Ray, in the kitchen, with the knife

Last year for his birthday Ray ordered a custom made chef's knife. He finally got it, and it's beautiful. It's also VERY sharp. he keeps it up high, with a protective sheath on it.

Today he told me he was excited to make dinner for tomorrow (beef stroganoff), because he could use his new knife. I thought to myself - I hope we don't end up at the hospital because he cuts off the end of his finger. I mentioned that he might want to be careful. He assured me he would be.

You can tell where this is going, can't you? When I was happily blogging away about my quilts, I heard a blood-curdling scream come from the kitchen. I got upstairs faster than I believed possible to see Ray holding his finger under running water. Not willing to examine the wound myself, I asked him if we needed to go to the hospital. He said he didn't think so. I didn't believe him for a second. I rapidly did an inventory in my mind: book, shoes, sweatshirt (it's always cold in a hospital). Yup, I could be ready to go in 30 seconds or less.

He lay on the couch, applying pressure and elevating his hand (I didn't take first aid 33 years ago for nothing). Then he moved onto our bed. After quite a bit of time he determined that steri-strips would do the job, and he didn't need to go to the hospital. So that's where it stands right now. Disaster averted. I hope.

4 more done

I finally got the bindings on the other 4 quilts I quilted during General Conference. Yippee! Oh, and I found my list (even better), so I had the great satisfaction of crossing each of them off said list. If you double click on the pictures you can see them bigger.

Here's a baby quilt I bought the fabric for when Audrey was pregnant with Austin (yes, the one that just turned three) I bought it so that it could be a quilt I just have on hand at my house for the babies. Now I have three babies. I guess I finished it just in the nick of time!

Here's another baby quilt. I saw this in a magazine, ran out and got fabric to make it right away, (which I actually did). Then I waited a couple of years to finish it. I completely forgot I even made it. It was packed away before the move, and I just found it again when I did my little quilt project inventory in January.

Here's actually the first scrap quilt I made with the Moda fabrics - the second one is the one I finished a couple of weeks ago. Now we are twins, Jeanie, and share more than a granddaughter - we also share a quilt!
A detail shot of the quilt:
Finally, here is a fun quilt that I actually bought and made in a timely manner. I found the pattern and fabric last October when I was in Kirkland. My sister and I were cruising the quilt shops when I found this. It is so bright and cheery I just couldn't pass it up.
Happy quilting!

Girlfriends

I just can't put my finger on it. I've been trying for a week to get just the right word for it, but have come up short.

So here's the long version: last week I flew back to Seattle for a getaway with my friends. These women started out as my book club, but have evolved into my close friends. We do more than talk about books (lots more, in fact). We eat well, we play well, and we like to travel together. We don't travel far; just far enough to get away from it all. (Sometimes it's to each other's homes). We've gone to Victoria BC, and to Leavenworth Washington. We've also gotten away to Lake Cavanaugh, and took a detour through the tulip fields on our way there one time.

This time we went to Leavenworth. Leavenworth is an alpine-themed tourist city on Highway 2 in Washington, about 2 hours out of Kirkland. One of our group has a time share type property that she generously lets us share with her. We started out eating breakfast close to home at Maltby Cafe. Mm, mm they have good breakfasts. Then we drove to Leavenworth - the drive was beautiful, and dogwoods were everywhere. I almost got carsick from my head swiveling back and forth quickly so as not to miss a single tree.

The great conversations start in the car, and don't stop until we're back home.

Once we get to Leavenworth we poke our heads into a couple of shops, but mostly walk around and talk. Then when the condo is ready, we go there. We unload all the food, the games, our suitcases, and the fun really begins. We play games, we eat, we watch the occasional movie, we eat, but most of all, we talk, talk, talk. That is what I love. My husband is my best friend, and I wouldn't trade him for anything, but there is something about women understanding women that is different. We look at the world differently, and we face crises differently. These women have had their fair share of crises - unemployment, death, cancer, tumors, illnesses, trying children - you name it, they've faced it. And together we are all stronger because of it. It's why I keep going back so I can travel with them . Not just to fun places, but through our joint experiences in life.

Here's the word I was looking for: Replenish. In the thesaurus you will find these synonyms: fill, freshen, refill, refresh, reload, renew, restock, restore, supply.

Thanks, Crazy Ladies, for replenishing me last week.

The boys were here

This afternoon I was watching the boys while Audrey and Joseph went to the temple. I use the term "watching" loosely. A more acurate description would be I chased the renegade Houdini (aka Matthew) all over the house, usually one step behind whatever shenanigans he was starting to get into. Finally Ray put the gate at the bottom of the stairs, which confined Matthew minimally. That boy is fast. At least he is never furious!

At one point Austin said, "Grandma, shall we go outside on the hammock?" Matthew chimed in with "owside", and thus they lured me outside. The hammock "rest" lasted all of 30 seconds, and they were both off to the races to see which could heft the bigger stick, and climb the bigger rocks. I think we have a backyard built for boys.

Then Austin piped up and said, "Grandma, go get your [insert word resembling 'camera' here]. Let's take a picture!" Ever compliant, I got the camera, and a few pictures were taken.

This is the initial picture Austin wanted taken: (he chose the pose as well as setting)
Here is Matthew with his ever-present "bi". The rest of us know it as a "blankie":

And Matthew coming down from climbing on the rocks:
Finally, a great picture of the two hooligans:I can't wait until they come again!

Austin turns 3

Our oldest grandchild, Austin, turns 3 today. It was a happy day when he joined our family! I was there to help Audrey when he was born, and I didn't think it would be possible, but he is even cuter today than he was when he was born. One great thing about Austin's birth is he introduced me and Ray to grandparenthood. What a boon that is to our lives!

Happy birthday Austin, from Pa'a and Grandma Diane. We love you!

First dogwood sighting of the year...

I love dogwoods. The northwest has lots of dogwoods. Utah does not. It is a major flaw with Utah in my opinion. When we lived in Kirkland, each spring I would begin my dogwood watch the end of April. I knew the few trees that blossomed first, and once they were in bloom, I knew where to start looking for the next wave of blossoming trees, until most of them were in bloom. In my old neighborhood and its surrounding areas I would slow down and just gaze at the dogwoods as I drove by (annoying, I'm sure, to drivers following me). The white ones always bloom first, then the pinks. Oh, how I love a pink dogwood! I even tried to grow one in my yard, but my black thumb prevailed, and it died. Rapidly.

Well, this last week I was back in the Seattle area (more on that in another blog), and I was shocked to see the dogwoods still in bloom. Oh happy day! One morning I went at 6:30 a.m. to get my hair cut, and on my way home stopped to take the pictures below. The pink dogwood is the tree just around the corner from my old house on the way to the pool. (I now have the pink dogwood picture as my screen saver.) Part of my trip was going to Leavenworth, and there were more dogwoods all along highway 2 on the way to Leavenworth. I was in heaven.

It's the end of the season, so the flowers aren't at their best, but they were plenty good enough for me.
My all time favorites.

Rear-view mirror ornament

This afternoon I was driving along, minding my own business. I came to a stop at a red light, and glanced at the car ahead of me. I almost had a heart attack right then and there. There was a giant spider hanging from his rear-view mirror. Several thoughts crossed my mind immediately.

Thought 1: Perhaps I should call 911 as a preemptive measure. Surely the driver will have a heart attack at any moment. After all, I nearly did, and wasn't even in the car.
Thought 2: That is disgusting.
Thought 3: I don't know if I could even associate with someone who had that hanging from his rear-view mirror.
Thought 4: Just one more reason never to have a rear-view mirror hanging ornament.
Thought 5: This guy better be a spider scientist at the very least. There could be no other acceptable reason for something like that hanging right in your face.

The light turned green, and I pulled out to go around him (I couldn't bear the thought of following that image down the road). As I passed his car there was a sticker on the side:
Black Widow Pest Control.

Not a company I'd care to work for.

Sisters: the Next Generation

Since 1991, the Linford women have had a sisters' weekend each year. This includes me, all my sisters-in-law on my husband's side of the family, and my mother-in-law (nine of us when we are all there). We get away for a long weekend, typically from Thursday evening until Monday morning, without husbands and children (only nursing babies allowed). We usually go in March, although it changes occasionally to accommodate various family events such as weddings, births, and missions. It is a time we hold sacred on our calendar, and I for one do everything I can to be there.

Now that three of us have grown/married daughters of our own, we have begun to have our own little sisters' weekends of our own. This weekend was mine, with my daughters. We did it once before in 2007, when Austin was just 6 weeks old, and the men all went Scuba diving at Cozumel. We haven't had one since, but hope to now make it a regular event.

It was so fun! Because of work and school for some of us, we had a compact version of the weekend. We started Friday evening, and ended on Sunday when everyone else came for dinner.

Friday we met at the bowling alley, and bowled. I did better than I usually do in my league, and we all had a blast.

(Audrey, Beth, Madeleine, and Debra at the bowling alley)

After bowling, we ate at Paradise Cafe and Bakery. Then we came home and played the first of several games of hand and foot. Once we got our game fix, we decided to open our Sisters' gifts (another tradition passed down to this generation - we each bring a gift that we give to everyone). I got a little carried away this year, but we all gave/got some very fun stuff:

(Audrey's gift: a brown sugar disc. It keeps your brown sugar soft. Debra's gift: a fun notepad with elastic to keep it closed. I used it to keep notes about what we did this weekend. Beth's gift: a Flipper measuring spoon. It has two ends, and can flip inside out to give four measurements. I gave: some lotion, shoe liners, a notepad for keeping lists, the book Alfie Gets in First, and a book journal. )

After the gifts we were tired and went to bed.

Saturday we got up and Ray made us pancakes with fresh strawberries on top. (Ray was the male exception this year - he got to stay. We did it at our house, and he just pretty much stayed out of the way except when preparing delicious meals for us.) Then we played hand and foot. Then we watched the movie 27 Dresses. Then we ate lunch and played another game of hand and foot. Then the project time began. Audrey and I worked on sorting, alphabetizing, and putting away many DVDs. Beth and Debra worked on our family photo album for 2007. Meanwhile Singing in the Rain was showing in the background. Lines were quoted and songs sung while we worked. While we were working, Ray made us Sopa de Lima for dinner. We ate our dinner while we played another game of hand and foot. After the nourishment we went back down to finish our projects, then we watched the movie Enchanted. By then it was definitely bedtime.

Sunday morning we were up bright and early, and went to church. We got home from church, and started getting dinner ready. The men arrived, and we were able to get in one last game of hand and foot before dinner. What a fabulous weekend! Thanks girls, for being so wonderful. I love you!

Audrey, Diane, Beth, Madeleine, Debra

Audrey, Debra, Madeleine, Diane, Beth

How I Found the Strong by Margaret McMullan

This book is by the same author that wrote When I Crossed No-Bob. I didn't like this one as well. It's a fast read - it only took me a couple of hours. If you only have time for one or the other, read When I Crossed No-Bob. This book actually takes place before No-Bob, but I don't feel they need to be read in order.

...and bowling's our game

Last Wednesday our bowling season came to an end (September to May). We finished the season by making a great leap from the rock bottom team to the next-to-last team. Let's just say we play for fun (our league name is Goof Balls if that is any indication). Last year we did much better in the standings, but this year we just could not pull ourselves out of the dump.

When I first moved here my friend Marci called me and asked if I'd like to be on her bowling team. I'd never done such a thing before! I asked how often they bowled - every Wednesday afternoon for about 2 hours. I thought - I hate to have to commit to every Wednesday - but then I realized that I had no life, and thus no commitments. I might as well commit then as anytime. So it began. Marci, Kelley and I had our team, and off we went. We actually did okay last year. And this year we all improved our averages. I guess everyone else improved more than we did.

One thing for sure: no one has more fun than we do! Thanks Marci and Kelley, for making my Wednesdays the best day of the week.

Marci, Diane, Kelley

Junk Mail

I counted my mail for one week, and 72.5% of it was junk mail. A surefire way to constructively battle waste and conserve natural resources would be to ban junk mail. It would also be a surefire way to lessen my daily annoyances.

Two-Part Invention the Story of a Marriage by Madeleine L'Engle

This is one of my all time favorite books. I've read it several times, and just finished it again so that I can review it for my book group tonight. I wondered if it would have lost any of its savor, but it hasn't. I liked it just as well this time around as each time I've read it before.

It is the story of the marriage of Madeleine L'Engle and her husband Hugh Franklin. In her description of love, marriage, faith, prayer, and humankind, it is as if she has reached into the part of my brain that doesn't know how to express itself and written in this book about what's in many of my thoughts about those things.

This book speaks to my soul. It is the ultimate romance story: real and down to earth.

More on weeding

My nephew sent this to me this morning (thanks Matthias!) My sentiments exactly.

Today I tackled the area I feel is most fraught with danger - the big rocks. There are deep crevices at the bottom of the rocks, just the inviting atmosphere a spider will love. Each time I do this area I stand for a few minutes trying to get my nerve up. The conversation in my mind goes something like this:

"There are only a few weeds. It will go fast."
"What if a spider comes running out?"
"How bad does this area really look? Will anyone else even notice that there are weeds here?"
"If a spider comes out, what will be my escape route?" (I look around and make a few plans of escape).

At this point I usually gird up my loins, so to speak, and start in, resolved to work as fast as possible. I also decide that if I really want I can quit at any time and finish it later. That decision is rarely acted upon. I hate that area, and just want to get it done if I start it. I never, never kneel down and work in this area. I just bend over and pull like mad. The kneeling position is too slow to come out of in need of retreat.

Well, all went well in that area, and when I was done my adrenaline was still pumping so I started in another area. I was just weeding along, minding my own business, and as I pulled out a weed, a giant moth (2 inches long, 3 inch wingspan - don't doubt my measuring, I can tell because of all my quilt square measuring) popped out at me along with the weed. That was my last weed of the day.

Where Is My Husband and What Have You Done With Him?

Ray mowed the lawn today.
I didn't dare go out and take a picture of him; you'll just have to take my word for it.

An Autobiography by Igor Stravinsky

I picked up this book in the textbook section of the BYU bookstore about a year ago, thinking that it looked very interesting. It was.

This book was a difficult read, more because of my own lack than the writer's. His vocabulary was extensive, and there were several words I should have just stopped and looked up. As it was, many of them I was able to understand from context (how's that for reaching back into the past?). That is mostly what limited my enjoyment of the book.

Stravinsky has not written a typical life story, but rather the story of his music's life. It was written in the mid-1930's, when he was about 50 years old. He lived another 40 or so years, so this was a mid-life reflection. It was fascinating to read his theories and strong opinions on music and music appreciation and performance. I think I'd like to check out some of his works at the library and give them a listen after having read the history behind the writing and performing of them.

A couple of side notes:
1. I am always fascinated at how famous people know and associate with so many other famous people. Does that mean that if I became famous, my friends and family would also become famous? In reality, the more apt question would be when my friends or family become famous, then would I also become famous?
2. I have come to the conclusion that most people of genius, or most driven people do not have much of a family life. Although this book is not about his family (there are three very brief facts about his family - he married, he had 4 children, and there is one sentence at the end of the book about one of his sons performing one of his compositions), his description of his life tells us that he did not spend much time at home. He travelled and worked on his compositions extensively.

Good book. Not recommended for the faint of vocabulary.

One Quilt Down, Several to Go

One of my goals for 2008 was to try and finish as many quilts as I can that I have already started, or have the fabric and pattern for. I was diligent and got out all my fabric (secretly so that no one in the house will realize exactly how much I have) and already started projects. Then I carefully sorted through it all, and put everything together in "kits". I made a detailed list so that I can cross each item off the list when it is complete. I just love having a list all crossed out.

I discovered I have 5 tops all pieced. They just needed to be quilted. To my credit, my quilting days were all messed up several months before and after our move, and I had two wedding quilts to make during that time also. Back to the quilts. During General Conference in April I quilted all 5 tops. I like to sew while I listen - it keeps me awake. So now I've had 5 quilts waiting to be bound. Today I did the binding on the first one while I waited for Ray to be ready to go to dinner. How embarrassing that it takes so long to get these things done!

This quilt was made from fabric I bought in a kit for a large, scrappy sawtooth star quilt (all Moda fabrics). I decided I didn't want to make the quilt in the kit, so used the fabric to make a couple of lap quilts. This is actually the one made with the leftovers - the back is completely scraps - a la ♥ Michelle Doty ♥. (Michelle taught me how to do those hearts).

Here is Boris our cat, taking over the quilt, as usual:

Here's the scrappy back side:
Only one problem: I can't find my nice list of all the quilts to be done so that I can cross it off the list. I'm really going to have to hunt for that!

Hope Springs Eternal (so do weeds)

Today began my never-ending battle of the spring/summer season: noxious weeds. I've been putting it off for a couple of weeks, and it's a good thing I did. It snowed last Thursday, so I was glad I had delayed beginning. Hopefully we're done with snow for the year. I donned my crocs, old pants, an old shirt, and red Kua Aina baseball cap, grabbed my bucket, gloves, and handy-dandy weeding tool (the one that looks like a long screw driver with a forked end), and went to work.

How can all the weeds on the planet earth be concentrated in my yard? And, how can they have already taken over when it is only May 5? Even with a yard remodel (more grass, less "garden area") , the weeds will be daunting. I've done this the last two summers, and here I go again. I anticipate spending about 10 hours a week weeding.

As I bend over the multitude of weeds right there on Wasatch Boulevard, I wonder if the potential improvement in curb appeal will outweigh the present sight of (let's hope) not my better side to the many who drive by. So far no one has called to report a new planet or astroid sighting in our neighborhood, so it may not be as bad as I fear.

Speaking of fear, there is always the danger factor of weeding: spiders. Due to my collossal aversion to spiders (I can barely type the word. From now on I'll just put s), I am on constant alert. Over 50% of my weeding area is our rock wall - the nooks and crannies there are a haven for the dreaded s. In addition, every blade of grass or weed that tickles my leg makes me jump until I confirm that it is indeed merely vegetation and not a giant s ready to pounce, or eat. I'm not sure which would be worse. Ugh, I have to change the subject or I'll be having nightmares for weeks.

My two nemeses this summer will be clover and the dread Morning Glory (to be pronounced with as much awe/aversion as "the dread Pirate Roberts" from Princess Bride). I have determined to make a huge dent in the morning glory problem. I vow not to pull any out (thus causing them to double). Rather, I have in mind a few other options. If any work, I'll report. If none work, I'll curse. Actually if none work, I'm tempted to leave them be, and say I have it there on purpose. I just hate to do that to my neighbors.

Here's hoping I can make some good progress that will be more lasting than the last couple of years.

Ain't It Good to Know...

Qualities I look for in a friend: (in no particular order)
1. I can speak freely, and even if I'm not clear, they understand.
2. I can complain, and they know it's not forever, it will blow over in a moment.
3. They don't make fun of me.
4. I never have to worry about how I look in front of them (a big pre-requisite for me).
5. I never have to worry about how my house looks in front of them (no one is truly a friend who cares more about my house than me).
6. I can call and say, "I need to go to lunch, will you come with me?" and they will come and listen to all I have to vent about, which is really what going to lunch is for.
7. They will be honest when I try on clothes. There are ways to say clothes aren't flattering without mentioning the words "It makes you look fat."
8. Even when one of us moves away, we are still friends.
9. We laugh together.

I did not have a lot of friends when I was young. I did have one best friend during elementary school, then spent junior high and high school sort of floating among acquaintances and hoping to be invited and included.

I went away to college not knowing anyone besides Ray (how convenient, seeing as we eventually got married). What a blessing that I had great roommates: Julie (Petersen) Adair my freshman year, then the rest of college lived with mostly the same girls - Janet (Hansen) Sligting, Cindi (Robinson) Smith, Ilona (Walker) Hunsaker, Anita (Ross) Hicks, Shawn (Osborne) Darley, Debbie (McIntosh) Orosco, and a few others. We lived in an apartment with six girls, and most of stayed the whole time and a few rotated in and out. Boy, it was tough to remember everyone's maiden name! Now that I live here in Utah, Janet, Cindi, Ilona and I try to have lunch every month (see #6 above). It is so wonderful to keep up with each other.

After college we moved several places in a few years. I made a very good friend, Teresa Kakadelas, when we lived in Santa Monica. Unfortunately we both moved away.

Then we finally settled in Kirkland. Once again I felt lonely. It takes time to get to know people and make friends. First I got to know Michelle Doty. We didn't become great friends until a little later, but that was my first real connection. In the spring of 1991, Trish Derrick moved in across the street, and my life changed. She came right over and became one of the very best friends I've ever had. Then it got even better. Trish makes friends with everyone. I figured out that if I could just hang onto her coattails, I would be in a dream world full of friends. That dream came true. My heart broke when she moved away from Kirkland to Utah a few years ago. Lucky for me, she's good at staying in touch. Also lucky for me, by then I had made more friends. What would I do without my Crazy Ladies?

Well, I could go on and on. We moved to Utah almost two years ago, and more than the green countryside, the water everywhere, and everything else I loved about Washington, I miss my friends. I hope that time will help, and eventually I'll be able to make good friends here as well. I feel a couple of friendships on their way...

Thank you to all my dear friends, for making my life so wonderful.

Trish and me

When I Crossed No-Bob by Margaret McMullan

A friend in my ward recommended this book to me. It is juvenile fiction - I would recommend it to the older end of that range. Not so much for difficulty, as for content. It takes place about 10 years after the Civil War, in Mississippi, I think. A young girl is abandoned by her parents and taken in by a young couple. She has to figure a lot out, and is a well crafted character. I really liked the book. It was a fast read.

The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare

One of my all time favorite books is Speare's The Witch of Blackbird Pond. Although I liked The Bronze Bow a lot, it did not keep me enthralled as much as The Witch of Blackbird Pond did. There were times when I could not put it down, and other times when I was a little bored. I remember not caring for it too much when I was young. I certainly like it better now than I did then.

What is intriguing to me is whether or not this would be chosen as a Newbery winner today, strictly because of it's topic. I have never read another juvenile book on the topic - a young jewish boy, learning about and meeting Jesus Christ, then choosing to follow His way.