Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from May, 2014 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 1:08 am on May 3, 2014 Permalink  

  A Treasure 

  During this very long winter that has now become a late spring I had been tiding up projects that had been started in times past.  I cannot believe it, but that job jar has been emptied with the completion of the afghan that my friend, Martha, labeled as the “flame afghan.”

  

  The rose quilt that has warmed and
  served many over the decades.

  Digging in the linen closet I spied with my little eye a storage bag that had not been visited for some time.  One of the lovelies within was a quilt my Dad’s sister, Corrina, had handcrafted before I was born.  I only have the information that my Mom had given me — and as I have just celebrated my 70th birthday — I have no documentation as to just how many years prior it had been made.  The roses are appliqued on bleached feed sacks.  At one time the pure pink and green colors were brilliant and now they are a wonderful, muted soft color attesting to the wear and tear the surface of each block has experienced.

  During yet another rain shower yesterday, I took my treasure and went to Sherburn, Minneosta, to the Old Alley Quilt Shop for some advice.  Some of the blocks have actual holes worn and many of the thousands upon thousands of hand quilted stitches have long ago disappeared.  As Sharon and I enjoyed a cup of coffee, mulling possibilities, there was only one solution:  no repair, no replacing of hand stitches, and no new fabric to be added to this treasure.

  Just as the scar I have on my left eye from falling head first into the brand new outhouse my Dad had built when I was five is a part of me, so are the small worn spots a representation of how much this quilt was used and loved.  Putting anything new on this treasure would take away from the simplistic — yet grand display — these stitches represented.

  I did come away with Vintage Textile Soak especially for antique linens to brighten up the yellowing that has taken place from previous use and also from being in storage.  The cleaning process will wait for a brilliant sunny day.  The quilt is to soak in this textile wash for 24-36 hours in the washing machine.  After it has been rinsed with clear water and spun to remove the weight of extra water, it will go into the clothes dryer for just a short time and then air dried outside.  Finding a spot in the backyard I will lay it flat on several bed sheets to finish the drying process.  Hanging it on the clothes line would put too much pressure on the seams.  I can imagine I will need to take a pot of coffee with me to ward off any birds in the direct vicinity.

  This wonderful work of art will find a spot on the quilt rack my Dad had made for me.  I won’t be putting Corrina’s quilt back in storage for the time being.  I want to be able to peek at it as I walk past or periodically put it on the bed to brighten up the west porch as the sun streams in.  I had anticipated putting in a lot of hours on this rehab and have now come to realize that I am open to start a brand new project.  Hmm.

  I really think it’s time for me to be able to be out in the gardens getting my fingernails dirty and leave the fabric projects behind for a bit.  This afternoon we had peeks of the sun and the temps reached 57 degrees.  I took my Weed and Spray and bent down real close and personal and let a multitude of dandelions have it with both barrels.  The dirt in the gardens is far too muddy to do anything but make a mess, but I am not so desperate for flowers that I will encourage the dandelions.  Warm spring days are just around the corner and I am ready, willing and able to take those days on.  Even Dennis is getting the bug to get the rider lawn mower ready.  Life on Stauffer is sweet.

   
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  Noreen 1:26 am on May 2, 2014 Permalink  

  Fleeting Thoughts: 

  Patience is the ability to accept delays in my life without anger.

  Tolerance is to accept behavior or opinions that I may not necessarily agree with.

  Exercising both of these attributes to excess can make me weary.  I am many times a zero in the equation for resolution of life’s events.  Quilting and gardening can wear me out.  I choose quilting and gardening to wear me out and the end result – I have something positive to show for my toil and that weariness is satisfying.

   
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  Noreen 3:52 am on May 1, 2014 Permalink  

  Today Was a Road Trip Date 

  Gray skies and continued rain showers made for Dennis to plan the day to take a drive to Cabela’s mega-sports store in Owatonna.  I accepted his invitation to ride along.  We had not traveled east of Mankato in some time and were surprised that Minnesota State Highway #14 is now a four lane all the way to Owatonna.  It may very well be complete beyond that point towards Rochester but that will be for another excursion.  It is always interesting to see the changes in the landscape on these road trips.

  Dennis looked and touched and came away with a new awareness of how several of his guns have appreciated in value. That was a very self satisfying feeling.   As we drove home westward towards  Mankato we again had the windshield wipers on. Our date concluded with a bite to eat in Mankato.  We sat over several additional cups of coffee and deemed the day a great road trip date.   In case you are rolling your eyes right about now, yes – you are right – it does not take much to satisfy and bring contentment to Dennis and me.  Priceless!

   
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  Noreen 2:00 am on April 30, 2014 Permalink  

  Beauty and the Beast 

  

  The Fairfax Beauty nestled under the protection of the fierce.

   
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  Noreen 1:53 am on April 29, 2014 Permalink  

  We Are Expecting New Neighbors 

  

  As soon as the temps rise above the 40s,
  and the horrific winds settle down, we will
  be ready to welcome new neighbors.

   
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  Noreen 11:46 pm on April 27, 2014 Permalink  

  Lois' Mini-Cinnamon Rolls 

  • You’ll need 1, 8-oz tube of crescent roll dough (the size that makes 16 mini rolls)

  • 2 Tablespoons butter

  • Cinnamon

  • Brown sugar

  For the maple icing:

  • 1 Teaspoon maple syrup

  • 1 Tablespoon milk

  • 3/4 cup powered sugar

  Preheat oven according to dough package directions.  Layout half of the dough (4 triangles) and pinch all the seams together.  Flip over and pinch the seams together on the back side.

  Using a rolling pin or a water glass, smooth the seams and roll the dough into a square 1/4″ thick.  Brush with half the butter and sprinkle on as much cinnamon and brown sugar as you desire.  Roll into a log and cut in to 8 pieces. Repeat with the remaining 4 triangles.

  Place rolls into a sprayed mini muffin tin.  I have also tried placing them into a 9 x 12 baking pan that has been sprayed.  Bake according to dough package directions.

  For the frosting: Meanwhile, whisk maple syrup and milk in a bowl.  Add powdered sugar and have it ready.

  When the rolls are still warm from the oven, pop them out of the muffin tin or cake pan by turning them upside down and place them right side up on a tray, ready for some frosting.

   
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  Noreen 4:29 am on April 27, 2014 Permalink  

  Dennis and I went for a drive to… 

  Dennis and I went for a drive to the west of St. James this afternoon to see if there was farming going on.  It’s pretty much hit and miss.  What struck me was the size of the equipment.  It seemed to be floating above the fields.  For the most part farmers were pulling fertilizer tanks getting the fields ready for corn planting.  Right now it is late afternoon with dark skies and blustery winds that make it feel very cool. Spring has had a bit more of a set back.  Brr!  Jackets are still very much needed.

   
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  Noreen 4:56 am on April 26, 2014 Permalink  

  Old Can Become New 

  

  No it isn’t Voodoo – it is a sand shovel that had lost it’s handle and has been re-purposed into garden art. A few pieces of turned metal rods and two drawer knobs make for the unique. As soon as my plants have made themselves known this will find a place in one of the gardens.

   
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  Noreen 3:05 am on April 25, 2014 Permalink  

  It’s About Time! 

  We had 3/4 of an inch of rain during last night and continued falling into the early morning hours.  It was the first real full blown rain that had enough power to wash some of the winter grimy residue away.  The sun is now shining and it’s a good thing.  This now feels like spring.

   
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  Noreen 2:18 am on April 24, 2014 Permalink  

  Patience Serves Me Well 

  A gray day that is bringing us some needed rain showers and a perfect time to post the closing of a project of mine. March 19th of this year I posted a photo of a forgotten project tucked away in a sewing bag in our attic.  I am at the age and stage of my life that unfinished projects will become a throw away for those that find in sometime in the future.  The busy world of today does not leave much time for the luxury of handmade items to be made in spare time.  Do they even make “spare time” anymore?

  Visits to several stores in Mankato that carry yarn were less than successful.  There is no longer the array of colors that I had chosen for this afghan in the mid 1980s.  I was looking for the eight colors that had been used and my visits to the stores brought me the sum total of one color that would match my originals.  Hmm!  Dennis would have been willing to drive to more towns but a check on the various yarn companies via my computer indicated that what once was for choices is no longer available.   More yarns are available for high end fashion than utility afghans.

  Each evening I would put the afghan on my lap and try to whip out a few rows.  I knew I had a time dead line.  I was not going to be looking forward to holding a warm afghan on my lap while the air conditioner was thumping away to keep me comfortable while putting Dennis into hypothermia.  Initially the eight colors represented 8 skeins at 4 ounces each. I must have been feeling really enthused in the 1980s as the width of the afghan was wide enough to cover a full sized bed rather than the usual 40 – 45 inch width.  With pad and pencil working out the amount of length that a skein produced I knew I had to compromise and do the belly of the afghan in a complementary color to the original.

  

  It may have been out of sight for a time, but now
  will be ready and waiting to bring cuddle time.

  I did enjoy the project to the extent that the mind wandered here and there and everywhere into the memories of days gone by.  We had very little extra resources when Orlin and I farmed and Carrie and Kevin were wee ones.  I was never refused to purchase yarn when it produced something that could be used in our home.  I have an idea that it was deemed a good thing because Orlin’s mother, Esther, was an avid crocheter and Orlin may have equated me doing something that was a representation of what his mother did and enjoyed.  Thinking a bit more in that vain, Orlin’s mother also painted with fabric paints and I too was allowed to buy paints and even take Esther to several events where new ideas were presented.  To this day I still enjoy those self same hobbies.  Hats off to Esther Schafer, a very talented and thrifty gal.

  This last Monday was the day I wanted to finish up the afghan.  I couldn’t take being indoors any longer.  With the sun shining and the wind being blustery I headed to the back patio and put in one single crochet after another, not daring to think of how many it would take to get to the finish.  Usually it does not take 12 skeins of yarn or take one hour to put on one row of stitches, but there was no turning back as to what it would take to put this project to rest.  Any good crafter will tell you that what you start you mush finish. Dennis brought out coffee and kept me company for a bit and soon the next door neighbor, Jan, came over and we chatted away until the last stitch was poked in.

  

  Perhaps crocheting in the backyard will encourage
  the perennials to make their appearance.

  I like the fact that I have the patience for the time consuming crocheting and quilting.  I don’t give myself permission to have nothing to show for each day.  It didn’t work for my grandmother Laura and it serves me just as well.  Some day there may be a smile on the face of a family member when they get to take the colorful afghan home to snuggle up with.  Oh yes, there will be a time again when homespun and handmade items will again bring favor and appreciation over the items fresh out of China.  Mark my words.

  When granddaughter Megan was here earlier in the month she ask me if I knew how to knit.  You know, I may just have to check out some YouTube Videos to see if could get the hang of just enough to help Megan out if she decides it might be for her.

  In life, please give and have no memory of it, or take and remember it always.