Wordless Wednesday - Laura and Byron

Fun Monday- Unfinished...Not So Much

For this week's Fun Monday challenge Blue Momma said, "I want you to show me your......projects. More to the point, I want to see your unfinished projects. I have so many that I really need some reassurance that I'm not the only one. Home improvement projects are what I have in mind, but it you don't have any of those show me any kind of project - needlework, cooking, scrapbooking, etc."

When I first signed up for this Fun Monday, I did not read carefully, and I thought that Blue Momma was asking us to show our unfinished crafts. Not being a crafty person, I do not start many projects. For the few projects that I have started, I usually finish because my projects are intentionally short term. In fact, Daddy D and I have discussed the comparative length of our projects many times. He tends to start projects that take months to years to finish. My projects take hours or at the most a few days to complete.

I do have one project that has taken years to begin, and it looks like the project will not be finished soon. The project may seem simple to you, but I am not making much progress in completing this task. My project is making a braided denim rug. I began the project by saving old jeans. Since my son, Luke, is quite tall, he provided a wealth of old jeans. The jeans then need to be cut into strips, and then the strips are braided together. I collected jeans for ten years or so. I have cut the jeans into strips. Three summers ago, I started braiding some strips. I did not get very far. Maybe someday, my crafty husband will help me finish the project.

Making a braided denim rug

Step 1. Save old jeans.

Step 2. Cut the old jeans into strips.

Step 3. Braid strips of denim.



Step 4. Ask talented husband to help.

Happy Thanksgiving

Today in northwest Indiana, we had the first noticeable snow of the season. For some reason to me, a light dusting of snow represents an ideal Thanksgiving day. Perhaps, I have forgotten a favorite Thanksgiving of my childhood, which except for the weather, is tucked away in the inner recesses of my mind. In any event, I am thankful for the light snowfall. But more importantly, I am thankful for my loving husband, my wonderful sons and daughters (in-laws), my sweet granddaughter, my sweet granddaughter-to-be, and our kind and compassionate friends.

A final glimpse of summer.

We had pie.

Fun Monday - Santa and Me

If you have been busy today stopping by the various Fun Monday stops, you already realize that the wonderful and kind Karisma is today's hostess. And, you are aware of this week's assignment, which is "I want you to take a trip down memory lane, and keep right on going, right back to your childhood. And I want to hear "THAT STORY". You remember the one? Yes, you do! The one your parents, siblings, extended family or friends, would never let you forget, live down or get over!"It could have been funny, embarrassing, shocking, delightful, naughty, mischievous, or just so darned cute that everyone felt the need to remind you of it, and keep reminding you of it, all your life."

I am not sure that this story is cute, shocking, delightful, naughty or even shocking. In fact, you might find this story disillusioning or just plain weird. When I was very young...maybe three, my mother took me to see Santa Claus. I am not sure of traditions elsewhere on our globe, but here in the United States, parents bundle their children up for an annual visit to see Santa. Usually Santa is stationed at the local mall. When I was young, Santa sat in a throne at the nicest department store in town, Wolf & Dessaur. I think that the plan for this traditional visit is twofold. The store wants to sell pictures of America's little darlings sitting on Santa's lap and what parent can resist. Second, the child tells Santa what he or she wants for Christmas. Then, the parents can spend some hard-earned cash to buy the bicycle, the i-Pod, the video game, or some other much-desired toy.


I remember that first visit to Santa. I was a timid child and was frightened by the Jolly Old Elf. I remember being to told to tell Santa what I wanted for Christmas. Maybe I am or was socially challenged, but I do not remember my visit to Santa as joy-filled. Within a few years, my older neighborhood friends decided to share with me about the mythology of the Santa gift-giving. Yes folks, I do mean my little friends enlightened me that "there is no such thing as Santa Claus" and that "our parents put the gifts under the tree." Since I was not especially fond of Santa, this news did not especially disappoint me. On the other hand, my parents seemed to enjoy this holiday play-acting so I did not mention my new-found knowledge. Years later, I did tell my parents that I knew that Santa did not bring gifts. Moreover, I revealed that I knew that they were the benefactors of the lovely presents and that I had known this for years. When my mother asked, why I did not let them know about my disbelief. I repsonded that, "I did not want to disappoint them." My parents always thought took this revelation to mean that I thought that they believed in Santa. However, they seemed to enjoy sharing this Santa Claus tradition with their youngest daughter so I let them think that I believed in the generosity of Old Saint Nick. My parents did like to repeat this story, but they never really had it quite right.

This a picture of the non-believer and Santa Claus in the early 1950's.

Wishing You a Happy Home

Oh, I am sorry to show up late for the housewarming, but I want to wish Tiggerlane, the Neophyte Blogger and Julie of Another Chance Ranch the best in their new homes. Our good friend and hostess the Swampwitch of Anecdotes, Antidotes, and Anodes has had some Internet difficulties, but Swampy always throws the best parties. Julie is planning on her big move over the Thanksgiving holiday.

For the housewarming, I wish to offer this cool quilt made by the lovely women of Lake County, Indiana. Each jar of the quilt was created by one of the talented women in the county, and the panels were stitched together at our local Deep River Park, site of the historic John Wood Mill. This quilt is currently being used as a wall hanging. Perhaps, Tiggerlane and Julie would prefer to use their own quilt as a bed cover.

Tiggerlane and Julie, I wish you many wonderful, warm, and fun-filled years in your new homes.

Check out the guest list to see who else is coming to Swampy's Housewarming Shindig at Anecdotes, Antidotes, and Anodes.

Words for Wednesday

The inimitable Swampwitch is hosting a housewarming on Friday, November 16th for two Internet friends, Tiggerlane, the Neophyte Blogger , and Julie of Another Chance Ranch , who have been building new homes. Swampwitch is a grand hostess and is inviting you and the entire blogging community to the big party. For Friday, November 16, we are all going to post something that they would enjoy having in or around their new homes. Or, at least you think they might enjoy having it. Swampy has encouraged me to invite each and every one of you to the shindig so hurry over to Swampy's place, Anecdotes, Antidotes, and Anodes, to sign-up for the party of the year and join in the fun.

Now if I were building a house, I would love to have a room with this view.

Fun Monday - Steppin' out

Our hostess, Hootin' Anni , for this Fun Monday has posed a game for us to play. The game is reminiscent of the children's game Mother May I. In Anni's game, we have been instructed to first take 30 giant steps forward and then from that stop take 15 baby steps backward. So Anni, "Mother may I take 30 giant steps followed by 15 baby steps?"

Thirty giant steps took me outside to this view of my back steps.

Fifteen baby steps provided this view of my neighbor's yard, which I love. This quiet mild-mannered lady has made a garden of delightful lawn ornaments and whimsical sculptures.

Visit Anni to see how the other participants played this Fun Monday Mother May I game.

Peace

Mimi Lennox of Mimi Writes is sponsoring an international Peace Globe Day. This day in November is the anniversary of the first Peace Globe Day when bloggers throughout the world demonstrated support for peace. Sadly, we are still at war in various places on this good Earth. Thus, appropriately we can set aside a day to promote peace. To me in the United States, that means bringing our soldiers home from Iraq.

Wordless Wednesday - First Frost

Fun Monday - Happy Holiday

Deborah, The Humble Housewife, is this week's Fun Monday hostess. Deborah is asking to hear about our holiday traditions. My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving as the holiday involves getting together with family and/or friends to share good food, good thoughts, and good will. Thanksgiving in our home usually involves a rather traditional fare of turkey, cranberries, stuffing, candied yams, pumpkin bread, and the last few years Molly's Cranberry Pie that was featured in another Fun Monday post. Other than almost always having turkey, I cannot think of many traditions surrounding the holiday. In earlier years, we had Thanksgiving with our extended family. As our children grew, we spent most of the holidays at home with our sons. Now, they both are married. For this holiday, we have been invited to our oldest son's home for a festive meal the day after Thanksgiving.

Daddy D carving the turkey in 1972

We do have one tradition that is relatively unique. For the past few years, we have been visiting the Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area to see the sandhill cranes. During their fall migration, the cranes stopover for a time in Indiana before traveling on south for the winter months. Viewing the cranes at sunset is spectacular sight. However, the winds can be quite cold at the viewing area. Perhaps, Daddy D and I will make a trip to see the cranes on Thanksgiving evening.

A cold Thanksgiving holiday family expedition to see the sandhill cranes

Now, to learn about other Fun Monday holiday traditions throughout the world, visit Deborah to see the list of participants.