A Fond Farewell (sort of!)

I've been procrastinating writing this post -- I'm sure you've noticed the neglect my blog has suffered of late! Douglas and I decided to get rid of our home Internet connection for a season, which went into effect at the beginning of this month. This is partly to cut out an unnecessary financial expenditure, and partly because we both felt we were too addicted to the Internet. It's been a few weeks now, and I'm truly surprised at how little I miss it -- mostly the convenience of looking up a recipe, checking the weather forecast, or things like that.

I initially thought that if we got rid of our Internet connection, I would give up blogging altogether -- but when push came to shove, I'm having a hard time severing something I've enjoyed so much over the past five years. So, I decided to semi-retire instead. My posts will be much more infrequent, since my Internet time is so limited, but I hope to continue posting from time to time, especially my sewing projects.

I will also be changing the comments so that all comments need to be approved by me before they show up. I've been blessed not to have to deal with much spam or unkindness through the comments feature, but this will just give me an extra measure of peace about the content of my blog when I'm not around to check on it every day.

Thanks for hanging in there with me! It's a blessing to be able to share the small beauties with which God has enriched my life at home. I'm always glad to hear from you, either in the comments or by e-mail (my address is in my blogger profile). God bless you, dear friends!

Pink or blue?

I haven't been up to much sewing lately, but I did manage to make these two swaddling blankets from lengths of flannel I had in my stash. It's just a single layer of flannel, with the edges folded under 1/2" twice and stitched down. I made mitred corners for neatness. They ended up being about 38" square. I had several like these that I used with Edmund, and I really liked them for their versatility -- swaddling, nursing cover, floor mat, etc.!

Lord willing, one of these blankets will be put to good use in our family next May! ;-)

"Back to School" shirtdress

As autumn rolled around this year, I realized I have a gap in my wardrobe of casual cool-weather dresses. I'd been wanting to try Simplicity 2246, so I ordered an autumn-hued plaid shirting from Mood Fabrics and got to work.


I used view C, but switched out the sleeves from views A and B. I also used the collar from view B, but added a ruffle of my own. I lengthened the skirt by two inches so that it would hit me below the knee. I also cut the button plackets on the bias to take advantage of the extra interest that the bias plaid would create. Oh, and I cut out the pattern a size smaller than I normally would choose, based on the finished garment measurements (included in the pattern) and other pattern reviews floating around the Internet. The fit turned out fine!


By the way, I've needed corrective lenses since I was 10 years old, but I usually wear contact lenses. The last time I got new glasses was about 13 years ago, so my frames were a little out-of-date. I recently got this new pair for free, courtesy of my ophthalmologist uncle, so I've been wearing my glasses a lot more frequently. I think they fit the academic look of this dress, don't you? ;-)

Another off-topic note. The first time I wore this dress I managed to get French fry grease on two separate spots on the skirt. I have tried rubbing the spots with Dawn dish detergent and then laundering as usual, which I think helped fade them, but they are still there (probably only noticeable to me, but still!). If you have any great methods for removing grease stains, lay them on me!

Banbury Cross cardigan, revisited

I have a backlog of sewing projects to share, one of which is this new version of the Banbury Cross cardigan I designed last fall. The old one still fits Edmund, but there are a few "issues" that I was able to fix with this new one. The biggest thing I learned was that I needed to stabilize the button plackets, which I did with strips of interfacing.

This one was made from a thrifted, oatmeal-colored men's sweater. I used leftover herringbone wool for the elbow patches, and cute little leather-look buttons. I'm quite pleased with the way it turned out!

Au lac de Wallenstadt

We've been quite busy around here with preparations for Douglas' weekend piano recital. Douglas has been devoting many hours to practice and I'm doing my bit by preparing for out-of-town guests and baking up dozens of refreshments. He did take the time to record my favorite piece that he'll be playing, "Au lac de Wallenstadt" from the Années de pèlerinage by Franz Liszt. Click here to listen or download. Enjoy!

Wool peddler's shawl

This is a project that has been five years in the making. Proof that I am not a knitter!

I started this back in 2006, working on it off and on. It reeeeally languished. For two. years. Finally, the summer before my wedding, my friend Keturah and I made a bargain to swap projects. I would sew her a vintage-style dress if she would finish knitting my shawl!

My end of the bargain was fun. I sewed her a dress in blue silk charmeuse, based on EvaDress 7482. I'm not so sure Keturah's part was quite so fun, but she persevered. ;) And this summer when I went to visit her, she presented me with this beautiful shawl!


[The pattern is the English Wool Peddler's Shawl from Folk Shawls by Cheryl Oberle.
The yarn is Brown Sheep Co. Lambs Pride Superwash in Lichen.]

Leek and Apple Cream Soup

• 1 lb. leeks
  
• 1/2 c. unsalted butter
  
• 1 lb. cooking apples, such as MacIntosh, peeled, cored, and sliced
  
• 1/2 lb. red potatoes, peeled and sliced
  
• 1 (14-oz.) can chicken broth
  
• 1 tsp. salt
  
• 2 c. half-and-half
  
• 1/2 tsp. ground coriander
  
• 1/4 tsp. white pepper
  
• Lady apple slices for garnish (optional)

1. Quarter leeks and wash thoroughly. Coarsely chop white portions and reserve green tops for garnish.
2. Melt butter in large heavy saucepan. Add chopped leeks. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes until transparent, stirring often.
3. Add apples, potatoes, chicken broth, and salt. Bring to boiling. Reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes until apples and potatoes are tender.
4. Puree vegetables with 1/2 cup cooking liquid in blender until smooth. Stir into remaining cooking liquid in saucepan. Add half-and-half, coriander, and white pepper. Mix well.
5. Cover and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Garnish each serving with lady apple slices, and fashion apple stem and leaves from reserved green leek tops.

Yield: 6 servings.

--from the January 1990 issue of "Victoria" magazine