Project Runway

Last night's challenge should have been called "The Little Black Dress".

Holy Cow. Just when I thought it was not possible for them to do more short boring dresses -- they came up with the "Lord & Taylor" Project Runway collection?

THEN -- demanded that they all create -- wait for it --

A DRESS...

Ugh.

When I saw the names of the other Project Runway designers -- Jay McCarroll, Chris March, Mondo, Nick Verros -- I was again struck by their memorable garments.

So -- okay -- I am not a fan of this challenge. MORE DRESSES...

But I always turn this show on with an open mind. Maybe tonight one of them will create something inspired -- something amazing...

Ugh. You know where I'm going with this, don't you??

The only thing that was impressive tonight was the complete across-the-board "Can't Do" attitude from the women. WHAT A BUNCH OF WHINERS!!

The mean spirited Russian woman (Elena?) started crying right off the bat because she is SO DAMN CREATIVE -- SHE cannot possibly dumb down her designs to fit into the Lord & Taylor aesthetic. OH MY GOD...ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? This is episode 7 and nobody I know can remember a single thing you've made!!

The mousy blonde woman -- Melissa? -- was making a sheath dress with a stand up bodice and an asymetrical hemline. She was behind the 8-ball from the first moment, and had to completely start over because of the puckery, ill-fitting mess she made. Bronze brocade reads "black" on the runway, hon.

Moments before the runway show -- Sonji realized her model couldn't wiggle into her skin tight sheath dress -- and she was cutting the hem with a scissors and sobbing at the same time. Who said these designers couldn't multi-task?

Her dress was black, too...so it fit in with THIS DEAD BORING style show....one mediocre little black dress after another.

Dreadlock girl (sorry -- I keep thinking she's going home soon, so there's no point in learning her name) actually stood on the runway with her BLACK hot mess and told the judges she's just not capable of making a tasteful feminine dress.

MAYBE YOU SHOULD HAVE REALIZED THAT BEFORE YOU GAVE UP YOUR GREAT JOB AT STARBUCKS AND AUDITIONED FOR THIS SHOW, HONEY...

I woke up just in time to see that Gunner did black lace and Ven did a black folded flower...

I thought it was a terrible show. But maybe I'm not being fair. I'm also a fan of America's Got Talent -- and this week they eliminated the BEST ACT -- DITTELMAN. I cannot believe he won't be in the Finale....

Pennsylania Vacation

THANKS for the emails -- wondering what happened to me yesterday...

Sorry there wasn't a new post. Just when I thought I had things figured out -- the system fails me. Ugh. And hey -- if you're doing it right -- your life is so busy, you don't have time to blog about it!!

John's family lives in Pennsylvania and we only see them once a year -- so I try to plan a memorable activity or party or gift that will be special...

Last year, I had a "sock monkey party" for the little kids. We have six little grand-nieces and nephews back there...

The year before that -- I made swim cover-ups for them.

And remember all those adorable little "Coal Cracker"outfits??


(Memphis, in Iowa, is my official model)...

This year, I have some VERY SPECIAL GIFTS PLANNED for our visit. As per usual -- the adventure starts at a thrift store...and you'll just have to wait to see....
But -- since I stumbled on these pictures -- I've just gotta say -- CAN YOU BELIEVE I DID NOT BUY THIS SWEATER???
Really?? It was only $3.38...

WHAT WAS I THINKING???

Women Friends

In 1973, John and I moved into a house in Pine Grove, Pennsylvania. On that first day, I met my neighbor, Kathy Keefer. And that was it. We became lifelong friends. You never know when that's going to happen. Maybe tomorrow you'll meet somebody at a sewing class -- or your new friend will move into the house next door. The first time you talk -- you'll just click.

I LOVE that about life. You never know when you will meet somebody who will be that kind of woman friend. And you know what a big fan I am of WOMEN FRIENDS...

Kathy and I talked every day, and we'd get together to pick fruit at the local orchards or from our own gardens -- and we'd do canning. We loved making jam or pickles -- canning beans or tomatoes. We'd cook pies six at a time for our freezers. Depending on the season -- they could be apple, pumpkin, cherry... The year Ross was born, we had a scheme which involved making and selling 20 dozen doughnuts...unfortunately, the minute we plugged in all three fryers -- the electricity went dead...and then we got a 20" blizzard...

Fast forward twenty five years. Ross had a job in Harrisburg -- I suggested he stay with the Keefer's until he found a place. He was reluctant -- but after two days in her home -- Ross became like one of her own. He LOVED everything about the Keefer family -- especially Kathy's cooking. She makes an amazing shoofly pie...






But the thing that really bonded Kathy and her new son Ross was their mutual love of dogs. Oh My God....Ross loved Kathy's dogs. She usually has two or three dogs in the house. Along with an assortment of outside cats and other stray animals...
Kathy's dog Peter did the best dog trick I personally ever witnessed. Often. In the middle of a conversation, Kathy would say, "Peter -- bring me my smokes."

Peter would perk up and calmly trot around -- searching every room in the house until he found her pack of Marlboro's. Then, he'd bring them to her, gently setting them in her lap.

Kathy never skipped a beat. After Peter delivered her smokes, she'd absently pat him on the head...sometimes she'd say "now go find my lighter, buddy..."

Peter is gone now. And Kathy quit smoking. Sadly, we both had to quit eating apple pies. But I know that's what happens. Because life is all about change. And I'm just glad we were smart enough to enjoy those moments while they lasted...

Stop to Smell the Roses

What happened to the summer, people?? The kids are already back in school. I HATE THAT. In the good old days -- we didn't go back to school until after Labor Day. All the things I wanted to do -- and zoom -- summer is over.

But I DID make hay while the sun was shining. Even though it was a very abbreviated summer. I planned one big VISIT every week. Like -- this FABULOUS day with my friend Patsy. Thanks to her wonderful daughter-in-law, Heather -- we hooked up at a great Italian restaurant. We ate, we laughed, we caught up with each other's family news -- we cried a little and laughed some more. We both sew every single day -- it's always interesting to hear what OTHER women are sewing...

There were many important summer birthdays...Elliott, my cousin Kim, my brother Calvin, John. The Farro Family Birthday Cake is always the same. Chocolate -- with peanut butter icing. YUMMO...

I had Calvin and Jeanne over for a steak dinner to celebrate his birthday. It was nice to have Ross home that day to take this rare picture....
Cal's birthday dinner starts the same every year -- porterhouse steak and Army potatoes (Dad's favorite). From there -- I mix it up.

But, hey -- the food is not really the point. It's about making priorities...and deciding what's important. If you're too busy to spend an ordinary afternon -- once a week -- with the people who matter to you the most -- you're doing it wrong.

Because before you know it -- summer is over and the kids are back in school. (yes, that's a metaphor)...

Project Runway

Project Runway. Season 38...(it feels like it anyway)...no spoilers...

Yes -- I am watching. Again. I am happy that the usual cast of characters is back. My favorite, of course, is Tim Gunn. And I like the rhythm of Heidi with Michael Kors and Nina Garcia...

But so far -- I am just not in love with any of the contestants.

One of the reasons I haven't been blogging about Project Runway this season is because I cannot figure out how to up load any PICTURES. Part of the problem is with blogger -- part of it is with my Windows 7 learning curve...

It's very difficult to write about Project Runway without pictures.

But I decided (after receiving many email complaints!) -- that with or without pictures -- I just had to weigh in on this season!!

First of all -- I am very disappointed in the quality of the contestants. Really, people?? You looked far and wide for the likes of Buffi and Raul?? HOLY COW. What a lackluster group they are...

I remember Season One -- falling in love with Jay McCarroll -- and I was shocked that Austin Scarlett wasn't in the finale -- and didn't we all love to hate Wendy Pepper??

In Chloe Dao's winning season -- I remember thinking Daniel Vostovic was giving her a run for her money, and who could forget Santino??

There were so many wonderful designers who made memorable garments -- who didn't even win their season! Chris March, Kenley Collins, Mondo Guerra, Laura Bennett, Uli Herzner, Johnathan Kayne -- remember his fabulous "pageant gowns"??

Name one garment from this season -- so far -- that was memorable??

At least part of the problem with this season is the boring challenges. Make a garment for the runway that is the same color as the Lexus? Make a garment that can go from day to night..?
I feel like we've already seen a hundred boring little dresses...and I am missing the drama...a point of view...something...

The reason there are no spoilers in this post is because I DO NOT CARE ENOUGH about who went home this week to even write about it...

Every week, I wait for the final Style Show on the runway -- and I want to see a garment that takes my breath away...

But it's just not happening. This is week #6, and I still don't know their names.

And frankly, I find myself switching the channel to see if there's a rerun somewhere of some Toddlers & Tiaras...

Life Is Change

I had to get a new computer last week. ugh. This is my fifth LAPTOP...I burn these puppies up...and I hate the learning curve of getting a new computer...

Because I have to transfer all my documents and pictures to the new PC, and then learn a new operating system...it is always a HUGE, BIG, MESS....as I'm sure you know...

But -- sooner or later -- I'll figure it out. Part of the process is spending hours trying to find things that seem to be missing.

Sometimes -- I find things forgot I had...

Like these three pictures of our son Ross during his trip to South Africa....

He is a cameraman for a wildlife documentary company. He's been to 42 States -- including three times to Alaska...

Last year, he was in Italy...and Hungary...

After college, Ross spent 10 years in television news -- then five years doing this wildlife gig.

This month, Ross starts a new chapter in his life. He is back in Iowa, returning to college -- to become a nurse.

Hey -- it feels like the right thing. Ross will be a great nurse -- and our job is to be supportive.

But there's no question -- THIS IS A BIG LIFE CHANGE. We went from seeing Ross twice a year -- to having him living upstairs...

YIKES...Of course, because of my new Pinterest addiction, I have many words of wisdom that are pertinent to any life-changing situation...here are my three favorites...

Making a big life change is pretty scary. Know what's evey scarier? Regret.

You decide, every moment of every day, who you are and what you believe in. You get a second chance every second.

If you don't like where you are -- then change it. You are not a tree.

Lawn Parties

I've had a wonderful summer, with some very special occasions and some pretty awesome LAWN parties. My friend Sue did it up for her husband Kim's retirement. She worked for weeks cleaning her-always-meticulous-looking house. (I'm still not done making fun of her because she cleaned her windows and ceiling fans -- knowing full well nobody would come into the house...)

As people started to arrive -- there was a "snack tent" -- with jars of candy and a popcorn machine, etc...


Then -- there was the BIG TENT -- with all the tables and chairs...
AND, of course -- the food. You already heard about the fabulous cole slaw. But the real star of this party was the wonderful, tender, delicous pulled pork...



I loved the little write-up they made for Kim's "retirement"...listing ALL THE JOBS he had over the years. (starting with paper boy at the age of 8)....

Yes, I had a wonderful time. The decorations were fabulous...lights on the tent, in the trees. This would have been a nice picture of the three of us. Except that the woman I do not know closed her eyes...

Sue and Kim with their children. Kahn and Kara. GREAT JOB, YOU...

Now - if I could just figure out how to get these pictures out of my computer and on to a CD or something she could actually use...

Maybe she knows who that woman is....

My new Chico's Top

This is a picture of me at the Tuesday morning breakfast club...with my friend Linda. I'm wearing my favorite new Chico's top. I love the print...and the colors...

WAIT. I don't shop at Chico's. Because they don't make clothes big enough for me!!

So what's the story here?? I BOUGHT IT AT THE THRIFT STORE, of course. The tags were still on it...and I paid $2.38. Knowing full well that it wouldn't fit me. But, hey -- no problem -- BECAUSE I SEW...

Here, you can see that I added a strip of white knit fabric in each side. I cut off the sleeves -- and using the two sleeves, I made one bigger sleeve. Then, I made a white sleeve, used the leftover fabric from sleeve #2 to make a "band"...

I've done this many times....it's an easy way to make a too-small-top or dress fit my too-large body....

And, if you sew -- YOU, TOO, CAN BE A CHICO'S girl...

Or -- maybe I could just go on a diet, eh??

Miscellaneous

Over the years one of my MOST POPULAR gifts starts with this....
Any guesses? AND I have managed to incorporate the hems of recycled t-shirts...to make handles....for what??


THAT'S RIGHT...Rice Bag Heating Bags!! Still the most amazing, practical, easy to make, wonderful to give, always appreciated gift. Every coupla months -- I make five or six of them, just to have on hand...
On a recent shopping excursion -- I found these wonderful little framed embroideries...

Class Reunion

• Under the category of "what was I thinking?" -- I am on the committee for my upcoming class reunion. Holy Cow. These things are a LOT of work. I've had to repeatedly get together with the other committee members for dinner meetings to plan the big party. There were the invitations (Pat did most of that). Collecting the money (Sue was in charge). Lining up the place (I don't know who did that).
  
  The truth is -- I may have been enjoying myself a little too much at these committee dinners -- because at some point, I was put in charge of the "program".
  
  Wha??
  
  There were a lot of suggestions. We are not capable of putting together a slide show -- or editing a bunch of old pictures to create a "film" -- showing how much better we all looked WAY BACK THEN. ugh.
  
  Trivia games? Really? We already know Merlyn Marten is the smartest guy in the room.
  
  So, if I'm in charge...I think there should be some kind of ice breaker. Preferably, some kind of activity that won't put anybody on the spot or make them feel stupid...
  
  IF you walked into your reunion, and were handed this sheet of paper -- what would you do?
  
  Describe yourself -- using only three words.

THEN -- pick just one of these questions -- and answer it for the group:

1. If you had known then what you know now -- WHAT JOB WOULD YOU WANT?


2. If you could visit any place in the world -- where would you go and how long would you stay?


3. What is your favorite thing to do during the Iowa WINTER.


4. The year after High School, we all made big choices -- what was your BEST choice?


5. Speaking of choices -- what was your WORST choice?


6. If they made a movie of your life -- what is it about and which actor would you want to play you? NAME one big thing on your bucket list?


7. What do you miss most about being a teenager?


8. What was your favorite vacation OF ALL TIME.


9. If you have a day off -- WHAT WILL YOU DO?


10. TOMORROW -- you can get on a magic carpet and spend the day with one person in the world. Who would it be?
    

OR -- would it be better to have everybody answer four or five of the questions -- then pass the paper around at the table they're sitting at, and guess who's answers they are reading?

What was your FAVORITE REUNION GAME EVER??

c'MON....we want it to be fun!!

More Painted Furniture

Thanks for all the emails about my painted furniture. Yes, I know...my interior decorating is just a bit wacko. My painted living room furniture was inspired by this fabric...
This is an end table...which sits between two Lazy Boys...


And a simple stool. Most of the time, my laptop lives here...

Another end table. This one is for John's Lazy Boy...

In Lillian's room -- the color scheme is much more pink and orange...with neon green accents...

And, of course, any favorite thing of mine MUST involve some words. You've seen it before. I still love it...and it's still true...
Most days, you can't tell your good luck from your bad.

Olympia, Washington Visitors

The last time you saw Dana -- we were attending one of Pat's famous dinner clubs. That day, we were both charmed by these fascinators...purchased from a street vendor in Olympia, Washington...

I WAS SO EXCITED to get a phone call on a Friday afternoon from Dana. She and her husband Bill were driving through Iowa and they wondered if I had dinner plans that night!

Because he loves to do spontaneous things (yes, that is sarcasm) -- my husband John agreed to join us. I picked a famous local restaurant, the Iowa Machine Shed. Hey -- how can we go wrong? The waitresses wear bib overalls!!
AND they make some world-class pork dishes. This is the stuffed pork chop...at least 3" thick...The bottomless sides -- corn on the cob, coleslaw, applesauce, cottage cheese -- are served family style. I am trying not to think how many Weight Watcher points this meal will be. Maybe 150? lol...


OF COURSE the cash register looks like the front of a tractor. Yes, here in Iowa -- once we establish a theme -- we stick to it!!
Dana and I did a little shopping in the theme-oriented gift shop. She'll be bringing a surprise back to Olympia for you, Pat!!

IT WAS SUCH a delight to have visitors from a foreign land. Dana and Bill were driving clean across the country. If you find yourself on Interstate 80 this summer -- SEND ME AN EMAIL. I'd love to see you!! (ritafar@aol.com)

Fisher House

There are many, many good causes out there. Take, for example -- the Fisher House program.

Because members of the military and their families stationed worldwide must often travel great distances for specialized medical care, Fisher House Foundation donates "comfort homes," built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers. These homes enable family members to be close to a loved one at the most stressful times - during the hospitalization for an unexpected illness, disease, or injury.

There is at least one Fisher House at every major military medical center to assist families in need and to ensure that they are provided with the comforts of home in a supportive environment. Annually, the Fisher House program serves more than 17,000 families, and have made available over four million days of lodging to family members since the program originated in 1990. No family pays to stay at any Fisher House.

This is all made possible because of one man. Zachary Fisher...

It is a wonderful story I wanted to share....

A native of Brooklyn, New York, Mr. Fisher began working in construction at the age of 16. Shortly thereafter, he and his brothers, Martin and Larry, joined forces to form Fisher Brothers, which has grown into one of the real estate industry’s premier residential and commercial developers, owning more than five million square feet of office space.

From the earliest days of his construction career, Mr. Fisher was a strong supporter of the U.S. Armed Forces. Prevented from active service in World War II due to a leg injury, Mr. Fisher drew on his building skills to assist the U.S. Coastal Service in the construction of coastal fortifications. His patronage of the Armed Forces became an ongoing concern from that time, evolving to occupy increasing amounts of his energies.

In the 1970s, while remaining active in Fisher Brothers, Mr. Fisher’s commitment to both the Armed Forces and other philanthropic causes intensified still further through his leadership role in a number of major projects. In 1978, he founded the Intrepid Museum Foundation to save the historic and battle-scarred aircraft carrier INTREPID from the scrap yard. Four years of involvement with the foundation resulted in his spearheading the opening of the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum in New York City, now the world’s largest naval museum.

In 1982, the same year as the museum’s opening, Mr. Fisher established the Zachary and Elizabeth M. Fisher Armed Services Foundation. Through the foundation, he made significant contributions to the families of the victims of the bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut in 1983. Since then, the Armed Services Foundation has made contributions of $25,000 to numerous military families who have lost loved ones under tragic circumstances.

Mr. Fisher made similar donations to the families of New York City firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty. His Armed Services Foundation also provides scholarship funds to active and former service members and their families.

In 1990, Mr. and Mrs. Fisher began the Fisher House program, dedicating more than $20 million to the construction of comfort homes for families of hospitalized military personnel. With the establishment of Fisher Houses throughout the United States and in Landstuhl, Germany, the program has provided thousands of lodging days, saving families millions of dollars each year, a service invaluable to these Armed Forces families.

Yes, she can smile

The other day, my friend Linda said she wanted to see a picture of Lillian SMILING. I didn't realize I'd posted so many grouchy pictures of her. Lilly is a pensive child. She doesn't believe in smiling for no good reason...

Which became obvious to me as I reviewed the dozens of photos I took this summer...In this one, she is smiling...isn't she?

Here, licking the bowl after making her Dad's birthday cake...that's almost a smile, isn't it?

With our cousin Avery, after swimming in Aunt Deena's blow up pool -- it was SO CLOSE to a real smile...

HERE IT IS -- well worth the wait -- the Lilly Smile -- trying on a wig she found in her dress-up chest...

She is a thoughtful, pensive child. And I often marvel at all the things she HAS figured out in a scant three years. Although Lilly speaks very clearly -- I don't always understand every word. The other day, we were at the Farmer's Market at the city park in Camanche, Iowa.

We were walking back to the car when she said, "they have same sex"...

I looked at her and said, "what?"

Lilly pointed, "look, grandma -- same sex" ...

I followed her finger, and saw two men selling tomatoes...and I said, "yes, honey, we live in Iowa -- it's legal here."

A nearby woman laughed and said, "I think she's pointing to the SWING SETS"...

I'm telling you -- when you are this little -- just trying to communicate with the big people around you is EXHAUSTING...

BEST COLESLAW RECIPE

Sue and Kim invited 150+ people to his retirement party. The menu was slow-roasted pork BBQ sandwiches, watermelon, coleslaw, buns, homemade chocolate chip cookies, carrot cake, chocolate sheet cake -- along with LOTS OF OTHER STUFF. There was a "Candy Bar" -- a popcorn machine, beer, soda -- well, you get the idea.

Sue's brother is a vegetable farmer -- and the homemade coleslaw was a very important element to the meal. I told her the best coleslaw I ever ate was at Kathy Keefer's house in Pine Grove, Pennsylvania. My friend Kathy is an incredible cook -- and her coleslaw is DELICIOUS.

I told Sue, "If you like KFC coleslaw -- you will love this." So, on the day before the party -- I went to her house and we fired up TWO food processors. We peeled the carrots...

And broke down 17 heads of cabbage...

Sue mixed up small batches of the dressing...we had one certain large bowl that was perfect to mix up one batch at a time...


Kathy -- YOU WOULD BE SO PROUD. Sue loved your coleslaw -- (and she is the pickiest person you will ever meet -- I mean that in a very loving way)...
Here it is -- on a bed of ice -- with a fly cover -- and it's own little identifying placard...

THIS COLESLAW IS DELICIOUS. It is a very simple recipe -- you probably already have everything you need in the frig.

Kathy's Coleslaw:

1 large head of cabbage
5 carrots (more or less -- you decide)

Dressing:
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup vinegar (cider)
1/4 cup milk

Grate the cabbage and carrots (I like it fine -- Sue prefers a little more coarse).

Mix the dressing separately...then pour it over the shredded cabbage & carrots and mix well. Stir before serving.