God Bless Us

In just a few hours, I will be in the choir loft, hoping to reach someone with the gospel through our performance.  It will be beautiful.  I just added two posts for two of my favorite pieces that we will do tonight.  We have an exquisite baritone lined up to solo the first verse of The Dream Isaiah Saw.  I will break the unwritten rule of the tenor section by crying (as always!  Makes me think of Tom Hanks' character in A League of Their Own "There's no crying in baseball!"  That's what they get for letting an aging woman sing a man's part.)  You can read about our last performance here from the pastor's point of view.

Meanwhile, my son recently informed me that he isn't really a Christian.  I handled it well.  No bursting into tears, no repercussions.  I can understand - I haven't been a Christian all that long myself.  But now my ardent desire for the Second Coming is tempered by that knowledge.  My son won't go with me tonight.  I'm crying right now a little just thinking about it.  The performance would be just a bunch of pretty songs to him.  With an annoying message in the middle.  While I was looking through the clips on You Tube for Jesus Christ the Apple Tree, there were some maybe better performances there, but they were sung by little kids.  Beautifully, but I struggle to imagine that any of them felt the meaning behind "I'm weary with my former toil"  or "And pleasure dearly I have bought"

This fruit does make my soul to thrive, it keeps my dying faith alive, which makes my soul in haste to be with Jesus Christ the apple tree.

The Dream Isaiah Saw

The Dream Isaiah Saw
Lions and oxen will sleep in the hay,
leopards will join with the lambs as they play,
wolves will be pastured with cows in the glade,
blood will not darken the earth that God made.
Little child whose bed is straw,
take new lodgings in my heart.
Bring the dream Isaiah saw:
life redeemed from fang and claw.

Peace will pervade more than forest and field:
God will transfigure the violence concealed
deep in the heart and in systems of gain,
ripe for the judgment the Lord will ordain.
Little child whose bed is straw,
take new lodgings in my heart.
Bring the dream Isaiah saw:
justice purifying law.

Nature reordered to match God's intent,
nations obeying the call to repent,
all of creation completely restored,
filled with the knowledge and love of the Lord.
Little child whose bed is straw,
take new lodgings in my heart.
Bring the dream Isaiah saw:
knowledge, wisdom, worship, awe.

Thomas Troeger, c. 1994 Oxford University Press

Jesus Christ the Apple Tree

The tree of life my soul hath seen
Laden with fruit and always green
The tree of life my soul hath seen
Laden with fruit and always green
The trees of nature fruitless be
Compared with Christ the apple tree

His beauty doth all things excel
By faith I know but ne'er can tell
His beauty doth all things excel
By faith I know but ne'er can tell
The glory which I now can see
In Jesus Christ the apple tree.

For happiness I long have sought
And pleasure dearly I have bought
For happiness I long have sought
And pleasure dearly I have bought
I missed of all but now I see
'Tis found in Christ the apple tree.

I'm weary with my former toil
Here I will sit and rest a while
I'm weary with my former toil
Here I will sit and rest a while
Under the shadow I will be
Of Jesus Christ the apple tree.

This fruit does make my soul to thrive
It keeps my dying faith alive
This fruit does make my soul to thrive
It keeps my dying faith alive
Which makes my soul in haste to be
With Jesus Christ the apple tree.

Memory Quilt

I've been approached about making a memory quilt.  First, to make sure we're on the same page, a quilt is a three-layer sandwich of fabric, batting, and fabric.  The top is usually pieced and then the layers are quilted together with a backing fabric underneath.  Any of these things can be played with to develop a quilt that is unique and personal.

SIZE is the first consideration, and by this I mean the finished size of the overall quilt.  Bigger isn't always better and so many things depend on this decision, that it's the best place to start.  First, where do you expect it to be used?  It might seem obvious about the size if it's going to be used on a bed, but if so, how far do you want it to hang down?  If it's not for a bed, is it something to snuggle under while sitting up?  Or would you want it to pretty much cover you if you decide to stop knitting and lay down on the couch while that old Sherlock Holmes movie is on?  Is it going to get a lot of use?  If it's too big, it will be hard to get through a standard home washer and dryer.  (If the fabric is going to have photos printed on it, you might not want it to get washed too often anyway?)  The finished size can also limit the quilting - I can't imagine trying to do a really cool quilt pattern on a king-sized quilt, for example, since I use a regular sewing machine to piece and to quilt.  "Real" quilters have a long-arm machine in order to do that kind of quilting! (And a spare room to use it in, I think!!)

THE TOP is next.  Is it going to be pieced?  How big and what shapes?  What kind of fabrics?  These questions fit in with everything else, of course.  You would want smaller piecing on a smaller quilt, and could get away with bigger pieces on a larger quilt.  The fabric can be a mixture of types, but then the wearability gets complicated and the shape of the pieces becomes critical.  Stretchy fabrics like fleece mixed with cotton muslin can make some cool effects, but the pieces can't be too complex or it will take forever to make and will stretch here and there in all the wrong places.

BACKING can make or break a snuggling quilt, or can be a help or hindrance when making a bed.  Flannel backing is good for snuggling, but can be too much like Velcro if you're making a king-sized bed with flannel sheets, too.  On the other hand, a satin backing will feel great, right up 'til it slips off onto the floor!  I've been planning a memory quilt about my father, where the top will be "regular" and it will be the backing fabric that holds the memories, as they will be from his old flannel shirts.  Similarly, I plan to make a bed-quilt for my son that is "normal" on top with favorite old t-shirts cut up for the backing for his dorm room (and a long-arm quilting machine in his old room at home, heh heh heh!)

BATTING comes in different "lofts" and different fibers.  Polyester is best, IMHO, because of use and wearability.  Cotton is nifty to give a really old-fashioned feel, but the quilt pattern has to be really small, since the cotton batting comes apart inside the little pockets formed by the quilting after repeated washings.  The "loft" is how low or high the batting seems - how far apart the front and back seem - how puffy it is.  I don't care much personally for the high-loft look, but for certain types of quilting, it helps make the pattern show more.  Can you see the fish quilted into the rectangle in the photo below?  A higher loft batt will help that show better.

QUILTING is the process of sewing the sandwich together, and also refers to the pattern of the sewing or tying, etc. The fastest is tying, usually at the corners of squares or whatnot, using yarn or thread, either contrasting or accenting the fabrics of the top.  Similarly, it can be tacked down using little figures or embroidered things at strategically placed intervals - I've seen some with buttons, although I think that sure cuts down on the snuggle factor!!!  This one is made from t-shirts and other shirts, with some really nifty quilting -the detail photo is above and the overall photo below (it's a little beyond my capabilities on the quilting part).  You should be able to click the photo and see it bigger and closer up.  It doesn't seem too nifty from far away, but it is extremely personal up close when you're wrapped in it.

All other factors being equal, the simplest is made of squares/rectangles about 8" in size, tied at 4-5" intervals, with a heavier cotton as the top fabric (for printing on) and a nice flannel for the back.  If the quilt is less than 42" wide, you can use one piece of fabric for the backing (no seams).  I've used regular Red Heart yarn for tying-it gets nice and ball-y after washing a few times and doesn't flop around or fall apart.  I like to use a bright color that accents some of the top fabrics.  Let's say you want a finished quilt about 36x60-if you figure on using 7-8" squares that'd be 5 squares wide by 8 squares tall or 40 squares total. Do you have 40 images?  20 images and some other matching prints for every-other square?  Would your images look right on squares or better if they are rectangles, more like photos - - Let's say finished rectangles 6" x 8" with the photos scattered some portrait and some landscape...  You can see that the possiblities are ENDLESS!!!

As for pricing, first let me say that whatever we might agree on will be paid directly to Wycliffe Bible Translators.  I promised that for any of my quilt earnings.  I'll happily make whatever you like, but I hope to avoid too much checking in after I get going by asking a ton of questions up front until I feel comfortable that I have a clear idea of what you hope to present your loved one with.  I have seen a ton of beautiful quilts and while I know I can provide a well-made simple quilt, I'm not up to this standard! (see below)  This one is all about the quilting, since the top is just one piece of cloth.

1 Thessalonians

(starting with a shorter letter)

Paul, Silas and Timothy (PST) pray for those whose work is produced by faith, those whose labor is prompted by love, and those whose endurance is inspired by hope in Christ.  Sounds like they mean me too.  Can you imagine those three in Heaven, remembering us to God?  Taking apart the list of things they pray for is a study all by itself.  The wording suggests an ongoing praying, and as a member of the Church, I take that to mean they pray for me when i do as I should too.

1:4-5 may or may not not be obvious to outside observation (another whole topic of its own) but as I am sure of my conversion, I can also claim this for myself.  God loves me and chose me.

What do the letters in the New Testament say to ME?

I'm many things - a person, a Christian, a church-member, a singer, a mother, a single person, a woman...  What do the various letters of the N.T. say to each of the "me"s that I am?

It's been a while

But, since no one actually reads this, I guess no apology is in order.  I started paying attention to the blog's Stats, and that was dumb.  I mean, I'm not in this for anything other than personal satisfaction - note that I have not "monetized" the blog with any ads.  So why get hung up on what I post?  {Other than the fact that I can be pretty competitive!}


I've sort of lost my way lately.  Actually, to be clear, I've recently realized how lost I've been.  Wandering around in the dark, seeing lights off in different directions, unsure of which way to go.  Seemed safer to simply stay where I already was, even though it wasn't any less dark...  Enough of the illustration.  Time to really start living my life the way God intended.  What does that mean?  I'm not certain, but I know I haven't been looking in the right place.  (The Bible, that is)

Not enough hours

I was recently watching a cellist play and had the comforting realization that on the New Earth, we will all have time to learn/do all the really cool, good things we've been meaning to.  I want to learn cello.  And not just enough to play a few tunes, but to really get good.  I don't think I have enough life ahead of me for that.  But I have been promised enough eternal life after death to accomplish any of the good things in this life I'm not going to have time for.  No sitting around on clouds, playing harps and eating Philly cream cheese!  We'll be learning all the interesting stuff, all the complicated stuff, all the hard stuff.  And it will take forever!!!  YEA!

Shut your mouth

I've gotten into trouble a few times lately for talking.  Not because of too much talking, but because of what I've said.  The content was religious.  At work.  I know, I know.  I should have known better.  Did I really think I was lucky enough to be exempt from the work of the devil in that aspect of my life?  (Well, yes, I guess I did.  WRONG!)  Since I know I'm going to have trouble self-editing certain types of topics, I guess I'll just cut out the non-work talking, except when on break, and then only with people I know won't turn me in to the political-correctness police.

We've also been having bible study one day per week at work, during lunch, and even that seems in some kind of jeopardy.  Locations are scarce for us to meet in sometimes and the group doesn't seem to want to meet in the lunchroom.  Unfortunately that would be the best place, on many levels (just not private.)  We would be setting an example; we would be in the shared break area so no one could say favoritism, etc.; there is plenty of room and it's probably the best place to eat, too.  But they are shy about "public" meetings, so we may just have to stop meeting altogether.

Deuteronomy 4

Remember and be obedient.

Remember what happened and remember what He taught us.  Do what He tells us to do and everything will work out fine.

Pretty simple instructions.  Not too hard to follow -- while sitting here at my comfortable desk in my home, fridge full, job waiting, kid safely at school.  What challenges God has kept me from?  What difficulties have I been exempted from in this life?  I sometimes wonder if the true challenge for Christians here in the easy lanes isn't ennui and easiness.  I think Satan's greatest weapon against people in my vicinity is luxury and comfortable-ness.  Look what God did with His chosen people.  He didn't hand them the keys to a mansion the day after they calmly decided it was time to leave Egypt because the job prospects didn't look too good anymore.  They ran out during a plague and were chased by an army.  They wandered in the desert for forty years.  They had to fight for what God had promised them.  God winnowed out the unworthy during that time and wore the rest down until they were just how He wanted them.

Time to get out of the salt shaker?

I heard a comment today that struck a chord with me.  Phrased as a questions something like-Is it time for you to get out of the shaker and spread your salt around in the world?  We are cautioned to study the Word and grow in a personal relationship with Christ, but Paul also tells us to move on from baby food to real meat.  I think the salt shaker comment aligns with this view too.  Some Christians seem content with a very narrow lifestyle and seem to only focus on internal growth.  Or a narrow definition of what living out the Great Commission means.  But every job we do can be to God's glory.  Every single workplace can be the Mission Field, not just those with different languages, halfway around the world.  We are told to treat our jobs like God is our employer. (Colossians 3:23)  Boy, how I struggle with that some days!

Deuteronomy 3

Moses is recounting the the beginning of the division of the land.  Some of the tribes wanted to live on one side of the river, and as they cleared it, Moses apportioned it.  Moses also asks God to let him go into the land on the other side of the river, but God said no.

This is a tough chapter, and not just because I have a headache.  God has commanded Israel to clear the land.  Of people.  Who already lived there.  "Trust in the Lord".  But this passage was probably one cited by the Conquistadors and others who thought they knew that God wanted them to wipe out other people.  But they didn't have Moses and the pillar of smoke and fire, and manna and all the other miraculous things that God provided specially to those people and to those people only.  And along with those miracles came special for-them-only instructions to clear the land of the people who already lived there, leaving no survivors.

Look, even Moses-MOSES, mind you-got wrong with God.  He didn't do what God told him to, and later, as promised, God punished him.  However, God didn't smite Moses on the spot, or have the earth swallow him, or turn him to a pillar of salt.  What does this chapter mean for me, today?  Barring any truly rebellious, get-away-from-me-forever kind of rebellion, God will stick with me.  He will not give me more than I can bear and He will even punish me if I get too far off track.  But He won't forsake me, and He won't let things happen to me that won't, ultimately, be for my own good.   even if I can't always figure out that "good" :)

Recipe update-Every Day Oatmeal

I found a couple of keepers and a couple of losers.  Chicken en papilotte was a loser, at least the way I made it.  However, I have two new super-fast, easy recipes that I want to recommend, and my every day oatmeal recipe to share.  First is the Spicy Cioppino, which I made with frozen haddock and no scallops--so I added the frozen chunks of fish to the pan right after starting the onions and just kept adding the rest of the ingredients.  Gnocchi with Zucchini and Parsley Brown Butter was also really good--cut everything up first, because the rest goes so fast!  I also added a splash of balsamic vinegar and probably doubled the parsley, after halving everything first down to one serving, of course, as my son won't touch any vegetables.

Every Day Oatmeal
I call it that because I eat it every day.  Well, except weekends, I suppose.  I can even eat it on days when my stomach is somehow angry with me.  This is for one serving.  I make it up before I leave for work, then after I get settled there, it has been soaking for about 45 minutes.  I prefer my oatmeal to be a little chewy, so if you're someone who likes the creamy wall-paper-paste-like consistency of instant oatmeal, this is not for you!  I make this with a multi-grain mix from Trader Joe's.  I also use plain Activia because I don't want this too sweet.  You could use juice instead of water, and flavored yogurt instead of plain, but this is what works for me, and doesn't leave me with a brown-out an hour later.

1/3 cup multi grain mix (old fashioned oats)
2-3 T dried cranberries
7 dried cherries
just barely enough tap water to soak these
1/4-1/2 granny smith, diced
3-4 T plain Activia

I layer this into a small lidded cup (the yogurt on top helps keep the apple from browning) and stir it just before I eat it.  Chewy and a little sweet and oh-so-good for me!

Deuteronomy 2

Do what God tells you to do and all will be well.  Chapter 2 is a tale of people who did what God told them, and things worked out like He said they would.

Where is my Moses?  I feel un-directed.  I know I probably am not, I have probably missed some road signs from God telling me what I should be doing.  I haven't been reading/studying the Bible like I should.  But I still FEEL at loose ends.  I haven't been able to find that niche where I can really get going and do work for the glory of God.  Or am I searching for work that glorifies me, not God?  Again I say - Where is my Moses?  My own personal Moses to tell me, in no uncertain terms, what God wants me to do.  Because I would just drop everything and do it (HA!).  I'd like to think I would, but I give up control so badly, I would probably over-think the message until it was the way I liked it, instead of how God said it.

Lord, please make me into someone You can be proud of!  Make me the parent my son needs.  Don't let me miss any of Your road signs.  Help me surrender to Your Spirit.

Deuteronomy 1

Let's see, what is Chapter One about?  Moses is recounting all that had happened to the Israelites.  They have been following God around the desert for forty years and now Moses has stopped the group and is reminding them of what had happened up to that point, and what God had done for them.  There's nothing like looking back at the facts to help clarify a situation, I think.  It's one thing to re-hash your own version of history - you know the one, where you usually look good and were completely clear and almost everything that went wrong was someone else's fault?  However, as the voice of God, they (and we) can be certain that what Moses says is what God means.  (I'll never understand how some people can acknowledge God as, well, GOD, but still somehow think He isn't powerful enough to get the right words into His own Book!?!  If we can't trust the Bible, then there is no truth in the world at all.)  So this is not some personal recap, fish stories tweaked to slant things one way or another.  When it says "In spite of this, you did not trust in the Lord your God" this is not simply Moses' opinion of what happened, God knew it to be the truth.

What does this passage mean today, to me?  It is reassuring to see that despite all they did, God was still with them.  Even when they were told not to do something, He stayed with them.  Even though they "rebelled against the Lord's command" He stuck with them, as He had promised.  Does that mean that we can never "shake" God, no matter what we do?  I think it depends on our heart or our intentions.  I think that as long as you are trying to follow God, even if you are terribly wrong, He will continue to pursue you.  He'll probably even step up the assault on your rebellion for you, just to help you learn your lesson well.  SO if things seem to be getting worse and worse, it is time to pray and take a good, hard look at what you are doing (in the light of the Word) and what your intentions honestly are.  On the other hand, if you intentionally chose to rebel, and do it out of spite, or with a "Take That, YOU!" kind of attitude, I think you might very well get what you ask for.  Free will is a big thing with God, and if you really, truly want Him to leave you alone with your sin, He will oblige.  Are you then still saved?  Were you ever really saved?  I leave that to the theologians to debate, because I don't want to go there, dancing on the head of a pin.  I'm going to stay safely on the side of trying to follow God, and asking His forgiveness when I stray, and praying all the time for His wisdom to see where I should be heading.

Day three - school and...

Start my day off right - a bowl of oatmeal and the Word of God.  Deuteronomy.

The people of Israel still in the desert, after many years.  Moses proclaimed again all that God had commanded to Moses about the people.  God had helped them defeat two kings.

They were probably pretty tired of the desert, but had gotten quite used to it by then.  Forty years is a long time for anything, and they had grown accustomed to that nomadic lifestyle, I imagine.  God sent them out there for that period of time because they had something to learn.  They didn't know it, I think, but that time was nearly up.  What may have felt like giving in, or even defeat to them, in giving in to accept the Will of God for all those years, must have been exactly what God had done it for.  Forty years of following God's orders, dropping everything anytime He said "Move" must have been excruciating for those people in the group who were like me.  I have my own plans, my own ideas about what to do, where to go.  I KNOW I need to trust God and submit, BUT But but...  It is difficult for me.  I am how God made me, however, but I need to really work to let Him have control most of the time.  Those Israelites must have been just bone-weary of the whole thing.  How many times are they called stiff necked?  I can totally identify with that description!  So there they are, after defeating to nearby kings, and Moses is going to summarize what God has done for them.  Did they finally "get" it?  Did they feel special (Hey, these sandals have lasted FORTY years!)?  Or had the specialness worn off already?  Did they have some idea that things were about to change?  Was this enough of a break in the routine that they could feel something in the air?

Lunch (at my desk)

I have my new old-lady glasses on.  They make my keyboard look strangely un-square.  For me, wearing new glasses is always icky, because I like "the same old thing" and glasses are so close to my brain...These were so snug I was getting that pain in the back where they held on, and now that I've bent them the TINIEST bit, they keep sliding down my nose.  My old ones were broken and kept sliding down my nose too, but they were the ones I was used to, you know?  I'm like that with practically everything.  I've learned to challenge myself at work, to practically never do anything just because "we've always done it that way" but in my real life, I always park in the same general area at the same stores, buying (hopefully) the same stuff that has always worked for me in the past.  It makes me nutty when they change things - for example, I am allergic to nuts.  No anaphylaxis (at least not yet) but I get hives and asthma, etc.  I used to buy Brownberry 12-Grain bread every week.  My kid used to eat it, and it made decent sandwiches.  I made sure it didn't have nuts, unlike their Health Nut bread, or whatever.  We ate it for months (maybe even years).  Then suddenly, I was having mild allergic reactions and I finally figured out that is was the stupid bread.  The company started adding nuts to the 12-Grain without any particular warning.  I realize that nuts are listed in bold on the ingredients list, but if I'd been buying the bread for many, many months, did they really expect me to read the ingredients list every single time???  Does my shampoo really need to be "new and improved" that often?         When did I decide to start ranting again!  (I apologize)

I'm going to go back to making up new reports for my co-workers, because that makes me happy.  Hopefully I can avoid getting dragged into The Plan discussion that is going on behind me, because that would make me sad and grumpy.  And if I get much more grumpy, they'll have to change the name on my nametag.

Not quite ready for prime time

Well, wouldn't you know that despite my plans and planning, we go off to a late start this morning and now I have to decide between a big study or having a decent breakfast.   I'm hoping to start a Kay Arthur study of the Pentateuch, but I hadn't remembered all the accouterments she suggests - colored pencils and a Bible to mark up being the two things I don't have with me.

Today Oswald urges us to reflect on the peace of God.  We should, even in times of trying and trouble, look to Him for reassuring peace.  "But if you try to worry it out, you obliterate Him and deserve all you get."  Jesus as comforter.  I've gotten better at thinking this way, not as well or often as I should, but leaving things in His hands has gotten easier over the years for me.  Usually after a period of concern, not quite worry, I'll suddenly recall His assurance and can let the matter go.  Except when it comes to my son, I think.  That subject is just so hard for me to let go.  I constantly pore over the way we interact, second-guessing myself and my reactions...  I recently read a line that said something like Raising a teen is like trying to nail jelly to a tree.  Why someone might want to do that is beyond me, but I agree with the sentiment.  The stakes are just so high!  I know what he's up against out in the world, and I hate to see him go out there looking so unprepared and naive.  I just pray that in the time we have left together, that I will continue to be the mother that he needs, according to His will.

First day of school

Last night I remembered that while my son is in school, I take him there nearly an hour before I need to be at work.  Last year I was using that time to read the Bible and devotionals in the car, at the park between school and work.  So, this morning I took the practice back up, but then had a brainstorm in the middle and wondered if I shouldn't be blogging instead of journaling?  I have this blog in part so that I can help spread the Good News.  So here we are.

Oswald Chambers (His Utmost For My Highest) was discussing a passage, but unfortunately he used the phrase "shut up" over and over.  He, of course, meant something entirely different; something along the lines of "to be closed up" but I just couldn't get past that other, more contemporary meaning.  I could actually hear a girl with a valley accent saying it, and that didn't go with the point Oswald was making.  Similarly, I can't really read To Kill A Mockingbird because I only hear the movie narrator's voice and she speaks so much slower than I normally read that it drives me nutty.

At a Bible study today (Phillipians 2) someone was pointing out that even in VERY trying times, God is there, and in fact uses the challenges to help us rely on Him more completely.  He promises that He will always be with us, and will never give us more than we can handle, but on the other hand, He knows how much we can handle and it is sometimes more than we think we can take.  But trusting Him is the ultimate.  I think He might even kick at the foundation we've chosen to stand on if He sees things there that don't belong or that He knows we should get rid of.  It can be so hard to trust that way, maybe the hardest part of faith for me?  I have such a hard time surrendering - not specifically to God, but just letting go of the tight control I feel I must have over... everything!

I also got my new progressive glasses this evening.  My son says they "don't look too bad" (how encouraging!!!) and they are giving me some head pains and a head ache.  She said it might take up to two weeks to get used to them and suggested I start fresh with them after a good night's sleep.  Being the control nut I am, as soon as I got to the car, I switched back into the new ones and won't take them off - it's either them or me!  Well, I'm off to try them while hand stitching some more buttons on.

Quilting and button-holing

I LOVE my new machine!  I had five shirts that I've been putting off sewing button holes into and not only are they all done, I've had time to do some more quilting too!  All after work.  I love this new machine.  It might be worth buying just for the button-holer and the walking foot.  And I've been making real headway on the Cross and Crown.

Sewing machine #4

I've caved in to temptation and bought myself a new sewing machine.  Very reasonably priced, from Walmart, a Brother SQ9000.

I LOVE IT.  (except the placement of the presser foot lever)  It is meant for quilters, and so came with a walking foot, and other handy feet, as well as an additional large work table (well, table is too strong a word, IMHO).  It is computerized and has tons of built-in stitches.  Most of all, the wiring is new and the feet don't melt into my carpeting like my other machine!  I've been working on that Cross and Crown quilt like crazy.  While it is not magically finishing all the quilting for me, I am amazed at how much easier everything is.  I didn't have a walking foot before-I'd priced them out but was concerned that they would fit my old Montgomery Wards machine.  WOW, it really works.  It's a little subtle, but I don't have to work as hard to keep the fabric sandwiched right and there's a lot less puckering on the straight lines.  Even my free motion work is better with the right equipment.  It came with the clear foot, and the feed dog lever works, and I don't have to have a third hand to keep the machine from going too fast, like the Montgomery Ward machine with the bad wiring and faulty foot pedal.  I should be able to get those quilts finished up right quick.  (Hmm, guess that means I need to get my Etsy account set up, huh?)

Menu 8/21 to 8/26

Thanks mostly to Eating Well's Hearth Healthy Menu planner:

Sat (dinner) Jerk Chicken and Nectarine Salad
Sun (brunch) Spinach and Tomato Omelet
Sun (dinner) Chicken en Papillote with Sweet Potato "Fries"
Mon (dinner) Romaine Orange Feta Bean Salad
Tue (dinner) Moroccan Chicken Salad
Wed (dinner) Tortellini Salad
Thur (dinner) Tuna Melt-lighter

Not quilting

So, I'm planning out some menus and watching Gary Sinise.  I need to start quilting that Cross and Crown, but I keep finding other things to do instead.  Or finding excuses like - it's really too hot to quilt such a large quilt on a regular sewing machine.  I'm tired and it's been a long week.  I really need to get the menu thing under control, since my digestion is acting funny and I'm up too many pounds.  Excuse, excuse excuse!  And now I'm blogging instead...

Yesterday I ordered my new glasses.  PROGRESSIVE lenses.  Boo hoo hoo.  I'm getting OLD!  And a few pounds overweight.  And my hair is frizzy and and and     But my mammogram was clear (Yay!) but now I'm of the age where a yearly mammogram is recommended, especially now that my mom has breast cancer.

And if I don't get that quilt started, the sewing marks are going to fade completely away in this humidity.  I think I'm just going to go to bed, even though it's only 8:30, because they say things always look better in the morning!

Galesburg, IL Quilt Show

I can't tell you know much I enjoyed this quilt show.  There were quilts by National Award Winner Jean Lohmar.  They were so beautiful.  And, I must admit, not perfect, which was such a salve to my tortured quilter's eyes.  I've been plagued by the notion that my quilting is just awful, and after looking all through this show, I felt a little better.  It seems that most quiltmakers are plagued by the same fears, because the vast majority of the quilts were quilted by someone else.  And those "professional" quilters did not do perfect work either, so I was much reassured!  There were more than 200 quilts, some part of the Hoffman Challenge.  It was such a beautiful sight after three hours of this...

This first quilt was done my a nine-year-old boy - I was very impressed.

This next quilt may have been my favorite, made by Mary McCormick, hand appliqued

This one has panels of singing children's faces (so cute!) with sashing and borders made from overall musical note patterns.  Made by Melissa Ruehmer.

This was made to look like a medieval banner.  The photo doesn't do justice to its beauty.  Made by Peggy Magnuson.

This beautiful woman was created by Bonnie Jennings, who showed a number of pieces of hand coloring work.  This quilt looks as great up close as it does far away.  I'm not usually a fan of portrait quilts, but this one was truly outstanding.

This is the first of a pair of photos. This shows the overall quilt, the next is the reveal of the original fabric, used as backing. This is really a pattern or color study, as each square is just a different cut/layout/placement from the same original fabric. Penny Gold did a fabulous job!

As always, I am most drawn to the appliqued quilts. One of these days I will break down and make one, but until then... This sampler was made by Dee Starr.

Machinery

I remember now why I usually tie my quilts instead of quilting them.  Or stitch-in-the-ditch.  Anything but free-motion on my little sewing machines.  Yes, machines, plural.  I have an old Brother serger that started making clunking sounds a few months ago.  At first I panicked, wondering how I could possible get along without it, but then I remembered that there is a reason patterns come with 5/8 inch seam allowances.  I've adjusted.

My main machine is a Montgomery Ward Signature.  I believe my mother got it as a present for graduating high school, circa 1955.  It is a serious workhorse.  I rely on it for almost everything.  Unfortunately, the wiring is getting too old, and it really doesn't run slowly.  And if I sew too long, the pedal sort-of melts into the carpet just  little, so I have to remember to set it on top of something.  The posts are not the same as other machines, so I can't use any of the old sewing cabinets I've seen.  But still, I love this machine!  I need to find someone who can bring it back to its old glory.

Some years ago, I bought myself a Penny's machine with bells and whistles.  I lent it to my sister for a few years and when I got it back it didn't seem to work quite right.  Since it was a spare, I didn't worry about it too much.  The wiring is good in this newer machine, however, so I disconnected the feed dogs and now it's my quilting machine.  Since I didn't like the machine anyway, it's feeling won't get any more hurt when I hold my distaste of quilting against it.

I even took pictures of the insides to help me put it back together again after I finally shake this whole quilt-making insanity I seem to have succumbed to!

WI State Fair 2010

As long as I am catching up, I thought I would post a couple of photos I took of quilts at the WI State Fair.  We go most years, although my son is not likely to go with me after this.  Too many shrugs-he clearly finds me and my interests boring.  Ah well, time marches on.  There seemed to be fewer quilts.  I did some research and it seems that if you win a quilt category, you'll win $12.00  They have additional prizes from local shops and guilds which will net you $25 or if you're really lucky, $50.  I know, I know.  I'm certainly not making quilts for fame or money, but it still seemed a bit... you know.

I'm afraid the photos don't do the quilts justice - they hang most of them from the ceiling, so the quilts are sort of queerly lit and kinda far away.

Ironing Board Cover

While I wasn't posting very much, I have been pretty busy.  My old ironing board cover was so...icky and thin, I finally decided to make my own.  Since the highest setting on my iron is cotton, I decided to make the whole thing out of cotton.  2 yards of a pretty purple fabric (that I liked but couldn't imagine putting in a quilt) at $3.99/yard.   Plus a craft-sized cotton batting and some cotton yarn I had lying around and I was in business.  I never even unfolded the batting, as the packaging had it folded just where I would have folded it anyway!  Plus a little leftover for combating my fear of quilting (to make a test sandwich).  Ain't it purty?

Here's to Lula

I've been thinking about my grandmother today.  Not the one who died last month, but the one who died in 1985.  My father's mother.  I always thought of her as kind of namby-pamby.  She was older than my other grandmother, and not nearly as much fun.  Also not really into the grandkids.  There are pictures of her from high school and she looked old even then, with the finger-waves and calico dresses.  I only recently understood about her, though.  She was born just after the turn of the (last) century and lived in a little town with a bunch of relatives in Wisconsin.  She was one of like seven girls.  The only other names I can remember are Veda (who later married Pink) and Blanche, pictured below on the right.  In this photo Lula (on the left) was only about 50!

Anyway, she had it pretty tough.  She got married and had a little girl named Ruby.  Several years went by and they had a son (my dad).  Ruby was at least ten years older, I think.  My "grandfather" ran off when dad was just an infant (with the secretary from the garage where he was working, if my childhood memories are correct.  He landed in eastern Iowa.)  So Lula was left with two kids; my dad was born in 1936, so it was the throes of the Great Depression and she did the best she could.  I'm sure she probably had a high school education, but nothing more.  She worked at the big dairy in town for a long time.  My dad had all kinds of little jobs to help make ends meet.  There were aunts and uncles around (especially Uncle Paul, who was like a father to my dad) but it still must have been incredibly hard.  She never got divorced and thought of herself as still married, so of course she never dated anyone else.  Eventually my dad did a stint in the Army, and afterwards they both moved to Lyons Township in Illinois.  She moved to Mount Prospect at some point, but when I was pretty little, she moved to Kokomo to be near Ruby and her family, where she lived until she died.
I was thinking about those visits to Kokomo, mostly.  Trying to learn stick shift; at some stop sign in Indiana somewhere, with a big truck downhill behind me (probably laughing his ears off) while I popped that clutch over and over.  She lived in public housing, on the second floor.  There was, of course, a huge flight of stairs that she fell down at least once and broke her hip.  I remember sitting at the top of those stairs, eating, listening to the grownups talk (mostly about other relatives).  I'm sure she looked forward to those visits (even though my mother didn't like going) and she probably really splurged on all that meat and stuff.  I can't imagine how much harder it must have been for her as a single mother than it was for me.  I at least had Murphy Brown as a role model! {insert eye-roll here}

So in her honor, this weekend's menu will include:

• Pot Roast with potatoes, carrots and onions (overcooked)
• Puffed Cheetos
• Cream Soda
• Brach's Pick-A-Mix (if I can find it anywhere!)

Old Maid's Puzzle

So instead of making pickles, I started another quilt.  And again, I fell in love with the name of the pattern and just had to do it.  I really prefer to make quilts all on the machine (straight lines) and repetitive patterns because I right now I don't want to do a lot of thinking while sewing (too much thinking elsewhere in my life!)  I have this old pattern book, a reproduction form the mid Sixties of a McKim pattern book from 1931.  I only recently started looking into the history of quiltmaking and found out she had quite the influence here in the U.S.  Anyway, her suggestions for the colors were not to my liking (I have a hard time with pink) so I went to the store with only some vague ideas in mind.  I found a very nice patterned dark brown that reads lighter because of the fun little flowers all over it.  I matched a blue and almost tried a russet, but settled on a pale green instead.  I can imagine myself in a couple of weeks reprimanding myself after staring at the russet for too long, you know?  As much trouble as I have with pink, I have even less use for red.  So I got to work after washing and drying the fabric.  I apparently wanted to take the name to heart, because I made a calculation error (thought I was done piecing, but discovered I had only made half what I needed) and while making the second batch of pieces, I thoughtlessly sewed white to white instead of white to blue.  Not a total loss because I can use it for the border, but I am certainly puzzled by what I was thinking!?!  So a little more cutting and it got too late and I had to get to work this morning, so hopefully I can get it done over the next couple of days. 

The next thing I will have to tackle is my apparent fear of actually quilting my quilts...

Added 8/12/10:

Getting closer!

Pickles on the menu?

Looks like I'm going to be making pickles, as they are on sale at the local produce market.  I love bread and butter pickles, but I feel like the store kind are acceptable, so if I'm going through the effort of making pickles, I'm going to try some different kinds.  I made pickled beets a few weeks ago (hmm, I should pop open a jar and see how they turned out) and I LOVE watermelon rind pickles, but it's pickling cucumbers that are on sale, so I'm off to find some unusual recipes.  I'll share anything good that I find.

Cross and Crown

I've begun another quilt.  This pattern is from a 1931 quilt pattern book.  I thought it might be nice in red and cream, but settled on navy and white.

The finished square is 10" and will be sashed with 4" white strips and navy squares.  I expect to put a hint of pale blue in a border strip.  I love to piece and hate to quilt, so in the past, I would have found a way to tie the quilt with yarn or floss, but I'm going to buckle down and quilt this one.  (but not by hand-eeek!)  As I was chaining the pieces, it made the coolest circle-

So maybe love is too strong of a word, but I certainly get a lot of satisfaction from piecing.  It's such a drastic change from my job - pick up pieces, match seam, sew seam, pick up pieces, match seam, sew seam - you get the idea.  I get interrupted so often at work that I feel I can never get anything really finished.  Piecing is at my own pace, as long as I can keep my eyes open (if only it weren't so HOT tonight!) and there's Star Trek TNG M Squad and Perry Mason on the tube.  Cold iced tea with plenty of lemon...  and dreams of colder days ahead, with cookies baking and a warm quilt on my lap.

Flood July 24, 2010

My condo backs onto a park and creek.  It floods a little every year - this was the deepest year yet.  There is a bridge completely submerged in this photo-proof of the depth of the flood.

It's too warm.  I don't like to sleep in the heat.  I have an air conditioner, but it's so loud that I don't sleep well that way either.  I look forward to fall!!!  I want to bake whenever I feel like it.  Muffins for dinner?  Why not!?!  Right now it's too dang hot, that's why not!  Chocolate Comfort Cookies, oooh, I miss you.  It's supposed to get better by Thursday and I certainly hope so.  The forcast for tonight is 72-UGH!  It seems to be warmer and warmer every summer.  I had a co-worker who wanted to move to Arizona, if you can even imagine.  If I move, it'll only be north.  Wisconsin or Canada - how about Alaska!

Follow the blogger &*%$

So, I'm new to this blogging world (it changed a lot since I last tried it three years ago!) and I have been anonymously following some bloggers.  I'm now incredibly relieved it was anonymous, because I was flabbergasted to find some folks so casually swearing on their blogs.  I watched a television show the other night at 7:00 p.m., where they were very casually using dreadful language, too.  What is this world coming to???  YUCK!  I mean, I've been known to swear from time to time, but this was so un-called-for and...  and... and... casual. No wonder my son thinks I'm nuts for pushing back on the swearing thing.  Between his games and television and movies and the hallways at school, he's surrounded by it.  There is no respect out there, either for the swearers or for those who have to listen to it, I guess.  Actually, I guess that makes me old-fashioned and out-dated and curmudgeon-y, but so be it.  I also think abortion is not a woman's choice (gasp!)  and I expect my son to hold doors open for people, especially women, and there is such thing as objective truth, not just whatever a person believes is true for them is the truth, and sin is Sin and Satan is real, not some cute guy in a red suit who sits on your shoulder trying to get you to eat more cheesecake!

Less Sugar Pectin

Well, I've decided I really prefer the less-sugar-required pectin.  I made two batches of cherry jam, one with one added cup and one with 1-1/2 added cups of sugar.  The second was better.  Now that several weeks have passed, I've discovered that the jam will mold, unlike full-sugar jams.  I actually take this as a good sign, since food should spoil after while.  Since regular jam is liquid candy, it doesn't seem to spoil.  So I'm sticking with the less-sugar pectin, although I will try a little more sugar next time, to see if the spoilage time increases.  You can add up to 3 cups per batch, and that might be just about right.  The cherry jams are VERY chunky at 1 cup of sugar, not too good for things like thumbprint cookies and rugelach and kolacky and jam layer bars and whatnot.  (mmm!)

Doggone

Too much time to think today,  I guess.  I decided to spill my guts about a recent event.  Well, two events, sort of.

About 10 years ago, we adopted a dog from a local shelter.  Her name was Rascal, so we shifted it to Roscoe.  They were vague about her background, suggesting she was collateral damage from a divorce.  She was calmly hanging out in the cages with the cats.  Probably a Rat Terrier, about 16 pounds, black white and tan with a min-pin look to her face.  The vet figured she was a least 5 years old.  Over the years we put quite a few miles behind us.  I think she was actually a cat in a dog suit, as she had that aloof quality - "Hey, I'm glad you're home.  Good to see you, I'm gonna go continue my nap now."  If you threw a ball for her, she thought it was a game you were playing for her to watch.  She was a great pet.

A little over a year ago, something changed with her digestive system.  No gory details, but like clockwork, every third or fourth day, her back end would create a technicolor mess for me to clean up.  Trips to the vet gave us strategies, but barring the REALLY expensive tests, they couldn't find a solution.  I cooked all her meals for 5 months.  We tried every better kind of commercial dog food meant for sensitive stomachs.  She got no treats.  She got only Rice Chex as treats.  She got medicines, both prescription and OTC.  I spent more than I could afford on vet visits and fecal tests and blood tests.  I got really good at cleaning the tile floor with paper towels.  I washed my hands endless times.  My son lost some appetite.  I lost some of my appetite.  She was confined to the kitchen and the hallway where there was no carpeting.  We got used to walking over dog gates.  She spent nearly all her time alone.

So, one day I got tired of the whole thing.  I made some calls and discovered that I could take her to the county animal shelter and they would take her off my hands, evaluate her condition and deal with the results.  For $20.00, if you can imagine.  So we did that.  And now I can't help but feel guilty even though I know I did what I had to do.  You see, she didn't seem to mind the whole thing, the incontinence, I mean.  She never seemed to be in any pain.  She got used to making messes in the house and didn't seem particularly distressed by the whole thing.  But she was, like, fifteen years old.  And clearly had some kind of problem...

Well, that was event number one.  Two days later my mother called to let me know that her mother, my grandma, had died.  My mother was handling it pretty well, considering that just a very few weeks earlier, on the first anniversary of my father's death, she found out that she had breast cancer.  She is in treatement and the prognosis is excellent.

I have a feeling I'm not really handling things all that well.  Stoic.  Impassive.  Strong.  (Depressed, I think.  Maybe overwhelmed.)  Most of the time I keep busy, but other times I feel so...so...adrift?  Bad timing for raising a teenager, too. 

Here Roscoe is was, in her harness, no longer tri-colored, as the brown had faded to black and white.  Hated having her toenails trimmed (she would nip me!) so she was always clicking around the kitchen.  Now there's nobody to lick up the drips and crumbs.

Patience please!

My son has two friends over for the afternoon/evening.  Two girls.  Sixteen.  One of them turned it today.  They were dropped off by their fathers and both fathers insisted on meeting me to make sure I was really there.  I'm here.  Tucked away in my room, giving them space to watch horror movies and eat junk food.  We're in a small condo, so I'm not TOO far away.  The thing is, I'm feeling incredibly claustrophobic.  I have gotten used to running out to wherever my little heart desires (now that my son is old enough to stay home alone) and staying put is driving me nuts.  Especially since I've spent the afternoon looking around at the creativity and projects of folks all over the net.  I WANNA GO TO THE FABRIC STORE!!!  I have no idea how much longer the gathering in my living room is going to go on.  I'll survive.  Somehow.  I should make a list for my trip to the fabric store on my way home from work tomorrow.  Yeah.  That oughta make me feel better.  Hrmph.

Music-Cello

I may have mentioned that I have been learning to play the cello.  I hate to bring it up, since I'm still so dreadful at it, but I wanted to mention some freeware I found that really helps me.  It's called MuseScore and I use it all the time now.  Since I already know how to read music and (so far) am teaching myself, I've been cobbling together information and exercises and whatnot from various places.  Also, I love to play hymns, but the melodies are in treble clef.  MuseScore helps me set up the music to practice all in one place, as well as helping transpose the hymns from treble clef to bass clef and into first-position key signatures.  Now all I need is time. 

How do you get to Carnegie Hall?  Practice, practice, practice.

Quilt Show-Batavia

So I was inspired to start thinking about really pursuing quilting this morning.  I was awakened at 7:30 this morning by my son getting ready for bed.  It was still sort of cool outside, so I made two batches of jam, then headed for the computer.  Poking around in the blogosphere put all kinds of notions into my head, and then I came across some great mid-career advice.  One thing lead to another et voila, a quilt show just around the corner!  Batavia's Quilt and Textile Show  Six bucks later I have some home-grown inspiration in my very own camera.  Click here for flickr images.

I'm always most drawn to the appliqued quilts, probably since I don't do them.

I'm not usually a fan of holiday quilts, but I loved the way this one joined traditional piecing with the images in the middle panel.

This one is a beautiful interpretation of lady's slippers-check out the detail below

I don't think my camera captured the colors as pretty as they were in real life.

The rest of the photos are from two quilts that are related and span 80 years.  The tags tell the story...

Turning Point

I've been having trouble with my life lately.  Depression-maybe.  Confusion-yes.  Determination-definitely.  I must have reached the middle point, because I suddenly have no idea what I'm doing with my life and a serious determination to do something helpful.  I've been canning for the last three week-ends and now have more than enough cans of jam to last for...anything.  By the way, I really like the no-sugar-needed pectin and will stick with that from now on.  I made two batches of cherry, one with 1 cup of sugar, and one with 1-1/2 cups.  I also made a batch of peach with one cup of sugar.  Excellent!  Just follow the directions on the package.  It should also work with those weird sweetneres people like to use (but not me.)

I digress.

I have been doing crafts for my whole life.  When I was a kid, the only way I got new clothes was to make them myself.  Mom showed me how to needlepoint, knit and I've picked up practically everything else.  Latchhooking, scrapbooking, crochet, cross-stitch, photography (the old fashioned chemical-laden kind), acrylic, oil painting; the list goes on.  Quilts.  I really can't think of any more helpful craft than quilting.  Sewing clothes really only works if you have specific people in mind.  I tried doll-making but no-one was interested.  I even tried making mittens a few years ago, but that didn't work.  Quilts are sort of one-size-fits-all (o.k. not precisely, but hang with me a minute) item that can be very beautiful if done well, but even if they are less-than-perfect quilts some (homeless?) people could use them.  I also read some advice early today about pursuing arts/crafts for a living and why a person really shouldn't jump in without testing the water first.  (Am I good enough?  What do I expect to put into it?  What do I expect to get out of it?  Does my plan move me toward my end goal?  What is that end goal?  That sort of thing-very helpful)

Quilts.  I think that is my new end goal.  I have about 2 years before I have an empty nest, and that is a good chunk of time to become a better quilter.

Frustration

It seems as if life has reached an all-time peak level of frustration for me , as well as those around me.  And I don't think it's simply a matter of getting older and more curmudgeon-y, either.  Our newly re-habbed phone system has apparently got some loose wires and the phones intermittently work/not work/work/not work.  I can't seem to get straight answers out of people without going through a lot of effort to explain to them the sorts of things that I think they should already know.  No one seems to want to do anything beyond what they themselves see as their "job".  When I do something to make someone else's job easier, they take the effort for granted and somehow assume that any follow-up work is also my responsibility too.

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.  Isaiah 41:10

I always want to push on ahead in my own strength.  If I can't see the path before me I get frustrated and start casting around for a better/different/self-sufficient light source.  I take things personally and seek glory for myself, when I really need to let go of the frustration and do well those things I know I can, try to do those things I am responsible for and let the rest go.  God made me who I am and I should trust that He has equipped me as He knows I need to be equipped.

Firecrackers - Spicy Pickled Carrots

I like the hot giardiniera served on sandwiches, but the pepper skins don't agree with my stomach, so I wanted to make my own.  My favorite part are the carrots, so I started with Alton Brown's recipe.  I first dropped some of those incredibly hot little Thai peppers in there, but they didn't release their heat through the skins very much, so I added 8-10 that had been slit - WOW!  The next batch will get the same peppers, slit, but not nearly as many, or else I will get more of a less-hot variety - it just depends on what's available and look fresh at the produce market.
Firecrackers from here
1 c water
1 c sugar
1-1/2 c cider vinegar
1 t onion powder
1/2 t mustard seeds
1-1/2 t kosher salt
1/2 lb mini carrots
peppers to taste

Bring the ingredients (except the carrots and peppers) to boil in a saucepan and simmer 4 minutes.  Put the carrots and peppers in a large jar, pour brine over.  Store in the fridge.

Cantaloupe Jam

Well, turns out that the Cantaloupe Jam was a HUGE hit with those folks who love cantaloupe.  I also discovered that the Can Jam ingredient of the month of July includes melons.
 
While I am not a participant of said Can Jam, I have been inspired by the whole canvolution.  I now have far more jams than I could eat in several years, so I'm expecting to give some to folks at work, and perhaps even raffle a few off to support my favorite charity.  The problem is, that the more I make and the more I read, the more other things I want to try.  For example, someone recommended a book that focused primarily on jamming with liquid pectin, something I had been sort-of avoiding, and now want to try.  Then I got to thinking about the fact that "traditional" jam is really liquid candy in a jar, so I've starting wondering about trying the no-sugar-needed pectin, so I can cut the sugar content down to something I can be happy about (perhaps nothing?) depending on the main ingredient.  And we're entering the pickles and then apples seasons, so maybe the jam tinkering will have to wait a year???  We'll see what the next ad brings at the fruit market.

Cantaloupe Jam from here
Cantaloupe
3/4 lb sugar
1/2 t cinnamon
1/2 t cardamon
1/2 t apple pie spice
     all ingredients are per pound of chopped cantaloupe
Measure all in large pot, with a touch of water.  Cook slowly until the cantaoupe is soft and the desired consistency is reached.

Strawberry Jalapeno Jam

This is a nice strawberry jam, with not too much jalapeno heat.  I would actually like a little more heat, as the peppers I used were quite large and very mild.  I'm also considering peeling the peppers next time to make them less chewy and also easier on my digestive system.

Strawberry Jalapeno Jam adapted from here
1/3 c minced jalapenos
1-1/2 c chopped strawberries
3 c sugar
3/4 c cider vinegar
3 oz liquid pectin

Place all but pectin in a large pot.  Bring to a boil, stirring, and boil one full minute.  Cool 5 minutes, then stir in pectin.  Ladle into approximately 3 half-pint jars leaving 1/4 inch headspace.  Process 10 minutes in boiling water bath.

Fig Jam

I've never used figs before, but I was very impressed with the jam from these.  They were black figs, about 2 pints, and made the best pink delicate jam!

Fig Jam from here
1-1/2 lb (2 pints) ripe, black figs, roughly chopped
1/4 c lemon juice
1/2 t lemon rind
1/4 c H2O
1/2 box Sure-Jell (powdered pectin)
3-1/2 c sugar

Stir everything except the sugar together and heat to a hard boil, stirring.  Add the sugar, stirring, to a rolling boil.  Boil hard one minute while stirring.  Cool 5 minutes, skimming as necessary.  Fill approximately 6 half-pint jars with jam leaving 1/4 inch headspace.  Process 10 minutes in boiling water bath.

Blueberry Curd

I'm not sure why I tried this recipe, as I'm not that much of a blueberry fan, but WOW!  Every night, on a toasted english muffin.  My scale isn't happy, but I just concentrate on the anti-oxidant boost instead.  I keep finding good berries at low prices, so I keep making more and stashing them in the freezer in one-cup containers.  I cook the whole lemon in there because I like that flavor including the bitter undertones from the pith.  If you don't want that, you can just do the juice and the zest, and skip the cheesecloth part (although I would probably put in an extra half lemon just 'cause I'm like that!)

Blueberry Curd from here
1-1/2 pint blueberries, washed
2 lemons, chopped (zest, pith, seeds and all), tied in cheesecloth
1-3/4 c sugar
6T unsalted butter, cubed
3 eggs, beaten

Cook the berries a few minutes until they get soft, then add in the lemons in cheesecloth.  Cook them for another 10-15 minutes (the longer you cook, the stronger the lemon flavor).  Cool the mixture (perhaps overnight in the fridge?) and then squeeze the juice and pulp out of the cheesecloth- the longer and harder you squeeze, the stronger the lemon flavor.  This goes into the top of a double-boiler, with the sugar.  Heat them together until the sugar is dissolved.  Add the butter and stir until it is melted.  Add the beaten eggs while stirring, and cook for about 20 minutes, until thick and completely cooked through.  Let it cool slightly and strain through a sieve.  This curd will keep in the fridge for 2 weeks, or in the freezer for 6 months (and is not suitable for boiling water canning).