Valentine Date Night

For Valentine's Day, I played with my new bakeware.

 

I made some sweet heart-shaped cupcakes.

 

A six-inch mini cake with chocolate icing
and pearl-edged heart.

 

Another six-inch mini cake with white fluffy icing
and a dabbed on heart.

And a handmade card to go with Dale's favorite Date Plate.

Here's the inside of the card ... 

but my sentiment to my sweet husband is private.  :)


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No Reason to Celebrate

My sweet husband and I surmised that the restaurants will be overflowing with Valentine's Day diners this evening. We got up before dawn and headed over to Denny's. We were seated at our favorite table by Micki, our favorite waitress.

"Happy Valentine's Day, Micki!"

She took our order for waffles and bacon, then paused.

A Valentine's Day Sunrise

"You two don't seem to need any reason to celebrate.
You're always so happy together.
I'm envious."

:: sniff sniff ::

What a great way to start a day!

May you all be filled with so much happiness

that you don't need a special day to celebrate!

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Gettin' My Craft On

My daughters and I have decided to do a bit of long-distance crafting together. It will be a way to stay connected and inspire each other even though we are miles apart in three states. We haven't quite worked out all the details, but we'll likely each pick a theme and explore that theme in a variety of mediums.

My theme? Hearts

I have lots of ideas on how I might capture a few hearts!
The first? A bit of melted crayon magic.

 

I learned to make them using the tutorial on the WhipperBerry blog. I bought my heart-shaped silicon baking mold at WalMart and a box of 48 crayons at the dollar store.

I'll give these crayon hearts to Jodie when I see her this weekend. She may use them to spread some Valentine goodness to her friends at OSU. I think I might use that baking mold to make some red velvet mini-cakes for my sweetheart for Valentine's Day. That can be my next Heart Art!

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Bolstering My Ego

The Sunday after I made my couch pillows, I headed back into my studio for another stab at home decor. I had a rectangular piece of the pillow fabric left over, so decided to create a bolster. I'd checked at Wal-Mart, and they didn't have any bolster pillow forms in stock, so I decided to use items from my stash to see what I could manage.

I found a roll of quilt batting to use as stuffing. I found a couple squares of burgundy upholstery fabric left over from recovering the seats of the dining room chairs. And I found a long light green zipper in with my dressmaking supplies.

I came up with this long, slender bolster. It's ... slightly whacky. It's longer than I'd envisioned and more slender in profile than I'd intended. The red ends are a little odd, though they work since they match the chairs in the next room. But the part that made me feel good was figuring out how to sew a 20" zipper in a narrow cylinder. That part came out pretty darn snazzy!

So though my completed bolster is not what you'd call "well-proportioned," I'm still happy with the experiment. I "made something from nothing" because I didn't have to buy any new supplies. All materials came from my stash. I used my noggin to figure out the zipper -- and it turned out well. The biggest win is that working on this project got me back down into my Studio in front of my sewing machine. And that is a habit I plan to cultivate.

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Boundaries

As my sweet husband and I take these first steps into Chapter 3 of our lives, I am finding that my world is shrinking. It seems that, for now, I am spending an awful lot of time alone. I've slowly withdrawn from groups and organizations in the area. I no longer am involved in church. I have no close friends that live nearby. My daughters all live at least 100 miles away. I go to the grocery store, the discount store, the post office. There are a few restaurants that my husband and I frequent. Other than that, I don't get out much.

This was not done by design. Not consciously, anyway. It's been a slow process. But last week I drove around Coeur d'Alene, our neighboring town. I hadn't been in that downtown area in quite a while. I drove past the apartments where I used to live. Drove past the beach where I used to take my kids. Drove past the churches I used to attend. Then I drove home. I realized just how much my life has changed since I first moved to this area 28 years ago.

I wasn't sad, exactly. More ... aware, I suppose. Aware of the trials these years have brought and that I've overcome. Aware of the choices I've made. Aware of how my mental illness has played a role in this journey -- and how much more balanced my life is now that I've had the diagnosis, treatment, and have learned to manage the bipolar fluctuations.

It makes entering this new chapter all that more poignant. All that more anticipatory. As the quotation above crystallizes, I see that I needed to stop some things so another thing -- already inside me -- can grow. I've put up some boundaries to harmful situations, so that my life can flower in other areas. I can stick my neck out, become involved with new-to-me people and organizations, release my creativity, expand my confidence, be courageous.



Mental illness is a challenge
but it can be managed
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Five Years and Two Hours

 About five years ago, when Jodie was in 8th grade, she and I traveled to Boise, Idaho. Jodie was the Post Falls Middle School representative to Math Counts, a statewide math competition.

At the time, we didn't take many road trips. This was our first duo trip together. I was fairly nervous about a long drive and then finding my way around the "big city." (I truly have become a small town Idahoan). But while there we did manage to get to the "big" mall and to a couple well-stocked fabric stores. We found this upholstery fabric which I purchased to make pillows to match the home decor we were planning for our living room remodel.

Shortly thereafter, I bought 18" pillow forms. All I needed was some time, concentration and hutzpah to get the job done. So there in the organized chaos of my studio, the supplies sat. Eventually, the pillow forms were utilized for another project. This fabric languished. The living room got new flooring, a new sectional, new bookshelves, new TV, new blinds. But no new couch pillows.


Jodie continued on through high school and moved away to college. Over this last Christmas break, she asked to play in my studio since it's now an inviting work space since I rearranged and streamlined it last Fall.

She also requested permission to raid my fabric stash, and rely on my expertise so that she and I could make some pillows for the couch in her apartment. We put two corduroy pillows together in about an hour and a half -- and had a lot of fun and laughter doing it! 

(My pillow supplies are right there on the table behind Jodie's left shoulder).

Once I saw how easy it was, I bought a couple more pillow forms, dug out the fabric, and vowed to make my pillows within four days.

But ... I didn't.

Last week my daughter Julie came up for a visit. She asked if she could raid my fabric stash. Julie has her own sewing machine, but asked me to explain how to make the pillows. I gave her three methods. She tootled back to her apartment, happy as a clam with her supplies.

 But my project remained sitting next to my sewing machine. Why? It's much more fun to play in my studio when my daughters are there to play with me!

 Finally today, I took a firm stand. Two hours later ... TA DA!

 

They look so nice in the living room!

Now I'm pooped. Time to try them out! Nap, anyone?

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GloomyDay Goodness

Saxophone solos

Canadian geese calling on their fly-by

Sun briefly peeking out from behind clouds

Stacks of clean, folded laundry

Email from a long-time friend

Aroma of fresh oil-popped corn

Watching an old movie while snuggled

beneath a handmade afghan.

--

Mental illness is a challenge
but it can be managed

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I'm an Artist-ish

This sweet picture book was recommended to me by my dear friend Louise. Ish is all about living and enjoying your imperfection. All you really need is to try to do things to the best of your abilities.

In this story, little Ramon loves to draw. His older brother looks over his shoulder and laughs at Ramon's drawing. From that moment forward, Ramon looses his drawing mojo, feeling like his drawings will never measure up to the real deal. Until, that is, his little sister sees the artwork for what it is.

So what if the flower vase doesn't exactly look like the real thing? It looks vase-ish!

Life isn't perfect, and neither is art. One can still be an artist, even if what one draws or paints or writes or stitches is not perfect. So be imperfect -- add your creativity to your world!

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Ol' Amos McGee

As a long-time fan of children's literature, I've been collecting the Newbury Award and Caldecott Award books for years. Short as they are, I've not read most of the books in my collection!

So one of my goals for 2012 is to read the Caldecott books. These are the picture books, so the goal is quite do-able, even though I haven't been reading a lot of books lately. (My main reading tends to be blogs these days. Wonder why?)

For Christmas, my librarian daughter, Julie, gave me A Sick Day for Amos McGee written by Philip C. Stead and illustrated by his wife, Erin E. Stead. This is a totally charming book!

It's a simple story of an older gentleman, Amos McGee, who rises early each morning to catch a bus to the zoo where he works. The animals are his friends. Amos spends one-on-one time with his friends doing activities unique to each. He plays chess with the elephant, races with the turtle, sits quietly with the shy penguin, wipes the nose of the highly allergic rhinoceros and reads bedtime stories to the owl (who is afraid of the dark).

One day Amos awakes, not feeling well. He stays home from work. His animal friends are worried about him so go for a visit. Each one cares for Amos in his own way to help Amos feel better.

As with so many Caldecott award winners, the story is sweet and is largely a vehicle for the extraordinary artwork. This book has gentle pencil illustrations, each with a dash of color. The attention to detail is a large part of the charm: the pattern of the quilt, the socks on the penguin's feet, the way the owl wears spectacles... even the polka dots on the rhino's handkerchief.

A wonderful aspect of these books, for me, is that though they are intended for children, adults can appreciate them as a feast for the eyes and a sigh for the soul.

Haiku

I've been reading a thoroughly engrossing book this week, Barefoot Sisters: Southbound. It's the true story of two sisters from Maine who hike the Appalachian Trail from north to south -- barefoot. There are great descriptions of the land and the people they meet along the trail. They make up songs and stories along the way. I highly recommend this book for people who want to go on a journey of inspiration ... especially if you're snowbound and ill as I've been this week!

Today, I read this haiku, written by jackrabbit, the younger sister. She was wistful about a fellow hiker she met early in her journey who was now far, far ahead of her on the trail:

Winter moon, tangled
branches -- now not even dreams
return him to me

That image struck me with poignancy.

I found it amusing that I should run into a haiku in the book. It's not a form of poetry one stumbles over every day. Yet just earlier in the day my daughter Jodie was waiting in the rain at the bus stop, wanting a ride home from school. She texted me a series of four haiku! Here's my favorite (not bad for a girl grumpy due to wet feet!)

Couple strolling forth
Beneath single umbrella.
Romance is alive.

Since I've been under the weather, texts from my daughter help keep my spirits up. My haiku reply to her was not nearly as inspired, but is nonetheless a window into my slightly stir-crazy situation:

I'm messing around
on my computer right now.
Nap in my future.

Black Magic Dancing Woman

This is mesmerizing

I never would have considered Black Magic Woman with belly dancing, but it totally works!

Many thanks to my friend Jim for sharing it with me.

Shadow Puppetry

For those of you who are as fascinated by this art as I am ...

Go, Cal, Go.

WIP: Single Rose 7

Rosey continues to take form.

This weekend I was able to stitch for a few more hours. The frame around the rose is taking shape nicely.

This sure is a lovely piece to work on. Not at all frustrating. Puts me in a Zen state.

I think it's odd how some pieces I stitch flow so simply and beautifully, and others just about send me to the nut house. This is one of the nice charts.

Be sure to click on the image to see a larger version.

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I had such a nice long weekend with my husband. Too bad he has to go back to work tomorrow. When he's home, there's a calming vibe in the house.

At My House; On My Mind

Outside my window...
The neighbor kids
flinging golden leaves at each other
running wild in the crisp air

I am wondering...
why I don't read blogs more often
so full of creativity
and inspiration

I am thankful for...
For this quiet day, reading,
sitting across the table from my husband
clickity clicking on our laptops

From the kitchen...
the refrigerator fan is whirring
tortillas wait on the counter
to be eaten for dinner

I am wearing...
comfy clothes, my fleece vest,
my favorite blue shirt
even though it's not Thursday (Jodie)

I am creating...
ideas for a tree trimming party
over Thanksgiving weekend
extended family fun

I am going...
nowhere today
except in my imagination
I'm traveling the world



I am reading...
my favorite blogs
Steve Martin's autobiography
Dale's expressions






I am hoping...
my eldest is peaceful today
building friendships with Club Med
spending time with her husband

I am hearing...
the cooling fan on Dale's  computer
the clickk of a mouse
the "ahhhhhh" after a swallow of cool water

Around the house...
quiet
a bit of a breeze
a blanket of leaves and pine needles

One of my favorite things...
my husband's smile
and the way he lights up
when I tickle his brain



A few plans for the rest of the week...
bring the paint in from the garage so it doesn't freeze
get a haircut
express gratitude

Movie Review: The Simple Life of Noah Dearborn

It's not often I start out the day with a movie and a bowl of popcorn, but I made an exception today -- and I'm glad I did! The Simple Life of Noah Dearborn is worth watching.

This was truly a wonderful, heartwarming film. I don't recall how I heard about it (a preview from another movie? an excellent movie review? a mention from one of my movie-loving friends?). Somehow this title came to the top of my Netflix DVD list, and am I glad it did.

Here's the synopsis:

Small-town farmer Noah Dearborn (Sidney Poitier) lives an uncomplicated existence until shady developer Christian Nelson (George Newbern) tries to usurp his family's land. Nelson will do anything to take Noah's property, including hiring a shrink (Mary-Louise Parker) to have him declared insane. But Nelson doesn't anticipate Noah forming an unbreakable bond with the doctor, which proves stronger than anything the land baron can dish out.

Simple enough plot, yes. Big city company comes in to rural area to 'help' the people ramp up and earn more revenue. The potential building of a shopping center knocks the country folk off balance. Tension ensues.

It's the character development and performances that make this movie shine. But then, I'm usually drawn to movies and books that center on interesting characters that change and grow.

Sidney Poitier is exemplary, as always.
Mary-Louise Parker is beautiful and complex, in her usual style.
George Newbern has a fairly conventional two-dimensional role.
And Dianne Wiest is a well rounded and integral character, wonderfully cast.

This movie was released in 1999. I'm only a little over a decade in seeing it. A good showing for me!

WIP: Single Rose 5

I was able to put in some more hours on Single Rose. I find it humorous that my stitching seems so haphazard. I ordinarily 'grow' my stitching from the bottom left corner on up to the top. But with this piece, I seem to be jumping around by color much more than usual.

Today I realized that I made an error that I don't think I'll bother correcting. Many of the half cross stitches are to be stitched with four strands of thread. I missed that fine point. But since it that is more of a texture change than a 'makes the picture look weird' change, I will probably leave it as is.

I must admit that it was worth it to grid my fabric this time. It's saved me from many counting errors.

I am enjoying stitching this piece quite a bit. If I'm lucky, I'll get my work around my home done early this week and allow myself the pleasure of several more hours of stitching.

I dare say this is going to need a good deal of blocking when the stitching is done and before the framing begins!

Happy Halloween!

 Yeah, well, I don't know what I am either. 

A punkinhead, I suppose.

Poet Love

Every time I see this poet, I fall in love again.

Here Sarah Kay performs at  The Nantucket Project speaking on the topic: "Rethink."

The images in her spoken poetry are vivid and evoke memories of my own past.

Gravy for Your Health

This afternoon I got a hankering for some bacon, biscuits and gravy. I took out my favorite trusty cookbook: Betty Crocker's Picture Cook Book (reproduction of the 1950 classic).

 I found the gravy listed with other sauces. In a section called "Gravy-Wise" was this important bullet point:

• Remember gravy contains some of the precious vitamins and minerals from the meat. Bread and gravy is a nutritious dish we can profitably enjoy.

Valuable information!!

Betty Crocker's 
Picture Cookbook

The one I grew up with!

Reading Today

I'm trying to get myself to sit down and read today. I love reading. I really don't know why it's been such a struggle for me to just sit down and enjoy it. I've been like this for months!

I'm actually reading this book on my Kindle ... but the software is in the process of updating on my device, so here I am, back on my laptop.

The book?

The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical
by Shane Claiborne

A friend and I have a "bookclub for two" and this is a title he recommended. I find the book quite a challenge. First, because it's written from the perspective of a Christian. I am just not sure where I fall on the Christian scale any more. I'm a cultural Christian. That is my background, was my strong belief system for most of my life, was the framework in which I took action, and those are the holidays I celebrate. But this modern Christian world is not something I recognize as being very Christ-like. A predominance of American Christians seem to have gotten faith and belief mixed up with ideology and politics. I can't be a part of that. So I wonder how this Christian-based book can be translated for a more secular audience that still is drawn to the idea of social outreach and equity.

Beyond that, this book is challenging for its message. What would it be like if we as a people actually LIVED the teachings of Jesus? What if we dwelled with the poor and disenfranchised? What if we cared for the sick, dying and homeless personally? What if we shared all our meals? What if we loved our enemies every time? What if we lived the Beatitudes?

Challenging indeed. In many ways, not very practical while raising a family and trying to provide health insurance. But challenging, nonetheless, to do what we can in our ordinary lives to be as servant to one another.

Perhaps it's taking me a long time to read this book because I can only take so much of this kind of challenge at a time. Then I have to stop. Think. Pray. Mull. And dive in again.

100 Kiva Loans!

Today marks the 100th time I've made a loan through Kiva. Today I loaned to Yana, a woman in the Ukraine who owns a needlework shop.

I absolutely love this organization that helps folks in the developed world give small loans to small business owners in the developing world. Kiva now even facilitates loans to the working poor in the United States.

Folks in need turn to Kiva when they cannot obtain loans from the usual banks and financial institutions.

Folks with means turn to Kiva to help others collectively in ways that they'd not be able to do individually. So even gals like me that have limited funds to give away can become micro-philanthropists! I give because giving feels good!

So, why Kiva? And how does it work?

Kiva is a non-profit organization with a mission to connect people through lending to alleviate poverty. Leveraging the internet and a worldwide network of microfinance institutions, Kiva lets individuals lend as little as $25 to help create opportunity around the world.

1. You make a loan on Kiva. All Kiva loans are made possible by Field Partners, who vet, administer, and disburse each loan. The Field Partners are little community financial institutions located right in the region where the loan is needed.
   
   
2.  Get Updated. Throughout the life of the loan, you will see progress updates from Kiva through your email, and if you come back to the site.
   
   
3. Get paid back. As the borrower repays the loan, the money becomes available in your account. This is called your Kiva Credit.
   
   
4. Repeat.You can now use your Kiva Credit to fund another loan, donate it to Kiva, or withdraw it to spend on something else.

I was able to make my very first Kiva loans because I was given a Kiva gift certificate for Christmas a couple years ago. Over the course of several months, the money I lent was paid back. I loaned again. I was given another gift certificate. I loaned some more. Gradually, I've added to my loan amount so that I am now able to make one loan per week without having to add any more money into the pot. I can loan and reloan and reloan.

For now, I get to help the world economy grow $25 at a time. But should my own circumstances change, I can always withdraw the Kiva Credit as it is repaid to my account and use it for my own needs.

This is a world-class organization ... people helping people ... heart to heart.

Kiva. Loans that Change Lives.
Let it change yours!

WIP: Rosey

The Single Rose is back on the workbench! And I'm back to stitching.

Here's what she looks like this morning.

Circumstances around the house should allow me to have lots of stitching time this week.

I hope to post several updates and, who knows, a finish by Friday?

No promises.
Except to myself:
"Margaret, I promise. You get to stitch and blog this week!"

Not Posting?

LIFE has gotten in the way of blogging.

I'm an empty nester now ... 

two daughters flew the coop this summer.

My husband and I get to be "just a couple" 

for the first time in our lives.

We're going through a time of transition, 

rearranging, 

refocusing our energies.

But I'll be back. I promise.

I like blogging too much to stay away for very long.

Moose on the Loose

For the last few weeks, a humongous and hungry moose has been wandering our neighborhood.

My next door neighbor, Mike, caught him on video and shared with me. I captured these two photos from Mike's video.

He's peeking over our neighbor's 5 foot tall fence. Mike said that when he was done eating, he just hopped the fence like it was no big deal.

What a rack! Incredible, huh?!!!

A Corner of Beauty & Hope

Today was one of the BEST days my daughter Jodie and I ever spent together! And it was no one big event that made it grand. It was moment after moment of small tasks that we muddled through side-by-side, laughing and talking and noodling things out.

From a two mile walk to plucking eyebrows. From a breakfast of vanilla protein shakes infused with fresh hand-picked raspberries to a lunch of fish sticks and turkey burgers at Carl's Jr. to a dinner at home of fresh honeydew melon and bread bowls filled with chili and cheese.  From taping a window frame to prepare it for painting to purchasing clothing online. From researching wheel barrow prices to getting an astounding, on-the-spot 40% discount on the purchase of a $150 sewing table.

If there is one highlight of the day, it was building our first flower garden together.

You see, our home is currently one of the homeliest on the block. Our grass is dead, the front yard full of moss. We're in the process of revamping the yard, but it's been a slow, slow process.

At the moment, you can see painted lines where we intend to install curbing and sprinklers.

There are 15 holes in the yard where pine trees used to stand, the stumps ground out just yesterday.

The roof and rain gutters are covered in pine needles that need to be swept away with the yellow jacket nests.

But as of this evening, there is one spot of calm and color that you see as you approach our front door.

Jodie and I tilled the soil, pulled out as many tulip, hyacinth, crocus and grape hyacinth bulbs as we could find. (We're sure there are still many hiding that will surprise us next spring). We headed over to Lowes to check out those wheel barrows, but drove away with a car full of purple flowers and bark mulch. Then still side-by-side, we built a garden, including some ivy that I'd been babying in my kitchen window all winter.

Now as we approach our front door, we have a spot of color and hope for what the rest of the yard might finally become. Our garden toad is contemplating the drastic change. I think he's smiling.

I know we are!

Poof!

These puffs of color caught my eye on my daily walk. The blue reminds me of buttons, the pink reminds me of bows.

Buttons n Bows

So vibrant in the morning sun.

At the DMV

In Idaho, when a teen turns 18 years old, they make a trip to the DMV to turn in their first driver's license and get a new one that shows they are an adult. That's what Jodie and I did this morning. It wasn't even a horribly long wait. Besides, Jodie and I always find ways to amuse each other when we're stuck in a line.

Today, we had fun watching folks with their frozen smiles while waiting for the official to take their driver's license photo and making up stories about the folks in the waiting room.

• There was the old guy who was sitting there nervously, wondering if he would even have a driver's license reissued. 
• There was the middle-aged British woman who just became a US citizen and was getting her first American license. 
• There was the Hispanic family whose son was having his license renewed for the first time, mother and sister nervously waiting. 
• There was the hefty impatient woman who hoisted herself up and waddled to the door, muttering and scowling. But then, she's one of those folks who didn't believe her father when he told her, "If you keep putting your face in a frown, it'll freeze that way." Because it did! Goodness, she was unpleasant.
• And then, there were these three friends ...

Waiting on Line at the DMV

Seriously, folks. Do any of us need to be exposed to this in a public building?

Post Graduate

This is my favorite photo from Jodie's high school graduation last month:

Shadows of Graduations Past

After the ceremony, the graduates processed to one area of the school to hug and say goodbye while the parents, relatives and friends meandered out a different door to wait for their student to find them. The sun was setting as we stood along the west wall of the school talking, waiting, laughing, crying.

Duh ..!

My daughters and I had lunch at Panda Express.

This was tucked into my fortune cookie:

Strange. 

I doubted an admirer could think any other way!

The Cross is Borne

In March 2009, our family took an exploratory trip to Bellingham, WA to see if we might like to land there when Dale retires. After a good look around, we decided it's not quite right for us. We did like the countryside, though. As the sun was setting one evening, we passed this crumbling barn. I loved the pattern the light made as the sun broke through the window.

The Old Rugged Cross

Sand in the Feathers

On that same warm evening in June 2009, the seagulls stopped to rest, preen and people-watch here on the edge of the North Idaho College campus where Lake Coeur d'Alene spills into the Spokane River.

 Posin' and Preenin'

NIC Beach

Just as the sun started to set on a warm day in June 2009, I took a break on the beach at North Idaho College. This is the spot where Lake Coeur d'Alene spills into the Spokane River. It's a favorite gathering place for both humans and geese.

Goose at Riverbank

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Splash o' Color

Last summer, the family reunion was held at the home of Dale's Uncle Bob. Beautiful country setting. Aunt Sally has quite a green thumb. I just loved this burst of color.

Aunt Sally's Flowers