Elizabethan Costume Update...

After completing my bum roll last month, I had decided that the next piece I needed to work on was the Farthingale. When I got to the point of starting it, I realized that I would need a pattern. When I went online to purchase the pattern, I had to think really hard about spending the money on it. As I started thinking about it, I started having doubts about whether or not I wanted to keep making the costume.

Here were my concerns:
1. It will cost a lot of money to make and only be worn once a year.
2. I already have costumes that I could weat to Ren Fest if I wanted to, but I haven't worn one yet.

I called Maria the next to talk about it and she made a very valid point. If I was truly passionate about the costume, I wouldn't even have doubts. So clearly, it was not something I TRULY wanted to do. She is my voice of reason...sometimes...amazingly. I love her...but she is not exactly the most rational of the two of us. But she was right...why would I spend my free time doing anything that I don't LOVE doing, and if I LOVED this costume, then I wouldn't have any doubts about buying the patterns.

So, we cleard that up. But I still want to improved my skills as a seamstress. To that end, I have decided that I will create a wearable garment (by today's standards) each month that incorporates a new sewing skill, that I can either wear casually, or to work, or I will donate to a charity .

Therefore, the Elizabethan costume has been put on hold...perhaps I will pick it up again at a later date. Adieu...parting is such sweet sorrow...

Music To My Ears

First, I want to say that I hope everyone had a wonderful, safe holiday (however you chose to celebrate). I think that I had one of, if not, the best I have ever had. And I will tell you that I think part of it had to do with the fact that there were some suprises. Some very wonderful surprises.

It was completely unexpected. In fact, I was told only a week or two ago quite emphatically, that I was NOT getting a keyboard for Christmas. So I had begun trying to figure out ways of getting what I want (it's what I do).

I had received several gift cards to Target and an American Express gift card, not a ton of money...but enough to get myself what I thought would be a respectable keyboard to at least attempt to determine if I even wanted to learn to play. After sharing my idea with Doug on Christmas Eve morning...I was promptly told that we would not be purchasing a muscial instrument from Target.

This was going to be harder than I thought. I dropped it for the moment.

Enter Christmas morning...

None of us got very much sleep because we were all too excited about what we had gotten for everyone else. We all jumped up at 6a.m. and started with the stockings. I wanted Doug to start opening up all of his stuff, but there was a note in my stocking from "the big guy". It said that instructions had been left with Doug in regards to my present. Doug said we had to go into the garage...okay.

I'm not stupid, clearly my gift was in the garage, but what the hell was it. When we stepped into the garage, Doug and my Mom where hot on my heels, there it was plugged in and ready to play. I can not tell a lie...I started crying. It was amazing. I don't think that I have ever been completely surprised like that. It was great!!

I will tell you that I am such a musical genious that I can already play "Mary Had A Little Lamb"...Mozart is shaking in his cold, unmarked, poverty stricken grave...

The Birds

This is the view from my vehicle at one particular intersection on the way to work:Keep in mind, this is only one side and yes, all three rows on each line is full (there are just was many birds on the other side and even more in the trees). It is amazing. The other morning I saw a very brave woman walking down the sidewalk under one of the trees. I wonder how many showers she had to take when she got home.

Betty Crocker Ain't Got Nothin' On Me

I'm going to tell you a little secret.

I hate surprises...and I hate waiting to find out what gifts I am getting for Christmas. Now, in all fairness...I also hate making other people wait too.

My thoughts are, if you have something that is going to make a person happy now...then why make them wait?

That being said...for some reason I wanted to be different this year...maybe I'm getting old and sentimental (don't worry...I'll get over it). So, in my delusion, I decided that I didn't want to know what I was going to get for Christmas. Unfortunately, that is really hard to do...when you have been giving presents early every year.

My husband, he tried...but he wanted so badly to make sure he got what I wanted (this is part of the reason why we don't do surprises). We would rather let the person know what we are getting so that we get the right thing and avoid any extra, torturous trips back to the store to return things. We don't do shopping. I am the person that goes grocery shopping at 7AM on Sunday morning in order to avoid possibly running into any other human being other than the cashier.

I digress...so in his desire to make sure he got what I wanted, Doug took me last night to the store to get my new best friend:I love it.

Since purchasing it last night, I have made sugar cookies, a cake and chocolate frosting from scratch and two loaves of bread. I just love the sound of the motor, and watching the ingredients going around and around...it's mesmerizing. And while I did have another stand mixer it was not a Kitchenaid (and was not purchased by my wonderful husband) and therefore did not receive my undying love and affection. Oh yeah...don't even get me started on the optional accessories and attachments I can get. Can you say pasta maker? Doug is thrilled that he has given himself gift options for the next three years!

All joking aside I am so glad to add this item to my kitchen arsenal, except that I am now burdened with the task of having to figure out which child to give it to in my will...when we finally have kids.

Right now, though, I have more important things to worry about...like what will I whip up next?

How To Make A Bum Roll

No...this is not a new dance move. It is a piece of Elizabethan costuming. It is actually the accessory that give the appearance of really big hips...not that I need any help with that...but I still need one for my costume, and I am going to show you how I made it...

First you must find a pattern to use. I chose this one:

Now you must cut out the pattern piece and place in one your fabric. Make sure that you lay out the pattern as shown in the pattern instructions.
Now cut out the fabric:
And make any markings in the fabric that are marked on the pattern. In this case I need to mark two points on the fabric that mark the start and stop point for machine sewing:

Now we need to pin the straps onto the fabric, so that that they will be stitched in the seam (but not get in the way of the other seams). Then lay the other piece of fabric over it and pin everything together:

Now sew the two pieces together between the two marks you made previously.
Cut triangles in the curves to that the material will fill out correctly:

Turn the bum roll right side out:

Now stuff it...the bum roll that is.
Once you have stuffed it, you will need to hand stitch the opening closed:
And there you have it...your very own bum roll to impress your friends with:
To be continued in our next installment...the farthingale.

Hi!!

My name is Melissa and I started this blog to...

Oh wait...I already did that part. Sorry...I guess it's been so long, I figured I had better start over.

Clearly, I am having an issue with maintaing consistant posts. Don't worry...I will be bringing this issue before a council in order to receive sage advise on how to correct the issue.

Or I could just blame it on the holidays...

When The World Loses...

The world lost a wonderful soul last night. When I met Andrew Ashwood he was the program director for the radio station that I worked for. I have never known anyone who was more passionate about life. He had a little ADD, but that was part of his charm. Below is a letter that a co-worker wrote about this man...and it epitomizes everything he was.

A LETTER FROM HEAVEN
"I thought I heard this last night"

Yeeaaah Babe. Talk to me babe. Whaatcha doing? What's the matter? I knew you loved me, but come on, why the sad face? This is great. Had I known it was going to be like this, I would have let the cancer get me sooner. Here's what we're going to do. I need you to let it all out, and then we gotta get back to work. I got this new big promotion and I need you on my team. It's going to be Huuuuuge!! babe.

Ready for this? huh? Guess who "yours truly" met today? Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing?.... give up? Vince Lombardi....AND Tom Landry. You know the big C got both of them. They met me at the gate to see how I did it. They heard it took a heart attack for the big man to get the Gorilla. After some talk about the Ice Bowl over a few "adult beverages" Lombardi wants ME to help HIM with a motivational book. Go figure. And Landry is a hoot. Who knew? Hate to admit it, but the hole in the roof thing so God can watch his favorite team? True. Damn.

Turns out, you can only reach so many people in radio, and with the world the way it is, the big guy says he needs me. Says I can do a lot more good from up here.
It's going to be awhile before you get here, but when you do, talk to Peter at the gate. Great guy, We're tight. Tell him you know me. Better yet, I'll be waiting for you. But if I'm not, hit me on my cell. Oh, by the way, Jesus says the long hair and beard? Never goes out of style, so Ha Says I shouldn't have cut it and sold out to the man. Didn't think I knew him either? Yeah, we were real close when I was young. Lost touch for awhile, but he was around a lot helping me with the chemo the past few years and we got to know each other better. It's been just like old times. You should get to know him.

As for the new gig? I'm getting the playbook ready. We'll meet soon and discuss. My house, I got brats, cold beverages etc. It will be fun. The big man wants me to see If I can get more people to live like I did. Veeeery cool huh? I'm blushing. First step: Slow down. Business is business, but you gotta have some fun. Slow down enjoy each other. Laugh out loud at least 5 times a day. Relationships over the bottom line. Love each other. Remember when I used to get so moved about something, my bottom lip would quiver? Didn't want you to see me cry, but now I don't care. You shouldn't care either. Cry.

Then let's talk. I'll be waiting for you. In the meantime, do me a favor. Hug the Puerto Rican. She's going to need you for awhile. God, was I lucky to have her. Oh, sorry, God says there was no luck involved. Oops. Anyway, let her know we talked and that it's going to be O.K. She already knows the game plan, she knows how much we laughed and loved. So I'll be waiting. The brats are hot, the "adult beverages" are cold. And remember, DARE TO BE GREAT. FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION.

YEEEAH, BABE.. LUV YOU BABE.
Andrew

Also, within the last couple of weeks, 7 year-old Sean Gontz went on to heaven as well. It is always heart-breaking for someone to pass on, but it is almost a betrayal when a parent out-lives their child. It goes against the natural order of life and is truly something that I wouldn't even wish on the most miserable soul in the world.

You will both be missed more than you know and I know that you are smiling down from heaven on all of us still here trying to find a way to move on yet still remember.

Renaissance Festival

For our anniversary we went to the Texas Renaissance Festival, as usual. But this time, since it was our 5 year anniversary, we decided to do the "King's Feast". Basically, it is 6 courses of food and entertainment that lasts two hours. It was great...and I think that we will do it every time we go from now on. It was great fun!! I love Ren Faire...it always renews my interest in costuming (which hopefully I will be able to post about here)...and Doug and I always have fun!!
At the end of the event, they asked everyone with a birthday to stand and then anniversary. Doug and I were so excited to stand and say that we have been married for 5 years...then a couple behind us advised everyone that it was their 26th anniversary...damn.
Why does someone always have to steal our thunder?
Either way I am very proud of us. We have beat a statistic, since one in 12 couples head for divorce within 24 months.
Yeah for us!!
I love you Doug!

Homemade Pumpkin Pie

I have never been a fan of pumpkin pie.
I few weeks ago, I got a wild hair to make a pumpkin pie from scratch, and I don't mean "from a can" scratch. I mean, "cut a pumpkin, removes the seeds, roast it and puree it's insides" scratch.
I didn't take pictures and I used this recipe.
Let me just tell you...I am now a believer, and as with beets, I am very upset that I have spent 30 years not knowing the joy and wonder that is the homemade pumpkin pie. Amen.

Tractor Update...

It would have been my sincerest desire to not have to give tractor updates. But since we did not want to go into debt up to our eyeballs to get a tractor, we had to by an older model. That being said...it is currently out of commission. Apparently, it needs a new ignition switch. There are other minor items that we will be touching up as we go along.
Ideally, we will be fixing the ignition switch this weekend and can get some work done.
Quite frankly, I don't know where we are and where we are going with the property at the moment. Rather frustrating, actually. But then again, I haven't actually been out there in several weeks. I miss it.

Charity...

As one of my new personal goals, I have decided to knit or crochet at least one item to donate to charity per month. I had decided that I would start with baby hats. I figured that the best place to donate them to would be a women's hospital. I would be wrong. The first hospital I called hung up on me, and the second hospital asked if I was using flame retardant materials. Those people were supposed to call me back. I suppose I won't be hearing back from them since I just sat on the phone in stunned silence when they asked about my materials. Really? Do they set babies heads on fire often?

In the end, I found an organization that I am very happy to donate to. The woman I spoke with was very excited about my donations, and I mailed the first batch (4 hats) to her yesterday.

City Girl Lessons Learned V3.0 - Driving a Tractor

Is holy crap fun!!!!



1. Not matter how fat your butt is, it will be sore after riding in that hard metal seat.
2. If you are trying to look at someone or something, grass will immediately fly up and hit you in the face, blinding you and causing an involuntary flailing of the arms which makes you look as though you are being attacked by a swarm of bees, which will cause you to veer off course and look like an idiot.
3. Most old tractors do not come with power steering...so your arms will want to give out on you...most likely in the middle of a turn, which will cause you to veer off course and look like an idiot, again. I promise.
4. Thankfully, items #2 & #3 were not caught on video for those of you who were looking for it. Thank you.
5. At the end of the day (if this is your first time), then you have done something that you have never done before...and that alone is worth being proud of.

One of THOSE Conversations...

Doug and I worked on our living wills, wills, and power of attorney paperwork the other night. That was a very tough conversation. It's one thing to mention in passing that you want a big party when you die..."just don't piss on my ashes", but to have to sit down and actually type that up and click the buttons is a whole different can of worms (pun intended). What was realy odd was that when Doug was talking about his wishes...I was okay.

But then we came to mine and I couldn't help but start crying. Go figure...until I realized that I sincerely hope that Doug does not outlive me.

And before you start thinking I'm a selfish heinous person, it's because I don't want him to have to go through that. I don't want him to have to go through having me creamated, and seeing an urn in the living room, or whatever room (probably the bathroom - just please don't mistake me for cat litter). The pain of calling out to me and I'm not there. Or missing my touch when we pass by each other, or my voice, or my cold butt/feet on his body in the middle of the night. Or missing me calling out body-parts in German as we lay in bed on Sunday mornings.

I don't want him to feel that sadness...and I only know what kind of sadness he would feel because I would/will feel it when he is gone too and that hurts me more than anything.

I Love You, mein Shatz!

Working on a Promise...

So it dawned on me this morning in the bathroom (I think about things A LOT) that part of the reason why I am so inconsistent with my posting is that during the week, I get sucked into the crap at my job. So when I get home in the evening, the only thing I want to do is pop the top on my brain, let it ooze out and not think about anything beyond how long I can pick my nose toes.

All of the interesting stuff really happens on the weekends. Like this weekend when we got the tractor. I have some GREAT pictures of that as well as some video, but have I put it up here for you to enjoy? NO! Because I can't manage to work beyond the 8th level of tired during the week to edit some pictures and think of clever little things to say about the goings on at the farm...and for that I am sorry. I'm not sure how many more times I will apologize for my ineptness. Maybe one day I will get over it and post regularly. Perhaps we could just look at it as an adventure to see if I can even consistantly manage to do this. Who's up for an adventure?

It could be like a "Choose Your Own Adventure" book, which by the way...just to give you an insight to my personality, my grandmother and I used to plot those books out on huge pieces of paper taped together to visually see the outcomes. Perhaps...now you can understand. Maybe that's why it is so hard for me to do things that are ongoing? Like journaling/blogging, etc. If I can't plot it out and see a definite course, I don't want to play, I get discouraged and I give up. Well, I have a HUGE newsflash for myself...IT ALL HAS THE SAME ENDING!!!! Wow...that was pretty deep. So, what I'm saying then is that all those motivational posters are right...it's not the destination, it's the journey. Holy crap...this blogging thing is like therapy.

I should send myself a bill.

A Year Later

I can't believe that it has been a year since I started this here little blog. It looks like I didn't have nearly as much to say as I thought I would. As a one year gift, it is my goal and commitment to post more regularly.

I guess I still don't think that people want to read what I have to say. Or to be more realistic...I have a lot of days like I did today...and I think that the best option is for me to just keep my mouth shut...or not type as the case may be. It prevents people from getting their feelings hurt.

As I think back to a year ago...I can say that some things are definitely better and some things just haven't changed.

But I guess that's the way the cookie crumbles...and the world just keeps turning.

Confused...

I was sitting at a stop light the other day and saw a gentleman standing there eating an apple and holding a sign...that said..."Really Hungry".

Rooster Apron

Affectionately known as the "Cock Apron". Sorry, couldn't help it. I have an obsession with aprons. I don't know why. Perhaps because it reminds me of a simpler time when women spent all day at home barefoot, pregnant, and in the kitchen. Ahhh...the good 'ole days. Before I get any letters from the Betty Friedan Fan Club, I AM ONLY KIDDING!!!

But I am not kidding about my obsession. Which is why I had to buy this apron when I saw it at JoAnne Fabrics. All of the pieces are printed on one solid piece of fabric, along with the instructions. Just cut out the pieces (by the way...it would be a good idea to label on the reverse side them as you cut them out) and follow the instructions. Easy Peasy... except I have to be honest with you...I have had this apron cut out for about two months now and just got around to making it because I thought it was going to be harder than it looked. Of course...it wasn't.

And a random picture of a sunflower from the farmer's market. I promise you that it is one of those accidentally great pictures. Please don't think I am starting to get the hang of this picture taking stuff.

Sexing Bob White Quail

Since the quail are coming into laying age, I thought I would share how to tell the boys from the girls. Basically, the only really way to tell (besides watching them all day to see which one squirts out an egg) is to look at their faces:
The males have white accent feathers along the side of their faces around to the front and along their throat:
Whereas the females have brown accent feathers:
I apologize for the quality of these pictures, as the wire from the cage kept getting in the way.

At any rate, you have been learned. Go out into the world and share your knowledge...or not.

Evidence...

I ran a Photoshop Action on this photo called "Define and Sharpen".

Dear God,
Help me for thinking that is hilarious.

Yours truly,

Melissa

He Wore a Size 9...

While out at the property this weekend pulling the rest of the root balls that were connected to bonsai trees in China. My mother came across this:
We were all very excited. In these parts (to coin a phrase) finding a horseshoe is good luck. But this horseshoe looks to be pretty old. It is very brittle and we believe that it was handmade based on the asymmetrical shape. So we took it to Hobby Lobby and had it framed:
I couldn’t help but think about what kind of adventure caused this horseshoe to end up in a field that was, until recently, covered in mesquite. Probably everyday life…but I'm sure I could come up with some wild story. What I do know is that I can’t wait to put it in the house once we have it built…open end up, of course, based on our mythology.

Push The Little Root Balls...And Make 'Em Come Up

As previously mentioned, we were pulling root balls this weekend at the property. These were no ordinary roots. These were the ones that we had walked by several times before and attempted self inflicted hernias on trying to pull out by hand. These things called for machinery…like a Jeep. We love ourselves some overkill!! Seriously though…in some cases I was afraid we were going to pull up molten lava and journey our way to the center of the earth. In case you were wondering what this process looks like (and even if you didn’t) I’m going to show you.

First you have to locate a root. Not a problem:
Then you must find a creative way to wrap a chain around the root, so as to actually pull the root out…as opposed to skinning it:Then you attached the other end of the chain to the Jeep:Slap that puppy into reverse and away you go… That’s how it goes in a perfect world, or if you are Wolf… Hi Wolf…
In my world, (because, yes, I actually got to drive the big Jeep!!) I skinned more than I pulled. Eh…you win some, you loose some. But I was so proud when I pulled my first one:
It weighed 10lbs 5ozs and looked to be about 3 feet long. I thought about knitting up a little hat for it.

Moving on… This was how our day progressed. Search for roots, attach chain…hope for the best and pull. Now that we have the bigger stuff out…we can FINALLY have them come in with the disc plow and get this party started.

Watch out…I may be getting the hang of this…

Locavore

Wikipedia defines this as: “A locavore is someone who eats food grown or produced locally or within a certain radius such as 50, 100, or 150 miles. The locavore movement encourages consumers to buy from farmers’ markets or even to produce their own food, with the argument that fresh, local products are more nutritious and taste better. Locally grown food is an environmentally friendly means of obtaining food, since supermarkets that import their food use more fossil fuels and non-renewable resources. "
What amazes me the most about this is that this was the word of the year for 2007 for the New Oxford American Dictionary. Perhaps it’s just me, but does anyone see the absurdity of this? A few months ago, when I first discovered the Austin Farmer’s Market, I cooked an entirely local meal (with the exception of oil and spices) consisting of a roasted chicken, roasted veggies, a salad and cheese. As I thought about this meal and what a “locavore” is a few days ago, I wondered…at what point, did eating locally become a novelty? At what point did it become a marketing scheme?
What I do know for certain is that for myself, growing up, eating locally was never discussed. I never grew up around a garden and I am certain that the majority of my generation didn’t either. Which is why we are where we are today.
Allan Savoy (Holistic Management) would say that we started down this slope when man discovered fire. I think that is probable, but I think that there are events that occurred within the last century that might offer an explanation, to include the industrial revolution, the end of World War II and the conversion of chemical warfare into fertilizers which needed to be pushed off on to farmers who then began to specialize in one or two crops. Then into the 50’s when nothing that came from nature was to be trusted. The 60’s attempted a whole-hearted return to the land, but it didn’t quite stick. Industrialism had taken over and population increases forced us to view food sourcing differently.
Of course these are not the only reasons,in fact, there are hundreds of other possibilities. These are just the ones that I think that had the biggest effect. Nonetheless, it still amazes me that we have gone from an agrarian society to one that makes local eating a catch phrase and one of the hottest blog and best selling topics of recent years.

Prairie Chickens

Remember these guys?


Sadly, only seven survived...which I think may actually be pretty good...or at least that is what I am telling myself so that I can sleep at night.

Here they are...grown up, singing like it's the thing to do and about three weeks from laying eggs.


God help me...I don't think I am ready for that. We're gonna have birds all over the damn place. Oh wait...with me they only have about a 25% chance of survival.

How 'bout them odds.

Good thing "Slim" is not a bettin' man.

City Girl Lessons Learned V2.0 - Gate Duty

In the country, there is a little thing called "gate duty". Apparently, whenever you approach a gate, the passenger has to get out and open and close the gate. Since I was too busy operating the camera...mom had gate duty. (I love camera duty).She is sooo happy to have gate duty...
I think she just stuck her tongue out at me...
Okay...Bye Mom!

P.S. We did not leave her there...for long.

Blasphemy?

Is that what this picture is? There has to be something wrong with straddling a big brass pig...hhhmmm.

I was just going through my pictures and found these from Seattle.
I really didn't take very many pictures. That's too bad. It really is a pretty place.

With the exception of the trash along the highway...go figure.

Potato Storage

It is a little known fact that it is not a good idea to store potatoes next to onions. There is a chemical reaction that occurs causing the potatoes to go bad with a quickness. I knew about this and tried to keep them separated, but it wasn't enough. So I decided I could not possibly go another day of existence without some form of potato storage.

We had some wood in the garage that would have worked, but we would have to cut it. Then we decided to go to Home Depot to get the price on wood to build it. All you need is a length of 1x4. We decided to make the box 2'x3'.

It was then that I remembered that I would never cut a piece of wood again as long as Home Depot was near and I found an employee to cut the 10' piece of wood in to two 2' pieces and two 3' pieces.

Interestingly, it was the same employee that cut the wood for the compost bin and raised bed. I'm surprised he didn't hide in the back when he saw me...I hope they don't start charging to cut wood.

Using our brad nailer and stapler...we put the sides of the box together and nailed some spare pieces of 1"x1" to the sides as handles. Then we took hardware wire and stapled it to the bottom of the box. Here is the completed box...

Then I took two paper bags and cut them to rest in the bottom.
And fill with potatoes...

You may even be lucky enough to have a potato that looks like a heart...

Or a butt...depending on how you look at things.

City Girl Lessons Learned V1.0

I learned several lessons today as we went out to our property to pull roots in preparation for the 3 acre plot to be disk plowed.

1. Some days...no matter how much you and your significant other love each other...you will want to hurt each other.

2. If the mud is soft enough to stick to your boots...your truck will get stuck in it.

3. Just because it is cloudy and rainy...I can still get heat exhaustion.

4. Ask questions...don't just trust the little old man set up on the side of the road sellling fruit. You may assume he is selling local food. But he may be selling plums from California. Is there a season for plums in South Texas?

5. Just when you think you want to smack your significant other, he offers you half of his chicken salad sandwich because there was not enough bread for both of you to have a sandwich.

6. Chicken salad made with apples tastes sweet when you throw it up.

7. Some days you just can't win.

Confession

I have a confession to make.

I can not wait to turn 40.

I want to reach that point when other peoples' opinions of me really don't matter. Many people can say at various ages that they don't care what other's think. I have not reached that point. I love seeing women in their 40's and 50's who are confident and carry themselves with a certain air. Something that says I have lived life...

It may not be like your life, but it is mine, and it is perfect. Regardless of what it has been in the eyes of others. Regardless of whether it has been anyone elses idea of perfect or not. It has been lived...and that is enough. That it is not about a comparison or being better than someone else. We all are just who we are and that is okay. Period.

I have had my own dreams and goals...and I have either achieved them, or I am busting my ass now to achieve them. But even more than that. It is about achieving those goals because it is something you want. Not as a comparison to someone else or someone else dreams. They just are what they are. My dreams. Not mine because someone else thinks they should be mine. But mine because I have spent hours, and days, and years wanting them and working for them.

Perhaps its not the number per se, maybe it's just the experience or wisdom. Whichever it is, I can't wait.

The Dolphin Tamer and I went to dinner last night and as we were eating dinner, in walked this fabulous group of older women (most likely over 50) all wearing red hats of varying sizes, shapes and levels of outrageousness. I was in heaven and in fact was trying to work out a plan to adopt each and every one of them as my grandmother. I was hoping their fabulousness would wear off on me.

I told DT that I couldn't wait until I was older so that I could wear big, fabulous hats in public. It falls in line with having the confidence and wisdom that I was talking about above. Perhaps I will have reached that level when I can confidently go out in public with an outrageous hat and not be concerned with what the people think.

Pickled Okra

There are few things that can make me weak in the knees: my husband, a new seed catalog, and pickled okra. I have not tasted these yet as they have another week to go. But here is the recipe and I will let you know what we think.

Pickled Okra
by Yvonne Eckert

3 lbs uncut and washed okra pods
1 clove of garlic for each jar
Mustard seeds
6 Peppercorns
6 Small red hot peppers
Dill seed
1 Qt. Water
1 Qt. Distilled Vinegar
1/3 c. Pickling salt
3/4 c. Sugar

Pack okra into hot pint jars. To each pint add one clove of garlic, 1 teaspoon dill seed, 1 peppercorn, 1 small red hot pepper and 1/2 teaspoon mustard seed.

Make brine of water, vinegar, salt and sugar. Heat to a boil. Pour over okra. Close jars and process in boiling water bath for 20 minutes. Makes 6 pint jars.

Enjoy...

Denim Skirt

Clearly...our life is different from about a year ago. Remember when I told you that Michael Pollan's book "In Defense of Food" changed my life. I was not kidding. Since then I have become more concerned about recycling, eating locally and sustainably, renewable resources, and making a difference in our world.

Speaking of changing the world, I created a skirt for My Maria from a pair of her old jeans. The earth feels better already. I can tell.

The instructions for the skirt can be found here.

Dear Earth...Glad I could help. Love, Melissa

A Day At The Market...

Yesterday, my mom and I went to the Farmer's Market. We try to go to some type of market every week. It's my farm advocacy work. So for about $30 and the satisfaction of knowing that we are supporting local farmers...this is what we came home with...

I love having fresh flowers!! They are so beautiful, and given prices at the grocery store...they really are a steal at $4 a bunch.

The cucumbers were $2 for 3, all of those tomatoes were $4, the potatoes were $2 for about 4; the swiss chard was $2.50; the cushaw squash was $2; the canteloupe was $2 each and the black-eyed peas where $5 (and worth every penny!).

The best way to cook those black-eyed peas is with a piece of salt pork, some onion and 4 cups of chicken stock. Just brown the salt-pork in soup pan, add onions, peas and chicken stock. No need for any other seasoning...DO NOT ADD salt. Now simmer this mixture for about an hour to an hour and half until the peas turn brown. Serve over fresh homemade cornbread.

If you serve this friends or family...you may receive marriage proposals.

You have been warned...

Swatch-ya Doin'?

When I was younger and learning to sew from my step-great-grandmother (long story), she ALWAYS required that I baste stitch EVERYTHING together before I could sew it. This always seemed like poor time management to me. Why would I want to sew it twice? Then one summer I went to visit my grandmother in the valley who decided to sew me some clothes while I was there for two weeks. She did not baste one single stitch. She just laid it down and stitched it together. I was converted!! I wanted to be a rebel like her. However, since we actually lived with my step-great-grandmother (another long story), I had to continue to baste until we moved out. And I never looked back.

It occurs to me that this forced basting is the reason that I don't swatch to check my gauge when I knit. It would also be why I have never progressed beyond scarves and items that don't require exact dimensions. I guess I should have known my day would come where I would have to revisit another one of my issues (why, oh why, does the universe insist on self-improvement?).

I have started working on a blanket that my local yarn store calls the Simon Bebek (SIx MONths to BEcome a BEtter Knitter) blanket. Basically it is a piece-meal blanket with squares that you create using different types of knitting for each square.

Well in order to make sure that the squares are the correct size, you HAVE TO SWATCH. Crap...I have two options forget about this blanket...continue on my scarf-y path and not look back. Or grow up and swatch.

Well, we know I am all about the self-help...so here goes...

This is the pre-washed swatch...coming in at just over 5 inches in length...

And here is the washed and blocked swatch...

So now that I have completed the swatching to check my gauge...I have started the first square which is an Embossed Square. We will see if the swatching paid off...

What We Have...

A gate...
Some cactus...
Some dirt... A glimpse of the spot where out house will go (just beyond that treeline)...
Today, when we went to visit the property, it finally hit me. We are the stewards of this small piece of land. It is our cactus and dirt to look after. I will be honest. I took off in a full run across the cleared piece.

I can not wait...