Halloween From Years Past

Weren't they just so cute!

Halloween was always a time for creativity - no store bought costumes at this house. My old flowergirl dress was a favorite - why not have it enjoyed?

I think Halloween was the start of creative thinking and why the skill of sewing has been passed down.

"Project Kelly"

So, it's not perfect by far, and grandma would just die if she saw some of my creative touches to make the seams and fit work. However, I MADE A DRESS!! Ok more like a Halloween costume, but it has a zipper, pleats on top and bottom, and is lined on the inside. Of course the zipper was an absolute nightmare (which you can see on the front of the dress). I also fitted the dress too tight so it is kinda like the jaws of life to get it on and off past my shoulders. But at the end of the day.... I MADE A DRESS!! Even without a pattern or my mom to finish it for me (which would have been super helpful). I couldn't help but think all day how lucky I was too. Out of all my friends I am the only one that has been past down the skills of sewing and knitting. Maybe they just aren't interested in these old fashioned skills like me but what a shame. I had a great day today, sewing a dress:)

Post Op

I'm pretty sure that I would want Kelly for my nurse.

The care I received while in my 23 hour observation wasn't bad, and maybe I just wasn't as needy as the other patients but I'm still sure that Kelly would have stopped in to make sure I had water and an ice pack without me having to push the buzzer every time.

No pictures or graphic descriptions - lets just say it's over. I could breath out of my nose after the packing came out (before it stuffed up) and I'd say it's very hopeful that it was worth the process.

What goes up, must come down

If you ever get the urge to put up a wallpaper border, resist! I just spent all afternoon getting one off the wall. Gone is the patriotic star border in my office. Borders were very popular 10-15 years ago. I had two different ones in my bedroom, both now long gone.

Butch doesnt mind painting, but if I get all the prep work done, the job seems to get to the top of his to-do list quicker.

After removing 3 of these lovely wallpapers, I have found a few tricks that they dont tell you about in the paint store. You will need: a bucket of hot water with some white vinegar added, a hand towel, step ladder, your iron on an extention cord and some strong finger nails.

Dip the towel in the water and put it over the hot iron. Now run the iron and towel over a small section of the paper. This will loosen the paper so that you can peel it off the wall. You will have to continue wiping the area with the wet towel, scraping the leftover paper with your finger nails. I tried a putty knife, but found it less effective.

Be carefull not to burn yourself with the steaming towel.

Now you know, and I am off to buy paint.

Muffin Round-up...Part II

Apple Muffins
3/4 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
1 c. natural applesauce
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3/4 c. lowfat buttermilk
2 c. flour (you can split 1 c. all purpose and 1 c. wheat flour - makes them healthy)
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 apple

1. Combine wet & dry separately. Mix together - do not over mix.
2. Fold in apples
3. Pour batter in greased muffin tins.
4. Optional topping: 2 Tbl. brown sugar, 1/4 c. chopped pecans, 1/2 tsp. cinnamon.
5. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

Now you have something else to use those apples for!

ps. mom get well soon - we sent you a mum for our mum!

my own little corner

It is not too big and it is not too small. My apartment fits me perfect. Slowly but surely I have been adding small personal touches to make it my own.  This picture is a small window into what now has become my home.

Girly Quilt

Thanks so much for the jungle fabric ca! I went totally girly with this one - pink everywhere!

a fashion statement

While not on any fashion runways, this headgear is a real beauty!
Like my niece, I too like fall fashions. This baseball/ski hat combo is not an uncommon sight in northern Mn. It doesnt even deserve a second glance in most social circles.
On this fine October day, it was quite comfortable for my bike ride around Lake Bemidji. So too was the down vest and leather gloves.
Even on a fine summer day in the boat, sometimes I will sneak it on over my cap - you never lose your lid in the wind.

Autumn Joy

The colors from the red & yellow trees are only a memory but my flower bed continues to have some beautiful colors. It's too late in the year to think about covering at night to protect from frost but I'm still hoping they last another month.

A real autumn joy.

Muffin Round-Up

I have bunches of muffin recipes that are good for this time of year. This is my new favorite way to use up all the frozen bananas in the fridge. Enjoy! Another muffin recipe next week.

Banana Cranberry Muffins

1 cup flake cereal (fiber one, wheaties)
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
3 tbsp vegetable oil
1 cup mashed banans (2 medium)
1 1/4 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
3 tsp bking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmg
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup cranberries

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Grease bottoms of 12 muffin cups. Smash Cereal.
2. Beat egg, milk & oil; beat in bananas. Stir in cereal - let stand 5 min.
3. Stir in remaining ingredients except cranberries until blended. Stir in cranberries. Divide evenly among muffin cups.
4. Bake 20-25 min. or until light golden brown.

Naomi

Yesterday, we closed our cabin for the winter.

One of the great things about living in the North, is seasons. I like moving on to a new season. Lets wax my skis! I probably don't look forward to winter as much as I do to the melting of the ice, so we can return to our island in the spring.

This picture is a rock sculpture in my flower garden. Her name is Naomi, and I put her in charge. She is an angel, and watches over our island.

I am always pensive about life and health when we leave for the winter. What if I never got back? When do people start getting old? My next birthday starts with a 6! I still water ski (on one) every summer just to say I still can. I walk my 18 holes, and I can kayak for miles. I think "old" is just a state of mind.

Farm Life

B and I have been having a discussion about farms this fall season. As this conversation progresses, I'm realizing more and more I have a highly romanticized version of farm life. He does not.

I am interested in hay rides and apple picking and pumpkin patches and have been trying to get B to accompany me for many years. He knows that this is a fake version of "farm life" and likes the real version better, so is not interested in picking apples one by one, when he could be driving a combine to pick thousands of acres of corn instead. I'm ok if he doesn't want to hike around a pumpkin patch with me, but I'm going to keep trying for the hayride.

I attribute my childhood understanding of farms and all things country living to my grandparents. They certainly had a working farm when I was growing up, but it was a whole lot different to be the "town cousin" there for a summer time visit or a christmas vacation. We had pet calves, rode horses, played in the barn and got an annual sleigh ride. If that isn't a romantic life, I'm not sure what is.

The View

On a recent trip to New York City it was great fun to see the world from the Empire State Building

But what really could be better than the view from a mountain overlooking Lake Superior

We are spoiled living in Grand Marais!

A blog challenge

Today I invite my sister, and my 2 nieces to a Blog challenge. There are no rules! Just write your feelings, thoughts, gripes, philosophies, brainstorms, recipes, whatever!

Marie and I have already been doing this, and I'm sure she will agree that this is a form of art, not unlike sewing. So I have chosen a title of "sew sew what" for our adventure.

Pictures are fun, but not always necessary.

Marie and Kelly have been having great sister experiences this week. Well, Janice and I enjoyed a great weekend together on the shore. Here we are on the Mt. Josephene hike. The fall colors were the best I have ever seen.

We examined the greenest moss, and tiny ferns growing on rocks, unlike most people have never seen. Boy are we lucky!