in the midst of it

In the yearbook there were so many possibilities...best looking, class flirt, most likely to succeed, most intelligent...but there, next to her name, was  "changed the least since freshman year" and "best attitude".

Friday was her last day of classes, and this morning she was up early, packing her lunch and locating her boots. I dropped her off at our local CSA, where she's doing her "Senior Independent Study" for six weeks. She's delighted to be volunteering with old friends, reconnecting with the dirt and seeds and weeds that she loves and being outdoors all day.

I am hunkered in at my sewing machine, stitching myself through the morning, taking deep breaths when necessary and the hum of "thank you, thank you, thank you" runs through my heart.

I was may-dayed by a friend!

My sweet buddy Liz left these two beautiful arrangements at my house yesterday, when she knew I wasn't home. Check out the clever use of hosta leaves, cradling some potting soil in the vase on the right. Liz has a heart of gold, and she spoils me rotten. She's a true artist when it comes to flowers and gardening.  I am so dang lucky...

(The bust was done by Peter's paternal grandmother, who studied at the Art Institute in Chicago. It is of her father, Papa George.)

The lawn at dusk on this overcast evening is emerald green. It smells like heaven in the neighborhood and the lilacs are teetering on the brink of openness.  Magical indeed.

danger, danger!

This morning, Gretta and I went to the Northern Star Quilters' Guild annual quilt show. We were surprised to find the exhibit smaller by a third than past years, and not so many vendors as usual. Tight times?

Most of the quilts on display seemed more traditional and subdued than I remember them in the past. There were some wonderful art quilts, and we always love the kid's section of the show.

And, of course, we did find some lovely pieces of fabric to bring home. These irresistible blue and whites are from Quilters' Express to Japan. (www.QEJAPAN.com).
And these sweet little squares are from Hmong Pan Dau Art of Warren, MI.
But the "best in show" in terms of fabric went to this fabulous piece, called a Tengui Cloth. It, too, came from QEJAPAN. Gretta and I went ga ga over it! We think it will look fabulous hanging on the wall in the kitchen in Vermont... 
Peter is away at his 35th high school reunion this weekend. Gretta and I are going to snuggle in with Salaam Bombay!, winner of the new director's award at Cannes in 1988. A friend said, "If you loved Slumdog Millionaire, check out this movie". So we are.

Edit:Later tonight...we couldn't get the subtitles in the movie to show...we were disappointed.

happy may day!

Even on an overcast day, this says "Crayola crayon, spring green".

Years ago, when Gretta was a little girl, and my buddy Franny and I lived closer, the three of us used to celebrate May Day in the old fashioned way. Franny made beautiful little door knob baskets and we would fill them with flowers and branches of blossoming twigs from our yards. Then we would hang the baskets on the door knobs of our friends' houses, ring the doorbell and run! When the older kids came home from school for lunch (it was a neighborhood school, and everyone had an hour to go home for lunch!), they wanted to hear all about our adventures. 

I collaged this basket using bits from an old White Flower Farm*catalog, and popped it into the mail to Franny. I got so carried away with the flowers, that the handle has disappeared. Oh, well. The tag says, "DEAR FRANNY, missing you on MAY DAY! Love, Karen".  I think that says it all.

May you all find time to put a little spring festival into your day!

*I cannot be responsible for what happens if you open this link.

thinking of Looly

Only fools hoard their heart.

You are no fool.

-Lynn Park

clarity

One's childrens' birthdays can be so poignant. I had so many "ah ha" moments yesterday that I'm on a whole new path! 

I have followed Crazy Mom Quilts blog for months now, and Amandajean has a really fun project going on.  I have decided to join her, although informally. I love the idea of using up small scraps from other projects. As I started to rummage through baskets, I rediscovered lots of sweet fabric I had used years ago for dolly clothes and little girl dresses and baby quilts, teen skirts and going off to college quilts. I realized that I have an archive of my family's growing up in my fabric stash.

So, I think as I embark on my next chapter, I am going to sew an epilogue to this chapter I am just finishing up. How cool is that?

And I realized that the "hands" project is part of my transitioning, too. Eventually, you'll see why.

I am in the midst of one of those times when I recognize magic in everyday life and it energizes me and centers me and reassures me, all at once. 

And this project is coming off the needles any day now. (Stashed in a Franmade basket). I will post about it soon. It's been a good project too.

Isn't it remarkable that fiber can be so infused with spirit? 

happy birthday stewart tod!

Twenty seven years ago this morning, the best and most rewarding adventure of my life began. Stewart arrived "sunny side up" and that's the way he's navigated the world since then. Stew has been a really great big brother to three very unique and strong "little" sisters. As a kid, he loved Legos, collecting bugs, riding his bike and gardening. 

But reading was his sanctuary. Even as a crawler he loved books. He would snuggle in our laps and listen, asking for the story to be read "again" when we got to the end. When he learned to read on his own he was off on a rampage. The biggest discipline problem we had with him growing up was getting him to turn his light out at night. Seriously. We would check on the kids before we went to bed, and Stewart would have turned his light back on to read "one more chapter".  

All that reading filled him up with a broad understanding of the world and the people in it. His passion for politics, justice and education always makes for interesting conversation. We suspect that there are kids in his high school classroom that he might be infecting with that same curiosity about the world. We know that he and Dawn have full lives out in Oregon, but we sure do miss them. Happy birthday Sweet Baboo! We love you.