a second look

• Oftentimes, things deserve a second look. For me today, it has meant relooking at photos I took last September. I happened across these on a flash drive & knew I'd never posted them. Dad still lived in his house. His next door neighbor had these lime green sheets on the line. The more I look at these photos the more I enjoy them. I even like them in black & white. This green is symbolic of spring despite the forecast of snow tomorrow . . .

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creativity

I enjoy listening to Ira Glass on NPR radio with his show "This American Life". I ran across this short video he made on creativity. He's talking about writing but he could be talking about anything else. For me I would relate it to sewing & photography. I've made awful stuff with both, but I try to take time to keep working on getting better (although the photography has suffered lately). I hope you find this inspirational too.

Connie

I had the pleasure of spending some time with my sister, Connie, this weekend. I wish she lived closer. I wish I spent more time with her. We did some catching up & I took a photograph of her to complete my "sister collection". We meant to all get together last year & circumstances kept that from happening. Connie is the baby girl of the family so I always feel a bit protective of her. Texting & phone calls don't replace spending time together but they help maintain a connection in between visits.

I made it out to visit Dad again today. We visited Dale & Colleen and then stopped by to see Geri, his sister. We enjoyed our visit. She talked about how she finds herself remembering childhood events. Often while doing nothing of much importance. She couldn't recall anything specific for me (kind of like a dream). At one time she made wedding cakes & she reminisced a bit about that. She & Dad usually find something to talk & laugh about. I enjoy being around when they are together.

the Great British Sewing Bee

If you enjoy sewing or listening to people with a British accent you will like this show. I've also watched the second show & loved them both. I'm not sure I can find this on tv so glad to find it here! They eliminate two people each time so there should be four episodes.

April

I drove out on Friday & visited Dad. We then visited his sister, Geri. She was glad to see us. I was worried about wearing her out & didn't want to stay long but when we got ready to leave she wished we could've stayed longer. We were both glad to see her. The past month has been very difficult for her & her family; we are hopeful that she is healing this time. We've had rain & snow this past week. The grass in town is greening up. The fields & ditches along highway 6 are showing signs of spring also. Finally!

crayon tote bag

I made a crayon tote for a coworker, Deb, last year. I was a bit disappointed with how it turned out although she says her grandson uses it all the time. I used this tutorial & when I sewed the handles further apart it made the bag curl if there wasn't anything it it. So then I found this tutorial & added a pocket for the crayons (it holds ten) & put another pocket on to hold snacks or pencils. I embroidered fish on it as Deb wanted fish & mentioned it after I had this fabric picked out. It's kind of wrinkly because it is canvas & I prewashed it and couldn't get those wrinkles ironed out. Next time I'll skip that step. This time I was much happier with the results.

Clarabelle

Meet Clarabelle! She joined our family last Wednesday. She's two. We are adopting her from Basset & Beagle Rescue of the Heartland. She's adjusted well to her new home. She is much like Jack in many ways, so we are often reminded of him in watching her. I like that. I also like that she is already housebroken. She has so much energy & Zeke sometimes tries to keep up with her. We are happy to have her in our lives!

Audrey's dress

Becky sent me these photos of Audrey wearing a dress she sewed using Mom's Bernina. I am very impressed. It looks like a fairly complicated pattern. I think I spot a zipper too (I usually steer away from patterns with zippers). I am impressed with her sewing skills & really just happy that Mom's sewing machine is having such fun. And Becky too! Good job!

Vermont

Don made a trip to Vermont last week. He was walking along these tracks & says he thought about me. Knew what I would do if I were there . . . take a photo! My hubby thinks of me now when he sees railroad tracks. How sweet is that!

Amish country

Don & I visited Austin & Yizhi this past weekend. On Saturday, Austin took us for a drive in the country. We visited several Amish country stores & I found spices, brown eggs & rice. We drove by farmsteads with navy blue dresses hanging on the lines. Don & I smiled when we spotted a Beagle in a roadside ditch. We enjoyed fresh doughnuts at a bakery. And at one of our stops I spotted this horse & buggy parked along with the cars. A wonderful spring day to be outdoors.