a dress for me

It is a treasured fact that I was born into a family of seamstresses. There were years that my mother and grandmother would literally sew my entire wardrobe, dresses, pajamas, coats, whatever was needed to clothe my growing body. 

I started sewing clothes for Charlotte over ten years ago, beginning with the intrinsic bishop dress,  this stemming from the simple truth of my addicted infatuation with smocking. Then I began sewing yoke dresses to smock, and I would continue to sew  annual Easter dresses, and to enjoy creating the fun summer dresses, with things such as yo-yo's, and loving the embellishment of embroidery on some, and the addition of a cross-stitched belt on a simple fall dress.

But this summer of 2014, my repertoire of sewing skills have expanded to my own wardrobe. 

This dress was worn to my Biscuit Bar Brunch and received many compliments from the ladies, which is the best form of reward in any endeavor to my way of thinking.

I am currently reading a book that simmers in my soul, every morning's dose taken in small portions. Jean Fleming was recommended by a friend; she is also the author of A Mother's Heart and Feeding the Soul, both of which I think would be excellent to add to your reading lists.

I am loving that In the Heart of the Home has revisited needle and thread once again. Please come and join along with us, sharing what you are reading and how a needle and thread are woven into the pattern of your day. It is the closest thing to show and tell since childhood!

the best stories

"Do you know," Peter asked
                 "Why swallows build in the eaves of houses?
                                  It's to listen to their stories."
                                                                                             ~J. M. Barrie

No matter how many times I might go out and come in through the doors of my house during the day...to the tennis courts to take Charlotte to tennis lessons... to the pool for swimming... to the grocery store, well we do have to eat... out to meet up with someone for lunch... to drop Charlotte off at dance camp...to the store to buy paint, tile or flooring for home redos... to Latin class...to fourth of July celebrations... to dine out with my husband... to church for Bible Study...
Home definitely tells the best stories of all.

Summers automatically write flavored stories of their own. And I like to think my house swallows build their nests with the intent to listen to these, our individual stories.

This was not at home, but when we returned home after a week at the beach, 

we certainly had wonderful stories to tell.

Some of our stories do, of course, involve food, either for simple family suppers or a gathering of friends or family.  You might want to try this carrot recipe, it is delicious. Pare boil skinned carrots until they are tender, slice into chunks, toss into a bowl with two whole garlic cloves, salt and pepper, olive oil and a splash of mild vinegar ( I used champagne vinegar). Cover and set for about twenty minutes or so.

 One morning last week I hosted a Biscuit Bar in my home with ten ladies whom share a common friend whose husband works for the American Embassy. This friend has been in Ireland for the past two years and will be leaving to live in D. C. for language study until they leave for China in the spring. I sincerely hoped to take pictures and give all the details of how I hosted this event. But wouldn't you know it I was so busy making biscuits up to the last minute, and timing is the key to this sort of event, that I did not even think about a single photo until everyone had left! But I took good notes if you are interested...