Y, Oh Y

There was an interesting challenge to confront last weekend while I was working on my fabric bird. Three pieces – the left side and right side of the body and the bottom side – came together at both the head and tail ends. They met in Y-seams. Often I have read that a Y-seam is difficult to sew, so I was a little alarmed when I realized that this small project might actually not be very simple to complete. After reading, I found the proper technique is to start and end the seams without stitching in the seam allowances themselves, leaving them loose. So I forged on, even though the curved seams added more difficulty and made the entire process awkward. In the end it worked out all right, although there was a bit of unsewing and resewing involved. But I’m glad I had this opportunity to practice a new sewing technique.

Great Book

I just finished reading The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins. Written for young adults, it is one of this year’s Young Hoosier Book Award nominees and is extremely compelling reading. It has been awhile since I have read a book that made me want to stay up late into the night, long past any reasonable bed time, but I cared so much about these characters that I couldn’t stop until I knew what the outcome would be. Set in the future, teens selected by lottery are forced to take part in a Survivor-type game. Here are a few quotes from other authors and reviewers:

“A jarring, speed-rap of a novel that generates nearly constant suspense… I couldn’t stop reading.” – Stephen King; “I was so obsessed with this book I had to take it with me out to dinner and hide it under the edge of the table so I wouldn’t have to stop reading… The Hunger Games is amazing.” – Stephenie Meyer; “Brilliantly plotted and perfectly paced.” – John Green, New York Times Book Review; “A plot-driven blend of suspense and science fiction.” – USA Today; “Enthralling, imaginative and creepy.” – Los Angeles Times; “A superb tale” – Booklist, starred review; “Readers will wait eagerly to learn more.” – Publishers Weekly, starred review.

One of the most popular books in my library, I highly recommend this book to you.

Dandy Help

After work today, I went outside and got in my car to drive home. But I had only driven a few feet through the parking lot before I realized I had a flat tire! I stopped the car, got out my cell phone, and called my handy-dandy husband. In just a few minutes I saw his red “emergency” truck round the corner as he came immediately to assist me. And before I knew it, the flat tire was off, the spare tire was on, and I was on my way. Thank you, wonderful husband!

Bountiful

A few days ago we made a visit to a near-by orchard. Walking through row after row of trees, I saw that most of the apples had been picked, but a few still held their heavy loads. Beautiful against the blue sky, the fruit looked fully ripe — golden with a blush of red. No doubt they too will be picked soon, the last of the crop for this season.

Evidently the harvest this year was quite successful, for inside an astonishing number of varieties were displayed, ready for our selection. After studying the lists of traits, we chose one  bag of Melrose and another of Ida Red — neither of which we’ve tried before, but both were said to be good for eating fresh, have a crisp texture, and are good keepers.

Outside again, I continued looking around and particularly enjoyed photographing the colorful building. One of the oldest orchards in the state of Indiana, their building is constructed of what seems to be glazed bricks. The appealing colors have me wondering if that kind of brick is still being produced. No doubt I could think of a good use for them if I had some.

I Saw a Little Birdy

I saw a little fabric bird on a blog called Nellie’s Needles that fluttered its way into my heart, and so I have decided to make one myself. After spending some enjoyable minutes considering what to make it from, I decided that the perfect fabric was already waiting there right beside my chair in the form of an old pair of pants –one which I was preparing to make into strips for weaving. Fabric cut from the pants, made of black and white cotton houndstooth, will become the bird’s head and back. The breast and underside of the tail will be made from orange fabric I purchased recently at a shop in Madison, Indiana.

Yip Yip

Here are some old friends of the family talking about an important subject.

Chili and Cars

Last Saturday our courthouse square was filled with chili, cars, and crowds of people.  The annual chili cook-off and classic car show was in progress, and what seemed like most of the town had come to enjoy it. Samples of chili were sold for 50 cents each, and many were there to taste and vote for their favorite.  It was a gorgeous blue-sky day — perfect weather. With friends to see, good food to eat, and much to look at, it was a very nice afternoon.

 

These cars were lined up - red, orange, and yellow. I believe I'd like the orange one.

 

 

Grown by the Optimist Club, squash and pumpkins of all colors and shapes were for sale.

 

 

I think our courthouse, built in 1895, is one of the most beautiful in Indiana.