Buying Time

“Buying Time”
By Valerie J. Kolle
April 28, 2015

It’s Spring!
Evidence of new life surrounds us.
The leaves are shedding their shells, reaching their fresh green-ness to the sunlit sky.
Rain, sleet, and the last of the dots of snow dip down create a thin, pillowed blanket over the fresh, new blades of grass.
Newborn calves and colts enjoy the nearness of their mothers out in the pastures.
Ducklings and goslings paddle along in their wake breaking the mirrored, smoothness of the ponds.
Up from their gnarled bulbs shoot the irises, lilies, daffodils and tulips, bringing forth their colorful display.
A year is a long time for the young at heart, yet, as one ages, a year flies by in a blink of an eye.
Enjoy the precious, loving moments time brings to us!
A fourth generation begins as the first one leaves. The moment was fleeting, yet, as precious as any etched into the stone of a life well-lived.

The Man Behind the Smile

“The Man Behind the Smile”
Valerie J. Kolle
4/7/2015

We listened with laughter as the tales were told.
From when he was young to not very old.
From a car full of frogs to a garden of tomatoes.

Along a riverbed,
Through a corn field he tread,
Facing a buck head-to-head.

To all generations, there was the music he’d bring.
A virtuoso with instruments of piano and string,
Natural talent in the music he’d sing.

Cars, sports, fishing, hunting…he was a well-rounded guy,
We miss him so much as we share thoughts together and cry,
Yet, it seems like he was only here for a little while.
So, let’s honor him with a smile.

Wingback Recliner V

Nearly complete. Chair has back buttons and back fabric applied. Sides just need some stitching and side of arms need solid upholstery fabric, yet.
Assembly all complete on mechanisms.

Treasured Memories

Treasured Memories

Amongst my crock of utensils of wood,
There’s a spoon of much wear yet good.
I’ve known this spoon unlike all of the others,
It is rather old you see,
It was my mother’s.

This spoon stirred up many bubbling saucepans of sugary syrup on a burner,
Scooping, then dripping candy marbles in a small saucer of water.
This spoon scraped the rest of the stream of syrup into a mixing bowl of spinning, stiffened egg-whites,
Forming a meringue of marshmallowy fluff.
This spoon dabbled soft peaks onto an angel cake or pie.
This spoon stirred cookies, cakes, frosting, divinity or fudge,
And whoever helped stir was treated afterwards.
Many times, as a child, I had licked this spoon coated with chocolate or butterscotch.

The spoon is still here, and so is my mother, yet her mindful of memories are all but gone.

More Recipes from Vivian’s tin file

Further Mom’s Tin Recipe File

Vivian’s Sweet Soup

2 1/2 cup boiling water
1/2 cup minute tapioca (large)

Add tapioca to boiling water,
Add rest of ingredients and simmer.

1/2 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon vinegar
1 cup sugar
2 cups grape juice
1 stick cinnamon
1 cup currants
1 cup raisons
1 cup stoned prunes
1 cup chopped apples
(May add additional dried fruit, as desired.)

Wingback Recliner Project IV

Measured cream linen and olive colored tufted upholstery fabric for front & back of wings. Sewed curved seams & slipped material over frame & cotton batting. Next step, will be to staple and touch-up wings with some stitching. Decided to purchase 8 buttons similar to others on the previous wingback chair.

“Wings!”
Photos are before lining up the fabric for the stapling them on the backside.

Wingback Recliner Project III

I dismantled the hardware from the chair and took bolts out holding the legs & arms to the seat, back and wings. This made it easier to get the remaining old fabric off, and begin to cover the sections.

Foot-rests.

Seat & back & wings.

Smoked Salmon Veggie Soup

I just made the weirdest, healthy soup with the smoked salmon my daughter sent from Seattle to me for Christmas.

I put in onion soup mix, kale, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, sliced Roma tomatoes, & “New Orleans Style Seafood & Chicken Seasoning” plus whole wheat pasta & water in my crock pot.
Even my 21 year old son ate a bowl full.

Wingback Recliner Project II

I spent a lot of time today pulling off much of the old material. I sewed gold linen side panels to the front pieces of the chair.

I think it is all going to line up very nicely. The main piece was a 60″ wide remnant 1/2 a yard long. It was originally $44.99 a yard. The remnant was half price plus I had an online coupon for $5 off.
My other purchases for some TuTu’s for my granddaughters brought my total purchase to $30 so I qualified for the coupon.
My chair material came to only $11.25 minus the $5, equaling $6.25 plus tax. I have all of my other needed materials to finish the chair, except perhaps 8 buttons. Still deciding on that.