Notes from the Patch

There's still time

Thanks to your response - our kits are sold out. 

Need a Christmas gift idea for someone really special?

Maybe your mom, sister or grown daughter?

A gift that will become a family heirloom...

that will remind them of the Christmas that you totally rocked it with THE gift that blew all the others out of the water?

We've kitted Nancy Halvorsen's quilt from her new Christmas Favorites book and

divided it up into five doable (and affordable) monthly kits (you can get them all at once if you prefer).

There's still time to make someones Christmas extra special.

A special thank you to our amazing Margo for making our model. You may remember this quilt that she also made this summer.

Talk about making the rest of us look like total slackers!

Encourage one another,

.

 

 

 

Twenty 12

I've been thinking a lot about my word for 2012. You know, the one word that summarizes what I want to work on to better my life in the coming year.

This year my word is simplify.

sim·pli·fy  (smpl-f)

tr.v. sim·pli·fied, sim·pli·fy·ing, sim·pli·fies To make simple or simpler, as:

a. To reduce in complexity or extent.

b. To reduce to fundamental parts.

c. To make easier to understand.

Simplify summarizes what I hope to accomplish in my life perfectly! Let me be clear. I'm not striving for a simple life, there is nothing simple about me - just ask Bill! What I hope to accomplish is to reduce the extraneous things in my life so I can fully enjoy the things that matter to me most.

Here are my plans:

1. This year I will strive to simplify my life by cleaning the clutter from my office, my sewing room and my closets; my life in general. I really want to feel and be more organized!

2. I will strive to list what I hope to accomplish and revel in the satisfaction of crossing off those lines one. by. one.

3. I will document my experiences and share my feelings more regularly here on my blog through words and (better) photos.

4. I will simplify my life by remembering that people are more important than things. That holidays aren't just about elaborate decorations and shopping lists but about spending quiet time with the people I love.

5. I want to eat simple, healthy foods (not necessarily those pictured here - sorry Peggy) and continue to strive to eat a sugar free diet.

6. I want to take more long walks on the beach and capture the simple beauty in nature through the lens of my camera.

7. I want to sip and savor this life to its fullest and share it with people I love.

8. I want to simplify my life by unplugging more often from computers, iphones, ipads, televisions and radios. In this crazy busy world I want to find quiet moments to reflect.

So, for me tonight there will be no crowded parties and fancy gowns. I will simply surround myself in the comfort of good friends and the man I love and toast to a bright and promising New Year.  

Cheers!

Encourage one another,

One more thing. I couldn't let this year go by without thanking you all for gathering here and encouraging me through your comments. As corny as it may sound, my life has been forever changed because of this blog. Your coming here means so much to me. Thank you! xo 

   

SARAH

 It was just me and Sarah on Saturday. 

We stayed home and decorated her room.

Papa Bill and Michael went on a Boy Scout camp out.

The girls had Chinese take out and watched a movie.

The boys roasted hot dogs over an open fire.

She slept under new sheets in a freshly decorated bedroom.

He  slept in a tent under the stars.

If you were to ask anyone of us, I think we'd all agree it was the perfect weekend.

Eleven is a magical age. Serious and grown up one minute.

Silly the next.

 

 

 

Tomorrow there is a soccer game, shopping and putting the final touches on her room. Our little tomboy has developed quite a love for the bling and a delightful since of style.

She already understands color and balance. She also understands a room CAN have too many peace signs.

You can learn a lot from an eleven year old.

Encourage one another,

The Best Kids Fabric Ever!

My family has been fans of Richard Scarry for years

and I have a photo from 1974  to prove it.

Sorry for the poor quality of this scanned photograph. That's our youngest son Bryan reading Richard Scary,  up-side-down! (Sorry it's hard to make out the lime green and orange wall paper and linoleum. Yes, I did that on purpose - why didn't someone stop me)? Isn't he just the cutest little thing with his corduroy pants pulled down around his ankles? I actually remember that blustery winter day.

So anyway you can imagine my delight when VIP came out with fabric featuring the adorable drawings of Richard Scarry.

These were the first books my boys "read". They loved the animal citizens of Busy Town and never tired of hunting for Lowly Worm and the Pickle Car.

Such fond memories.

A quilt along with a Richard Scarry book would make a terrific gift for any little one.

Or maybe pajamas and a book.

How cute would that be?

I just think every family needs a Richard Scary memory!

Encourage one another,

 

 

 

 

Today

Today a young mother came into the store with her two small children.

She let out an audible sigh as she approached me at the register.

Tough morning? I asked.

Yeah, we just came from my son's pre K check up. There were shots and tests and tears and I had to restrain him. He really hates going to the doctor. I think I was even more upset than he was she said.

I commiserated. It seems like not so long ago I was in her shoes.

Jeff was the same kind of kid. He hated the doctor and even pulling out a splinter would usually cause him go ballistic. Most doctor visits involved me holding him down so the nurse could do her thing.

A year ago Jeff needed to have a breathing treatment that he really didn't want. Although he had limited understanding of what was happening to him he did know he didn't want a suction tube put down his throat. It was my job to restrain him. What I will never forget is how ALS had taken Jeff's strength. My nearly six foot tall, two hundred pound son couldn't fight off his mothers restraint. As much as Jeff hated that procedure, I hated having to hold him down a hundred times more. I hated seeing how weak and vulnerable my son had become. I hated seeing him slipping away.

Some days are harder than others.

Today was really  hard.

Encourage one another,

Lemon Velvet Ice Cream

While in Salt Lake City for Quilt Market we enjoyed a wonderful meal at Cucina Toscana.

There was a couple dining at the table next to us who were regulars there and since they were celebrating a birthday they asked the chef to select their menu. Their only request was that they have the Lemon Ice Cream for dessert. Following their lead we ordered it too. (Actually we ordered cannoli, tiramisu, creme brulee and lemon ice cream and four spoons, but that's not important).

What is important is that the minute I took that first bite of the ice cream I knew I'd had something like it before.

When  we got home I went though my mother's recipe box.

There it was in her hand writing, complete with stains, aged corners, and corrections

Mom's Lemon Velvet Ice Cream.

I used seven lemons - their rind and juice. The result is sweet and tart all in one refreshing bite. A great light summer dessert that tastes like a lemon drop - the candy not the martini. Now that you mention it, I wonder if you could freeze vodka in there...hummm, oh, never mind.

 

I thought I might add vanilla to mom's recipe but at the last minute changed my mind so just pretend it's not in the following photo.

Her recipe calls for evaporated milk and I used fat free evaporated milk (by accident) and 2% milk instead of whole milk (because that's all I had). The result was a bit lighter but still rich and creamy.

Pour the half and half into a mixing bowl and add the two and a half cups of sugar. Mix to dissolve the sugar.

Grate the zest of seven lemons being careful not to get the bitter white part.

This unpleasant task was made a bit more enjoyable with my Eiffel Tower grater - a cheesy souvenir from a resent trip to Paris. Zee zester es magnifique. Oui?

Combine the milk and lemon zest and juice with the half and half and sugar then pour the mixture into the ice cream maker. Freeze as directed.

.

Dear Mr Cuisinart:

Thank you for leaving a handy opening at the top of your ice cream maker. It sure comes in handy for checking the progress and deliciousness of my ice cream! (I don't think I want any dinner after all that "checking").

Your friend,

Thunder thighs

If you look carefully you can see the lemon zest in the ice cream.

Refreshing.

 

Lemon Velvet Ice Cream

2 1/2  cups sugar

7 lemons - zest and juice

1 Qt  half and half

6 oz evaporated milk

6 oz whole milk

Mix to dissolve the sugar in half and half then combine all ingredients and freeze.

                                                 serves one (just kidding)

 

Okay people go make some ice cream and make some memories or relive some.

Encourage one another,

If you have a favorite recipe for frozen yogurt or ice cream I'd sure love to hear from you. Heaven knows my thighs aren't dimpled enough already!

 

 

 

 

 

Now we're goin' places

These came today.

 

 

 

 

A fun group from Timeless Treasures called, Now We're Goin' Places by Monica Lee.

That Vespa up there reminds me of my boyfriend when I was thirteen.

He had one. Only happily not pink. Steve's was blue and I thought it was so cool that he had motorized wheels.

Not my dad though. I was goin' no place on that thing with Steve.

Anyway.

Here's a free pattern from Timeless Treasures and Monica Lee. You can download the pattern for Now We're Goin' Places by clicking here and you can view our fabric here.

                            **********************************

Don't you love short weeks? I think every week should start with a holiday. Makes the weekend come all the faster.

Vvroom...

Enjoy yours and encourage one another!

 

Recipe for a memorable 4th of July party

 

A liberal splash of cheesy Fourth of July decorations.

Check.

An obscene amount of pyrotechnics.

Check.

 

...Check.

Enough food and drink to feed an army.

Check.

Said army of friends and neighbors.

Check.

A good variety of games which includes plenty of water balloons.

 

 

Check.

Setting off all of your illegal fireworks before the police come and confiscate your booty.

Umm. Better luck next year.

Encourage one another,

 

 

 

Random thoughts and sweet memories

I've added a PDF file to Tuesday's Tutorial Tuesday post.

You're welcome.

As I was writing the instructions for making the little tee shirt dress I developed a whole new appreciation for all of the talented people who write patterns on a regular basis. It's not easy writing clear concise instructions and I totally suck at it. I do love to share though and hey, the price is right. Right?

Anyway.

Guess what? I'm flying to Kansas this morning.  Bill and our son Bryan are meeting up in Montana for some fly fishing and I get to go play with the grand kids over the long holiday weekend. I'm sure there will be some crafting involved. I'll keep you posted.

We were talking about holiday traditions at work the other day. My family always made homemade ice cream on the Fourth of July when I was little. I remember the year we finally got an electric ice cream maker and I didn't have to take turns at cranking that handle. I always got to lick the paddle and remember thinking that was the best part of making ice cream. Isn't it funny how the simplest things make the sweetest memories?

I think I might make some ice cream with Michael and Sarah and make some new memories.

What are your favorite Fourth of July memories?

Encourage one another,

 

 

Nature studies

Cherene, Jake and Nathan joined us in Ventura for the last long weekend before summer officially starts.

Today the wind blew relentlessly and churned the ocean into a  frothy foam.

So we decided to walk inland to our secret sea glass spot along the estuary where fresh water comes down from the mountains and meets the ocean.

It was slightly protected from the howling wind and blowing sand and a great area to explore nature.

We gathered in our buckets: rocks, bottle caps, and a torn piece of paper with burnt edges that we were sure was the weathered remnant of a Pirate's map. Oh, and some tiny dead minnows that would be bait for a late afternoon crab catch off the dock. Precious booty to be sure!

Bundled up against the wind we came across an area cordoned off to protect nesting birds from people and pets. A nice gesture from the Ventura Audubon Society.

Evidently the birds hadn't read the signs though because down the shore a ways, beyond the protected roped off area we found these...

Actually we would have totally missed the drab, almost ugly eggs laying directly on the sand had it not been for the birds squawking at us from overhead. I told the boys there must be nests nearby since the adults were having such a tizzy.

Sure enough there they were.  It's no wonder these Least Terns need a little protecting and are endangered. I'm sorry but they aren't the brightest birds of the bunch.

If they'd just kept quiet we would have walked right on by, not even noticing them.

But they had to fly overhead and announce that we were intruding. Then when we got too close the female would flop around on the ground as if she had a broken wing in an attempt to lure us away from the eggs.

There must be a good analogy regarding motherhood here somewhere but I'm not exactly sure what it is right now.

Anyway. It was a great day at the beach sans the sea glass.

Encourage one another,