"Sew"--A Needle Pulling Thread

Needles and thread. Fabric, tape measures and patterns. Buttons, zippers and snaps. Scissors, pins and seam guides. Shiny, sharp, dangerous, fun, these tools have always been a source of great fascination for me. By being familiar with them and their uses, I learned, at an early age about making clothes, for myself and for others.



My grandma, AnnaBelle, taught me everything I knew about sewing. I remember being 4 or 5, sitting next to her while she used her sewing machine. Fascinated by the whirring sound it made, only when she pressed her foot on the pedal that was on the floor. Watching as the thread mysteriously disappeared through the fabric, only to come up and make a real stitch because there was thread underneath the surface as well, from something called a bobbin. Fun to say and fun to consider, sometimes a challenge to fill: the bobbin!



When fabric shopping, she and I would begin looking at the fabric immediately to the left as we walked in to a fabric store, and gradually make our way through the entire store. This could take hours. Neither of us wanting to miss anything, and neither of us in much of a hurry, as we were completely enjoying this escape to our own dream world!



Touching, each bolt of fabric, and discussing how we would use it, what it could become, whether we actually ever did it or not wasn't important, we were discussing dreams and ideas and things that 'could be'--or no, this would not work at all! There was comfort in knowing that there was no one that cared but us.

On these shopping excursions, textures were always important to consider. Corduroy, or sear-sucker, it didn't matter, except we should consider the season for which we'd be using the garment, corduroy does not work in summer, nor sear-sucker in winter. No visit to a fabric store would be complete, however, without another hour or so with the stacks of pattern books. This was the place I learned about lines of the garment the difference is that there are classic lines and lines that 'date' the garment, and when you are sewing within a budget, you must know and consider the difference.

We share a love for beautiful fabric, and a unique conversational trait with each other--describing in detail color and texture and designs because we know it will interest the other. She's described everything from her friend's wall paper to the floral pattern of her new love seat, to the color and fabric of her new blouse. And, if we re-do a room in our home, she wants to hear every detail, colors we've used, or even thought about, types of curtains, and the upholstery fabric choices--down to the last tassel on a pillow.





AnnaBelle could construct clothing items without use of a paper pattern. She probably used a pattern for this, but I remember a medium blue velvet swing coat she made herself in the late 60's that was exquisite...it had large self-fabric covered buttons and was lined with soft shiny same-color satin. I loved sitting in her dining room watching her create as much as I loved nosing through the fabric stores with her. I can still smell her perfume and the steam from the iron she used to make the seams perfectly crisp...hearing the ice in her lemon tea clink as she'd take a drink...and hearing her laugh when it looked good and came together well, or stand at the ironing board and almost whine I could just cry when it didn't turn out so good.


Of course, she made most of my clothes, beautiful things, until about the time I began Jr. High. By the time I started High school, she had moved over 1,000 miles away. I began sewing for myself, a little before she moved. But I kept sewing more and more until, I loved it so much that, sewing was all I wanted to do (ask my sister!).


Finally, I'm certain as a peace-keeping measure for our household, I was only allowed to sew during the summer. If I sewed during school months, I'm pretty sure I would not have done any home work, or perhaps felt it necessary to attend school at all. I enjoyed it so much, and found such satisfaction in the process that I would dream of designing and making clothing of all kinds, evening gowns, to skirts and blouses, purses to suits, I loved all things fabric.


Probably so I wouldn't stayed holed up in our home my entire high school years, I was encouraged to get a part time job. So my first job was a checker at a grocery store, forcing me to become face to face with complete strangers and their daily food choices. (hmmmm....I see another topic to write about in that sentence!)

This job was good for me and my love for all things fabric because soon I had saved up enough money to purchase a really good sewing machine. A Kenmore, my very own, and it cost just over $700, a lot of money in 1978. Grandma coached me through that purchase through many phone conversations and continued to talk me through difficult projects and garments that I made over the next many years.

By sewing I learned valuable life lessons, grandma taught me: if the seam isn't straight, then rip it out--don't be afraid of this--always take your time, and make it right. Another lesson was about being as conservative as possible when planning and laying out the pattern pieces on the uncut fabric--measure and re-pin as many times as needed.


Both valuable lessons: one having to do with the overall appearance of the garment, the other having to do with keeping the costs low.


Lessons or not, I still have such an appreciation for beautiful fabrics and textures! I am so thankful that I was greatly loved and wonderfully influenced by such an accomplished seamstress!--AnnaBelle!

Eleven NOT Seven

Cooking a new recipe may not be a great thing to try on Christmas day, but the risk was worth the outcome. It turned out delicious even considering that I am such an novice cook. Due to my cooking experiment, I needed to wake up and get busy at 5am. Yes, on Christmas morning.



It's a good thing I love to get up early each day. On this Christmas morning gave me much time to read the Christmas story (go ahead, read it--Luke 1-2--I love Mary's prayer in Luke 1) and pray over the day. There was also time for me to think and plan all the details for the day.


A Merry Little Christmas--our family around the dining room table and a snow covered neighborhood in view through our windows. The Lord has greatly blessed our family and He blessed our table this Christmas, as well--that we were able to have all our kids and grand kids around it together...never to be taken for granted again, ever.



Laughter is a gift we enjoy when we are all together. Before one bite of food had been eaten, we laughed until we cried. On holidays, we 'toast' the occasion with sparkling grape juice. Today, I asked my husband if he was ready to toast...and he told me to go ahead and say it for Christmas. This surprised me but I raised my glass for the occasion, and encouraged everyone else to do the same. As I raised my glass, I said these words: "This Christmas as we think about 2007, we should look forward to all the..." and, that is as far as I got. My daughters were, by this time looking at me like I had said something they did not understand, and so I stopped talking. The kids started laughing, then I started laughing...then we cried because we were laughing so hard. We decided I had had enough Christmas banana punch. (and not one drop of alcohol was involved) Why I said 2007, and NOT 2011 is beyond me. I can only say that they do rhyme...perhaps that is why the word seven came out of my mouth instead of eleven. At any rate, and for what ever reason to give us laughter. Much laughter--the best gift of all!



Board games this evening, and now Christmas movies. Only the movies we haven't seen this season.


Truly, a Merry Little Christmas. During this time of year, we hear a song that has a lyric that goes something like: 'Why can't every day be like Christmas?' Good question.

I'm looking forward to putting away all the decorations and preparing for the new experiences 2011 holds. I don't know what they are and yet I'm certain I will not be disappointed. I never am. There is always something new to think about, consider, experience, or plan!

I hope you had a Merry Little Christmas, yourself--I also hope that YOU will embrace the fact that the God of the universe has had this year of your life in mind before you were born, every detail, and you can rest knowing that nothing that is happening to you, or will happen to you is a surprise to Him. He loves you, unconditionally, and He's excited to see how you will bring glory and honor back to His name through each new experience, while you wait for His return!

And, while "2007" for me must have been a really good year, my hope is that you will be blessed beyond measure in 2011!

Over Forty Years of Slumber Parties...hmmmmm...

An oxymoron, I love that word. Oxymoron: slumber party. I have always loved slumber parties. I was allowed to host my first slumber party when I was 8 or 9. This party was the beginning of my love for gathering friends together in order to celebrate. Today, I love women's retreats, attending, planning and packing for them, but most of all creating an environment to celebrate friendships--a time to let your hair down.

As I think back to that very first slumber party, I'm amazed that my mom took the risk. I remember who was there, and I remember LOTS of running--all night long--all over our house,. We did not run in or to my parent's room--it was strictly off limits--not to mention the fact that my mom was probably in there, praying for quiet and repenting for allowing such an event to even take place.

The next slumber party was much more drama-filled. This is what happens when 8-10 thirteen year olds, overloaded on sugar and sleep deprived try to make sense of their lives. My birthday is in the summer, and so, my party was always in the summer. All of us were sitting n the front porch of my house in the dark...trying to scare each other. My Grandma Sisk was sitting inside our living room with my mom. They could hear us through the screen, and my sweet innocent Grandma made a noise that made all of us scream and run in to the house in lightening speed! This was the year my friends got on the roof of our house, and I thought my mom was going to have a stroke as she prepared breakfast, thinking that this would cause our roof to leak.

When I was in eighth grade, I got to have a slumber party with only two friends. One of the girls was from out of town, and the three of us had become close the previous summer at church camp. On the first night, peanut butter and jelly became smeared all over everything in our living room, including our hair and sleeping bags. The next day my dad almost had a stroke because the three of us took a very long walk and we hadn't told anyone where we were going. Consider, this was before cell phones and beepers. My parents spent 2-3 hours looking for us. Oh my, when they did find us, glass packs on my dad's pick up were revved up. This sound was always in proportion with how agitated he might be over a certain event. This event registered: off the charts.

Through the years, slumber parties were always here. The year our oldest hosted 18 of her closest friends, also measured: off the charts! This party proved to be fun for everyone--except the parents, this party also was the time when our precious family vacation videos were 'taped' over to make way for pre-teen girls to be silly and take videos of their own made up game shows...hilarity rules, and has for many years. I remember thinking, as I was shaking from lack of sleep while preparing breakfast, I am too old for this! But, truth be told, the twins have also hosted slumber parties. I figured at some point, I have been hosting slumber parties for 40 years.

Why am I writing about slumber parties? I don't know, except I'm contemplating one coming up. Tonight, three of our girls are having a sleep over, at our oldest daughter's home. Next week, I get to meet a good friend from out of town. We haven't seen each other in a couple of years. We have much talking and laughing to do! We won't be climbing on to the roof, or running all night long, or smearing pbj all over the place, or trying to scare each other. But we will laugh and talk MUCH. And, this time: truly slumber.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Reason for Wonderful #1: The mail box is a happy place to go. Yes, they are arriving. Those cards that people send during this time of year: The Christmas Card. Not too many traditional ones any more. Many are pictures of the sender with their families, smiling from various points of interest. I love opening each one, sometimes a hand-written note is included, sometimes just the sender's name is written. I love the variety in people and the variety in the way the send their seasonal greetings. My mom--even though she isn't Martha Stewart--has started making her greeting cards. She works with card stock, a hole punched design and metallic thread. Her creations are truly gorgeous. I love receiving them, not just a Christmas, but through out the whole year.

Reason for Wonderful #2: Wrapping paper and ribbon are everywhere. Scissors, tape and a pen are all necessary tools for this time consuming but fun task. And, the mystery of what's inside becomes an added bonus to torment the girls. Helpful hint jsut for you: after Christmas sales are a great place to stock up on wired ribbon...in various colors and varieties, and it is very forgiving for package wrapping, if the present gets stacked and the bow gets smashed, the wire is easily re-shaped in to a gorgeous bow with little trouble.

Reason for Wonderful #3: Music--the music of the season, is amazing. Randy and I sat in wonder last night as we waited for his show to come on. On the PBS station, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir was singing in front of 21,000 people. That choir, including children, an orchestra and dancers had around 600 members. I can only imagine what that would have been like in person. Truly beautiful. We will soon be traveling to hear the choir that a dear friend in Northern IL directs, we will, I'm certain, sit in wonder as we listen to this choir, as well.

Reason for Wonderful #4: Food and Family and Friends. I can't think of any of these without thinking of them all. All at once. Our kids are truly blessings to us, and we look forward to enjoying Christmas dinner with them. Connecting with friends during this season is sometimes hard to coordinate, but so worth it. And, food. It's fudge season, enough said.

Reason for Wonderful #5: It might snow. There could be snow days, that will help slow things down to an enjoyable level, away from the rush of our lives. Actually enjoying one of these days: today.

Reason for Wonderful, for me, #6: Books. I will begin seminary in January, so I have begun to order the books I'll need---and they are starting to arrive, one package at a time. Each one becoming a new, sweet friend to get to know. I just love paper and ink.

Six reasons. I could go on and on, siting reason after reason. Instead, I urge you to write out your own reasons for wonder during this Most Wonderful Time of Year.

Yes, Curb-Side Pick UP--Oh, MY!

No, we've had curb-side pick up for trash collection for a long time. I'm talking about curb-side pick up for our things that can be recycled. Of course, if we were living in our grandparent's time, there would be no need for this procedure, as they could find a use for just about everything!

This 'new' procedure is one more added responsibility for Mallory on the evening before 'trash day'!

Last week, Randy & I pulled up to our home just in time to see a white haired man running from our front porch to a pick up truck idling in the street! Hilarious! Small town or not, it was funny! Being Christmas season and all, I thought he was leaving us a beautiful present! Oh, no! He was leaving us a beautiful blue colored tub, a laminated calendar and instructions about the things we can and cannot include in this endeavor! Ya gotta love it!

And so, knowing myself as I do, I know that I will put things 'in the tub' if I can 'see the tub'...so it has taken a great spot in our kitchen right next to the refrigerator!

My dilemma today is: it's icy and wet outside. If I put that tub outside, it will get cold and possibly crack plus the fact that someone's jam hands from emptying it will make it grimy! Then I have to put the thing back in the kitchen so I will remember to use it...I am not too excited about the possibility of having a yukky plastic tub in sight all the time. As you can tell, I'm having some anxiety about this crazy new routine called recycling! And, it was extremely hard for me to leave our precious, shiny, clean tub by the curb.

In the spirit of helping our environment, though, it is now outside, in the cold, in the snow...waiting to be emptied by a different white haired man (who hopefully does not possess jam hands) at some point during the day!

Just pick it up, I'll dry it off! I don't like thinking that I will have to repair the inevitable cracks made from extreme out door temperatures we will encounter this winter! Can you say: duct tape comes in all colors!!!

Twelve Days 'til Christmas!--Yipee!!!

Here we are, twelve days before Christmas. Anticipation rising. So many things to do 'before Christmas.' Where to begin is always a question!

Instead of beginning, though, I just want to sit by the fire and knit or read and sip a hot beverage! A snow-covered neighborhood always helps me align my priorities!--Just give me a good book, The Good Book, a cozy afghan, a warm fire, a mug of coffee or hot tea and I'm satisfied until the next thaw!

As Christmas quickly approaches, it feels good to think that our family will be together! The laughter, the tears (there's always tears with a two year old in the mix), the hilarious and serious conversations that will inevitably fill our home--the food and the presents, the lights and the music--there will be music and dancing! It's going to be so much fun! I can get so caught up in all the preparations, though, and lose sight of why we celebrate... Why are we doing all this?

Somehow, I do not think this is what God had in mind when He sent His only Son, Jesus! I think it makes God smile, however, when families enjoy being together! It is hard to think of Jesus in everything we DO to celebrate His birth... all the traditions, all the demands on our time, all the preparations. Is HE really in all that?

Of course, my hope would be that He permeates every 'little' thing we do... but I do not want to kid myself. The truth is, we DO a lot of those things to please others, or some crazy expectation we've placed on ourselves to have the 'perfect holiday'! (my mom has a sign in her kitchen that I LOVE--it says: "OK, So, I'm not Martha Stewart--Adjust!" Go mom...I'm NOT EITHER!!!) Over the years, I've cut out considerably the things I just "HAD" to do! And, I'm thankful to continue to 'do' other things forever!

And so, without sounding cynical or condescending, I would urge you to slow down, enjoy the moment and praise God. The GOD of the Universe, who knew us in our greatest need, and met us there.

Remember, we needed a Saviour, and that's exactly what He sent us so many many years ago in His perfect Son, Jesus Christ.

Praise His Name Forever! Emmanuel, God with Us!

Here we GO!!!!

"Oh, oh, ooo-oh!" (You can't hear me singing, but try!) "Here we GO!"

That's the way "Today is the Day" starts out on the cd I have...and that's the way I'm feeling this morning!

Christmas season is HERE...ready or not...so HERE WE GO! Years ago, when we only had two kids and zero dollars, Randy and I would Christmas shop..He wearing his 'Christmas tree' denim shirt and me in my Christmas sweater and crazy ear rings. (OK, I've repented, so forgiveness, please, fashion police!)

Now, we don't plan the wardrobe so much as the list, the coupons, and the comfortable shoes and a power nap in the middle of the afternoon! (made possible with the seat of the vehicle in the reclining position!) Can you say: getting older is hilarious!

And so, it has truly begun! Christmas shopping is almost done. The children's Christmas program is tomorrow evening, and the tree is up! I have a list of zillion things to do before Tuesday evening, as that's when some holiday company will arrive for a few days. And so, why am I sitting here typing? It's early morning, the house it quiet and I can--again: getting older is hilarious!!! And, I love it, because you can, within reason, do what you want when you want!!!

I can enjoy the sunrise without interruption from children (teenagers only see these hours on rare occasion). I can brew coffee, because my husband has resigned himself to the fact that I just enjoy it! I can do Bible study, because I live in a place that is free enough that owning a Bible is not prohibited--Praise God for that! And, I can do all this while a load of laundry or dishes is being finished up by "my servant girls" named "dishwasher & clothes washer/dryer". Blessings, each one!

I'm feeling truly blessed. God has blessed us with hmmmmm--family! And, we are not always perfect and all smiles...we are humans--but we really love each other--A LOT! And, this hmmmmm family is a direct result of the families my husband & I came from! In fact, today is my mom's birthday: Happy Birthday, MOM!!! I love you. Thank you for always being faithful to lift our family in prayer. It means so much, and it is certainly one of the main factors in our sustenance in this crazy world in which we live. You have always sacrificed so much for me, probably more than I will ever know or realize, for that I am truly grateful. I'm praying a huge blessing for you today and always!! Enjoy this day!

Because today is my mom's birthday, I can always tell that Christmas will be here, before we know it! That isn't the real reason I'm feeling blessed. I'm feeling blessed because the God of the Universe chooses to love me, in spite of the fact that I'm imperfect and getting older and need a nap in the afternoon. He loves me and blesses me and sent His Son to secure my salvation--and YOURS!
He is a GOOD God! Of this, I always want to be mindful!