New Adventure!

I am currently in the process of changing my focus for creativity.  For the last few years, I have been concentrating on my Etsy businesses of hand crafted jewelry and hand sewn products and not my art or writing.  Oh, I have had two blogs to keep my hand in writing practice and I have participated in Blue Chair Diary's Sunday Sketches but mostly this blog has been an 'on again, off again' project as far as any writing is concerned--not consistent nor concentrated.   My other blog  has been my focus, including my Etsy businesses, my BBA team, my handcrafted business friends and acquaintances.

Since recently re-thinking my outlay of time in regard to blogging and writing, I have decided to take August thru October to rest from my other endeavours and return to my writing and illustration in this blog.  I will concentrate on a couple of writing projects that were left on a back burner in my brain.  One project is actually a part of this blog, called Abby's story.  There is a tab on my home page to find this project.  But, alas, it is unfinished.  Another project is a children's book series that I started about eight years ago.  Then my breast cancer tragedy struck, my life changed a bit, and I just let my book writing plans go.

So if you are up for it, I will pull out one of these latent projects and take it up again.  I hope you will go on this journey with me to see if I can complete it. I will try to post about three times per week plus posting on Sunday's with my illustration progress on Sunday Sketches.  Your participation with me may be the boost that I need to keep plugging along toward the finish line. 

And, just as a taste of the future, these pictures show what I pulled out of a closet of that old project.  (I will explain in subsequent posts.)



Some old practice pieces

What have you dreamed about completing?

Join me, won't you? 



What next, Sasha?

"You want me to adopt her?! Mom, you've lost it! You know that I'm already way too busy ALL THE TIME! My family, the shop, home schooling, the farm, watching after you!" Suzanne practically shouted at her mom, which was surprising. "But, Suz, you . . . . " Abby tried to say. "No, mom, I don't want to hear it!" she shouted, as she rose from her chair, put her cup in the sink and went for the back door! "Well, Sasha, that went well!" The cat meowed back, as if understanding just what was said. Wiping off the table and adding her cup to the sink, Abby headed for the wing chair in the living room with Sasha right behind her. "I didn't see that coming!" She picked up her embroidery, did a couple of stitches, and sat it down again. Rising from the chair, she paced across the Persian rug a couple of times then headed for the phone. She dialed the number and waited for an answer. "Ms. Cathy Griffith, please." After leaving a message for Ms Griffith, since she was not available, Abby went back to pacing. She sure hoped Suz wouldn't stay angry with her. She just wanted the best for Patricia and for her own family! Suzanne would never have a little girl of her own. There were no girls in the Hamilton family, hadn't been in generations. Always boys. Suzanne was resigned to it. "She loves her boys and I do too, Sasha. But I just wish she could have a girl. Sasha, maybe I have overstepped my bounds."

Thoughts Delivered

(Abby's story part 18) Since the morning sun was no longer streaming in the front window, it was a little cooler to sit at the dining room table as they talked. "Suz, you saw my pros and cons list. But I want you to know that I, also have looked at all the things that have happened in my life over the last several years as to how they relate to important decisions. I think it has helped me see more clearly." "You sound like you have really been thinking about this, mom" said Suz as she tilted the lovely porcelain clad kettle that was always ready on the stove and filled her china tea cup with hot water. "So, what do you mean?" she asked, while dipping her tea bag up and down in the water and taking her chair at the oak table.

teapot available from REtroGalore on Etsy

"Well, I mean that I have thought about your dad's death and where that has left me--both emotionally and financially. I thought about my heart attack and fitness level--or lack thereof! I though about the purpose of this family farm--emphasis on 'family'--that we are all in this together for a favorable and profitable outcome. I thought about adoption as a long term commitment and my age. And I think that I have decided that adopting Patrica is not for me, as much as I want it. I was thinking that I wanted her to have a stable home, and she got along so well with Paddy and Owen. I could see her here in this house, filling it with laughter and chaos. My heart is full of love for her and, I know, all the other children who need love. But I think that my stamina is not the greatest and my years on this earth may be more limited that I would really like to admit. So, I have come to this conclusion: I have decided that adopting Patrica is not for me, as much as I want . . . " "Oh mom," Suzanne interrupted, "I know that this was hard for you, but I really do think it is for the best. Little Patty will go to a good home, I know it! You needn't worry." "Suz, you didn't let me finish! I am no longer worrying. I want you and Terry to adopt her!"

Moles and Decisions

(Abby's Story - Part 17) Ronda was a short little lady with a round face and dark hair to match her dark eyes. The smile she wore was all over her face and twinkled out her eyes. One could readily tell that she was happy and friendly! After speaking with her for a few minutes, Abby decided to excuse herself and head for the office in the back of the shop. Suz, probably already having decided that she wanted to hire her, entertained Ronda for a few minutes, enlisting her help folding some linens on a shelf.

Towels available from pruitthandcrafts on Etsy

Abby took the time to look over the application lying on the desk. She was wondering if Ronda had been a punctual employee at her last job, or if she had skipped around from job to job. BLAM! The back door slammed, as Owen ran up to the desk! "Owen, you know you are not supposed to run in the shop! What is up with you?" "Grandma, we found a mole hole in the garden. And a few of our baby carrots are missing! I came to tell mom!" "Your mom is busy right now, and mole stories can wait. Why didn't you go get your dad? He's better equipped to help you with a little mole" instructed Abby. "But, grandma, he's way out at the shed in the back 40!" Owen protested. "Well, I'll let your mom know and you head back to the garden. As soon as you see your dad, let him know. We can't have a little mole ruining our harvest!--And don't slam the door this time!" Owen scampered out the back door again, this time closing it carefully, as Abby headed to the front of the shop. Suz and Ronda had finished rearranging the linen cupboard and were standing at the cash register. "Everything looks fine, I would agree with your decision, Suzanne, and I hope that Ronda can join us for some of the morning hours around here. Also, Owen will have some news for you when you go home, and I need your help with that decision, soon."

Shop Appointment

(Part 16 of Abby's Story)

“Nearly two o’clock,” thought Abby, “I need to stop working on this list and get over to the shop!” Leaving the tablet lying on the dining room table and she headed to the back door, down the steps, and following a well worn path across the yard behind the house till she reached a vine covered arbor gate. Through the gate was a large parking lot of gravel and a rustic building, formerly a large shed that currently served as the family farm shop. The building was a simple board and bat construction with corrugated tin roofing. Abby remembered when it had a large sliding door on the front and a dirt floor. The previous owners had used it to house their tractor and their mechanic shop. The heavy wood door slid open to allow the tractor easy access. When she and the family purchased the property, they had remodeled the building for their retail operations.

As she rounded the corner of the building to the front door, she noticed only one car in the parking lot, which was not unusual, this early in the season. While pulling the glass door open, she inspected the front window displays that Suz had been working on for the last week.

"Suz, these look sharp! You've done a nice job. Is that our applicant's car out there?"

Reading the List

(Part 15 of Abby's Story--You can start at the beginning here.) Suzanne set her lemonade glass down on the little crocheted coaster, saving the beautiful finish of the old oak tabletop, while she read the list. Pros: 1) I love kids! 2) I have the finances to support a child 3) I love little Patricia Cons: 1) My stamina is not very good. 2) Health concerns/life expectancy, I'm nearly 65! 3) Limits on my freedom-I already raised ten kids! 4) Total changes to my everyday routine

Lemonade dress by CappysCloset

Questions:

1) Schooling? Where? How? 2) Her family's involvement? If any? 3) Will it prevent me from helping other kids? "Mom, these are all good questions. I see that you have been seriously thinking about what to do."

"I have, Suz. Even though I have all of you, I still have time to give to someone else."

"Well, I think that you should make another list. This one should be about you're daily routine, as it is now and how it would be if you had a child living with you. Can you do that?" asked Suzanne.

"I believe I can, I have be thinking about it.''

"OK then, we'll talk again, once you have completed the list. Let me know. Now, I saw the vegetable order ready on the porch table, I'll have to be going to get to Clark's in time. By the way, I liked that gal, Ronda, that came for the interview. I would like you to meet her, and see what you think. She's coming back tomorrow around two. Can you come over to the shop at that time?"

Vegetable Order and Decisions!

(Part 14 of Abby's Story--You can start at the beginning here.) Breathing heavily, Abby opened the gate of the vegetable garden and sat down on the bench just inside the fence for a rest. Pulling weeds from the flower border had been a little more bend-over exercise than she needed. "You done?" asked Suz, as she placed an arm load of lettuce and squash on the garden table. "No, I just need a breather. I need to pace myself." "Well, don't over exert. The flower bed can wait." Suzanne kept busy loosening and aerating the soil around the tomato plants. "But we do have this vegetable order to deliver to Clark's Corner." "Yes, I know. I just wanted to give a bit of time for the flowers, too. Anyway, I can use this rest time to talk to you about something. Since little Patricia stayed with me, I've been thinking. I really need an outlet for my love for children, but I don't know how. I've made list of pros and cons of reasons to adopt, but I am still undecided." "Adopt? Oh, mom, I know that you have a big heart for kids, but at your age? Can't you do something else that will pacify your passion?" "Patricia's family is giving her up and she needs a home!" Abby retorted with vigor! "I understand that, mom, but I worry about your health. You just said that you need to pace yourself. You already volunteer at Thomas House. They love you there. And you can still have the kids stay in the summer for a week at a time." Abby put her gloves away on the garden shelf and replied, "You are probably right, but my heart just bleeds for that little girl. I wish she could have a good home." Putting her gloves away too, Suzanne walked toward the gate and said, "I understand mom. I would like to see your pro and con list and talk to you about it later; right now I've got a gal coming to interview for the shop sales position. Why don't you go make some lemonade and I'll be over later to talk." "O.K., I'll spend a few minutes washing the veggies and packaging the order, then I'll go in and make the lemonade. See you later."

Abby's House Guest

(Part 12 of Abby's Story)

The house had never been so "lived in" in such a long time! Toys on the oval rag rug between the wing chairs, and in the chair. Sasha didn't know where to plop herself down in the evenings. Crayons on the kitchen table with lots of artwork tacked on the refrigerator and on the dining room wall. Dishes in the sink--not rinsed and put in the dishwasher. Towels and pint-sized clothing items to pick up from the bathroom floor, guest towel to hang back up on the rack and shampoo lids to return to their originally planned positions.It wasn't Patricia's fault at all, there was just so much activity right now with the beginning of harvest season. It was nice having little "Patty" stay for the week, but we had been running all week and things needed to get done! New laborers were showing up needing direction. The storefront was opening this weekend, shelves still needed to be stocked and new applicants for the sales position were arriving in response to the sign in the shop window. Last minute deliveries needed to be signed for, and in the midst of all this, a house guest from Thomas House!

"Whew! But, then, I knew it I was going be like this, the only time for it was before the harvest season, I just didn't think about it being the last week before the season started!" Abby argued to herself,

Dolls by polywen on Esty

"And, Patty had been such a delight! But my Paddy was a little confused having a 'Patty' around; they have had so much fun playing in the yard, hunting for caterpillars and bugs between doing the chores. I'd call out 'Patty' and they would both come running!" She smiled at the thought as she picked up the toys from the chair and placed them in the small cupboard. "I'd do this again . . . next year--next spring or, maybe even, after harvest season."

After Tea

(This is part 11 of Abby's Story) Ms. Griffith was an immaculately dressed forty-ish woman who was on time and very friendly. Tea was cordial--full of thank yous from Ms. Griffith, for all the vegetable donations--and a time for getting to know one another. After teatime, there was the tour Abby's home, and the farm, and some chatting with Suz and the boys in the garden. Abby and Ms. Griffith, Cathy at this point in the relationship, finally settled in the wing chairs in front of the fireplace.

Art card by artbylia

"Abigail, you have been highly recommended to me by all the staff and friends of Thomas House. I know that I am new, but I respect their opinions, and from what I see here, I must agree! I have a proposition for you. I have used a model in my previous job, it worked well and I would like to try it here. " Abby replied, "Well, I'm always for anything that will benefit the kids. What do you have in mind?" "We would like to start a new program", Cathy continued, "where you would host a child from Thomas House for a week. This would help the parents while they are finishing their studies, help the kids to be exposed to new experiences with all that goes on here at the farm. Some of these kids need a new sense of family which I believe they would see here at Blueberry Hill. We would like to start by just bringing groups of children for an afternoon tour of the farm. Then we can talk later about hosting a child and all the possible training and paperwork involved." While Abby and Cathy discussed the particulars, the afternoon was vanishing away. The sun was flooding thru the craft room windows and Sasha was brushing up against Abby's legs; she knew it was the time to be working in the sun filled room.

Art by deezart

(Art for today's story was from Etsy sellers. Please visit their shops for more great offerings.)

Morning Coffee

(Abby's Story part 4) "Rooster's crowing, it must be almost dawn. I better get up, so much to do today!" As Abby's feet hit the rag rug on the floor, Sasha only squirmed and repositioned herself on the bed. "Come on, Sasha, Let's go down and get your breakfast--busy day ahead." Downstairs Abby crossed the living room and entered the big country kitchen, going straight to the pantry for expresso beans and cat food. After preparing Sasha's breakfast and setting it on the floor for her, Abby set about to make the world's best (at least, Abby's best) latte to start her day! Reaching for the recipe card she said, "Now for my 'simulated' breakfast. Sasha, I really learned a ton, from Shirley, since she became a barista! Let's see now, proper grind, lighter to the finger touch than sugar grains, seven grams worth; cold whole milk for me, I need the protein; and of course, sugar free syrups, which I should always add first to prevent curdling. But not today, though. My breakfast is a Cinnamon Roll Latte. And I don't have any sugar-free Cinnamon Syrup!" Cinnamon Roll Latte Pour 1/2 oz Cinnamon Syrup in your cup Add 1 teaspoon of brown sugar, stir Add your expresso Fill with foamed and steamed milk Top with whipped cream Dust with powered cinnamon Enjoy! Quick facts about our Coffee culture:* 1. Gourmet coffee became a social beverage in the 90s because the ten year total of teetotaloers was up by 28%. We started drinking mochas, not martinis. 2. Seattle is the expresso capital of the world with gourmet coffee sales reaching 40% of the total coffee market share. National average is about 30%. 3. Why do we say "coffee beans" when coffee comes from berries? Because each berry has two beans. *Facts from Espresso, Quick Reference Guide by Phillip Janssen (you know, an old fashioned BOOK :)