Laying my burden down at the river

"And that's where I take my burden
when I lay my burden down
in the seasons of the wind
and the belly of the ground
when I have no answers
and no answers can be found
that's where I take my burden
and I lay my burden down."

(Erica Wheeler, from "Spirit Lake")

When life's getting to me, I need to go to the water. This was our Thursday-night "family date" yesterday:

Something quick while I nurse this cold

Remember these scraps that I sent to 2Hippos for her quilts for the Miracle Foundation? Go here to see what they're becoming, and to vote for the version you like best.

A little treat for me

When I was little, my mother sewed many of our clothes. She once made me something out of this seersucker fabric--a dress? a skirt? I can't remember. What I do remember is that I took a piece of the scraps and used it for my first-ever sewing-machine project: a pincushion. Apparently, the sewing machine was set up with black thread--and I didn't change it, or hand-sew the open side. All the same, I was proud of this pincushion and have used it all these years for sentimental reasons.

But it has its flaws (beyond the aesthetics). The pins poke through to the other side--often my lap--and if a cat knocks it on the floor, they fall right out.

The other day, I saw the perfect solution. Egg-cup pincushions! For some reason, until I saw this tutorial, I never understood the reason behind pincushions-in-a-container, besides being cute. (Mostly, I'd been turned off by some that were too cutesy for my taste.) But I suddenly realized maybe this wouldn't get caught up in the fabric and get dropped off the ironing board or sewing desk all the time! Maybe the cats wouldn't see it as the perfect toy! And, not only that, but for some unknown reason, I was recently compelled to buy a set of turquoise egg cups at a tag sale, despite the fact that I don't eat soft-boiled eggs. Clearly, it was meant to be.

This tiny little project was just right for me this week, as I've been feeling crummy with a cold and lack of sleep. I broke into my gifted vintage fabric, added some vintage buttons, and made these. One for by the sewing machine, one for the floor or the ironing board, or wherever I am. Maybe they'll inspire me to get to some real sewing this week. Lucy's got a new sweater that's begging for a skirt...

Independence Days challenge, week 23

Time again for Sharon's Independence Day's Challenge.





Our shelves are finally starting to look ready for the winter:





1. Plant something: Nope.
2. Harvest something: Eggs. Goldenrod. Apples (from Freecycle. Now, as I drive around town, I'm eyeing everyone's yards for neglected apple trees and trying to work up the nerve to ask if I can pick them.)
3. Preserve something: Goldenrod oil. Dried dill, watermelon. Froze green beans, cauliflower, spinach, stock. Canned 10 qts of (free!) applesauce.
4. Waste not: Same old, same old.
5. Preparation and storage: Added vinegar, pasta, tortilla chips to storage.
6. Build community food systems: Well, we sure supported what's there already! In this last month of farmers' markets, we're buying as much as we can haul out in our grocery cart (one of those wire things on two wheels you pull behind you--so helpful!)
7. Eat the food: Nothing new and exciting here.

Garlic Festival

It was a gorgeous fall day,



so despite lingering colds and a huge to-do list,



we simply had to get out and enjoy it while it lasted.



We went to the Garlic and Arts Festival,



and I don't know why we waited so long to discover this gem!

Don't try this at home

My latest experiment in herbal remedies has been making goldenrod tea and goldenrod oil. If you'd like to learn how, too, read Lisa's excellent post here.

This, on the other hand, is how not to do it.

Go for a walk in the twilight hour, and fill the basket of your stroller with goldenrod in the dimming light. At home, drop the heap on your kitchen counter to deal with later:



Get your baby out of the stroller and put her on the floor to crawl.

Note with mild interest, "hmmm...wonder why the cat's so interested? Does it smell like catnip?"

Return later to notice this:



And this:



Yup, there were 5 bees in there. And that one on the floor? Not so happy.

Margaret's Hope Chest

I grew up in New Jersey and Connecticut, went to school in Virginia and stayed a while, then moved to Massachusetts. But my heart (and my accent) belong to Michigan, the home of my mother's family, and the place of our summer vacations. My mother (and her mother) grew up in Grand Rapids, nearly all my family went to college there, and my sister lives and teaches near there. So when I heard that Craft Hope's next project would benefit homeless children in Grand Rapids, I knew I'd be participating again.



Craft Hope will be partnering with Margaret's Hope Chest with a goal of making 400 quilts. From their website:

"This summer we stepped out in faith when we agreed to provide a quilt for each child in the Grand Rapids (Michigan) Public School system who is homeless during the Christmas season. The exact number will not be clear until November but considering the economic climate in Michigan it will more than likely be high (200+). Consider the journey of a homeless child. No house to walk into at the end of a long day, no couch to cuddle on and read books with mom or dad. No kitchen to walk into and help themselves to a snack. No bedroom to sleep in- nothing to give that child the security that a home brings.
What might a handmade quilt mean to a homeless child? It might bring warmth to a 5-year-old boy in a drafty room. It might give hope to a 12-year-boy who never had a handmade gift before. It might give comfort to an 8-year-old girl who wants something pretty to snuggle under."

Can you believe they estimate 200+ children? That kills me. A quilt seems like a very small offering in the face of such tragedy, but it's something. And it's something I can do.

They are asking for quilts made of squares. They're even willing to finish it if all you can manage is the top. What could be simpler? I'm going to do it. Will you?

(Apparently, Craft Hope has not yet announced this project, but should in a few weeks. I heard about it on Crazy Mom Quilts.)