"Who's The Boss?"

With the dawning of the Age of Aquarius and my mother's budding independence, my brother and I found ourselves "in charge" of own selves more frequently than not. Our parents seemed to be resolute in their confidence that they would return from their own day's agendas to a home still standing and children as they had left them.

 As the oldest sibling I considered my self the Boss of my younger brother, John.

He considered himself, unbossable.
 

So I really was surprised one morning near Easter to find upon opening our front door, the largest raccoon I had ever seen standing on his hind legs looking as though he wanted to come in. I called my brother to the door, "John, Mom and Dad have gotten us an Easter Raccoon. Come and get him." And he listened to me!

As soon as my brother stepped onto our front porch, the raccoon began to chase him. My brother on two legs was not fast enough for the raccoon on four. A tackle, a tumble, arms and legs flailing, a brother bitten to pieces upon our parents arrival home. Shots in the stomach for Easter a reminder never to listen to his sister again!

Please do not Pin patterns on Pinterest

A Steel Magnolia

Miss Bernice's home was located at the top of a very steep hill. At the bottom of the hill could be found her place of work which she walked to every day of her working life, Miss B's Palace of Beauty. Miss Bernice had been cutting hair since the age of 17 when she left an abusive husband, her infant son on hip, vowing to make her own safe haven in the world and for any woman needing one as well.

Miss Bernice's shop had but one sink for washing hair and one chair for styling hair, but it had an entire wall of chairs with dryers that could be pulled down low on the head, an enveloping warmth as inviting as the advice her customers came to hear.

It was to this place I came with my mother whether our hair needed cutting or not. It was among these women, at Miss Bernice's direction, that I was allowed to be myself. Installed alongside a counter that held  an ever reached for coffee pot, was a little table that held the things I loved to make. From animals made from PlayDoh to Pom Pom Critters, to Rock People. An envelope would always be waiting my arrival filled with change from Miss Bernice's customers.

From Childhood Days to Newlywed Days to Young Mother days, Miss Bernice would provide the customers for anything my creative heart wanted to share. She also provide the tender advice I was unable to hear from my mother about the affairs of the heart. She would share with me words never spoken to another soul about her struggles as a young woman on her own. Her gentle perspective let me know my blessings were many, my troubles few.

Miss Bernice was a Steel Magnolia before there was a story or a book or a movie about the women who inhabit such a place. It is because of Miss Bernice that all women and men alike are protected from the dangerous carcinogenic fluorocarbons that use to be found in all aerosols. She was the one special woman who cut hair in a shop with only one chair for more than 40 years and who lost her battle with Eye Cancer caused from aerosol hairspray that we are all thankful for today.

Please do not pin patterns on Pinterest.

I forgot to include instructions for tail! A pipe stem is inserted between layers of felt and inserted into a small slit make on the backside of body.

Bobwhites and Brownies

I adore Brownies because of the kitchen in Only Child girls house. I always volunteered to be the oven watcher just so that I could linger alone in this most special room. A round table tucked into the only corner, a long white tablecloth hanging to the floor. Comfortable chairs with arms and cushions, a lamp on the table. Toaster and jams, blue and white place mats, a cow to spill milk, Delft Blue filled with yellow flowers. Magazines and books, reading glasses and newspapers, round tins of hard candies. A table that never had to be set because it was used throughout the day.

Brownies cut in squares, Bobwhites ready for Boy Talk on Danielle's bedroom floor. Rotation visits could not come soon enough for the chance to be in a bedroom designed especially for her. Pink and white strips hand painted on the walls, French Vanilla moldings before the ceiling. Window seat with underneath drawers, Priscilla curtains in pale green stripes, shutters to pull across the window. Even her closet was custom made to match her room, Family Affair come to life.

Goodbyes at the door, vanilla light over my shoulder, the long walk home. Grassy dew dampening my sneakers, sliding door patio just ahead. "How was your evening?" greetings from Mom. Tucked under feet straightened, book set aside."It was wonderful! We made brownies."

E and Bluebirds

Another heart in the mail! This one is so extra special to me because it is from a most talented and lovey woman, Dee of Lulu at Home. I had a most difficult time opening her beautifully presented bundles.


It is because of Dee as well as Jenny B. of Allsorts that I came to be aware of vintage childrens book illustrations. Both have generously shared their images with all of us. Dee transforms images into the most charming keepsake art that I have ever seen! This button card is calling for a frame and a special place to hang.


Dee hopes to have a blog to share with us in the new year. I hope it will feature her exquisite sewing skills. This heart tells such a sweet story, I just love it!


Dee is also very special to me because, like myself, she became overwhelmed with the social obligations we place upon ourselves in the Flickr community. Worry about not responding to every kind comment, worry about offending others, it all becomes too much. My hope for Dee is that she will find a way to share her remarkable talent with us while finding the right balance for herself. This has been my journey, and I am so thankful to still be here.

Elizabeth's Chenille Bluebird

I think these little bluebirds could be used for so many different crafts from gift tags to ornaments to a little something on top of a mushroom. No sewing involved, Just a pair of wire cutters, a pencil, 2 pipe cleaner stems and Tacky Glue.



Step 1: Cut pipe stems in half. Make "M" shape at one end, circle shape at other. Pinch circle into triangle shape.
Step 2: Coil pipe stem around pencil. Pinch tail closed and slip rings over.
Step 3: About 1" down sharpened pencil, coil pipe stem towards point. Slip onto head. Pinch between thumb and first finger to flatten point into rounded shape.
Step 5: Fold pipe stem ends towards center, pinch closed. Slip between coils of body.
Step 6: Glue eyes, beak, and flower to bluebird. Paper or felt could be used.