Celebrations

May was a busy month. My granddaughter, Mae-Mae, turned three. My grandson graduated from
Kindergarten. My two oldest granddaughters had dance recitals and finished up their ball season. They did great in both. My oldest daughter celebrated her birthday and we had a bridal shower for her. We decided on a burlap and lace theme (in case you couldn't tell);) Thank you, Pinterest, for the inspiration!

I made these little gift bags out of plain brown sacks

(3 for a $1.00) and added cup up lace doilies and twine for

the bow.

My daughter's friend had this old window at home and it

was perfect for a backdrop.

My daughter bought the burlap banner and stamped the hearts on the pendants.

My daughter wrapped Mason jars in burlap and lace and used simple

Baby's Breath for the arrangements.

     

Nature Hike

After a week of freakish storms and cleaning up storm debris I relished the beautiful weather that we have been blessed with these past couple of days. I wanted to get away for a few hours, so my daughter and I took the children on a nature hike nearby. It's a mile and half walk on top of a mountain.

Perfect spot to pose for a picture.

We counted at least nine turtles.

My 3-year old granddaughter explores the old homestead cabin.

A little chapel in the woods.

Easter

I hope everyone had a blessed Easter. Here are some images from my Easter.

I made the cross designs using strips of masking tape.

 

My attempt at cupcake decorating.

 

I bought these little bags at the Dollar General. I

didn't go overboard with the candy.

 

My little granddaughter looking rather glum,

but she cheered right up once she found some Easter eggs.

 

 

What Easter is really about.

 

April Showers (Blessings)

We celebrated my middle granddaughter's birthday this past weekend.

She is seven. She has a big heart and is a little fashion diva. She is a good sister, too.

Everyone loves her.

I made some Black Forest Cherry Cupcakes. They turned out pretty good.

My backyard looks an unkempt bag lady, but that's okay.

She is surrounded by purple flowers.

The downtown park in Spring. I love this time of year, so I

can take pictures of the cherry blossoms.

The Japanese bridge

Feeding the fish

Sunshine and Daffodils

We have had some gorgeous weather these past few days. Sunshine. Spring. 70 degree temperatures. Longer days, thanks to daylight savings. Daffodils blooming.

 

And now the forecast is for rain and cold tomorrow. Darn! I knew it couldn't last!

 

 

A good friend of mine sent me this Lenten cross along with the readings

and accessories. I think it is the nicest gift that anyone ever gave me.

 

 

Last weekend I took my three oldest grandchildren (ages 5,6 & 9) to see a local high school production of "Shrek, the Musical". It was hilarious and so much fun! I was so proud of the

kids because they were very well-behaved through the (almost) three hour production.

One of the characters, who played the midget Lord Farquard (on his knees, in a costume), intrigued my grandson. He asked me, "Mawmaw, is he a grown-up?" This was their first play and they were enchanted  by the elaborate costumes and dance numbers.

 

 

 

 

Breathing

From "Daily Strengths" These simple words are so profound.

"I do not know when I have had happier times in my soul, than when I have been sitting at work, with nothing before me but a candle and a white cloth, and hearing no sound but that of my own breath, with God in my soul and heaven in my eye....I rejoice in being exactly what I am, - a creature capable of loving God, and who, as long as God lives, must be happy. I get up and look for a while out of the window, and gaze at the moon and stars, the work of the Almighty hand. I think of the grandeur of the universe, and then sit down, and think myself one of the happiest beings in it.
(A poor Methodist woman, 18th century)

How to Make a Pillowcase Dress

This is my first attempt in writing sewing instructions. If you have simple sewing experience this is super simple. I am a self-taught seamstress. My husband actually taught me how to sew in our early marriage. He had taken Home Economics in high school. I was not very domestic at that time.
I have collected several pillowcases through the years, picking them up at thrift stores. I prefer 100% cotton, but most are cotton/poly blends. Of course, it goes without saying that you don't want them to be faded or worn and pretty ginghams or pastel patterns work best for little girls.

I found this pretty yellow pillowcase at Goodwill. Someone

has lovingly cross-stitched the trim. This is perfect for a sewing project and

literally only costs pennies to make.

Some people prefer to use a pattern, especially if you are making a brand new dress. If you use a

pillowcase a pattern is not necessary. This pattern uses wide single-fold bias tape

for the arms and casing, but you can also make your own if you have enough fabric.

You can use 5/8 ribbons for the ties (approximately 2 1/2 yards) or make your own ties

from the same or contrasting fabric.

After deciding the length of your dress

fold over the top part of the pillowcase and

cut straight across.

Fold the pillowcase and cut out the arm holes, leaving room

at the top for the casing.

With the leftover fabric fold on the diagonal

and cut your bias strips. I am an impatient seamstress;

I don't like to pin or measure if I don't have to.

Afterall, this is not a formal dress.

Cut tiny notches in the curved arm holes to make

it easier to sew on the bias strips.

Fold down the top part of the dress 1/2 inch and press

and then fold over again approximately 1 1/4 inch to form

the casing. Cut your ribbons 1 yard each or shorter for a

smaller garment.

You can use a safety pin to pull the ribbon through the casing.

Adjust on both sides and tie into bows.

In less than an hour you will have a pretty little

dress to give away to a favorite little girl or donate

to a charity.

A Childhood Christmas in Germany

As I have written before, I lived with my grandmother in Germany until I was six years old. I still have vivid memories of those years living with her, especially during the holidays.

Stollen

 Lebkuchen

Anise oookies

Hazelnut cookies

Bars of Swiss Chocolate

Oranges wrapped in tissue

Frost on the windows

New hats and mittens

A freshly cut Christmas tree

Narrow streets with snow piled high

Softly fallen snow twinkling beneath the stars

Fire burning brightly in the wood stove

Sausages wrapped in butcher paper

Crusty Bauern Brot (farmer's rye bread)

My uncle pretending to be St. Nicholas

Yummy Apple Strudel fresh from the oven

Church bell ringing at midnight on Christmas Eve

Merry Christmas!

Frohe Weihnachten!

The little town I was born in.

Christmas Crafts and Cookies

Guess what I've been doing? Yes, baking cookies and making crafts with the grandchildren.

 

 Here are the birdhouses that the children painted and decorated. Of course, I had to help the two-year old. She was more interested in painting herself;)

 

"Rudolph" is nothing more than an inexpensive washcloth and a bar of soap.

I helped the kids make these as little gifts. They loved them!

A Christmas Memory

This time of year always takes me back to childhood memories of Christmases spent in Germany. From ages 11-15 we lived in Landstuhl, Germany in government housing, or quarters as we called them. Landstuhl was on top of a hill and was about as close to a picturesque German town as you would find.

It had woods and forests to explore and an old historic tower to climb. The caretaker sold little drinks like Capri Suns for a few pfennigs. Landstuhl had the largest military hospital in Germany. In fact, many of the military Dads were assigned to the hospital or to local artillery batteries (my father was one of them). At Christmas the post would be lit up from all the Christmas lights and decorations on the balconies. My mother would prepare for the holidays in early December, baking dozens of cookies that she put away. Of course we would sneak a few to sample. A fresh tree was put up with tinsel and old-fashioned bulb lights about a week before Christmas. Oma, my German grandmother, usually made the trip by train, arriving in her fur hat and coat, for once not wearing her everyday apron, bearing gifts for all of us. Christmas music played throughout our house from my parents’ stereo and to this day Jim Reeves Christmas album is one of my all-time favorites. The house was filled with family and friends. The air was full of joy and anticipation. Our Christmas gifts were simple, but plentiful. New pajamas; a sweater from Oma, books for me, games and puzzles, and one year, a guitar that I’d been longing for. We hoped for snow on Christmas day, so all the kids who got sleds would head to the “hill” to go sledding. We didn’t come home until the dim hours of the afternoon, brushing off the snow and ready to thaw out.

Christmas Around the House

I am posting a few more pictures of what I call "Christmas Vignettes". My house is rather small, so I only put up a little tree, but I love to decorate around the house.

I like to frame favorite Christmas cards and place

them around the house.

In the foyer

My $5.00 bargain tree all dressed up

Old Christmas card made into an ornament.

Nativity snowglobes

Tree angel

My favorite doll ornament