Miracles

Mom's passing yesterday was a miracle in love. She loved life so much and fought so hard to maintain her dignity and independence, and she achieved her life's goal in the final minutes of her life. I never would have believed such a thing could happen if I hadn't been there right with her. She taught each of us something in her final breaths. I learned this had nothing to do with me at all. Often times I get caught up in situations, trying to be the everything to everyone, but her final needs had nothing to do with me, beyond my being an instrument in accomplishing the bigger event. I cared for her physical being, helping to keep her as alert and functioning as possible until the real mission was accomplished. I am honored to have been the caretaker in this event. The miracle happened between my mother and my two younger brothers. They have been at enmity for years which intensified at my father's death a few years ago. Well yesterday morning, very early...4:00am, all of my nursing instincts swore that mom was nearing her time...a mere few hours. So by 6:30 I was calling all of my siblings, one by one and holding the phone to her ear and had told them to please take this private time with her...only Mom would hear their final love messages for her. Each of mom's children and most of the grandchildren were called and were able to tell Grandma/mom there final thoughts and give her their love. We there in the room did the same thing. Around 10:00 am the hospice nurse arrived on her pre-arranged visit and said that Mom had passed on. She had no heartbeat, no pulse, no blood pressure, but she was still breathing. The Hospice nurse said that this would soon stop and to call her when it stopped and she would come back. Well.....it didn't stop. And after about 1 hour, her heart was beating and she had a faint pulse and her color came back, but she was still not responding to pain or touch or voice. We light a candle that was sent to me by one of my farmgirl friends. It was in a lovely holder with Jesus holding a lamb on it. We burned this for the rest of the day. We brushed her hair told funny loving stories, read to mom her favorite Bible passages, Dad's obituary that my brother wrote and a story I wrote about her as a child and her relationship with her grandmother. She breathed on. We couldn't figure this out, because her heart had become so faint and weak again.....but still she breathed on. Then about 6:00pm, my youngest brother called and was talking to my other brother....the two who were on the outs. They had a wonderful conversation, while my brother was sitting next to my mother. I walked into the room and heard how they were talking and laughing and sharing and said, "This is exactly what Mom has been waiting for. Her greatest wish over the past 5 years was for the two of you to be talking again." Right at that moment, Mom's breathing relaxed and she went home. Dear heavens......If I hadn't seen it and been a part of it, I never would have believed it."

Now I've witnessed death so many times over 24 years and been the last voice and last touch to so many people, and I swear, I have never seen anything like this. Mom without a heartbeat, no pressure and no pulse hanging on for hours and hours......for this family miracle to happen.

I also knew deep in my heart, that Mom and I were 100% ok. This had nothing to do with me....I was merely the instrument for this to be able to happen. I am humbled and I am so lucky to have had a mother....all the way to her end.

One last thought. My daughters age 7 and 9 were so involved with Mom's care that I am so very proud of their courage and love shown to their grandmother. They placed fresh picked flowers in her hair after helping me clean and dress her after her passing. Mom and I talked about the girls alot and she was so concerned that this may be too much for them to witness, but....this is the way it used to be. Old taking care of young, young taking care of old. They are just returning to a more loving way of caring for family and they proved to me that they are strong, loving children. They to see them give grandma one more cuddle. To touch her hand and caress her face and place flower in her freshly combed and braided hair. That is family love and courage.

Thanks for blogging with me....blessings,
Georgann

Happy Easter!!!

Look what the girls made. I bought a calendar that has a cake of the month on it and the girls have really been looking forward to April's cake. They made it for Easter.

The ears are actually hot pink, not orange. They also left the coconut off of the bunny and just put it around for grass.

They are so proud of their bunny cake!

When I looked in the refrigerator last night after the girls went to bed. My younger daughter attached a note to the half eaten cake: "Dear Peter Rabbit, This was NOT a bunny. It is a white SQUIRREL!!" It also had an arrow pointing to the cake remains. LOL LOL...... She wanted to make sure that Peter Rabbit left her something on Easter morning. I don't know why she thinks it is Peter Rabbit, rather than the Easter Bunny delivering goodies this morning! Gotta love 'em.

Thanks for blogging with me and have a wonderful Holiday!

Snow Shoes

Finally on the mend and a new huge tote bag

This bag is a huge tote made from a felted sweater vest and a pair of jeans. They were both thrifted from TTQ. The inside is lined with a celestial print in blue and gold. This was fun but very tough to sew on my machines....very heavy denim. Finally had to get my daughter's heavy duty quilter machine out to get through that denim. I really love this tote, but it is already spoken for and will be going to its new home tomorrow. My family thought I was making a skirt out of a pair of jeans. LOL...I know it looks a bit like a skirt, but I just love the unique jeans that I found to go with this one. They are Paris Blues that lace up the front and had the two nice pockets on the back. It is a little bit lopsided, but I just let the fabric do what it wanted. It is just a utility tote, so perfection is not necessary, and besides I wanted it to have a bit of a rough, ragged and gypsy feel to it.

Later, and thanks for blogging with me today.

NoroVirus

ARGH......avoid it at all costs!! I have had my head in the toilet all night and all day. What a way to lose weight! More when I'm feeling better.

Altered Denim

Here's a little ditty:
before









After:

The Muslin of Kim's Gown is ready to go in the mail!

This is the muslin for Kim's Wedding Gown. It is very raw, but that is what I want at this stage. I'm going to send it to her with a handful of safety pins so that she can pin it where she wants the adjustments. Then I shall mark those and adjust the paper pattern according to her marks so that hopefully, the end product will fit just right. I didn't want to cut straight into the good fabric! The muslin looks a bit baggy on Andrea, but Andrea is about a size 4 to 6 so I always have to cinch in anything that I put on her. Kim is not big by any means...don't think she is! LOL Kim I know this looks very unfinished right now, don't be alarmed...It is supposed to look unfinished at this stage! This way I'll know just where to adjust so it is perfect on you. I'll send a list of instructions on how and what to do. This garment is very easily adjustable...there are so many seams in it. It is going to be soooo pretty in that white on white! Oh, the back of it is laced with black cording, B for Back, The muslin cording is in the front...that is so you can tell which is which when putting it on. Oh, btw....that black spots on the floor are just lint balls. I was cutting out dark fabric earlier today....just haven't vacuumed yet. I did shampoo carpets downstairs today though! LOL...

Swine in Space

Found the cutest screen saver....not going to order it, just looked at it on a german site...it is called: Swine in Space. It costs 9.9 euros and I don't really keep euros in my pocketbook! But if you have a moment to click on the link, I promise it is really cute! I don't know if the link will work. I hope it does. Anyway, browse through this guys site, it is really cute...I'm assuming he is an illustrator.

Been a really rough two days. My youngest daughter and I were up all night last night. She was vomiting and really sick. She has been much better tonight. Slept all day though, so now she is being a little reading night owl.

Well too tired to write much more at the moment,
So until tomorrow at noon when the drawing will be held for that violet and purple floral apron that I made during my all nighter.

Kim...I have started alterations to the paper pattern!
G

Fabric Finds at the Thrifty Quaker today

Here are some beautiful fabrics that I found at my favorite thrift store! The peach colored one is true vintage. My guess by the print is 30's or 40's. It is less than 36" wide. It has a crisp cotton feel to it.....do I hear APRON??!!

The purple is going to be trim, waistband and ruffle on an apron that I have planned. Will be using lots of vintage rick rack and lace on it too!! I'm going to sew it up tonight. I have the need to sew something quick and pretty....lots of stress right now.

The blue paisly is 3 1/2 yards of yummy Cranston cotton. The other blue floral is Cranston and it is the softest, floatiest fabric. I thought it was Rayon, but it is a soft cotton. The blue floral is a crisp probably 60's fabric....another APRON!!

This next photo is a king size white and lavender floral pillowcase. This is going to be the base of the apron with the purple calico. I think it will be yummy!! Very pretty and springlike!!

Love thrifting!!
G

Update: Here is the finished apron. Used a kings size pillow and thrifted calico. It looks like blackberry jam and violets!

Kim's fabric and trim....just the start! Be sure to click on the photos for a close up!!

This is the fabric for the main part of the dress.

I hope this shows up. This is one of the fabrics for Kim's handfasting dress and the trim...well that is if she likes it! I love the little bit of sparkle in the trim. I think it will catch the sunlight beautifully without being overly dramatic. The cape will be a reproduction 15th century cape of white chiffon with pink roses scattered about the whole cape. I will be handbeading crystals to the dress and cape to catch bits of sunlight too. Not an overly large amount of them, just scattered in key areas to catch the sunlight and hopefully look like fairies flitting about her as she stands in the warm sun with her beloved!

The pattern will be modified with short sleeves or possibly sleeveless. It has a very, very full skirt that drapes so well over the hips. The front and back lace up to make it fully adjustable. This is not the cape that I will be using for the dress.


The cape is this lovely white chiffon with pink roses all over it. It is so light weight that it will capture even the slightest breeze and will billow out behind her when she walks. It will be hand beaded here and there with clear cut crystal beads that will capture the sunlight.

Oh, I saw the kickiest pair of white brazilian leather short cowgirl boots at The Thrifty Quaker Saturday. They would be so, so cute with this ensemble, but didn't know what size Kim's feet were, but the more I thought of it, thought that simple white ballet shoes would be best with this.

Oh, I will be handbeading a tiara for Kim too. It will be done with wire twisting, Swarovski crystals, moonstone and pink quartz. Similar to this one, but with more bling! LOL

Hope you like these plans Kim! Everything is subject to your approval of course!

Thanks for blogging with me and I hope you like the peek at Kim's June wedding!! Hope you don't mind Kim!!!

G

Whole Wheat Pancakes

When I was a much younger woman, I had an organic garden plot in my back yard. I dug the whole garden by myself...20ftx30ft with a spade and a rake. It was the most grounding wonderful experience a 25 year old farmgirl in the city could ask for. I raised beans, peas, pumpkins, corn, tomatoes and watched my toddler son walk between the rows of plump veggies and pluck sweet peas right off of the vine, pop them open and gobble the sweet little nuggets right there in the garden. (never could get him to eat them cooked at his highchair). We had early spring lettuce soup, steamed sweet peas, lucious buttery corn on the cob. I even dug a hole in the back yard and made a cooking pit. I squatted over it like I imagined my native american ancestors did. Over the years I look back at that time in my life as an earthy, nature girl time. Me with my Rodale Organic Gardening book in hand, a babe on my hip and my long hair in braids, feeling in tune with the earth and the wind and the sun and all parts of nature around me. There was no better feeling than my spade slicing through the moist earth, the feel of soil in my hand, the sound of the morning doves in the distance and children laughing in my yard...where did it all go?

I went to college and learned how to function in the "real" world. I chased after some societal dream of having more and buying more and doing less for myself. Along with that, I left that Earth girl behind. I never mourned her passing in my 30's and early 40's. As I near 50, I am looking back in retrospect and wanting to regain a little of that part of who I really am, deep inside of me. I want to regain the whole foods, the whole life the joy of earth between my toes and fingers.

Anyway, I digress.....if you are still here with me, Wow, you are pretty tough....the point of my blogging today is to share a recipe with you that I got from a dear LDS friend of mine. She gave me a bag of whole wheat and a card with this recipe. I made them years ago and loved them and then lost the card. My DH found this recipe online for me on the Utah Wheat Board site. I had purchased a small bag of whole wheat kernels this week and wanted to make these pancakes this weekend....so here is a photo of the results. They are delicious and are easy to make. So if you would like to capture a little bit of the whole foods foodie, I highly recommend these. I guess the making of these and the taste of them brough back my memories of my organic garden and that feeling of wholeness in my life. I hope you enjoy them:
Whole Wheat Kernel Blender Pancakes
1 cup whole wheat kernels
1 egg
2 T. sugar
3 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 cups milk
1/4 cup oil
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla

Place 1 cup wheat kernels and 1 cup milk in blender. Blend for 3 minutes. Then add rest of milk and blend for another 1 minute. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend. Bake on hot griddle until bubbles begin to pop, turn and bake other side until golden brown. Serve hot with butter and honey or maple syrup.

Enjoy.....thanks for blogging with me today.
G

Farmgirl Fashion!!

This whole outfit is thrifted or handmade from thrifted fabrics. I LOVE the way this one turned out. The only thing missing is the petticote, which will be made tonight!! What do ya'll think?

This one is about a size 8 to 12 in that range.

New vintage fabric finds

These fabrics are waiting for their turn to be made into farmgirl skirts or aprons. I LOVE these newest finds. The muslin rose one is soft and gorgeous. It will be a skirt with a muslin petticote underneath. The vibrant colored morning glory will be an apron. The greens will be aprons and the Bill Blass cowgirl will be an apron also. The Bill Blass cowgirl with boots, hats and roses is actually a 2x shirt that will be repurposed! I'm drawing up a design to flow with the existing fabric shape and yardage. I think it will be fabulous!! I have a good idea of what I can do with it in my mind. Enjoy! Please let me know what you think. All of these are thrifted fabric finds!! LOVE The Thrifty Quaker!! (be sure to click on the images to see a close up! Especially the cowgirl fabric. The coloring is wonderful!)

Some cute apron fabrics...most are true vintage! Some are reproductions, but all are soft and wonderful...can hardly wait.

Wild Horses and Homespun!

This is the most difficult fabric I have ever worked with. It is a wonderfully soft and floating homespun gauze. Very light weight. There is a full 4 yards in this skirt, but it is very light weight. I did ruching up the right side so that a little bit of leg can show, or it can be let down for no leg showing. It could be ruched all the way up to the waist. This is still a WIP. I am going to reinforce the seams with an organic, unfinished top stitching effect. The ruffle took forever to apply and shag the hem by hand but I love the way it turned out. It looks so pretty when ruched up. This is another no pattern skirt/dress design! I just tied the scrap on the top for grins and giggles. It is not permanent on there.

Not sure if I'll finish it off as a skirt or go ahead and attach it to the top. I love the two together, but I may just make it into an elastic waisted skirt, or a banded skirt with a drawstring, but the top is soooo perfect with this skirt. Kind of wild looking. This skirt will spin!! Hope you enjoy this one...

The Seed Thief

Ah....caught in the act.....

The Red Dress Club!

New dress I threw together today. This one is for sale and will be going to the shop tomorrow. It has a Ralph Lauren tank top sewn to homespun and vintage gauze with a reverse hip belt. It is slit up the sides with hand pulled thread shaggy edges. It has a great spin and can be worn as a sundress or a swim suit coverup. It is cotton comfort at its best!! The colors are a rich rusty red and cream.

The Apron Maker's Apron

Well, I am finally making an apron for myself. It will take a while to do all of the machine embroidery that I want to do. I have just a small portion done. This is a recycled dress made into an apron for moi'. I didn't get it finished for my birthday, but it will give you an idea of my current AIP (apron in progress) I am doing a series of fall color mini leaf borders around all of the bias tape so that they will hopefully look intertwined.

Well, today was a really rough day. It was my birthday, but sure didn't seem like it. I baked shorbread for my hubby, cleaned the kitchen--3 times. My older daughter fell down the stairs and landed on her back, scared the beegeebers out of me. My mother's pain was out of control all day and this evening, I took her to the ER. Had two extra girls over night last night...Just a rough day. I did get a little sewing time in, but not much. Oh, two bright spots: MY OVEN repairman showed up!!! YEAH!! And my sister sent me the loveliest flowers for my b'day...I just cried and cried/ Here are some more snaps:

Thanks for blogging with me. I'm finally tired and it is 1:24 in the morning.

Goodnight!

Tasha, the fabric and a new AIP (apron in progress)

Tasha, I mentioned to you about the upholestry fabric that I have. It is a bolt of fabric and it sews up beautifully. If you like this I will be glad to send you some for pillows. It won't offend me if you don't like it though. It might not be what you have in mind for your sofa.


Next is a new apron in progress. I wasgoing to donate this jumper, but decided to make an apron out of it. This is definately a work in progress, but I will finish it tomorrow!

Oh, and Tasha, let me know on the fabric!

G

Tomorrow is my 20th anniversary...

.....Of my 29th birthday. I'm nearing the big 5-0 so I thought that I would try to snap a good photo of myself while I'm still in my 40's. I took the advice of one of the farmgirls and looked in the mirror while I was doing this and, well, they are passable. Especially since I rarely allow anyone to take my photo. So Farmgirls, this is me...today...February 16th, 2007 on the eve of my last year in my 40's. My hubby is 38 and says that I clean up pretty good and don't really look almost 50 or as he puts it: "old as dirt." Awww...he is so sweet! LOL

Well, Mom has been feeling pretty good the past few days, so we got out and went to a couple of thrift stores. She found a big basket today to organize all of her what nots on the table in her room. I washed it well and it is sitting out in the sunshine drying right now, otherwise I'd post a photo of it.

I received the most yummy plate of cookies from Becky in Pennsylvania yesterday. Mom and I had just sat down to have a cup of hot tea and watch a movie when the mailman arrived with the Valentine treat. We were thrilled and really enjoyed these lucious yummies with our tea and movie, but before we ate any, I snapped a photo for all to enjoy! Yum--yum. Oh, BTW there are none left!

I did do some pick up in my crafting space. Tasha inspired me to organize and clean up. So I hung up all of my vintage and floaty fabrics on a rack in the corner. You can see an apron in progress on my cutting/sewing table and another one draped on my comfy thrifted barrel chair. It is going to be winging its way to an unsuspecting Farmgirl friend, whom I think needs to be gifted with this one, so she can hang it in her kitchen! I've decided to RAOK friends with aprons. It is something that I like to make and hopefully they are pretty nice. And I hope the recipients think they are nice too.

I hope you enjoy this little glimpse into my creative space and mind.


I will be going out in a few minutes to select a new tube of lipstick for my birthday present! It is the only thing that I want for my birthday. I have my health, my mother is doing well for the time being, I have a loving and generous husband and three wonderful kids and lots of farmgirl friends....oh and chapped lips! *g*

So, thanks for blogging with me today.
G

Butterfly Apron

Well, it is raining and cold and yucky and I wasn't tired, so I decided to sew an apron tonight while the family is asleep. I've had this fabric for a long time. It is a heavy cotton almost a lightweight canvas in feel. Very stiff. It has butterflies all over it. Didn't use a pattern, but it is for a larger waisted person. The pockets are sewn into/under the waistband and they open from the side rather than from the front. I used vintage white cotton rickrack around the edges which made for a really nice turned finish because it is a large rick rack. Well it is after one in the morning, so I think I'll put clothes in the dryer, check on mom and the girls and go to bed. I hope you are all staying warm and getting lots of hugs!
Thanks for blogging with me tonight, or rather, this morning. Oh, Happy Valentine's Day!
G

For the Love of Chocolate Apron

Well, finally a new apron. It is a reproduction 50's hostess apron pattern. Simplicity 5961. It uses a yard of fabric, but many yards of trim. I added a battenberg lace trimmed heart to the bib area. It is 11:27pm on Sunday. I just stitched the last stitch and tied this apron onto Andrea so I could snap some photos before it goes out in the mail tomorrow. It is on it's way to Pennsylvania to a farmgirl! My oven is still broken, so I hope she doesn't mind a fresh baked apron in place of a dozen of chocolate chip cookies! I do bake the bestest chocolate chip cookies in the world though....well so say my husband and kids. Here is my recipe: Use the recipe on the bag of Nestle' Semi Sweet chocolate chips, but substitute Giradelli 60% cocoa chips, use real vanilla not imitation, use large eggs, use Domino light brown sugar, bake them on parchment paper and take them out one minute early. Do NOT overbake. Cookies continue baking for about 1 minute after taking them out of the oven. Cool them on a rack on parchment paper. Well, there you have it. The world's best chocolate chip cookie. Oh, don't forget to stir in the most important ingredient: LOVE!

Thanks for blogging with me!
G