The Journey Continues ... New Life from Old

I am the first to admit that I have some form of attention deficit.  I am easily distracted.  I know I will finish this post today, but right now I need to throw in a load of laundry and my dog wants to be let outside ....  And then I saw someone had left dishes on the counter so I loaded the dishwasher .... And finally, I am back at my computer.  That is how I function.  And in a world that praises multi-tasking while also saying to focus and complete your task, I struggle with my preferred working style.   The fact is that my "preferred working style" is to have the house to myself, preferably for a weekend.  If my husband decides to go out to the cabin and fish for a couple of days, I am actually excited about having the house to myself and getting some projects started .... and a few finished.  My work-style of working on several tasks simultaneously resonates with my cousins and sister, so it is at the very least a family trait ...

With this post, I have officially re-named my blog, after much thinking and indecision. I thought I should make some comments about this "re-branding" and the direction I want to take. Coincidentally, I celebrated my birthday recently. I am retired and have the freedom to do what I want on my birthday.  The best way to celebrate that I could think of was to invite my two grandchildren over for the afternoon and evening.  One of them even decided to sleep over with us.  Their parents were able to have the evening to themselves and go out for supper.  Not that I didn't want to see the parents, but this worked out well for everyone, and we enjoyed focussing on the children. Birthdays are the sign-posts on our life's journey.  As they add up, we are thankful to still be here and more aware of the blessings in our lives.  But while we can look ahead to the next one, the choice of which roads to take in the coming year are our decision. I am trying ...

A couple years ago I purchased an entire box of patterns at our annual church "garage sale".  It's actually held in the church basement, not a garage!)  I knew the lady who donated them had been a hat maker and excellent seamstress in her day, but now she was clearing out a lifetime of possessions and downsizing. I never really took the time to go through the box until recently.  It has been fun to check out the vintage styles.  It just seems like it was such a glamorous time, and I love the look, but I don't think I"ll be creating any of these for myself any time soon. So so Fifties!  The tiny wasp waist and the huge full skirt are amazing.  The halter dress is demurely covered up with the cute short sleeve jacket. This is labelled a half size Slenderette pattern.  I love the square neckline on the dress.  Unfortunately the hat is not part of this pattern.  This has never been cut out. Another full skirted dress, belted at the ...

The Apple Butter Project I have been meaning to write about some of my fall canning projects.  I haven't finished ... more about that later ...  When I was out walking in the early autumn, I was dismayed at the number of people who were wasting the apples growing in their yard.  I saw countless apples rotting on the back alleys.  Such a waste.  I considered asking if I could pick some of the apples, but before I got up my nerve, my aunt asked if I'd like some apples from their tree. There was no saying "no" after I had been visualising getting some apples for some home preserving projects.  My only momentary hesitation was when I saw how small the apples were -- more like crap apples really.  Not that there's anything wrong with crap apples; I got some of them to work with later.  The thing was, I intended to peel the apples to make apple butter, which as far as I could tell is more or less "apple jam".  And peeling those apples was go...

The days are getting colder and shorter where I live, serving as a daily reminder that winter is coming very soon.  And every year I hope for just a few more nice days as I put off doing some of the fall gardening and yardwork that is calling to me. Part of my procrastination is due to the projects that beckon indoors.  I've never been a real "outdoorsy" person, although I do love my garden plus camping and campfires.  But the sewing and crocheting and baking and reading ... ah, that's what I am more apt to be doing, even as the thought of winter's cold days should inspire me to spend more time outside now. A check-up with my doctor, that indicated cholesterol levels were becoming a problem, convinced me to see if I could bring down those levels with a vastly improved diet.  My thinking is that if a really strict healthy diet doesn't decrease the cholesterol levels, then I will need to take medication.  But if I can avoid any extra meds, that is my prefere...

What do you wear in the summer when the air conditioning in stores and restaurants is just too much, but outside the heat is sweltering? I like to carry a lightweight sweater or shawl when I go out.  Often leaving the house involves a last-minute decision on what I can take that will offer a little protection from the icy breeze while light enough to carry while outside .... and also that goes with whatever outfit I am wearing.   My sister has been busy this summer making lightweight kimono cover-ups from lightweight fabric and large scarves.  I like to think of them as shawls with sleeves.  Easier to wear than a shawl because you don't need to knot it or hold it in place.  Lightweight enough to carry inside your purse.  Quick and easy to sew.  Perfect at a bbq or at the beach, when you want to keep the sun off your shoulders and prevent sunburn. She has made these kimono-like shawls for almost every cousin and aunt in our family. ...

The stores have all their spring and summer stock in place by now, and some of it is adorable.  But it's also pricey.  I admire all the pretty things, especially the little girl dresses, and sigh when I see the price tags.  But at least it inspires me to go home and check my ever-growing stash of pattern and fabric. I "acquire" fabric and patterns at yard sales and thrift shops.  I love sewing, and use up quite a bit of my purchases when I get my sewing machine set up.  But I also sell lots of adorable pattern in my Etsy shop.   It didn't start out that way.  My intention, when I set up the shop, was to sew tote bags and crochet floor rugs and sell them online.  I still do some of that, but somehow I have evolved into focusing on patterns.  I love the hunt for new patterns, and I love sharing them.  I enjoy the listing process, including googling to find the right terms to describe collars and trims and styles in general. ...