November 30th: Apron Reveal

I finally finished the Patchwork Apron. Ruffle re-done 4 times/pockets re-done 3.5 times.
I was so tempted to just trash the whole apron.

Patchwork Apron

 I tried to make the ties long enough to pull around to the front for tying. I prefer my Aprons to wrap around my waist and tie in the front. I have a very fluffy waist line, and it does wrap around me. This Apron is fully lined with 100% cotton muslin.

I made these Aprons a while ago, but wanted to share them.

Bistro Apron

 It doesn't look like it in the picture, but it hangs below the knee. Depending on your height, maybe mid-shin area. It is also full lined on the back.

Work Apron

The pockets are deep, big, and double lined for strength.

 The waist band on this style comes completely out of the waist casing. I tried this because I wanted an adjustable waist band, something you could gather or wear flat against you. Just depends on what look you want.

 I'm trying to show you the depth of the pockets. (Not sure I got the picture I was looking for)
The pocket is divided into three sections, one in the middle and two side pockets. Buttons for decoration :}

My aprons range from  $25.00-$40.00 each + $5.00 for shipping.

Here are some fabric combinations I will be working with tomorrow:

I haven't decided which style I will be making with these.

I always like to try something different.

Any suggestions?

Just a note about my Aprons:

Each Apron is hand crafted by me, here at Girasole farm.

There are no two Aprons exactly alike.

There are slight imperfections in each apron, because I am not perfect.

I buy high quality 100% cotton fabirc. MODA is my favorite. I am also a fan of Robert Kaufman, Michael Miller, Amy Butler, to name just a few.

I promise complete satisfaction. If you are not completely satisfied simply return the Apron and I will refund 100 %  of the cost of the Apron and cover the return shipping costs.

This is a new adventure for me, so please share your suggestions and comments with me.

The Girasole Lady

November 29th: Come Sit By My Fire

"If you are a dreamer, come in.

If you are a dreamer, a wisher, a liar,

A hope-er, a pray-er, a magic bean buyer . . .

If you're a pretender, come sit by my fire.

For we have some flax golden tales to spin.

Come in! Come in!"

~ Shel Silverstein

I worked on aprons again today, well I should say apron as in singular.

grrr... I spent the majority of the day fussing over a ruffle that I ripped out, re-attached, ripped out and re-attached more times than I care to admit. Finally- I got it right. I will finish it up tomorrow by making the waistband. I promise to have a picture to share tomorrow.

The fog lingered all day here, except for the 20 minutes late in the afternoon where we had a lighter shade of gray. It was cold and damp all day. This morning when I went out to the barn for feeding it was so wet from the fog it felt like a drizzling rain. Kristina came out late this afternoon and we worked together with the horses. I cleaned stalls and she exercised the horses in the arena. After being inside all day it felt good to be outside, even in the fog. I appreciated the fire all the more when I came inside from the cold.

I love having a wood burning stove. It's the only source of heat we use to heat our home. We have a wall heater that was used for the first winter we lived here, it hasn't been turned on since we installed our wood stove. We had the same model stove in our old home we lived in, before building this home. I'm not a fan of central heating, nor is my pocketbook.

I'm so thankful I no longer have to drive to work in the fog. I hated the 30 mile drive in practically zero visibility.

I hope you are warm and snug in your home.

The Girasole Lady

November 28th: Aprons

I managed to make a couple of aprons today.
Very basic, old fashioned, tie at the waist, 2 pocket ones.

I came up with some fun ideas tonight after finishing these and hope the thoughts still feel as good in the morning.  I started a patchwork apron this evening, but I'm not a night owl, so no midnight sewing for me.

It's off to bed for me.

The Girasole Lady

November 27th: Back to Business

We've had damp morning fog the last few mornings.

This is the cattle pasture out back.

Today Beth and I went to both the book store and the fabric store, but I came home with neither books nor fabric.

There was nothing I saw that said "take me home".

I did get an unexpected start on Christmas shopping. I hadn't intended to, it just happened.

It was a wonderful surprise.

Tomorrow I'll be back to business working on some new Apron projects.  

I spent the afternoon cleaning and organizing my fabrics and patterns.

My Apron page has been "under construction" for far too long. I came upon a opportunity to display some of my aprons in a small shop downtown. If that isn't motivation then nothing is.

Until tomorrow...

The Girasole Lady

November 26th: Thanksgiving Endings

Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.

A.A. Milne

The Holiday is coming to its' end.

My sis is heading home for the city tomorrow. 

I will miss her.

We are the story of The Country Mouse and The City Mouse.

Tomorrow morning Beth and I are going to Barnes & Noble.

Books and fabric are my favorite "go-to" things to get me back on track.

The Girasole Lady 

November 25th: Central Park NYC

Remember earlier this year, January, when New York City had that horrendous snow storm?
Well, my daughter Beth was there for a Market show to work the Mary Lake Thompson booth. Beth flew from Dallas to New York, and was in New York for a couple of days by herself, waiting for Mary, and another co-worker to arrive. The weather was so severe everyone had trouble getting into New York, due to numerous flight delays. Beth, my baby, ALONE in the Big Apple all by herself! I'm her mother, of course I was worried. Beth has been to New York many times and loves visiting the City.

As always, Beth was in her glory, and had a marvelous time. Central Park was absolutely beautiful in the still quiet of the City. Beth described it as beauty beyond imagination. She trudged through the snow and took amazing pictures of the park...............

After walking in the park Beth took the subway to the American Museum of Natural History.

She'll be going back again this coming January.

For today-we shopped downtown Oroville and had a great family outing once again.

Tomorrow is another big family day, taking a field trip to Tonya and Ryan's house to see the building progress, and a dinner of ham and beans back at my home.

I'll be back, I promise.

The Girasole Lady

November 24th: Thanksgiving

My heart is full, along with my tummy.

A picture says a thousand words, which is more than I can say tonight.

Just a few of my favorites pictures for today. (more picture taking tomorrow)

 Kristina. Brandon, my nephew. My sis Jen (Brandon is one of her 2 sons and she is having another son-due in March!)

 Tonya and Baby Mia

 My sis, Jen, and her husband Robert. (My sister wants everyone to know she is 6+ months pregnant and doesn't always look like a big red bouncy ball!)

 My mom, Sharron, and Beth.

 Brandon again.

 Kristina and Baby Mia (the stickers all over the window are courtesy of Laci)

 Beth.

Maverick

Laci-tuckered out after all the festivities of the day.

More tomorrow-I'm off to sleep now.

The Girasole Lady

November 23rd: In My Kitchen

The day started out early making the brine for the turkey.

Then onto the Pumpkin Pies

Starting with making pie dough...

and rolling it out.

Mixing up the filling...

I make two kinds of pumpkin pie- one traditional pumpkin filling 

and some with Butter Nut Squash for filling.

Tonya peeled the Butter Nut for me so it could be cooked and mashed for the pie filling.

You can't see it through all the mess, but my new kitchen island made a great work space area.

Pouring the mixture into the pie crust and

Adding a few final touches.......

BEFORE

AFTER



Kristina made EZ Dessert this year. It's yummy pudding, cream cheese, powdered sugar, Cool Whip on a buttery infused Pecan crust.

I worked on setting up the center of the table with the pictures we made earlier this week.

I'm happy with the way the pictures turned out.

Beth and David.

This is my Auntie Penny. She passed away earlier this year from cancer. I miss her. She was a very special person in my life and I love her a great deal.

Kristina and Myles on their wedding day in May.

Baby Mia.

I have lots more pictures to show, but it will have to wait.

When we're together in the kitchen, it's as though time itself could stand still. I close my eyes and soak in as much of the chatting and laughter that I can, and I store it up in my mind and heart. 

In my kitchen

I preheat a memory

I fold in family and friends

I bake a good laugh

Happy Thanksgiving to each and every one of you.

The Girasole Lady

November 22nd: All Clad

I bought a 23.25 lb turkey (usually I go for the 18-20lb one). I stared at the turkey lying in the refrigerator, and the thought crossed my mind that perhaps such a large turkey was not going to fit into my roasting pan. The same roasting pan I have used since the beginning of time, you know the black ones with the little white spots, you see all the time. Seems to me I inherited the roaster pan from a family member years ago.

I guessed right, there was no way this turkey was going to fit in the old roaster.

I've had my eye on the All Clad Stainless Steel Roaster for some time now, each year wishing for it more and more. Every trip to Williams-Sonoma drew me to the shiny roaster.

Today I gave in......................

She's shiny, smooth and sturdy, and I can hardly wait to take her for a "spin" on Thursday.

(geez- you'd think I bought a new car or something)

It has a rack and turkey forks to accompany it.

Do you think I bought too large of a turkey intentionally?

The Girasole Lady

November 21st: A Personal Story

I believe that everyone has a story to tell, including myself.

In another time I would have been a writer and a traveler, had life afforded different opportunities.

Never the less I am a fulfilled, content woman.
I have staked a beautiful lot in life.

A very long time ago I suffered a devastating emotional accident.
Just like a physical accident, I never saw it coming, not even for a second. Suddenly I found my world, and myself, shattered into pieces.
Unlike a physical accident, there was no evidence of painful wounds or debilitating handicaps. There was no tangible way for others to see the pain inside. My external appearance was illusive to the destruction taking place inside my spirit and soul.

Only those who were closest and dearest to me could see the crumbled woman.
They stood by my side every moment, until little by little, I put the pieces back together and restored both my heart and my spirit. I filled up with a new spirit and sense of who I am, and who I wanted to be.

Moving forward....
I am recovered. I am not the same. I am different.
That experience set in stone my belief that everyone has a story to tell. You can see what you want on the outside, but there is more inside, stories waiting to be told. Unless they are told, perhaps one would ever know.

"Remember that everyone you meet is afraid of something, loves something, and has lost something"

The Girasole Lady