Hollyhocks

Are You a Field Hand or a Flower? And, Jon and Kate, of Course...

 

Today I helped the Dear Husband move this 500 pound,  huge slab from the driveway to the yard. The thing is 8" thick by several feet of solid concrete, stones and shells (no doubt from my grandparent's cottage decades ago). It has been sitting on the driveway since bedrest as we pondered what we could do with a huge, unbreakable, immovable slab. This move took the highest level of logistical planning, wooden boards, a hockey stick and some bad words. 

I was just labor on the project.

When we flipped it over, we decided that we kind of liked the look and, since grandpa made it, we'd keep it (it also weighs the aforementioned quarter ton and, as such, was unlikely to go far). After it was tucked into its new home with cilantro and basil planted around it, I remarked to the DH (who works in TV news with lots of pretty toothpick types) that he was "very lucky to have married such a useful woman". I think a little reminder now and then never hurts... So, what about you...are you a field hand or a flower, mostly?

This weekend marked the very first weekend visit to the Farmer's Market!!!!!!You know how happy that makes me.

 

Our growing season has just started so I wondered what I would find...It turns out that there are lots of things growing...perennials, annuals, greens, overwintered apples, fresh meat and breads and...this rhubarb, shown baked into a Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp. I just threw a few things together but this is how it went..

3 cups of Rhubarb, 2 cups of strawberries, 1 tblsp.of flour, 1/2 cup of sugar, a pinch of salt, 1/2 tsp. of cinnamon and 1/4 tsp.of freshly grated nutmeg, mixed together and spread into a buttered 9 by 13 ish pan.

Then...

2/3 cup of flour, 1/2 cup of brown sugar and 1/2 cup of oats with 1 stick of butter cut in with a vintage pastry blender (very important) and sprinkled over the top.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 45-50 minutes, until the filling is bubbly. Eat warm on a swing in your garden.

But I digress, the real reason I called you all here together is last week's episode of Jon and Kate Plus 8. Did anybody else go to bed that night feeling like a friend just announced that she may be getting divorced?  For most of us..marriage is a crazy life, but it's our life, and we're in it together...

Poor Kate, Poor Jon. Millions aside, they have daunting responsibilities. Kate's driving the van and Jon is barely reading the map. I think if they would just take divorce off of the table, they could sit down, with or without help and figure things out.

 They would need family support though, not that nasty Jodi and husband, Jon's relatives. Can't wait to see the Thanksgiving episode..."Pass the GRAVY Jodi, that is if you have time before you leave for your next Inside Edition appearance". I can't help but hope that they work things out. Those children need them.

I also think that they need to replace Kate's James Brolin look-alike bodyguard and take away Jon's ID so he stays out of the bars...But, that's just me...

Thanks for stopping by Hollyhocks! Have a good week.

Fabric Fabric Everywhere, and Only One Bolt to Buy

 

The Dear Husband and I went to an estate sale Friday because there was a WHOLE ROOM OF FABRIC! There was also lots of guy stuff so he was pretty happy too... I found..

 

A flock of flocked chicks...

 

A Swanky Swigs glass that I don't have. Or at least it's a glass for the collection that may be Swanky Swigs...

 

4 lovely linen napkins...because we are now a family of 4.Well, 5 actually, but Cadbury uses us for a napkin...

  

Rick Rack for crafting...

 

2 Gurley candles. Not unusual candles, but it's unusual to find them still in the package.

...and, finally, a bolt of fabric. Total cost...$8.00. There was a fairly large room, devoted entirely to fabric and trim, dozens of bolts, yards and yards of lace...boxes of thread...and all polyester...and not the good kind. It was so strange to be in this room and not want to buy anything...well, except this...

 

5 yards of a pretty little cotton. I have been sewing again and can't wait to show you what I have made, courtesy of Martha (Stewart, of course) and her great sewing ideas lately.

Well, I hope this finds you all loving the long weekend. I typed this post while swinging on my Mother's Day swing. My new favorite perch (the twins love it too). We set up...

 

Baby Jail this week, also known as the play yard. The twins have been loving the fresh air and sunshine...at least what they get of it through the SPF 500 they are coated in from head to toe. The DH also set up an umbrella over the corner of the jail so they are shaded... until they start crawling... The thing is huge and a great idea so far. I can get a few things done/planted while they play.

Parade tomorrow and we can't wait. It's the twins' first and this family LOVES a parade! Thanks for visiting Hollyhocks.

Home Sweet Home

 

I got the pattern for this dollhouse potholder  from Pam, who got it from Freda's Hive. It's a super easy project, layered with Insul-Bright (from Joann's) and backed with

  

This pretty cupcake fabric, also from Joann's. I added a button doorknob since I took the photo and will probably jazz up the window a bit. I made it as an example for one of my students to follow.

The IDT feature on the Pfaff sewing machine makes sewing multiple layers a breeze. I LOVE that feature.

My project for this weekend is to dream up a small last project for the sewing class. I had some ideas, but they were too girly. It's always a challenge to come up with projects the boys will get on board with. We are finishing the PJ pants (from Sew What Fleece). They have you measure yourself and make a custom pattern. The boys had difficulty with drafting the pattern, but the pants are coming out really well. Our principal is considering setting aside a day for the sewing students to wear them to school. If we are allowed, I will be rocking the yellow flannel Hello Kitty PJs. The twins gave me a wonderful 1st Mother's Day. The DH may have noticed my not-too-subtle hints because he gave me a covered futon swing for the yard...some assembly required...and the twins...

 

(Rory in vintage from Pretty Petals and a handmade cardigan from Josie, and Joe, of course, in stripes-mom loves stripes on him) got me 2 charms for my bracelet, a kitten and a dolphin (Joe Sr. calls Rory Flipper because when we put her in her crib, she flips over immediately.)

 

We saw the pediatrician this week for their 9 month checkup and Joe is, as predicted, a big dude, 29 inches and almost 23 pounds. Rory is 28 inches and 20.5 pounds. Both are in the 75th percentile for height and weight. It's so funny how I worried myself sick that they'd be frail and here they are, 2 big babies! We are so thankful. A bit of sibling squabbling has started recently...

 

The first time, Joe grabbed Rory's toy and she cried. She learned quickly though, and now she seems to be the "assertive" toy grabber. Here we go...

Thanks for visiting Hollyhocks. If we get a break in the rain this weekend, I have lots of planting to do. Warm weather is a reliable cure for most things here in the Northeast.

Sometimes You Break a Plate or Two

 

I thought I was doing o.k. I was going to bed earlier and earlier and I was snippy with the DH, but I was working a full-time job, taking care of twins, trying to be a good daughter and an o.k. friend and I was constantly cleaning up after 2 babies, a dog and a husband...but, I'm preaching to the choir here. You all get what I mean.

 If you have 2 X chromosomes and live with a man, your life is like mine more likely than not. So, I was spinning all of the plates...and then my stepdad died. I was dealing with it but never had time to be alone with my thoughts for a minute...and then, 2 weeks ago, a 12 year old boy was hit by a car in front of my school one morning. We all waited for word from the paramedics and were quickly told that he had died.

Recently, 2 pasta bowls fell out of the cupboard and shattered in a perfect metaphor for how I have felt over the past 2 weeks. I was sad, and tired and really, really angry that I was so sad and so tired and I still had to clean up after the DH.

Marriage is hard. If you don't believe me, Google the phrase "husband doesn't help around the house" and you'll find 6,700,000+ like-minded women. That's what I do when I am upset about something. I Google the term. It's nice to know you're not alone.

Life is hard. People die. I get that. I have just always had time to process things in my mind and then move on.

I get so tired.

 I woke up today and felt better. Still overwhelmed, but better. I need to talk to my friends more...and I got more pasta plates, online. First order of business...have a good friend over for dinner.

The twins are great. Such little loves. They laugh at each other when they sneeze and Kitten steals Rory's toys and she cries. We have to work on sharing...and on yanking the toy back!

...and I have been sewing...

 

...An apron and dish towels for a colleague. She painted her kitchen "creamsicle" and do you think I could find an orange dish towel anywhere? I had to dye white towels with Rit dye.

 

More terry lined bibs. Never enough bibs!

 

...and a drawstring bag for the pile of laundry that leaves day care every day with the twins. I am anxious to sew a dress for Rory with an Oliver and S pattern and lemon fabric, but that will take time and concentration. Good thing the pattern goes up to 24 months...

Hi to Barbara, Corrie, Josie, Sondra, Susan and all of my friends inside the computer. I am saving your emails and hope to answer someday soon.

Thanks for visiting Hollyhocks. I'm here if you need to "talk".

Jerusalem and SbonetSue won the pincushions. I decided to give away 2 because I made 2 more...Please email me your address and I'll send them off. (I used the random number generator. What a fun little toy). 

Do You Know What Time the Early Bird Buffet Opens?

 

The DH (dear husband) says they look like a couple of Miami retirees. The twins came out to observe yesterday as I was digging in the garden.

 

Rory lasted 10 minutes with the sunglasses before trying to eat them.

 

Joe's glasses ended up around his mouth. A good time was, however, had by all. Those of you who dote on your dogs will totally get this next photo and others will be appalled...

 

Rory and Cadbury are B-inter species-F.

 

...and Kitten is his momma's son. We've never met a nap we didn't like. I hope you are having a great weekend. Thanks for visiting Hollyhocks...

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