Historical Items now in the Shop!

Well, after teaching violin this afternoon I set to work in my sewing room ironing some historical clothing I've had packed away. In between ironing I would list another item. If you like Edwardian styles or those of the 1940s, you'll love the four listings I have up in the historical section. Including this shirtwaist & skirt ensemble that I made 7 years ago.

Wasn't that only a couple summers ago??

Joy & Peace

"For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

 Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off." Isaiah 10-13

Often quoted are the two verses just before these ones. The ones that speak of God's thoughts and ways that are higher than our own, but the above verses are just as full of promise and hope if you really think about it. God's Word is true and not some source of floating bubbles to try to catch and hold onto in hopes of it not breaking, but something that goes far beyond the visible to the invisible … and works in wondrous ways.

One of those wondrous ways is that it's looking more and more probable that I'll be back in school this fall. Most of you know that I've been home working this past school year (hence, my irregular blog posts!) and have been working towards my tuition for the college I'm transferring to. I can't tell you how exciting it is to see details starting to fall into place.

If you could help me out with the fruition of a small, but important detail, I'd like to ask if you might help spread the word about my etsy shop. All of the proceeds (obviously) go to my college fund and it would honestly be nice to have it emptied by the time I leave, Lord willing, next month. I'd rather not lug around shop items with me to the east coast! :) I'll be going through some personal historical clothing that have been lying around, and hope to get those up in the next couple of weeks.

If you're needing some "bait" to throw out to your FB friends, blog readers, or whoever, I'm offering free shipping to all US customers on any order, any size.

Thyme & Sewing

Someone needs to stop me from going to Trader Joe's. When I go there I end up bringing home a little herb plant! Yesterday they had some English Thyme and I just couldn't resist. It reminded me of the "Smash fires" that SmashBurger makes. Not that I've had them once or twice to know. ::winks:: Now I'll have to look for recipes to use it in. Does anyone have a favorite recipe that calls for it?

In the evenings I've been working on a custom apron for an etsy customer and (I think) blog reader. If so, you get a sneak peak! :) I'm using my 1930s's Ethel pattern that she requested, and as I've been making it I've wondered why I haven't done more of these; they are so much fun and such a comfy style.

And who could go wrong with an apron practically enveloped in vintage rick rack?

(Almost) a Tea Garden

It was about 12 years ago when one spring I was digging up all of my mint from the garden. It took me several years before I was able to uproot the entire root system. No one told me that mint spreads like wildfire until I was talking to a lady who've I've known since I was little.

Grandma Brown and her husband live on a farm in Michigan and they keep horses, chickens, and barn cats. They aren't grandparents, but own those endearing titles. If you are a long-time reader, you may remember this post when I spent an afternoon and evening with them. Grandma Brown has a beautiful large garden that would make even the serious gardner green with envy, and she's the one who said, "Oh honey, you need to rip all that out before it takes over everything!"

So that's what I did, but not only did I bade goodbye to the mint, everyone resigned to miss out on the mint iced tea I'd make on a near weekly basis. Brewing mint and spearmint together makes the best kind of tea. If you add a touch of sugar (or any other sweetener) and let it cool off, it is delicious over ice.

This spring my dad bought some planters for our back deck "for whatever you want to grow" and seeing that I already have a good sized garden (though I'm always trying to squeeze in just one more plant!) I didn't think I'd need them. My mind was changed when I saw some starter plants of mint at Trader Joes and I knew they'd be perfect for a planter. 

One hot days such as what we've been having lately, these plants can't grow fast enough to start brewing tea again. :) Do any of you make your own tea, using fresh herbs and/or flowers?