Make and Do

Yesterday I woke up with a burst of energy, and after cleaning the house top to bottom all I could think about was my dream the last few nights. I have been dreaming about making a quilt. Which is sort of funny since I have never made one, and do not really hang around people who make them. But it has been a consuming thought... and well, after a lot of internet research, I pulled out my box of scrap fabrics. I was able to get all my squares cut... I think... Having never made one I am pretty sure I am missing some important step... but I kind of like to learn by trying, so I do not have massive hopes for this one (a nice picnic blanket or lap blanket will be enough for me to be happy). I will keep you posted on this one!



And then, because I had no desire to even think about any of the work I had brought home for the weekend.... I went on to work on a scarf. The thing that I am kind of excited about is that I rarely, if ever, knit for myself. I am always knitting year round, but most of the times it is for a gift for someone else. I learned to knit pretty much the same way I am trying to teach myself to quilt.


And again, because the creative energy kept coming, I started working on this cross stitch. I know it does not look like I got very far, but you see I made the pattern for this one before I started stitching. Also I can not show any further because it is a gift for someone who reads this blog sometimes. Once compleated and gifted I will post the finished design. I am quite pleased with it!


Such a great creative day! My friend Ty said it best when I was telling him that I felt like I got a bit obsessed yesterday with all these projects. He said it is just that I needed to create something that I was not getting paid for and no one else was telling me how to do. So so true.

I feel a bit rejuvenated... and wishing I had more time today to work on all of these projects (and the 40 more that are floating in my head at any given time :)

4th with the Family

It was so great to spend the 4th of july with the family in Iowa. We really packed every minute with activities. Farmer's Market, swimming pool, water park, ice cream shop, making home made ices cream, homemade root beer, reading in the yard, grilling, bonfire, fire works and music at the capital, and so much more!

I'm so glad When Daddy Comes Home!

Happy Father's Day! For obvious reasons I am thinking about my dad today. The spirit of a giant, put in a little guy :) (sorry dad but it is true) In fact the memory that kept coming to mind today is about just that!

It was years ago, I was probably a senior or so in High School, and my dad was in the bishopric of our ward at church. The primary kids had just finished their annual sacrament meeting program, and my dad was conducting. Up he went to the stand and started to adjust the pulpit for himself. He raised it up, and up some more, and up some more.... the congregation started to have some nervous chuckles, and in the Germaine pew..... we just looked confused at one another. He had raised the pulpit as high as it would go, and I knew he would not even be able to peer over the top of it. Then up he walked to the pulpit head held high, at the last second he reached down and grabbed the step-stool that the primary kids had been using to reach the microphone. He stood on the top step and looked down, well over the pulpit, at the congregation and said, "Well, had I had known we had this step-stool all these years..."

True confession: I was so proud of my dad that day. I went to sunday school and all my classmates were talking about how funny my dad was. And I just kept thinking, "you don't even know the half of it." We Germaine's like a good laugh and when we get all together the volume in the room can get kind of loud! And honestly my dad is usually the instigator.

Dad,

I love your smile and your laugh and your ability to take a hard situation

and make it lighter. I love that even though all the boys I grew up with could tower over you... they were still terrified of you... perhaps though, it is time to ease up on them just a bit ;)

I love all the things I take with me because of you, my love of movies, willingness to work and to work hard, sometimes my stubborn personality (... but mom does get a bit of credit for that one too;), A love of the Book of Mormon, cravings for beans on toast or strawberry daiquiris (non-alcoholic of course), general car, electric, plumbing, and building knowledge. And a hope and excitement for the future!

I love that when I went to the temple for the first time, you were the first person I saw there at the end, waiting for me with a big grin on your face. (Also that I could hear your voice, no matter what room I was in) Thank you for being there, then and always.

I hope all of you remember to tell your dads how much you love them this fathers day (and every day after)

Sundays are lovely sometimes

Be still, my soul: The Lord is on thy side;

With patience bear thy cross of grief or pain.

Leave to thy God to order and provide;

In ev'ry change he faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul: Thy best, thy heav'nly Friend

Thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: Thy God doth undertake

To guide the future as he has the past.

Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;

All now mysterious shall be bright at last.

Be still, my soul: The waves and winds still know

His voice who ruled them while he dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: The hour is hast'ning on

When we shall be forever with the Lord,

When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,

Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.

Be still, my soul: When change and tears are past,

All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

- Katharina von Schlegel

Some Days....

Do you ever feel like your life has somehow turned in to a terrible episode of the Twilight Zone? Or some awful 3rd graders Game of Opposite Day?

Argh! that is to you (and you know who you are!)

Happiness is...

...climbing under a pile of towels fresh from the dryer. I could not help myself today... they were just calling to me, all warm, toasty, and fluffy. A pure moment of childlike joy!

In other news; I went running for the first time in weeks. It felt like there were sandbags tied to the tops of my shoes. I am pretty sure the same snail passed me twice! I did take a moment to rest in the grass by the banks of the Hudson and enjoy the view.

And so it begins

it is the season of humidity and hoping my hair will fight back.... it begins with one ringlet... then pretty soon it is frizz fest on my head!

(so forced perspective is not my friend here... My ear looks massive)