Choir Sundays 08 # 38

This month's colors: burgundy and black w/blue jeans



I basically did a repeat of what I wore three weeks ago, except with longer, lighter colored Lee jeans...it's my brocade Sewing Workshop Tribeca Shirt, with a matching Modified Loes Hinse City Dress bodice shell under it. I like this top and it's the last chance to wear it in choir for a while.

Next week we'll be going to our satellite campus an hour down the road, so we won't be in choir and I won't be doing a Choir Sunday post.

But I get to wear whatever I want and, given the amount of eating I did this week and the snugness of my waistband, I think I'm leaning towards one of my Cityscapes dresses...

Choir Sundays 08 # 37

This Month's Colors:Burgundy and/or black w/blue jeans

Well, it's a RTW vest in embroidered black cotton velveteen that has been in my closet for something like 8 years and really isn't as small as it looks in the picture; I could've buttoned it fine, but I didn't like the way it looked buttoned over the sweater.

And, a RTW rayon blend sweater that I bought last year for the Burgundy Choir Month.

I did, however, make the skirt...it's the Vogue 2872 denim skirt that I adjusted earlier this fall. We were going to an afternoon concert and I wanted to be just a smidge dressier than blue jeans. The picture was taken *after* the concert, so it had been a rather long day at that point!

The concert was Mannheim Steamroller's Christmas Tour and it was A.May.Zing. Even without Chip Davis. It was worth fudging on my 'no Christmas music before Thanksgiving' pledge....

Speaking of Thanksgiving, I will be taking a blogging break for the next week to prepare for and enjoy the holiday...hope everyone has much to be thankful for and enjoys the feast of celebration! Catch ya next week...

I'm a Bookworm

Well, Miss Linda at Threads of Lovliness has nominated me for the Bookworm Award. (I tried to get the nifty artwork to show; Blogger says it's here but obviously it isn't...)

It's interesting to note that I just took, on a whim, the What Kind of Nerd Be You quiz (I really think I've done this one before...) with the following results:

What Be Your Nerd Type? Your Result: Literature Nerd   Does sitting by a nice cozy fire, with a cup of hot tea/chocolate, and a book you can read for hours even when your eyes grow red and dry and you look sort of scary sitting there with your insomniac appearance? Then you fit this category perfectly! You love the power of the written word and it's eloquence; and you may like to read/write poetry or novels. You contribute to the smart people of today's society, however you can probably be overly-critical of works. It's okay. I understand.
Drama Nerd
Musician
Artistic Nerd
Science/Math Nerd
Gamer/Computer Nerd
Social Nerd
Anime Nerd
What Be Your Nerd Type? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

So, yeah, I'm a bookworm.

The rules of the Meme state that I'm supposed to grab the nearest book, open it to page 56, and write the fifth sentence on that page, along with two to five sentences that follow.

Well, the book that happened to be lying on the computer desk was apparently left by the Actor; it was The Silmarillion, by J.R.R. Tolkien, and page 56 happens to be the tail end of Chapter 3. So, I will quote from the start of the fifth sentence to the end of the chapter:

And the host of the Teleri passed over the Misty Mountains, and crossed the wide lands of Eriador, being urged on by Elwe Singollo, for he was eager to return to Valinor and the Light that he had beheld; and he wished not to be sundered from the Noldor, for he had great friendship with Finwe their lord. Thus after many years the Teleri also came at last over Ered Luin into the eastern regions of Beleriand. There they halted, and dwelt a while beyond the River Gelion.
(note: there are supposed to be two dots over the final e's on 'Elwe' and 'Finwe', but I couldn't figure out where to find a font that would do that...)

Yes, believe it or not, I *have* read the whole book; it's a fair challenge to keep the names straight and follow the whole story...or rather, group of related stories. But Tolkein actually believed The Silmarillion to be a greater and more important work than The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Much of it was written before he undertook the saga of The One Ring; I think that's why TLOTR had such a feeling of being rooted in its time...it really was, with all that history behind it.

Anyway, now I'm supposed to nominate 5 more people. But, like the other memes I've been tagged with lately, I know I have seen this on many other blogs and I haven't paid attention to who has and who has not done it. So, in my favorite random fashion, I tag whoever is reading this post today who has also read The Lord of the Rings trilogy MORE THAN ONCE. If that's you, grab the closest book and list the fifth sentence on page 56, along with a few more for some context.

Then leave a comment here so I can enjoy the notes of my fellow Literature Nerds....

Facts from the Rubbish

Wow...three guesses, each with a different guess!

Here's the truth....

My Sweet Baboo went to work for McDonnell-Douglas in Huntington Beach, CA straight out of college; I went out to visit him for his birthday just before we got engaged...and, any trip to a town with 'beach' in it's name must include a trip to the actual beach, so I waded briefly in the water there.

I've been to the Gulf coast two or three times; it's a good day's drive from The Rocket City, but not beyond reach. I'm actually counting that as the Atlantic Ocean, because our trip to Jacksonville, Florida took place in December of 2000, when a really strong cold front happened to come through and, while we took the kids to the beach, we kept on our shoes (and our winter coats!). I didn't make it to the beach at all on a later trip to Jacksonville. But, hey, the Gulf is part of the Atlantic Ocean, so it works.

The second one is false. Claire had the right guess! I had pen pals in about 4 different countries when I was in high school...the US, Japan, Ireland, and Andorra (a teeny country tucked into the border of France and... Spain. I had to look it up; it's been 30+ years...), but it would have really been a stretch to have correspondents in 13 different countries! Do kids even do pen-pals anymore, or is it all Internet communication now?

I think the year I won the Betty Crocker award (ETA a couple of days later...my memory is now finally recollecting that the actual new name was the 'General Foods Family Leader of Tomorrow'...they dropped Betty with the 'homemaker'....) was the first year for the new name. I was sick the day they planned to make the award at an assembly...I don't know what the purpose for the assembly was, but they were going to recognize me in front of the student body for my achievement. Instead, I got called to the principal's office during announcements the following week. I went with great trepidation, wondering what I had done wrong to warrant a trip to The Office. You could have knocked me over with a serger tail when he handed me the award and shook my hand. I had pretty much forgotten about even taking the test; I couldn't remember a single question from it, just that it struck me as being stuff my Grandmother told me.

So, Claire wins the bragging rights for this round! Thanks for guessing, everyone!

Fact or Rubbish?

Ok, *still* nothing going on in the sewing room... so I thought I'd see if we could have some fun.

There's a thread over at Pattern Review entitled Fact or Rubbish in which the ladies are taking turns posting three things about themselves...two of which are true, with the third one being 'rubbish.' Then the others try to figure out which is which.

There have been some very, very interesting facts shared...and I'm amazed at the deductive powers of some of those gals over there! But, y'know, it struck me as being good blog material...particularly when I'm running full blast everywhere but the sewing room.

So, anyway, I'm going to post two true and one untrue item about my life and invite comments to see who can figure out which is which. And I invite anyone amongst my readers who is in need of blogging material to do likewise and leave a comment so we'll know to visit your site and apply our deductive reasoning.

Anyway, in no particular order, here are my items:

1)I have put my feet in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans

2)When I was in high school, I had pen pals in 13 different countries

3) I was designated my high school's 'Betty Crocker Family Leader of Tomorrow' when I was a senior, despite the fact that I transferred out of my only home economics class the first week of my freshman year.

Um, that was pretty tough, since I've posted 'random things' memes two or three times and couldn't talk about things like feeding lion cubs...LOL

Ok...who wants to play?

Traditional Fare

Ok, since I don't have any sewing to talk about, I thought I'd post a recipe.

We have a very strict Thanksgiving menu at our house; everyone has something special that they require for it to be 'Thanksgiving Dinner'.

One of these dishes is my Aunt Judy's Apple Salad. She began bringing it to family gatherings when I was a school kid and it became a requirement. Now I have my own copy of the recipe and yes, it's part of our annual Thanksgiving feast miles and miles away from the rest of the family. Here' tis:

Aunt Judy's Apple Salad:

( make the congealed portion the day before the meal)

2 3-oz pkg Lime Jello
2 c small marshmallows
4 large red apples, cored and chopped
1 15 oz can crushed pineapple, drained
1/2 c. chopped pecans

Place Jello and marshmallows into a 9x13 pan; pour 2 c boiling water over and stir until the marshmallows are dissolved. Add 1 cup cold water to cool, then add apples, pineapple and nuts. Refrigerate overnight. Next day, add the dressing.

Dressing:

3/4 c. granulated sugar
2 eggs, beaten
Juice of 1 lemon
1 cup whipping cream, whipped

In a saucepan, beat together sugar, eggs and lemon juice. Cook until thick. Let it cool completely, then fold into the whipped cream and spread over the set jello.

Yumminess!

So...anyone else want to share a traditional favorite? Leave a comment and we'll come check it out!

Can't get to the sewing room...

Just too much going on! I've got something outside the house every day this week...and some financial work to do in the house. I *still* have to cut the interfacing for The Flute Player's pants... I can't believe how long that project has been on the cutting table waiting for that last little bit.

And I've got a bit of Christmas sewing to do; as soon as the pants are cut I'm going to hit one of those projects. It'll be a one-day job...all I need is one day...

Meantime, I'm cooking dinner for a friend who had surgery. First things first.

Choir Sundays 08 #36

This Month's Colors:Black and/or burgundy w/blue jeans


I'm lovin' Butterick 5185. This is the burgundy slinky rendition; it's perfect for choir!

Or, at least it's perfect as long as I wear something under it, like the black rayon/lyrca knit Jalie 965 tank top.

I had some, um, more fierce shoes I could've worn, but went with the lower, more stable, slightly clunky Mudds because my low back has been bothering me. But the dark wash Lee bootcuts have shrunk just slightly, so I can get away with the lower shoes now.

I need some chunky black jewelry; I picked up some beads at half-price at Hobby Lobby a couple of weeks ago; I need to get on that...

Costuming Resources

According to Sitemeter, a large percentage of folks who surf into the blog via search engines are coming in to get information on costuming...either Bible costumes or Dickens costumes. I've got some good info on Bible costumes on the link on the sidebar; I thought I'd put up some links that I've found useful in doing Dickens costuming.

When we originally did 'The Gospel According to Scrooge' in 2004, we thought we were being given costumes from a church that had done it back in the late '80's but did not intend to do it again. When our team went to get the costumes on Election day (Nov. 2, if I remember right), they were only able to locate about a third of their costumes...bonnets, men's costumes, and a few kid's costumes. With about 5 weeks to go, we had to costume all the ladies and most of the kids. It was intense.

We did manage to get everyone onstage in *something*...although I winced at a few of the items, overall it worked.

Anyway, I did a Google search on Dickens era costuming and the single most helpful website I found was the costume info page of the Great Dickens Christmas Fair. That has wonderful information for individuals on making 'quick and cheap' Dickens-era costumes, usually beginning with thrift store finds. (ETA: for some reason, however, this site indicates that a hoop skirt 'was all the rage.' My later research indicated that hoops came along later in the Victorian period...the mid 1840's used many ruffled petticoats, but no hoops yet). We cut a deal with a local thrift store on a number of fancy dresses and went to work on them; a local church did not use their Dickens costumes that year and so we were able to rent some costumes and pouffy slips and we got by.

I will confess that we took for granted a certain amount of ignorance on the part of our audience. We costumed the whole show in 'old-fashioned'...despite my best efforts to be period correct, we just had to make do with what we had. Someday, I'd like to do the show correctly, so there is a visual difference between Scrooge's past and his present, but most people are content just to see something that looks different than what they see in daily life.

And sometimes folks just don't cooperate. Victorian hair is supposed to be pulled up tight and off the face; any curls are tight...but a number still went on stage with their hair soft and flowing over their shoulders. It looked pretty...but it was wrong. Sometimes, ya just gotta do the best you can and leave the rest to the Holy Spirit.

But, if you've time, look at the commercial patterns: Butterick costumes, McCall's costumes and Simplicity costumes. Make a list of appropriate costumes and watch for sales at Jo-Ann's and Hancock's. I've been picking up costume patterns for a couple of years now at a dollar or two apiece; when/if we do a Dickens-themed production again, I'll be ready!

Even if you can't make the patterns from scratch, it'll help give you a mental picture of the look you're going for.

Finally, a couple of tips that I'm not sure I noted anywhere previously...

Whenever you do a costume for someone, make sure there is a pocket somewhere to hold a microphone transmitter. Even if the character who will wear the costume this year doesn't need it...next year it could be a different story.

Boy's knickers can be made from a pair of dress pants, trimmed off with an elastic casing at the bottom. But...the finished length should be almost to the ankle. If they're finished off just below the knee, when the kid moves any at all they'll creep up and...not such a good look.

If I think of more tips, I'll add them later! Costuming a show like Scrooge is a huge challenge, but it is a lot of fun!

If you do it, post pictures and a link in the comments...I'd love to see how other folks costume a Dickens piece!

Cleanin' the Fridge

Somedays, ya just gotta put life on hold and clean out the refrigerator.

Mine was in a pretty bad way...I'd been meaning to get to it but couldn't seem to get it on the calendar.

But...somehow, a can of Coke (caffeine-free) migrated from the front of the shelf to the very back of the shelf, where it sat unnoticed until it froze.

When it froze, the can ruptured and...well, let's just say cleaning the refrigerator moved WAY up the priority list.

I discovered pieces in my fridge were removable that I had no idea could even budge.

Took all day. shriveled my fingers.

But...the fridge is clean and I rearranged the shelves so *hopefully* we will not have a repeat of the forgotten Coke incident.

Just in time for Thanksgiving, too...how convenient...

The Evolution of Fit

I've had conversations with folks who used to sew, then quit and were too intimidated to start sewing again because of fit issues they now have that weren't there before...and been asked how I decided what I needed to do to fit the patterns.

That's not such an easy question to answer...I never really quit sewing, so as my body aged/changed I added more fitting adjustments to the repertoire. Like most of us, when I began to sew my own clothes in junior high and high school, I could make the pattern straight out of the envelope and it fit well enough that I wore it...I was pretty oblivious to fitting issues back then anyway. But that's not the case now, and I've been kind of reviewing where/when I learned to make the adjustments...

I suppose the first thing I learned to do was a pivot & slide alteration to change from one size at my shoulders to a size or two greater from the bust downward. For a long time, that was the only real fitting challenge I acknowledged.

The next was a thick waist adjustment...although I kind of fudged that one by learning to do a 'slightly stretchy waistband'. That is, I could fool myself into thinking the added girth was for wearing ease...taken up by the elastic.

Um, right.

Next on the list...a lowered bust point. One princess seam denim jumper made 6 or 7 years ago demonstrated the need for that alteration quite clearly.

Pants fitting was next; I've finally mastered the 'low seat' adjustment, although that one took quite a while to figure out all the details.

The most recently noticed fit issue is square shoulders...this one is an adjustment I just figured out I needed, so I'm at the 'learn it' stage...

The body changes over time; fit is an ever-evolving issue. Sometimes I get it right, sometimes I don't. But I almost always learn *something* from trying....

Sewing Lessons

Every once in a while, I get to teach someone something about sewing...it's a real treat for me!

Today was such a day. My friend Buffi found an Advent calendar that she thought was way cute...small trees w/24 treat bags tied on...and she decided she wanted to make them and start an Advent tradition in her family. So she purchased some fabric, borrowed her mother's sewing machine and came over so I could help her get started.

The bags weren't hard to figure out, and it is a fabulous project for a first time seamstress...straight seams, zig-zagged edges, simple turned down hem, and no fitting. She has three kids, so we cut 24 bags for each of them, then we walked through the construction on a bag so she could see how to do it.

It wasn't difficult, and she had a nice little bag.
I predict by the time she makes all 72 of these, she'll be quite comfortable running things through the machine!

A Two-success weekend...

I have no idea what the bag sold for (it was a *silent* auction), but a friend of mine purchased it. She didn't realize I had made it until she found the label inside the pocket. I first thought she bought it because I'd made it (um, I hope that sounds like I meant it...not like I was the designer, but just because she knew me), but that wasn't the case. So I guess it looked good enough!

And I looked very, very closely at the shirt onstage Friday night and could just barely tell it lapped right-over-left. I'm sure no one else could notice. The Velcro held well, and opened easily when it needed to, so all is well.

And the young man who portrayed Jesus won 'Best Actor' for the whole district, which I think is really, really cool. They will be performing the musical at Lee High this Thur-Fri-Sat-Sun, if anyone is nearby and would like to see it. Tickets are only 5 - 8 dollars; I think we're going to go back. And, they did qualify for the state competition in December.

The Actor also qualified with his individual events...he did a Dave Barry piece as a monologue, and he and a buddy did Abbott & Costello's classic 'Who's on First?'...and muffed a couple of lines. Somehow, they still managed to pull a Superior rating; hopefully they'll have it iced by State.


And I've got a schedule conflict and won't be able to go and watch, which is a bummer.

Choir Sundays 08 # 35

This Month's colors:Burgundy and/or black w/blue jeans

I tried jumping down and snapping the picture as the choir came out onto the risers at about a minute and a half before the service started. There were no stage lights on; only a little blue wash light on the wall behind us. The silhouette looked really cool, but of course that went away with the flash. Sigh...with so little light, it looks rather grainy. Still, you can get the idea.

The gap in the back row is where I stood...

Anyway, I wore my brocade Sewing Workshop Tribeca Shirt, with a matching Modified Loes Hinse City Dress bodice shell under it...just in case...

And my dark wash boot cut Lee jeans with, um, boots.

I need to make one or two more shirts from that Tribeca pattern...it's kinda neat...

Emergency Costuming

Well, just a smidge.

The annual high school theater festival district competition is this weekend. I haven't been involved in it at all; the one-act done by The Actors school is a musical, performed by the Choral Magnet Seniors (they are scheduled to perform for competition tonight).

To my delight, the musical is a cutting of Godspell.

Last night was the 'sneak preview' performance (aka an open dress rehearsal). A number of the kids also performed their selections for the individual event competition; The Actor and a classmate did a very nice rendition of 'Who's On First', so we were there to see the show.

Now, I've loved Godspell ever since I first saw it performed by a touring company at Clowes Hall in Indianapolis as a teenager...By My Side was sung at our wedding. So I may have been predisposed to enjoy the show, and my opinion that the kids did an outstanding job may not be entirely objective. But one teeny thing did catch my attention: there was no real visual distinction between Jesus before and after his resurrection.

Right after the show, I got flagged down. Could I possibly do a little sewing before they compete? Jesus actually had on the classic Godspell Jesus Superman T-shirt under his button-down shirt, but he didn't have time in the few seconds he was 'buried' (obscured by other actors) to unbutton the shirt so that the Superman logo showed. Could I put some velcro on the front so he could get it off in a hurry?

How could I possibly say no?

It worked out well in that the Flute Player was home frantically trying to do a two-week-project in one evening (there's a mini-rant about that on the other blog; I'm not going there here), so I suspected I was going to be up late while she worked anyway.

So, I came home, changed the thread in the sewing machine, and put velcro patches down the front. I did it so that the button side of the shirt was on top...it'll feel backwards to the actor, I'm afraid, but hopefully it will sort of appear buttoned from a distance. Ideally I would have taken the buttons off and replaced them with velcro, then made a band with the buttons on one side and velcro on the other and buttoned it onto the shirt but there just wasn't time for that.

Then I washed and dried the shirt. It, um, wasn't so fresh after being worn for the performance. The Actor took it in this morning.

Now I guess I'll just have to go back tonight and see the show again to satisfy myself that it worked ok...


Oh, and while I was up last night I finished sewing the lining for the Weekender bag; it's all put together and ready to go in. I *should* be able to finish the bag itself today...maybe even get the lining in it? We'll see...the auction's tomorrow...

New projects

I've slowly been cutting a few things out amongst the harriedness that has been life this week...today I'm home w/o a car, so I'll surely get something done!

I cut two pairs of black pants out of some beeyoutiful cotton/lycra sateen I got from Gorgeous Fabrics: one for me, and one for The Flute Player, who needs 'em for concert band. I've still got to cut interfacing for the waistband on her pants and lining for the pockets on mine,but otherwise they are ready to sew.

And, I've cut a Weekender bag from some stashed upholstery fabric for a silent auction benefit this Saturday; that's probably going to be at the top of the list for sewing. I'm *hoping* I've got a zipper in the stash that will work for the inside pocket...like I said, I've no car today.

Unless I swipe the vehicle that The Princess drives and make a quick Hancock's run before she goes to work. Hm. It'd have to be really quick.

Maybe I'd better go dig through that drawer....

7 Random Things Tag

I've been tagged by my non-sewing-blogging buddy Jess with the 7 Random Things tag...

Now, I'm supposed to link to her blog (check) and then list 7 random and/or weird things about myself.

Um, hm. I hope I haven't already posted these things.

1)My nickname in high school was 'Tigger'

2)My first car (and only car purchased by me for me from my own resources) was a new 1978 white Mustang. It got traded in in 1990 for a boxy Plymouth Horizon which was primarily my hubby's car. My oldest son (Formerly known as 'Teen Son of the Rolling Eyes', hereafter noted as 'The Artist', as he is now 20) is still driving it; it's got a bunch of miles on it and has more shakes than Dairy Queen but somehow keeps going...if you add a quart of oil once a week. I confess I have never been fond of it. I loved my Mustang.

3)When I was a high school freshman, I concluded that I very likely would not marry any of the boys I knew then. Or, perhaps a better way of putting it would be I concluded then that none of the boys I knew would ever be interested in me. I met My Sweet Baboo when I was 18.

4) Need I add I was rather geeky and socially inept as a young teenager? (I refuse to speculate as to whether that has entirely passed from my personality...)

5) I learned to sew starting at age 10 on the back porch of our nearly century year old farmhouse. Concrete floor, no heat or AC (eta for clarification...the porch, not the house, had concrete floor and no heat...lol). Truth be told, it was more of a utility room than a porch and I'm not sure why we called it the porch. The furnace was also located on the back porch, as were the washer and dryer and the chest-style deep freeze, which served as a semi-accessible cutting table. Good preparation for the years I spent with my 'sewing studio' in our garage.

6)Although my degree is a double major in Mathematics and Computer Science, I originally went off to college as a music education major. Um, that didn't work for me...

7) I can't stand salmon. My Sweet Baboo loves it and eats it almost every time we go out to dinner. I know it's good for you and I wish I could eat it but every taste brings back unpleasant associations with the nasty salmon patties my elementary school cafeteria served.

Now, I'm supposed to tag 7 more people, but, to be honest, I haven't a clue who has and who has not already done this. So, I will tag any blog reader whose birthday is the same month as mine (July) who has not already done the meme. Just leave a link in the comments and we'll all come and learn 7 random things about you!

It's a big day

...it is my Dear Mother-In-Law's birthday; possibly one ending in a '0', but I'm not sure. She rarely, if ever, stops by here, but I'm wishing her a lovely day, just the same!

...it is also the birthday of Sew Random. I've been doing this for three years now! Time flies!

And, here's a cheesy self-portrait in honor of the third event of the day:


Of course, this is the day to stand patiently in line and exercise our right to choose our government. I was voter number 1107 at my local precinct. It was well-organized and simple; the time required from getting in one of the three (alphabetical) lines until I was finished was only about 20 minutes.

So, for anyone in the states who hasn't exercised that right yet...consider carefully the candidates and then vote! And don't forget your sticker... LOL

Makin' it Work

The tricks we do to Make Things Work.

I had barely enough of the black boucle to cut out the main pieces of the Plaza jacket; as I mentioned, I had to narrow the pieces by 2" each. In all honesty, I'm not sure that wasn't beneficial; this lofty fabric probably works better with a little less excess drape anyway.
But I *didn't* have enough to cut the back band. I misremembered how to make the thing and thought the back band was a facing; it wasn't until I had things cut that I realized it was actually part of the neckline. So I scrambled to look for something that I could use for the back neck...and found a piece of faux suede that's in the stash to be used for trim/binding. Bingo. It had a very slight amount of stretch in it, so it managed the curve ok.

It would've looked better if I had sewn it with the right side out (what is WITH ME on this lately? I *know* I checked that...). There isn't a lot of difference between the right and the wrong side, but it's still the less pretty side out. Sigh. I figured no one else would know the difference and, since it was already trimmed before I caught it, I wasn't about to try ripping things out to fix it.

Speaking of fixing; if you look closely at the photo of the back neck you can see the sort of rounded 'v' that shows where I patched the cutting boo-boo I mentioned Friday. *Ahem* Interesting design detail, don't you think? *ahem*







Just for grins, I'd say anyone who had only this much fabric left...which compresses into one scant handful...has made optimal use of the yardage. *Ahem* again...











But I seriously owe my MIL big time for this. I'd guess this fabric would retail for anywhere from $80/yard up -- IF it could be found at all. I'm a blessed woman. ;)


Incidentally, the jacket is marvelously warm to wear. I'm going to enjoy this one.

Choir Sundays '08 #34

This Month's Colors: Burgundy and/or black w/blue jeans
I wasn't able to get a choir photo; DD #1 (Whom I am going to refer to from this point on as 'The Princess', since I've been developing labels for all the kids) works in the sound booth and I think I'll see if she can get a photo of the choir during an actual service. Might work and it might not; we'll try it.

Anyway, I wore a RTW sweater (which might be more of a maroon than burgundy...), my dark wash Lee jeans and my new Sewing Workshop Plaza Jacket, made from my mother-in-law's gift of a small piece of wool boucle (details in tomorrow's post).

I've got the front secured with a brooch...there's a sweet story there.

Around 1970, at age 16 My Sweet Baboo went to Japan to the World Boy Scout Jamboree. He had some pretty amazing adventures there, and did some shopping. Amongst his souvenirs, he picked up a couple of pieces of jewelry...a silver necklace w/a three-pearl charm on it and this brooch. He bought them because he knew someday he'd fall in love and he figured he could give those gifts to his future sweetheart. It wasn't until about 7 years later that we even met. He kept them all that time.

He gave me the necklace for my 20th birthday, five months before we were engaged, but didn't tell me the story because he was afraid I'd think he was cheap for giving me something he already had. It wasn't until after we were married that he gave me the brooch and told me where they came from.

I wore and wore the necklace and now it's put away, needing some repair, but I do wear the brooch from time to time. And marvel... ;)