I am a retired 44-year veteran of the Real Estate Assessment field. As with real estate assessing and how it applies to real estate taxes, one can make many acquaintances, but not many real friends. It was a great career choice.
It has been nearly 10 years since I reclaimed my home and my real passions within my home. I enjoy it more each day and tip my hat to those who I left behind.
Each day I try to stretch myself with the use of my computer as it relates to this site and using it to print out labels for quilts for trying to incorporate photos into my sewing. Life is so full and I know that I have room for more.
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.
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.
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.
I found a fellow that made supports for my Fern Peony plants. They are made of re-rod and of a tri-pod construction. The stems can grow up through the design for support of the blossoms. This plant is loaded with buds.
I wish I had been able to watch the bird that took the meat out of this Black Walnut. The back side of the nut has been cleaned out in the same manner. Amazing!
Easter weekend brings time for self reflection. It’ a good thing.
Hubby Dennis loved the raw asparagus with the fat free Blue Cheese Dressing.
Right now asparagus is at $1.48 per pound. Cutting off the first several inches of the end of the stalk as it is purchased is a good idea as that has been sitting in water at the grocery store. Enjoying it raw dipped in fat free Blue Cheese Dressing is fantastic as a powerhouse snack. Generally the first five inches of the head of the stalk is the most tender. The remaining can be steamed and enjoyed with a meal. Tupperware has a good crisper and it will keep for a week.
Pizza Balls
PIZZA BALLS Ingredients: 3 cans Pillsbury Buttermilk Biscuits (10 ct) 60 pepperoni slices (2 per biscuit) slices of cheese (Colby/Monterrey Jack or Cheddar) or tablespoon of shredded cheese, 1 beaten egg, Parmesan Cheese and Italian Seasoning Garlic Powder, 1 jar pizza sauce
Directions: Flatten each biscuit and stack pepperoni and cheese on top, like in the picture. Gather edges of biscuit and secure on top of the roll. Line rolls in greased 9 x 13 pan. Brush with beaten egg. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning and garlic powder. Bake at 425 degrees for 18 to 20 minutes. Serve with warm pizza sauce for dipping.