Thursday, August 30, 2018

Summer Sewing

It's been quite a while since I posted anything.  We've been busy with construction/reconstruction on our place this summer so I've not had much time for crafting.

I did manage to knock out some Hawaiian print shirts and sundresses for the grandkids and their parents when they went to Kauai in June. (Does any mainlander understand how to pronouce or spell these hawaiian words????) 

I'd been wanting to try that 'shirring on the bobbin in your machine' technique for some time.  It's relatively easy, but somewhat time consuming as you have to wind the bobbin by hand (you don't want that elastic stretched!).  I would do it again.  I watched a couple of youtube videos and off I went!

Shirring on my sewing machine.  You set a zig zag stitch and the elastic thread automatically will get stretched as you sew -- right side UP.  I messed up a couple of times and had to rip out a few threads when I started onthe wrong side of the fabric.  I don't know why that was hard for me to remember, right side UP, but it must have been as I goof 3 times!!  Relatively easy technique and I want to try it on some insets in blouses.

The finished product for the grandkids.  A shirt for the boy and shirred sundresses for the girls.  I made another dress and shirt for the parents also.

A satisfied customer in her hotel room in Hawaii at 4 am! (She was still on Wyoming time!)


For my sundress straps I cut 1 1/2" strips of fabric, cut to the length I want.  I press under 1/4" on both edges and the ends.  Then I fold in half and stitch down both long sides and ends.   I think it's much easier than trying to turn a tube that size.

That is basically all I've sewn so far but I have a long list of sewing for fall and winter.

Thursday, May 17, 2018

Seriously? This is Comfort?

For quite some time I have longed for a pair of 'crocks' for my feet.  When they first came out, the young chicks all told me they were soooooo comfortable.  I have a lot of issues with shoes and there are only a few brands that don't seem to pinch my feet.
 Image result for blue crocs


Then hubby got a pair of 'crocks'.  He wears them like house shoes and even goes out in the snow to retrieve wood stove pellets in them.  I've slipped them on a couple of times but since his feet are soooo much bigger than mine, they don't really stay on well.

Recently Zuilly had a pair on sale, so after about 5 years, I bought a pair and

I HATE THEM!

I feel like I'm wearing Dutch wooden shoes.  They are awfully unforgiving and I even purchased a size too large to compensate for that.  Phooey.  I'm back in my old worn tired and true Teva sandals.

Apparently I have a whole 'nuter definition of comfortable than young chicks, hubby, and the company who advertises them as comfortable.

Thursday, April 5, 2018

Spring will Arrive...eventually.

I haven't posted for quite some time.  I tore my menscus in my left knee at the end of November and have been pretty much housebound since.  In February they operated and 'cleaned' it up and I'm happy to report it's finally starting to be pain-free and feel much more normal.  

There's only so much you can write about winter from the house!  And because I could not stand for very long, no sewing either as I couldn't cut out my projects.  I'm seriously behind on my crafting.

Yesterday, I was treated to a sure sign of spring.   Several sandhill cranes stopped by and I watched them for a few minutes.  I actually saw one grab a small fish from the stream and gulp it down and had another treat me to the sight of it in flight - more about that further along.
A sandhill crane. (from Wilkepedia)

Sandhill Cranes are named for the sandy rolling hills in Nebraska that flank the Platte River.  They migrate through the plains area of Central United States every year.  They are a sure sign of spring in our area of eastern central Wyoming.

I think they are a rather awkward geeky appearing bird on the ground  with stilt legs and elongated necks.  But in flight!!  Oh my in flight they transform into a master of the sky.  With wingspans ranging from five to almost eight feet, you can see the powerful uplift each wing flap brings to the bird.

The one that took off yesterday was probably only 40 feet from me and I could see the detail of each feather in it's wing and how it interacted with the wing beat in the air, with the span approaching the seven foot mark. Simply gorgeous to watch. 

They only stay for a few days or even hours and they are back on the their migratory journey but I sure enjoy seeing them when they stop in the spring and fall.



 

Thursday, August 31, 2017

Totality - Awesome!

We watched the total eclipse on August 21, 2017 from our mountain lot.

The eclipse was awesome.  I am so glad I got to see it!

Some of the group walked up the hill to the top where the main road is.  They reported it was packed with eclipse viewers!




Watching the eclipse.  Our friends from New Mexico joined us along with Son #1 and daugher-in-law #1.  Our friend, Steve, brought along all sorts of viewing equipment including special binoculars.  We learned a lot from him including to watch the 'shadows'.



The aspens were throwing waxing and waning shadows of the eclipse!  Who knew?
Best I can figure out the leaves were acting like a peep hole viewer and mimicking the shadow of the moon on the sun's face.




Shadows in the dirt by my chair.




Video of the shadows.




Getting dark!  Seconds to totality.


And there it is! Total eclipse which looks like a sun because my camera wasn't sophisticated enough to capture how it really looked.  AND my time on the camera was about 12 hours off.  Dang need to fix that apparently.



Son #1 with his dog trying to get a camera shot of the total eclipse.

Would I travel to experience this -- yes I would.  I found it AWESOME.

Monday, August 7, 2017

August 2, 1867 The Wagon Box Fight on the Bozeman Trail

Soldier Encampent on the Fort Phil Kearney fort site, August 5, 2017

Today we went with our youngest son, daughter in law, and grandkids to the 150th anniversary re-enactment of the Wagon Box Fight.  We had a really fun time, cool day in Wyoming, mid 70's with a breeze.  It was actually jacket weather!

In 1864, gold was discovered in Montana.  The trail to the gold fields became known as the Bozeman Trail aka The Bloody Bozeman.  Leaving the Oregon Trail west of present day Douglas, Wyoming, it went through prime Indian territory, full of water and game and the Indians were instantly hot about the intrusion of the white men.  Red Cloud organized numerous attacks against the outposts, especially Fort Phil Kearney near present day Story, WY. 


Established in 1866, Fort Phil Kearney was closed in 1868 when the Union Pacific reached far enough into the west that the Montana Gold Fields could be reached through Idaho making the dangerous Bozeman Trail obsolete.  The Indians burned the fort to the ground as soon as the soldiers left and when Hubby and I were in middle school you could still see burned posts on the site.  It was practically all that was there.  Now there is an interpretive center, museum, and some reconstruction on the site.

Soldiers encampment

The Fort Cemetery (square in the distance) as seen from the fort grounds.

Several teepees were part of the encampment.  The lady here was selling period consumer goods.
Indian saddles in front of the teepees.

In the case of the Bozeman Trail, there was an alternative, the Bridger Trail which was mapped out by mountain man Jim Bridger.  Rather than running through Crow, Cheyenne, and Sioux Territory, it ran through the Big Horn Basin in Shoshone and Araphao territory who were much friendlier and less hostile.  The Bridger Trail lacked the plentiful game, and abundant water of the Bozeman Trail/

It was used by around 450 or so emigrants in 1864-1866 at the start of the Montana gold rush with the trains being led by Jim Bridger.  It left the Oregon trail at Casper and went to present day Lysite, over the Bridger Mountains (south end of the Big Horns) and then up to Montana.

By 1866 however, most were using the Bozeman Trail and the commander at Fort Laramie hired Jim Bridger to attempt to lessen the hostilities on the Bozeman.  Which meant Jim Bridger was unavailable to lead any more wagon trains up the Bridger Trail.


The Bozeman Trail was part of what led directly to the Custer fiasco on June 24, 1876.

Warriors gather before the fight.

Indian Women and children

Indians pursuing a cavaryman.

On August 2, 1867, a detail of 26 soldiers and 7 civilians left Fort Phil Kearney to cut wood.  They were attacked by over 300 Indians led by Red Cloud.  Due to the fact that the soldiers had just been 
issued Springfield 1866 breech loading rifles and lever action Henry rifles, both of which fired much faster than the old ramrod rifles, they were able to hold off the indians with only 7 men killed.  

The soldiers and civilians were protected by heavy wagons they had placed in a circle and unhitched the teams.  The Indians drove off almost all of the horses and mules, however.  



Soldiers at the fort learned of the woodcutter's peril from the observation station on nearby Pilot Hill who was signaling the fort to send out a rescue operation.  Major Benjamin Smith led 103 soldiers along with 2 mountain howitzers to their rescue.  Major Smith began firing the howitzers at long range, forcing the indian warriors to retreat.

The Battle


Pilot Hill is on the right in this photo.  It's hard to see but you will note a 'bump' of something on top of the hill.  That's the observators signaling with a huge flag!

The Sneak - once these two entered that tall grass you could barely tell where they were!

Our family watching.  The grandson especially was Very Impressed with the performance.


Rescue on the Way!

Mountain Howitzers in place.  They were brought in by the team on the wagon and the howitzers were hitched together so it only took one trip.
If you have never heard one fired, let me tell you they are LOUD!

One of  the Artillery horses who brought in the howitzer along with a teammate.  There was soldier who rode one of the horses pulling the howitzers to guide them as there was no where for anyone to sit to drive the team in a traditional manner.

The group of reenactors from Crow Agency, Montana.  They did a wonderful job!



Many thanks to all of the state employees, volunteers and reenactors that made this possible.  It was such a fun day that our family will always remember.







Wednesday, August 2, 2017

A New Redhead

This spring we had purchased some new Galloway heifers and one cow, a 3 year old who had calved late in the year so was out of 'sync' with the rest of their herd.
The four 'new' cows are the four on the bottom.  They seem to always stick together.  When we first brought them home, two were red.  Now three are black and the one is only 'slightly red'.  The cow is the largest one in the middle.  The other 3 were yearling heifers.

Saturday, July 26th, the cow had a red heifer, much to our surprise!  She had been purchased as 'open'.  (not pregnant).
Her momma Loves her.

Auntie had to come over to inspect her (heifer on the right).

Welcome to 60 miles north of Nowhere, Lil Baby.  You will be kept here to raise more babies!

A name like Surprise or Bonus seems to be order or perhaps a bonnie wee name appropriate for a Scottish lass since Galloways are a Scottish breed of cattle.  I suspect this calf will also turn black as she gets older.

One of our friends commented that this cow had apparently not been 'decaffinated' when we purchased her.   LOL!



Thursday, July 27, 2017

July Stitches N Baseball

The unfinished projects pile has continued to dwindle during July.  In fact, I did not even photograph all of them I've completed.  But here are a few:
A beach cover-up, gifted

sweatshirt makeover, gifted

Hubby's denim work shirt


I also volunteered to sew for "Wrapped in Love" based in Douglas, Wyoming (but has chapters nationwide) which takes donated wedding dresses and makes burial gowns for stillborn infants.  A sad reality, but I understand the gowns are really needed.   I made micro and premie size gowns plus pockets for the really teeny babies.  If you sew you might consider donating some time to the organization.  Contact me for info.


And what would July be without BASEBALL?   We went in and watched the grands play several times.  Hubby (Grandpa) and I (Nana) really enjoy it.  
Catch it Grandson
Hit it! (and he did, he whacked it)
Granddaughter, run! (just hit the ball)
She's SAFE! (note the ball in upper left corner!)
#2 Granddaughter loves bugs.  She was enthralled watching these teeny ants crawl over the expose root of a cottonwood tree at the ball park.



Cows on hillside July 2017
They tell us even though we should get more precipitation with climate change, Wyoming will also be much warmer which is a net decrease in available moisture.  It seems like this July was hot, hot, hot after a cool spring with temps in the 90's most days.   Only the sub-irrigated pasture remains green, and our hillsides are burnt dry.   Fire danger is high and we have had several fires around us.