In Beth, Women of the Drifting Anchor Ranch, Beth learns how to knit hot pads. I used the same pattern last year to make some hot pads for family and friends for Christmas. The pattern is easy, and fun to make. Best yet, it's double width so you don't burn your hands. I will do a repeat here, so you don't have to search through my posts to find the instructions.
MATERIALS NEEDED
1. Two skeins of acrylic yarn (about 7 oz. in each skein) now if we were doing this project true to the 19th century you would have to take wool, spin it to yarn, and then only wash it by hand...ever. Aren't you glad that we're in the 21st century?
2. Knitting needles size 9 to 11 (no bigger or you WILL have holes in the hotpad to burn your fingers).
3. a crochet hook size G-J
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Cast on thirty stitches.
2. Knit 6 stitches
3. Purl 6 stitches
4. Continue this pattern across the row
5. Alternate this row, purl 6 and then knit 6
6. Do this for 6 rows. Then alternate again, but this
time alternate against the pattern. So if you should be
knitting, now purl, and knit against purl. (Hope that
makes sense.
7. In other words you are changing the pattern every
six rows so that you wind up having a squared pattern
like a game of checkers or a basket.
8. Make the project about 16 to 20 inches long. You
want the item to be long enough to fold it over, and then
crochet it together, so that it will completely cover your
hand. If you are making it for a large man like my
beloved husband was, make it bigger. If you're making
it for an old lady with smaller hands, like me, make it
smaller.
9. Cast off, knitwise when you're at a knit stitch and
purlwise when you're at a purl stitch.
10. Now comes the crocheting part. You have a
decision to make. I prefer to single crochet around
the entire exterior of the hotpad, and THEN crochet
the hot pad together. Some would prefer doing it as
one single action. I just like the more finished edge
that doing two actions give the project.
11. When you are crocheting around to finish the
hotpad, and reach the upper right hand corner of the
hotpad chain stitch 12 stitches, and then join the end
into the hotpad and finish stitching all the way around.
This loop will give you something to hang your hot
pad with.
You can make them any color you wish. I prefer
acrylic yarn over wool because I'm allergic to
wool. On the other hand, acrylic will wash and
dry in a modern washer and dryer. Cotton yarn is
also good, but I'm not certain it makes quite as
durable a product.
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Christmas Gifting
Items need for project:
1. Regular dotted fabric (not dots that are completely irregular) measure your yardage by the size of the project. This will work for pillowcases, tablecloths, cloth napkins, aprons, pinafores, etc. etc.
2. Embroidery floss (I prefer to buy mine online (they couldn't do that in the 19th century. Sometimes they even spun their own from wool). DC size 5 or 8 embroidery floss...you don't have to figure out how many strands of floss you wish to use...it's already intertwined) 5 is a little coarser, 8 is a little finer.
3. Embroidery hoop (If you are making a larger project like a tablecloth you may wish to have a larger hoop. They come in all sorts of sizes.
4. Crewel embroidery needle (This needle has a bigger eye, and the point is not as sharp). You can use about any needle as long as the eye is big enough for the floss that you choose.
5. Sewing machine (unless you wish to hand seam the seaming part of this project)
6. Sewing machine thread. Choose a color that either is the same as the darkest part of the fabric, or contrast the color if you wish. You don't need any special type of thread for this part of the project.
7. Sewing machine needle. Again this is if you sew the seams by machine.
So...you want to make a gift for Christmas, or for a wedding, birthday, anniversary, etc. etc. Find some fabric with a regular polka dot pattern. The smaller polka dots would suit this purpose the best. You can make pillow cases, dresses, cloth napkins, tablecloths, aprons, pretty much anything your mind can think of. First you figure out the yardage that you will need depending on the end product. For example, pillowcases--two yards of fabric should work great. For larger projects measure...for a table, measure the table. For an apron, that is just below your waist 1 yard, for a pinafore 2 or 3 yards. (You can refer to my post about making a pinafore if you wish a cute pattern to follow).
The next part will be simple straight seaming (unless, of course, you are making a round tablecloth, but even then if the table is too large for the width of the fabric). For a pillowcase you simply turn right sides together, and then seam the side and bottom. Measure the pillow size that you wish to cover (so you don't wind up with a pillow case that is more like a tube than a pillow case). You can also machine stitch the hem at the bottom by turning the seamed pillowcase inside out, and turning the fabric so that the rough edge is under and then seaming it as well. (Be careful, don't accidentally sew through both thicknesses of the pillowcase).
Now, if you are making a tablecloth, again, seam it, hem it, and then we will embroider it.
The fun part comes now. Put your embroidery hoop on the section that you are going to start embroidering. Thread your crewel needle with your floss. Now you get to look at the pillowcase or edge of whatever you choose to make. You will have the fun of designing this pattern. Take the needle from the unfinished side of the project (or whatever type of project) coming up next to one of the dots. If you choose you can simply take the floss from dot to dot side by side, and then come back and cross the dots. Or you can just make a line coming up at the lower portion of the dot and then spanning the dot and going back down in the higher portion of the next dot.
Some people prefer to get grid paper and make their pattern using the little boxes to mimic the dot patterns. You can make this very simple (even simple looks adorable in this project), or you can cross stitch, or simply create other types of designs.
You can edge pillowcases, tablecloths, aprons, any project that you choose to make with dots can be designed and edged with this simple embroidery project. The ladies of the 19th century did not have television, radio, or any of the forms of entertainment that we enjoy today. So they loved creating beauty for their world. They also had very little in the way of cash money. Often they purchased things through barter, or kept a tab at the general store in town. They could NOT sign up for the registry at Bed Bath and Beyond, or Target, etc. etc. So they usually created the presents they gave to friends and family.
Creating beauty, even through simple polka dot stitching, has always given me joy, well wait, not so much until I was 13. Before that I couldn't be bothered with something having to do with a needle and thread. Since then I have definitely made up for those 12 years of non-creation. So I hope that you ENJOY this idea!
P.S. Embellishment if fun to create with this work. Put grosgrain or velvet ribbon on the hemmed edge, and possibly tie a really cute bow and sew it down so it stays tied on the pillowcase. You could add sequins, or buttons, but keep it rather simple because you may not want to sleep on a pillowcase with a huge, hard bow, or great big buttons, right?
By the way some of you may now know what you are getting for Christmas...or maybe not? lol
1. Regular dotted fabric (not dots that are completely irregular) measure your yardage by the size of the project. This will work for pillowcases, tablecloths, cloth napkins, aprons, pinafores, etc. etc.
2. Embroidery floss (I prefer to buy mine online (they couldn't do that in the 19th century. Sometimes they even spun their own from wool). DC size 5 or 8 embroidery floss...you don't have to figure out how many strands of floss you wish to use...it's already intertwined) 5 is a little coarser, 8 is a little finer.
3. Embroidery hoop (If you are making a larger project like a tablecloth you may wish to have a larger hoop. They come in all sorts of sizes.
4. Crewel embroidery needle (This needle has a bigger eye, and the point is not as sharp). You can use about any needle as long as the eye is big enough for the floss that you choose.
5. Sewing machine (unless you wish to hand seam the seaming part of this project)
6. Sewing machine thread. Choose a color that either is the same as the darkest part of the fabric, or contrast the color if you wish. You don't need any special type of thread for this part of the project.
7. Sewing machine needle. Again this is if you sew the seams by machine.
So...you want to make a gift for Christmas, or for a wedding, birthday, anniversary, etc. etc. Find some fabric with a regular polka dot pattern. The smaller polka dots would suit this purpose the best. You can make pillow cases, dresses, cloth napkins, tablecloths, aprons, pretty much anything your mind can think of. First you figure out the yardage that you will need depending on the end product. For example, pillowcases--two yards of fabric should work great. For larger projects measure...for a table, measure the table. For an apron, that is just below your waist 1 yard, for a pinafore 2 or 3 yards. (You can refer to my post about making a pinafore if you wish a cute pattern to follow).
The next part will be simple straight seaming (unless, of course, you are making a round tablecloth, but even then if the table is too large for the width of the fabric). For a pillowcase you simply turn right sides together, and then seam the side and bottom. Measure the pillow size that you wish to cover (so you don't wind up with a pillow case that is more like a tube than a pillow case). You can also machine stitch the hem at the bottom by turning the seamed pillowcase inside out, and turning the fabric so that the rough edge is under and then seaming it as well. (Be careful, don't accidentally sew through both thicknesses of the pillowcase).
Now, if you are making a tablecloth, again, seam it, hem it, and then we will embroider it.
The fun part comes now. Put your embroidery hoop on the section that you are going to start embroidering. Thread your crewel needle with your floss. Now you get to look at the pillowcase or edge of whatever you choose to make. You will have the fun of designing this pattern. Take the needle from the unfinished side of the project (or whatever type of project) coming up next to one of the dots. If you choose you can simply take the floss from dot to dot side by side, and then come back and cross the dots. Or you can just make a line coming up at the lower portion of the dot and then spanning the dot and going back down in the higher portion of the next dot.
Some people prefer to get grid paper and make their pattern using the little boxes to mimic the dot patterns. You can make this very simple (even simple looks adorable in this project), or you can cross stitch, or simply create other types of designs.
You can edge pillowcases, tablecloths, aprons, any project that you choose to make with dots can be designed and edged with this simple embroidery project. The ladies of the 19th century did not have television, radio, or any of the forms of entertainment that we enjoy today. So they loved creating beauty for their world. They also had very little in the way of cash money. Often they purchased things through barter, or kept a tab at the general store in town. They could NOT sign up for the registry at Bed Bath and Beyond, or Target, etc. etc. So they usually created the presents they gave to friends and family.
Creating beauty, even through simple polka dot stitching, has always given me joy, well wait, not so much until I was 13. Before that I couldn't be bothered with something having to do with a needle and thread. Since then I have definitely made up for those 12 years of non-creation. So I hope that you ENJOY this idea!
P.S. Embellishment if fun to create with this work. Put grosgrain or velvet ribbon on the hemmed edge, and possibly tie a really cute bow and sew it down so it stays tied on the pillowcase. You could add sequins, or buttons, but keep it rather simple because you may not want to sleep on a pillowcase with a huge, hard bow, or great big buttons, right?
By the way some of you may now know what you are getting for Christmas...or maybe not? lol
Thursday, September 19, 2013
A Suggestion for a Homemade Christmas present
Ever So Warm, and Attractive, Woolen Scarf (for men or women)
With Christmas just around the corner in our real world, and in Celeste's fictional world it's a great idea to start considering what presents you are giving this year. In Celeste's world she owns and operates a Sewing Shop, LePetit. She is extremely creative but limited in cash. So she decides to make the presents for her family this year. The following is a pattern for a woolen flannel scarf.
MATERIALS NEEDED
1.
1 yard of woolen flannel (plaid or plain,
either is nice)
2. 1 box of straight pins
3. 1 needle (I prefer them with larger eyes, easier to thread)
4. 1 spool of thread to match or contrast with the fabric
5. This is a very easy present to make, but looks absolutely terrific, and helps keep the winter cold away. Determine how wide and how long you wish to make the scarf.
6. If you are making the scarf for a female you may wish to make it a bit narrower since they often have narrower necks
7. Do they like their scarf long enough to wrap it around their neck, or do they prefer it short enough to criss-cross it on their chest and then have their coat over it?
8. Sewing Steps
9. If you wish to make the scarf longer than the fabric you will need to seam the fabric to make it longer.
10. If you are working with plaid you need to decide if you wish the pattern of the plaid to match at the seam.
11. Put the right side of the material against the other right side of the material and sew a seam.
12. You should make the stitches for the seam as tiny, and close as possible so that they don't show on the finished product.
13. Fold the fabric that is as wide and as long as you wish it to be in half, right sides together.
14. Sew the seam again with tiny, frequent stitches.
15. Leave two inches unstitched at the end of the scarf.
16. Push the inside of the scarf through the 2 inch hole, turning the scarf right side out.
17. Use a press cloth (a pillow case is a good
choice) that is slightly damp to press the scarf when finished. Do not EVER press the woolen fabric without a
press cloth. It may singe the fabric, or
permanently damage the texture.
18. Once you have turned the scarf right side out
you can blind stitch the two inches by turning the raw edges in and stitching
inside the seam so that you can’t see the stitches.
VARIATIONS
19. If
you are making the scarf for a woman you can add fringe. Sometimes you can purchase store created
fringe. If you do not have access to
store purchased fringe you can create your own fringe by using yarn. If you use yarn then you need to punch holes
in the wool to loop the fringe through.
I find that punching holes in the woolen fabric is well accomplished
with a drill or by pushing the scissors through and then twisting the blade of
the scissors to make the hole a bit larger.
Using yarn you can fold the yarn in half, and then make a slip-knot
through the hole with one strand of yarn, or you can use six strands of yarn to
get a fuller fringed look.
20. You
can embroider a monogrammed initial on the end of the scarf. The monogrammed letter can be as large or
small as you wish to make it.
21. I
will put a pattern here on my blog for different monogrammed letters in the
next day or two that you can copy and use for any monogramming purpose that you
have in mind.
Celeste's Journal
Christmas is coming. The realization today stopped me in my tracks. I immediately sat down and began to plan the presents I would give this year. I decided that the men at the ranch would get warm, woolen scarves. It doesn't snow much here, but it's so humid that the cold seems to penetrate right through your clothes. A warm woolen scarf would keep their necks warm.
I also am going to make monogrammed handkerchiefs. I will make a few out of some soft muslin that I have. I will bleach the muslin to make it white. I have white embroidery floss. So I will draw out the letters, and practice them on paper. Then I will oh so lightly outline them with a pencil on the muslin. I am also going to monogram some handkerchiefs out of more practical bandana type of material. I will make the embroidery on those bright, bold, and masculine.
For Sophrie's family I will make a tablecloth out of gingham, and embroider a border around the edges. I will make presents for Sophrie's family because Sophrie is my only friend in this town. She knows about my past but loves me in spite of it. I am grateful everyday for my Sophrie friend.
I will make a scarf and handkerchiefs for Doc Stone as well. He has been so very good to me. He has always treated me with dignity and respect. Better yet, he has consciously worked on making me feel comfortable to have a male friend. He looks nothing like my Papa, but he is kind, and funny the way my Papa was. His similarities to my Papa have helped me to not dwell on the missing of my beloved Papa.
I need to make some fun toys for the boys. I think that I will make Jamie some finger puppets. I will also make him a stuffed toy, maybe a lion or an elephant? I'll have to think about that. Eric, I'll make him a checkerboard, and checkboard pieces. Jamie is too young to play with Eric, but I'm certain that Red and Blake will be happy to play with Eric. I will also enjoy playing with him.
It's the first part of October, I have extra work to do for my shop. Many orders have come in for Christmas presents, shirts, dresses, etc. I don't have any wool flannel left. I'll go to the General Store tomorrow and buy some to make the scarves with.
All of a sudden I'm excited. I love Christmas. I miss celebrating it with my beloved family. I miss the traditions of my homeland. Yet I'm sharing those traditions with the boys. It's always good to remember that there are many good people in the world who celebrate Christ's birthday.
We have one Jewish family that recently moved to Calkington. There have unfortunately been many actions of hate and prejudice towards them. I took them dinner last week. I know that they are struggling financially. They have 8 children, and Mr. Feinstein has been too ill to earn a living for the family. Hmmm, that gives me an idea. I have heard that Mrs. Feinstein is an excellent seamstress. I wonder if she would like some money this Christmas? I could use her help, she would get some money for Christmas. I'll go this afternoon and visit her.
I'd better quit writing, and start into my day. A joyous day as I think of all the lovely things that I'm going to do!
I also am going to make monogrammed handkerchiefs. I will make a few out of some soft muslin that I have. I will bleach the muslin to make it white. I have white embroidery floss. So I will draw out the letters, and practice them on paper. Then I will oh so lightly outline them with a pencil on the muslin. I am also going to monogram some handkerchiefs out of more practical bandana type of material. I will make the embroidery on those bright, bold, and masculine.
For Sophrie's family I will make a tablecloth out of gingham, and embroider a border around the edges. I will make presents for Sophrie's family because Sophrie is my only friend in this town. She knows about my past but loves me in spite of it. I am grateful everyday for my Sophrie friend.
I will make a scarf and handkerchiefs for Doc Stone as well. He has been so very good to me. He has always treated me with dignity and respect. Better yet, he has consciously worked on making me feel comfortable to have a male friend. He looks nothing like my Papa, but he is kind, and funny the way my Papa was. His similarities to my Papa have helped me to not dwell on the missing of my beloved Papa.
I need to make some fun toys for the boys. I think that I will make Jamie some finger puppets. I will also make him a stuffed toy, maybe a lion or an elephant? I'll have to think about that. Eric, I'll make him a checkerboard, and checkboard pieces. Jamie is too young to play with Eric, but I'm certain that Red and Blake will be happy to play with Eric. I will also enjoy playing with him.
It's the first part of October, I have extra work to do for my shop. Many orders have come in for Christmas presents, shirts, dresses, etc. I don't have any wool flannel left. I'll go to the General Store tomorrow and buy some to make the scarves with.
All of a sudden I'm excited. I love Christmas. I miss celebrating it with my beloved family. I miss the traditions of my homeland. Yet I'm sharing those traditions with the boys. It's always good to remember that there are many good people in the world who celebrate Christ's birthday.
We have one Jewish family that recently moved to Calkington. There have unfortunately been many actions of hate and prejudice towards them. I took them dinner last week. I know that they are struggling financially. They have 8 children, and Mr. Feinstein has been too ill to earn a living for the family. Hmmm, that gives me an idea. I have heard that Mrs. Feinstein is an excellent seamstress. I wonder if she would like some money this Christmas? I could use her help, she would get some money for Christmas. I'll go this afternoon and visit her.
I'd better quit writing, and start into my day. A joyous day as I think of all the lovely things that I'm going to do!
Monday, September 16, 2013
Celeste's Journal
Sniffles, sneezes, and a deep cough have kept me from having any customers today. I left the closed sign on the door, and added a, "Sorry but I'm sick," note to the bottom. I still have sewed most of the day. Somehow feeling sick makes me feel great longing for my dead family.
Today I was remembering. When we left France for America we had sold most of our belongings, and packed just the very basic necessities. We were in the wagon ready to drive to a small ship that would take us to Liverpool England. Then at Liverpool we would transfer to a larger ship that would take us to Astoria, Oregon.
Papa said, "Family look up." There had been a rain storm that lasted most of the night and into the morning. Finally as we were ready to go the sun came out. High over our heads was a sparkling rainbow. Papa said, "The rainbow is a sign that we are doing the right thing. I know that this is a sacrifice for all of us to leave our home, a secure employment, friends, and family for the unknown wilds of Western America. Still I believe that God will bless us. He will prepare a way for us to create Benoit's Finest Wines. Remember that rainbow means everything will work out."
I feel great bitterness fill my heart thinking about my family at the bottom of the ocean. So much for Papa's fine wines. The rainbow was beautiful that day. I kept that rainbow in my heart, so bright, so promising. Then when my entire family died I swore that I would run and hide if I ever saw a rainbow again. I decided that it was a sign of evil, or that something really bad was about to happen.
I'm trying to change that perspective. If I saw each rainbow here in Calkington as a portent of something bad there would be more awful than good. It rains so much here. There are rainbows at least several times a week.
Maman always told us that even dying was not a bad thing. She said that if we loved God and lived the best life that we could we would all be reunited and live happily with God after death. I don't know about that. I still am not convinced that God really cares at all about humanity. There are so many of us...how could he possibly keep track of all of us?
In addition, if God DOES know us, why does he let awful things happen to good people, and wonderful things happen for wicked people? Well that's enough thinking about such deep topics. My head hurts. I'm going to make myself some hot lemon juice and honey, drink it, eat a piece of bread and butter and go to sleep.
Today I was remembering. When we left France for America we had sold most of our belongings, and packed just the very basic necessities. We were in the wagon ready to drive to a small ship that would take us to Liverpool England. Then at Liverpool we would transfer to a larger ship that would take us to Astoria, Oregon.
Papa said, "Family look up." There had been a rain storm that lasted most of the night and into the morning. Finally as we were ready to go the sun came out. High over our heads was a sparkling rainbow. Papa said, "The rainbow is a sign that we are doing the right thing. I know that this is a sacrifice for all of us to leave our home, a secure employment, friends, and family for the unknown wilds of Western America. Still I believe that God will bless us. He will prepare a way for us to create Benoit's Finest Wines. Remember that rainbow means everything will work out."
I feel great bitterness fill my heart thinking about my family at the bottom of the ocean. So much for Papa's fine wines. The rainbow was beautiful that day. I kept that rainbow in my heart, so bright, so promising. Then when my entire family died I swore that I would run and hide if I ever saw a rainbow again. I decided that it was a sign of evil, or that something really bad was about to happen.
I'm trying to change that perspective. If I saw each rainbow here in Calkington as a portent of something bad there would be more awful than good. It rains so much here. There are rainbows at least several times a week.
Maman always told us that even dying was not a bad thing. She said that if we loved God and lived the best life that we could we would all be reunited and live happily with God after death. I don't know about that. I still am not convinced that God really cares at all about humanity. There are so many of us...how could he possibly keep track of all of us?
In addition, if God DOES know us, why does he let awful things happen to good people, and wonderful things happen for wicked people? Well that's enough thinking about such deep topics. My head hurts. I'm going to make myself some hot lemon juice and honey, drink it, eat a piece of bread and butter and go to sleep.
Monday, September 9, 2013
Celeste's Journal
My heart is racing, my hands are clammy, and I feel weak as a tiny
kitten. I was sleeping well tonight. I was very active all day so I
was exhausted. I had not one single dream that I remembered and then..
Hearing a sweetly female voice I awakened and sat up in bed. Instantly I recognized Sarah, Blake's second wife. "Don't be afraid," were her first words. "Of course not," I snapped, (I'm not really at my best attitude when the ghost of a dead person who was married to the man I wish to marry wakes me up in the middle of the night). "Why would I be afraid of someone that is dead appearing to me in my bedroom?"
She sighed, "It could be worse. I could have let the ghost of your Great-Uncle Vincenzo from Italy come. He really wanted to."
"You are right," I snapped, "That would be worse. Uncle Vincenzo smelled like garlic. Actually he reeked of garlic. He had long hairs that poked from his nose, and ears...yuck."
So now I sighed and sat back against my headboard. "So go ahead."
"Go ahead and do what?" Said Sarah's ghost.
"Whatever the crazy message you are here to deliver, deliver it so that I can go back to sleep, which won't be hard because this is only a dream to begin with."
Sarah smiled at me and stood silently for a long moment. Finally she said something that totally surprised me. "You are very lovely Celeste."
"Yes, I am always at my loveliest in the middle of the night with my hair awry, and my nightdress twisted around me," I snapped peevishly.
Sarah's smile didn't even waver. "I must admit I would probably have had the same reaction if I were on earth and a person who was no longer mortal came to visit."
I snapped peevishly, "That's very empathetic of you to notice, I'm sure."
"Eric, is not the child of my body," Sarah said. "He IS the child of my heart and soul. I love him as much as if he were part of me. I know Ardis now. She is a delightful woman. Ardis is doing amazing things here in the spiritual realm. She helps people who never had the benefits of a good, loving family. I asked if she wished to come with me for this visit to you. Ardis requested that I represent that she agrees with all that I'm going to tell you."
"That's very caring of her, I'm certain," I mumbled grimly.
Suddenly it seemed as if Sarah's person grew lighter, whiter, "Celeste, please listen!" That is when my heart started to pound, my head felt as though it were spinning. "You have very important things to do on earth, with my family. I trust you to care for our sons, as if they were your sons. I also know that in time Blake will have the wisdom to marry you."
Those words brought me wide awake. My little kitty that had been cuddling with me mrowed in an irritated voice. When she saw Sarah the kitty squawled and scrambled from the room. "Some animals seem to be frightened of ghosts, I've noticed," Sarah said.
"I wonder why," I said in a sarcastic tone.
Sarah's voice grew tense, "My time is almost gone. Remember Celeste you must believe that things will all work together as they are meant to be. Ardis and I are counting on you and the loving judgment you will use to raise our sons." Sarah's person began to shimmer and her voice was quieter, "We love and trust you. Trust you...trust you...trust you..." The words echoed as Sarah disappeared.
Now I'm alone in the darkness. I don't think I will ever sleep again with the idea that ghosts can pop in and out of my space whenever they wish!
Hearing a sweetly female voice I awakened and sat up in bed. Instantly I recognized Sarah, Blake's second wife. "Don't be afraid," were her first words. "Of course not," I snapped, (I'm not really at my best attitude when the ghost of a dead person who was married to the man I wish to marry wakes me up in the middle of the night). "Why would I be afraid of someone that is dead appearing to me in my bedroom?"
She sighed, "It could be worse. I could have let the ghost of your Great-Uncle Vincenzo from Italy come. He really wanted to."
"You are right," I snapped, "That would be worse. Uncle Vincenzo smelled like garlic. Actually he reeked of garlic. He had long hairs that poked from his nose, and ears...yuck."
So now I sighed and sat back against my headboard. "So go ahead."
"Go ahead and do what?" Said Sarah's ghost.
"Whatever the crazy message you are here to deliver, deliver it so that I can go back to sleep, which won't be hard because this is only a dream to begin with."
Sarah smiled at me and stood silently for a long moment. Finally she said something that totally surprised me. "You are very lovely Celeste."
"Yes, I am always at my loveliest in the middle of the night with my hair awry, and my nightdress twisted around me," I snapped peevishly.
Sarah's smile didn't even waver. "I must admit I would probably have had the same reaction if I were on earth and a person who was no longer mortal came to visit."
I snapped peevishly, "That's very empathetic of you to notice, I'm sure."
"Eric, is not the child of my body," Sarah said. "He IS the child of my heart and soul. I love him as much as if he were part of me. I know Ardis now. She is a delightful woman. Ardis is doing amazing things here in the spiritual realm. She helps people who never had the benefits of a good, loving family. I asked if she wished to come with me for this visit to you. Ardis requested that I represent that she agrees with all that I'm going to tell you."
"That's very caring of her, I'm certain," I mumbled grimly.
Suddenly it seemed as if Sarah's person grew lighter, whiter, "Celeste, please listen!" That is when my heart started to pound, my head felt as though it were spinning. "You have very important things to do on earth, with my family. I trust you to care for our sons, as if they were your sons. I also know that in time Blake will have the wisdom to marry you."
Those words brought me wide awake. My little kitty that had been cuddling with me mrowed in an irritated voice. When she saw Sarah the kitty squawled and scrambled from the room. "Some animals seem to be frightened of ghosts, I've noticed," Sarah said.
"I wonder why," I said in a sarcastic tone.
Sarah's voice grew tense, "My time is almost gone. Remember Celeste you must believe that things will all work together as they are meant to be. Ardis and I are counting on you and the loving judgment you will use to raise our sons." Sarah's person began to shimmer and her voice was quieter, "We love and trust you. Trust you...trust you...trust you..." The words echoed as Sarah disappeared.
Now I'm alone in the darkness. I don't think I will ever sleep again with the idea that ghosts can pop in and out of my space whenever they wish!
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Celeste's Journal
Jamie is getting so big. He's almost too big for me to carry. I WILL keep carrying him for as long as I can. I will never again have the chance to raise a baby. It's hard for me to fight the bitterness that fills my soul when I think again of all the precious things that Madame cheated me out of. I do my best to NOT let my thoughts become bitter. My Maman always said that bitterness does not hurt those that we feel that way about. Instead it corrodes OUR souls and makes US miserable.
Jamie...with that brilliant grin, dimples, intense brown eyes, and straight, thick black hair. He will drive young women wild someday. I hope that Blake and I can nurture in him the qualities that make a man great. Qualities like Blake and Red have. Qualities like my Papa and Brother had.
I put Jamie down for his nap. I stood there over the crib that Blake put in my room for Jamie. Jamie was singing, and playing with his toes. He's at the stage where he is endlessly fascinated by his own body. His toes seem to be the best toy of all right now. I try to keep shoes on his chubby little feet. It is a losing battle. I'm not certain how he manages to untie the shoelaces that I double bow but untie them he does, and hides them. He knows that I hate looking for them so he will have a little while unfettered by shoes. The little scamp. I fear that he will cause Blake and I grief when he reaches his teen years!
Blake, Eric, and Red went fishing today. I was invited but I have so much sewing to do that I can't afford to take even the time off. I don't get as much done with Jamie here, but having him here is such a delight to me.
I know when he awakens from a nap. I hear his sweet voice chattering. Sometimes he sings songs to himself. When I go in to pick him up from his nap he smiles that earth shattering grin at me. I pull him out of his crib and hug him tight. How I adore that feeling of little boyness, his heart close to mine.
I am very excited because I get to keep Jamie over night tonight. Red, Eric, and Blake are camping out in the woods. I hate being alone. It IS far better than being with other people at Madame's. Yet I long to have a family again. Having Jamie here helps me to feel like I DO have a family. I'm grateful that Blake will let me be an important person to his boys.
Well I can hear Jamie singing so I'd better quit writing. I know that he will want his diaper changed, and something to snack on.
Jamie...with that brilliant grin, dimples, intense brown eyes, and straight, thick black hair. He will drive young women wild someday. I hope that Blake and I can nurture in him the qualities that make a man great. Qualities like Blake and Red have. Qualities like my Papa and Brother had.
I put Jamie down for his nap. I stood there over the crib that Blake put in my room for Jamie. Jamie was singing, and playing with his toes. He's at the stage where he is endlessly fascinated by his own body. His toes seem to be the best toy of all right now. I try to keep shoes on his chubby little feet. It is a losing battle. I'm not certain how he manages to untie the shoelaces that I double bow but untie them he does, and hides them. He knows that I hate looking for them so he will have a little while unfettered by shoes. The little scamp. I fear that he will cause Blake and I grief when he reaches his teen years!
Blake, Eric, and Red went fishing today. I was invited but I have so much sewing to do that I can't afford to take even the time off. I don't get as much done with Jamie here, but having him here is such a delight to me.
I know when he awakens from a nap. I hear his sweet voice chattering. Sometimes he sings songs to himself. When I go in to pick him up from his nap he smiles that earth shattering grin at me. I pull him out of his crib and hug him tight. How I adore that feeling of little boyness, his heart close to mine.
I am very excited because I get to keep Jamie over night tonight. Red, Eric, and Blake are camping out in the woods. I hate being alone. It IS far better than being with other people at Madame's. Yet I long to have a family again. Having Jamie here helps me to feel like I DO have a family. I'm grateful that Blake will let me be an important person to his boys.
Well I can hear Jamie singing so I'd better quit writing. I know that he will want his diaper changed, and something to snack on.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Stars and Such
I was restless last night. My shop has been busy, busy, busy. I'm very grateful that even though the townspeople have been very judgmental towards me personally they still appreciate my skills as a seamstress. I've had men come in and commission me to make shirts or pants. That is always uncomfortable to me. I wonder if I will ever be able to forget the hideous things I learned about men when I was at Madame's? Yet I do appreciate the business.
So trying to fight my restlessness...I took a warm quilt and went into the alley behind my shop. I put the quilt down on the earth, lay down on it, and wrapped the other side around me. Looking up at the stars I felt my restlessness slide away. In the quiet alley there is no source of light. The stars were enormous...diamonds against black velvet. The moon seemed close enough to reach out and touch.
I let my mind run loose and free. I imagined Blake and I together, husband and wife. It was a joyful daydream. Yet I must never forget that it is just that a daydream. If I get too excited about the idea I will have further to fall into disappointment.
I did drift into sleep. I was awakened by a fat drop of rain, plop, right on my nose. I moved quickly to gather my quilt and dash into the shop. I did not get very wet. Since it was only 3 am I hung my quilt to dry. Then I went upstairs, and after dressing in my nightgown I climbed into my soft bed. Yawn, stretch, I'm ready to go back to sleep!
So trying to fight my restlessness...I took a warm quilt and went into the alley behind my shop. I put the quilt down on the earth, lay down on it, and wrapped the other side around me. Looking up at the stars I felt my restlessness slide away. In the quiet alley there is no source of light. The stars were enormous...diamonds against black velvet. The moon seemed close enough to reach out and touch.
I let my mind run loose and free. I imagined Blake and I together, husband and wife. It was a joyful daydream. Yet I must never forget that it is just that a daydream. If I get too excited about the idea I will have further to fall into disappointment.
I did drift into sleep. I was awakened by a fat drop of rain, plop, right on my nose. I moved quickly to gather my quilt and dash into the shop. I did not get very wet. Since it was only 3 am I hung my quilt to dry. Then I went upstairs, and after dressing in my nightgown I climbed into my soft bed. Yawn, stretch, I'm ready to go back to sleep!
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