I had a busy weekend filled with grandkids and my first stop of the year for sweetcorn and green beans. Oh I love this time of year for food. I told Karl as we drove away with the corn and green beans that it would be so easy to eat better if only the fruits and veggies from this time of year were available year around. Don’t you agree?? They all taste so much better when they are in season and picked timely.
I’ve been having grandkids a lot lately. Gannon and Carver have been late…Georgia has been late and Scotty and Lucy were here for the weekend. (more about that in an upcoming post). We dropped Scotty and Lucy off with Lora on Sunday, stopped for corn and beans and headed home. As we were going home Karl said, “Mom, maybe you should do something for you and get in the sewing room today.”
Karl has a bit of his dad in him. It’s the exact same thing Kramer would have told me. So much so that I decided I really should. So I left behind all the “other” things I could or should be doing and decided to head to the sewing room.
In the past I’ve heard people say that after their spouse died it took a long time for them to get back to sewing. I thought that was crazy. But, now that I’ve lost a spouse, I can see that.
I went into the sewing room and seriously, had no idea what I had been working on, what I had been planning, or even where stuff went. Remember I had finally only gotten through the whole sewing room a few months before Kramer got sick. My memory of where things went was a little rusty.
I had to do a lot of cleaning before I could even attempt to sew.  I saw this book…I set it aside. Seriously, I barely remembered a single quilt from the book. It was like getting the book new all over again.
I got the machines set up….
I found the drawing of Georgia’s baby quilt…thank heavens. I would have forgotten the layout I had in mind.
Ruby was a great side kick.
…and I even sewed. See??It wasn’t a lot but it was sewing and I did do it!!
Georgia’s quilt needs a zillion flying geese so I sat down and started sewing. I sewed on side on each of the geese and then ironed them. That’s about all the time I had…and that was okay. It was good to be in the room.
The weather is supposed to be terribly hot this week so I’ll likely not be outside a lot gardening so…sewing might be the thing I do. I really do want to keep making a little progress on Georgia’s quilt.
If I get up early enough I might even run a few of these through the machine. It was good to be back. I don’t think I’ll ever sew with the gusto I did before but I think I will get back to enjoying it as much as I once did. With me cross stitching some too, I won’t have time to do it all!
It’s nice to know you have something you can do if the mood strikes. Taking breaks from the hobbies is okay. It makes the going back exciting and almost like Christmas morning surprises. Take your time the sewing bug will get you at some point.
Love, hugs and prayers coming your way.
I know that when time goes by, I miss sewing and cross stitch also. One of my problems is dragging everything out of the closet, setting up, and then sewing only to take it all down in an hour or two.
I know I’ll get the hang if it but in the meantime
Good to know you are also getting back into the swing of things.
Love and prayers
Hey Jo! I bet you’ll find your “gusto” again eventually, as you get that quilt in mind that you can’t wait to see completed. In the meantime, you’re filling up your days with things that are good for your soul. How wonderful that you have so much family in your life! And, my goodness, I agree about the fresh local corn and green beans. Gobble them up!
XXOOXX
Deb
Sew glad you got to do this! Karl is so smart!
I miss Iowa sweet corn, its the best. Enjoy some for me. I think Georgia quilt is going to be lovely and I look forward to seeing more of the pieces when you get them done.
I’m glad Karl nudged you. It took me a couple of months to get back to sewing after my husband died. I’ve spent a lot of time the first year, escaping, when taking care of things related to my husband’s death overwhelm. I’ve found that being creative is a wonderful way to help with my grief. When you don’t know where to turn, it’s a good outlet! Bless you Jo in your journey.
Oh you were in Oelwein. I’m still here. How was the corn and beans? I saw the stand on the way to church but didn’t stop. Glad to see you’re doing some machine work. It’s good for the soul. Hugs!
Debbie B. The corn from the stand was pretty good. The ears are small but is sure was a treat!
I’m glad to see you in the sewing room again. Your passion for it may come back this winter. Summer has so many distractions.
I’m amazed that you were able to sew again so soon after Kramer’s passing. I would get physically ill everytime I just walked into my studio for months after I lost my sweet mother passed. I couldn’t understand how the one thing that has brought me comfort and sollace for every other trama in my life up to that point was now repulsive. I went to quilt camp thinking that would shake me out of my slump. All I did the entire week was sit and stare out the window at God’s beautiful creation…didn’t sew a stitch. I even considered selling my long arm during that time, but my husband talked me out of it. I’m so glad he did. It took me about a year to get back on the horse so to speak. Grief is a funny thing in that we all experience it differently. There is no right or wrong way. We each have to do it the way that works for us, and at the pace that works for us. One step at a time. Just do the next thing.
You have a great son, to be aware that in the past your sewing has been your ‘happy’ place, and that you need to get back in there again. Just the routine of cleaning your sewing room is a good way to jumpstart some of that creative joy you’ve had in the past. I’m sure your husband is looking in on you and cheering you on to get in there and create!
I’m glad you have Karl to remind you to take some time for yourself. I’ve always felt if I don’t care for myself, I won’t have anything to give to anyone else.
Also, I love the fresh produce available this time of year. We have been eating fresh corn, cantaloupes and watermelon.
Oh! The sweet corn stand! I have gotten corn from there and LOVED it. What a great memory of spending time with you! It will come around and thanks to you, I am being bitten by the cross stitch bug again. Thanks for sharing with us!
That was so smart of Karl to nudge you into your sewing room. It is so good that you have him there with you. That Ruby is so sweet! She wants to be with her mama.
I have always been an avid reader, but after my husband passed away I just could not read. It took a few years before I got back to reading again. However, I did start quilting during that time. It was a life saver for me as it got me out of the house to go to classes, meet new people, shop for fabric etc. I attended a grief share group and learned that it is not unusual to lose interest in something that you have always done. Give yourself time to adjust to your new normal.
I was just the opposite I started seeing more after my husband died. I had so much more time on my hands. It helps to be busy. Those raspberries looked marvelous. I got hungry just reading about the fresh corn and green beans. Nothing beats fresh green beans cooked with new potatoes and bacon yummmmm
Karl is one thoughtful son, to suggest that to you. Sewing can be relaxing, I love to sit and do mindless sewing. I do a lot of string and scrappy quilts. I like the book String Frenzy that you have. Sometime show us some pictures from it. I will see if I can get it from the library. Keep sewing when you can.