It is the little things...

I chose red--a favorite color

She asked us to pick a new pencil and small chocolate kiss. Little things, carefully selected as good-bye gifts. We looked at our gifts as she said, "The pencil is to keep you writing and the candy, enjoy and believe in your abilities." Simple, small, sweet.

I've just spent a week at a delightful writer's retreat in Alpine, Texas. Karleen Koen, author of a new and best selling novel, Before Versailles, a novel of Louis XIV, shared her skill and instruction in novel writing--the basics. I needed every word. Karleen has talent and warmth in giving of herself, in  big and little things. Poetry started every day, prompts pushed us to newer heights and laughter and tears fell from our beings as we, her students, shared the stretch of words. 

I left her class with sadness that it had to end. I left with gladness that I had acquired some techniques to write to higher horizons. And, with pencil in hand, I began remembering the little things that have changed me-- a woman, a writer, a mom and spouse.  I reflected on the significance of  the pencil and candy, then began a list, with boundaries of "little." My list had to be "little" inspirations, "little bits" that change me. I could not choose big that happens only once; I must not choose outstanding awards or tragedies.

For two days I've listed "little." For two days I've reflected on simplistic, small, gratuitous "littles" that make a difference. Here's my short list:

1. a short writing prompt that pulled forward a thought I didn't know I had; i.e., a happy childhood memory
2. reading instructions in a manual and achieving the "how-to"; i.e. the camera self-timer
3. receiving a real old-fashioned letter or card from a long lost friend
4. overhearing a positive opinion about me or family--wow! that builds self-esteem
5. tasting a small piece of yummy dark chocolate--surprise, surprise
6. a good haircut--my mood lifter
7. hearing an old family story and laughing again
8. walking into home after being gone
9. a call from friend or family, to talk or visit
10. mail truck bringing unexpected package
11. a bite of food when hunger touches ribs
12. looking up to awesome cumulus white summer clouds
13. an unexpected smile, laugh or hug
14. old ND or Whiskers, wagging their tails "I love you"
15. a snugly nap--longer than planned
16. the first--the last page of a favorite book
17. God's books of Psalm, Philippians, and John
18. the geranium bloom that screams red; the rose that whispers beauty
19. a shared joke
20. and "I love you, mommom" from my dear grands.

Each is little. Each is small. Remember, the difference is in little things.I wish you hugs, great days and many little things.


Best,

Alice


a  favorite scripture: The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. Psalm 15:7

a great read: Historical fiction by Karleen Koen: BEFORE VERSAILLES, a novel of Louis XIV. Crown Publisher, 2011.

Is It Perspective?

HALF FULL?

HALF EMPTY?

"The glass is half empty....or is it half full?" How many times have you heard that? And do you remember these
other classics "turn lemons into lemonade" or "see a flower, not a weed?" From childhood our moms and grandmoms passed these well known momilies from their generation to ours. Every repetition served to mold our personality and moods.  I suppose I learned the lessons well (and passed them on) and know the intent of optimism. But I must say the struggle of half full or half empty wrestles me more often than I care to admit.

Little did I know, sixteen years ago, that I would live in the country, fifty + miles from a strong bookstore or shopping mecca. I'm not even a true shopper but from these passing years I have come to realize my psychic need for availability--just knowing it is there. I love the creative energy of merchandise, color, theme arrangements, more magazines and books, pencils, paper and pens, t-shirts, jackets and skirts than I could ever want or need. For me it is joy just to know the product availability is within reach. Each store, each item communicates energy packaged in creativity and possibility.

But not to be. Instead I look out my window to grasses, cows, occasional deer and the endless land of trees and brush.It is miles from a creative mecca of books, clothing and gallery. The quietness and solitude are contradictory to me. I love and disdain the silence and the emptiness; I love and disdain the natural beautiful vs. organized landscape; I love and disdain the distance from everything, not unlike similiar feelings toward too much traffic or stores with ill arranged merchandise. So, what to do?

I reflected on the dilemma and caught myself seeing exactly two ways to observe everything, all holding true to the "half full-half empty" synopsis.

Here's mine from the "half-empty perspective"

Same location...same day...same window

--53 miles to nearest mega bookstore
--53 miles to office store
--a desolate road, infected with oak wilt and dead thistles
--lizards and the lurching possibility of a snake under the bush
--minimum flowers--deer eat them all
--loud dooley trucks heaving fast down the one lane road,hauling hugh loads of hay and pushing the walker  (me) to the pasture
--technology deficiency-no cell phone service except outside-computer comes and goes
--the gate is locked-the best friend, daughter, grandchildren, sister  are on the other side, down the road and across the way
--loneliness bellows; my heart cries for community

OR "the half-full perspective"

--native trees and dry-stacked rocks tell the hill country history and stroke the land with beauty
--charm of home in a house 1 1/2 centuries old, filled with stories of yesteryear--each board lovingly restored
--7 miles to a destination village, crowded by city dwellers seeking to run away
--7 miles to quaint, old-world German imagery or heritage and
--attractive and appealing small stores standing strong amid marketing to keep the big boys "out"
--moderate traffic--easy access to grocery, produce stands and fresh summer peaches
--old time tradition--parades, county fairs and Germanfests--taken for granted?
--solitude and peacefulness in the quietness of 'none'
--freedom of being--in the middle of nothing
--luxury of space and land, privacy and comfort

What's your view-- same location, same window, same day?  Is your glass half empty or half full?

Best,

Alice

a favorite scripture: "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 106:1

a favorite read: Louisa May Alcott, a personal biography by Susan Cheever. The bottom line--"life is slow in 'changin'. Many of her problems and opportunities are only different chapters in today's world.

REMEMBER...RECYCLE...REJOICE

CELEBRATE!--It's almost the 4th of July!

                                    Do you occasionally see color or design that stops you in your tracks? Several years ago my grocery shopping trip was interrupted by sight of the McCall's Scrap Quilt magazine featuring a full size version of this quilt, Washington's Cherry Wreath, designed and sewn by the Gingham Girls www.ginghamgirls.com . I knew someday I had to make a table topper of their pattern.  

I love old; I love traditional. So, from 2007 to now, the magazine set on my traditional pattern shelf, with my review from time to time. I decided this July 4th holiday had to be the year.. The design celebrates our wonderful country, the fabrics let me recycle from my stash and the image felt retro--like the quilts of yesteryear.  My sewing energy engaged. I started looking for blues and tones of neutral.

And in the mist of digging through scraps, RE-planning the celebration of tradition, I saw a pattern. Again and again--the prefix RE--recycle, reuse, etc. I became fascinated with it and brainstormed all the RE words I could imagine. Think about it.

Do you REmember REbutter, REcycle, REbuild, REdo, REdraft, REfashion, REpair, REmake, REmodel, REpeat? The list goes on. My dictionary has over eight pages of RE this and that. I searched the concept on the web and immediately found the Latin prefix "added to verb bases"....at the beginning, and list after list of RE. Maybe it IS part of the RENEWAL of celebrating the freedoms of our beautiful country. 

And a bit corny, but I could not help myself.  I named this post REmember, REcycle and REjoice  for the blessings we have in the celebration of this, our 235th year of the United States of America. In the journey of REjoicing and REsearching favorite Independence Day poetry and music, I REcalled the countless celebrations incorporating  Irving Berlin's 1939 beautiful song, GOD BLESS AMERICA.

God bless America,

Land that I love,

Stand beside her and guide her

Through the night with a light from above....

How many times have you sung it? Read it? Even memorized the beautiful words?

And trivia you might want to REmember and pass on to well-wishers this 4th:

In 1941 the US Congress declared July 4 a legal public holiday.

May you and yours have a HAPPY 4TH OF JULY.

Best,

Alice

a favorite scripture: So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34

a favorite read: TENDER MERCIES by Anne Lamott, 1999. Candid is an understatement about Anne Lamott. She tells it like she sees it; funny, sad and forever REmembered. I've read this twice--try it; I'm guessing you'll laugh and cry.

 

Excuse me, DO YOU QUILT?

One word at a time makes story...

the writers workshop that changed my life

It seemed simple enough. I was taking a writer's workshop in the awesome desert town of Alpine. Joe Nick Patoski, my creative non-fiction teacher opened the class with "What is your passion?" Pas-sion? I heard. What does he mean?--kids, cooking, writing? One student after another started answering his question. I knew my turn was next.

"Ugh," I thought. "Well, I'll just say "quilting." He smiled, turned to the chalk board and wrote: 

Class dismissed. Go find your passion. Come back to class tomorrow with a 1500 word story of what you find.

Gulp-Gulp. I couldn't believe it. It was only 1 p.m. and hot as August can be. I was home-based on a solitary college campus and did not have a car. Town was two miles away. Well, I thought..."guess I better figure this out." After all, I had a tote, a camera, a plastic water bottle and comfortable shoes. I knew I could make the walk to town.

After a few minutes of web surfing, commonly called "procrastination" I took off on my adventure. Anxious to find quilters from the Sul Ross campus to the end of town, I was confident to find the latest quilt happenings. After all, women share, women stitch, no matter what the circumstances. And the internet had shown lots of quilt activity.

My first stop was the DeJaVu Store and Gallery-RECYCLED. Surely they would have a polyester double-knit quilted pillow or a used how-to quilt book. I wandered up and down the aisles--"not much here that works for me. Maybe I should ask?" I spotted an "authority figure", a woman about age 50 with glasses on her nose.

"Ma'am, I'm a writer taking a workshop at Sul Ross. I'm doing a story about the quilting interest in Alpine. I thought you might have some quilts or know some quilters."

"Dooney, Dooney," she called. "Do you know the name of that quilter's place? It's a little house just before the grocery store. I think it's called the Sunshine Store, the Sunshine Shop. What's it called? Oh, anyway, take a left at this corner walk down about two blocks. There might be some quilters in there."

"Thanks." Off I went, counting the blocks, one- two, I spotted a neat house with pretty petunias on the porch and a plaque by the front door "Surely the Lord shall live in this place." Confidence filled my chest. I knew this would be a safe place to ask again about "The Sunshine Shop." It must be close by. Knock, knock...no answer.

Well, how big can this town be? I kept walking. "Oh, there it is"...an attractive plastered house with potted plants around the porch and the sign, "The Sunshine Shop." I eagerly walked to the door. It was locked. I peered in and saw a red and white star quilt hanging on the wall. The sign read: Hours 10-2. "Shucks, well, at least I know where it is. ...maybe tomorrow."

"Mercy, it's hot," I reminded myself as I gulped the bottled water. Across the street I saw the town's Thriftway Grocery. The store looked nice and cool. "Surely there is a quilter there." I stalked the aisles. I looked at every face. "No, she's too young. She looks in a hurry." Maybe, around the cereal aisle...

"Oh, ma'am, ma'am," I approached the middle-aged lady wearing the blue Thiftway shirt. "Excuse me, but do you quilt?" Standing on a ladder and restocking beans, she stopped and looked down at me, blankly..

"Oh, hi, I'm Alice and I'm working on an article about quilters in the beautiful Big Bend area. Are you a quilter?"
"Well, no, but I do embroidery."
"You do, what kind?"

"Well, I draw my own pictures and sew them every night. It keeps me from getting stressed. Well, I don't do exact pictures. I just sew the shapes. I fill in the areas. I sort of make it up as I go. I used to have a store here and one time they were filming a movie nearby and one of the movie stars came and bought everything I had."


"Really, were you pleased?"
"Pleased, you betcha."

"Do you have any more embroidered pieces?"
"Oh yeah, I have lots. You want to see them? How long will you be here? I'll bring them tomorrow if you have time to come back." I quickly read her name tag, "Irma, I can't wait. I'll see you tomorrow."

I returned. We walked to her truck; she opened the door. There, a box full of her stress-relief embroideries. Wow! What colors, what imagery. I was in love.

Wonderful little children's faces, drawn in Charles Shultz'-Peanuts style--multiple tiny french knots created happy children in sets of two or three, sometimes sets of five or more. Intriguing little faces, curly hair, bright eyes...

"Oh, Irma, May I buy one?"

"Sure, Pick out the one you want.'Several minutes later, I had chosen my favorite.

"Will you sign it for me?"
"Sure....you don't mind if I use my art name do you?" 

I watched her write  Pink Cookie ...boldly and proudly.

We shared smiles. We knew; we each had found a friend. 

To another great day,

Alice

a favorite scripture: Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 106:1

a favorite book: Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes, 1996.
I'm always the last to read the best sellers so older books feel new to me. So,if like me, you haven't read this...go, fast to your bookstore or library and indulge! A great read.

Hands Down!--CHOCOLATE Wins!

Homemade Chocolate pie--the favorite of our crowd

"Let me bring dessert," I offered. 

"Chocolate pie?"my friend quizzed. 

"Will that compliment your entree?" I asked. 

Glazed, almost serious eyes looked back at me. "How could chocolate pie NOT fit my entree?"he laughed.

I knew immediately-- no other dessert options, chocolate pie was THE choice. So it is and ever shall me. Our family (and many of our friends) think of me making only one fitting dessert for every occasion, what they call Alice's chocolate pie.

I'm not sure how the tradition began. Mom made chocolate pie from her mother's recipe. We loved it. Then when I became the matriarch of the family kitchen the chocolate pie expectations strengthened. 

At every occasion  my husband, relatives or friends tease each other about the size of the pie slices. And George, who prides himself regarding his daily diet, looses all discipline when chocolate pie is still in the kitchen after company has departed. 

Over the years I've customized our favorite pie, combining mom's recipe with Better Homes and Gardens and the classic recipes I acquired in college foods classes. I still enjoy reviewing and comparing a yummy chocolate pie in a magazine to our family favorite. To play with tradition by adding espresso or rum extract is fun, partly to question the family's palette. And I've learned, through lots of experimentation--quality DARK chocolate and homemade crust make the difference.  

Regardless of the occasional variations, the family chocolate pie is THE favorite, maybe the only pie that is always welcome at our dessert table.

First, mix dry ingredients thoroughly; add milk 1/2 at a time.
Stir until completely mixed and while the heat thickens the pudding.

Stirring and low heat make a great pudding. - Add butter and vanilla after thickened. 

Homemade pie crust is the best. I use Hodgson's Mill 50/50 flour  &  real butter-yum!

To baked and cooled crust pour the chocolate filling

Beat egg whites to frothy peaks--a beautiful final addition

Not a crumb will be left--I promise.

Our family's FAVORITE CHOCOLATE PIE

CHOCOLATE PUDDING

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

4 1/2 Tablespoons cornstarch OR 1/3+1/6 cup of flour 

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 squares of unsweetened dark chocolate (I use Ghirardelli)

1 Tablespoon of high quality cocoa (again, Ghirardelli)

Mix all dry ingredients until totally blended. (cornstarch or flour MUST BE blended into the sugar to avoid lumps)
Chocolate squares are added with milk.

3 cups milk (I use 2%, whole and/or canned milk)

Pour 1/2 of milk into dry mixture and stir until well blended. Cook on low temperature, thickening the mixture.

As it thickens add the last amount of milk, continue cooking, stirring until pudding consistency. Next, add

3 egg yolks--Break yolks into custard cup. QUICKLY add some hot chocolate mixture, stirring fast to blend the ingredients. Pour the egg yolk/chocolate mixture into the main mixture.

2 Tablespoons butter

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Stir into the cooked pudding. Set aside to cool

PIE CRUST (variation on a KitchenAid mixer recipe)

Hot oven - 450 degrees

1 9 inch pie plate

2 1/4 cups of mixed 50/50 wheat/unbleached flour (I use Hodgson Mills)

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup real butter (1 1/2 sticks cut in narrow chunks)

4-6 tablespoons COLD water

Pour  and mix flour and salt into mixing bowl. Add chunks of butter while the mixer is turning. Mix the flour and butter until it looks like small peas. Add 1 Tablespoon of water at a time until the dough "cleans" the bowl. (amount of water varies, but usually about 4-5 tablespoons is perfect). Take dough from bowl, form into a ball.

Flour a work surface. Lightly flour the dough ball. Roll out in a circle shape, about 2 inches larger than the pie plate. Lift and center over plate and form the shell to fit the plate. Bake at 450 degrees about 8-10 minutes. Cool to room temperature.

MERINGUE

3 egg whites

6 Tablespoons sugar

pinch salt /cream of tartar

1 teaspoon vanilla

Pour egg whites into mixing bowl. Add salt and cream of tartar. Begin whipping and add two tablespoons 

sugar at a time until all is used. Whip to stiff, but not dry. Add vanilla. (I like to add the sugar as the whites are whipping to avoid a grainy texture.)

Pour pudding into baked  9 inch shell; Spread meringue over pudding, touching the crust edges with meringue so it will not shrink. Bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes. Cool and ENJOY!

Happy cooking,

Alice

And a favorite scripture: I Peter 4:9 Offer hospitality up to one another without grumbling.

And a favorite cookbook: Helen Corbitt's red book titled Helen Corbitt's Cookbook, dated 1957.

(I used my first one so long that the pages fell from the spine. I found another in an antique store and see it often in book stacks in antique or half/price book sales.

PRETTY IS...

"I'm pretty. Kate is funny" said little two year old Kate, smiling toward her mom with a sincere look of pleasure. And why not? She had been told since day one, "you are so pretty...Kate, you are funny."

Truer words could not be spoken. She has airy little curls, a turned up nose, tiny little hands and feet and a smile that communicates love and mischief --all in the same breath. After all, who else do I know that sings Old MacDonald "e-i-e-i-e" from the top of her lungs to a family joyfully laughing? Yes, pretty and funny fit little Kate.

Pretty is....

Oh, did I say MISCHIEF??

So, I began thinking about this word pretty. When do we as women first learn about pretty? What does it mean? It reaches for us everywhere and with different definitions amid our "raisin". But in connection to our childhood influence about pretty,  our western culture also stacks the rules--size, shape, style, age--the definition as established by magazines, movies and television, mom and sister, girlfriends, spouse, neighborhood and school. It grabs us young and sometimes has the strength to make or break us. Self confidence built partly on looks is rarely escaped as the toddler moves through adolescence into womanhood.



so you can find pretty...the BOLD signage is EVERYWHERE

I've noticed (and I suspect you have also) that I haven't fit pretty rules (if ever) for many years. When did you first notice crow's feet at the outer edge of your eyes? Crooked teeth? Less than a perfect nose or neck?A sagging body? Thighs that changed size overnight? Hmmm. And for me, the struggle against the rules seems harder with passing years. The wrinkles, the pants that fit perfectly a few weeks ago...what happened? So I admit, in accord with the beauty sign, a moderate concession and striving to pretty...a good haircut and lipstick does wonders for my self esteem and sense of pretty.

Reminds me of a delightful series of books by Judith Viorst. A favorite writer (well known for her children's book Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible,No Good, Very Bad Day), she has done a series of short prose books based on each decade, beginning about age 40. Each short book is titled Suddenly I'm 40 or 50 or whatever decade. I love her because she hasn't forgotten us and our core being, even at age 80. ...Find them in your library or look them up on your reader. You'll see yourself and laugh out loud. Plus, they make wonderful birthday gifts.

But back to these imposed rules for beauty. Don't you recall your best friend that hated her boobs or her nose? Is that r-e-a-l-l-y what she was about? Was/is that really her essence, the bond of your friendship? Of course not. You loved her for her insight, her loyalty, her humor. You loved her because she loved you and you shared your very beings. .. your inside pretty.  Perhaps mom said it best when she guided us, "Be careful how you make other people feel."

           mom--glowing in her happy 1940's pretty

So, as my outer pretty fades with age, I ask what can I do to be pretty-- inside? Experts tell us it is all about happy. It is about inner contentment. It is giving away a part of our self. Simply identified I believe inside pretty comes when we obey God's word "Do unto others as you would do unto yourself." A straightforward message

for pretty insides--not

o-u-t-s-i-d-e-s.

It's the talent of giving--a bit of self. Maybe it is the phone call that asks, "How are you?" Maybe it is the good pot of soup with friends in the kitchen? Maybe it is the card, the visit to the hurting soul or

merely listening.

 With age, one thing seems obvious. It is NOT the recipe card of outward pretty by advertising standards. Unfailing pretty comes from the inside of us. And how thankful I am that we have pretty that doesn't fade away and can be enhanced money free, day after day.

How do we make other's feel? Yea, that good feelin' makes all the pretty friends I know.

Share a pretty week,

Alice

A favorite scripture: " For you created my inmost being. you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Psalms 139: 13-14

A favorite book: POEMS and SKETCHES of E.B. White, Harper and Row, 1981 (Charlotte's Web fame).  I love to frequent the $1.00 boxes of books outside book stores--find this there, on-line or in your local library.



IT'S ALL ABOUT BEGINNING...

Memorial Day--a reflection of thanksgiving and a delightful beginning of summer. The doors are open on this surprisingly cool summer morning; the breeze is blowing through the house. Breakfast brought fresh berries to the table; the morning walk was in capris and my favorite old big shirt so the wind could blow around my torso.  Ah...the joy of newness, the joy of beginning.

And can it be, almost three weeks ago our family had an awesome beginning. Baby David blessed us with his birth on May 11. ...what a beginning!

 From two "babies" to three and God made the heart big enough to love all without thinking about it. Our family felt as if he had always been. Michael (age 4) and Kate (age 21 months) accepted their little brother as if to say "Finally, he's here.What's the big deal?" And surprisingly, (except for sleep depreviation) we felt the same.

And then, influenced by my daughter's creative cooking skills, I tried my first homemade pizza....a true beginning. I've cooked for years and bought countless pizzas. Why, oh why, had I never tackled my own?

I covered it in artichoke hearts, sliced red pepper, small green onions, tiny cuts of zuchinni, slender tomato slices, lots of spices and three cheeses--mozarella, parmesan and feta.  Yum-yum! Wish we had left-overs.

Yes, today is all about beginnings and this beginning of summer brings out another dimension of my personality. I love theme decorations. So, at this summer's beginning and the celebration of the birth of our great country, the red, white and blue gives me simple decorating ideas. Why not put Uncle Sam and some flags on the table and honor this great country?

                           isn't this a great Americana quilt from IQA show?--artist unidentified
 For me, it is a perfect opportunity to stitch a new pillow and make a small table topper quilt. It's fun to mindlessly embroidery while listening to G tell his family history stories. It's fun to flip through quilt magazines and adapt a design to my stash--such pleasure with so little stress.--and it feels as if I've spent no money. (of course, I know better).

Speaking of beginnings. Last Saturday our lab dog, N.D. (new dog) found himself in the land of beginnings. We decided to give him his annual cut to help him survive the heavy summer heat. Not overly experienced in the role of grooming dogs, (actually, totally inexperienced) G and I looked at each other and said "yea, to save $50.00, let's give N.D. his summer do," So, a bath and cut he got. I was amazed at his patience at our beginnings....G calls him "waffle" now, because his trim is so uneven.

But guess what, N.D. loved it and is definitely cooler. Thanks, N.D., for your patience!

And neighbor friends in their beginnings...Susan is competing in her first triatheloin today. Swim, run, etc. until she proves to herself that she can do it. Quiet impressive.

Annie is enjoying the beginning of her summer in Idaho, away from this Texas heat. Oh my, she describes her day with a 26 degree morning while we are begging to not hit 100 degrees. Our beautiful part of the country is suffering in heat and dryness. We are praying for rain. Enjoy your cool weather, Annie.

So, it is the first day of summer at the last of May. The beginning of firsts can only mean a great summer.

Let's go for it. Let's help those who have lost so much; let's enjoy those we love that mean so much and thank God for giving so much. Share your beginnings. I can't wait to hear.

Love, 'til later,

ALICE 

SCRIPTURE I LOVE: Genesis 1:1 IN THE BEGINNING God created the heavens and the earth.

BOOKS to enjoy: A LINEAGE OF GRACE by Francine Rivers. "Five stories of unlikely women who changed eternity." ...an awesome book of God's women--a reflection of their lives and how they met their tasks. Lis gave me this book and it is a fabulous read. Find it...you will love it.

Life circles entertwined???

Last week my daughter made a delicious sweet potato pizza. Perfect rounds of orange potato covered the top. I looked at the homemade delics' and thought about the life circles I've covered in the last six weeks. My favorite weekly writing exercise, my blog, fell behind and one circle fell on top of another. Sometimes I didn't know if it was Tuesday or Wednesday--the blurred schedule entertwined.

For those of you that follow me, you know my annual Quilting Adventures seminars fall in early March. That meant, for me, airline schedules, room maps, Power Point presentations and last minute endless details pulled on almost every hour from January through mid-March. In-between were big family b-days (Michael turned 4!) , snow days and cold days that altered the daily planned schedule, even one or two "ill" days that caused the blood energy level to drop much below normal for a much needed rest.

And, at the top of the list was Barbara's and my plan to announce the closing (and hopefully, passing of the torch) of QA after our spring event. We had to keep our plans a secret for over a year, so it was welcome relief and emotion to finally talk about it.

Now, five weeks past QA I am thrilled to announce the joyful transfer of QA ownership to a perfect mother-daughter team, Debby and Kim. We are so-o excited! They are awesome and will carry the annual quilt seminar forward in full style. I can't wait to attend next year's event. They will soon post the dates and teachers for 2012. If you love to quilt I highly recommend you give this learning experience to yourself.
You deserve it! --five days of fabulous food, lodging and instruction in a comfortable, campus-style setting. Check it out-- www.quilting-adventures.com

Almost immediately after the spring sessions of QA I flew to Berkeley and enjoyed a teaching weekend with East Bay Heritage Quilters. Delightful hosts and students, a good visit with friends Mary Mashuta and Roberta Horton, and the most fun classes. Thanks, friends. And your lemon trees--oh my, so gorgeous!

Next, and none too soon, was a trek to OKC. I had not held my grandkids since December! Kate is singing, Michael is painting and they both are "all kid."  --meaning 24/7. Yes, my life has embraced a four year old, a 21 month old and very soon, baby # 3. My daughter and I visited, "nested", and cooked for her freezer, all in anticipation of Baby David, due in only 3 weeks. Mercy! Wow! I can't believe it! Really??!!--all of these sentiments fit my emotions. As the mother of one, I realize what I missed and what Lis missed by not having siblings. These little ones are so in love with one another, even as they pull and tug (as all kids do). I stand amazed at the energy and intensity of everyday. At home, I must NEVER think I'm busy again!

My adult kids are the best parents and I am convinced--there is a reason to be  YOUNG PARENTS. The energy requirement; the continuous act of self denial is endless. The discipline requirements (to mold the child) are off the chart. Indeed, the challenges never end. And thankfully, neither do the laughs and love.

Tomorrow, after almost two months of constant activity, is my drive home day. I'm ready. I'm young at heart, but the body needs a day or two of a different schedule. I'm not too old to play, just maybe too old to play--full time. And I must get reved up for baby # 3, less than three weeks away!

I'm back on track--one blog a week. I promise. I love to hear from you.

TIL THEN,

ALI

And on this beautiful EASTER SUNDAY:
                                          
 John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shall have everlasting life. AMEN!

Remember the old story...

on the way ...can I focus on one?

You have heard the old story. "I went to get the mail. On the way, I saw the ficus needed water so I went to the kitchen to fill a water pitcher. Then the phone rang. Julie, my neighbor, had a car problem. "Will I take her to town?" The beans are cooking, but not done, from my early-morning efficiency plan." How soon can I leave the house?....you know the rest of the story.

Isn't that how we live? It seems to be a woman's way. I guess it goes with another favorite saying,"the best laid plans."Today is one of those days. I started the day with my favorite breakfast --one egg, one dry multi-grain toast, orange slices and one cup of fresh black coffee. Simple and delicious enough... I planned the day between bites.

Then, I took the mail to the mailbox. I noticed the wind had blown down some tree branches. I picked them up to declutter the yard and yep!, I saw a bush that needed the frozen limbs cut away. Yep! Just one, maybe two, but what about those weeds? Thistles...oh, they are so annoying and if we don't get them while they are babies. Yep! Three hours later...you know the rest of the story.

Everyday evolves the same. My rescue dog chases his tail before he lies down. I've always laughed at his nap-order predictability, and yet, I find some of the "chase the tail" traits visible in my everyday. So, here's a NEW plan.. for tomorrow, taken from a summary of some the best efficiency books.

1. Make a Wednesday (or Thursday,etc.) plan. What won't budge off the calendar? Food prep for family, shower and grooming, have to's for business commitments, thoughtfulness in food, card or call to a friend that is hurting or needing, and a haircut appointment.These are non-negotiable.





Multiple random lists...tie together...simplify

2. Next, make a flexible plan. What do I want to do today? Town trip, studio time for the jacket needed/wanted at end of month, reading of the magazine that came in the mail and one/two phone visits. A magazine query for hopeful work and income in late spring? Oh, I must add email/blog reading time.

3. Grid the calendar. Mark the get-up time, then divide the day by hour segments and slot in the have-to-do's. What and where is the time left? Add the want-to-dos. Leave one space open for the daily unexpected.

I remember learning the concept of "dove-tailing" in a college class taken years ago. The principle of baking a potato but doing multiple other tasks while the one-hour lapse of baking takes place is dove-tailing. It was useful at age 19; it is useful many years later. Laundry--what is possible while it is happening? Baking--what is possible while it is happening? Looking at every task helps me squeeze in my "want-to-do's" and some of the "have-to-do's" that are urging me even though they are a month away.

As the kids say "sounds like a plan." Go for it; I'll go for it too (after all, it is the first day of the month--i.e.plan) and let's make an effort to get a handle on the day-plan. Good luck! amid your best laid day...have and give a "happy" day.  Let me know how your plan goes.

My best, to my organized readers,

Alice

my favorite scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven:---v. 14...everything God does will endure forever.

Thank you, our blessed God for this wisdom.

a good read: Aunt Erma's Cope Book by Erma Bombeck, 1979.

(check it out from your library--you'll laugh until your sides hurt--a feel good laugh!)