First Thanksgiving

This is a first for many reasons.
The girls are hosting their first Thanksgiving at their apartment. I wanted to go out to eat...which would have been another first...but they, Ronni, jumped in and wanted to host this year.
It is also the first Thanksgiving that I have not hosted in many many years.
It is my first empty nest Thanksgiving, and I must admit that I did not handle that too well.
There are boys involved now, and adjustments need to be made for them and their traditions and family. Just wondering why I seem to make all the adjustments.
And granted, the girls were hosting this year, so they got to dictate.
We were to eat at 7pm so Hil and Joe coudl go to his folks for the traditional 2pm meal.
V had a friend visiting from Florida and our total is up to 9 this year.
My sister and her family seem to be estranged this year and no one really brought up the possibility of an invitation to them. Hopefully this will work itself out soon. One less stress free holiday the better...until I got irratable.
I was being selfish. I cooked the turkey this year. Smoke flooded my house for some unknown reason and when I went to check, burnt my fingers on the turkey pan. Punish ed!
Terry was able to be here, which is rare for him. God blessed us with a load right through South Bend and the money isn't bad. He even will be able to stay and help get the Christmas decorations out from the attic!

So, Terry is showered, the turkey smells wonderful, pumpkin cheese cake made, all my casserole dishes, and pots and silverware and drinking glasses are at the girls'.
Time to pick up mom...dad and mema are already there.
I'm a bit tired and have a slight headache...had a sinus infection for a couple weeks. Terry will make sure I keep my mouth shut!
I am blessed!

spinning from the lock

I had a very quiet, nice evening last night.
After a very nice lunch with a new friend, I did my dishes...I hate doing dishes!

I was trying to keep my foot up so I could try on shoes with Hilary.
My plan was to card and spin some wool for her socks.
I carded 3 rolls of electric yellow/green Romney.
When I dyed it, it came out so crisp and variegated depending on which part of the lock took up which part of the dye.
The tips were almost an orange, the center was lime green and the bottom was a cool green/silver color.
After carding, it was just a big fuzzy of electric green.
What happened to all the variation?!

I had been hearing about spinning from the lock so I thought I would give it a try.
The fleece naturally comes off of the sheep in sections, which is called a lock.
You are supposed to spin from the tip to the cut section.
Since I had washed and dyed the fleece, it was a bit matted,at least a bit much to spin from without carding.
I spent a few minutes separating a few locks then spun them to see how it would work. WOW!
The rest of the evening, until I could not hold my eyes open any longer, was spent fluffing up the locks.
I hope to get time to spin it today.

Hil is coming over today for coffee cake and then shoe shopping. Leaders' meeting at church tonight and then knitting lessons tomorrow.
I have a good life. I am blessed with a wonderful husband, great kids and fantastic friends. God is good.

Oliver

When I was a middle school girl, someone in my family received a balloon as a gift. It was a Mylar, helium balloon Most balloons are vertical, but this one was horizontal...I still don't understand how that works. This balloon was red on the top and yellow on the bottom and it had two big eyes on one end! We named it Oliver.

My dad has always liked to play with helium balloons. Not as most do : Sucking the helium to speak in a tiny high squeaky voice. No, he likes to add paperclips and other miscellaneous items so that the balloon will hover and float around the house.

Oliver was very fond of discovering new rooms around my childhood home in Pittsburgh Pa. It was a two story Tudor with a full basement.
Oliver would pop behind someone while their picture was being taken at Christmastime.
He would jump out of a closet in the den when you walked in.
He would protect you from bad dreams at night then scare the dickens out of you in the early morning.
He would hide for days then suddenly appear around a corner.
Oliver even got into the basement storage closet and made my mother scream when she went to look for winter clothes.

For some reason, this little fellow has been a part of my childhood, young adult, and present life. Every time I receive balloons, I try to add paperclips so my "Oliver" with hover around the house.

I made an Oliver this afternoon with birthday balloons my friend Kimberly got me. I was waiting for my carpet to dry from the steam cleaning I gave it.
Should have done the dishes instead, but "Oliver" made me smile.

I'm still not as good as my dad at the hover technique.
He has the mind of an engineer, and I'm sure the next time he comes over, he will fix my balloons for me.
Charlie doesn't like Oliver too much though. Oliver snuck behind the couch today and floated above Charlie while he was sleeping. I'm still giggling at his leaping off of the couch and growling at Oliver. He gives Oliver a wide berth!

Anyone else do silly things like that?

welling over

I am feeling very overjoyed and full today!
At Living Stones Church, we had 14 members baptised today...7 in each service~
I sent Hilary back for kleenex as both of us were tearful throughout!
The Spirit over takes me during anything to do with members being washed clean and welcomed into the family! Seriously, I will cry at an announcement of baptism.
The worship, message and excitement were beyond words!
I even came back to the second service to watch the other 7 being dunked and was glad I did!

My Bible study is on John 12-14 today, and every week I am finding some word or idea that I have never grasped while reading the Bible. Our leader Cynthia is such a meek woman of God. Someone to look to as a great example of Christ's love and patience and understanding!

John 12:47 summarized: it is not the purpose of the sun's shining to cast shadows, but when the sun shines, shadows are inevitable.

The marks of a disciple are John 8:3 the truth and teaching of Jesus
John 13:35 to love one another
John 15:8 to bear fruit.

John 14:12 anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing.
John 14:14 Ask for anything in my name and I will give it to you.
John 14:18 I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you
(Jesus as the Holy Spirit...ya Trinity!)

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as
the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

I am so full of His peace and fall to it daily. The world is so stressful and overwhelming if I let it be.
There truly is no other gift from Him that I need, but His peace.
All else can fall by the side, but His peace keeps me strong, calm, unafraid, happy...peaceful.
There is no other way to describe it. Constant in all of life. If you do not know it, seek it earnestly until you find it~!

Ho! Ho! Ho!

This time of year is a very difficult time of year for this "artist".
I have been making most of my Christmas presents for the better part of two decades. Many still have the first learned dishclothes. These truely are a treasure! You will always find one partially completed either by the couch, in my purse or in the car.

And now, all the new idea books are out and tempting me into indecision.
My mind whirling with the possibilities.
New patterns, new colors, new textures.

The only problem with these options is that I only have a few short weeks to start and finish anything.

After discovering that I truly enjoy making socks, and spinning yarn, these became the gifts of the year. I have a few more fibery things I want to try, but as I said earlier, time is an issue.

Thankfully my family appreciates my time and energy, and at time, partially completed projects to be given in the New Year.

I should know by now, that the time to start gifts is not October, it is February!

My only positive is that I have given up the majority of my "crafts" and have focused on three specialities. They happen to be the time consuming ones.
So, if you are part of my circle, be prepared to see me knitting furiously while in your company. This includes, dinners, meetings, and all other social engagements.
And yes! I am listening and actively taking part in our gatherings. I can focus on many things at once, so don't be distracted or discouraged. Quiz me if you want, unless I am counting~! Never interrupt me while I am counting!

New Ventures

For my birthday, my family bought me attachments for my Kromski Sonata spinning wheel.
A jumbo fly wheel with jumbo bobbins and a lazy kate. The fly wheel and bobbins allow me to make bulky, arty yarn. The lazy kate is a contraption so I can ply together balanced yarns. Plying is when you spin two or more strands together.

So...I have been experimenting. I have been watching a dvd from an art yarn spinner named Jacyee Boggs. What a talented young woman. Some day I will take one of her classes, because I am sure I am spinning this all wrong. I am having fun tho!
I have been spinning thick and thin yarn, then with lace weight thread, plying it and making cute little puffs into the yarn! I have two bobbins to play with!

I also made a felted wallet last night with the hand prepared fiber yahoo group. What a neat bunch of ladies! And the wallet turned out fantastic!
Took a thick piece of foam and lay carded batting on it, then poked it for what seemed like hours until is was a really neat piece of felt. I then felted up the sides of the pocket and cute little wallet! Need to do a buttonhole and sew on a button, but I really enjoyed this. Need some new tools if I plan on continuing!

Allergies have been awful and I think I have mold in the wall next to the garage which is causing my asthma to act up. Testing it now. Vacuumed 5 times to get rid of...everything! Lots of Arm N Hammer pet smell powder! Will steam clean this weekend and hopefully be able to put wood floors and an area rug down this spring. One box at a time I think. I also need to finish the rest of the projects in the house.
I seem to have had a worse time this year with breathing, so I have had no energy for much.

Have a wonderful fall day!

Birthday

I don't feel 45. I feel 24. I always seem to feel 24. Must think back on that time and ask why that was such a good age.

33 was hard for some reason, but hubby and great friends from Alabama surprised me with a party. I was really mean to Terry for not being around for my day when he was actually getting ready for my surprise.
I hate surprise parties. Thank goodness my daughters know this. They cannot keep secrets either!

I've only had 3 surprise parties in my life and I knew about two of them.
Faking surprise is horrible!
Last year the girls did surprise me with a wonderful gift/day tho. They faked breakfast at South Bend Chocolate and then sent me on my way to a day at the spa. First time ever being so pampered. It was wonderful! Lonely, but so nice!

I have always hated being alone. When I was in high school in psych class, we were challenged to do something that is hard for us.
I spent the day alone. I went downtown Pittsburgh and had lunch alone, saw a movie alone and then had dinner in a restaurant alone. Most uncomfortable day of my life, but learned I could do it!
Now I love my time. Good thing as kids moved out and hubby is a trucker. I have learned many things to occupy myself over the years and am thankful to my mom for the love of fibery things. And the puppies keep me company!

Over all, I am expecting today to be a good day. Breakfast at my folks, hair appointment with Hil and who knows what they have planned for later. Dinner at Japanese steak house tomorrow night with all my loved ones.
And in between, I'll fold my laundry!

GOLD!

Sitting here at the computer, it is hard to settle down and come up with constructive, interesting thoughts. I am so distracted by all the gold leaves outside. Gold, and copper and muted greens and yellows.

God really outdid himself on Fall leaves. It is my favorite time of year! I enjoy the chill in the air and the early evenings, candles and fireplaces.
My garden has died down but this year I am not going to pull up all the left over branches and stems. I want to see what the snow covering will turn them into.

The coziness of these nights will help me to spin and knit up all the gifts I have for Christmas ideas. Namely socks this year as I have found a new passion. So quick and so little yarn needed! Terry's socks are don and am working on a lace pattern for Veronica.

Need to spin the grape juice dyed wool, and I have a sneaky suspicion that I am getting a new maidenboard and large flywheel for my spinning wheel so I can spin extra bulky!

Better stock up on fiber for the colder than normal winter we are supposed to have.
I really want to try both art yarn and very smooth yarns as well as finger weight.
The vet has Icelandic sheep and will sell me both fleece and roving. As soon as I pay them off for Maggie's surgery, I will have to check it out!

I have tons of dye that I want to experiment with from my cyberfriend Dori Ann. Just need to get enough fiber built up that I can play.

Off to late church today as the Pet Refuge Halloween party was too much fun. I love
the girly girls! And I so love dressing in costume! It really is the only time you can go completely insane and everyone looks at you and you truly don't mind!
Maybe that's why God gave me a birthday the day before Halloween!
I am also so thankful that my girls have such a love of costumes as well!
Hilary is so creative and crazy! Veronica has always wanted to be the princess!
One year I made a very elaborate costume for her fantasy and she came down with strep throat. Poor baby wore her costume while handing out candy!
Fall.....great memories and great times ahead!
I am so blessed!~

the deer.

I homeschooled Veronica and Hilary for about 10 years.
Veronica started in 2nd grade and Hilary in Kindergarten.
Public schools in Reform Alabama, in the early 90's left something to be desired.
I had a wonderful support group of 5 families.
We all started out using the KONOS curriculum, which is a unit study program, that is biblical based. We used Saxson Math.

One of the first units we studied, was Indians. We visited the Moundville Indians and learned so much about them. The girls researched an Indian tribe and did a report on them, complete with costume and props...I even stayed up late on night and made moccasins out of deer hide my uncle sent from Nevada!
We had a traditional Indian feast and made a totem pole with brown grocery bags...what fun.

One evening, a woman from our church knocked on our door and told us that she had just hit a deer in the road. After making sure she was OK, and getting her on the road again, Terry dragged the deer into the yard. Being a very hands on teacher, I asked if he could skin it. What a man!
I kept the girls inside for the most part, but they wanted to watch some. After midnight, I had a few steaks, eyeballs in a glass in the refrigerator, as we had a sight lesson coming up... I saved the brains in Tupperware, because that is how the Indians tanned the hide, and Terry very skillfully saved the hide in mostly one large piece. This was put into a large bucket with water and ashes from the fire ring. Again, this is how the Indians got all the fur off of the hide.

Well, the next morning we left for Gatlinburg Tennessee for a long weekend vacation...that is another story in itself!

When we returned home, we checked on the hide, and sure enough, all the hair was off....ugh. Flies and smell had taken the hairs' place...I rinsed and rinsed and rinsed.

That week I gathered the girls to tan the hide with me. Using the brains, they rubbed it all over the hide. Veronica was grossed out and used plastic bags on her hands. Secretly, I think Hilary was enjoying it, but she eventually put baggies on her hands as well.

I made a tripod frame to go over the fire pit. I, somehow, tied the hide onto the frame and put it over a smoking fire....smoking tans the hide. Hours went by with careful watching. I went down the hill to check the mail and as I was on my way back I saw flames...yes, the hide had caught fire.
I saved what I could. The girls stretched what was left, over both sides of large coffee cans and sewed them onto it. After a week, they each had a drum, that we shared with the group. Yes, they did have a funky smell.

We did examine the eyeballs but after grossing out everyone who wanted some sweet tea from the fridge, we moved that lesson up before it was actually time to study it.

What a way to start off our first year of homeschooling! A lesson none of us will ever forget!

Grapes

Veronica brought me two bushels of concord grapes from a fellow waiter who's family supplies for Welches. My whole house smells of concord grapes! It is the most delicious smell ever. Not as strong as juice, but stronger than jelly!

I truly have my work cut out for me! Especially since I go to Kokomo to spin at the Fall Alpaca Festival all day Saturday! I still need to get my alpaca carded into rollogs so I can spin them. Clean and pack the spinning wheel. And I would like to vacuum so my allergies settle down a bit!

I used to make apple jelly every year. This started when we lived in New York 18 years ago. What wonderful apples!

Last year I discovered concord grapes where we have picked apples since living in Indiana, and they smelled so wonderful, I bought some to try. I sooo like making grape jelly better than apple! It seems a bit easier to get it to jell than with apples.

Oh I am sure I will make at least a batch of apple jelly, as I want to make some crock pot apple butter! The house is going to get quite a scent treat this fall, let me tell you!

OK..Off to pop skins for pies and boil down grapes for juice. Begin the process next week!

favorite grape jelly recipe:
6 pounds concord grapes...2/3 fully ripe, 1/3 firm yet ripe
3/4 c water
3 3/4 c sugar
Wash and de-stem grapes. Crush grapes in 6-8 qt kettle. Add water. Bring to boil over high heat, reduce, cover and simmer 10 minutes or until grapes are very soft.

Strain through colander lined with cheesecloth at least 4 1/2 hours. Chill juice 12-14 hours and restrain through cheesecloth.

Place juice in kettle. Add sugar, stir to dissolve. Bring to full boil, uncovered until syrup sheets off of metal spoon or reaches 200 on candy thermometer. (20 minutes)
Immediately ladle into hot jelly jars. Process for 5 minutes

Grape Pie:
4 c concord grapes
1 c sugar
1/8 t salt
2 1/2 T tapioca
1T lemon juice
1T unsalted butter

Slip skins off of grapes and reserve. Put pulp in saucepan and simmer over med low hear until soft enough to release the seeds. (8 min) Push through a wire mesh strainer to remove seeds. Combine pulp with reserved skins.
Mix sugar salt and tapioca together in a bowl. Add to grapes and add lemon juice. Pour filling into prepared unbaked crust and dot with butter. Cover with top crust and leave air holes.
Bake 10 min at 450. Lower temp to 350 and bake another 25 -30 minutes, until golden brown. Cool for 30 minutes before serving