Flower Arranging

Saturday morning Laura and I attended the monthly ladies meeting at church. Laura wasn't too sure she wanted to go, but when she found out that a friend of ours was going to be demonstrating flower arranging, she decided that sounded like fun. We were each supposed to bring a bud vase and a pair of scissors.

First, our friend (a former florist) showed how to arrange a dozen roses. I picked up several tips from her. She told us that roses need a fresh cut every time they are out of water because the stems "seals" back up within 10 seconds. So it's important to cut the stem right before you put them back in water. I had known you were supposed to cut them again, but I hadn't known about the "10 second rule" or understood why. She also showed us how to weave leaves of fern together to make a nice base for the arrangement. And then how to arrange 6 roses around the bottom of the arrangement, then 5 in the middle, and then one at the top with greenery as she went along, and  adding filler last.

After the demonstration we were all invited to make our own arrangement using one rose and whatever greenery and filler we wanted. It was interesting to me to see how different everyone's arrangements looked with just one rose. And it was fun to get to take our arrangements home with us.

Little Peeps

For at least a year, Becky has been lobbying for chickens. Even though we live in town, she was convinced that a small backyard flock of laying hens would be the very thing. Over many months she has carefully done her research and never once gave up on the idea. I've always enjoyed watching chickens and I'm definitely in favor of fresh eggs, so eventually I jumped on the bandwagon with her. Finally, last night we decided the time had come.

Off to the farm store we went. While Lyle folded down the seats in the car to make room for the chicken coop kit, I went on in the store to see what breeds of baby chicks they had in stock. Sadness! All they had were turkey chicks... (or wait, what do you call baby turkeys? Had to stop and google it... apparently they are technically calls poults!) They were very cute, but I sure didn't want to end up with turkeys gobbling in my backyard. Then we discovered that the box the chicken coop came in wouldn't fit in the car.

Time for Plan B? What was Plan B anyway?

We decided that Lyle could come back another day to get the coop. It will be on sale until the 17th. We called the farm store in Spokane to see if they had actual chicken chicks in stock. They did. So we took off over there. Becky had given me a list of breeds she thought would be the best. We decided that four would be a good number. Our city allows up to 10 hens in a backyard (no roosters!), but I knew we didn't want that many. The coop we are looking at is roomy enough for up to four, so four it is.

And here they are...

The yellow chicken in back is a White Leghorn. Her name is Daisy. I'm taking it on faith that she will be white as an adult. In the middle is the sweet little Rhode Island Red. We've named her Marigold. The gray-and-black striped one is a Silver-Laced Wyandotte. Her name is Peony. And the black one... Wait! Where's the black one?

Oh, yes... here she is. She's a Black Sex Link named Violet.

So far we have found them to be endlessly fascinating to watch. For example, their feeder has 8 holes. Plenty of room for four little chicken heads to go foraging. But no, they think they all need to be in the same hole.

Now, then. That's better. That's the idea.

But then, Peony decides it would be a good idea to climb on top of the feeder.

(That's probably how that splat of chickie droppings ended up there! They do poop all over everything. Still, I've heard it's great garden fertilizer. So it's all good.)

It's also funny to watch them fall asleep. They doze off before they lie down. First their eyes close and then their head starts bobbing.

And pretty soon they are plopped down snoozing away. Daisy was tucked back in that corner for the longest time last night. It didn't seem like a natural position for a chicken, so I was a little concerned that she might be sick, though she seemed to be breathing normally.

But this morning she's alert and cheeping around with the other girls, so I guess that's just how the chickies sleep. Eventually I guess they'll learn to roost.

Cookie is enchanted and would dearly love a chance to mother them... but in fear that she might inadvertently love them too much, we have been very careful to keep them out of her reach.

And so the adventure begins. Have no doubt that I'll keep you posted.

What fun!

Pray One for Another

This morning when I logged onto Facebook I noticed a status update from my longtime friend, Denise:

Such an encouraging way to start the day! 

As I read that I was reminded of a poem that Denise had sent me years ago when we were girlhood pen-pals. I know I saved it in my Quotes Journal. In fact, I think I saved the very sheet of pretty stationery she had copied it onto, in her beautiful handwriting. But do you think I could put my hands on a journal from 30-something years ago this morning? Of course not! (It is here somewhere, though, I'm pretty sure.)

I asked Denise if she remembered it. She didn't, but she was very interested in reading it again. I wracked my brain trying to remember the first line so I could Google it. It has taken me all day to think of it... but I finally have! 

So, Denise, this one's for you!

Pray One for Another 

by Marianne Farningham 

 I cannot tell why there should come to me 

A thought of someone miles and miles away, 

In swift insistence on the memory— 

Unless there be a need that I should pray. 

 Too hurried oft are we to spare a thought, 

For days together, of some friend away; 

Perhaps God does it for us, and we ought 

To read His signal as a call to pray. 

 Perhaps, just then, my friend has fiercer fight, 

Some overwhelming sorrow or decay 

Of courage; darkness, some lost sense of right; 

And so in case he needs my prayer, I pray. 

 Friend, do the same for me! If I unsought 

Intrude upon you on some crowded day, 

Give me a moment’s prayer, in passing thought; 

Be very sure I need it; therefore pray.

The Workbasket (Installment #13)

The next issue of The Workbasket that I have is from March 1953-- almost exactly 60 years ago. The only comment I'll make as to the cover is that women's foundation garments in the 1950s were very different from what they are now. Goodness!

 The popularity of cheap, synthetic fabrics amuses me. "This striking fast color makes unusual blouses, curtains, underwear, etc." Wonder what "Green Foliage Pattern Color" looks like, anyway? Can't you just see the housewife's blouse matching her curtains and underwear? I'll say that's unusual!

 "Not a Cold or Heat Wave! Not a Wave Set!" What exactly is it, then? I can't quite tell. "MAGIC CURLERS have a built-in Dupont Sponge Reservoir that holds special, safe curling solution, then releases it quickly, evenly, smoothly in your hair." I still don't understand. Some kind of goop, apparently. I guess I should just accept that it's "MAGIC" and let it go at that. (Notice the "foundation garment" in the illustration?)

 "Easter Bunny and Easter Chick are for a little girl or boy to wear on a lapel in the Easter parade. Besides being bright and clever costume keynotes, the little felt pins will each securely hold a few coins, which makes them doubly useful. Choose your own colors, or make them like our models, with a black hat and white bunny; and a white egg and yellow chick with bright purple cap." Either I'm color blind, or they're mistaken! Is it just me, or is that a red egg and a gray chick with a bright red cap? And why does the chick even have a hat? With a feather in it, no less?

 From the "Women Who Make Cents" department... I'm glad I'm not friends with Mrs. Don C. Harvey! No telling what gossip she would report about me!

 I can't quite make out how this "new invention" is different from the old way of making rice... but something must have caught on. I never heard of changing water or transferring to a colander when making rice. My rice always turns out just as described: "Each grain is separate, tender, non-starchy." (Except, of course, when I burn it, but that doesn't happen too often.) Maybe I have one of these new inventions and didn't even realize it. I just call it a pan.

 Here's a way to garner "spare time earnings" with "no canvassing, no selling, no 'make-it-yourself,' no abusing the good will of your friends..." Yeah, somehow I have a hard time believing that I would "find women all over town flocking to [my] doorstep bringing [me] good cash, and thanking [me] for the privilege." I'm pretty sure it would fall under "abusing the good will of [my] friends."

 Becky has been watching old episodes of Hopalong Cassidy on Netflix lately, and I can promise you, this inflatable toy does not "look just like his famous horse, Topper!" No doubt a kid would have fun playing on it, and pretending to be a cowboy, but he'd really have to use his imagination to think it's anything like a real horse. Of course, kids are very creative in that regard, so I guess it's all right.

"A set of these gay chicks nestling over the eggs at your Easter breakfast table will start the day with smiles." Assuming the traditional definition of the word "gay" to mean "happy"... which is what I'm sure they meant. Um. No. I'm not seeing it. Sinister? Grumpy? Maybe. I think the eyes need to be re-worked.

In conclusion, here's the dress pattern page with lovely 1950s fashions to admire.

What's your favorite "piece" from this issue? I'd really like to know!

Literary Heroine Giveaway

I'm participating again this year in Kellie's Literary Heroine Blog Party. Kellie is offering some great literary-themed prizes at Accordion To Kellie, so be sure and visit our gracious hostess to enter the drawings. Plus... since you're already here... I'm offering my own giveaway of two classic novels as well.

Jane Eyre is a classic I read long ago in my growing-up days. Not too long ago I read it again, and got so much more out of it this time around. Details I hadn't even remembered. It's a wonderful story. And don't you just love the cover?

I'm currently re-reading Pride and Prejudice with this annotated edition, and I'm enjoying the notes, illustrations, and diagrams so much. The story is on the left-hand pages, with tons of footnotes on the facing pages. It's a great way to read a classic! I'm learning a lot about the times, culture, and lifestyle of the time period.

Both of these books are Sonlight titles, and I have a copy of each to give away! To enter my drawing just leave a comment on this post. I'd love it if you'd answer one or more of the questions below in your comment. One person will win both books. (US addresses only, please.)

And now...

The Literary Heroine Blog Party Questions:

Introduce yourself! Divulge your life's vision, likes, dislikes, aspirations, or something completely random!
I've posted lots of random things about myself before, if you're interested in knowing all kinds of trivial things about me. I aspire to be a novelist. I have my novel started, but I'm not working on it regularly just yet. I'm allowing myself time to learn the craft, do lots of research, and think through my story. I still have over a year of homeschooling to teach, so I'm allowing myself that time.

What, to you, forms the essence of a true heroine?
A good heroine has a story to tell, a conflict to resolve, and grows in the process. It also helps if she's intelligent. Maybe not always make the best choices, but at least not be a total ditz.

Share (up to) four heroines of literature that you most admire and relate to.
Anne Shirley, Rilla Blythe, Laura Ingalls Wilder

Five of your favorite historical novels?
Anne of Green Gables, Rilla of Ingleside, The Blue Castle (all by L.M. Montgomery), Little Town on the Prairie and These Happy Golden Years by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Out of those five books who is your favorite main character and why?
Rilla is my favorite because she matures from the somewhat-pampered "baby of the family" to a self-assured, responsible young woman.

Out of those five books who is your favorite secondary character and why?
Anne is a secondary character in Rilla of Ingleside (being Rilla's mother), and I love reading about her in that role after following her coming-of-age and young womanhood through the other novels in the series.

If you were to plan out your dream vacation, where would you travel to - and what would you plan to do there?
I would love to take a road trip all over the continent, lingering in small towns and off-the-beaten-path scenic by-ways.

 What is your favorite time period and culture to read about?
It changes from time-to-time, but right now I am enjoying the mid-20th century... from the 1930s through the 1960s.

 You have been invited to perform at the local charity concert. Singing, comedy, recitation - what is your act comprised of?
Definitely recitation. I love to read aloud.

 If you were to attend a party where each guest was to portray a heroine of literature, who would you select to represent?
Oh! Can I be Mrs. Rachel Lynde (from the Anne books)? I've always wanted to be a nosy little ol' busy-body!

 What are your sentiments on the subject of chocolate?
I can take it or leave it. I'd just as soon have caramel or toffee.

 Favorite author(s)?
Um, yeah. L.M. Montgomery and Laura Ingalls Wilder.

 Besides essentials, what would you take on a visiting voyage to a foreign land?
A camera and a journal.

 In which century were most of the books you read written?
The 20th. I enjoy older novels occasionally, but in the 1800s mainstream novels were written to be morally uplifting (preachy) and not just for entertainment. Yes, I prefer wholesome books, but not so much when the sermon overpowers the story.

 In your opinion, the ultimate hero in literature is…
attentive to the heroine.

 Describe your ideal dwelling place.
I love a house with lots of windows and a wrap-around porch, preferably with a view of the mountains.

Sum up your fashion style in a short sentence.
My fashion style tends to be traditionally feminine but not frilly.

Have you ever wanted to change a character’s name?
Yes. I didn't much care for Gilbert's name in the Anne stories. But it did finally grow on me. Just as Lyle's name did.

In your opinion, the most dastardly villain of all literature is...
I'm coming up with a blank on this one.

 Three favorite non-fiction books?
The Bible, of course. Beyond that, I can't pin down favorites.

Your duties met for the day, how would you choose to spend a carefree summer afternoon?
In a hammock, with a stack of books and a journal at hand.

Create a verbal sketch of your dream hat - in such a way as will best portray your true character.
Time constraints will prevent me from dwelling on this question long enough to come up with a truly insightful answer, so I guess I'll skip this one.

Share the most significant event(s) that have marked your life in the past year.
Spending Labor Day weekend with my mother and her older brother in Oklahoma, gathering information for my novel.

 Share the Bible passage(s) that have been most inspiring to you recently. 
"...that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ... that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection..." --Philippians 3:8-10