19 Stars for the 19th - Art Every Day Month - Day 19

For the 19th day of Art Every Day Month, I did a quilt square for the Minnesota state quilt that I've been working on this month.

This square features 19 stars that represent Minnesota being the 19th state admitted to the Union after the original 13 states.

The stars are cut from a variety of yellow cotton fabric - both solid colors and patterned. On the back side of the fabric is an adhesive that I ironed onto it. After placing the stars where I want them, I iron over the fabric one more time and the stars are affixed to the white fabric.

Rather than using the blanket-stitch or backstitch that I've used for all the other quilt squares up to this point, I attached the squares by using uneven running stitches. 

Given when Minnesota was admitted as a state to the Union, quilting was done by hand versus sewing machines. Although the quilts probably looked much more "put together" and perhaps not as primitive looking as the stars on this quilt square, I was hoping to achieve an old-fashioned look by doing this type of stitching.

30 Days of Giving Thanks - Days 15-18 - Geese/Piano/Orphanage/Night Nature Walk

For the first half of the month, I wrote letters to family and friends to thank them for different ways that they have positively affected my life.

During the past few days, I took a break from writing letters as well as writing each day here about giving thanks. This gave me time to think about other things for which I am thankful:

- Day 15: I am thankful for seeing at least 75 geese in multiple "V" formations fly overhead. I could hear them in the distance and the honking got louder and louder. All at once, it seemed, dozens of geeze came into view as they flew over the pine trees.

"Don't look up as geese fly directly over your head!" I remember my dad telling me when I was younger. I had to look up, though. It was an amazing sight as the different formations flew separately, would merge, separate again, and circle around the backyard, pasture, and field next door.

One of the formations looked like this.

There were many other smaller "V"s and

single geese flying around the main formation.

Photo Source

- Day 16: I am thankful for being able to play the piano. Although it certainly would be of great benefit to play each day so my skills don't continue to decline, I am thankful that I can sit down and still play some songs and learn new ones.

Playing the piano.

(Sophia took this picture of my hands a couple of years ago.)

- Day 17: I am thankful for the orphanage and nannies who took care of Olivia for ten months before she was adopted in 2003. 

From left to right: Sophia (almost 3 years old), me, and

Olivia (10 months old).

Taken on November 17, 2003, in China.

Olivia, age 4, trying on the outfit she wore

on her adoption day.

Although the sleeves and pant legs are a bit short,

she still fit into the outfit.

This is probably the last year that Olivia

is going to squeeze into the outfit.

Taken on November 17, 2011, Olivia is 8 years old.

- Day 18: I am thankful for going on an evening walk with Sophia and Olivia with flashlights. Although the original purpose of the walk wasn't for a good reason (we couldn't find Bailey in the pasture or near the barn), we did find her happily (and safely) eating grass by the pine trees in the pasture with the nature trail.

Bailey during the day. 

Certainly, she's easier to find during the day

than at night when it is dark.

It was a beautiful night - crisp with a barely a breeze. By 5:45 p.m., it was completely dark and quiet. Very peaceful. With only our three flashlights guiding our way, we made our way through the pastures and on the trails.

Bailey joined us for part of the walk. Having her walk alongside me - so close that her shoulder was touching my arm as we walked back to the barn - made me very grateful to be living in the country.

Embroidering Minnesota's State Drink - Art Every Day Month - Day 18

I'm continuing to work on the hand-embroidered squares for the Minnesota state quilt that I'm making this month. Yesterday afternoon and this morning, I embroidered Minnesota's state drink - milk.

The quilt square is about 12 1/2" x 12 1/2" and is from a white bed sheet that no longer was being used. I used 100% cotton embroidery floss in three shades of pink and black.

Why pink? The label for skim milk is pink, and that's the color I associate with milk.

The stitching is basic - just a simple backstitch on this quilt square. I chose to do an outline only versus filling in any section as well.

Milk was designated as the official state drink of Minnesota in 1984. Minnesota produces 9.7 billion pounds of milk a year (6% of the nation’s total) and ranks sixth in dairy production among the states.

Olivia petting a cow at a dairy farm

during a 4-H meeting.

(Taken in June 2011.)

Each dairy cow gives about 6.5 gallons of milk per day. Less than half of this milk is consumed as a beverage - excess is used for butter, cheese, ice cream, yogurt, milk powder, and other processed products.

Sophia with a calf.

Both the girls want to learn more about dairy cows this year, and

want to show a dairy calf at the county fair

as one of their 4-H projects.

(This was taken in August 2008.)

Hand-Embroidered Apple - Art Every Day Month - Day 17

This morning I hand-embroidered an apple for the Minnesota state quilt that I'm working on. The apple is meant to represent the honeycrisp apple - Minnesota's state fruit.

Minnesota's state fruit is the honeycrisp apple.

The honeycrisp apple was produced from a 1960 cross of Honeygold and Macoun and apples as part of the University of Minnesota's breeding program. The goal in creating this apple was to develop a variety that could withstand difficult winters without losing fruit quality. In 1962, the original seedling was planted at the Minnesota Horticultural Research Center.

The honeycrisp apple was released by the University’s Agricultural Experiment Station in 1991 and has become a favorite throughout the United States as well as one that is grown and appreciated worldwide.

In 2006, the honeycrisp apple was selected to be the State Fruit of Minnesota; a process initiated by a grade school class in Bayport, voted on by legislators, and finalized by the governor.

To create the quilt square, I used three different colors of fabric and four different pieces. I used a light iron-on adhesive to attach the pieces to the white fabric square. Then, I hand-embroidered each of the pieces onto the background fabric by using the backstitch.

On the leaves and stem, I used the straight stich to add some definition and details (e.g., the veins of the leaves).

Five hand-embroidered squares done now...seven left to go.

Donate Clothes to USAgain - 52 Weeks of Giving - Week 46

This week as part of the 52 Weeks of Giving challenge, Sophia and Olivia donated two bags of clothing to USAgain.

Sophia and Olivia by the collection bin for USAgain.

According to its website, "USAgain is a green for-profit enterprise that collects used clothes and resells them worldwide to conserve precious natural resources and greenhouse gases. We provide thousands of convenient locations across the U.S. where you can drop off your gently used clothes and shoes any time of the day, any day of the year."

Sophia using the lever to put the bag of clothes

into the collection bin.

The website continued, "For the clothes you no longer use, we provide an easy, eco-friendly way to remove them from your closet! What's more, the clothes are given a second life at affordable prices for people who can't afford brand new clothes. It's a win-win-win proposition."

Olivia making a donation to USAgain.

This was an easy way to make a different that helps others and benefits the environment - all while cleaning out our closets. Having bins like this one at businesses around town make donating easy; and gives us an opportunity to support a variety of organizations and businesses.

Minnesota State Quilt in Progress - Art Every Day Month - Day 16

I haven't made a quilt since June when I did one for the Summer of Color challenge. The Art Every Day Month challenge seemed like another good time to undertake a quilt.

None of the quilts I make are like the beautiful ones that you see at quilt shows, or county or state fairs. The level of precision and perfection is admirable, but truly escapes me when I try my hand at quilting. So, instead, I aim for comfort and usefulness.

For the quilt I'm making this month, I chose the theme of Minnesota since that's where I live. There are going to be 35 quilt blocks (5 wide by 7 long) that are raw-cut at 12 1/2" on each side. With 1/4" seam allowances, the final squares should be about 12" square. The final quilt should be about 60" x 84".

Of the 35 blocks, 12 will be appliqued and hand-embroidered; and 23 will be fabric only.

Three of the hand-embroidered squares

are in this picture.

All the fabric is in shades of blue and green since those colors remind me of the many lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and streams in Minnesota as well as the variety of trees that grow here.

Some of the fabric reminds me of my family and home.

The fabric with the blue bird on it is from a quilt that I made

for my mom's 80th birthday.

The blue fabric next to it was used for curtains I made

for one of the bedrooms in the home.

Today, I ironed and cut 23 pieces of fabric in shades of blue and green plus 8 pieces of white fabric. I arranged the squares in the pattern that they'll be eventually sewn in.

The eight white squares will have applique designs

that I will hand-embroider

(there are four that I have already completed this month).

As I was arranging the quilt squares, I realized that a significant number of pieces came from old bed sheets, pillowcases, and clothing. It's certainly one of those "make do" quilts and one that reminds me of ones that would have been made years ago when women resourcefully used what they had on hand.

Yesterday, I found some images on the internet that I can adapt for the quilt. Some are from the Department of Natural Resources, while others are photographs or drawings I found from different sources.  I'm going to have to work a bit on the images to somehow change them from being coloring sheets or photographs into workable patterns for applique. Perhaps that will be one of my projects this afternoon.

From Chaos to Order in Window Stars - Art Every Day Month - Day 15

Today I continued making some more window stars. I thought it might be interesting to take some pictures of what the window stars look like while I am making them.

Both the stars that I made have sixteen points. Each point has ten folds per point.

With 16 points and ten points per fold, that's 160 folds to make each of these stars.

As I mentioned in my last post about the rainbow window stars I made, I usually don't spread out the points in such a random and chaotic way.

However, I wanted to see what the points and the stars looked like photographed on the light box rather than completed and hung up on the window as I normally do.

So, after these stars were made today, I began working on the quilt I started earlier this month. So far I have four quilt squares hand-embroidered.

Today, I determined what the other eight embroidered squares will feature.  Each image will represent a different aspect about Minnesota (e.g., state beverage, state grain, state rock). I also have selected the 23 different pieces of fabric for the squares that will be in between the embroidered ones. 

The next step: ironing and cutting out the squares from the fabric; creating designs and appliques from fabric; and hand-embroidering the appliques onto the fabric. 

Wonder if I'll be able to do this in 15 days...or if this project will end up being completed in December. Either way...it will be nice to have a warm quilt this winter (as I'm listening to the wind howl outside my window right now) and feeling a draft come in around the window (one of the disadvantages of living in a 121 year old home - yes, it was built in 1890).

F is for Fudge Brownies - ABCs of Homeschooling

Almost one-quarter the way done with the alphabetical recipes in the children's cookbook, Alpha-Bakery, that we're using for homeschooling.  This week we made Fudge Brownies.  They were absolutely amazing!

These are very rich, flavorful brownies that should be cut into small squares. In that way, when you're feeling the need to eat a second brownie, it isn't as bad because two of the small pieces would equal a normal size brownie.

Ingredients

1/4 cup margarine or butter (we used dairy-free)
1 package (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips (we used milk chocolate chips)
3/4 cup sugar
2/3 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1/2 cup chopped nuts (we didn't include nuts)
1/2 cup of semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease the bottom only of a square pan, 8x8x2 inches, with shortening. Heat margarine and 6 ounches chocolate chips in a 2-quart saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly, until melted; remove from heat.

Stir in remaining ingredients excepts nuts and 1/2 cup chocolate chips real hard with a wooden spoon until smooth. 

Stir in nuts and chocolate chips. Spread in pan with a rubber scraper.

Bake until the center is set, about 30 minutes. Let brownies cool completely, then cut into 1 3/4 x 1 1/2 inch brownies. Store brownies tighly covered. Makes 20 brownies.

Letting Go - Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks - Week 46

The book I read this week for the Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks challenge, doesn't quite fit the guidelines of having a plot. However, it complements a book I read recently about Morrie Schwartz as part of the challenge (Tuesdays with Morrie) which I liked (though I preferred the book in movie version).

This book focuses on the words of Morrie Schwartz as he faced his own imminent death due to ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig's disease). ALS is incurable, disabling, and eventually fatal.

Even in the process of dying, Mr. Schwartz shared his knowledge about forgiveness, love, and redemption; and how to live a full and meaningful life.

Here are some excerpts which I found particularly meaningful:

- Accept yourself, your physical condition, and your fate as they are at the present moment.

- Get as much help as you can when you need it.

- People refuse help because they feel their self-esteem depends on their being "independent." We fear that someone or other we have been diminished because we need, want, and desire another person's help .... From my point of view, it makes so much more sense to be clear about your needs and realize that you need others, just as they need you.

- Grieving never ends with one outpouring. The need to cry, to mourn, to groan, to sob may come back time and time again. Let yourself feel the depth of your tears, your sense of loss, the pain, and the emptiness that you feel because of it.

- Keep your heart open as long as you can, as wide as you can, for others and especially for yourself. Be generous, decent, and welcoming.

- If you become ill and no longer have the strength to write letters or make lots of phone calls, your caregiver can become your lifeline.

- We all know that we're dying...day by day we're getting closer to our death. The best way to deal with that is to live in a fully conscious, compassionate, loving way.

- One hundred and ten years from now no one who is here now will be alive. When you look at it that way, you can see how absurb it is that we individualize ourselves with our fences and hoarded possessions, refusing to recognize our commonalities.

- Learn how to live, and you'll know how to die; learn how to die, and you'll know how to live.

- The best preparation for living fully and well is to be prepeared to die at any time, because impending death inspires clarity of purpose, a homing in on what really matters to you. 

- When you feel that the end is near, you are more likely to pay close attention to whatever you treasure, especially relationships with loved ones.

- The more committed you are to living an ethical life, the less you have to fear having your life come to an end.

- [This is] a story about a wave...that my meditation teacher told me. There's this little wave, a he-wave who's bobbing up and down in the ocean off the shore, having a great time. All of a sudden, he realizes he's going to crash into the shore.

In this big wide ocean, he's now moving toward the shore, and he'll be annihilated. "My God, what's going to happen to me?" he says, a sour and despairing look on this face. 

Along comes a female wave, bobbing up and down, having a great time. And the female wave says to the male wave, "Why are you so depressed?"

The male says, "You don't understand. You're going to crash into that shore, and you'll be nothing."

She says, "You don't understand. You're not a wave; you're part of the ocean."

That's what I believe, too. I'm not a wave; I'm part of all humanity. I'm going to die, but I'm also going to live  on. In some other form? Who knows? But I believe that I am part of a larger whole.

Rainbow Stars as a Work in Progress - Art Every Day Month - Day 14

Today I worked on some rainbow window stars for a few customers. This is what the points looked like before I made them into stars.

The points for four rainbow stars

are jumbled together here.

In the picture above, the large points are for one star and in one pattern (ten folds per point); and the remainder of the points are in another pattern (four folds per point) and represent three different stars in two different sizes.

What is consistent with all the stars, is the vibrant, translucent paper that is used. When light shines through the paper, it illuminates it and reveals the pattern in the points and star itself.

This is a bit different than origami in that with origami no glue is used. When I make the window stars, I do use glue to secure the folds within each point, and then again when I affix each point to one another.

In case you're wondering...normally I don't mix together all the points in such a chaotic way. I was curious to see what they would look like in a random pattern on the light box.

30 Days of Giving Thanks - Day 14 - My Sister

When I think about my younger sister, Mary, I can't imagine my life without her. She has been there through both happy and challenging times through the years.

Many of my happiest times that I recall from my childhood included my sister. I remember...

- making forts in the woods with her;

- taking the row boat out on the lake, going around the island, and sometimes "parking" the boat on the sandbar to swim and explore the shallow water in the middle of the lake (the sandbar was off the northeast part of the island);

- doing practice "fire drills" in which we would load our pillowcases with our most valued possessions and climb out our basement windows, trying to beat our previous times; and

- playing with Barbies and the Sunshine Family dolls, their camper, and their four-room home decorated with accessories we made by hand.
In high school, during my senior year and Mary's sophomore year, we were able to take some elective courses together which was nice. Sitting next to my sister made the classes more fun, and often we were able to be partners when working on assignments.

One of my favorite memories is when we were both in college and drove to Illinois to videotape my dad's relatives and places he lived. A friend from college (Sue) and a friend of hers helped edit the raw footage together to create a video we called, "All I Want Is Your Love." It had this title because when we asked my dad what he wanted for Christmas, he woud say, "All I want it your love."

Now, even as adults, I know I can count on my sister to be there to listen and for encouragement; and (hopefully) I provide that same support to her when she needs someone to talk with.

Mary and her sons at Sophia's and Olivia's First Communion.

(Taken in January 2010.)

We have enjoyed working on projects together and learning new things throughout the years. Some of my favorite classes I took with Mary focused on learning to cook and/or food.

We both managed to decorate a lot of cakes during a cake decorating class we took many years ago. I'm not sure they would win any awards, but it was nice to learn something new with Mary each week.

Mary, my mom, Sophia, Olivia, and me on my mom's 80th birthday

(Taken on April 24, 2010.)

During the past couple of years since my dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease, we have been trying to take more pictures together as a family. At almost every gathering we have, we have tried to get pictures of our family together since we never know what the next year...the next month...or even the next week will hold for us.

Mary, Jim, and I with our parents.

(Taken on May 8, 2011.)

On my last birthday in June, I turned 45 years old. Mary wanted to make the day a special one for me for which I was so grateful. We spent the day picking strawberries in the morning; and then she, Sophia, Olivia, and I enjoyed lunch at a nearby restaurant.

Mary, Sophia, me, and Olivia on my birthday.

(Taken on June 29, 2011)

One of the most special pictures I have that was recently taken was on the day that Mary hosted a birthday party at my dad's nursing home. After we ate a nice lunch and had cake, we went to the healing garden and took pictures of the family. 

My mom and dad with their children and grandchildren.

(Taken on October 9, 2011)

Shortly after the picture above was taken, both my parents were hospitalized. My mom was released after three days and is doing well; but my father (who was released after 11 days) is not faring as well. He is heavily medicated now, can barely lift his head, and sleeps most of the day.

Having this picture of him looking up is one that I am so happy to have...and for which I am truly thankful. Had Mary not hosted the party on that day, I would not have this picture or the memory of a wonderful day spent together.

30 Days of Giving Thanks - Day 13 - Tom and Susan

For the 13th day of the 30 Days of Giving Thanks challenge, I thanked my cousin (Tom) and his wife (Susan). They have been very supportive over the years, and especially since my father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease.

During the past month, when my dad was admitted to a hospital for an 11-day stay and his medication was being adjusted what seemed like daily, both Susan and Tom listened and supported me through some new territory with this disease.

When my sister's husband, Ken, died unexpectedly in 2003 at age 38 in 2003, my sister asked me to give a eulogy. I wrote one, practiced it at home, and felt like I was ready to read it even though public speaking was not my strength.

However, once at the funeral I realized that emotionally it may be more difficult than anticipated. I asked Susan if she would be a back-up for me if I got up on the altar and couldn't read the eulogy.

She agreed...thankfully...because, sure enough, I made it though the first line before needing Susan to read the rest. I was so thankful to have her so eloquently deliver thoughts that I had written and wanted to express, but couldn't.

Recently, at one of their children's wedding in August, I accompanied my dad and mom. It was a beautiful wedding, and Susan went out of her way to make sure the table we were seated at accomodated both my parents' needs.

The wedding was the last public event that my dad attended where he was dressed up in a suit. My godmother's husband (Rich) took this picture that evening:

My mom and I are holding my Dad's hands down

because he was waving them around.

I'm so thankful to have this picture

of us three from the wedding.

For these reasons and so many more, I sent Tom and Susan a thank you letter and picture in the mail. I hope by reading it they know how truly important they are in our family's life.

Origami Window Decor + the Meaning of Brown - Art Every Day Month - Day 13

I'm starting to feel a bit under the weather, and didn't have much energy to work on the quilt I've been hoping to finish by the end of the month.

Instead, I made two more window stars for Thanksgiving. I'd like to decorate the window by the dining room table (there are three separate window panes - so I would like to put nine stars on the windows). 

I chose two easy patterns that I've made in other colors.

Two brown window stars.

I normally don't do many stars in brown. Most the stars I make are in the vivid colors of the rainbow. Yet, in looking at the stars, I'm thinking about doing some more in this color.

According to this website, "Brown represents wholesomeness and earthiness. While it might be considered a little on the dull side, it also represents steadfastness, simplicity, friendliness, dependability, and health." All good things...maybe that's why I'm drawn to these stars at this point in my life.

Eight-pointed brown window star.

On the Sensational Color website, it's noted that the color brown affects us physically by:

==> Suppling a feeling of wholesomeness

==> Stabilizing

==> Providing a connection with the earth

==> Giving a sense orderliness

The Sensational Color website also noted some interesting facts about the color brown around the globe:

==> In the United States, Thanksgiving is represented by brown and orange.

==> The Japanese do not have a specific word for brown. Rather, they use more descriptive names such as “tea-color," "fox-color," and "fallen-leaf.”

==> In India, brown is the color of mourning because it resembles dying leaves.

==> American Indians believe the color brown represents the power of self-discipline.

Back to the quilt for a moment: I have ideas for the remaining eight squares that will be hand-embroidered. Found a great resource on the internet that not only lists Minnesota's state symbols and gives a bit of information about them; but provides a coloring book with the outlines of each symbol.

Tomorrow, I'm going to print out the pages and modify the images so they can be used for the appliqued and embroidered quilt squares. I'd also like to cut out the 23 squares from fabric so I can start to lay out the quilt and see what it will start to look like. I'll see how I feel tomorrow...and what I'm able to accomplish.

30 Days of Giving Thanks - Day 12 - Larry and Maureen

Larry and Maureen have known my parents now for well over 45 years. They have been close family friends; and as children we enjoyed many trips to southeastern Minnesota and later western Wisconsin where they live.

I remember taking the train from the depot in downtown Minneapolis with my sister to visit Larry and Maureen. (Those were the days were it was still safe to stick young children on trains by themselves and not worry about them.)

Larry and Maureen had four children and my parents had three children, so when we gathered together it was a lot of fun - playing indoor games as well as playing outdoors and exploring their large backyard.

This was taken sometime in the 1980s

when our families gathered together in Wisconsin.

We would always enjoy wonderful meals - both Larry and Maureen are great cooks. I remember being a teenager and copying recipes for food that I enjoyed at their home. Their recipes became some of the first ones in my recipe box.

So, today I gave Maureen a thank you note and some pictures from October 9th when they visited our family at St. Therese for a birthday party we were having there.

Maureen stayed with my mom during the past week and provided help and support as she recovered from being in the hospital in October as well as is dealing with grief and loss issues associated with my dad being at St. Therese (nursing home) from October 3rd-23rd, the hospital for 11 days, and now back at St. Therese as of November 4th.

My parents (seated in the front row) with

Larry and Maureen (standing in the back row).

With Maureen helping my mom during the past week, I was able to stay at home and accomplish more with the girls with homeschooling. It feels good to be able to mark things off the plan that I created for the school year; and move forward with some of the lessons and activities that have had to be put on hold because of caregiving responsibilities.

Both Larry and Maureen have been so supportive, insightful, and encouraging throughout the years...particularly on this journey of Alzheimer's Disease with my dad.

Larry, Maureen, and my Dad by the pond

at St. Therese. We went on a walk on the trail

on October 9th.

There have been many times where it's been very stressful, sad, and discouraging. However, having people like Larry and Maureen in my life have truly made some of the most challenging days a bit easier.

Capturing 11-11-11 in Photos - Art Every Day Month - Day 12

On November 11, 2011...or 11-11-11....the girls and I decided to go outside a bit before 11:11 a.m. and start taking some pictures.

At 11:11 a.m. they were ready to go to their favorite spot on the farm: the apple tree in the backyard.  So, here's where they were at 11:11:11 a.m. on 11-11-11:

Sophia and Olivia in their favorite apple tree.

I managed to get a quick photo of Olivia before she ran off to swing on the swingset:

Olivia, 8 years old.

We went for a walk on the nature trail, and stopped at the bench at the end of the trail. It was one of those days where the weather was beautiful, the dogs were having fun exploring the scents on the pathways through the goldenrod, and the girls had a lot of energy and were having fun.

Sophia jumping (above) and

Olivia jumping (below).

As we turned around and faced south, the sun was brilliant and its rays seemed to extend endlessly. 

We each took a lot more pictures on our own cameras to document this day, but these are a few of my favorites.