Heading Back to my roots this week

Tomorrow I head out on another adventure.....this one with my mom. We are on our way to the Vanden Bosch Reunion in Sioux Center, Iowa - right smack dab in the middle of farm country. Memories come rushing back as I think about all the trips we made to Iowa as kids. They were the highlight of our summers - a week spent in the fresh air, going from cousins to cousins homes to spend a day here and a night there. Even the tiny one traffic light town of Rock Valley holds memories since we always made a trip to the bakery and the penny candy store. My grandparents lived a few blocks from town, once they retired, and we could walk which was an adventure in itself. Wide tree - lined streets, just called for you to walk down them. On Sundays we always walked to church - hearing the bells calling attention to the time. The creaky floorboards in the old church drew attention to each family as they walked to "their" pew and you could always count on a dutch peppermint passed down the aisle in a knotted handkerchief when the sermon started. Then the best part was cake and coffee at grandma's, various aunts bringing other sweet treats along, followed by a large Sunday dinner. You could pretty much say Sunday was a day of rest and feasting. We ate all day. Of course the other six days of the week were similar too. Farmers were hungry guys - they were always ready for breakfast, lunch, dinner, lunch, supper, lunch and less you think I jest - that is how we ate when we were there and let me tell you - those aunties could cook. "Lunch" was really just a mid morning and mid afternoon and mid evening break and might consist of a ham bun and a slice of cake or a handful of cookies. Of course a full morning or afternoon of work made that extra meal worthwhile and the calories were easily burned off in the barn or the field. We children always played outside all day long. All manner of games (Red Light, Green Light, Red Rover, Tag,) kept us active long into the evening. Grandpa had a giant rope swing that could seat about 20 cousins on it - guaranteed to give you at least one splinter or rope burn per summer. Uncle "Dutch" had the sack swing - an old feed sack stuffed with hay tied by rope to a tall tree. One had to jump off an old barrel and then swing until you were ready to jump off. Always better to jump when the swing still had some momentum than to just drop off - that almost always was followed by "rug burn" somewhere you rather not have to deal with. Even better were the summers as teens when we got paid to "walk the beans" (about 25 cents an hour) or to detassle corn - a few more dollars. This city girl was shocked to find out there were male and female ears. I worked one summer for a feed company and stayed all summer with one of my favorite cousins. We had sun burn blisters and itchy scratched up arms to show for it but a nice little chunk of change to set aside too.
So I eagerly anticipate the dusty dirt roads, the squared off miles, slow moving farm vehicles riding down Main Street and family. There are still 8 aunts and uncles left and since we started out with 52 "first" cousins there are hundreds of those to choose from when you count spouses, children and grandchildren. I am one of the younger bunch of grandchildren so a reunion is bound to have 4 and possibly 5 generations present. The first reunion was in 2000 - there were over 300 present at the main event. Numbers have dwindled over the years - we meet every three. Many of the generations have spread further and further out from the family home of Rock Valley, Doon, and Sioux Center areas even though all but one child of my grandparents raised their families within a few miles of the original homestead. I am sure the area has changed since I was last out there five years ago but I'm hoping that every little town still has a bakery and serves up some "banquet" (bon - ket) or almond patties, as they have been anglicized, now that the community is no longer all Dutch.

 

Hopefully my mother will break into song at least once with "You ask which land I love the best, Iowa, oh Iowa. The sweetest land in all the west" ....you get the picture

 

The Gardener - Have pruners, will travel...

A few weeks ago my mission was to recapture a garden that for one reason or another had lost most of its plants and purpose. I love this kind of challenge - especially when someone else is footing the bill (ha ha) and gladly tackled the project with gusto. I should admit that I let my friend, whose garden it is, pull out all the weeds first, and it was covered in whatever grows freely down in West Virginia. While she did that, I tackled her 70 year old rose bush and several hours later we were both pleased with our notable progress. At this point, I must admit, we didn't think to take "before" pictures. I guess one just naturally assumes "who wants to see a picture of this mess?" and then when you are finished and it looks great you think "Gee I should have thought to take a picture of Before and After." So you'll have to settle for the after and just know that the before was pretty bad.

as close to a "before" picture as you will get

love this rock

 Since we had a completely empty canvas I decided to work some love into the soil and so the digging took a bit more effort than I had planned, but thankfully dear daughter showed up and did the heavy lifting. We added some nutrients and deterrents to the soil and then planted the perennials. We chose mainly perennials because this garden often goes untended (it is at my friends summer place) so we needed something that would take root and then do its thing for the next several years. I also got the notion to build a rock border on one of the smaller gardens so set about gathering some rocks. Again I got lucky and found a pile of ones already dug up and ready to be hauled. For which I was very thankful because the first rock I found turned out to be a lot bigger than the little part sticking out of the ground. I thought I would find China before that excavation was over.

little rock border

"Mary's rose bush

I tackled the pruning of several other bushes and tress - rhododendrons and a huge lilac bush - nothing was left untouched, and my friend said "We'd better get Mary and her pruners out of here before she starts trimming the clover in the meadow." The first time (several years ago) that I pruned her rose bush she was sure I had killed it and it would never bloom again but the hundreds of buds that have returned every year since have been my saving grace for a "thorough" job. This time around the middle of the bush was dead so I untangled it cane by cane and cut out the dead canes and then wound the branches back together for a more balanced look. At least we can now get to and ring the bell.
I truly hope the garden lasted the hot dry week ahead and was just as cheerful and welcoming for the family reunion as it was when we left it Sunday afternoon. And of course we all hope that it survives for many seasons to come.

"You can ring my bell"

Do you love quilts?

My mother-in-law is really quite amazing. Aside from raising 11 children, being a farmer's wife, teaching school and driving bus she managed to enjoy many crafts and and sewing pleasures. Now that she is in her "golden years" she can put the busyness behind her and play with her hobbies and crafting pleasures to her hearts content. Which apparently she does, especially during Iowa winter's long, cold nights while her husband watches television. At a recent visit to her home I had the privilege of seeing her quilt top collection; I was blown away! She said she has always wanted to photograph them so she doesn't have to get them out each time and of course "yours truly" was up for the task so we opened up each one and photographed the top and some detail. Here are a few of my favorites:

detail work - all done by hand

I especially loved the ones where she added hand embroidered sections. She said they were all free hand - just ideas she had picked up when looking at pretty things. One was done after seeing a pretty doiley pattern at a yard sale. Others came from magazines or the fabric itself inspired ideas.

After laying out, photographing and counting them (she didn't really know how many she had - turned out to be 32!) she showed me her work space in the basement where there were stacks of tiny blocks, finished larger blocks and strips of blocks, all hanging in organized rows; probably enough to make another dozen quilts. If you look closely at the ones below you will see that instead of embroidering a large block she chose a tiny block to accent each piece. The quilt top was finished before she got the idea so she pulled each block apart to add a hand embroidered piece.

She hopes to one day soon get to actually quilting them; she wants to do them by hand as well, but admits she may need to take some to the nearby Amish ladies and pay to get them done. A few quilts have been spoken for but others she has plans as to who the recipients will be - oh please pick me pick me. It was much fun to show the pictures at a recent family gathering and hear her sons and daughters laughing as they picked out various items of childhood clothing on some of them. A true vintage quilt experience

the crazy quilt

hexagons

fans - added a little rick rack for interest. Word got out that she was trying to use up her rick rack and friends started bringing theirs in case she didn't have enough. Needless to say - she has run out of it yet!

more hexagons

the doiley inspired quilt

I convinced her to let me purchase a few squares for framing and was very excited to bring home these.

the detail work still amazes me

 

Fingers crossed that someday I will be able to snuggle under a warm, hand stitched quilt with my honey that was made with love and lots of long, cold winters.

Just Breathe

I had the most relaxing weekend at the farm. I did my chores first and then played the rest of the time. Good advice - thanks mom! One of my chores was to wash the living room windows. That was an especially good idea because then my view was unobstructed from the myriad of spider webs and leaves that had accumulated over the winter and spring. Husband says - "We won't know what to do with ourselves looking out of clear windows". I say good grief - it's not like I NEVER clean the windows - but the clean windows were a treat and were enjoyed. It was one of those cooler in the house than outside kind of days on Saturday so washing windows really was the smart choice. Then a little garden weeding and a little mouse turd vacuuming and I was free! Free to ride my ATV over the countryside, free to read under the big shade tree, free to walk in the woods and take photos, free to sit by the stream and listen to the gurgles. Free to watch butterflies and bumblebees romp and play in the flowers and free to later take a nap on the couch, drifting off to sleep looking out those clean windows.

Hubs idea of relaxing is driving his tractor so he "relaxed" in the heat to the sound of the mower. More power to him - I wouldn't want to disturb his idea of heaven on earth. I think he likes to look up and see me flying like batman over the hills (on my winged atv) bringing him cold containers of water and stories of the treasures I've unearthed. I stumbled across a delightful surprise in the back of our property down near the sharecroppers cabin - a large patch of orange lilies, little faces beaming towards the mottled sun as it flowed through the opening in the thick patch of trees. I shared this find with great delight until husband commented. "Well yes its always been there - I usually just mow them down." Aghast, I give him the stink eye and tell him from now on - DON'T!

Sunday morning I convinced him to walk the woods with me before he gets back on his tractor for his day of rest. We enter the tick infested jungle (only brought three piggybackers along with us) and meander along the stream. For some reason whenever I go into the woods I hear the narrator on Bambi saying "Man had entered the forest." No bambi sightings this time around but we did see some wild turkeys and a large turtle soaking in a pool. The woodland animals probably laugh when they hear me coming. I must be the noisiest thing to ever enter - even trying to be quiet was unsuccessful this time and I heard many creatures scampering away long before I got to their hiding places. I was delighted to find ferns and tiny wild flowers and was rewarded by the above mentioned turtle and a frog who dared me to try to catch him. Coming out of the the thickest undergrowth we began our trail clearing chore - it really is much more fun to ride when you don't have to stop and move fallen logs. The woods trails are now ready...until the next branch falls. Except for this place - that will take a bit more work like as in a chainsaw and other equipment.

never happier than when mowing

  I am most pleased with the status of my rhubarb. This is plant number 3 that I had attempted so maybe by next year I will be able to have some to make a pie

 where the wild things grow

 Lastly I spent my time playing with the camera and the treasures I had gathered or accumulated over the last few days. John Deare said he'd be done in a few minutes which I think must be code for 2 hours so eventually I tired of being artist and took another delightful nap before traveling home.

a few props - later I cleaned this window too

 

 fingers crossed for black raspberries when we return

What exactly is a 100 day challenge?

Today I am starting another 100 day challenge! Let me explain - it really is quite simple - I challenge myself to develop two new habits relating to 1) nutrition and weight management and 2)exercise/activity and to see results from those new habits over the course of 100 days. Last 100 day challenge I lost 20 lbs and recorded other changes as a result of that. I had to battle a painful bursitis which inhibited my activity goal but I learned how to work through challenges and disappointments. Every situation is an opportunity to learn something new.

early spring garden

Some of the things that I have made a habit may seem strange to some - for instance I drastically reduced my consumption of red meat - as in I don't eat it unless I am out or it is a special occasion. We eat mostly fish, chicken and vegetarian meals. Not because I am opposed to red meat but I decided it was one food that I would rather eat good cuts off. Example: I would rather eat a filet mignon than a hamburger so in order to afford the occasional filet I have cut out the roasts and hamburgers. I also cut out bread - not because bread is bad but because it is a trigger for me that makes me crave carbs - so I just cut it out - except for special occasions and eating out. One thing I learned from these two choices was how much more I appreciate it when I do have it and how little I really need of it to satisfy. On the plus side I have added lots of new fruits and vegetables to my food repertoire. I love the berries that have been in season - I can't seem to get enough. I have found so many new recipes this spring that excite me and my little garden is ready to perform and feed me throughout the summer. We've had our fair share of peas and they are still coming. Fresh spinach out the wazoo and now the beans are starting and the plants are heavy with blossoms. Directly engaging with the food has been my goal and has been so satisfying Now that the farmer's market and the CSA have begun I am ecstatic.

strawberries and feta w fresh mint

My main sources of info as I travel this challenge/journey come from two books/trains of thought. One is the Mediterranean diet and the other is French Girls Don't Get Fat. The second is a very entertaining read with excellent sound principles that I received for my birthday and read over my recent travels. It is adopting a way of life - a mentality for living and moving that is plain common sense. The Med diet fits in with it since it is in that region. Just reads that I have found useful. You are welcome to find your own. I also continue to use Weight Watcher principles to monitor consumption and activity output.

activity is key

Activity - also known as exercise but let's be real. Activity encompasses our everyday lives. I don't consider my self exercising when I work in the garden but it is a fantastic aid to weight loss. You are doing squats and lunges and toe touches and walking and working up a sweat and working those biceps and tanning the pudgy parts all while burning calories. I also love bike riding. My first vacation in April was to St Simons Island with my sisters. While there we biked everyday. We had no idea we were gone for hours at a time as we explored the beach and the marshes and the village on bikes. I ate fantastic meals at restaurants, consumed alcohol daily and lost two pounds while on vacation. It was the activity that made the difference.

garden went crazy while I was gone

So there you have it - the 100 day challenge - I'm excited to get started again, even though I never really stopped following the principles, I did find it harder to follow while traveling. Eating out makes it much more difficult than eating at home. Portion size and unknown ingredients wreak havoc on good choices and healthy intentions. In the end I maintained the weight loss of the first 100 days and now I move on to double it by Sept 6 - just in time for fall. I have two brace souls who are in it with me this time - if you care to join us step up to the plate. It's all about what goals you want to set and challenge yourself.

Been Gone Too Long

I am seriously ready for the travel to end but alas, one more trip this weekend. I have literally been in a different state for the last 6 weekends. GA, FL,  TN/No. GA, IA, MO, and this weekend PA. I feel like I have been around the world but I have only been halfway across the country. I've crossed the following state lines: VA, TN, GA, FL, WVA, MD, PA, OH, IN, IL, MO, IA and this weekend I will add DE, and NJ as well as repeat a few from before. I look forward to HOME - there really is no place like it.

St Simon's Island girls

May 5th grads: '07, '84, '12

I've missed blogging too. I have lots to write about - both experiences to share and memories to keep. I've turned fifty, had an amazing relaxing beautiful fun beach get-away, saw my youngest graduate from my alma mater, spent a week with my son who currently resides in CA, and had all my children  together for a weekend (missed their spouses) spent 50+ hrs in a truck with my husband, spent a week in the Heartland and saw miles of farmland go from brown to green, scored some fun finds at antique and consignment stores, spent time with my inlaws, read a half dozen books, photographed my MIL's 32 quilt tops, saw my niece graduate from high school, spent time with J's extended family and this weekend will witness a friend's wedding and spend time with my extended family. And that my friends is all in the last 6 weeks.

The graduate and family - Lookout Mtn, GA

 

So I have lots to write about and will do that as soon as I return from this weekend's adventure. On another front, last fall I wrote about starting a search for my biological mother and I am happy to report that after 8 months she has been "found." And she is thrilled to have been found and we are tentatively getting to know each other through phone calls and letters.

from grandma's garden

I've also begun my blogging "job" - so if you want to read about fruits and vegetables see http://stoneylonesomefarm.blogspot.com  This week's feature is the strawberry.

 

See you soon!