apple goodness and more

 

Crochet apple potholder from Crafts N Things October 2008 issue. I made it last night while in the throws of a major movie marathon.  The Forstythe Saga has kept me entertained for the last few nights. 

Also, you MUST make this cake!  We've gone through 2 this week.  Yum.

Other Random Bits:

* I really want to learn to knit.  I can handle anything straight...but really want to master the double pointed needles in effort to make billions of pairs of these.

* Its been a month or more since the last birth-- really hoping for some action soon.  I am on call this weekend and there are 12 or babies due next month!  Bring 'em on I say.

* I thought this was really cool.  Carl and I sat crying in front of the computer watching it last night.  Been thinking about what my sign might say.

* We had a visit with my beloved Saci yesterday.  She sent us home with some yummy bread and a giant jar of honey made by the bees they keep. 

 

* The light around here is intoxicating.  Everything seems so dreamy this time of year.  We are taking in all the colors.  Won't be long until it is all covered in white.

 

* I have been in a bit of a funk this week.  I can't really put my finger on it, just a combination of things really.  If you have come in contact with me or my my sulky face in the last few days I am sorry- hoping to shake it off soon!

That's all for now- Happy Weekend! 

Curtains: done!

Remember this post about my brilliant patchwork curtain idea?   I am not sure what I was thinking. Please forgive my momentary lack of sanity.  It wasn't too long after sewing the first few rows that I decided I didn't like how they looked and it was taking waaaaay too long.  One thing that I've learned about myself is that if I cannot sit down and finish a project in one or two work sessions... I will lose interest and give up. I have piles of evidence to prove it.  So, that is just what I did.  I gave up.  In fact, I haven't sewn much of anything since.  I've felt stuck on the curtain issue.  With the holidays approaching and lots of inspiration coming in, I knew that I needed to put the curtain issue to bed and move on.

 

IKEA fabric to the rescue.  I picked it up when Carl and I went to Seattle last.  Afraid to be the creator of another sewing flop, it has been sitting for weeks. I worked up the nerve to cut into it the other day.  My goal was to just get it done.

 

I am not sure that these even qualify as curtains- more like panels.  I just hemmed the top and bottom (2" on top, 4" on bottom) and left the salvages! They are hung with those great little curtain clips. 

 

Ahhhh. Curtains cut, sewn, ironed, hung and done! I don't know what all the fuss was about.

Bittersweet Apples

I didn't mean to take a whole week off.  My computer and I had to have a little sit down talk.  It refused to upload or store any more pictures/files on the hard drive.  Maximum memory capacity.  I just hate dealing with stuff like that.  Who wants to sit down and file manage?  Blech..

So, I am back and have lots to catch up on. 

Two weeks ago we went for a visit to my Uncle's farm.  I cannot say how much this piece of ground means to me. 

 

It is just one of those places that no matter how much time changes it, you can't erase it from your heart.  I spent many a summer visiting here.  I lived with my Aunt and Uncle while meeting lots of local boys (and going to college on the side).  In fact, it was at this place that I first kissed my husband.  But don't tell my Aunt...she didn't allow that kind of thing. 

I've swam with polliwogs here, rode snowmobiles here, been thrown off of horses here, snuck out late at night here, snuck in early in the morning here, picked flowers/cherries/peaches/apples here, been snowed in here, spent Christmas and Thanksgiving here, buried my Mother here.

It had been a while since the last visit, and my girls really hadn't ever been to the farm.  I was anxious for them to discover the magic that it holds. 

 

Upon arrival to the farm you are always greeted by this white haired guy- my Uncle (and a dog or 10). 

 

Having grown up in the country, I sometimes forget how much I miss it.  We're not exactly "city folk" now but it sure was good to get some bugs in my eyes and dirt in my teeth when we rode 4 wheelers out to see the horse- Patches. (see you did make the blog Jen- or at least your hand did)

 

The tree house was pretty amazing.

The purpose of our visit was to get a little lesson in apple growing and picking.

 

My Uncle taught the girls how to "lift and twist" the apples of the trees.

 

Watch out girls, if you stick around too long you'll be pruning, spraying, and mowing too!  I have been on the receiving end of many early morning wake ups courtesy of my dear Uncle.  However, he did send us home with over 50lbs of apples.  Labor free-- this time!

 

Of course we couldn't leave without climbing on the hay,

 

or taking the tractor for a spin.

Sometimes it is bittersweet to travel back and see the legendary places of your youth.  The realizations that come with seeing stretches of land that have become vulnerable to time and seasons are sometimes hard to swallow.

It isn't any different with people.

 

Age allows us to see our childhood heroes for who they really are.  Just people.  People who make mistakes, people who get gray hair...people who love us- deeply.  Maybe that is the sweet part.

Thanks Uncle, I love you.