New Stamps: Delight and So Very

I haven't stamped for awhile - been busy with sewing and school. I had tried earlier to make some thank you cards for my Bible study friends (for my birthday gift) but it just wasn't working out the way I wanted to. But last night our new stamps arrived - from my stamp party last week and after mounting the stamps an idea just came to me. I worked up one to test it, liked it and made the rest this morning.

You never know when inspiration will hit, but when it does - Watch out! I think they turned out pretty cute - especially with the little sparkling flower in the middle. I picked those up at JoAnn's last week in a little bag for $1. The colors caught my eye and I knew I could use them for something!

The stamps are Delight in Life and So Very sets from Stampin' Up! and the colors are the new Cool Caribbean and White card stock with Turquoise, Rose and Celery inks.

(Originally published @ henandchicks.typepad.com)

My Angel

I bet in your everyday life you don't often see angels -- but I have my own personal one.




This is my own angel -- my oldest son. He has Angelman Syndrome , always has and always will.

You've probably never heard of Angelman Syndrome before. I hadn't either until he was born 20 years ago. No, I take that back. I had never heard of it until he was diagnosed at the age of 5. I've lost count of the number of Doctors whom we have educated about it. Still, all these years later, we do the basic Angelman 101 when we come across someone new either at school, Doctors office, or out in the community. It's understandable, really. You see, my son is part of the first wave, if you will, of children diagnosed with AS. Only one year after he was born was the first official diagnosis made, and they trickled in after that. His is the generation that information and statistics are being gathered upon in order to better serve and inform the parents of children being born and diagnosed today. So, I guess we're breaking ground. Just the kind of job my angel is up for!



What is Angelman Syndrome, anyway? Technically, it is a deletion on a specific part of the 15th chromosome which causes an overall neural/developmental delay. Practically, it means that my son is a nearly 6 foot tall toddler. Seriously. He still thinks he can sit on my lap and he gives the best hug you've ever had in your life! He loves water, has no speech at all, is a couch-potato and a social butterfly. He's always in a good mood, except when mealtime is late.

It has certainly been a roller coaster ride these past 20 years, and it isn't over yet. Each stage has had it's challenge. When he learned to walk at five years - that was Wonderful!! He started school at 7, after little brother was born. Being naturally a great big people person, that was like a party for him. Getting older caused changes, as did another little brother followed by a little sister. We've gone through a few moves, puberty is past, and we had to deal with the heart-wrenching decision to place him in a care home when he became bigger and stronger than I am. But even then the LORD was faithful and gave me all that I asked for before I could consider making the placement. Our latest ride involves seeking Conservatorship over him. Not easy but not too difficult either. Just be sure you can write checks . . . . Lots of them.



I have a friend whose son is just a few months older than mine. Her son went through what is thought of as the typical rebellion and got into some trouble now and then because of it. She tells me often that I am lucky because my angel will never break my heart. Well, maybe not in that way, but there have been a few times when I thought my heart was broken regarding this sweet one who just goes through life with a smile on his face looking for his next hug. Doesn't a broken heart come with the job title of "Parent," at least every once in awhile?

When he was a toddler, we were part of a group that met once a week. The children, all developmentally delayed, would be in a little class like a therapy session - exposing them to all kinds of sensory experiences - and the moms would meet to share their angst on having a child who is delayed. Let me be right up front and tell you how much I hated those meetings (with the other moms) and felt even more of an outsider, which was strange because the whole point of the time together was to make us feel like we weren't alone and that there were others struggling, too.



Why did I dislike it so? Because essentially the whole time was spent lamenting the fact that they didn't have a normal child, how life was going to be different now than what they had planned, and how they hated the Down's or whatever Syndrome that had done this to their child. I absolutely could not relate to that. Call it bliss, call it delusion, call it faith in the absolute sovereignty of God, or whatever you will. From the second he was born, before we knew there was anything different about him, till today, my love and feelings for my son have been just the same. How could I hate this Syndrome for making my son this way when I felt there was nothing wrong with the way he was? He was happy and easy-going and a joy to be around. And he would stay that way his entire life. How can I be upset at that? Needless to say, it was a relief of sorts when he grew out of that particular program.

Just what is there to love about my angel? Well, I love the way he can sit / lay on the couch with me for hours and just snuggle. I love it when he is watching one of HIS movies and he just laughs and laughs and laughs! I love how he gets the picture frame with he and Dad on vacation years ago and will look at it and "kiss it". I love how his face lights up when he sees me. I even love how he can be so focused on an object, usually food, that he will avoid making eye contact with me. I love the way he plays with his brothers and the way they play with him. I love that he is the champion seeker in hide and seek. I love the way his little sister, half his size, can get him to sit down and stay there! I love how he is soooooo serious and focused -- and when you give him what he wants it's like you tickled him, he is so pleased. I love how he can sit in the tub for- just about -ever and splash and play as long as the shower head is dripping some water. I love how he never meets a stranger. I love the fact that, in his own silent way, he can get what he wants - like refusing to eat the hamburger and fries until he is given some of the milkshake first! (And the little light in his eyes when he knows he has won!) I love that when he has finished his food, he will stare and stare at mine until I give in and share. (it's a mother thing ;-) I love how he thinks he's so sly -- keeping eye contact with you and thinking that you can't see his hand reaching out like an elephant's trunk to grab some of your food! I love the fact that even though I may be done having babies, in a way, this angel will always be my baby. I love the thought in my head of a time years ahead of where we are now, when the other children are grown and gone with families of their own, and husband is retired, and it will once again be just the three of us like it was so many years ago. I love how just the thought of him puts a smile on my face.

My angel will turn 21 this year, which will mean that I've been a Mom longer than I've not been a Mom. Does that make sense? But with rewards like this . . . . . . . .

. . . . . who's keeping track?

(Originally published @ henandchicks.typepad.com)

A Trio of Aprons!

They're done!



I really want to add some pockets (see my post on Marbles!)to mine :-)

Didn't they turn out great? Daughter loves the fact that not only does she have an apron like Mom's, but that her little Cashew does, too!

The ruffles make it fun and more girly than the aprons I usually wear - and that's a good thing!

(Originally published @ henandchicks.typepad.com)

A New Apron for Cashew

The sewing machine has been stitching and the iron has been pressing and our Miss Henrietta has been pinning and now we are ready to show you the first of our set of Mother/Daughter/Doll aprons!

This was really easy to put together, and the Mother & Daughter ones are almost finished -- I just need to clean up all of the loose, hanging threads. I'll post them tomorrow!



(Originally published @ henandchicks.typepad.com)

Chickens Save the Day . . .

. . . . or breakfast at least!

Pancakes have been a highly requested item here lately and as a result we've been going through eggs faster than usual.

This morning, when I opened the refrigerator to get out the eggs, there was one lonely egg in the bowl. Not enough for one batch of pancakes, and certainly not enough for the double batch we usually go through!

So I sent daughter out to the chicken coop to see if they could rescue us (have some eggs to make our pancakes with). They are going on their third year now and laying is not a regular thing anymore. A few eggs a week each, or not. Just depends. I needed three more eggs to make the pancakes. Guess what daughter came back with? THREE EGGS!

What wonderful Hens!

(Originally published @ henandchicks.typepad.com)

Mission Complete!

I heard some small rustlings in the kitchen last night so got up to investigate.

What should I spy around the corner but the ever-persistent Henrietta working on placing pins for the buttonholes. She is delightfully amazing!




I didn't want to disturb her, and truly I had no desire to deal with buttons or buttonholes at that hour, so I retreated as quietly as I could and left her to it.

Wonder of wonders - what greeted me in the morning? These two lovelies all finished! A sweet little pinafore for baby sister (big sister has a matching one) and the dress for big sister to wear under her pinafore.






Hen has absolutely out-done herself! I'll have to see what I can do about getting her a day out before we start in on our next project.

I've heard rumors that it's a set of Mother/Daughter/Dollie aprons with ruffles!! Don't tell Hen though. We'll let her enjoy a day off first! If you think about her, please send her your best wishes. :-)

(Originally published @ henandchicks.typepad.com)

A Day with Henrietta, Part 2

Enjoying the warmth of the sun, Hen? Time to finish our sewing ~



Press, press,



Pressing makes perfect!



Take a break with a bit of tea.



Basting . . . .



Gathering . . . .



Gathering . . . .



And MORE gathering!



Where'd all your pins go? You're a little bare, Hen!



Don't get lost in all those folds, Henrietta!



Ahhh . . . . Now you're looking a bit more like yourself!



All done! Lovely job, Henrietta!



Sigh*

(Originally published @ henandchicks.typepad.com)

A Day with Henrietta, Part 1

It's a rainy day today, the perfect day to stay inside and sew. Let's go see what Henrietta is up to, shall we?

Well, it looks like we've caught her in the middle of a sewing project. Pinning a neckline with a collar can be tricky work, but I'm sure our Hen is up to the task!

She's giving it a final inspection . . . . Yes, I think it's all ready to go to the sewing machine.

Here she is, patiently collecting her pins as the neckline is sewn.

Henrietta has done a very nice job of pinning the first bodice lining in place - How will she do on the rest?

OH! She's staying away from that hot iron! She'll move in and finish the rest of the pinning once the iron has completed its' task.

Well, well! Things are moving right along for our gal Hen. The handsewing on the bodice front and back is finished, the sleeves are both gathered and pinned and ready to be sewn.

Is Henrietta looking a bit tired? Poor dear, she's had quite a day. Just a bit more to do though. I'm sure she can hold up!

Ah, now we are nearing the end. Henrietta has pinned both side seams very nicely and they are already for the first sewing of their French Seams. I knew she could do it!

All Done! Lovely Job, Hen! Just the kind of help any seamstress needs when the needle and thread are flying.

What's this? We're NOT done yet? There's still a ruffle to do?

Pardon me, but did you say that the ruffle was FIVE Yards Long?!?

Oh, no! I think our Poor Hen is getting a little worried. She may not have enough pins for this job. What will she do?

What is Henrietta doing? It looks like she is trying to hide in the folds of the ruffle. I'm afraid our Poor Hen is overwhelmed.

Oh, Hen! Maybe we can tempt her out with a little treat?


How would you like a nibble of some sugar cookie? There now, that's better, isn't it? Yes, yes, eat up and regain your strength.



Now, you just rest, little Henrietta. We can finish that ruffle tomorrow. Don't you worry anymore about it tonight. After all, tomorrow is another day . . . .

(Originally published @ henandchicks.typepad.com)

Bowls

I never really thought much about bowls until I read an excellent posting a few years ago by Lady Lydia at LAF titled "The Mixing Bowl." If you have not read it, I would highly encourage you to do so.

I love the picture she paints of the woman of the house standing with her apron on, holding the mixing bowl firmly with one hand and arm, stirring vigorously with her other, all the while watching over the affairs and doings of her home. There is such grace and nostalgia in a simple apron, a mixing bowl and a wooden spoon. A gentleness that pulling the mixer out of the cupboard will never be able to match.

I have my own favorite bowls now, each with it's own story and purpose.

This is my Grandmother's bowl. This is also my largest bowl which is used for the BIG things like making bread, holding a family-size serving of noodles, or for mixing up a big batch of Refrigerator Bran Muffins which will last us for a week of breakfasts. It is a heavy ceramic bowl and I love using it because it brings back thoughts of a Grandmother whom I never really got to know, yet wish I had. Bittersweet - I understand what that means now.

This one is a two-quart batter bowl that I bought several years ago from Pampered Chef. This is invaluable to me for a quick batch of muffins or pancakes in the morning or for brownies in the evening . It's even been known to handle some tuna salad for lunch! It also has a lid and is great for storing leftover soups. I couldn't be without this or his little sister, the one-quart batter bowl.

This little bowl is not for mixing - it is simply pretty and I love serving things in it on the table. It has held chips, scrambled eggs, salads, and vegetables. I didn't buy this bowl, it was actually left at the house we bought. It was left in the garage, underneath some shelves with planting containers. I guess at one time it held a potted plant and was then forgotten. But it caught my eye as soon as I saw it. I took it in the house and scrubbed it clean. Now it is a little bright spot in my cupboard or on the table!

This cheery bowl was found on the bottom shelf at Goodwill. I love all things chicken and so this immediately caught my eye! It is a bit chipped around the top, but it is useful just the same. This is the bowl that sits out on my stovetop - not only decorative but practical, too. Whenever I am cooking and need a quick place to put something, this is the bowl. It holds cooked onions for me while I finish cooking the meat, and it keeps the fajitas or taco meat warm while I heat the tortillas in the skillet. This is my little everything bowl and I'm so glad I found it!

These bowls will be a part of my children's memories - of mom in the kitchen, of the special treats that were baked for them, the stories that each bowl holds, of 'home.'

What memories in the making are in your kitchen? What are your everyday treasures that will last forever in the minds of your children? I hope you have a few, or if not that you'll get some soon.

(Originally published @ henandchicks.typepad.com)

Pretty Green Pinafore

There's something new for daughter to wear --

I have finally finished her new pinafore after many trials. My sewing machine was disabled for a bit - but thanks to the wonderful man at the repair shop (who fixed it on the spot and didn't charge me anything!!) I was able to complete the buttonholes this morning and sew on the buttons.

Sewing all of her clothes (dresses, pantaloons, pajamas and such) is a necessity in this present age. And the best part is that we get to go shopping at the fabric store for all sorts of fun and pretty fabrics for great one-of-a-kind dresses for a one-of-a-kind girl!

(Originally published @ henandchicks.typepad.com)