jAne pointed out, 88 sticks of butter! EIGHTY EIGHT sticks of butter! I actually like her measurement better. Why? Because when you're losing slowly (which is the healthiest way to lose), a quarter of a pound doesn't seem like much. Not until you look at a stick of butter that is!

The second best part? I haven't had to give up the butter to lose it. If you're looking to lose some unwanted pounds, I'd recommend Weight Watchers. It's very easy if you really keep track of everything you eat. I've also added exercise to my daily routine. 30-60 minutes 6x a week, and I'm actually finding myself looking forward to it now.

The best part? I'm off of one blood pressure medication, and I feel better than ever!

Quilt Retreat

Three days and two nights.  30+ women.  Fabric and threads flying. Autumn and I had a very good time!

I added the borders to the above quilt top at home this afternoon. Now to finish piecing the back, and then for the quilting!