VBP: Arizona Barb...

Over the weekend, we had our usual Saturday afternoon  Google Hangout chat.  Mary Mulari, Deanna Springer, Rhonda Pierce and me.  As we are in four different states -- it is the ULTIMATE social distancing...

I wore my flannel nightgown, to honor the memory...

Mary, Rhonda and I all came on the screen WEARING the turtleneck scarf/facemask that Deanna designed for NZP.  She was surprised!!

I went on to model a few others...so far, I think I whipped up 20 of those suckers.  And I already know the men in my family are WAY more likely to wear this. (I'm putting yours in the mail TODAY, Kathy!)

They are learning more about how the virus spreads -- and after reading this article in the New York Times  -- I feel safe to venture outdoors for some social distancing visits.  So that's my goal this week.

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Barb, from Arizona wrote to me on my birthday....

She shared what she was actually DOING on March 29...she was altering a lace dress, and hemming some linen pants. So, right away, I know two things about her. She's a better seamstress than I am -- and she's thin. (Nobody my size would ever voluntarily wear linen pants.)

She also shared this:

I am struggling with the stay home, stay safe idea. I’m doing it but I cannot say that I’m doing it very well. I find myself a bit depressed and sad. I thought I was a bit of a home body but now that we’ve been told to stay home I realize that is only part of me. I miss my babies and their babies and my friends!

I feel as if I’m constantly reminding myself that I truly am blessed and this too shall pass. And yet ...

 I’m still sad...

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Me, too, Barb.  I think we're all feeling lonely and missing our peeps.

But, my friend Rhonda says she looks at this forced shut-down as a "gift of time". And I think that's a wonderful way to consider this situation.

With that in mind -- one of the best ideas I've heard came from my favorite Great-Grandmother, Pat -- in Olympia, Washington.  She writes:

Guess the only productive thing I’ve been doing is writing lessons plans twice a week and sending them to my 7 great-grandkids between the ages of 4 and 11 twice a week. I call them Grandma Pat’s Home School Projects. Actually I got the idea from you Rita; did the first one on Rock Painting! Others have been Heart Dioramas, Curly Dogs, Ants on a Log, Painted Cookies, Macaroni Butterflies, etc.

Pat, from Olympia, visiting with me and Mary in Minnesota! WE USED TO REALLY GET AROUND, EH??

I've asked Pat to share her "lesson plans". And I'm pretty sure she snail mails them to her Grandkids. And WHAT AN OLD SCHOOL TREAT that would be for our grandchildren, eh? I'm definitely gonna steal this idea...
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MMWI:  229.2

Nancy Zieman 30-minute Turtleneck Scarf/Facemask

Although I promised myself I would NOT blog about the virus...it seems like every day, I feel compelled to comment on something that's happening...

Today -- I want to share THIS.  The scarf/face mask from Nancy Zieman's blog.  OMG.

I've probably made about 30 masks...or 50...some way better than others. And I've used five or six different mask patterns...then, I tweek them to fit my people...I've done the 3 pleats, the Olson mask, the CDC mask, the Japanese 3-D mask, I've used elastic, ties, nose wire...I get it...I get it....

But - then THIS HAPPENED. IT'S a game changer!! OMG...I can make a dozen of these in the time it takes me to make a single mask.

For one thing, no matter what pattern or fabric I used, my husband John and my brother Calvin have never worn a mask.  It seems like they can't get the elastic (or ties) to work when they're wearing a baseball cap (which they ALWAYS do)...and it's just too awkward for them to bother with.

But -- if I can get the dimensions right -- using a gray or black knit -- this turtleneck simply pulls up around their nose, and with a snug fit -- I feel like they're protected...and it just might be something the guys will wear.

AND YOU SHOULD SEE THE JAZZY VERSIONS I'M MAKING FOR MYSELF..!!

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VBP: The FOOD..!!

Although Beth didn't send her personal recipe for Bannock Scones, they sounded SO DELICIOUS, I wanted to surprise her by actually MAKING THEM MYSELF.

...this is a recipe off the internet...and they were just as good as I hoped they would be..!!

Blueberry Bannock Scones

2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cups blueberries
2 Tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2/3 cup  milk
1 beaten egg
1/2 cup cold butter

Directions:

• In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt.
• Cut butter into dry ingredients until pea sized
• Add blueberries
• Use spatula to stir in wet ingredients.
• Dump on to plastic wrap, knead gently to form into flat disc (1" thick)
• Cut into circles, or squares, or tirangles...
• Bake @ 400 degrees. 20-25 minutes, until golden brown.

I had blueberries -- and a few raspberries, too...

It was a very sticky dough, so I used plastic wrap to wrangle it into a disc.

I cut them in scone shapes...but my pan was too crowded.

So, they kind of baked into one another...

WE LOVED THEM, BETH. Thanks for the inspiration. But I already know that I made several big mistakes with this first effort. The big thing being -- I believe actual Bannock is supposed to be cooked on top of the stove? In a cast iron skillet?

 I'll try that next time -- but WE ALL LOVED THEM....we ate them hot, out of the oven, with some real butter...yummo....

and I had a great time telling everybody I was making Blueberry Bannock Scones!!

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And, while I'm at it -- here's a picture of another recipe I cooked -- Aunt Linda's Potato Quiche...which was also delicious!!

I didn't have bacon, Anne, so I put chopped ham inside.  DELISH..!!

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8:00 AM.  We woke up this morning to 4 inches of new snow...AND IT'S STILL COMING DOWN...

VBP: God Saved Project Runway

Virus note: When it comes to groceries, we are not experiencing any real shortages in our area. Except for two things. Yeast and toilet paper.

The shortage of yeast is a mystery to me. I mean -- BREAD IS WIDELY AVAILABLE -- so what's that about?

But, the shortage of toilet paper is understandable. There are two kinds of toilet paper manufactured in this country -- commercial grade (offices, schools, retail stores, restaurants, etc.) and home rolls.

Obviously -- THE COMMERCIAL GRADE STUFF is temporarily off limits. So -- the HOME ROLLS are having to pick up the slack.

Which is why finding toilet paper has become the new national sport!! No kidding.  It comes up in almost every conversation I have....

But since I scored a BALE (30 rolls) at Costco last week, I've taken myself out of the game for now.

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So, after that little Virus Update -- back to my VIRTUAL BIRTHDAY PARTY....

I met Carol over ten years ago -- at one of those wonderful Midwest Ya Ya Sisters sewing events.

(I'm afraid I still have this outfit...somewhere...)

Carol and I have touched base now and then (we share a love of Featherweights).

And her VBP gift??

SHE TOLD ME ABOUT A NEW MUST-WATCH TV SHOW....

Amazon Prime - Heidi and Tim are all glammed up with sewers from all over the world. The contestants are professional designers who fix up their design and leave it for sewers overnight and VOILA! in the morning it's done. The runway is a public showing, not just Heidi and co. Have you watched it? It's different but interesting. There's a woman from Virginia who dreams up these outlandish outfits, has others sew for her and then sells her stuff. She can't do anything. She was using a Vogue pattern - of course all the others were draping and using slopers - and had never cut out a pattern. Beats me how she wasn't the one to go home. But I digress

HOORAY -- I HAVE AMAZON PRIME..!! This is the perfect time for me to learn how to use that darn Firestick...

With all this extra time on her hands...Carol has been looking at  her UFO's...and she shared this inspirational thought...from Diane Ericson:

     Not everything is meant to be a finished product. There are different reasons to make!!!Making is an adventure…often into the unknown and past our experiential comfort zone (otherwise know as: ‘WHAT was I thinking???’)

Sometimes re-visiting those projects, reveals our growth in a different way: ie=I learned what I needed as I was making, and now I can recycle it into my stash or pass it on.

Tonight - I'm too lazy and not hungry enough to drive 22 miles for a take-out bloody mary with toothpicks of cheese/olives, shrimp and a lobster tail

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THANK YOU, CAROL!! I am THRILLED to have Heidi and Tim to look forward to. And I've got one more thing to say...IF THERE IS A BLOODY MARY WITH CHEESE, OLIVES, SHRIMP AN A LOBSTER TAIL...get in your car.

I would make that a day's mission....

Gas is down to $1.28 a gallon here -- maybe I'll DRIVE THERE MYSELF...

VBP: Strangest Recipe

So -- how long have we been in quarantine? At least six months, right? Like all of you -- I'm trying to make the best of it...My friend Pat told me she thought this blog sounded like I was in a slump...and I guess that was true enough.

But, THANKS TO MY VIRTUAL BIRTHDAY PARTY -- I am feeling MUCH, MUCH BETTER.

Really -- the last two weeks have been almost exciting. I feel blessed, and I am so grateful for the life I have...I've received so many emails and phone calls...and every conversation makes me count my blessings. To have the life I have, and to live in the place I live...

I think Social Distancing is going to be part of our lives for a long time...but I'm getting used to it, and have enjoyed getting together with friends and family in this new, socially distanced way.

I've also joyfully embraced ZOOM...today, I'm doing a sew and tell with Mary Mulari and our friend Marion in Canada. (who is cutting up her husband's shirts to make aprons).

The biggest blessing? IT'S SPRINGTIME. The weather is changing -- so we're able to TAKE OUR VISITS TO THE GREAT OUTDOORS...and I have never appreciated my Iowa existence more.

Yesterday, I had another picnic lunch at a nearly abandoned parking lot with my cousin.  We had a safe-six-feet-apart visit.  We had a most wonderful catch-up.  It is shocking how much better I feel after some actual human contact...

I have also enjoyed MANY TERRIFIC, OLD FASHIONED phone calls. Wow. I forgot how enjoyable a REAL phone call can be...remember when we were teenagers -- and we talked on the phone for hours every night? As a newlywed, I walked all over my kitchen with that 13' cord...

Before Covid 19, communication had been reduced to texting, instagram, Facebook...and, I've gotta say -- I have loved having real, genuine, how-are-you-feeling-during-this-horrible-time two-way conversations with people.  As we hit this forced pause button  -- I'm just saying -- it's a really good time to CALL SOMEBODY...

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And, most importantly -- I am still basking in the glow of my Virtual Birthday Party...and I got a REAL kick out of Jill's email...
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My gift to you is a recipe that I have had for many years. It came from the CEO of the hospital that I worked at. He submitted it for the hospital fundraising cookbook. He was an Iowa boy originally.
I hope you and your family make as many great memories with this recipe as my family has. We even served this when the minister came to meet with the family after my Dad died.

The minister’s comment was “this gives a whole new meaning to breaking of bread”. He even managed to work it into a sermon.



When I make this sandwich, I usually do it the night before. I triple wrap it in Saran Wrap. Then when I cut it, I leave the Saran Wrap on. It keeps everything intact and easier to serve.

The biggest hint is to tell the person doing the honor of sitting on the sandwich not to be shy or delicate. It needs a good amount of pressure to keep the sandwich together.

You can make this sandwich your own by adding or subtracting things your family likes/doesn’t like. I add banana peppers for a little heat.

Happy Birthday and Enjoy!!!

Jill made the sandwich for a sewing retreat with friends...and she sent this picture of the special guest who had the honor of sandwich sitting...

TRUST ME, JILL -- When I'm allowed to have my actual birthday party -- I am gonna make this sandwich!! Thanks for giving me one more thing to look forward to!!

P.S....Rhonda, Mary and Deanna. You know that sewing retreat we talked about? THIS IS GONNA BE LUNCH ON THE FIRST DAY...

VBP: Zipper Linen Bags

Joan came to my Virtual Birthday Party -- all the way from Arizona. She's been training for the quarantine, as her husband had surgery, then a staph infection, so she's been home tending to him since last fall. He was just starting to feel better when THIS HAPPENED. ugh.

When I asked her to tell me what she was doing on my birthday...this is what she sent...

Happy Birthday

I have been able to spend a couple hours every day in my sewing room.....what to sew? what to sew? Then I saw something on facebook...a lady in England found a beautiful old doily and made a zipper bag with it. I have a whole cedar chest full of those things my grandmother and aunts made years ago..(I turn 81 later this year so you get the point). I know my kids don't want these and I almost boxed them up to donate when I saw the post.

So- here is what I will be doing tomorrow....These are a few that I made this week. I can't wait to do more. My whole family will be getting these for Christmas....A remembrance of family long gone.

SUCH A GREAT IDEA..!!

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I LOVE THIS IDEA, Joan!! It's a wonderful way to repurpose some beautiful family treasures. We need to get over thinking somebody, someday, somewhere, is going to want to use a dresser scarf or a doily. But it's a shame to keep the beautiful embroidery stashed away where nobody can see or enjoy them.

Your zipper bags are ART!!  They would be useful in a dozen different ways -- and the recipient can actually HEAR STORIES about the women who came before them.  What a wonderful way to enjoy their beautiful handiwork...

Weight Loss Journal (WLJ): Hypnosis Update

The BIG QUESTION is whether or not the Hypnosis helped me.

Of course, only time will tell. So I didn't know the answer to that question the next day, or even the next week.

But now -- six weeks have passed. So -- here's my assessment...

First of all -- here's how the Mark Patrick Hypnosis session worked.

During the first hour, the speaker talked about how the human body works. How and why we gain weight, and what we have to do to lose weight...good habits versus bad habits...he was quoting dozens of scientific studies...it was boring. SOOO BORING....I almost fell asleep several times...

(fake sleeping -- Sew Expo 2012)...

Here are some notes I took:

· The only way the body can lose weight is to burn more calories than you take in.

· MUSCLES are the only thing in your body that can burn calories.

·  Muscle cells can only start burning calories when you eat food.

·        Once they start burning calories, they burn for 3 hours.

· If you go for long periods of time with NO FOOD, your muscle cells go into a famine state...which slows your metabolism...

TO LOSE WEIGHT, I MUST:

1. Drink lots of water (to hydrate your muscle cells so they can burn calories)

2. Eat something every 3 hours...a piece of fruit, a handful of nuts, oatmeal, eggs.
    (EAT REAL FOOD...forget about low fat, light, skim milk, etc. Stay away from artificial sweeteners...)

3. Get 8 hours of sleep every night.

SLEEP:

· If you don’t get enough sleep at night, your muscles are not rested, they basically have to work twice as hard the next day...so one night of bad sleep will cost you 1300 calories the next day.

· The reason America is having so much trouble sleeping is because we’re not getting the natural tryptophan we used to get everyday in milk. Many protein foods (especially turkey) have natural tryptophan, but for hundreds of years, we got it every day via our dairy --which used to be delivered fresh to our door.  But then, they fired all the milkmen and started to pasteurize milk to give it a longer shelf life...no more tryptophan.

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So -- after the long, boring scientific lecture -- we got to the actual hypnosis part of the event.

FINALLY!!

There were about 50 participants in the room. And the speaker told us that we would be awake the entire time...we'd hear every word he said.

The whole point of hypnosis is to put everything we'd learned about losing weight...from our conscious mind into our subconscious mind.  Because, 80% of our daily actions are habits controlled by our subconscious mind.

(are you falling asleep yet?  sorry...)

Everybody in the room was told to think of a giant white board....and to write our SINGLE WORST EATING HABIT on that chalkboard.

For me -- that was easy -- Late Night Snacking.  I wrote that on my imaginary chalkboard...it was MY WORST SINGLE BAD EATING HABIT.  I might have had the perfect day -- oatmeal for breakfast, one hour in the pool, a light lunch, a frozen Healthy Choices supper...everything PERFECT.  Then, at 10:00, I'd start jonesing for something crunchy and/or salty...but, since I don't buy junk food or chips...I'd settle for 20 Ritz crackers with peanut butter....or a toasted English muffin with cheese...of course, two corn tortillas and some cheese at Midnight is NOT a good thing...

Yes -- I need help.

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Two weeks later, Monday, March 9 -- I realized I'd lost 6 pounds.  That was HUGE for me....

And, looking back at the last month, I definitely know the late night snacking isn't the problem it once was.....

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MMWI:   233.6....hey -- nobody said it was gonna be EASY.  It was Easter...the official CHOCOLATE HOLIDAY OF THE YEAR...and there was ham...and coconut custard pie... What would've happened if I hadn't walked on my treadmill FIVE days last week??!!  They don't call it an uphill battle for nothing...

I wrote an official EASTER post on Sunday.  Just in case you missed it...scroll down..