New Choir Robes!

Brand new choir robes for Christmas! Aren't they pretty?
This is quite a feat, since we haven't had new robes since....since....well...hm.
This is the first time we have EVER had new choir robes!
Our church is almost 200 years old and, to my knowledge, this is a first.
They are made of peachskin fabric, which is WAY soft and comfy. We bought new stoles from the 'seconds' bins and only paid $4.50 each for them! Two reversable sets equals 4 colors to choose from each week.
We wore purple and white for the Christmas services. We can also choose red or gold.
We love sportin' our new robes!

Painting Fun

Painting fun with Liz, Jessica and Hannah. Liz likes Marilyn Monroe, so that was the subject. We talked about taking it too far....

and working it to death.

We talked about changing the colors to your own liking.

We talked about negative space and the absence of lines.....

We talked about Heath Ledger and the Joker, the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Albert Einstein.

We had fun. Merry Christmas.

re·jec·tion (rĭ-jĕk'shən)

n.

1.The act of rejecting or the state of being rejected.

2.Something rejected.


Life goes on, niether having gained or lost a thing by asking.

submitting

sub·mit [ səb mít ]

1. propose or hand in something: to hand something in or put something forward for consideration, approval, or judgment

2. yield: to accept somebody else's authority or will

3. agree: to agree to undergo something

10 reasons I haven't blogged

David Letterman style:

10 top reasons I haven't blogged



10. We have sworn off eating out for a while, too much time in the kitchen cooking and cleaning.

9. Had to (no really, we HAD to) clean out the garage.

8. School shopping, new clothes, school supplies, plus new glasses for Rubin

7. The "new" river quilt is in progress and taking up half of the downstairs

6. Faltered on the "new" river quilt and made a distraction quilt, and abstract river/bird quilt.

5. Signed up with the Youth group to join the A.C.S. Relay for Life

4. Begged all my friend on facebook and email to donate for our team, U.S.N.T. Against Cancer.

3. Started walking with friends so we'll be prepared to walk 18 hours straight (as a team)

2. Bought a pretty new car (see #9)

1. Been busy enjoying life with family, friends and fabric. Virtual life can wait.


This is the link to the American Cancer Society (not facebook) page for our team if you'd like to help our team out with a sponsor donation. We would really appreciate the help.
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fmain.acsevents.org%2Fsite%2FTR%2FRelayForLife%2FRFLFY10FL%3Fteam_id%3D769187%26pg%3Dteam%26fr_id%3D27526&h=75832

Some buildings of note

My guest noticed this building, which is now closed.


Here is a link that gives the history of Standard Marine and Hardware.

http://www.amelianow.com/spring04-era.htm



I remember going here with my dad for boat parts. My dad has always had a boat, from the time he can remember. He had a little johnboat made from plywood that was tied to the cedar tree at the boatramp at Crandall, when he was young. I have a nice picture of him, his best friend Avery Crews and his Grannie holding a string of fish, standing on the front drive. He was about 16 in that picture. Later, he taught us to waterski by piggyback! YES! We would crawl onto his back and grab hold tight, he would give the go-ahead to the boat driver, and off we'd go for the thrill of our little lives! We all learned how to ski and to drive the boat for others by the time we were 12. We would have competitions to see who could last the longest, Marty Crews once skied all the way to the blue bridge (US 17) from the boatramp at Crandall!

Oh, back to buildings and history...
http://www.amelianow.com/spring98tour.htm

This is a link to Amelia Now's Historic tour, with a short description and pic of each building.
I love "Amelia Now". It's a quarterly magazine mainly for tourists, but I read it cover to cover most every issue.

Rattlesnake Jimmy

Okay, you'll just have to go with what I remember on this one, as I can't find any resource with any trace of Rattlesnake Jimmy. I won't vouch for anything here being factual, but as I remember it Jimmy was a wiry little black man that lived in the dunes near (or in) Fort Clinch. Seems like he may have been there before the fort was made into a state park, so when the state opened it as a park in the 1930's he was left alone. He had a thatch hut, of sorts and was known to house rattlesnakes there! He loved the snakes and would capture them for folk who thought they were a nuisance and keep them as pets!?!?
I'm pretty sure he remained there until his death in the 1950's.
I will find the information on Jimmy, but it will take a little more time and the ball seems to be rolling on this local lore thread. Maybe we'll revisit him before all is said and done.
Next up we'll look at some of the buildings of the Historic district and their uses over the years.

MaVynee Betsch

www.coastalliving.com/lifestyle/people/historic-american-beach-00400000000812/page3.html

The link above will tell you the Coastal Living's version of the "Beach Lady".

As little country kids, the best free entertainment around was the beach! We just had to find an adult willing to take us and man, what fun we could have! Main beach had a waterslide, the skating rink and putt-putt (before putt-putt there were trampolines). We normally couldn't afford all that, but we did sometimes have a quarter for an ice cold Coke. I had to reach up to grab the door handle, that's how little I was, but before I could push it, the door swung open...and there she was. She was tall and slender, the first thing I saw, though, was the hair draped over one arm and the long, twisted fingernails. I didn't immediately recognize them and it took a few seconds to register that the black mass, covered in buttons and beads was hair! And then the nails, I had never seen nails like that! Not even Mrs. Betty Jane Hagins long, squared, bright red nails were like this! By the time I had worked my way up to her face, she recognized me for the ignorant little white kid that I was. I imagine now how much fun it was for her to keep us half afraid of her. She stared down at me, waiting to see if I'd have the nerve to say anything. I did. I had lots of nerve. I said, "Excuse me, Ma'am", as I backed up and gave her room for a grand exit.

My throat was so dry, I hardly tasted that cold Coke going down.

Sara Alice Broadbent

This was not a question that my guest asked, rather a clarification of a memory I shared with her as we ate lunch. We sat overlooking the intercoastal, at Barbara Jean's. I remembered my mom telling of an ultra reclusive woman that lived on the little island in the middle of the marsh. Just about the only thing I remembered correctly was the white cotton garb and crossing the marsh at low tide.
After some research I found this info:
Her name was Sara Alice Broadbent, she lived with her father on Crane Island, which was only accesible by boat or foot at low tide. It has passed from knowledge, but he was thought to be english. After he died she lived there very much alone until her home burned in 1952. Her remains were never found and a death certificate has never been issued.
She never wore shoes, and only wore feed sack clothes that had been bleached white. She worked for some of the old timers in their fields in trade for fresh vegetables and food. She was suspicious of most everything and if someone came near by foot or by boat she shot at them. She was taken to jail once for shooting at some folks, where she refused to eat, thinking it would be accepting charity.
What a character! In today's society I'm sure she would not be left alone, someone, somewhere would feel the need to rehabilitate her.
ps. Still looking for more info on Rattlesnake Jimmy, probably in a book around here.

Isle of Eight Flags

This would be pure plagerism if I didn't tell you that everything in yellow come directly from http://www.ameliatoday.com/.

I had a friend come to visit for a short time, one who had never been to the area. We took a short driving tour of Fernandina and she asked some questions that I couldn't answer. I thought if would be interesting enough to look up some of those answers and compile them here.

1st question: What 8 flags have flown over Amelia? Here's the long version...
Originally inhabited over 4,000 years ago by the Timucuan Indians, the island is the only United States location to have been under eight different flags.

Huguenot leader Jean Ribault led the first recorded European expedition to the region. Seeking freedom for the persecuted Huguenots while extending the French empire, they arrived in May of 1562, resulting in the island being named "Isle de Mai" (Island of May).

The first Spanish reign was from 1565-1763. They constructed a mission, Santa Maria, near what is now known as Old Town,

Spain traded it for Cuba in 1763 with the signing of the Treaty of Paris. Britain subsequently divided its acquisition into the 14th and 15th colonies of East Florida and West Florida.

After the Revolution, Britain ceded Florida back to Spain in a second Treaty of Paris.

In 1807, President Thomas Jefferson signed the Embargo Act, closing United States ports to foreign shipping. This made the Spanish border town of Fernandina a center for piracy.

On March 17, 1812, the "Patriots of Amelia Island", with a timely appearance of a U.S. flotilla, won control and raised their "Patriot" flag above Fernandina.

1817, a Scotsman named Sir Gregor Macgregor, with support from influential Americans, again ran the Spanish off the island and raised the "Green Cross of Florida" flag.

Macgregor gave it over to Luis Aury, in order to garner and maintain control. Aury, in exchange for his support, demanded command of the island and raised the flag of the revolutionary Republic of Mexico, under whose sanction he was currently acting. bedlam ensued.

on July 10, 1821, Florida became a United States territory, rule and order came to the island

David Levy Yulee. He was key to securing Florida's statehood, becoming not only one of Florida's first U.S. Senators, but also the nation's first Jewish senator, he built a "New Fernandina" (Center Street and historical district), in order to make his railroad accessible.

Then the Confederate Flag was raised over nearby Fort Clinch.

On March 3, 1862 a Union flotilla of 28 vessels headed toward the island, becoming the largest amphibious deployment of U. S. forces to date. Union control remained throughout the remainder of hostilities.

On May 1, 1865, Fernandina Beach made history once again by holding the first southern election with white and black voters.

Golden Age. Between 1870 and 1910, many wealthy Americans made Fernandina their home, creating an elegant Victorian community that flourishes to this day.

Whew! That's a lot of history to cover in one short blog. So There are your 8 flags, beginning in 1562, and not one of them the Jolly Roger.

low tide

I am uncertain about so many things. I worry a lot. Right decision or wrong? To even make a decision or sit on the fence a little while longer? So many things to worry over.


The tide comes in and it leaves again. Every day. It is a comfort to know that it will happen every day, no matter what I do or do not do.
See...there is that one thing that I need not worry about.

St. Mary's Quilt

I have in my head and on my scrap of paper the general look and feel of this quilt and some of the details. I keep my options open, and never resist trying out different ideas after I've started. In fact I've learned, for me at least, that this is the best way to make the best quilt I can. I work in short bursts, then take pictures from different angles and study what I've chosen.
This is one of the photos I'll be drawing from for background.

So these are fabrics I will use to interpret. The colors are actually more vivid. The lighting and my camera are both guilty of giving the impression that these are softer, mored muted than they truly are. Isn't that pinebark fabric the most perfect awesome pine tree?!? I would like to use more of it but it's pretty strong, wouldn't want to overdo, would we? I am thinking there may be a way for me to manipulate that fabric into smaller pine trees as well as the large one...

Taking over the house

No, this is not a new tablecloth. This is batting and under that a backing for a quilt. An ART quilt. YEAH!

It has been percolating for a while, but what finally got me over the top was my Sister-in-Law's status update on facebook. She lives in Parkerville and is really good with a camera. She also has a nature show right outside her door. She posted some pictures of deer, racoons, and wild hogs that came right up to her porch. Really good pictures.

As with all great ideas, this one had to be scratched out on a scrap of paper. As with all great ideas scratched out on scraps, no one understands it but the scratcher. That's okay, I got this.

This pic doesn't do justice to this fabric. It will be the background. There is another layer of orange/yellow, so there will be (sort of) a sky and a reflection.
These also are prettier in person. These will also make up parts of the background, as well as some water, trees and other landscape components. The animals will come after much of the landscape is down.
If you think this is all vaguely familiar, you're right! This will be the second in what I hope becomes a series. The first is Secret of the Suwannee.

This one will be the St. Mary's River, where I grew up. It will have some similarities to the first river quilt, I think that's what makes it a series. Also some new things. Will there be wild hogs? hmm...have ta wait and see.

What is best?

It occurred to me, as I was finding a place for my shrinking collection of 'all purpose thread' in my sewing space, that my best work did not happen because I was using the best materials. I did not have $8 per spool thread, hand dyed high dollar fabric or a machine that cost the equivalent of a car.
My best work happened when I was inspired, no... driven to create. I had a desire to fling fabric off the shelf until I came across the right one, digging through and using what was there. When the perfect one wasn't readily available, I improvised until it fit anyway! I used all purpose thread and a Brother that came from a discount store for a couple hundred dollars. My best work had nothing at all to do with the quality of materials that were used in it!
I now have a nice machine (or two), an entire shelf devoted to King Tut Superior Thread and more than a couple stacks of pretty expensive fabric. Where I used to sew at the dining room table, I now have an entire room (plus other parts of the house) devoted to nothing but making pretty things with fabric.
All of these things feel like weights to me. The cost of all the supplies make it an obligation to produce. My best work comes to me when I throw caution to the wind and have a devil may care attitude, almost in defiance of fancy thread and a good machine. In short, I work best under pressure. Take away the pressure and I go flat!
hmm...

A painting I did for a friend. I know there is a point when you 'overdo' a painting, but I always felt I didn't take this one far enough. Parts of it I really like and other parts seem 'unfinished'.

mangoless

Since last we talked, I have been a busy bee! The remaining mangos were pureed, strained and added to some freshly brewed tea and served over ice. to me. I liked it very much! It was a little cloudy looking and no one would try it with me. More for me!
I also (even when the laptop ate my message) have prepared to be the speaker at church tomorrow. Went to swim at Alexander Springs, went shopping in the rain, spent the day at Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom with two teenaged girls, and managed to avoid being involved in a terrible accident. Also, being a landlady sucks, as the A/C broke as soon as I left town. Oh yeah, the Blazer is not blazing right now! But, life is still sweet and delicious, and tomorrow I get to start again. No pictures, I am still on the very slow computer.

Mango Parfaits

If you know me at all, ya had to know I couldn't keep up that grueling schedule! Posting EVERY DAY?!?!? Just not possible!
Oh!...what's this?
Tuesday, while I wasn't blogging, I cut into 2 plump mangos. The juice ran into my palm and down my wrist. MMMM! Gonna be something good!
I cut them up into bite sized pieces and made Mango Blueberry Yogurt Parfaits. The recipe was a hybrid taken from 2 different websites;
www.freshmangos.com
Where I found that mangos are the most popular fruit in the world. Go figure.
and
www.mango.org
the National Mango Board. Again, who knew?
I had pictures of my parfaits, people enjoying my parfaits, and the carnage in the kitchen afterwards.
Then...
my laptop fried. One minute it was working and the next minute it was completely and utterly gone. (I want to go that very same way, when the time comes).
I am sorry that you cannot see those beautiful parfaits. They were very good.
Today, to try to make up for my absence I am going to cut into the 2 remaining mangos and try to load some pix onto this very slow, ancient PC.

Mangolicious

www.adventurequilter.com

Here are my mangos on day 5, and yes that one will be ready soon! It's softening up and turning a beautiful shade of...well...mango.
I think I put in a link to Ellen Lindler's website so you can check out her "Mangolicious" and "Mangolicious II" quilts. I didn't ask her permission, I don't think she'll mind a little extra publicity. Her quilts are fabulous, she is a nice person and a marketing genius! I love her site, very nice.
The two quilts are very different and were made 5 years apart. They really showcase her developement as a quilt artist. I like them both. Besides, this week we're talking mangos!

More Mangos! Day 4

http://frebblebit.wordpress.com/
Very Good Friend and I have agreed to share a link. She enjoys her privacy, and writes her blog with a certain amount of anonymity. I like to read her blog, not only for the subject matter and her wonderful style of art, but to see her craft her words carefully so as to remain, for the most part, anonymous. I have gone through my blog to make sure I haven't inadvertently given away her identity.

Because I am terribly bored with just taking a picture every day of the mango project and imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, I am going to draw the mangos.

Attempting to draw as VGF describes, I draw quickly, without being too studious or careful. Looks like my cabinetmaker could have used a square ruler. I have a hard time using such a fine tip pen, and relying on just one small line to convey the shadows and depth. The reflections just look like more mangos. Like there are 8 instead of just 4.

Let's do it again with a fat tip sharpie, like VGF did yesterday. I believe she used the word cavalier to describe the drawing style. Okay, cavalier it is. Even after noticing the crooked counter from the first drawing, I do the same exact thing with this one!

AARGH! MUST HAVE COLOR!

I can't stand it y'all! I HAVE to! I break out the watercolors and wash it all down with some COLOR! I have to pass my fabric stash to get to the paint, and for a second I'm tempted to start grabbing greens and yellows. Then I get a hold of myself. I remember 'Mangolicious', by Ellen Lindler, a beautiful quilt, and realize I really don't want to make a quilt right now.

I think my friend is a much better artist than I am, but this does not bother me, nor will it stop me from creating.

Thank you again, VGF, for the mangos, for the friendship, inspiration and motivation!

Day 3

This could get boring for me, not seeing an immediate change. I'm such an impatient person. Here is one last pic of the yummy tomatoes I plan to eat tomorrow for lunch. I think I'll cut them early and make a tomato, cucumber and onion salad. Let them marinate for a while in the dressing, then...mmm, mmm!

mini me

Jessi wants to make a cake.

Mom is tired and does not.

Mom agrees to Jessi making a cake without assistance.

Jessi does not take Mom's suggestion to make a simple round cake.
Jessi picks a 3 tier stacked round instead. Mom still does not want to help.

Jessi makes it by herself.

Add a bow (don't forget to take the tissue out later) and some beads.

Mom is very proud.

Day Two

The mangos have been flipped so they can tan evenly on both sides. I thought I'd include those tomatoes in the shot also, since they will likely be consumed shortly. Dad's tomato patch is producing like crazy. I like to pick 'em as soon as I see a little tinge of red. Then they sit in my sunny kitchen til they're good and ripe. That way I don't have to share with any bugs that like red, ripe, juicy tomatoes.

Daily blog?

Do you really think I can be disciplined enough to blog every day for a while?

hmm...

Very Good Friend came from south Florida bearing fruit today. Mangos to be exact. They need to sit and ripen. I think we'll watch ripening mango for a few days.
They were harvested from her tree down there and she was kind to share some with me, before leaving for Points North. We met near the airport for dinner (or supper, if you prefer) just before her flight. I saw her flight overhead as I headed back to Yulee and waved. Wonder was she looking out the window.
Oh yes, mangos...
I am planning to try mango iced tea when they get good and juicy ripe.

Grand Party

Well, since I've posted the work in progress, I suppose I should show the final product. The party was wonderful, the happy couple surprised and pleased, the cake and the quilt finished in plenty of time.

Uncle Joe wants to know how they both could fit under that quilt! I say, "What happens under the quilt~ STAYS under the quilt!"This was fun, we recreated the cake table from 50 years ago. See, there on the left, a picture of the bride and groom cutting the cake. We used the same mint and nut dishes and I tried my best to make the cake the same. Mine was shorter than the original.

I don't have any pictures of the best part of the party. Tambi, their daughter-in-law, set up a scrapbook, and took pictures of everyone coming in, printed them on the spot, and pasted them in. Each person recorded their well wishes beside their own picture. Very cool.

Okay.
We all know this is not the kind of quilt that I normally make. That being said...
I think that this quilt, that I have designed, made, then redesigned and remade, looks pretty good. The pictures are printed on Printed Treasures and sent to me from every corner of the country. The artwork blocks are painted and drawn by grandchildren of the recipient of this quilt. In the center is the happy couple, 50 years ago today! The pictures surrounding that (the first layer) start with one of the wedding pics from 50 years ago, then move around chronologically to the last pic, their son who will marry this weekend, shown with his new family. The sceond layer of pics and the corners have children and grandchildren and artwork, with each grandchild taking a corner position.
Here it is, last minute as usual, and I have decided that a nice pieced border will look so much prettier! SEE? It really pronounces the overall medallion pattern of the quilt and the borders are not boring. Now I just have to stay up all night a couple times this week to make sure it's quilted and finished by Friday! ugh.
Happy anniversary Aunt Cornelia and Uncle Joe!

Bunnies

Every morning and every afternoon the bunnies come out and munch in our yard. To them it's their yard and we are the intruders!

We try to leave them alone and not disturb meal times. But this time Duke wanted to go and investigate. Bunny hopped away.
But not too far. I think it must know that we'll go back inside so the munching can commence.