Yesterday Goddaughter Maria was here for a sewing day. She finally finished the ribbon bag from Made by Me (See previous blogs for bibliographical info.) She was thrilled to have her own purse, "not Grace's", and something which was homemade. We adapted the pattern to add a flap with a button so she is less likely to loose things. She could not find her cross stitch project, known as "MPO" for her initials, or, as Godfather thought, "Main Post Office". She had two yards of a beautiful blue and purple floral print challis fabric with her, however, so we rummaged through my patterns and cut out a skirt. I even had an appropriately colored zipper in the right length in my stash, so we are ready to sew next time she comes over.
Last evening we also had a Shaklee Expo. It was the first time I tried the Enfuselle Calming Complex, and I have to say that I looked like a different person this morning. My skin looked so young and fresh. I am so tempted to keep a bottle on hand for special ocassions. I also won two bags of the new Cinch Crisps. I had one today as my lunch. The crisps are about the thickness of Fritos, and I have to say they have kept me well satisfied. I am now keeping a box of Cinch Meal Bars in my car for meals on the run. I heard several interesting testimonies. One of our "users" has improved so much in the heart health department that she no longer needs her pacemaker! Another woman from the Cities was able to reverse her macular degeneration, which had gone from dry to wet, by using Vivix and Omegas. I also heard of a couple more two year olds who swallow their vitamins and supplements as Ariana does. Another wonderful story told about MRSA reversal with high doses of the Shaklee Garlic. I do not think I knew Heidi when she was at her heaviest weight, but she said last evening that she has lost 110 pounds on Cinch. It must be over the course of three or four years, which is incredible, since most people will have been on several diets in that amount of time, and will have experienced the yo-yo diet effect, lose, gain back even more, lose, gain back even more. Impressive. She still has a few pounds to go to get to her wedding weight. I have work to do to improve my health with more exercise and less food, but I know I am on the right track with the right nutritional supplements, and the right company.
Friday, November 30, 2012
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Human Trafficking in Central Minnesota
I often pick up copies of the complimentary magazine, Central Minnesota Women to see what is new in our area. The October/November 2012 raised my eyebrows a bit. I would like to share a few statistics from the cover story, "Trendsetters Boutique: Battling the Oldest Oppression". First note the title words: "oppression", not,"profession", indicating that prostitution is not really a profession of choice. That is certainly a change from the attitude most of us have held about prostitution in the past. Then look at the statistic on the following page that says 95% of prostitutes use drugs or alcohol, because they are more easily controlled by their pimps if they are addicted. Hardly a matter of choice. Further down you see the estimate that a girl entering into prostitution at the age of 13 will probably only live five to seven more years. According to the article, the FBI says Minnesota sells about 10,000 women and girls into sex slavery every year, with the metropolitan area accounting for the 13th largest center for child prostitution in the country. Further yet, a 16 year old woman had been prostituting out of an unnamed St. Cloud hotel 80 times in one year. That's St. Cloud, folks.
The article hit home with me as the mother of a foster child who attempted to run away. Said child had been sexually abused in her birth home. Her counselor revealed that she had undergone "grooming" with one of birth mom's boyfriends. At the time that she reappeared at our door after running (Looked like she had made a path in the snow out to the road, then retreated to hide in a car in the garage) the police officer at our home warned her of the dangers that await girls out on the street. After three disrupted adoptions, at the age of 18 this young woman moved into her own apartment. Within days she had moved out of the apartment and in with a young man. When she broke up with him she immediately moved in with another man who had a prison record and a pornographic photography business. She is a mother now, but sees pornography and exotic dancing as perfectly acceptable occupations. Last we heard her three youngest children had all been removed from her home. She had already surrendered her first child. How does one begin to penetrate the years of abuse to re-educate her on what a real relationship, and a real family, look like?
Stop the johns, and prostitution necessarily stops. But how does a person convince men that prostitution is immoral? The same can be said for pornography. If no one bought it, no one would produce it.
The sexual revolution and the Pill have done nothing to diminish the problems of sexual abuse and prostitution, not even replacing them with masterbation, homosexuality (We'll not even address homosexual prostitution here!), adultery, or fornication, which one might assume would happen now that anything goes. Why not? Could it be that feeding the appetite really makes it stronger and more difficult to control, rather than easier to manage?
Dear Lord, help us to know You, love You, and serve You. St. Michael, pray for us.
The article hit home with me as the mother of a foster child who attempted to run away. Said child had been sexually abused in her birth home. Her counselor revealed that she had undergone "grooming" with one of birth mom's boyfriends. At the time that she reappeared at our door after running (Looked like she had made a path in the snow out to the road, then retreated to hide in a car in the garage) the police officer at our home warned her of the dangers that await girls out on the street. After three disrupted adoptions, at the age of 18 this young woman moved into her own apartment. Within days she had moved out of the apartment and in with a young man. When she broke up with him she immediately moved in with another man who had a prison record and a pornographic photography business. She is a mother now, but sees pornography and exotic dancing as perfectly acceptable occupations. Last we heard her three youngest children had all been removed from her home. She had already surrendered her first child. How does one begin to penetrate the years of abuse to re-educate her on what a real relationship, and a real family, look like?
Stop the johns, and prostitution necessarily stops. But how does a person convince men that prostitution is immoral? The same can be said for pornography. If no one bought it, no one would produce it.
The sexual revolution and the Pill have done nothing to diminish the problems of sexual abuse and prostitution, not even replacing them with masterbation, homosexuality (We'll not even address homosexual prostitution here!), adultery, or fornication, which one might assume would happen now that anything goes. Why not? Could it be that feeding the appetite really makes it stronger and more difficult to control, rather than easier to manage?
Dear Lord, help us to know You, love You, and serve You. St. Michael, pray for us.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Sew Simple
My latest project book purchase was Sew Simple (Gooseberry Patch, Delaware, OH, 2008). I found it at Jo Ann's, and went back and purchased a second copy, their last, for my Goddaughter. I was captivated by the cute pictures, simple projects, and recipes. So far I have tried two of the recipes, and four of the projects.
I loved the Tickled Pink Drink made from strawberries and yogurt. It is a great way to use the frozen strawberries we have from our spring garden, much more appealing and appetizing than our usual frozen strawberries and ice cream. I throw in whatever amount of strawberries we have in one bag, so I usually get about six cups in a batch. I am the only one drinking it unless we have company, so I freeze the leftovers in glasses and pull them out for breakfast or breaks as desired.
The Chewy Chocolate-Caramel Bars were entirely too sweet for me. If I use that recipe again I will make changes. I am thinking of trying it first in a 9"x13" pan. Other options are cutting the chips down by half, and using only white sugar for the crumb mixture.
The Sling Bag was the first project I tried. I decided to add a lightweight interfacing for extra body, and this might have been the cause of my difficulties. I found it very awkward getting to the seam at the bottom of the bag. I had rumples in the seam when I was finished. I had planned and purchased supplies for two bags before I even started, so to be fair, I will do the next one without the interfacing. If that does not go well, I will give up on that pattern.
The Drawstring Bag from the tea towel turned out well. I skipped the felt flowers on the handle, and instead added the fabric flower from the Gift Bags onto the front of the bag. I made a second bag with an old cloth napkin using fancy buttons on the tie. I added rick rack to the top of that bag, but I thought it looked a bit odd. I left both my tea towel and napkin whole, instead of cutting them, as the book recommended. The bags could be used as gift bags, panty hose bags, rag bags, knitting bags, anything that needs containing.
I made several of the potholders, using leftover heat reistant fabric and quilt batting for the insides and backs. I added expensive buttons, but the buttons and ties gave the potholders added cuteness. For a practical person they could be omitted.
I have fabric, trims and twill tape to complete the Knitting Needle Roll and Tote Bag, so I will do those projects next.
I loved the Tickled Pink Drink made from strawberries and yogurt. It is a great way to use the frozen strawberries we have from our spring garden, much more appealing and appetizing than our usual frozen strawberries and ice cream. I throw in whatever amount of strawberries we have in one bag, so I usually get about six cups in a batch. I am the only one drinking it unless we have company, so I freeze the leftovers in glasses and pull them out for breakfast or breaks as desired.
The Chewy Chocolate-Caramel Bars were entirely too sweet for me. If I use that recipe again I will make changes. I am thinking of trying it first in a 9"x13" pan. Other options are cutting the chips down by half, and using only white sugar for the crumb mixture.
The Sling Bag was the first project I tried. I decided to add a lightweight interfacing for extra body, and this might have been the cause of my difficulties. I found it very awkward getting to the seam at the bottom of the bag. I had rumples in the seam when I was finished. I had planned and purchased supplies for two bags before I even started, so to be fair, I will do the next one without the interfacing. If that does not go well, I will give up on that pattern.
The Drawstring Bag from the tea towel turned out well. I skipped the felt flowers on the handle, and instead added the fabric flower from the Gift Bags onto the front of the bag. I made a second bag with an old cloth napkin using fancy buttons on the tie. I added rick rack to the top of that bag, but I thought it looked a bit odd. I left both my tea towel and napkin whole, instead of cutting them, as the book recommended. The bags could be used as gift bags, panty hose bags, rag bags, knitting bags, anything that needs containing.
I made several of the potholders, using leftover heat reistant fabric and quilt batting for the insides and backs. I added expensive buttons, but the buttons and ties gave the potholders added cuteness. For a practical person they could be omitted.
I have fabric, trims and twill tape to complete the Knitting Needle Roll and Tote Bag, so I will do those projects next.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Made by Me, Take 2
I wrote about the book, Made by Me (Jane Bull, Dorling Kindersley Limited, 2009) when I first purchased copies for myself and my Goddaughter. Maria's assignment for our next sewing date is to complete sewing the ribbons on her purse (Bags of Ribbon, p. 34 ff.) She is having a bit of difficulty sewing the ribbons on evenly, my guess is because some of them have a suede nap. She has been using a combination of machine and hand sewing. She also started a cross stitch design (pp. 20 ff.), but I was unable to find a fabric larger than 16 point, so that also is a challenge. I, on the other hand, am going to town on the Hanging Softies ( pp. 30 ff.)! These are so cute that I had to try one, and one has turned into several now that I have purchased felt in many colors. I have been letting my 91 year old mother help with cutting pieces and picking colors as she is able, so that she has some sort of diversion. I am using acrylic felt to economize, but if I were to do a large gift item, I would love to try wool felt. The felt is easy to sew, and I am getting the hang of starting and ending blanket stitch once again. I have done the hearts with flowers, the chick ornament in a couple of different colors, and hearts with buttons. I had circles cut, but decided I wanted more traditional designs, rather than mod. A couple small bags come next. Oh, Maria, you've got to try these!
My stash busting continues in the basement. That blue latticed quilt meant for Catholic Charities will now be enlarged to go to Quilt Bingo at St. Anthony's. A few hotpads to go, and I will be finished with as much as I can get done for the Prolife Kids Club bake sale this Sunday. The hotpads have used very little fabric, but I got to try the coordinating pieces I got from a stash someone gave to St. Anthony's, and colors from my stash that will not be usable for anything else that I can imagine.
My stash busting continues in the basement. That blue latticed quilt meant for Catholic Charities will now be enlarged to go to Quilt Bingo at St. Anthony's. A few hotpads to go, and I will be finished with as much as I can get done for the Prolife Kids Club bake sale this Sunday. The hotpads have used very little fabric, but I got to try the coordinating pieces I got from a stash someone gave to St. Anthony's, and colors from my stash that will not be usable for anything else that I can imagine.
Monday, October 15, 2012
Alfalfa
My daughter and granddaughter were here for an hour this morning. My granddaughter, who is 21 months, spotted my bottle of Shaklee Alfalfa on the table again. She HAD to have some! Once in awhile she spits it out, but most of the time she eats several tablets. Her mom thinks it the weirdest thing. Grandma is pleased, since I know it is good for her allergies. Only thing is, she is using up my supply. After skimping for several weeks, I know I have to maintain my regular usage of about 30 a day for my own sinuses. Otherwise I feel pain. Alfalfa has been my Sudafed replacement for the past three years.
I am on a roll with my blue scrappy quilt. This top will be given away, but I am very pleased with how well my lattice stripping is turning out. I ripped out the first few rows and trimmed my squares, and am very happy that I did. The seams match perfectly now. After this I get to finish the four patch to practice corner triangles. I must confess that I did add three yards of Mills End fabrics to my stash last Friday, but three yards for $5 is a great bargain, and two of the fabrics were solids. Otherwise I progress towards my one project policy. The excesses have got to be used up so that when I die, I will not leave boxes and boxes of fabric behind for my poor husband to have to distribute. I am learning.
I am on a roll with my blue scrappy quilt. This top will be given away, but I am very pleased with how well my lattice stripping is turning out. I ripped out the first few rows and trimmed my squares, and am very happy that I did. The seams match perfectly now. After this I get to finish the four patch to practice corner triangles. I must confess that I did add three yards of Mills End fabrics to my stash last Friday, but three yards for $5 is a great bargain, and two of the fabrics were solids. Otherwise I progress towards my one project policy. The excesses have got to be used up so that when I die, I will not leave boxes and boxes of fabric behind for my poor husband to have to distribute. I am learning.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Flowers
I remember one of the things I was so anxious to comment about the other day. First, my St. Pauli African violet has another bud on it. It has been about six months since it last bloomed. Second, my brother Bob gave me a slip from Mother's Christmas cactus plant which he had rooted last fall. Mother's new cactus planting at home had an impatiens growing in it from seed from the flowers growing nearby the cactus, and as my cactus grew, so did an impatiens sprout up. The cactus bloomed last month. It is finished, but I now have a few flowers on the impatiens. What a way to add splash to winter!
I purchased some close-to-sell-by-date thistle seed, and will put some out today to see if I can attract any finches.I still see the blue jays and northern flickers at the sunflower feeder.
After all of my fuss over the two knitting books I could not find, and discovered that I had indeed loaned them to Anne, and then forgot to pick up when I was at her house, I have found a new pattern to use for my second purple gift scarf. I am moving out of my comfort zone little by little. One stitch at a time is bringing me to new levels of ability.
I purchased some close-to-sell-by-date thistle seed, and will put some out today to see if I can attract any finches.I still see the blue jays and northern flickers at the sunflower feeder.
After all of my fuss over the two knitting books I could not find, and discovered that I had indeed loaned them to Anne, and then forgot to pick up when I was at her house, I have found a new pattern to use for my second purple gift scarf. I am moving out of my comfort zone little by little. One stitch at a time is bringing me to new levels of ability.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Grandmother
Going over to see my little granddaughter again today. Nothing more snuggly than having a baby sleeping on my shoulder with her head next to mine. Kitties are very warm, but babies fit better. On Wednesday I could hardly bear to leave Anne's house because Little Girl was content to be in Grandma's arms.
We are having snow, snow, and more snow. This must be closer to what Laura Ingalls Wilder's family had in The Long Winter. It is closer to the winters that I remember as a child, absent the cold temperatures. I can remember one year that the St. Paul Pioneer Press gave Mother Nature the cold shoulder award for so many days with temperatures below zero. That was the year steering wheels were breaking off in Alaska because of the extreme cold.
Off to work. I cannot remember the things I was so anxious to blog about yesterday! Senility is upon us. I need to pick up some provisions for Anne, and get a Shaklee package out in the mail.
We are having snow, snow, and more snow. This must be closer to what Laura Ingalls Wilder's family had in The Long Winter. It is closer to the winters that I remember as a child, absent the cold temperatures. I can remember one year that the St. Paul Pioneer Press gave Mother Nature the cold shoulder award for so many days with temperatures below zero. That was the year steering wheels were breaking off in Alaska because of the extreme cold.
Off to work. I cannot remember the things I was so anxious to blog about yesterday! Senility is upon us. I need to pick up some provisions for Anne, and get a Shaklee package out in the mail.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Grandma and Grandpa!
We are now Grandma and Grandpa Becker. Anne had her baby on my birthday. Baby Girl has silky-soft dark blonde hair, a double chin, and itty-bitty fingers and toes. Can you hear Grandma cooing? Today we sang songs together, played pat-a-cake, played This Little Piggy Went to Market, counted to five on her toes, and took a walking tour of the apartment. I also got to change my first diaper in many years.
I stopped at Michael's to use my Christmas gift card today, but I did not have any knitting patterns with me and could not find a particular yarn, so I will hold off until I have more time to look.
I saw a bald eagle flying near our house as I headed into town, and a male ring-neck pheasant as I drove home.
I stopped at Michael's to use my Christmas gift card today, but I did not have any knitting patterns with me and could not find a particular yarn, so I will hold off until I have more time to look.
I saw a bald eagle flying near our house as I headed into town, and a male ring-neck pheasant as I drove home.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Happy Thanksgiving
Only Rush Limbaugh can turn the first Thanksgiving feast into a meal of free-range turkey and organic vegetables. Thanks, Rush! I needed the laughs this morning.
We had a couple short periods of freezing drizzle before the snow started. I hope my husband makes it home safely from work. We will decide tomorrow whether it is safe to drive to my sister's house in the Cities for Thanksgiving dinner. I will wait until tomorrow to prepare my bring-along food.
I have fallen off of the band wagon on my retreat resolutions, and have even taken a step backwards from the progress I had made earlier. Blessed Mother, help me out of this slump. I am persevering in my reading of The Glories of Mary by St. Alphonsus Liguori, in spite of its length. In another month I will need to start my annual review for my consecration to Mary. But I am so lazy....
I started some breads today. I need to take something to the Becker Thanksgiving on Sunday, and also need some extra loaves in the freezer. The house is cold, and bread baking is a good way to warm it up. I hope to get some knitting and sewing done in between kneading and rising.
Wouldn't ya know, Janet Nepolitano has announced the possibility of using the new high-radiation full body airport scanners in bus terminals and railroad depots. The new American Police State is now in full swing. No thought of strengthening our borders because the real goal is subverting the American people, not preventing terrorism. Why else subject them to the degradation of the TSA pat-downs and body scans? Don't believe it? Experts say the new scanners probably would not have caught the underwear bomber.
We had a couple short periods of freezing drizzle before the snow started. I hope my husband makes it home safely from work. We will decide tomorrow whether it is safe to drive to my sister's house in the Cities for Thanksgiving dinner. I will wait until tomorrow to prepare my bring-along food.
I have fallen off of the band wagon on my retreat resolutions, and have even taken a step backwards from the progress I had made earlier. Blessed Mother, help me out of this slump. I am persevering in my reading of The Glories of Mary by St. Alphonsus Liguori, in spite of its length. In another month I will need to start my annual review for my consecration to Mary. But I am so lazy....
I started some breads today. I need to take something to the Becker Thanksgiving on Sunday, and also need some extra loaves in the freezer. The house is cold, and bread baking is a good way to warm it up. I hope to get some knitting and sewing done in between kneading and rising.
Wouldn't ya know, Janet Nepolitano has announced the possibility of using the new high-radiation full body airport scanners in bus terminals and railroad depots. The new American Police State is now in full swing. No thought of strengthening our borders because the real goal is subverting the American people, not preventing terrorism. Why else subject them to the degradation of the TSA pat-downs and body scans? Don't believe it? Experts say the new scanners probably would not have caught the underwear bomber.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Six of One
I am embroidering simple cross stitch quilt squares. As I work to untangle my floss for the first five crosses, I think of all of those who scold the long string users. The theory is that quilt thread, embroidery floss, and hand-sewing thread should never be longer than 18 inches, so that it does not tangle as it worked. Us long threaders prefer them long even if we have to deal with tangles, so that we do not have to make so many knots. We are just as correct.
I can think of countless examples where there are not the absolutes sometimes attributed. Women can make beautiful quilts out of cut up clothing and cardboard templates as well as out of pricey quilt shop fabric and the latest cutting tools. Eggs can be eaten runny or hard. Toilet paper can roll from the front or from the back. Cats can live in the house, or in the barn. A person can be comfortable reading from a book, or off of a Kindle. There is no disputing taste.
It looks as if I will have to head to the veterinarian with Gracie, if not for her shots, at least for a look-see at her eye. There is no pus, but I do wipe blood away daily from her tear duct, and her eye is quite red. The fur around the eye is now darkening, as if bruised underneath. I do not like the thought of spending money on the cat just now.
I am making headway on several different quilt projects. Can' have just one going at a time. No Sirree! Last night I did restrain myself to window shopping at JoAnn's for fabric that will match some of my future quilt pieces. If I get too much piled up my stress level increases.
I can think of countless examples where there are not the absolutes sometimes attributed. Women can make beautiful quilts out of cut up clothing and cardboard templates as well as out of pricey quilt shop fabric and the latest cutting tools. Eggs can be eaten runny or hard. Toilet paper can roll from the front or from the back. Cats can live in the house, or in the barn. A person can be comfortable reading from a book, or off of a Kindle. There is no disputing taste.
It looks as if I will have to head to the veterinarian with Gracie, if not for her shots, at least for a look-see at her eye. There is no pus, but I do wipe blood away daily from her tear duct, and her eye is quite red. The fur around the eye is now darkening, as if bruised underneath. I do not like the thought of spending money on the cat just now.
I am making headway on several different quilt projects. Can' have just one going at a time. No Sirree! Last night I did restrain myself to window shopping at JoAnn's for fabric that will match some of my future quilt pieces. If I get too much piled up my stress level increases.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Garden of Weedin'
I spent the afternoon working in the Mary Garden at St. John Cantius. Yes, Gerard, I realize now that I did not take any pictures of the garden when it was in full bloom. I cut down some perennials, pulled out the annuals, and worked on edging the patio blocks. Tomorrow I may not be able to move. I am looking forward to a cozy evening embroidering.
I finished the book, Looking for the King (Downing, Ignatius Press). It kept me interested enough to have to finish it. I would not, however, rate it as one of the best mysteries of all time. I had planned on moving right on to Rachel's Contrition, but I side-tracked into Pearce's Tolkien: Man and Myth. The later appears to be an easy read, and suitably follows Downing's book with guest appearances by the Inklings. I am on my second chapter just reading on my lunch breaks at work. Arthur has expressed interest in this book, too, since he has watched all of the Lord of the Rings movies with me. I read those books down at the lake in my youth. I am paying for those bad sunburns now with skin discoloration and moles.
Time to prepare supper. Fried potatoes and fish. It's Friday.
I finished the book, Looking for the King (Downing, Ignatius Press). It kept me interested enough to have to finish it. I would not, however, rate it as one of the best mysteries of all time. I had planned on moving right on to Rachel's Contrition, but I side-tracked into Pearce's Tolkien: Man and Myth. The later appears to be an easy read, and suitably follows Downing's book with guest appearances by the Inklings. I am on my second chapter just reading on my lunch breaks at work. Arthur has expressed interest in this book, too, since he has watched all of the Lord of the Rings movies with me. I read those books down at the lake in my youth. I am paying for those bad sunburns now with skin discoloration and moles.
Time to prepare supper. Fried potatoes and fish. It's Friday.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Time
I got a hair cut today. As I looked into the barber's mirror, I noticed a very prominent silver hair near my cheek. One of these years there will be too many to count.
Gracie still has a scab on her tear duct. I hesitate to wipe it off as I usually do. It looks as though she had a claw catch her there. Not my fault if she fights. It was probably with Blackie. In the picture below Gracie is displaying the quilt which I won at St. Anthony's last week.
Gracie still has a scab on her tear duct. I hesitate to wipe it off as I usually do. It looks as though she had a claw catch her there. Not my fault if she fights. It was probably with Blackie. In the picture below Gracie is displaying the quilt which I won at St. Anthony's last week.
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| Gracie Girl |
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| Blackie |
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Long Time No Write
Anne started her own blog, so I guess that means I need to get back into the swing on mine!
My latest news is that I won a quilt at St. Anthony's (St. Cloud) Quilt Bingo. This is about the fifth year that I have gone, so it was mine time. I am proud to be one of their new quilters, as well. The quilt which I won, as are all of their quilts, queen size. It has embroidered patches alternating with maroon patches, sashing and backing. The amount of work put into the emroidery alone is incredible.
My quilting is improving in speed, if not in stitch length. At one time at a quilting afternoon at Gone to Pieces, I was advised by another quilter to use a smaller needle and shorter thread. So far that has not given me smaller stitches. Mary B. has impressed upon me the need to use a thimble. I laugh with the other ladies at St. Anthony's about using longer thread so that I tie fewer knots, even if it means running the risk of tangles. Half of them do the same.Helping the quilters has energized me in the completion of the quilt top I started for them two years ago. It was supposed to be done in summer months while work was slow. Never happened. Now, however, I am on a roll.
Baby Mark's afghan is still unfinished.
Today I am baking cracked wheat bread with millet and flax seed thrown in. I also started some oatmeal apple bread, a good bread for breakfasts. Dinner tonight is pork chops and potatoes.
Now off to do laundry.
My latest news is that I won a quilt at St. Anthony's (St. Cloud) Quilt Bingo. This is about the fifth year that I have gone, so it was mine time. I am proud to be one of their new quilters, as well. The quilt which I won, as are all of their quilts, queen size. It has embroidered patches alternating with maroon patches, sashing and backing. The amount of work put into the emroidery alone is incredible.
My quilting is improving in speed, if not in stitch length. At one time at a quilting afternoon at Gone to Pieces, I was advised by another quilter to use a smaller needle and shorter thread. So far that has not given me smaller stitches. Mary B. has impressed upon me the need to use a thimble. I laugh with the other ladies at St. Anthony's about using longer thread so that I tie fewer knots, even if it means running the risk of tangles. Half of them do the same.Helping the quilters has energized me in the completion of the quilt top I started for them two years ago. It was supposed to be done in summer months while work was slow. Never happened. Now, however, I am on a roll.
Baby Mark's afghan is still unfinished.
Now off to do laundry.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Eat Your Vegetables, or Else?
Have you noticed that when politicians talk about reducing health care costs by making healthy choices, they limit their targets to obesity, cigarette smoking, and seat belts and bike helmets, the politically correct sins of the new century? What if they mentioned studies about how abortion can cause breast cancer, or about how the Pill can cause heart trouble? What about the diseases picked up through sexual promiscuity? What about AIDS, which is still a disease acquired primarily by homosexual activity in men? What about the mental illnesses caused or exacerbated by abortion, sexual promiscuity, divorce and infidelity? What about drug users? What about people who refuse to eat their vegetables, or fiber, or protein? What about using organic products as opposed to junky white bread, apples sprayed with pesticides, and milk containing growth hormones? What about people who refuse to believe in God, or pray, or go to church, when studies say these things make people happier, and healthier? Ask the centenarian why he has lived so long, and you will be told everything from drinking and smoking to having a beer and bacon everyday. The list of things which the government would have to include if it wants to "protect our health" would be endless.
Far better that the government gets out of the health care industry altogether, and lets individuals control their own health and seek their own happiness in their own ways.
Far better that the government gets out of the health care industry altogether, and lets individuals control their own health and seek their own happiness in their own ways.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Police State
Tornadoes ripped through the state of Minnesota on Thursday. The city of Wadena was particularly hard hit. By late evening we were hearing reports that the police had barracaded their streets so that only residents could access the city. I find that rather alarming. I can understand the possibility of gawkers and looters. What I do not understand is closing off the citizens from outside assistance by family and friends. What if you had elderly parents living in the town, or a single mother with young children. It is the natural response to want to check up on them. It is also common to call on friends and family for assistance. This one might have a chain saw, or a pick-up. That one might want your fallen trees for firewood. Why should the police department be able to say you cannot enlist their help?
The more I hear about the oil spill, the angrier I get. Why would we refuse the assistance of foreign oil skimmers just because the ships were not built with Union labor? Why not let BP burn the oil, or use chemical dispersants, so that the oil does not reach land. Why not let the state of Louisiana build sand berms when and where they want? Why send the Coast Guard out to disrupt clean up for an entire day because the clean-up crews might not have life jackets? Safety is well and good, but there is a time and place for everything. Let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater by being so tied up in regulations that we cannot move.
Who in our congress is willing to stand up and tell President Obama that he is acting way out of constitutional bounds by placing a moratorium on gulf drilling and by demanding that BP use a third party settle damages?
Yesterday I did a long overdue scrub-down of the bathtub. It is my least favorite cleaning job, and the one most easily left undone. Left undone, it grows into a larger task as each week of soap scum clings to the walls. It requires major elbow grease to cut through the grime. Now it is done, and I wonder what happened to that young bride who set aside one day every week to clean the bathroom, dust, vaccuum, and scrub the kitchen floor. I think she has gone knitting or something.
The more I hear about the oil spill, the angrier I get. Why would we refuse the assistance of foreign oil skimmers just because the ships were not built with Union labor? Why not let BP burn the oil, or use chemical dispersants, so that the oil does not reach land. Why not let the state of Louisiana build sand berms when and where they want? Why send the Coast Guard out to disrupt clean up for an entire day because the clean-up crews might not have life jackets? Safety is well and good, but there is a time and place for everything. Let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater by being so tied up in regulations that we cannot move.
Who in our congress is willing to stand up and tell President Obama that he is acting way out of constitutional bounds by placing a moratorium on gulf drilling and by demanding that BP use a third party settle damages?
Yesterday I did a long overdue scrub-down of the bathtub. It is my least favorite cleaning job, and the one most easily left undone. Left undone, it grows into a larger task as each week of soap scum clings to the walls. It requires major elbow grease to cut through the grime. Now it is done, and I wonder what happened to that young bride who set aside one day every week to clean the bathroom, dust, vaccuum, and scrub the kitchen floor. I think she has gone knitting or something.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Christian Mothers
http://www.fatherangelus.com/The national office of the Archconfraternity of Christian Mothers now sends out semi-monthly e-newsletters. They can be reached at christianmothers@consolidated.net, or at http://www.fatherangelus.com/.
Long Time No Blog
Since my last blog I have finished numerous knitted dishcloths, sewn three more Smart Bags and cut out several more, finished reading Andy Adam's Campfire Tales, become a Shaklee distributor, traveled to New Ulm, planted several annuals, and done some much needed weeding and thinning in my flower beds. I hop to figure out our new camera so I can add some pictures of my work.
Campfire Tales was a light, easy to read book. It was broken into three to four page stories, or tales, so I read one or two at a time. I found this book in one of the national park gift shops out west (probably Theodore Roosevelt Nat'l Park), and purchased it with the intention of reading it with Anne for school. We never used it as such, and in retrospect, so much the better. While the stories are told by cowboys around their evening campfires, it seems a book better read to oneself than read aloud. I enjoyed the simplicity of expression, though I did not know the meaning of all of the horse lingo, nor the geography of the trails from the 1800's.
Our annual trip to New Ulm took us to the Holiday Inn New Ulm for a first stay. We visited Domeier's, and while Papa did a tour of Schell Brewery, I paid visits to the two quilt shops and a second-hand bookshop in town. I enjoy the small quilt shops very much. I am not overwhelmed by too many fabric choices, and I feel like I am helping the local economy by my purchases. We discovered Turner Hall with its late 19th century paintings on the walls. Perhaps we will try out their lunch menu on a future visit. We drove past the Wanda Gag house, but it was not open for tour. We did a run through the Minnesota Music Museum, Arthur looking at Whoppee John, Sherwin Linton, and a few other familiar faces. The museum guide had lake cabin connections around central Minnesota, so I am sure his long chat with Arthur made his day. I looked for F. Melius Christiansen, music professor at St. Olaf who probably formed much of Mr. Engen's teaching at White Bear, but I found only the display from his induction ceremony into the Museum. I looked for more on Margie's old favorite, Johnny Holm, as well, but could not find his display. Arthur was not happy with his ribs at Wiegel's Kaiserhoff, so next time we will try Otto's restaurant at the Holiday Inn. Mama will probably like Otto's better, too, since they serve all my favorite German sides with their meals - red cabbage, German potato salad, and sauerkraut.
Marriage makes for truly strange bedfellows. I am hankering for a good pasta salad. Papa prefers potatoes. I like the pumpernickel bread, rosemary bread and popovers when we eat out, and he prefers the white bread. He usually orders the same thing, I usually try something different. He was raised on fried lake fish for Fridays, I was raised on tuna. I like green beans, while he prefers peas and corn. I like cooked carrots, while he prefers his raw.
I have a sparrow in one blue bird nest box, and a wren in the other. I put oriole nectar and grape juice out again this morning, but I may give up if we have another rain, or if the humidity brings on the mildew again. My new oriole feeder does keep the wasps out, but ants are still an issue.
Campfire Tales was a light, easy to read book. It was broken into three to four page stories, or tales, so I read one or two at a time. I found this book in one of the national park gift shops out west (probably Theodore Roosevelt Nat'l Park), and purchased it with the intention of reading it with Anne for school. We never used it as such, and in retrospect, so much the better. While the stories are told by cowboys around their evening campfires, it seems a book better read to oneself than read aloud. I enjoyed the simplicity of expression, though I did not know the meaning of all of the horse lingo, nor the geography of the trails from the 1800's.
Our annual trip to New Ulm took us to the Holiday Inn New Ulm for a first stay. We visited Domeier's, and while Papa did a tour of Schell Brewery, I paid visits to the two quilt shops and a second-hand bookshop in town. I enjoy the small quilt shops very much. I am not overwhelmed by too many fabric choices, and I feel like I am helping the local economy by my purchases. We discovered Turner Hall with its late 19th century paintings on the walls. Perhaps we will try out their lunch menu on a future visit. We drove past the Wanda Gag house, but it was not open for tour. We did a run through the Minnesota Music Museum, Arthur looking at Whoppee John, Sherwin Linton, and a few other familiar faces. The museum guide had lake cabin connections around central Minnesota, so I am sure his long chat with Arthur made his day. I looked for F. Melius Christiansen, music professor at St. Olaf who probably formed much of Mr. Engen's teaching at White Bear, but I found only the display from his induction ceremony into the Museum. I looked for more on Margie's old favorite, Johnny Holm, as well, but could not find his display. Arthur was not happy with his ribs at Wiegel's Kaiserhoff, so next time we will try Otto's restaurant at the Holiday Inn. Mama will probably like Otto's better, too, since they serve all my favorite German sides with their meals - red cabbage, German potato salad, and sauerkraut.
Marriage makes for truly strange bedfellows. I am hankering for a good pasta salad. Papa prefers potatoes. I like the pumpernickel bread, rosemary bread and popovers when we eat out, and he prefers the white bread. He usually orders the same thing, I usually try something different. He was raised on fried lake fish for Fridays, I was raised on tuna. I like green beans, while he prefers peas and corn. I like cooked carrots, while he prefers his raw.
I have a sparrow in one blue bird nest box, and a wren in the other. I put oriole nectar and grape juice out again this morning, but I may give up if we have another rain, or if the humidity brings on the mildew again. My new oriole feeder does keep the wasps out, but ants are still an issue.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Warm Up
I am supposed to be typing my overdue Christian Mothers newsletter right now. My internal (Patrician) calendar is always late, and in my mind I had another week to work on it, until a phone call made me realize it had to be in the mail today. I am still the student handing in late papers.
A glance out of the window showed my pussy willow in full catkins. After years of stagnance the branches are lengthened to a couple feet, and pulled toward the sky. I am trying to imagine my bush at the 20 foot height it will become. Although I saw no tulip tips in the Mary Garden at church last Sunday, I see two remnant tulips about five inches high in my flower bed in the side yard. I may not get blooms, since I dug out most of the bulbs last year, and what I see now is either a damaged or stray bulb.
One of the blogs which I follow is Foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. (http://www.foothillsofthegreatsmokymountains.blogspot.com/) I first found this site in a search for a dishcloth pattern from http://www.knittingpatterncentral.com/. Foothills has a gorgeous header photo of the Smoky Mountains. Recently she posted pictures of some of the projects she has knitted. I enjoy her pictures, often done against a backdrop of nature. I enjoy the vibrant colors she has used in her projects. When I looked at her site a few days ago it felt like spring. I was also intrigued by her participation in a Christian knitters group. When I have more time I can investigate that group.
Lion Brand had an article on picking up stitches in their latest e-newsletter. I scanned the article thinking I would get tips for a shawl pattern I plan on making. I am beginning to see why people who use the internet need to bookmark things. I cannot use the information from the article immediately, but I might need it in the future. Better save it! Then, just as our houses collect stuff that needs to be weeded out, every once in awhile we need to go through our computers and get rid of the things we do not need. How many computer storage sheds do you have?
A glance out of the window showed my pussy willow in full catkins. After years of stagnance the branches are lengthened to a couple feet, and pulled toward the sky. I am trying to imagine my bush at the 20 foot height it will become. Although I saw no tulip tips in the Mary Garden at church last Sunday, I see two remnant tulips about five inches high in my flower bed in the side yard. I may not get blooms, since I dug out most of the bulbs last year, and what I see now is either a damaged or stray bulb.
One of the blogs which I follow is Foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. (http://www.foothillsofthegreatsmokymountains.blogspot.com/) I first found this site in a search for a dishcloth pattern from http://www.knittingpatterncentral.com/. Foothills has a gorgeous header photo of the Smoky Mountains. Recently she posted pictures of some of the projects she has knitted. I enjoy her pictures, often done against a backdrop of nature. I enjoy the vibrant colors she has used in her projects. When I looked at her site a few days ago it felt like spring. I was also intrigued by her participation in a Christian knitters group. When I have more time I can investigate that group.
Lion Brand had an article on picking up stitches in their latest e-newsletter. I scanned the article thinking I would get tips for a shawl pattern I plan on making. I am beginning to see why people who use the internet need to bookmark things. I cannot use the information from the article immediately, but I might need it in the future. Better save it! Then, just as our houses collect stuff that needs to be weeded out, every once in awhile we need to go through our computers and get rid of the things we do not need. How many computer storage sheds do you have?
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Knitting
I decided I would take the plunge and join Ravelry, an on-line knitting group. Once again I am spurred on by seeing a new knitting pattern on another member's web site, which I simply must have!
St. Augusta was filled with spring today. The sun was out, and the neighbor's cat was on the prowl. The black labs next door were having hissy fits when they saw the cat walk through our yard. I had to go out and investigate when I did not see the meter man's car, or the mail man, or the UPS truck, or a garbage truck, or the other neighbors working at their shed. I forced Gracie Cat to stay in the house when I left for town later on. She gets nasty when her territory is invaded, and the other cat was larger, and probably male.
I purchased some wool yarn for a prayer shawl this afternoon. I am under the weather, and my mind is half gone, so I am thinking that I probably needed two more skeins than I purchased, since I am using a different yarn than the pattern called for. I did comparisons in the store, but who knows what I was really doing when I did it!
St. Augusta was filled with spring today. The sun was out, and the neighbor's cat was on the prowl. The black labs next door were having hissy fits when they saw the cat walk through our yard. I had to go out and investigate when I did not see the meter man's car, or the mail man, or the UPS truck, or a garbage truck, or the other neighbors working at their shed. I forced Gracie Cat to stay in the house when I left for town later on. She gets nasty when her territory is invaded, and the other cat was larger, and probably male.
I purchased some wool yarn for a prayer shawl this afternoon. I am under the weather, and my mind is half gone, so I am thinking that I probably needed two more skeins than I purchased, since I am using a different yarn than the pattern called for. I did comparisons in the store, but who knows what I was really doing when I did it!
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