Happy Friday! The weather’s been glorious in Seattle these past few days — azure skies, bright sunshine, a proliferation of blooms nodding in the slight breeze, the works. I’ve been wandering from coffee shop to coffee shop, ticking things off of my list, composing emails, making plans, walking, walking, walking.
Last weekend we had a lot going on that required zooming around the city, so I rented a car for a couple of days, and it’s amazing how a few weeks without a vehicle will make you appreciate the seemingly inconsequential things that we never noticed as car owners. Like heating vents on a chilly day. Or the vast space available in the trunk for groceries (boot to you non-Americans).
At this point, anarchy is brewing in my household since I’m the only one clutching to the carless lifestyle. “But we’re getting so much exercise!” I’ll chirp, and the eye-rolling is so violent, I fear that their pupils may get stuck in the back of their heads. We’re crossing into our second month without a car, and yes, it’s inconvenient sometimes, but man, I love it.
Maybe I’m Amish, and I just didn’t realize it? I make all of my clothes, and the garments may very well pass muster in an Amish community. I’m becoming increasingly suspicious of technology and the negative impacts, though I can’t deny the overwhelming benefits as well. Before you know it, I’ll be sporting a hat and a scraggly beard and will refuse to be photographed. On a slightly related note, the images you see are of a handmade quilt that M’s dad received from an Amish family, which he passed onto us. K loves it and uses it as her bedspread. I discovered that it’s challenging to get decent shots of a quilt.
Anyway, my persuasion tactics are flailing and pretty soon, I might have to cave. Sigh. For now, I think I’ll go take a walk to think about this whilst wearing my homespun clothes. Have a wonderful weekend, friends!
This time, I’m actually including a haiku from K*:
It is blue and white
I like to snuggle up tight
in the starry night
Isn’t she so good? I told her to make it about her quilt and she kindly (and quickly) obliged.
*I meant to include a haiku by K last week, then forgot to ask her for one.
Pretty quilt!!!!! All the corners are so neat. K’s Haiku is a pretty picture in my mind. I’m jealous of all your exercise–but I do love my car.
The hand-stitching of the quilt is impeccable, Greta! Yes, all the exercise is awesome, but I’m still trying to come up with a good solution for the grocery shopping situation. Still a challenge…
This is so so funny! Can’t wait for the beard!
The beard without the mustache is such a distinct look, don’t you think? I bet I can rock it ;-).
K is getting really good with her haiku. (I’m sure she’ll like hearing that!)
That quilt is gorgeous. Of course I am partial to it because of all the blues! Have a lovely, sunny weekend!
Hope you had a wonderful weekend, Melissa! I love the blues too – it’s a beautifully made quilt and it’s getting a lot of love!
I, too, am intrigued by the Amish and a lifestyle that I *think* I would enjoy ( but realistically may be too hard). One of my friends wrote this book and I realized I’m biased, but I really enjoyed reading it and thought I’d pass along the title:
http://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Finding-abundance-simplicity-sharing/dp/1611298806/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1458318854&sr=8-2&keywords=amish+secrets+craker
Two summers ago we were part of a CSA that took turns picking up the produce from an Amish farm an hour away. When it was my turn, it was like driving backwards in time. Only horses and buggies, greeted by the farmer and his 8 (!) children all dressed in dresses/suspenders with their Pennsylvania Dutch accent. It was really hard to believe such a lifestyle existed so close to my technologically dependent life. I have many thoughts on that:)
I love K’s haiku! I’ve said it here before, but she clearly has inherited much of her mama’s skills, and have developed many of her own along the way, I’m sure:)
Oh, I must check out your friend’s book. It looks so interesting! There are some Amish communities in northern Indiana where M has a lot of family, so I’ve driven by similar farms when we’ve visited the midwest. It’s really fascinating for me and I’d love to learn more! Thank you, Lucinda!
Beautiful! I wonder what the pattern is. I love the simplicity of the repeats and the blue/white combination. Nice touch with the quilting design on around the edges.
Thanks to Greta, we now know it’s the bear’s paw pattern! The quilting is really intricate and lovely. I wonder how long it took them? Thank you Emi and Greta!
The quilt pattern is called bear’s paw!