Eight Hands Around

Switch Up

2012-01-17T19:20:00.000-05:00

I'm so touched that all of you are following my blog. I'd like to switch addresses and post on the solomonspuzzle.com/blog only now. It will be the same ol' me and the same sort of ideas and writing, but at a different web address. Would you mind signing up to follow that blog? There's a brand new "subscribe" button on the bottom left hand side of any page. You may also ask to have blog posts emailed to you. Thanks so much and thanks for reading!

-Loris

Book Lover's Block of the Month Club

2012-01-07T09:28:00.000-05:00

Book Lover’s Block of the Month Club

Posted on January 7, 2012 by Loris Nebbia

This year Cottonseed Glory, the wonderful quilt shop in Annapolis that was the inspiration for quilting inSolomon’s Puzzle, is hosting a special book club to celebrate the love of reading and quilting. As Pat Steiner, Cottonseed Glory’s owner says, “After all, it’s not often that a wonderful novel is centered around Annapolis and a quilt shop!”

(Read more...)

Book Lover's Block of the Month Club is copyrighted

For my readers: Merry Christmas

2011-12-22T16:15:00.000-05:00

Here's a short story with glimpses past and future of the Solomon's Puzzle characters.

A Christmas Story… “The Perfect Christmas”

May you be kindly understood this Christmas

Still holding the child’s chart, Joe MacBride walked with the woman and her daughter to the front desk. The little girl reached for him, “Up pwee, Doctor,” she said, her fingers spread wide, her feverish eyes trying to smile. Joe scooped her up in his arms. “I have a bit of Christmas candy up here for you,” he whispered, “if your mommy says it’s okay.”

(Read more...)

Stockings

2011-12-21T10:00:00.002-05:00

The tradition of hanging stockings has been important to me since I was little. We had no fireplace, so we hung our stockings from the staircase railing. We opened them before breakfast and found simple treats in them. My favorite treat was a bottle of Coca Cola which my parents bought only at Christmas. I have some memories of us then getting dressed, going to church, before having breakfast and seeing the rest of the presents under the tree. This may not have happened every year as I have film of us opening presents in our jammies and robes... who knows? But for some reason, the stockings have a special, break-of-dawn thrill to me. So of course, the sewing of stockings had to be included at the end of Solomon's Puzzle.

These I made for my family. I used a variety of patterns but want to note "A Critter's Christmas" by Brandwine Designs for the inspiration of the animals. Now to stuff them!

The Nativity Story

2011-12-10T07:00:00.000-05:00

I had a wonderful day recently. Jack was here and we used the marionettes and stage that I made with my husband Karl, daughters Andrea and Valerie.
I got the idea from an illustration by Tasha Tudor and for some reason thought our family needed this.
It was a summer-long project. But this year, it was ready and waiting in the living room when Jack and I got home.

First we scrounged around for all the stuffed animals we could find. These were to be the audience. Then the play began.

We did rehearse, just remembering from years' past.
Jack played was versatile, taking different parts.

When the shepherds came, he told me that they had woken the baby up.
"Did he cry?" I asked?
"Yes...."Jack squinted at me. "NO! 'No crying he makes!'" He had learned "Away in a Manger" that morning at his wonderful pre-school.

So we sang it together and showed the rapt audience all the puppets close up.

I was one happy Grannie.

Andrea and other friends are using these puppets at New Hope Chapel today during our Community Christmas Gathering. Come to see us!

The Rehearsal Dinner

2011-12-08T16:29:00.001-05:00

When you have sons, you get to host a rehearsal dinner before the wedding. This suits me just fine. The rehearsal for Karl and Rosa's wedding was held on Thursday before the Sunday wedding. This is a great idea for anyone who can possibly swing it. I would highly recommend it! It helped make everything as simple and relaxed as Karl and Rosa wanted it to be.

Karl will work and serve people, but he hates to ask anyone to do anything for him. He's independent, yes, but also considerate. He cares about people and doesn't like to hassle. Rosa is a "big picture" person, and so she also wanted the rehearsal dinner to offer people a lovely dinner and a place to party without too much fuss. So we had spaghetti and meatballs here at our house.

I had lots of help that day to get ready. Andrew helped clean up AND he fixed my faucet. My family was such a blessing to come and help.

They really are helping! They are testing the food to see if it is any good.

I love having my family around. It's fulfilling to work together. It was noisy and messy and altogether great!

Aunt Val making Diana laugh

Andrea made the most delicious bread sticks. They were crisp and flavored with salt and herbs.
For some reason, I made pizzelles, which are a crisp, flavorful Italian cookie, for the other two rehearsal dinners, so I had to make them again. This time, I made pumpkin pizzelles and chocolate! Yummy.

Joey helped me set the tables! The picture is blurry because he's always in motion.

The flowers are the fun part for me so these pictures are all of the preparation, because once the dinner happened, I was too busy to find my camera!

Val tucked the checked napkin into 3 plastic cups and then we put the utensils int here. Very fancy!

We set up small tables all around the downstairs, so it felt like a little Italian restaurant. I've always wanted to do that and it turned out to be warm and conducive to talking and enjoying dinner.

These roses are for Rosa-- red is her favorite and she likes roses... so... Happy Rehearsal Dinner!

All I Can Say Is... (Karl and Rosa's Wedding: Part WONDERFUL

2011-12-04T07:00:00.001-05:00

I've been writing little posts with thoughts that sprang from the wedding and I have another to do after this. But you have got to see the pictures that Tara Sullivan Peddicord took of the wedding.
Tara is Karl and Rosa's dear friend and we consider her and her husband, Ben, part of our family. She's fun and loving and outgoing. She's got a beautiful vision of life, one that involves hope and beauty and service. She has decided to pursue photography seriously and when you see these pictures, you'll understand why.
Look here and see what I mean!!

A Room With A View: part 2 of Karl and Rosa's wedding

2011-12-01T09:59:00.001-05:00

Karl found Camp Wabanna when he was a senior in high school. Senior year was a difficult one. Faith had awakened in Karl and that changed everything for him... the way he spent his free time, the things he said, and the things he did. It also changed the plans he'd been making for his life. Now a fresh and beautiful impulse arose inside bidding him look for how best to serve others.

I'm not sure how he found out about Camp Wabanna. I know friends in Marching Band had been there or worked there, but sometime in the middle of that difficult year, he applied to work at Camp Wabanna in the summer. I remember that Mrs. Wolfe lent Karl her office for a phone interview during his study hall with the then camp director -- a kind and generous gesture of support. That interview opened a new way for Karl.

Inside Camp Wabanna's lodge Karl and Rev David Shive plan the ceremony

That summer in Day Camp he worked with a girl named Rosa. I remember hearing her name from him and from Valerie (the summer she worked there, too). Years went by as Karl and Rosa studied at their various colleges. Karl went on to work at a camp that helped at-risk students sort things out in a wilderness setting. He came back home, went to grad school and moved into the Lodge at Camp Wabanna where he worked again in the summers and on some weekends. Rosa had graduated from college, too, was working in a local school system and living with some friends in a condo on the Wabanna property.

Rosa rehearsing with her dad

Love blossomed or awakened or both! And what better place to fall in love than Camp Wabanna, which I think is the prettiest place in the entire county!

At the rehearsal, Clare said, "Clare is so excited, and twirled on the platform.

Surrounded on three sides by water, the white buildings and green grass lawns with their ancient stands of trees, seem like a sunny, peaceful sanctuary. So when they decided to have their wedding there, I was thrilled.

Even the music must be rehearsed, as Clare discovered watching her aunt.

The whole family gathered to watch:

The feeling of friendly excitement meant that even a bit of "kid" noise fit in well.

Clare has been playing "wedding" ever since.

The wedding party came after work, hurrying and excited to begin celebrating.

This was Dave's 41st wedding. The rehearsal went smoothly. I'm standing in for Rosa's sister who was flying in the next day.

The room looked west and we were treated to the changing colors of sunset as we rehearsed. The view spoke to me. What a beautiful view Karl and Rosa have to begin their lives- a view with a history of working together, family and friends around, a view to continued service as they look toward the Light.

As for me, I'm happy and thankful. I'm happy for Karl and Rosa. I loved being at Camp Wabanna with their wonderful friendly staff who helped with all the labors of love that a wedding requires. And I love Rosa--even her lovely name. It is a joy to see my family growing again.

The White Tablecloths

2011-11-29T21:37:00.001-05:00

We bought this mountain of tablecloths many years ago when several of our children were getting married in one summer (some of them to each other). “We” were a group of friends, a sort of a village, a virtual small town of moms who had stood by each other while our children were growing.

These kids were at school together, played sports together, studied together, marched in the band side by side and together scrounged costumes for the beloved, chaotic variety show.

We used our tablecloths one more time this month when our youngest son, Karl, married his sweetheart, Rosa.

Karl and Rosa pose for fun in front of a curtain made from one of the tablecloths

A local party supply store was having a sale. We met there early one morning and bought the things we needed for the upcoming weddings. We don’t know how many tablecloths we bought, but the tub of them is too heavy for one strong man to lift... so... LOTS. (I also bought 35 white chairs; they were a bit shabby, but buying them was cheaper than renting. I’ve used them at four weddings, showers, concerts and they’ve been borrowed more times by this group of friends than I can count.

Around this time Wendy found some pink, checked, fabric that was gossamer in weave. She made six or seven big tablecloths. They looked so wonderful at outdoor events spread on round tables over the white tablecloths we’d bought and fluttering slightly in the wind. We had such a great time every time we used them that we began to call the Magic Tablecloths. If pink didn't go with the colors of the event, we made squares that did... recalling the original pink Magic Tablecloths.

so great to see former students at Karl and Rosa's wedding!

We used them for rehearsal dinners, for retirement parties, for receptions after recitals, wedding and baby showers. Once, another friend and I wore them as scarves when we bought lottery tickets trying to win money to give to our school we hoped so dearly to bless. Our white tablecloths were also magic, but they didn't make appropriate scarves.

The tablecloths were purchased for Dave and Kristen's wedding and used ever since!

Last week, preparing for Karl and Rosa’s wedding, we tried to count how many times we’d used the white tablecloths. Together we’d spread these white cloths over round and rectangular tables for so many weddings, concert receptions, rehearsal dinners, showers, retirement parties and other happy events. Together, which ever of us had come to help at that particular event, we joined together to create beautiful inviting tables, tables to invite guests to celebrate and enjoy.

our turn to pose in front of the tablecloth

There’s something we friends enjoy about creating a beautiful party. One year for a concert reception, we all brought flowers from our gardens. I remember the gorgeous, full blue blooms of the hydrangeas arranged with bright orange day lilies. After that, whenever we could, we brought our hydrangeas to summer events. We had to have them. Once, when the bushes had scant blooms Wendy tucked fake hydrangeas into the branches. When my mother died, my friends brought their hydrangeas to my kitchen. They used a paper, apple green cloth on my table and arranged a full, blue and purple bouquet on a table full of food for my grieving family and guests. In life and in death, my friends have gathered close, bringing beauty and comfort with them. Hydrangeas were both beauty and memory of beauty to us. To us they seemed an emblem of our camaraderie.

And if there were no hydrangeas to be had, in the fall or the winter, we joyfully settled for the elegance of roses instead, as we did for Karl and Rosa’s wedding.

When life happens, these friends gather around to help. They cook and clean, they decorate and serve. It is hard to explain how fun it is to work together to make a celebration beautiful and delicious. It is not a burden; it is a joy. One of us, Anne, said once, “It’s because beauty makes people feel at home.” Creating beauty and warmth, working side by side in life’s milestones has made our friendships that much more precious to me. It is our way of honoring life and our God who gave life to us.

any kitchen feels like home, any occasion richer when you have friends standing beside you

One Year Later

2011-11-28T11:07:00.000-05:00

I'm thankful. I'm thankful because a year ago, I could barely sleep at night wondering ifany copies of Solomon's Puzzlewould sell. There were more than a thousand books in my house, piled in my sewing room, in the guest room along the hallway wall. That's a lot of books. (Read more...)

Solomon's Puzzle: The Book, The Quilt and The Dream

2011-11-10T09:39:00.002-05:00

Solomon’s Puzzle: The Book, The Quilt and The Dream

Posted on November 10, 2011 by Loris Nebbia

I’m not sure how it happened, but I made a quilt based on my novel, Solomon’s Puzzle.

I think it started when Ben’s story came to me. I knew he was in trouble and as I wrote about him, I came to understand and sympathize with how he felt – a cruel father, a distant mother, alone in the world at sixteen. That’s when I imagined Laurie MacBride; I wanted her to represent generosity, acceptance, comfort, nurturing. And in my mind, quilts and quilting are tangible things that I associate with those character qualities. So I made Laurie MacBride a quilter and as my mind goes, one thing led to another and soon she owned an entire, wonderful quilt shop with gorgeous fabric and lovely hand made things, kits and classes, quilters who gather things to give to the needy and with a drive-through window for those women whose kids have to pee or whose children start screaming every time they stop by a fabric store. Did I mention the cafe in the back for those of us who need time to think about our decisions over a fragrant cappuccino? (...read more)

Slug Slime and Other Joys

2011-11-04T15:46:00.000-04:00

As Jack himself says, he loves "living creatures." He has sparkle eyes and a heart full of love, as I like to tell him and when I do, he reminds me that his dog, Calypso also has sparkle eyes. I think we must be recognizing the love light.
Jack likes to pick what he is going to eat and when I suggest something wonderful like grilled cheese, he says "No!" Pancakes? "No, thank you!" So I tried reverse psycology which works with his cousin. Recently I asked Clare if she wanted a grilled cheese sandwhich (thinking who woudn't?) she said, "No thank you, please!" As I opened my mouth to speak, she admonished the room, "Mommy and Grannie say, you hafta eat someping!" So I started asking her, "Would you like a slug sandwich?" "No!" A snake salad?" "No!" Suddenly grilled cheese was looking pretty good.
So I decided to try this with Jack, thinking I was very clever: If you don't want grilled cheese or pancakes, do you want a slug sandwich?"
"Yes!!" he cried, eyes sparkling even brighter.
We settled on cheese and crackers and hurried through that because it was a bright autumn day and for the first time Diana was present and awake to join our bug hunt club. She must have provided some sort of extra spark because while we were following the trails of slug slime in search of the slugs Jack loves, look what we found! The biggest worm I've ever seen.

Yes, I couldn't believe it! Jack grabbed it and you can see how pleased he was.

He made a home for it in the bucket with plenty of dirt and flowers and leaves.

Gigantic~!

Once the work was snug in his little habitat, Jack decided to draw a treasure map on my slate walk way. He took a big round rock and "drew" mountains and seas and volcanos and a trail for the treasure-seekers to follow. Diana and I watched. I don't have a picture of Diana watching because it was all I could do to hold her and take a picture of Jack.

It's a pretty great map, isn't it? I love his innovation and creativity.

Later Diana got to pull Jack's hair. I guess that's almost as good as picking up slugs and huge worms.

Show and Tell at Cottonseed Glory

2011-10-12T09:00:00.001-04:00

So far this fall we've had many customers stop in at Cottonseed Glory to show us their beautiful work!

You can imagine what fun this is for us.

We have pictures of a few of the quilts that people have shown.

Ramona drew the spider web for her quilting design and quilted it on her Handi Quilter.

Notice the little spider she embroidered!

Morgan Wilson made a quilt for a friend at church. A prize-winning quilter, Morgan applied her talents to this T-shirt quilt with fabulous results:

Melissa Sopko used her die-cut machine to cut all the pieces for her wonderful quilt. The pattern and colors seem perfect for each other.

We love to see our customer's creativity. Don't you love the beautiful blocks as shown at the beginning of this blog article. They are all made from one fabric.

We also have something really unique-- a sampler quilt pattern based on a novel that is set a store patterned after Cottonseed Glory! We're planning some great winter activities based on this exciting quilt!

Stop by and see us soon!

Conversations with a Two Year Old

2011-09-22T06:55:00.001-04:00

I've been spending a lot of time with little Clare and she has a lot to say. She knows all the words to the songs in the Sound of Music and when she can't do something, she says, "You frustrated."
She's obsessed with a little, beautiful video that my sister put together of our childhood movies. She loves to watch them and see the funny things that "Grannie did when she a girl." I guess I'm just not very exciting now, but when I was "a girl," Clare says that "I ride a horsie all by myself. And Grannie throwed dirt!" She imitates the action and says, "That bad." Of course I agree. Love it that the sins of my youth were captured on film to be viewed by subsequent generations. Sigh.

She started calling her stuffed animals after my sisters, Stefy and Gloria. Gloria (a brown bear) stands on her head. Stefy plays "Ring Rosie" with Clare, because according to the movie, we got very dressed up and did that a lot. I'm glad Clare likes it; I can't watch it without getting choked up and now even more so.

Pop and I were staying with Clare while her new sister had to go quickly to the doctor for a check up, I was getting dinner together. Clare came into the kitchen "to help." I saw her sit down on the floor and I heard her humming to herself. I glanced at her a few times. I figured all was well.

just so you know, this picture is from another time... I didn't stop to take a picture during the crisis

Not so much.
A few minutes later, Clare made a funny noise, like a squeak.
"Are you okay?"
I noticed her nose running, so I got a tissue. She's good at blowing her nose so I held the tissue up and she squeaked again, then said, "NO!"
I was startled. She looked upset and... guilty.
What's wrong, Clare?"
Now, remember her toddler use of pronouns when I tell you her reply...
"You put a bean up you nose."
"What?" I cried. I looked but could see nothing. Her nose is so little! "Let's try to blow it again," I said, as calmly as I could wondering if both sisters would end up that evening at the ER.
Don't you know, she blew her nose as hard as she could and out popped a coffee bean! Yep!
All turned out well, though and Violet came home, safe and sound, too. The next day, when her sister woke up and was looking around, Clare said, "Look, Violet is awake in the manger!" We all agree that version of the song actually makes more sense.

Talk about cute!

New Classes, Great Fabric, a Special Pattern... and more at Cottonseed Glory

2011-09-20T20:09:00.001-04:00

Fall is a wonderful time to take a class. Cottonseed Glory has a wonderful list of classes just posted and the samples are on display!

Star Struck

This fascinating quilt with perfect slender points looks very difficult and intricate--but it isn't. The technique is straightforward and easy to do and it is NOT PAPER PIECED!

Beginning Sewing: His or Hers Aprons

Choose any of our wonderful batiks or novelty fabrics to make these quick and fun aprons. How about a coffee-themed apron for your favorite barista? Our sample uses our wonderful new crab fabric to celebrate our wonderful Maryland crab recipes. The lined bib apron for women has a wonderful double ruffle trim; the man apron has a divided pocket with piping. The apron can also be made in children's sizes. Learn how to make ruffles and piping; practice using your ruffle foot or your piping foot while you make adorable gifts for one and all.

Teen Sew

This class is for young BEGINNERS to learn and experience all the joy and fun of quiltmaking. Part of the fun is picking your favorite fabrics and we'll help you. Make this charming quilt and learn how to finish it in this great class. Make an exciting quilt for yourself, a friend or boyfriend, or your grandmom.

Paint Stick Fun

Students will learn how to use oil-based paintsticks to make rubbings onto fabric.

Dragonfly Wallhanging

Quilt and appliqué in the same step as you cut & sew these beautiful dragonflies learning continuous line machine appliqué with Pat Brousil. This piece is beautiful and the techniques are like no others.

Stack and Whack Is Back!

It's hard to believe that just one large scale print fabric is used to make all the fans in this quilt--and all the fans are very different from one another! Pick one big print that you love and learn this great technique. Once you start, you just can't stop making the blocks as seen below:

Smart Shopper Discount Bag

Make this beautiful take-along shopping bag pictured below. Save the environment and, best of all, GET A 10% DISCOUNT ON ALL YOUR REGULARLY-PRICED PURCHASES NOW THROUGH 12/30/11 at Cottonseed Glory when you take the class and bring your completed bag in for your purchases! Sounds like a great deal to me.

Stack the Deck

In making this dynamic quilt you will learn to layer stacks of your fabrics all together and cut through them all once. Then you will reshuffle the stack with a plan so that all the blocks have one each of all the fabrics appearing in different places in each block! Sounds complicated? It really isn't---it's both fun and easy and a great new experience in quilt-making. Showcase a collection of batiks as Pam Harrell did or pick any other fabrics that you like.

Party on the Block

It is a party because the quilt and the methods used to make it are wonderful and exciting! Pick some great fabrics and "party" with us! Love the gorgeous sample by Sue Luddy!

Make either of these wonderful table runners or wall-hangings. One is made with a unique panel that shows Christmas traditions throughout the ages. The other is made with oversized half-square triangles. Both have cheery, re-imagined yo-yos, and a bit of machine appliqué. You'll learn the fastest and most accurate way to make the triangles plus a speedy technique for perfect yo-yos.

Though I'm not crazy about Halloween, I know a lot of you are. If so, here's a quilt project you might like: Haunted House Wallhanging:

Here's a lovely Christmas or Winter quilt kit. You do have time to make it!

I love blue and green at Christmas. Here's a snowman quilt made of soft flannel. Your family will love it.

And guess what? The pattern for my sampler quilt that is based on the novel Solomon's Puzzle. The pattern includes instructions for 12 blocks and the border plus reflections on the connections to the novel ... such as why I chose the chapter titles, explanations of symbolism, etc. It will make a great gift for a quilter who has read the novel.

Even better for an utterly unique and very Annapolis gift... a copy of Solomon's Puzzle (the second printing is in), with the quilt pattern, too!

more class descriptions and pictures to come!

Charlotte's Tea Room

2011-09-09T08:54:00.000-04:00

If you live in northern New Jersey or the Warwick Valley in nearyby NY, I think you might like to take an afternoon off soon and visit Charlotte’s Tea Room.

(Read more...)

A Case for Smiles

2011-09-09T08:33:00.000-04:00

One of the most wonderful things about working at Cottonseed Glory is the people I meet. Last week, someone came in. Karen looked familiar because she works at my grandsons’ preschool. She asked about the boys, remembering their names and all about them. Karen had two huge shopping bags with her. In them were nearly 200 pillowcases that she’d made during the summer. The pillowcases are to be given to children who are being treated for cancer. Anita Stroud distributes them through the ConKerr Cancer

(Read more...)

Be Safe

2011-08-29T08:51:00.002-04:00

Have you ever heard a parent or teacher saying negative things about a kid? Something like “you can’t do anything right,” or even worse, “how stupid can you be?” People hear what is said to them and it seems as if words are like seeds, they fall on the imaginative and fertile soils of our souls and take root. At least for some of us.

Years ago, someone I knew presented a personal theory that some children succeeded based on being “in favor.” We’ve all seen kids like this. Teachers think the best of them, always give them the benefit of the doubt, dream up special awards and scholarships for them just to proclaim how wonderful the child is. There are also kids who can’t seem to get any attention. And even worse, they are suspected of immoral behavior unjustly, scolded, slapped with detentions and therefore put in the position of continually struggling to have one good day.

I’ve heard many people praise certain teachers or coaches as being the person who changed the course of their studies, and even the path of their lives saying, “she believed in me,” or “he helped me realize I had potential.” These are people who were rescued from a pattern of failure. Books like Children are Wet Cementdiscuss how people can be encouraged and even strengthened by the words spoken to them and about them in their hearing. The Bible describes the importance of blessings being spoken. Words are important to me, and because of all this, I believe in the concept of “blessing.” And this weekend, the idea came again to mind.

In preparing for Hurricane Irene, I went in search of D batteries for our flashlights. Giant didn’t have any, but when I bought the food we needed, the young man who ran the cash register said, “be safe this weekend” as I wheeled my cart away.

Target had not a single D battery, but I took a weird LED flashlight with wavery blue light to the cash register. It was the only one I could find in the entire store. I asked the check-out person about it and she said that she’d found some good, bright flashlights at Office Depot. They came with batteries and were very inexpensive. “Be safe,” she said as I headed toward Office depot.

The flashlights were where the Target employee had described. This saved me time. I took it to the register and when my purchase was complete, again I heard, “Be safe this weekend.”

People I didn’t know wished me well. Neighbors I’d never met spoke a blessing. I’m grateful.

Sometime in the middle of the night as Irene’s winds roared over our house, my neighbors’ tree was uprooted. We heard it crash, felt the thunder of it’s fall and rushed to the windows to see. From upstairs I could see that the silhouette of the trees, so dear and familiar, had changed. “It was the big tulip poplar next door,” I said as we rushed to open our garage door and see.”

Leaves and branches were everywhere and the first thing I noticed was the fresh scent of the trees. Pine and apple and the scent of green, vigorous life met us when the door opened. The tree’s trunk and branches reached all the way down our driveway, stopping just before the junky old car that saw our kids through high school and college.

That enormous tulip poplar could have hit the family room where we’d been sitting shortly before. It could have crashed into on my neighbors’ bedroom, but it didn’t. The tree, 80 feet tall, fell right beside my arbor, missed the beautiful carved, teak bench my husband gave me when I graduated from college. Though our slate patio was a bit tumbled, the clay firepot, which we’d forgotten to take in, was completely unharmed.

The tree did hit the far corner of our garage. So far, we know that it knocked off the down spout and dented the siding and the flashing. But this turns out to be a blessing, too. Evidently if the falling tree hits your house at all, then household insurance pays to have the tree cut up and hauled away. This is great, but not as great as the fact that no one was hurt by its crash.

The tree also demolished two of my apple trees. Anyone who knows me knows how attached I am to my apple trees for whatever unexplainable reason and I confess that tears welled up in my eyes when I realized they were broken. But then I had a cheerful thought—I’ve read, but never experienced, that apple wood makes the most wonderful, fragrant fires in fall and winter! I must confess that I have always wanted to try this, but didn’t have the heart to chop down a living tree just for sensual pleasure. Now I can have a neat stack of apple wood and enjoy the warmth it provides!

My neighbor lost a pine tree, too. It was their very first Christmas tree and it has been growing there ever since, but it has been leaning and we’ve been worrying about it. The pine tree was split in half when the other tree fell on it. The only good thing about this is that we had been talking about landscaping this area between our two yards. Now we can work together to make a beautiful garden. I’m looking forward to working together on this.

As well, my neighbor is stuck with cleaning up the enormous root system, which was wide, but not at all deep. The roots were horizontal, shallow! No wonder the tree was uprooted! They are talking about putting a pond in the hole that the tree has left; this sounds like a beautiful plan to me.

Maybe you experienced the same out-pouring of well-wishes and kindness that I did due to Irene’s coming here. It’s what I love about Annapolis is one of the things that makes this precarious earth feel like home.

Conversations with Joey and Jack

2011-08-16T06:45:00.002-04:00

We had the privilege of taking Joey and Jack to Dutch Wonderland, so it was a bit of a drive.
On the way up there was plenty of time to talk. Here's how it went.

Pop explained about the Pennsylvania Dutch area and the Amish, the buggies, the farms without electricity, buttons or wireless Internet.

Joey explained the names and powers of every Bakugan ... more than once... wait, more than ten times.

I tried to include Jack, who was quietly playing with Cobra Commander.
Me: "Are you happy playing, Jack?"
Jack: "Yes, I'm gnashing my teeth." He grinned to show me.

Joey: "What's the opposite of fire?"
Me: "Ice."
We played that game for many miles while Jack's eyes got droopy.

Me: "Are you tired, Jack? Why not close your eyes. You'll have plenty of energy for the park."

Jack (speaking with his hands in dramatic gestures -- he is part Italian--): "I close my eyes and sleep. Dreams come into my eyes with colors. Right into my eyes!"
Me: "Right. Me, too. What did you dream?"
Jack: "I dreamed that all the frogs camed to the river."

Joey: "My daddy is a toilet paper snob."
Pop: "Do you know what 'snob' means?"
Joey: "You have a strong opinion about it."

Me: "What kind of a snob are you, Joey?"
Joey: "I'm a Bakugan snob."
Me: "What kind of snob are you, Jack?"
Joey: "Jack is a french fry snob."
Pop: "Let Jack answer. Jack, what kind of a snob are you?"
Jack : "I'm a french fry snob."
Joey: "What kind of a snob are you, Grannie?"
Me: "I'm a tea snob.

Pop: "Joey, do you remember the name of the community we're visiting today?"
Joey: "Hmm, let's see... Smurfs?"

We had a wonderful time. The rides were clean and age appropriate. The staff was friendly and helpful to the children. I can't imagine why people go to Disney with such a place as Dutch Wonderland so close. If you've never been, I would recommend a trip! You'll become a Wonderland snob.

Weekend Words

2011-08-15T06:45:00.000-04:00

Do you know what this is?

When our granddaughter spent the weekend, she told me that it is a flumbingo. Yes, that's right and when it takes a bath, Grannie is supposed to use "shampipoo" to clean it.

That's right. She says it with authority and confidence. Shampipoo for the flumbingo.

When we prayed at dinner, we thanked God that our granddaughter could come over. She liked this and kept bringing this up. The funny thing with Clare though is that she isn't clear on pronouns yet. She calls herself "you" and she calls me, "I."

So the conversation goes like this

Clare: "I have a granddaughter. I so glad you camed over."

Me: (pointing to myself). "I have a granddaughter and I AM glad you came over. You are my granddaughter."

Clare: "You are my granddaughter."

Me: "Right. I know what you mean, but you mean 'Clare is my granddaughter.'"

She smiles. Looks like I (I mean me) finally understand.

We went for a walk to check on the osprey nest there. The osprey babies, which are actually HUGE creatures who squawk loudly, were a bit scary so we hurried away. Pretending that she was Maria from The Sound of Music, she said to us, "You twirl like Maria," and showed us how with arms out wide. We took this as a command and shamelessly imitated her, forgetting the pronoun confusion. Clare laughed and laughed at us; I guess neither of us looks much like Maria.

The biggest of the dolls is named "Suga Buga." Pop couldn't get this right and kept calling the doll "Hunca Munca," which brought peals of the happiest laughter. Everyone, including you, knows who Hunca Munca really is.

We went to the farmer's market and saw all the sights.

The farmer's market is just wonderful, crowded with people and the freshest food.

Who could resist these flowers? Not I, so we picked some for you's mommy.

And marveled at so much else.

Clare got a pumpkin and decided to "crunch" it. Hmmm.

We also discovered why she knows so many words. When asked to pick out a book to read, she chose "that big book." What can I say? You inherited the love for reading dictionaries from I.

It was hard to say good-bye when her parents came to get her. I hope "you" comes back soon.

Something New At Sewing Camp

2011-08-04T20:46:00.000-04:00

This year after enjoying the first week of sewing camp, called Sewing Through The Seasons, we held at AACS Summer Camp, we offered Level Three Sewing In Style.

Many of our girls returned for a third or fourth year with us!

And look what they brought.

What did we ever do without cell phones?

The girls have worked hard, they've been cheerful and I haven't noticed one of them using their phones.

This year, the teachers have been especially wonderful. They are each patient, carefully instructing, always encouraging. You have to understand that with sewing camp, lots of crawling on the floor is required and the teachers did so without one complaint. I have loved working with them.
The girls had lots of room for creativity.

I love seeing their careful work.

Everyone loves embellishing their finished projects!

Don't you love how this student chose the perfect button to compliment her flower.

We learned how to make all sorts of fabric flowers. Ribbon from the ribbon factory came in handy for embellishing, too.

Everyone made wonderful, colorful things and learned so much!
Thanks to Andrea, Barbara, Jen, Julie, Karlene, Valerie and Wendy (and all the wonderful babysitters). Thanks to the children for sharing your wonderful mommies and thanks also to Josiah, Colleen and the other camp workers.

Beads of Courage Bags...

2011-08-02T21:31:00.000-04:00

My friend Robin helps people make little bags for kids who are suffering from serious illness.
The children are given beads when they face milestones in their treatment. The Beads of Courage website says that for example a child is given one color bead when he or she must spend the night in the hospital and perhaps a glow-in-the-dark bead for radiation treatment.
When the kids must face further, difficult treatment they can look at their beads and see how far they have come. They have a tangible representation of their bravery and their hope. What a beautiful idea.

Robin inspires others to make little fabric bags where the kids can keep and collect the beads.

They are easy to do!

Robin showed us how to make them at the recent Annapolis Quilt Show- Quilts by the Bay.

Here's what you do:

Take 4 rectangles 9 x 12 inches. (two for the lining and two for the outside of the bag). Sew on the special Beads of Courage label.

Place them right sides together and sew the long sides together, before flipping the bag and sewing the edges.
We learned to make the bags together, but they can be made anytime you have a few minutes and a little bit of fabric.

Robin's mom came to help, and so did many others.

Here's a picture of my first bag. For directions and more information on how to donate or get involved, see:

Beads of Courage

Let me know how it goes!

Covered Button Pony Tail Holders

2011-07-11T16:31:00.000-04:00

Covered Button Pony Tail holders

These are fun and easy to make.

Supplies:

Fabric scraps 3 inches or bigger

Pony tail holders

Fabric scraps to make leaves and flowers (if desired)

Leaf and flower templates

Glue stick

Needle

Strong thread

Covered button forms (use 1 ½ inch size of bigger)

1. Cut a circle of fabric about ¼ inch bigger than the diameter of your button.

2. Center the design and tack it down with a bit of glue from a glue stick.

3. Fasten the edges of the fabric over the prongs of the covered button. Snap the back on.

4. Using a heavy thread or cord, take a few stitches sew the pony tail rubber band to the button shank. Make a knot, trim the extra thread off and it’s ready to wear or give as a gift!

(Optional: Cut leaves and flowers out of felt or woven fabric. Find a flower shape you like in clip art or in a book and trace the shape onto a piece of paper. Cut this out and trace around it onto the fabric then cut out carefully. Tack leaves and /or flowers cut from felt or woven fabric on the back of the button with a bit of glue from the glue stick.

Using a heavy thread or cord, take a few stitches that fasten leaves and flowers to the button shank. Then continue as in step #4 above.

Broken Car And What Came Of It...

2011-07-11T10:21:00.000-04:00

When traveling, the last thing anyone wants is for her car to break down. But that is just what happened to me this summer when I was on a trip to promote my novel, Solomon’s Puzzle. Read more...

What Your Neighbors are Doing: Cottage Hookers

2011-07-05T07:47:00.000-04:00

It's not what you think. It's a group of women who get together on Friday mornings to crochet afghans. They send these lovely, soft, handmade creations to wounded veterans in hopes of bringing them comfort and showing their appreciation.

My friend Janet Garman is a busy person. She lives on a farm, grows gorgeous fruit and vegetables, raises farm animals like goats and cows; she writes a blog or two, which I love reading and she runs a lively gift shop, called Covenant Cottage, that serves as a sort of friendship center. Every time I'm in the store, friends stop by for something and often that something involves telling Janet their troubles, finding some hope and encouragement to go with the little gift they've selected.

Janet has been likewise kind to me. Back in November, she asked if I'd like to offer Solomon's Puzzle at her store, saying she'd host a book signing there. Well, her generosity actually heaped blessings on me because it turns out that a group of her friends that crochet also like to read. They read my book and asked me to come to the discussion of it. After that wonderful, encouraging experience of hearing what they thought of Solomon's Puzzle, they invited me to attend their weekly meeting saying that since I didn't crochet, I could bring my own hand sewing of which I always do have lots waiting to get done.

So I went one Friday recently and was warmly welcomed.

Betsy, Mary, Carolyn, Janet, Sue, Sue and Nancy working away.

I loved hearing all about their project, which is called The Handmade Afghan Project. They love to crochet and they are concerned with those in the military who have been wounded. That Friday, one woman mentioned that she thought it odd that in the past (past wars) citizens were more involved in supporting the troops whereas now we get nightly reports on casualties, we are removed from the war effort. But not these women! So far, they have made and mailed 6,000 afghans! What a creative and loving way to express concern.

This is one of the finished afghans which was shipped in June.

The afghans are held to a high standard. They must be certain appropriate colors and sizes because most soldiers don't want baby colors for instance. The yarn is all acrylic and soft feeling not scratchy.

They are so good at what they do, they don't even have to look at their work!

If they receive donations of squares or yarn that won't work for the afghan project, they sell these to raise money for the postage needed to mail the afghans. Yes, they pay their own shipping and handling.

The ladies kindly showed interest in my own project.

I enjoyed getting to know these women a bit more! They made me feel as if I were an old friend and I couldn't have felt more comfortable. This is due, I know, to the genuine generosity that is demonstrated in the way that they spend their free time. They are neighbors to be proud of, that's for sure!

My Quest To Make A French Corded Cap

2011-06-27T07:00:00.003-04:00

Recently I wrote about how I learned about the French art of corded quilting (boutis) and how I came to make an imitation of a cap I saw in Paris years ago.
After I made the first one, I saw a picture of an exquisite cap in a book and of course, felt as if I had to try to make it.
I used the picture as a sort of inspiration and set to work.
This cap has more embroidery on it and I did that embroidery on the machine.
First the embroidery is done joining two layers of fabric together.
While the cap pieces are stretched in a quilting hoop, it is stuffed with cording.
When it is stuffed s so that I think it looks good, I cut out the round the shapes and the lining. For the lining, I chose a white flannel with a tiny, pink flower. Though it is summer, the cording makes the cap a bit uneven inside.

I like to finish the edge with piping and since everything I make for babies has a bit of tiny gingham piping I decided to stay consistent. (I did toy with the idea of using lace and finally abandoned that option in abject indecision).
The back of the cap is a circle and difficult to sew. I basted it first, and could my mother now read this, she'd be pleased that I finally listened to her sewing advice.

I put a little bit of elastic at the nape of the neck.

And best of all, I was able to get it done just in time for my granddaughter's birth.
But I like how it turned out, don't you?
I'd like to go on making baby caps for a very long time.

Those Neighbors!

2011-06-20T09:01:00.001-04:00

I have the rudest neighbors. They claim to love my garden but they really have no respect at all for the gardener. Now it turns out they have stooped to stealing my beautiful hydrangeas.
Yes!
Can you believe it?
The first thing I do when I wake up in the morning is look outside.
What did I see this morning?
There they were, bold as could be pulling the tops off my blooming hydrangeas.
No more bouquets for me!
I opened the window and shouted at them.
By the time I got downstairs, I realized that they'd been there for a while.

In fact, they were camping out in my back yard! I mean, come on! He's lying down like he's perfectly safe and comfortable.

I went outside to confront them and they were completely shameless and a bit annoyed as if I were the one intruding and munching on their lovely hydrangeas.

What would you do with neighbors like this?

Muffaletta For Picnics

2011-06-14T08:01:00.000-04:00

This family-sized sandwich can be made with cold cuts, meat salad or as a vegetarian meal. For picnics choose the version without mayonnaise and bring a knife and a thin cutting surface so that you can slice the sandwich when the picnic begins! The recipe, with an entire picnic menu was recently published on The Annapolis Sound.

Ingredients:

Bread: buy and uncut loaf: choose sourdough, marble rye, Russian pumpernickel, wheat, round or rectangle

¼ lb. cappocolo or other Italian cured ham sliced thin

¼ lb Italian hard salami

you may add other favorite cured meats

¼ lb provolone cheese, sliced

¼ lb mozzarella cheese, sliced

Roasted red bell peppers (you may buy these in a jar or roast them*)

¼ cup Greek or Niçoise olives, pitted and sliced

½ cup black olives, pitted and sliced

1/4 cup of capers

½ cup fresh basil leaves

1 minced shallot

salt, pepper

olive oil

Make the olive salad by slicing all the olives and tossing them with the minced shallot, ¼ teaspoon olive oil, the capers, salt and pepper.

Prepare the bread by making a horizontal slice to take the top off the bread. Keep the top of the loaf. Don’t eat it or throw it out! Next hollow out the loaf, using your fingers or a spoon. Set the bread pieces aside.

Brush the inside of the loaf lightly with olive oil.

Layer, covering the entire surface of the bread in this order:

half the basil leaves,

Now add the following in layers, covering the previous layer and pressing down firmly.

half the olive salad,

mozzarella cheese slices

ham, then salami

provolone slices

roasted bell pepper slices

the final half of the basil

the last of the olive salad. The inside of the loaf should be full. If it isn’t, add more cheese or what ever you have left.

Brush the inside of the top of the loaf of bread with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and freshly ground pepper. Place the top of the loaf back on the bread. Using yards of plastic wrap, wrap the muffaletta well and refrigerate overnight or for a few hours by placing the entire thing in a bowl and putting a plate on top of it to sort of press it down. You are trying to squish the filling down so it stays together when the sandwich is later cut.

Take it to the picnic as it is and slice it when you are ready to eat.

Variations:

1. Use chicken or tuna salad to replace the meat and cheese. Instead of basil, layer on marinated artichoke hearts. Olive salad is wonderful with chicken or tuna salad so don’t leave that out of this version!

2. To create a vegetarian version, omit the ham and salami. Use a variety of sliced cheeses, alternating with pears pitted and sliced paper thin.

*to roast bell peppers: heat broiler to high while you are preparing the peppers. Cut each pepper in half. Remove and discard seed core and the stem. Press cut side of pepper down onto a baking sheet until it flattens a bit. Roast until the skin is blackened and your kitchen fills up with the warm, fragrant, exotic aroma of roasting peppers.

Don't discard the bread that you take from the center of the loaf! Instead make bread pudding or bread salad with it!

Surprise, surprise!

2011-06-12T23:11:00.001-04:00

I began taking pictures at the family birthday party

when things were just getting started.

Then I got busy getting dinner on the table and as usual didn't have time to reach for my camera.

But everyone had a great time!

There were two funny comments:
Jack ate a good dinner and then dessert. I said, "Jack would you like something to drink?"
Before Jack could answer, Clare said, "Clarey, would you like something to drink?" Haha! What a lovely way to tell Grannie she was also thirsty.

Clare talking to Pop

Shortly after that we decided to retrieve some more toys from upstairs. Jack led the way, but Clare was following, narrating her progress. "Good job climbing stairs, Clarey."
Jack turned around, looked at her as if he'd never seen her before, frowned and said, "You can talk?"

Reflections about Cindy As She Sets Off On A New Adventure

2011-06-07T07:00:00.009-04:00

Tonight I’d like to pay tribute to my dear friend and colleague, Cindy Bauchspies, who is leaving AACS after 24 years, to pursue graduate studies. I have been thinking about what it is that makes Cindy so lovely and admirable, what has made her such an important teacher, such a beautifully talented musician, such a dear person and friend and I have a few ideas that I think you will agree with. Cindy has an uncommon respect for our Lord, for life and for others. It’s more like a loving reverence for God and all that He has made.

A few quotes come to mind when trying to describe Cindy’s gift and impact. Elizabeth Goudge describes our Lord Jesus as carrying the splendor of His divinity in his human body in the way that “a lantern carries its gold.” Think of a mundane, lantern, it is useful; it may be rough or it may be beautiful, perhaps made with great care and craftsmanship… Though Cindy recognizes the lantern’s beauty and worth, her focus stays upon the gold within.

I think that this is one of the things that has distinguished Cindy’s time at AACS. In her teaching, her contributions to the school culture, the godly and lasting relationships she’s formed, the honor she has shown the Lord in her service, she has always valued the gold within. She has dedicated her time to shielding that sometimes flickering light, to holding the lantern up so that the bright light of God’s love can be best seen.

What I mean by this can perhaps be illustrated with a couple of anecdotes chosen from thousands that would also apply.

I had the opportunity to accompany AACS’ Madrigals twice on trips to the International Music Festival in Switzerland. I treasure the memories of those wonderful trips—hearing the choirs’ voices soar to fill up the grand, hallowed spaces of those ancient churches. I loved seeing the fruit of Cindy’s training and encouragement, the reflection of her stellar standards. But once or twice things went wrong on the trips. Students (I can’t remember exactly which students) made some poor choices… and then there was the awful time that one student was temporarily lost.

Though her reputation would certainly have been touched if we’d come home from Europe without a certain spunky Madrigal, Cindy was not concerned about herself. Instead I saw an absorbing concern for the students’ well being. She wished them to be safe, to be wise, to learn all that they could from the incident. She filled her role as their teacher and protector with humility, honesty and great love. This exemplifies Cindy’s approach to her students and also to her colleagues:

She thinks the best of others. And though she may be frustrated by a situation, she seeks how to best honor the people involved. I have never heard her say something faithless, or catty, or unkind about a colleague or a student. She looks for the gold within; that is what is important to her.

Another incident involved one of my own children. As many of you have also experienced, Cindy reached out to my children, the singers and non-singers both. When my daughter was in seventh grade, Cindy heard something wonderful one day when Val sang in choir. She kept Valerie after class. Cindy did not say, “you did great!” or “what a beautiful voice!” She was careful with Valerie because she lives in this respectful way, lives with a higher vision. Instead, she said, “Do you know what happened today?”

Valerie answered, “There was a jewel in my throat.” I don’t remember what Cindy said in response to Val’s description, but in her gentle, careful way she helped Valerie recognize what God had given her. In this way Cindy created an awareness in Valerie that her gift was first connected to God— a gift that was after that also skillfully and lovingly nurtured by Cindy. I am grateful to her for this and I know that her former students and parents of students have similar treasured memories of her service to God and to us.

Cindy has been a mentor to so many, many young people, loving them, bringing out the best in them, befriending them, cooking for them, drying their tears, telling them the truth, coaching them in their musical endeavors long after they had graduated. She has a way of appreciating their unique gifts—musical or not— with the most genuine enthusiasm, celebrating the bright light that God has put in each. And in this way of giving, I think Cindy has helped to create what has often been a beautiful community at AACS.

Abundant heartfelt giving of self is typical of Cindy’s relationships with her students, her colleagues and friends. There is something within Cindy that treasures what the poet G. M. Hopkins defines as “the dearest freshness deep down things.” She approaches living with her arms wide open, relishing all that God is doing. I remember her happiness as we toured tiny French villages with the Madrigals—equally thrilled with the view of the mountain, a student’s latest joke, the robust taste of the coffee, or the color of the tiniest wildflower.

When others falter and perhaps cannot see this “dearest freshness” in things, Cindy tries to remind us. I remember that Cindy chose a song for the choirs to sing that was especially meaningful to our colleague, Georgia Shockley, when Georgia had suffered the loss of both her parents in just a few months… And I will never forget her coming to the hospital with me when my own mother lay dying; she sat with me and read scriptures with me; then at the funeral, she played the piano as beautifully as only Cindy can play.

How many of the school community can remember with me how she took us as her own sisters and brothers, laughing when we laughed, supporting our class programs, interested in what we were teaching, ready to pray for needs great and small, weeping when we wept, listening to our questions, answering with hope from that beautiful pure spirit within her, living as Christ to us?

When I heard that Cindy was leaving AACS I wanted to make sure that I attended her final concert there. Many times during the evening my eyes filled with tears. There were so many beautiful memories of years of teaching, of dear students and parents, of concerts… O Nata Lux, The 23^rd Psalm, Homeward Bound, My Lord From a Garden Rose, Bogoroditse Devo, all the Moses Hogan songs, How Can I Keep From Singing, Ubi Caritas, Jingalyea, Apple Tree and so many more.

You probably remember songs also, favorite ones where the music touched the sublime and the lyrics touched our hearts. I remember so many students’ faces, eyes shining brightly as they sang. I remember the choirs singing “The Gloria” at St. Anne’s on Church Circle. They were squeezed into the lovely space, shoulder to shoulder, shuffling from foot to foot, glancing up at the nave above them painted to look like a little, low heaven. They began to sing, suddenly wide-eyed with awe at beginning what seemed like a difficult and important piece. They were transformed to more than themselves. The heavens cooperated with our beloved choir conductor that night —flashing lightning, providing thunder for percussion. And we were thrilled, touched and inspired.

The concerts were always an inspiration to me, they gave me strength and vision to continue to try my best to teach and care for my students. I loved seeing the all the different students, so many different colors of hair and varying shades of skin tones. But most of all, I loved seeing the students who while in class behaved mischievously, or badly, who were lost and confused, or half asleep suddenly look earnest, even angelic. I loved hearing them sing with heart and skill. It was to me a picture of humanity. All of us are—in some way or another— lost, confused, or badly behaved, and yet He sees the gold in us and in faith that this wonderful thing is true, we come together to lift our hopeful and grateful hearts to God. Cindy gave us a picture of heaven in her teaching and in her day-by-day example.

I know that you, as I do, treasure memories like this. Thank you Cindy, for seeing the gold in so many of us, for believing in the beautiful things in life despite the evidence to the contrary, for celebrating that and bringing it out in the way you walked with us, in the way you taught and befriended us, and in the way you represented the Lord to us. May the Lord bless your days and endeavors even more richly. I speak for all of us here when I say, “We love and admire you with all our hearts.”

Why I Grow Roses

2011-05-23T07:54:00.000-04:00

Published in The Annapolis Sound:

The Examined Home: Why I Grow Roses

on MAY 20, 2011 · LEAVE A COMMENT

By Loris Nebbia

It happens every year. A friend comes to the door on the same yearly errand. Business finished, she turns to small talk. “Your roses have black spot.” She points to the bush burgeoning with pink buds, already fragrant with the scent of green apples and sweetness. “Oh, well,” I say, as I do every year, “that’s just the way it is in Maryland. And I haven’t had time to treat them. But I’ll get to it.”

“I wonder if they’re worth it. Look at that.” She shakes her head. I roll my eyes and murmur my good-byes and shut the door. I love my roses.

As well as a garden full of roses, my husband and I have been blessed with three sons. Our eldest son was a lovely baby—big brown eyes, a quick and ready grin. He had an eagerness to learn and a cheerfulness that was more dependable than the sun. His disposition for language was shown early. His father and I took him everywhere with us and he was no trouble; we couldn’t wait to see him in the morning, were thrilled with him; we delighted in him.

He was just the sort of older brother I’d hoped for my younger children...(Read more)

More French Connections!

2011-05-19T14:32:00.006-04:00

In my last blog, about the wonderful shop French Connections, I mentioned a tiny cap I made in the tradition of French boutis. It is for a newborn baby.

The inspiration for this came from a wonderful trip to Paris, with my daughter, her friend Elizabeth and my friend JoAnn.

Elizabeth and Valerie at the top of the Eiffel Tower

Here's how it happened. Jo-Ann and I both had airline tickets credits. The girls were going to go on their school French trip, but it was cancelled... so we decided to go!

the girls seeing Notre Dame for the first time

In Paris, when the Internet was still fairly new, we took a risk and booked a hotel online.

the street where our hotel was found

And though I'll write about the many zany and amazing things happened as a result of that risk, right now, I'll say that it was in a wonderful location - the Latin Quarter and from there we found our way around Paris and to a the Rue du Bac.

Now, I have to tell you that I wanted to go the Rue du Bac, not because I knew that it was a charming street that hosted even more charming shops, but because when I was fourteen and repeatedly after that I read a book called Désirée by Annemarie Selinko. It tells the life story of Napoleon Bonapart's first love. In the heartbreaking section when Désirée discovers that Napoleon is breaking their engagement to marry the powerful Josephine, Désirée is staying at a home in the Rue du Bac. Yes, I'm a book nerd.

So I dragged my little traveling party to the Rue du Bac and what do you think we found?

We found a small shop-- Le Rideau De Paris. 32 Rue Du Bac, Paris.

To say that we were enchanted is to speak moderately.

The fabrics of Provence-dazzling, the quilting in the bright, whole-cloth quilts-inspiring... and then there was the baby's tiny cap.

It stood in the window and the shop-keeper took it out for me. I held it in my hand and felt as if the world was pausing a minute so that I could appreciate the exquisite handmade treasure. Rows of tiny stitches held the slimmest cording. It was not frilly, but the most lovely, elegant baby item I'd ever seen. The shop keeper said that now only very old women were making these caps; the art was fading. So naturally the caps were "très cher" which I translated in my head to mean,"very dear," because I loved it so much.

looking into the shop window

I had no married children at the time, no grandchildren, but I decided to buy it. I was enchanted by it.

That's when I found out what "très cher" meant. The cap cost over three hundred dollars.

So, I didn't buy it.

When we left the shop, we found a patisserie a few yards away that also offered afternoon tea. While we devoured the pastries, I sketched the cap.

I carry a booklet and pencil for just such très cher emergencies

Years went by and many things happened. I remembered the cap and wanted to make it. I thought about the very old, (older now) women in Provence sitting in their lavender-scented, sun-drenched gardens stitching the little caps, while La Tramontane whirled around their frail ankles. I was très busy, too busy to sew much, so I researched the skills and instead wrote about it in my novel, Solomon's Puzzle. The quilt store owner, Laurie MacBride (who accomplishes many things I wish I did or could) made an entire line of such wonderful things.

But eventually... I did set my hand to it and I made one.

From those sketches, I made a pattern, trial and error,with lots of error...

and finally finished this little cap in time for my daughter's first baby:

I lined it in the (washed and bleached) thin, soft flannel we used to drape around things at her October wedding.

Now I'm making a little jacket and more caps. They take a long time to make. But aren't they beautiful?

French Connections

2011-05-05T08:34:00.000-04:00

If you love French fabric and style, this is the shop for you. I found it at the Lancaster Quilt Show. (Read more...)

Remember Those Blue Birds?

2011-05-03T07:16:00.001-04:00

During the Great Blizzard of 2010, a favorite tree fell and the day after it had fallen, we were visited by a flock of blue birds:

This spring, they've come back

and built a nest in our little bluebird house!

They've made it their home!

We're watching and waiting.

The Quilt That Began Long Ago

2011-05-02T07:05:00.004-04:00

If you read the first blog about Andrea's birthday this year, you know that I mentioned a certain pink fabric I bought long ago thinking of the little girl they'd one day have. So sometime along the way, I found a pack of what's called, in the quilting world, charm squares. These are five inch squares of cotton quilting fabric and in this case they were all designed to go together. For some reason, their brightness and style made me think of Joe and Andrea and... well, you know who.
So I bought them and made this quilt using a pattern that my friends Jo-Ann and Ellen invented.
You don't have to use 5" squares and they don't have to be purchased in a pack. But you group the squares whatever size you choose) in sets of four as you see below. (The orange stickies on the top row tell me where they go in the order of the rows).

Once the four squares are sewn together, border the newly formed bigger square:

note the pink dot fabric...!

I chose a variety of colors for the borders to achieve the look I wanted.

Arrange the blocks in a pleasing order, three blocks x four blocks. Sew the rows together, then sew the rows to each other. Press, add border, if you wish.

Then I began hearing that Joe and Andrea's family was complete after two boys. I felt sort of dumb for having made the quilt top. I almost gave it away three or four times. But something stopped me.
So a few weeks ago, when Andrea came to pick up Joey and Jack and showed us a sonogram picture with the words "It's a girl!" written on top, I remembered where I'd packed the quilt top away.

Time to finish it.
So I pressed it, cut some of that wonderful, pink dot fabric for the binding...

made my quilt sandwich
quilted it

put the binding on
and

now it's ready to give.

I'm going to make some receiving blankets to go with it.

How To Use A Wide Mouth Container For A Flower Arrangement

2011-04-29T07:02:00.001-04:00

Sometimes,you just want to use a basket or a big bowl for a flower arrangement but you just don't have enough flowers to fill the entire thing.

Select a small, narrower container that is the same height as the wide container. Fill it with water and put it in the wider container. I used a plastic kiddie cup.

I tucked foil around the cup to steady it.

Added flowers and herbs making sure the stems were in the smaller container. The flowers draped nicely and filled up the basket. You could not see the hidden inner vase...

I love it, don't you?

How To Eat A Cupcake

2011-04-28T07:00:00.002-04:00

Start by enjoying a great dinner with your family

Next ask your grannie for a carrot cake cupcake.

Settle yourself on the cushy window seat. Put the biggest pillow behind your head and relax.

Try the icing first. Yum.

Narrate your progress to the rest of the family still eating dinner.

Take your time.

What could be better?

Can Opener Problems

2011-04-21T07:01:00.000-04:00

I've had a series of can openers- all frustrating.

When I was first married, I shunned electric can openers in favor of the environment and using less electricity. (I also used cloth napkins at the table and cloth diapers for my kids). These manual can openers were basic and difficult to use. Most of the time when great strength and perseverance was applied, they worked and opened the can, but left a ragged edge. Care had to be taken to dispose of the lid and the can.

Life went on, cloth diapers became rags and I was busier outside the home so began using paper products and I got a series of electric can openers, each more frustrating and flimsy than the one before.

I think they are why I got into the habit of preferring fresh food and also why I continue to preserve some things on my own. Hours in the kitchen with the hot water bath boiling are worth all the frustration even one of those can openers caused me. Until now!

I was given a lovely can opener for Christmas, but it promptly broke. As I had no other, I hunted for another. This one looked different:

It was made in Switzerland. I remembered my visits there, the calm efficiency, the trains always on time, the landscape by the highways always free of bramble and debris. Hmmm...

I bought it. It works. It works like no other!!

Attach the device to the top of the can. It clicks into place with no trouble at all. Turn the lever on top and the can opener rotates around the top of the can. You think nothing is happening, but that's because it is so smooth and easy!

Attached to the handle is a tiny set of pliers. Use these to grasp the lid.

It comes up. Notice anything? Anything wonderful and amazing?

The entire can lid lifts up! No ragged edges, completely, astonishingly neat!

See what I mean?

Oh, I made spaghetti and meatballs with the tomatoes. Would you like the recipe?

Fill Your Garden With Hydrangeas

2011-04-11T07:06:00.000-04:00

Last year I posted a note about how to reproduce hydrangeas. Click here to see what happened!

A Reader's Review

2011-04-05T10:07:00.000-04:00

of Solomon's Puzzle

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2011
Book Review: Solomon's Puzzle
Imagine for a minute growing up the red-headed stepchild, so to speak, of a father who seemingly despises you for no apparent reason other than your mere existence that fuels his anger.

Imagine enduring a secret life of pain inflicted by the person who's supposed to love you unconditionally and ignorance from those who should be bold enough to stand up for you.

If you can't quite fathom such a life, you'll have no trouble sympathizing with teenager Ben Hunter, son of Colonel Max Hunter, a USNA graduate with skeletons that lurk deep and plentifully in his closet. When the booze doesn't quite bury the skeletons enough, an out of control temper and brute force against the son he clings to with an iron fist will try to finish the job.

Solomon's Puzzle by Loris Nebbia tells the story of this deeply afflicted father son duo. (Read more...)

Science for Preschoolers

2011-04-04T09:16:00.001-04:00

I love doing science sort of things with my grandchildren. Of course this includes cooking which is really a form of chemistry with a bit of art mixed in. But it makes sense to help them learn how the world works. They love it, too. A friend recommended this book for help in creating simple science experiments.

I like it because the experiments require simple objects commonly found around the house (such as in your junk drawer -if you have one). Balloons, twist ties, duct tape, etc.

But because this book lists the needs so plainly, I plan to create a plastic bin with items for science experiments. I'll let you know when this actually happens. Until then, on a rainy day, Joey, Jack and I did these experiments.

First we made a tornado in a bottle:

Good thing there was duct tape in the drawer.

Triumph! We did this over and over again, replacing the duct tape and fixing the imperfect seal.

Then we tried the diver/gravity experiment:

They each made a diver from tin foil. With a paper clip, we attached a bendy straw to the diver's back to simulate his breathing tank and to create a place for air to be trapped and then displaced.

They put their divers into the "tank."

At first they didn't know what would happen.

And then...

squeezing the bottle forced the lighter air out of the straw taped to the diver's back and forced the heavier water in, so he sank -- to their delight and fascination.

Next we made clay people and parachutes as suggested in the page pictured above. I don't have a picture of this because while the boys were flinging these all over the family room, I cleaned up!

Finding Things In Common at the Craft Show

2011-04-01T07:00:00.000-04:00

Right next door to us at the craft show were friends sharing a table. Tracy makes hair clips

One of the great things about Tracy's clips is that they come in different sizes. There was lots of variety of beautiful, bright, seasonal, cute clips tiny enough for little girls with just wisps of hair.

I love the clever display and I'm so glad Tracy was placed next to us again. Tracy is a hard-working professional. She's also a mom with many inspirational ideas. Turns out she wants to learn to sew... I love finding things in common with people.

Sharing her space was Julie who makes a variety of things for little girls...

These onesies have been given a tiny skirt...

By using camouflage fabric, this outfit was made to honor those in the military.

Julie hopes to sell her work on her website www.bodaciousgifts.com

and then, to end a lovely day, this nice lady gave us chocolate dipped pretzels... just to be kind. And it turns out... she's writing a book, too!

Our Friends and Family at the Craft Show

2011-03-31T08:19:00.000-04:00

What a surprise to find Valerie's sister-in-law, Liz, and her friend, Bethany, at the Glen Burnie High School Marching Band Craft Fair this spring! But there they were, around the corner from us.

Bethany and Liz at their booth

I lived the bright, colorful look of their booth and every single thing they had in it!

There are cute and colorful hair clips.

bracelets made from fabric...

Pony-tail holders made from covered buttons... how cute! And look at the packaging, the display!

Bethany also makes tutus for little twirling girls.

in every color...

Liz makes bags. She has an eye for fabric selection and her workmanship is superb!

Everything was done with artistic flair...

I like these so much better than the popular and very expensive bags at the mall!

Who wouldn't want one of these? It's fresh and pretty and made by hand.

This bag has a plethora of pockets. The bag is lined in a matching green.

I ordered a peach colored tutu for my granddaughter. Look at how beautifully Bethany wrapped it up for me!

And the tutu itself! Gorgeous. luxurious and so reasonably priced!

Visit their etsy shops and you'll fall in love, too.

Bags: lizyvonstitch.etsy.com

Hair accessories and tutus: www.etsy.com/shop/littleloopies

Quilt Show Tales Part 1: Italian Bakery

2011-03-29T07:00:00.000-04:00

At the last minute I decided to drive up to the Quilt Show in Lancaster, PA. It was a sunny day and the fields of Lancaster, farm fields look wide open, full of sky. The quilts were inspiring, lovely, amazing!

Here are details from a couple:

The workmanship was pure art!

But one has to eat while being inspired, and I hate to admit it in public, but I don't care for most of the food served in Lancaster. The pretzels stay in your stomach for about six months. There's not a good cup of tea to be found in the entire county (except at Dunkin' Donuts and that doesn't count because it's not really local fare). The food is too filling and without flavor; the last time I ate half of one of their specialty sandwiches it filled my stomach so stuffed I looked like I was 10 months pregnant, or more.

So, what to eat and where? We walked out into the sunshine and wandered a bit. It felt like 70 degrees. We saw a lovely sign, "Red Rose" and enjoyed a simple inexpensive lunch there.

But around the corner we found a gem! The sign said, Italian Bakery.

Inside was charming, warm and scented like heaven!

The display cases held the most exquisite and delicious baked goods.
We bought a crisp chocolate cookie filled with more creamy chocolate and dipped in dark chocolate.

I love the way the cookies are so neatly and beautifully displayed. So we bought some others, just to try them...wonderful!

The cakes, obviously made with skill and love.

These pastries are edible art! And I don't have a picture of the bread we bought, but it was perfect - crisp lightly floured crust, soft crumb, flavorful, light, fragrant.

Look at the biscotti! So many flavors and the display so beautifully done! I loved everything, even the color of the walls.

And they serve savories...

But when I saw the blue Lavazza cups, I knew I'd found a bit of Italy right there in Lancaster County.

And the coffee tasted heavenly! Fragrant and brisk and reminiscent of a beautiful trip we took to Italy where I first met this incomparable coffee.

Next time you're in Lancaster, visit La Dolce Vita, meet the three sisters who own the shop and enjoy the best coffee and the most delicious home baked goods.

We can't wait to go back and sample some more things!

Craft Fair Fun

2011-03-28T07:01:00.001-04:00

Two sweet people helped me at the Glen Burnie High School Marching Band Craft Fair. Karl, who carried all the heavy things and visited with the shoppers in his friendly way, and Val, whose sparkle drew lots of people to our table.

The quilts are samples made for Cottonseed Glory kits and classes. They are available for purchase there.

The bags were made by my friend Rhoda, a fabulous seamstress and quilter.

We went to the Glen Burnie Craft Fair this past December and had a great time. The kids in the marching band work at the craft fair and they were helpful and polite and just as great as could be. So when the craft fair came around again I thought it would be great to go back.

We were given the same place and so we had already made friends with the crafter's next door. That's Tracy, reading bits of Solomon's Puzzle between craft shoppers.

Valerie and Karl made it even more fun. Don't you just love them? I sure do!

Lego Loving Kids Act Now!

2011-03-25T20:16:00.000-04:00

Franklin's Toys ( formerly BeBeep in Annapolis Festival at Riva and in Severna Park) is a wonderful and friendly place for kids, parents and grandparents. They toys encourage creative play, the people there are helpful and friendly. Clean and comfortable, kids are welcome to look and exclaim.

And right now, they are holding a lego creation contest. It's easy to enter. When Joey, Jack and I went today, we found the entire experience to be refreshing and encouraging.

To enter, the kid builds a lego thing... anything he or she wants to build. Joey built a falcon plane (whatever that is) and Jack built a wagon.

Bring it to either location of Franklin's Toys.

There they will talk to the child with great interest and kindness about what the child built. I was really pleased with the way they engaged Joey and Jack in conversation about what they had made and why. Joey explained, "I love the flat pieces. I LOVE 'em."

I think he'll win for exuberance! After assigning the lego creation a number, they take a picture of the kid holding what he or she made before they carefully stand it with the picture in the display window.

the contest entries!

Entering the contest is free, takes very little time and the people at Franklin's Toys make it tons of fun.

putting their contest entries in the display windows

The children are invited back to get a prize -- just for entering, and to pick up their legos.

Joey and Jack with their lego creations and their pictures in the display window.

The contest runs until March 30.

Pajama Pants Class at Cottonseed Glory

2011-03-16T08:34:00.000-04:00

Just in case you are looking for something to do or wanting to learn a new skill, I thought I'd let you know that I'm teaching a pajama pants class at Cottonseed Glory next week on March 22. It's an evening class and promises to be lots of fun.
Here's the pajama pants you can make for yourself, your sister, your hubby, (imagine them made with manly fabric and without the contrasting accent) or for a little one.

The pattern has both adult and child sizes so it can be used for several projects.

The pajamas are easy to make and a wonderful project for a beginning seamstress.
If you are nervous about using your machine, this would be a great class to take because I plan to give pointers about that, too.

Here is an overview of the sewing skills you'll learn.

How to cut, make and apply bias tape for edging.

Pinning and sewing basics...

The contrast fabric is used to create a finished hem on the pants' legs:

I used vintage buttons at the waist...

And at the contrasting pocket on the leg! However, buttonholes are not required!

Check out Cottonseed Glory's class list, the store itself and all the beautiful fabric that would make pajama pants!

Tactile Quiet Quilt

2011-03-14T12:04:00.000-04:00

Here's a simple quilt to make for your little one. Inside each mitten the child can find a different texture to investigate.

Choose a variety of fabrics or the background blocks. You can make 4, 8, 9 or as many mittens as you'd like to make.
Choose bright colors for the mittens
Collect trims for the mitten cuffs
Gather all sorts of materials with different textures for inside the mittens.
The idea is that the child can sneak his hand into the mitten and guess what texture is in there.

I suggest the following:
a strip of plastic netting,
a satin ribbon
a zipper
buttons sewed on securely
furry fabric
fleece
crinkly fabric
a strip of plastic bag
a strip of velvet
the fringe of a scarf I was cutting up because it had holes in it
both sides of velcro
a strip of corduroy placed horizontally

Trace a mitten on a piece of cardboard or plastic to create your mitten shape. Make sure that the cuff is wide enough for a small hand to sneak in.
3. Trace mitten shapes (as many as you need -- 1 for each block) onto of freezer paper and cut them out. Iron this, shiny side down to the back or wrong side of the mitten fabric. Add 1/4 inch all around and cut out. Now, without removing the freezer paper, press the 1/4 inch seam under, that is back onto the mitten shape and freezer paper. Glue the edges down with washable glue stick to keep it in place until you sew it.

Add the trim to the cuff.
Place the textural strips in the center of each block and sew in place.
Pin the mitten over the texture strip. Applique in place using your favorite method. I use a stitch on my machine that looks like hand applique blanket stitch. I set it on narrow width and tiny stitches. It helps to use thread (top and bottom) that matches the mitten.

Sew the appliqued blocks together, arranging the rows so that the colors are pleasing. Finish by adding borders, and quilting around the mittens to make them stand out.

Something for a Rainy Day

2011-03-08T19:38:00.000-05:00

Next time it's a rainy day and you or your children are bored, consider a trip to Whole Foods. There's one simple reason why -- ostrich and emu eggs!

They cost $19.00 each, but you can see them up close. The ostrich eggs are ivory colored and they have a lizard skin sort of texture.

The emu eggs are blue green! It's like something Dr. Seuss might have imagined.

I actually thought about buying one of each (how to justify the expense!) and making a small hole in each end to extract the innards without damaging the shell. Then I could wash out the shell and keep it. But then I thought... what would I actually do with a ginormous eggshell? (Any ideas?) So I took pictues instead.

Now, if only they'd get goose and duck and quail eggs in...

All Things Country Finds Springtime!

2011-03-03T07:00:00.001-05:00

All Things Country is a wonderful shop with an inspiring motto:
Bringing Beauty To Life One Home at a Time.
This idea appeals to me and I was thrilled when they hosted a book signing for Solomon's Puzzle recently.
The shop has been transformed to welcome Spring!

As soon as I walked in to All Things Country, I was greeted by their friendly golden retriever, who kept me company all after noon. A moment later, I met a friend-- and the rest of the day was just that warm. Friends and family stopped by to say 'hi' and I made many new friends.

There were a few minutes here and there to look around and to visit with the friendly staff. The displays show beautiful ways to make your home sparkle.

Everyone who stopped to talk remarked about how pretty this teapot looked.

The window display shows the transition from winter to spring.

I can just imagine these imaginative lanterns in the garden, can't you?

Who wouldn't want this lovely wreath on the front door?

Vintage and cute...

and special things to make your home beautiful.

I love these unusual Easter things and so did the shops many visitors. Some people stayed for an hour or more, visiting, looking, planning. I caught bits of conversation, heard how encouraging the staff was, noticed how friends gathered in this special place.

Love the cute, fat rabbit!

When you visit All Things Country, you'll leave with treasures for your home, but your heart will be warmed by this special, friendly place.

Upcycle Play and Learn

2011-03-02T07:00:00.000-05:00

Valerie has a way of taking what's at hand and making lots and lots of fun out of it.
She had a big cardboard box.
She didn't throw it out.
Oh, no!
She and Andrew cut windows and a door so Clare could have her own little play house in her own little room.
Not only that, but...
they decorated it!

The house has flowers drawn on the side with artistic flair. When people visit, they help decorate the house, too.

There's a scallop shingled roof!

Clare uses it for a quiet place to read.

Just so her family would feel welcome, Clare has pictures of everyone (drawn by her mom) on the walls. She knows each one. Notice the pictures of her favorite wildlife as well.

The other wall has pictures of shapes that Clare is learning. Val turns each into a different facial expression denoting familiar emotions!

Clare can imitate these, too.

This is "worried."

It Happened Again!

2011-03-01T07:01:00.000-05:00

Andrea wanted me to update her nursery curtains for her new baby girl.
We thought we'd add some rickrack.
But somehow...
it didn't seem quite right.
I thought it need a bit more love.
And as my friend Jo-Ann says, the love was simply pouring into my fingers so...

I also had more fabric to fabric web glue and so I pressed that onto the same fabric I used to update the crib skirt and the wall hanging. I cut flowers from that fabric and pressed them onto the middle points of the curtain, the two edges and then halfway between those two points. It looked cute but... unfinished.

But then I remembered a blog called How About Orange. They had directions for making three dimensional flowers.

I happened to have some fabric stiffener and followed the directions on How About Orange, making a few changes. I watered down the fabric stiffener and I let the fabric dry a bit before putting it in the microwave for just 30 seconds (the fumes are pretty strong -- just to warn you if you try it).

Rather than cut the flowers out by hand, I used the paper cutter machine I bought for making stuff for Val and Andrew's wedding (thanks Val and Andrew for getting married and having your wedding here so I would have to buy things I'm still using!).

Turns out it cuts fabric as well!

I had just a piece of the bright pink dot, so I made 3 covered buttons.

As I assembled the flowers, I knew I wanted layers. With the iron, I creased the flowers so that they would keep a three dimensional look. I slit the center to fit in the shank of the covered button.

And somehow put it all together! I used the flowers I'd ironed on as a backdrop and the three dimensional flowers seemed to grow out of them!

I added more.

It just kept getting prettier...

and brighter...

with green button flower centers, too.

I hope she likes the lady bug...

and I hope she feels the love! After all, babies are worth celebrating.

A Special Moment

2011-02-28T07:00:00.004-05:00

True it happened at Christmas,
but I was just remembering what a special moment it was.
I think I loved it because it meant community to me.
It seems that here in Annapolis,
it's easy to be friends with people in any generation.
Annapolis has all the best qualities of a small town.

For instance, my friends Brianne Leith and Lacey Wheatley arranged an event at Vivo! I had a quick visit with Brianne's mother, a colleague and friend, and was happy to see Lacey's mother-in-law, Susan Wheatley, who used to watch long baseball games with me.

Brianne and her mom, Laurell pictured at the counter. Friends Ben and Tara not only browsed in the background but saved my car from being towed.

I was to sign my books for people who wanted to buy one while Valerie sang Christmas songs!

Vivo was crowded with shoppers for Midnight Madness. And one of the best moments was when Molly, one of Val's voice students, sang with her.

Lots of friends stopped by to cheer us including Molly's fans... who are also friends.

New Fabrics for Spring at Cottonseed Glory

2011-02-25T07:01:00.002-05:00

Oh, look at the oranges and reds!

The patterns and stripes...

More of the popular bright blue and green, teal and turquoise arrived, too.

And my favorite shade of purple is in style this year!

I love it paired with orange and gold. It looks like spring crocus.

A favorite at the shop are these butterfly and bird prints... exquisite!

Amy Butler's new fabric line, Soul Blossoms, seen here

displayed with other Amy Butler designs

Just as gorgeous up close...

The collection displayed below is called Central Park!

I love it. I love the combination of orange and that favorite purple and gold and green.

They added a print with animals to celebrate the Central Park Zoo! So clever and beautiful.

So many possibilities to add to the beauty of your home, to make baby quilts or quilts for those going away to college... or for any reason!

These striking blacks, whites and reds are new.

And some fun things designed in the style of the Maxine of Hallmark fame.

Hope you'll stop by to see the lovely, new choices at Cottonseed Glory. You can use these beautiful, high quality fabrics in any of the classes offered. I think every single one pictured would work well in the upcoming beginning sewing, pajama pants class (child or adult size) on March 22 taught by... me!

Further Adventures of The Chesapeake Boys

2011-02-24T07:00:00.000-05:00

As you can see,
we've gotten much better at cooperating
and making our chocolate pancakes
(which have lots of hidden healthy ingredients).
I posted the recipe and method for these in another blog.
This time the boys were fascinated to watch the little bubbles form as the pancakes cooked.

And because it was a nice day,

we went to the water side, to throw small rocks

and visit all the places we've missed in the freezing weather.

We wanted to check on our favorite animals. The boys were hoping to hear the great blue heron squawk as it lifted up in flight, but it wasn't to be seen.

We got not even a glimpse of the Great Chesapeake Whale spotted so often when they were younger and their eyes for such things that much better.

They did find a length of fishing line so Joey and I made a rod using a twig for a "hook." It worked well-- on the seaweed which they fished up onto the dock, onto their clothes and into their hair.

That's when Jack saw what he insisted was the Great Chesapeake Eel.

May they long keep their keen and perceptive vision!

Remember those Kimono Style PJ's?

2011-02-23T07:00:00.001-05:00

The ones I made for Clare?

I made a pair of boy-style for my baby grandson.

Just as cute for boys!

Laurie MacBride's Chocolate Scottie and Snowflake Cookies

2011-02-21T21:13:00.001-05:00

Laurie MacBride’s Chocolate Shortbread Scottie and Snowflake Cookies

Posted on February 21, 2011 by Loris Nebbia

These wonderful cookies were imagined while I was writing Solomon’s Puzzle. I was describing the quilt store Eight Hands Around and remembering how hungry and tea-thirsty I always feel when shopping for fabric or trying to plan a project. The shelves of fabric grouped by color filling the space were familiar to me– hadn’t I dreamed about it while wandering through Cottonseed Glory and other quilt shops? I could imagine the gestures of caring and friendship that flowed from the shop. Hadn’t I been uplifted by such communities and hoped for such when I was alone? I could feel the cozy, bright feeling of being in the shop, but what would be served in this cafe in the back? I could imagine the cafe with its warm- colored walls and rich espresso scent, the crisp tablecloths, creamy roses on the table. Hmmm. (Read more...)