Wordless Wednesday

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'Berries on the Rhubarbie

I didn't have anyone to make strawberry rhubarb yogurt this year. So I gave about a quarter of the harvest away to one of my friends who has been there for me through the last two years. She lost an autistic son once, so she understands the grief and the guilt. She plans to freeze the rhubarb, which she used to do every year in Alaska, and make pies for her family at Thanksgiving.

I made fridge jam, cobbler and pies with the remainder.

I thought maybe I could sell them at the community garage sale, but then I decided I'd rather give them to people who have been trying to help me through the last few weeks.

The streusel-topped pies were my first-ever non-pudding pies. I never had the confidence to try while Lizard could enjoy them. I wish now I had worked up the guts to make him a pie for him last year. Even if it didn't turn out, I think he would have loved it. I think he would have showered me with warm affection even if he didn't like it. Because that's just the kind of guy he was. That's why I married him.

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Snowflake Monday

Lizard wanted to attend the Grand Junction Temple with me after the open house. When it was first announced (in April 2021), he staked his claim. "This my temple!" I was able to take him to Moab in December for a belated 20th anniversary celebration. We planned to stop at the temple on the way home, but he just wasn't feeling up to it. He was never able to travel again after that.

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I knew Mother's Day would be the hardest his mother had ever faced, so I spent the weekend with her. And I finally got to attend the Grand Junction Temple. Today's snowflake is inspired by a golden motif in the celestial room. I may try to do one more snowflake interpretation of the motif because it is so beautiful. But for now, here is Lizard's temple snowflake.

You may do whatever you'd like with snowflakes you make from this pattern, but you may not sell or republish the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!

Finished Size: 3 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, size 7 crochet hook, empty pizza box, wax paper or plastic wrap, cellophane tape, water soluble school glue or desired stiffener, water, glitter, small container for glue/water mixture, paintbrush, stick pins that won't be used later for sewing, clear thread or fishing line

Claret Snowflake Instructions

Special Stitches

Cluster Stitch (cl): Yo, draw up loop, yo, draw through 2 loops on hook, [yo, draw up loop, yo, draw through 2 loops on hook] 2 times, yo, draw through all 4 loops on hook. Popcorn Stitch (pc): Work 5 dc in designated st, take loop off hook, insert hook through top loop of 1st dc and replace loop on hook, pull loop through top of 1st dc.

Make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in ring, ch 1, 2 dc in ring, [ch 3, 2 dc in ring, ch 1, 2 dc in ring] 5 times; ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 6th ch 3 tip of Round. Pull magic circle tight.

Round 2: Cl over post of dc directly below, [ch 3, 1 sc in next ch 1 sp, ch 3, cl in next ch 3 tip] 6 times, omitting final cl of final repeat; sl st in top of starting cl.

Round 3: Pc in top of cluster directly below, [ch 10, pc in top of next cl] 6 times, omitting last pc of final repeat; sl st in top of starting pc.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.

Round 4: Ch 6 (counts as 1 sc and [ch 5), 1 sc in next ch 10 sp, ch 5, in top of next pc work (1 sc, ch 5, 1 sc)] 6 times, omitting last sc of final repeat; sl st in 1st ch of starting ch 6; bind off. Weave in ends.

Finish: I've been stiffening my flakes with undiluted, full-strength water soluble school glue for quite a while now, and I've been squishing the glue onto and throughout each flake with my fingers (yucky mess!!!) instead of gingerly painting the flakes with glue. Yes, it's a mess. But it's faster. And stiffer.

Tape wax paper or plastic wrap to top of empty pizza box. Pin snowflake to box on top of wax paper or plastic wrap.

If using glue, mix a few drops of water with a teaspoon of glue in small washable container. Paint snowflake with glue mixture or desired stiffener. Sprinkle lightly with glitter. Wash paintbrush and container thoroughly. Allow snowflake to dry at least 24 hours. Remove pins. Gently peel snowflake from wax paper or plastic wrap. Attach 10-inch clear thread to one spoke, weaving in end. Wrap fishing line around tree branch (or tape to ceiling or any overhead surface) and watch snowflake twirl freely whenever you walk by! Snowflake also may be taped to window or tied to doorknob or cabinet handle.

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Friday Fortius

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Lizard's Final Quilt

Three weeks ago, I wasn't sure I could ever touch my sewing machine again. I'd been trying to teach Lizard to quilt again as art therapy.

He picked out the guacamole fabric, and he did the design. I cut the batting and the solids, but he put all the charm square layers together. Meticulously.

I laid the unfinished project out on the floor to try to finish it a couple of days after Lizard's Celebration of Life. All I could do was look at it and cry for about three days.

He was able to do only the X's. He couldn't do the seams. We got only halfway through the project before he had to go into the hospital. He had planned to let me try to sell the finished quilt for him.

I finally finished it last week after two full days of working on it. I found out I can use my sewing machine again. It was painful at first, but it got easier with each block. I think Lizard would have been proud of me for sticking with it until I finished.

I posted on social media that I was thinking of selling the rag quilt in my Etsy shop with all proceeds going to The HealthWell Foundation, which made it possible for Lizard to take an extremely expensive medication for nearly two years. The Foundation helps many people afford life-saving medications. I think Lizard would have wanted that.

Within four hours of posting, I received a text from a charitable fan who'd made a generous donation to the Foundation and who asked if they could have the quilt. I will be delivering it in person this weekend. I think Lizard would be dancing with joy.

Linking up with Alycia Quilts.

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Wordless Wednesday

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Saditude vs. Gratitude

Two weeks ago I was mourning the loss, not realizing at the time the exact day was the 22nd anniversary of our first date. There really is something to anniversary triggers.

The next day, once I realized what caused such intense grief, I was grateful for 22 adventurous years. I wish it had been more. But I know more is to come. Gratitude makes such a huge difference. I am sleeping better. When I can sleep with thankfulness in my heart.

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