From early to late this little girl likes to cook ~

A shift

 Sewn from a duvet-less duvet cover that I didn't need as such but was such a lovely fabric!

(The embroidery stitches on my new machine make me happy.)
Based on the pattern in this tutorial.

Green

I got to grub in the dirt this week!  Just for a few minutes.  Under that mountain of snow at Mama's house was a bucket of this happy little green plant.  A variety of sedum, I think.  Perfect for my favorite little teacup that I broke this week and mended with crazy glue.  I hope this plant likes my kitchen and decides to trail all over the place.  Succulents are the only kind of house plant that really thrive in my house: when I forget to water them they just bloom! :) 

Spring Recital

 Lovely people.  Lovely music.  Ana's students did so well. 

 Ben

Olivia

Ana, herself

...~*~...



Brother and sister, matching :)









They make me smile

***



Tea

~'::

Hot tea & honey-apple scones still warm from the oven,

teacups and conversation and a magnificent Dickens quote

(Thank you, sister, for the scones and the quote!)

Candlewicking

My great-grandmother in her later years took up the lovely art of candlewicking.  I don't know if she had done it before or not.  She left several lovely pieces, one of them this pillow cover.  I spent happy minutes this morning ironing the freshly washed cover and sewing it over a pillow to enjoy on my bed.  Greta has a quilt on her bed whose squares were also made by her--a thing of beauty.  I am so glad to be able to have these pieces of my great-grandmother's work in my home.  Her choice to keep her hands busy and to make something beautiful, not knowing how it might bless others, inspires me today to do the same.

(Some of the hand stitches she used to baste the ruffle with)

Greta's quilt:

*****

As an aside...

Rose hips--a lovely alternative to playdough for Greta's morning cooking experiments!

She's three

The Lord did indeed bless us with a 'pearl' when He gave us Greta.  She is such a treasure.  So tender-hearted, expressive, loving, energetic.  She loves to dress in pretty skirts and wear pink and cook and bake and dance and read her Storybook Bible at bedtime.  Little Pink Person.  She turned three last Wednesday.  Three--how can it be?  It was a lovely day at home.  She helped me bake her birthday cake.  A delicious gluten-free chocolate cake from Elana's almond flour cookbook frosted with marshmallow frosting.  She put the sprinkles and candles on entirely by herself (as she would say, "wiss mysewf"). 

We had a happy birthday-bunting and made vanilla ice cream with coconut milk.

My family was able to be here for supper.  Mimi made and brought over a magnificent lasagna.

Three candles!

The cake and ice cream were delicious.

She was so very pleased with her presents, and so grateful.

We love you so much, Greta Rose!

...~ * ~...

 

{next morning, Greta and dollie matching}

~ Olivia helped me take several of these pictures.  Thank  you, Livi! ~

"Remember, remember, remember the signs.  Say them to yourself when you wake in the morning and when you lie down at night, and when you wake in the middle of the night.  And whatever strange things may happen to you, let nothing turn your mind from following the signs.  And secondly, I give you a warning.  Here on the mountain I have spoken to you clearly: I will not often do so down in Narnia.  Here on the mountain, the air is clear and your mind is clear; as you drop down into Narnia, the air will thicken.  Take great care that it does not confuse your mind.  And the signs which you have learned here will not look at all as you expect them to look, when you meet them there.  That is why it is so important to know them by heart and pay no attention to appearances.  Remember the signs and believe the signs.  Nothing else matters.  And now, daughter of Eve, farewell--"

The Silver Chair, by C.S.Lewis (New York, 1953), p. 27

Denim Patchwork

A mid-winter bit of sewing. 
So satisfying to make patterns with hues of blue, squares cut from old jeans.
Backed in camouflage fleece and tied with wool.
A warm spot to sleep.

Sargent

I am so pleased with my new wall arrangement over the couch.  My new Sargent print makes me happy!

Monday at Mama's

  

Mama's house has become my Monday sewing place.  She graciously offered her home and help with babies and food so I could get a few of those all-consuming sewing projects worked on.  It was Pa's birthday this Monday, and we stayed for supper.  Mama and I got to walk to our sweet drug store, the babies both had a nap, Olivia baked, Ben was home and Will came later, and of course there was tea and sweaters. 

Greta got to make frosting for Pa's German chocolate cake with Auntie Livi.  Oh, how happy that made her!

   

Lovely sister, chopping walnuts

 

Oh the joy of baking with Auntie!

 

A happy birthday cake for Pa ~'::

Mr. Yummy, tired & teething

 A few more of the beauties of Mama's house, supper ready and waiting for the guys to come home~