New Housecoat

I made another housecoat! This time I used an original pattern from the 1940s. It was my first time ever making something from a pattern that old. I was shocked to find that the pattern pieces weren't marked! No markings at all except little perforations. The directions were a little different than modern day, too, so it was a challenge! But, it went together really well! I'm really pleased with how it turned out!

Here's the front...

Closeup...

Back View...

Is there anything Nancy Drew can't do?

Nancy Drew can:

• Horseback ride
• Do circus tricks on horses
• Tap dance (in morse code)
• Play the bagpipes
• Play the piano
• Skillfully manuever her blue roadster at extremely high speeds
• Revive a fainted person
• Administer whatever kind of first aid a situation calls for
• Decipher codes
• Win golf tournaments
• Win tennis tournaments
• She could use ventriloquism to throw her voice and confuse a crook
• Fly a plane
• More importantly LAND a plane
• Make beautiful stained glass
• Speak enough of several languages to get by
• Paint
• Bake
• Sew
• Pass a college level test (with flying colors) after only an hour's study in the library.
• Do a high jump in ballet
• Divert numerous dangerous animals such as charging bulls, crocodiles, angry dogs,and rearing horses.
• Find a hidden room, hidden staircase or hidden anything just by looking in the room.
• She was a superior chemist
• She knew "more than most people" about art, music, literature and theatre

Just your everyday, average girl...

You know you're from Wisconsin when...

I've lived in Wisconsin for 5 years now... Here's some things I've noticed. And, yes, some of these apply to me... :-)

• You can leave your ice cream in the car while you run other errands
• You know the difference between "Velveeta" and CHEESE!
• You buy all of your clothes at Farm and Fleet
• You know how to pronounce Mukwanago, Eau Claire, Oconomowoc and Mazomanie
• The four seasons are: Planting season, Camping Season, Hunting Season and Football season.
• When talking about the Green Bay Packers you refer to them as "We"
• When the temperature gets down to 0 degrees you break out your winter coat
• Your family owns a "winter car" (The good one sits in the garage Nov-April)
• You consider Madison another world
• You buy cat litter every winter, but you don't own a cat
• You plan activities around choring time

"The Man" sings Sinatra

Have you seen The Man From Snowy River? I'll bet you didn't know that Tom Burlinson (AKA Jim Craig) or "The Man" as we call him at our house, :-) could sing just like Frank Sinatra.
Here's a link to a couple of clips. Keep clicking the "next" button at the bottom of the page until you see the clips. Enjoy!!!!!

Movie Review...

This movie should come with a warning: You will need 2 boxes of Kleenex to watch this movie!!!!!

Picture this: A man and his son... all alone... sleeping on the floor of a bathroom in a subway station. They have nowhere to go. No one to help them. No money. Their only hope is that the man's unpaid internship at a stock brockerage company will turn into a real job. He has a 5% chance of getting this job. They have to make it through the next 4 months on $22.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

I loved this movie. LOVED it. Based on a true story. In the beginning of the movie (actually to be more accurate... the first 90% of the movie) everything goes wrong for Chris Gardner. But, even in the middle of everything going wrong amazing things happen.
Rated PG-13 for language (if I took a guess... I'd say maybe 10 swear words)

Quote of the Day...

"It is no use to preach to children if you do not act decently yourself."

Anybody wanna guess who said this?

Fiddler on the Roof...

Have I posted enough about Fiddler on The Roof? I don't think so....
I went to see it twice... Hey, what can I say? I'm a fan!!! I've been going to shows at the U for a couple of years now, so I've seen these actors in a lot of different roles. Yep, I'm definitely a fan!
I stole these pictures off of Katie's blog... There are more there. But, anyway, these were my favorites....
Tradition!!!! That's Tevye in the middle... Golde is on the right. They were great...

Sabbath Prayer This is the rabbi... I thought he was really good.

Matchmaker, Matchmaker These three girls were very good. Kelsey Klug (in the white) was Chava. I think I'll start a Kelsey Klug fan club....

The Bottle Dance! No cheating here... Real live honest-to-goodness bottle dancing!

The Bottle Dancers with Avram the Bookseller (left) and Perchik (right). My sisters and I have great hopes that Perchik (Chris) will end up Broadway... so we can go see him... :-)

Tevye's Dream Fruma Sarah was incredible...

The Fiddler!!!! Matt was great!

Unfortunately I have no pictures of my wonderful sister playing with the orchestra. I tried but they didn't turn out :-(...

I can't wait until they do another show!!!

Stormy Weather...

I spent an hour on Saturday night in a storm shelter with 400 other people. I went to see Fiddler on the Roof with some of my sibs, but before the show a tornado touched down in a town north of us, so we were all herded into the basement of the theatre.

I had a lesson in human nature...

• Some people didn't even want to enter the basement. Instead they stood on the steps.
• Some were nervous, excitable.
• Some were calm, cool.
• Some got slap-happy.
• Some were quiet.
• Some started a rousing rendition of "The Chicken Dance."
• Some made a thousand calls to the weather station.
• My sister pulled out a book and started reading.
• Another sister started a conversation with a lady next to her.
• My brother invented possible escape routes for every room in the basement. (In case we got stuck down there :-)

That was all while we were in the shelter. All in all everyone was in general good humor. No rioting. Until we were allowed to go back upstairs and into the theatre. THEN, I got stepped on, pushed aside, seperated from my group... I guess the "good humor" ran out...

Anyway, it was a good show!!!!!!

If I Were a Rich Man....

... I'd go see my sister play violin in Fiddler on the Roof every night this weekend, (that's 5 performances).... But, I can only afford to go twice....

Dissapointment abounds....

Lord who made the lion and the lamb
You decreed I should be what I am
Would it spoil some VAST, ETERNAL PLAN....
If I were a wealthy.... er... girl!!!!

Sarah Beth's "babies"

I can't believe my little baby sister is 1 year old!!!! Here she is with her two "babies" Their names are: Dolly Madison and Teddy Bearymore. She calls them "Dolly" and "Teddy."

hmmm....

Today, while I was at work a man from the local newspaper came into the the shop. While he was there he interviewed a lady that I work with. I stood by listening while he interviewed to provide "smile-support." :-)

One of the question he asked was: "If you could meet any person, living or dead and ask them a question who would it be? and what would be the question? That got me thinking....

I think I'd want to meet Helen Keller. I'd ask her what important things about life and God we (seeing people) are missing out on, because we are "blinded" by our vision.

Or maybe I'd want to meet Anne Sullivan. Or Teddy Roosevelt. Or Abraham Lincoln.....

Who would you want to meet?

What question would you ask?

Afternoon Tea

There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea. ~Henry James

Recipe for a fun afternoon:
Friends
Funny Hats
Food

1950s "Housecoat"

Here's my latest project that I am so excited about!!! It's a housecoat (NOT to be confused with a bathrobe)... made from an authentic 1950s pattern. The fabric is vintage 2007... :0-) But, it looks retro doesn't it? :-)

Here's the front:

Front close-up (love the rickrack):

Side view (trying to do a Vogue pose... didn't work): Back view (I love the gathering detail):

Amazing Grace...

Last night we went to Dubuque to see Amazing Grace It was awesome!!! If you haven't seen it yet, I definitely recommend it!!

I never knew much about the emancipation of the slaves in England. Of course we are all familiar with the Civil War here in the States, but it's incredible how it happened in Great Britain, too!

Go see it!

"10 THUMBS WAY UP" - Sigwarth, Sigwarth, Sigwarth....

It's a fine life...

Anybody feel a "song comin' on?"

And Sarah Beth's first word: "Dolly"

Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?

Have you seen this show???? I'd never heard of it before last night. But, I saw a little bit of it and I was shocked!!! Adults go up against 5th graders to answer questions that have all been taken from 5th grade textbooks.

The kids know the answers right away. The adults agonize over them...

If the adult gets the answer right (they don't always).... they win lots of money.

Last night a guy won $100,000 when he knew how many sides a decagon has.....

What's wrong with this picture????

Do you ever wonder...

"Lord, have you forgotten me?" (I DO)

Isaiah 49:16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the plams of my hands; thy walls [Strong's 2346-a wall of protection] are continually before me.

Men O' War....

Here is one of my favorite movies... it's got everything, a hero you will love, a villian you will despise, comedy, daring sword fights. It's adventure on the high seas! Check it out!!!!

Oh, did I mention it's 5 minutes long?

Men O' War

a little color... in promise of spring

I cannot pretend to feel impartial about colours. I rejoice with the brilliant ones and am genuinely sorry for the poor browns.
-Winston Churchill

"The Escapades of Miss Annie Oak"

If you read "The Dissapearance" and liked it, here's another story for you. This one was authored by Gretchen (Glaser) Acheson. That's Will Glaser's (author of "The Dissapearance") sister. I've never met either of them... but I read Gretchen's website Enjoy!
The Escapades of Miss Annie Oak

Completely...

I've been singing this song all day. Have you seen Facing The Giants? If you haven't... you'll love it!

The secret of life is letting go
The secret of love is letting it show
In all that I do
In all that I say
Right here in this moment
The power of prayer is in a humble cry
The power of change is in giving my life
I’m laying it down
Down at your feet
Right here in this moment

Take my heart
Take my soul
I surrender everything to your control
And let all this is within me lift up to you and say
I am yours and yours alone
Completely

This journey of life is a search for truth
This journey of faith is following you
Every step of the way
Through the joy and the pain
Right here in this moment
Right here, right now, and for the rest of my life
Hear me say
I am yours and yours alone
Completely
-Ana Laura

The Disappearance...

No, I didn't write this story. I found it online, it was authored by a homeschool student, and I thought it was pretty funny. It's a short story, maybe 10 pages, but it's worth being checked out.
The Disappearance

The Church in Germany 1936, Part 2

Lori Kalner has written more in response to my sister's question concerning the German church in 1936. I believe that what she has to say, especially regarding the similarities between what happened then and what is happening right now in our world, is very important. The Church in Germany in 1936 and The Church Today, Part2 We, as Christians are asleep. We need to wake up!

Snow Day!

So, what do 7 girls that are snowed-in all day and unable to go out do to keep themselves busy? Play dress up of course! And no, a woman of nearly 5 and 20 years of age is NOT too old to play dress-up!

These 7 girls are of a "literary turn" so of course they're not dressed up like just anybody...
They are....
Miss Georgianna Darcy

Miss Jane Fairfax

Miss Molly Gibson

Miss Jo March

Mrs. Bella Harmon and Miss Bella Harmon (aka "The Inexhaustable)

Queen Berengaria

And finally: The Inexhaustable... Exhausted

The Church of Germany 1936 and the Church Today

I know I posted a link to Lori Kalner's letters once already. But, this letter is too important not to be read. Please, please go to The Thoene's Blog and read her latest letter.
A note of interest: the question Lori Kalner is responding to was asked by my sister.

you might be a homeschooler if...

I found this list online a couple of years ago and laughed and laughed! Even though I am no longer in school... having graduated several years ago... I still can totally relate to some of these!
...if the only bell that rings at your school is the telephone.
...if you think an "Anglo Saxon" is a math text book.
...if your school planner has a column entitled "chores."
...if your teacher has ever attended school in her pajamas.
...if your kitchen table serves as a lab, supply center, work area, and, occasionally, a place to eat.
...if you have to stop and think when asked, "What grade are you in?"
...if you shop for back-to-school clothes in your older sibling's hand-me-down pile.
...if your class roster sounds like a Biblical genealogy.
...if you have to move dirty laundry off your desk before you can study.
...if your school bus is a nine-passenger van.
...if you consider school work after lunch to be cruel and unusual punishment.
...if your social life is viewed by others to be one rung below that of a Benedictine monk.
...if your father has ever told you to tell the check-out lady at Wal-Mart, "We're on a field trip."
...if your yearbook is also your babybook.
...if your first real date is on your honeymoon.

Springtime in Alaska

I'll be the first person to admit that snow can be beautiful. There is definitely something magical about the first snowfall every year. HOWEVER, the temperature here in Southwest Wisconsin has finally reached above freezing for the first time in... 6 weeks? Anyway, I think spring may be here. Maybe it's just wishful thinking... :-)

But, all day long I've been thinking of a song that my Great Grandpa used to sing. It goes like this:

When it's springtime in Alaska and it's 99 below

The Eskimos go barefoot in the white and drifting snow

The polar bears get sunburned and the seals sing all the day

When it's springtime in Alaska.....

I'll be heading the other way!!!!

"Who Strives Valiently..."

"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."
-Teddy Roosevelt

Pray for our troops....

Lori Kalner

If you have ever read Bodie Thoene's Zion Covenant series, you may remenber her character Lori Kalner. Lori's father was a pastor in Berlin who spoke out against euthanasia and abortion, before and during World War 2. Her own story is incredible, and I've recently discovered that she is a real person!!! She is 85 years old and blind now. Her story is true and she has agreed to answer reader's questions through Bodie and Brock Thoene's blog.

Even if you've never read these books I strongly encourage you to go to the Thoene's Blog and read her letters. She has some amazing and very insightful things to say especially concerning what is happening in the world today compared to what happened the 1940s. Her words moved me to tears. This is a definite MUST READ!

The "Green Dress" Club

My sisters and I discovered this wonderful green fabric at Wal-Mart in a $1/yard bin! We *sheepishly* bought the whole bolt! We wore these dresses to church today and were dubbed the "green dress" club by everyone who did not have a green dress!




I made my dress (on the right) using Butterick 4827








And Susie's (left) using Sense and Sensibilities Romantic Dress Pattern




Katie is a proficient seamstress and made her own
dress using a combination of different patterns!
Here we are again...

The Measure of a Heart...

One of my very favorite books is Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney. Little Nutbrown Hare tries very hard to tell his Daddy just exactly how much he loves him… But, he can’t think of anything really big enough to fully express his love. I have always been under the impression that love is absolutely un-measureable. Until the other day when my baby brother turned to me and said with incredible sincerity “I love you 180 calibers.” I’m not sure exactly what a caliber is…. But I’m sure I love him 360 calibers......

Valentine's Day....

Happy Valentine's Day... a little late! I must admit Valentine's Day has never been a favorite of mine.... Maybe because it always seemed like everyone had a Valentine except me. Or maybe because I've always had a job that meant Valentine's Day would be a lot of work. First at DQ making loads of Valentine cakes. Now at the flower shop arranging hundreds of roses. :-) Whatever the reason, I think I'm over it now...
I'm glad for the people in my life that I love and who love me. I'm thankful that once a year I get to see 1000 gorgeous red roses all in one place! I am really blessed!!!

being single

Every single girl should check out http://www.ylcf.org/. Jeannie Castleberry has been writing some awesome articles on being single. Her title is "Content But Not Complete." She's hitting the nail "smack-dab" on the head... I couldn't say it any better myself so please check it out...