I'm OK, Your'e OK

Are we?

Is it ok that I have been spotty at best attending to this blog-o-mine of late? Is it ok that I have written a dozen posts in my head and not actually shared them with you here? Is it ok that I have not come to visit you, nor replied to your lovely comments because there just doesn't seem to be a right moment anywhere in the day? Is it ok that I keep forgetting about the first grade field trip that happens this morning and that I am vaguely anxious about taking public transportation with 100 school kids into downtown? Is it ok that I am turning 43 on Saturday? Wait, is that right, 43?

I think it is ok. I'll let you know for sure if we make it back from our field trip in one piece.

Have an a-o.k. day!

This Morning

This morning a fairy princess is home sick. She was in terrible shape and thought she might die, going to school was simply out of the question! However, now that we have called in to inform the school of her dire state and she is safely ensconced in the flannel jammies and a nest of pillows and blankets, she seems quite a lot better...hmmmm.

This morning I have 1998 emails in my inbox. This is ridiculous! This is because I am crazy. By crazy, I mean I do the same thing over and over while expecting a different result. Many of these emails are actually comments from my blog that I read early in the day, thinking to myself, 'Oh what a nice comment, I will have to reply to that lovely person later on when I have a minute.' So, I save the email to remind myself and when later finally comes, it's well past my bed time and I feel badly and think to myself, 'Right, first thing in the morning I'll send off some nice notes.' And then the cycle starts all over again. Beneath my calm, well organized surface, there lies a seething pit of chaos.

This morning I have to start a project that needs to be completed by this afternoon and I haven't the foggiest notion of what I am doing.

This morning it is cold and gray; I am contemplating a second cup of coffee and wondering if we have the ingredients for making scones, but knowing full well we do not have cream. There is no sense in making scones without cream, trust me.

This morning I am hoping that you are all well and happy.

The Harrowing Tale of a Lost Lumberjack - Part 2

Hello Monday! Today is a gray and soppy wet one so it seems the perfect sort of morning to continue on with the story of our dear Lumberjack. If you recall our last installation, we left the poor LJ trudging through the bush looking for a peopled town and breakfast. If you would like to settle in and get comfy, I shall go on.
...
After wandering for what seemed a very long time indeed, The Lumberjack finally came to a very small town, the name of which has slipped his memory. He tells me that he followed a narrow lane that led into town and there spied a gathering of sturdy towns folk having their afternoon chat in front of the general store. He was quite a sight, dirtied and scraped from head to toe. The towns folk heard his story and offered him a steaming mug of coffee and a cheese sandwich.

As he had no money on him, just a bit of canvas and string, he was offered a job at the local rock quarry so that he might earn enough to purchase a bus ticket in the general direction of home.

He was hired on as a dump truck driver, he was a hard worker and gained the respect of the locals. He was given a place to bed down in the back of the feed store in exchange for custodial duties. Since the towns folk were mostly a stoic bunch not prone to gossip, they never asked much about The Lumberjack's life before stumbling into their little township. The Lumberjack found this quite agreeable as he had no desire to make himself too comfortable since he was just passing through.

After earning enough to pay for a bus ticket down the road, he packed up his canvas and string, said his goodbyes to the kind folks of Anytown USA and boarded the Greyhound West.

It is at this point in the story that things take a bit of a hazy turn; something about a rest stop break, a gang of thugs in the parking lot of a 7-11, a scuffle that resulted in a sound pounding, and a bruised and confused Lumberjack helplessly watching as the bus pulled away leaving him behind.

Now you might think that this was just the limit for poor LJ, but as the cosmic wheels turned, another opportunity would avail itself to him. A pretty young farm forewoman happened to witness the events as she was purchasing a packet of red licorice from the convenience store. She bolted from the shop and ran to his aid. That was how he landed a job as a farm hand. He worked with the horses mostly; mucking out stalls, grooming the fine animals, tidying the tack, and fixing fences. His bruises faded and his wounds healed quickly under the attentive care of the young forewoman. Though I pressed, LJ was not forthcoming about the extent of his relationship with the lovely lady who looked after him. He did finally tell me her name after a bit of cajoling. Her name was Farrah.

...

By this time you may be understanding that this is a tale that must be told in serial, bits at a time - epic as it is and long. Remember though, The Lumberjack was lost for the better part of a year, certainly you can understand that to tell it quickly, to be chincy with the details would be most unfair. So, I am thinking that the remainder of this story should be told in weekly installments. Monday mornings seem just right, a tale of adventure to start out the week! Oh yes, I do like that don't you? It's settled then, Part 3 will begin in a week's time, wherein LJ takes leave of the farm, moves on down the road and falls in with a commune!

Welcome Home! The Harrowing Tale of a lost Lumberjack - Part 1

If you are somewhat new to my shiny place here, you may be wondering what in the world is this all about. Well, this is about a long lost lumberjack who was missing for quite some time. Oh yes, missing indeed! If you would like to get all caught up on The Lumberjack's history you can do so HERE.

For those of you familiar with The Lumberjack, you may have wondered from time to time just what he was up too. You may have even asked, "Where O where has that lumberjack been?" Well friends, perhaps it was wrong of me not to mention anything when he first went missing, but I didn't want needlessly worry you. I mean we all know how he's a wanderer, often gone on his journeys for months at a time. Still, he usually says goodbye and at the very least packs a knapsack. As time went on, we began to worry, more time passed without a word and we feared the worst.

Then the other day, I heard the faintest knock on the front door of the little green cottage. When I opened the door there he was, out of the blue, returned to us The Lumberjack! It has taken some time to pry the details of his harrowing tale and I don't think we will ever truly know the whole story. I will share with you what I have learned.

It all began on blustery fall Sunday last year. The Lumberjack was in the back yard raking leaves and letting his thoughts drift when suddenly, a giant beast attacked out of nowhere! The giant beast had slobbery jaws and horrible sharp teeth, LJ particularly remembers the terrible stench of his breath! The beast lunged, the beast chomped and that is the last thing The Lumberjack recalls until he woke up in a daze - nearly falling into the black abyss of an unknown storm drain.

Not knowing where he was nor how he got there, LJ leaned on his lumberjack skills climbing the nearest tallest tree (which happened to be a telephone pole) to get a birds-eye view and perhaps spot a familiar landmark.

Though he climbed ever higher and looked out over the land, he did not recognize anything at all. There was not even a single soul in sight to ask!

He began walking. He walked for an entire day not knowing what direction he was traveling, just hoping to find some people who might be able to shed some light on this most perplexing situation. As darkness started to fall, he found an old piece of canvas in a ditch, he searched his pockets for the length of string he always carried with him and made a makeshift camp in a dirt field where he spent a cold and fitful night.

In the small moments of sleep he was able to manage, he dreamed of terrifying beasts and a table full of flapjacks with real maple syrup. He was startled awake by a ferocious growling, but realized it was only his empty stomach.

Hungry, dejected and damp, he set out at first light eventually coming to an overgrown and long disused logging road, he followed the road hacking at the underbrush with a heavy stick. It was slow going and many miles later he wondered if he would ever make it to civilization, or breakfast. He sustained himself by drinking the dew from leaves and eating the last of the bramble-berries on the bushes. He kept on.

This is where I must leave off for today. I promise to continue The Lumberjack's compelling story in Part 2 on Wednesday. Stay tuned, you really don't want to miss it!

Ghost in the Machine

Well isn't it just the way? Now that I'm back on track and ready to make my weaving way with posts of note and rambles of goodness, there seems to be a hitch in my get-along. Or rather perhaps a ghost in the machine. Hello technology, box of circuits that I have become so very dependent on, interwebs vast and mysterious, hello....hello?

There has been an uneasy amount of troubles 'round these parts concerning such things. I am unable to access my flickr account, so my photos are out of reach. All of my bookmarks have gone up in ether. I have been blocked from important sites... and then there's the spam.

Mayhaps the merry pranksters of cyberspace are playing a bit of a trick on me at the moment. Certainly the spurious "Perceval, Humphry, Dennis, Quintin, Jeffrey and Randolph" have been at me with more spam than 'Spamalot' ever could imagine. One side effect of this Spamathon has been that some honest to goodness comments from real life lovely readers have gone astray. Especially from some of the new folks, so if you have been nice enough to leave a word and thought me rude for not acknowledging you, I am so sorry. Let me say Welcome! now and thank you for stopping by.

This particular annoyance has lead to me making some changes in protocol. Comments will now be moderated. I hated to do it, but it must be done. I will also be making more of an appearance in the comments as well so that I can be sure to take note of every kind soul who drops in for a visit.

I really do have some nice things planned so I'm hoping I can get these ghosties and goblins sorted and sent packing! In the meantime, thank you for your understanding and patience.

Up and coming for next week: A happy how-to, a book report, and the titillating tale of a 'long lost' returning to the fold.

Happy weekending all!

I got nothin'

In the throws of a bout of insomnia, whilst looking at the red glowy (mocking) numbers on my ancient Westclox digital for the umpteenth time, I started writing a new blog post titled, "Old and In the way." In which I discussed a certain doe-eyed shop girl with a bad attitude, a tragic cliche about becoming matronly, the perils of elastic waist trousers, and the fact that The Beastie Boys are now being played on the OLDIES station!

As I was rambling tangential, it occurred to me that my lack of sleep was making me sound at least 'a half a bubble off plumb,' so I thought it best to stop with the crazy and think of something else to write about.

So I thought...
...and thought...
Until I woke up in a panic at 7 am.

Now it's the next day, time has gotten away from me, and there's still a little bit of crazy lurking in the shadows under my eyes. I've left Pony Girl to devour an entire watermelon on her own while I attempt to get some work done and I realize I got nothin' in the way of a post.

I'll just leave you with a little "thanks for coming" new friends and old, and apologies for not getting 'round much these days by way of emails and comments. You are all so ace, really! I am wishing you all a week of good sleeps and happy dreams!

The long weekend: a post of random goodness

It was a long weekend, a holiday weekend, it was busy, raucous, sweet, colorful, fun, and did I mention long? I need a weekend to recover from my weekend.

Random goodness #1
The photo above is of our first potatoes of the year. They were the most amazing color of magenta! They were also delicious for breakfast; potatoes from our garden with eggs from our hens, and toast with homemade strawberry jam. The spoils of our labor are truly enjoyed and appreciated.

Random goodness #2

My beautiful (and very colorful) sister was in town for a couple of days. It was so nice to have time with her. We spent most of it sitting on the back yard swing relishing the gorgeous summer weather. She is such a unique and precious woman, I love her madly!

Random goodness #3
I have finally figured out what to make with all of The Engineer's old work shirts that I have been squirreling away. You know, it's really amazing what all can be made from men's shirts. A picnic blanket in blue will be just the thing.

Random goodness #4

Meet Hazel!
(and yes, her feathers are naturally that color of green!)

I hope you have enjoyed my snippets of Random Goodness. I will return after the fuzz has cleared from my brain, the mountain of laundry whittled down to a mere hill, and the pieces put back together.

Have a sweet day

Unearthing

I have a feeling that some of you, like me, have a pile, a drawer, a cupboard, a corner, or a box of unfinished projects hidden somewhere amongst your crafty things. Perhaps you have bits of knitting, crochet with undone ends, scraps of quilts, little soft creatures missing ears and eyes, shirts that have needed mending since 2005, some ambitious embroidery that has gone untended maybe?

I was down in my spidery lair in the basement (otherwise known as my "studio"), shifting things about, when I came across one such pile. Long forgotten stitching in various stages of completion, and I do mean forgotten, like completely. I found there, this sweet little toddler deer dress. It's only missing button holes and a hem, why on earth was it never finished? Is there a 4 year old out there that never received her 1st birthday gift from me? Well, the only thing for it is to finish it off and add it to the drawer of future gifts to give, or pop it in the shop.

I wonder what else I might find...

What might you have in your "Undone" pile?

Things I can't do

I was catching up with a friend on the phone the other day, we were trading our current goings-on and I told her of my latest projects, school mum what-nots, my diabolical plan for home made energy bars. That is when she jokingly asked me, "Is there anything you can't do?" I've been asked this before and it makes me feel awkward. I'm never quite sure how the question is intended. Are you asking me this sincerely, is it a compliment of sorts, or is it an obtusely veiled snarky comment? How does one answer such a question, is an answer needed, it is rhetorical yes? One thing I do know, it is blatantly clear that I over think things. I also know my friend was just chatting along as we do, with no ill thought whatsoever, still...

It got me to thinking...

Well, of course there are lots of things I can not do.
I also imagine, there are lots of things that I can do.
Let's make a little game of it, let's name a few of the things I can't do. Also, let's name some of the things I can - do.

For example:

I can't - fly a 747 airplane. Although, I don't know if that is strictly true as I have never tried. It is entirely possible that I can fly a plane if only given the chance.

I can - can. I have been making my own jams, preserves, canned veg and fruit etc. for years. I have taught the engineer to can, we are teaching Pony girl to can, so we all can - can.

Well, you get the idea.

Things I can do but would rather not:
I can change a flat tire on my car, on a blind curve, in the pouring rain, in a party dress and heels.

I can make meatloaf. And it's really good, if you like meatloaf, which I do not.

I can hem your trousers.

Things I can't do but feel no pressing need to do:
I can not do advanced calculus.

I can not climb Mt. Everest. ok, this one is a bit tricky because I do have that "You can do anything you set your mind to" belief but the truth is, I have set my mind to no such thing besides, in my current physical condition, it would mean certain shame if not certain death.

I can not name all the US presidents in chronological order.

Things I can do that are quirky and that I am strangely proud of:
I can make a decent meal out of a practically nothing. Why just last night I turned an old potato, and a bit of stale cheese into a fine dinner. It's a gift.

I can talk to anyone. I can commiserate with old timers, I can curse with sailors, I can make friends with farmers, I can pontificate with philosophy majors, I can harmonize with hippies, I can space out with UFO abductees, I can discourse with delinquents, I can gossip with gilded Lilies, I can converse with cowboys and criminals. Yup! And that's just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Whilst I am strangely proud of this quirky can-do, it can feel like a curse, as I am far less talented at extricating myself from these conversations.

I can fish. In fact, I am a rather decent fisher-woman.

Things I can not do but wish that I could:
I can't Speak a second language. While I do have very limited recall of my 8th grade Spanish class and my High School French, none of it seems particularly useful. I don't know when "I am a cat, I don't like to work." would be appropriate conversation in Mexico. However, if I were in France, I could ask everyone I see, "Do you have a red sweater?"

I can't Surf. My brother has been a surfer since we were small, he never taught me. I would love to know how to surf, how cool would that be?

I definitely can ramble on and on about things I can and can't do but, I'm done for now.

How about you?

Sundry

First, I have to thank all of you lovelies for the sweet comments and all the encouragement you left for me on my last post. I feel so immensely grateful to have such wonderful readers with such kind hearts. You make me feel as though I could do anything!

As I mentioned, my stitching has slowed to an almost standstill. I do have one little bit of making to show. A pair of dungarees for Pony Girl. Made from the Farbenmix pattern, Berit. I love this pattern as they go together quickly and have a bit of interest to the piecing. I kept this pair on the simple side - since the denim I used was of heavy weight and too much embellishing would have made them even heavier.

I tried to get the girl to model them for pictures because they are much more charming that way, instead of laying on the table all flat and kidless. She would have none of it though.

In other stitch related news; I received the sweetest bundle from Denise of A Bun Can Dance. We had a little scrap swap between ourselves and across an ocean. What a wonderful package arrived at my door, with some special vintage pieces to boot! The lovely fabrics have me pondering and wanting to sew.


And now in completely unrelated but noteworthy news...
A little while ago I received an email from Sandy of Sandy and the 1000 Paper Cranes. Sandy is on a mission! To fold 1000 paper cranes, to write affirming, positive words on their wings, and release them into the world for people to find.
This is a pretty great idea so I thought I would spread the word. If you want to read about her project click here. You too can join in by making your own cranes and setting them free. How awesome is that?

Well, that's it for today. Have a swell one!

I'm A Winner!

I've been meaning to post about what a winner I am for a bit now and I'm finally getting 'round to it. These days it seems that I am so far behind, that I have actually gotten ahead of myself. I have also been speaking in nonsense for days now.

So right, I recently won a giveaway over at Fox's Lane of a beautiful bundle of vintage sheet pieces! Aren't they lovely? Thank you Kate! Now I get to make something sweet with them.

Wait, there's more! One of my favorite blog sites is The Yard Art Game, I always get a much needed chuckle when I visit. Well, recently there was a giveaway and I won! I know, I know, I'm on a roll! I won this super duper cool solar powered Glow Stick! Check it out.

It charges during the day and then at night it puts on a little light show, and changes colors!!! I am way more enchanted by it than is perhaps "normal" but, I just can't help it. I am very entertained by such things plus, I am now prepared for my very own backyard eco-friendly RAVE.

Look at the colors!
It also does green but, I didn't capture that on film.

Right now it is placed next to the chicken coop so that the chooks have their very own nightly light show, maybe I should pipe in some Pink Floyd so that they can have the full experience.

Thank you to my generous gifters, you have made my days (and nights) a little sweeter.

As for you dear readers, I think that you are winners too! Have a grand weekend and I shall return with stories of stitchery and perhaps even pie!

I'm a Lumberjack and I'm O.K.!

The continuing story of The Troublesome Dutch Girl and the Lumberjack...

When last we left our dear Lumberjack, he was aching with the despair of an unrequited love. Things were looking rather grim and frankly, I was beginning to worry about his emotional state. Just as I was about to organize an intervention on his behalf, he came to me to tell me of his plans. He had pulled himself up by his boot straps and decided he needed to get away for awhile to "sort things out alone," then he added, "I'm going to the coastal lands, to breathe in the briny air and clear my head."

So, off he went in his pineapple boat, paddling down river to the sea. Once he arrived, he stopped into a tavern and over a few pints, made conversation with a couple of the local fishermen. He told them he was in a bind and needed a job. After winning them over with a particularly clever and bawdy limerick, they sent him down the road where he was taken on by a small farm, thus beginning his shepherding career.

It was good hard work, walking the rolling green hills above the ocean, tending to his flock. Solitary and unencumbered by his past foibles, he breathed deep of the salty morning fog, cleared his mind and kept an eye on the bleating sheep in his charge. He kept his body to the task but, sometimes his mind would wander off, lost in thoughts and memories of a troublesome Dutch girl that had once captured his heart.

Over time, thoughts of the girl all but evacuated his mind, he started to feel robust and sound. His nights were spent in his bunk; reading books on philosophy, mythology and animal husbandry. After reading, he would douse his light and play harmonica till he faded off to sleep. On his days off, he worked to repair his boat, which had received quite a lashing on some rapids during his journey down the river. He decided to paint his pineapple a bold red to symbolize his returning passion for life.

After a spell, feeling hale and hardy...he knew it was time to go home. He packed up his rucksack, said goodbye to his friends and his flock, and headed back up river. It was a long journey back. Just as he paddled up to the shores of his home, who should he see but, the one and only troublesome Dutch girl! He had steeled himself for this moment...but wait, who is that there with her? It was a face he had never seen before.


While the Lumberjack had been away, a new girl had come to stay.

As he walked towards them, The Troublesome Dutch Girl pretended she hadn't seen him, and began whispering conspiratorially to her companion. LJ wagged a brief nod in her direction but, quickly returned his attention toward the newcomer.

As he approached, the young maiden smiled shyly and said,"Nice boat." At first our Lumberjack was uncertain, for one of her eyes seemed to hold his gaze in sincerity, whilst the other seemed to look through and beyond him in a mocking manner. Still, he came closer and noticed a wee creature at her feet. It appeared that this young lady had learned to speak to the animals - and had tamed a wild beast to eat from her hand.

He held out his hand in greeting and said, "Well hello! I'm The Lumberjack, I've just returned home after a grand adventure, you must be new to our place." It seemed for a moment that she rolled her eyes in disdain but, upon closer observance he realized that she suffered from the curse of "The Wonky Eye". Surprisingly, LJ found that this did not detract from her charm, in fact, it made her all the more intriguing. She said, "Hi, my name is Fern and this is my pal, DJ P. Squirrely." As he reached out to give the critter a little scratch on the noggin, the Lumberjack looked up into the eye that seemed to be focused on him and said, "Your eyes are the most amazing shade of chartreuse."

Fern giggled and said, "You know, I have my own doily." They walked away together, laughing and chatting in the crisp afternoon. And there, ignored and bitter, stood The Troublesome Dutch Girl...arms akimbo, a white knuckle grasp on her basket of broken dreams, spitting under her breath, "Well, I never!"



Is this the beginning of a new romance for our Lumberjack?
Is little Miss Wonky Eye as sweet as she seems, or are she and her sidekick hiding a deep dark secret?
Will The Troublesome Dutch Girl cause trouble?

Stay tuned for the next installment....

Have you seen my sparkle?

Tis the season for sparkle.
Right.
I had plans to make with the festive, really... I intended to break out my sparkle and wow you with a big "Ta Da!" I have to wonder now, if my best intentions were truly my best. Perhaps they were merely good intentions; possibly even average, oh dear. I know for certain that I meant well.

Things simply ran amok, wrenches were thrown into the works, cold weather and cricks in the neck; the death of a gold fish and gas leaks at the school; impending guests that I was unaware of until my husband said "Oh, by the way..."; the dawning of understanding that two weeks from today I will be turning 41 and am feeling painfully human; it has all wrecked havoc. Not to mention, the walls are all the wrong color. To the point... the big "Ta Da," turned into a big "Ta Don't," and "quick hide it away before anyone sees!"

...and now that I have peaked your curiosity...I am going to shamelessly change the subject and bring you the saga of Troublesome Dutch Girl and the Lumberjack.

Whilst readying my mantle for some sparkle, I discovered a drama taking place.

The Lumberjack has taken notice of the Troublesome Dutch Girl, finds her irresistible and waves a greeting.

He tries to entice her with a ride in his giant pineapple boat.

She is not impressed and walks away.

Broken hearted, the Lumberjack wallows in his own misery.
I could have told him that it would not end well.

I'm off (oh yes that is obvious), I am going in search of my sparkle and I will keep you posted.