Faith, Feeders, and Nesting Fodder

I got my old-fashioned digital camera out.....and have taken a few pics.  So happy to see that Faith's face shows up very well with the camera.

Who can't love this face?

 

The hanging strings have done the job so far, keeping sparrows out of the feeders.

They get plenty of food from the dropped safflower on the ground...

Eyeing the feeder; the finches can't resist.  The bird hopped on three seconds later.

My other safflower feeder.  Three finches are enjoying a great feast.

 

Not a salad-----at least not for consumption.  This is cotton fabric cut into very fine strips.  This will be added to a suet cage next fall, along with Faith's brushed hair, to allow the birds to line their nests.  At least it will be used by spring to line nests for the coming spring generation....



Clever Pillowcase Tutorial

I made these years ago and just stumbled across a YouTube tutorial that explains it so well.  I might just use the many yards of white cotton intended for this purpose that I found yesterday in THE BOX.  Obviously there was no rhyme nor reason to what went into that box. HA.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrYWCma9wgM

Some Family History

My mom, Louise, at 12.  She was born in 1925.

 

A hand-colorized picture after she and my Dad left the altar.

 

At the reception.  They were married on April 20, 1946.  They remained

married until my Father's death at 88 in 2012.  He was almost 89. 

My mother is now 92.

 

The woman at the far left is Caroline Zane (first husband, last name Schmid.)

She died in the Influenza of 1918.  At the time of her death her eldest was 12 (my grandmother Emma) and her youngest was 2.  The 2-yr-old was Louise, the half-sister of Emma.  Emma was the daughter of Louis Schmid.  Louise was the daughter of Mr. Zane.

Upon Caroline's death Mr. Zane and the girls went to live with Caroline's family on Morris St. in Philadelphia.   After Emma married, her sister Louise came to live with her.  Emma's firstborn is my mother, Louise.



Waxing Nostalgic

   After I wrote the post about John Smith, I phoned my mother to ask questions about my father's time in the Navy during WWII and the Korean War.  I wanted to know some facts before my opportunities escape me.

   I then went back to the box that had John and Daisy's picture in it and found a notebook I haven't seen in years.  I will post a few entries here.  Those who know me know my Dear Daughter became mine at 12 months, 3 weeks, in China.  Of course what I post here is edited as much is too private to share. 
     I have never really been much for journaling but during the waiting period wrote a lot.  I didn't want to bring my journal on this trip so I just wrote in a notebook. Somehow the notebook got separated from the other journals.  When I found it today and read it, I was amazed at how acutely I remember the below events and emotions. 
     Though these writings took place over 18 yrs. ago it was such a blessing to go back and read how fresh it all seems.  Though at times hard I still am grateful for the stretch.

Here is a post from the day we became a family and then a few days after:

(day of)
     "This is the day you and I will cease to be alone in this world.  It has been hard the past few days.  I am not alone (Grandma is with me) so I do not pray as I would at home.
     I will have you in two hours.  My heart and mind are too small to consider and contain all of this wonder.  I have dreamed for 18 months of touching your face.  Please forgive me if I do it a lot the next 18 or 40 years..."

(two days later)
     "I can't stop staring at you.  You are the most amazing baby I've ever seen.  Today you took five steps by yourself.  Grandma and I were so excited.  She taught you the High Five sign and I taught you PattyCakes.  You sure are pleased with yourself.
     The day I got you was the longest and most incredible day of my life. (Long because we had many official documents to sign and governmental offices to visit.)   I'm so sorry that words can't express the enormity of the moment they placed you in my arms.  Once they handed you to me I wasn't aware of very much else happening in the room.  You cried and threw your head back.  This was a difficult time for you.
     Now, two days later, you hold your arms out to me when I walk into the room.  (Grandma is with you if I have to leave the room.)  I am so astonished by how strong my love is for you.
     Today Grandma went on a tour and you and I remained behind due to you running a fever.  I fell asleep for 15 minutes while you slept.  I dreamed that you disappeared.  I woke up and you were crying in your crib.  That dream scared me so much.
     You have a strong personality but already seem to feel safe with me.  I think Grandma thinks you are the best baby in the world.  Goodnight, dear  _______.  I love you with all my heart.
Oh, one more thought.  When I was playing with you on the floor today, I put a few bottle caps just out of your reach.  You had to stretch to reach your goal.
God spoke to me and told me that's how He grows His children---making then reach further than they have before, to reach the goal He has in mind.  You are one of His goals for me.  Today how very much I love the stretch."

 

I wanted to make a classy announcement.  The bunnies on the bottom right were hand embossed by me.  All I needed near the end of the wait was her personal information.

I have blurred it all out because we both value her privacy.  Inside the folded announcement was a photo I'd taken of her in China, looking at Goodnight Moon while playing on the floor. 

     This announcement was in the same box.  What a treasure trove I found today.

 

 

I still love you, Dearest, with a fierceness that knows no bounds nor expression.



My First Boyfriend

   The story goes that when I was four I walked up the road to see if my friend could come out to play.  He was my first boyfriend.

"Can Johnny come out to play?" I asked his mother when she answered the door.

"I'm sorry dear, but John is napping."

I walked back home.

John was 64.  His mother lived with him and was in her 80s or 90s.

I was also told that "John" was the first word I spoke as I watched him through a window, crossing the yard to our door.

John planted a tree in our yard in honor of my birth.  It grew into a mighty oak within 18 years. 

John and Daisy (his wife) moved to Hawaii by my mid-childhood years.  I can still picture both of them in my head.  I came across this picture a few minutes ago when I was looking for something else.

John Smith married Daisy Jones.  Theirs were the two most common first and last names when they were born.  I don't recall them having any children.  If my information is correct, John was born in 1897. 
They were always very kind to me.

John and Daisy Smith, photo processed by Kodak 1966



More Second Chances

I can't get enough stories of second chances.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLLvxhOPdik


After pneumonia almost killed her at four years old....move the timeframe to 3:30 to begin her story....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzqJfiNI_CI

June 17, 2017

This is safflower kernels.....the Amish owner of the bird products suggested I put thread with washers on the ends of the feeder to scare off sparrows.  The finches don't seem  bothered by the strings.  We'll see how it does!

  

Fabric found at an antique mall.....$2 of fabric created 3 purses, this one the smallest.  Very festive fabric.



Journey's Progress

Those close to me know the depth of grief I've experienced the past 18 months.
I am not cryptic here on purpose, other than for the fact that I choose to protect the privacy of others.  It is a privilege to do so.  For those not so close to me I believe they can handle that.

I had an amazing experience two weeks ago.  I had just texted a friend who is a dear Christian sister to me.  She and her family are making a very noble, life-changing decision.  I texted her that I know the depth of her fears and pain over the situation due to my own recent grief. I wrote that I understand that her pain runs deeper than her ability to express.

After I sent the text I sat at my computer and contemplated what her family is going through.  Out of the blue I became acutely aware of how thankful I am for all the pain of the past two years......my grief as well as life-threatening illness, just two of many circumstances.  I sat here and repeatedly, unrehearsedly told God how very grateful I am for all the heartache.  Not because it is what I felt I was supposed to do, not because the words were rote, but because I feel it with searing sincerity.   Not thankful just IN the grief, but FOR it.  Suffering helps us to conform more to the image of Christ.

I then went on to other things.  I didn't think much about that prayer for a week until it struck me between the eyeballs that THE PAIN OF GRIEF WAS GONE.  My circumstances surrounding The Grief haven't changed....but the pain is absent. 

Some griefs worsen with time.....the farther out they get, the farther those involved have to travel to undue them.  (Translation: cryptic)

To be able to say my pain is gone is something I can't really put into words.  Do I still wish things were different (i.e., The Grief circumstances)?  Of course I do.  However, it is as if I turn my head to look at the past 18 months and I can't feel The Grief because a wall of gratitude has been erected between it and me.

I am not giving a formula here; I wouldn't be so presumptuous.  My grief is not uncommon, and it is, to a point, revocable (though I can do nothing to change it myself).  Most who suffer grief are in situations of "finis loss"-----loss that is final, with no chance of going back in time.  Still, this has been my experience thus is part of my journey.  I do not know what tomorrow will hold regarding the progress......but am so thankful for the change gratitude-with-abandon can bring.

Post Script:
It is March 8, 2018, and I will add that the pain of grief returned, in part due to ongoing medical problems as well as the passage of time.  Some griefs grow more profound the farther you get out from them.....
But, I have been putting the "scale of my trauma" in better perspective; everyone has pain and grief in their lives.  My grief is ambiguous but no longer searingly painful.
Hallelujah.

Overdue: Faire fare and Faith

It's been ages since I posted last....mostly due to a busy time readying for an upcoming small Faire locally.

Some items I've been working on are as follows.....

These ear cuffs are a lot of fun to make as well as wear.    Copper is easy to clean; just put it in lemon juice then take out and pour salt on it and rub with a clean cloth.

The tarnish comes off with little to no effort. (Use kitchen gloves due to the salt being so abrasive.)

 

These are project bags for knitting, crocheting, or handsewing.

 

 

I made one of these for myself as a money belt/purse for the Faire.  I liked it so much I've made several to sell.

 

 

Faith in all her cuteness

 

 

 

This is our sleeping arrangement.  Under the cloth (which is under her bed) there are potty pads.  She is really good about coming and going through the night.  She spends a lot of time going from her doughnut-bed to the folded flannel blanket at the foot of the bed. You can see she basically takes up half the bed, even though she is only seven pounds.  Sheesh....what doggy-love will do!

 



Game-Changer: Options

I read an article today that made me stop in my tracks.

A widow was recalling when, two months after her husband's passing, there was an upcoming parent-child event at school.

A friend suggested to her that she take a "stand-in dad."

"But I want my husband here."

"That's not gonna happen."

"But I don't want anyone else; I want him."

Her friend wisely responded, "That's option A.  Option A isn't available.
Let's go kick butt on Option B."

     What is your Option B that you reluctantly stare at, really wishing for Option A?
I have a few As that have been derailed in the past two years...and am left with only Option Bs.
     I can choose to look back and long for the As or gently lay them down (mine are "currently not available") and pick up the Bs and find to my surprise that the Bs aren't nearly as frightening as I had hitherto thought.
     Here's to a B day!

kits finally done

I finally got the basket ready for the Volunteer Luncheon, set for later this spring.

I like working en masse because you get a chance to learn small tips----no matter how small the nuance-----when you have to make a lot of something. Plus, it makes me feel like I am contributing something sizable.  Goofy me.



Owls and Faith

I took 2 dozen owls to the Cancer Floor because it was Wednesday and they all needed a lift, or so I summized.  It is always fun to give away things you make with TLC.

 

Nikki, I hope you and DR are enjoying Julia, Gabi, and Adela.  We'll have to further discuss your talent of juggling....and what that might mean for your household. ;) 

 

Faith likes to go out with me no matter where I go.....tonight I wanted to take out the trash so I loaded her up in a wool-batted quilt...it is supposed to snow...she looks so funny in the quilt but no longer fusses over it cuz she sure can feel the cold wind at her little nose and eyes.

 







Says it all

Bottle of Tears was having a sale before Valentine's Day on small French bottles.
I used a coupon from HL to get a shadow box.  The card with the Scripture comes with the bottle.  The same Scripture is inside the bottle.  I have removed the hangtag from the bottleneck so you can see the Scripture card better.
Bottle of Tears is a class act; visit them for encouragement as well as comfort!

 

www.bottleoftears.com

 





End of March catch up

Busy today gathering more yarn.  The owls have taken over.  I have a few projects that somehow managed to get squeaked in....

 

New yarn colors-----the owls will be happy!

 

 



 

These chicks(chickens) go over Easter eggs....they are for Michele's class of second-graders.  Fun and easy to do.

 

 



 

The opening of the chickens is smaller than the rest-----so the egg doesn't drop out when you pick it up.  It has to be wrangled out! ha ha ha

 



 

Michele's birthday is on Easter this year.  Above is the pair of felted slippers I knitted for her.  They are almost finished; are now dry and the second one needs the gather string woven through it.  These are blissfully warm....yahoo!



Catch up--on a rare snowy day

 

new labels!

 

The bag was too big for just 24----so 40 looks better....

 

I saw this on the internet and had to try it----as you can see, the flashlight

really illuminated the water.  This will be great in a black-out!



Busy busy busy

Hurrah, two dozen owls completed for the hospital pediatrics lab......
on to the next project, until time for more owls!

Here is the pattern for the owls; I have test driven it several times, I trust there are no errors....

Crocheted Amigurumi Owl

 

copyright 2017

For use as donation only.

 
Owl is approx. 5-1/4” circ. and 3” tall

·         DK or sport wt. yarns—2 colors for body,

yellow or orange for beak

·         Size E crochet hook

·         Safety eyes, 10.5mm—black pupil, yellow rim

·         Crochet cotton,  (doily thread) size 5, white

·         Size B (or steel 6) crochet hook (for white around eyes)

 

This is not worked in spiral fashion because the eyes would not be even.  Each row is finished by sl st to first sc of row.

 
For body, starting at bottom, work magic loop or ch 3 and join as ring.  Always work first sc of next row in same slip stitch you stitched into to join previous row.
 
Row 1: ch 1, work 6 sc in ring; sl st into first sc.
 
Row 2: ch 1, work 2 sc in each crochet around; sl st into first sc. (12 sc)
 
Row 3: ch 1, *sc in next st; 2 sc in next st….work from * around. Sl st into first sc. (18 sc)
 
Row 4: ch 1, *sc in next 2 sc; 2 sc in next st---work from * around. Sl st into first sc. (24 sc)
 
Row 5: ch 1, sc around, working 3 increases evenly. (27 sc)
 
Rows 6-12: ch 1, sc in each st around. (27 sc)
 
Row 13: change color; sc around, working 3 dec evenly around row. (24 sc)
 
Rows 14-19: ch 1, sc in each st around. (24 sc)    Leaving a long tail,  finish off.  Do not stuff; set aside.
 
Eye whites --with size 5 cotton, make magic loop or ch 3 and join as ring.  Ch 2; work 14 dc in ring.

Sl st to first dc to join.  Finish off, leaving tail.  Weave in both ends.
 
Beak:  With beak color; ch 5. Sc in 2^nd ch;

hdc in next ch; dc in each of next 2 ch.  End off.

Turn this sideways and you will have a triangle beak. (I’ve since changed mine and do 3 ch, sc in second st from hook, dc in last ch.  This makes a smaller beak and I like it better.)

 
Construction:  You can just stuff beginning “tail” and “tails” from color change inside. 

Place safety eye inside eye white; place this now through a hole between sts in the second row up of the second color.  Secure tightly with safety backing.  Work other eye same way and place 3-4 sc apart from first eye.

Stuff the owl, firmly but not too.  Sew up top seam of head, horizontally.  Work in tail of yarn.

Place beak between eyes, at the row where the color change was made.  Using each end (yarn tails), secure to owl and double knot ends.  Weave these ends into owl body, pull, and cut off excess.

 

I get my safety eyes at Lisa and Ed’s Eyes (www.lisaandedseyes.com).  They are very helpful.  Give them a call for questions.



Bags and stylin' dog

I did finish the 15 bags late last night; but in my rush to pair some with a project bag, forget to take a pic of the 15 together. Meh.

Here are some of the sets I have put away for Christmas...

 

 

 

Faith and I just had to tool around town today as the weather was fantastic.  One of the credit union managers said that I keep wishing that Faith could be a therapy dog----but that she already is, because if I take her in on a Friday when the tellers are more apt to feel a bit frazzled and they get to hold her, even for 1-2 minutes, they say they can feel their blood pressure dropping.  Go, Faith!

She is here sporting her new harness. I wanted something easy to be able to throw on her (or say, throw her into?) if we have to bug out due to a tornado warning.  Sounds dumb, but this is after all the Midwest...... you can see she is enjoying herself immensely.  No, it was not hot out today----about 50 degrees....but her tongue comes out when she is excited, too.