A Tin of Buttons

Found at my mother's house this past October.

Where have you been? Asked many of you. My summer, since July, had been a busy one. Mostly, my mother had emergency surgery which could have been life-threatening if not found as soon as it was. My mother has been in poor health for a number of years and since my father's sudden and most painful passing in 2008 (for all of us), she has had a broken heart. Actually, we all have. My mother is now permanently in an Assisted Living Facility and although she resisted for quite a while, she does appreciate the care she receives, good meals every day and people around her.

It was a most painful summer, but I also know God is in control. Thus, my lack of postings on this BLOG.

I needed to take a trip into South Florida to help 'clean-out' the family house, which has been sold. This also was an emotional time as many memories flooded my thoughts. One never thinks they will lose their parents, but eventually they will pass on. We tend to take our parents for granted.

While cleaning out my parent's home, I found this 'tin of buttons' that I remember from my childhood. When I opened the top, the aroma of years inside the tin flooded me and overwhelmed my senses. I immediately sat down and sorted through the tin. I remembered the red corduroy jacket buttons, I believe they once belonged to a jacket I once had as a girl. I saw other buttons that brought back memories. I know that a number of them belonged to my grandmother, who was also a seamstress.

There is another item I have longed to offer for some time. A 'Simple & Plain' shirt/blouse for teens and women. I am creating the pattern for this shirt from an old shirt of mine that I had fallen in love with. I think I will not describe it in detail as I want it to be a surprise when it is finished. Hoping to have it offered by the Springtime. Just in time for the summer months, as it is a lovely shirt for that time of year.

Yesterday I made some pies, sold a few this past week too. Called : Amish Vanilla Pie. A very yummy and unique pie that I enjoy making.



I make the Pie Crust first. Freeze overnight and before filling with the pie,
bake at 400 degrees for approx. eight minutes.

Yummy Amish Vanilla Pie.

 

Many have asked if I was Amish or Mennonite. No, I am not. But was raised near the Amish/Mennonites in Florida. The denomination I grew up in was a simple faith and my love of sewing (and cooking) was nurtured.

Lisa

Sewing Machines and their 'parts'

I just received the long awaited for sewing machine part late last week! I have several sewing assignments to catch up on! What a challenge to find the essential part for my two year old Janome machine! The main dilemma was that the sewing center that I do business with, here in Ocala, burned to the ground a few months ago and they lost their entire store! So, they had so many parts coming in to re-supply their inventory, the Janome Supply Center could not keep up with it.

I was so lost without my Janome main machine. A friend knew about my dilemma and offered to me a hardly used, 1950's 'Royal' machine, still in the cabinet that belonged to her mother. I was so surprised when I went over to see the machine, as I did not have knowledge before-hand how unused it was. It took a day or two of tinkering around with, and it works wonderfully...only straight and zig-zag stitching. When I get some time I need to research where to buy a zipper foot for this very usable, but older machine. I think it may be like an old car...built well, but parts are harder to find. And I had hoped for so long to have a back-up machine, and thankfully, now I do.

Meantime...I needed a breather this past week-end from trying to catch up on everything and decided to do some baking. Two loaves of Amish White Bread were made. This makes fantastic French Toast!

Picture to the left is the bread dough divided in half after the first rising. I only use King Arthur Flour for everything I bake.

The picture below is the finished bread. Bakes for 30 minutes after pouring melted butter on top.

That was enough fun for the week! Back to sewing now to catch up. I am ever so happy to have my main sewing machine back working.

Amish White Bread

Ingredients:

2 cups warm water

2/3 cup white sugar

1 ½ tablespoons active dry yeast

1 ½ teaspoons salt

¼ cup vegetable oil

6 cups bread flour

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In a large bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water and then stir in yeast. Allow to proof until resembles a creamy foam. Mix salt and oil into the yeast. Mix in flour one cup at a time. Kneed dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Place in a well oiled bowl, and turn to coat. Cover with a damp cloth. Allow to rise until doubled in bulk, approx. two hours. I always let the dough rise in a warm oven. Punch dough down. Kneed a few minutes and divide in half. Shape into loaves, and place in two well oiled 9x5 loaf pans. (I use glass pans) Allow to rise for 45 minutes, or until dough has risen approx. one inch above the pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.