Friends and Friendship

Do you see that little intro over on the side on my blog where it talks about me

 being an amiable who likes to get analytical?

Well, this is one of those posts.

Purely analytical.

 

I have been pondering friendships lately. And I have been wondering what really constitutes a friendship and calling someone a friend. 

 

My husband calls everyone his friend. It's "my friend Paul" at the garden center, "my friend Glenn" our state senator, and "my buddy Steve" in the admissions department at our 2nd daughter's university. I gently chide him that none of those guys really are his friends.

BNH gets what I mean and agrees, but he is a friendly guy.

So to him, if he is friendly to you, then you are his friend.

 

For me, it's a different story. I think that in order to call someone a friend it's got to be somewhat of a two-way street. It's not just what one person can get from another. The relationship is intentional and mutual. It is giving and nurturing a friendship as well. I am just more...hmmm, what's the word...cautious? guarded? hesitant? careful?

 No, those aren't quite right...measured, that's the word.

I am more measured when calling someone "friend."

In talking with my oldest son about this just now,

we concurred that the difference is in the way the word is used.

Using the word "friend" generally, like: "Hey friends, thanks for reading my blog today."

Or personally, like: "Hi friend. I've been thinking about you a lot."

 

So being the personal term user that I tend to be, 

I have been analyzing and questioning my friendships - my current ones,

my changing ones, and my new ones. 

Like, how can a friend of 9 years come over and spend 2 1/2 hours

in my living room and never ask me a single question?

 

How do I respond to a Facebook message of  "I'm so glad to hear from you"

 when I am the one who always initiates the contact?

 

How can I keep from crying whenever I think about a special friend in my life who just moved to Rome on Saturday to do ministry with her husband there for forever? Who is going to talk God stories with me while working on my granite shoulders once a week?

 

And what about Janet with her sweet Mexican spirit who drew several of us ladies from church together for fellowship and movie night every few months?

She is moving back to AZ as I type...

 

Having and losing friendships is painful.

But in the midst of all this heart hurt, God is blessing me in ways only

He could create and show His tender care.

My oldest and dearest friend is virtually shopping with me from states away

for my MOTB dress. It's been really sweet!

And, He has given me the friendship of you blog followers.

Who would have guessed that a kind reply would cheer one along so!

 

I'm really grateful especially for the couple of you that have

become dear to my heart in the recent weeks.

You, ladies, have become gifts to me and I count it a joy to be used to bless you as well.

 

With thanks for your friendship, both generally, like a big bunch of flowers:

 

and personally, like one special flower from the bunch: 

Victoria



Make It Snappy!

Good Day Everyone!

Two years ago, my middle girl and I took a sewing class at our church. Neither of us had ever done any type of quilting project. We learned all kinds of things like French seams and prairie points. With all the steps involved, we were not able to complete the carry all bag after the two evenings of class. Sad to say that while the project was called "Make it Snappy!" we did not make it in a snappy time fashion at all!  Something about it seemed daunting...but I did want us to finish them up before Kase leaves for college. So I borrowed my friend's machine with the necessary quilting foot and found it wasn't so intimidating after all.

          Here is mine:

Sewing through all these thick layers was almost impossible.

The machine really pushed at the layers and it didn't end up quite even

but I'm ok with that.

 Prairie points

          Kase chose swirled and striped fabric:

 Here is where the "snappy" part comes in. Pieces of metal tape measure go in the channel of the pocket top. It sort of snaps shut when the pocket closes.

 My daughter's still needs to be finished by sewing all the layers together which my friend offered to do. Thanks, Joyce!

If any of you are interested in the  pattern it can be purchased here.

I'd share my copy but it is just Xeroxed and not legit  : /

Well, I'd better get moving snappy here and pick up my youngest from his afternoon camp.

 

Many thanks for reading and commenting. Your blogging friendship is a joy to me!

Simply,

Victoria

It's For Freedom

Today, freedom has allowed me to enjoy: 

Love

Family

Friends

My Faith

Forgiveness

and Food  ; )

Basil Limeade

 

Caprese Salad

 

Barbequed Chicken

 

and Flag Cake

 

Hope you are enjoying the day and the gift of freedom!

 

 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Gal. 5:1

 

With gratefulness,

Victoria

 

 

Everyone's in the Pocket!

This past weekend I flew out to VA to receive my Mother's Day gift from

my oldest son. As part of the time we spent together,

I got to see him graduate from Firefighter School.

He received the honor of being top student!

 

The next day we went to his training school so he could show me where he had done practice burns, jumped out of a window onto a ladder, and crawled through very narrow pipes with all his gear. I gained a deeper appreciation for all those willing to train and serve as firefighters.

The training is super intensive and the on-call risks are truly sacrificial!

 

 

Because he knows I like Harper's Ferry, we went up there to visit for a morning.

The last time we were here, we hiked up to the top of those rocks. Unfortunately, it was too humid to do it again this time. The view is spectacular!

 

 

The Jefferson Rock

 

Looking back on the town and where the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers meet

 

And this is John Brown's fort, where Brown took possession of the armory and the first rumblings of the Civil War started.

 

Sunday we drove the 14 hours home, talking, laughing, and listening to a little Josh Turner.  

I spent a good part of that drive time getting back to work on this: 

I am so very thankful for the fabulous gift-trip!

 

So now for a brief time everyone is home.

We've been catching each other up, laughing a whole lot, and working together too.

My oldest son was glad strawberry season is so late here so he could help pick.

 

 

 

Before I know it, the pocket will be emptying out again as one leaves for college in 5 weeks, one gets married in 8 weeks, and one leaves for his next step on the path of career and service.

 

In the meantime I'm going to stitch some memories of special family moments in my mind

and treasure my full pocket!

 

Simply,

Victoria

 

 

 

For Your Viewing Pleasure

Good Morning! It is yet another rainy day here. The sunny summer days have been few and far between I am sad to report. So we are staying dry and working on projects inside. This also keep us safe from the plague of hummingbird-sized mosquitos we have in our yard!

A couple of weeks ago I was telling you all about my son's high school graduation and his senior presentation that he and his best friend did. Well, I begged and pleaded and cajoled with him to let me share it with you. (No, not really! I just asked a couple of times ; )  My rationale was if it is on Facebook and Youtube why can't I post about it on my blog?  My son was not so sure. Respectfully, I was not going to share because I get his reserve. But, last week when his friend was I over, I asked him how he felt about me blogging about it. I didn't want to pit my son's friend against him. I really wanted to know what he thought. He said go for it. I think that made my son realize he could be ok with it. Permission was granted.

These two guys have been goofing around filming and making home movies for awhile. My son's friend has been studying videography on his own and will be attending film school in a year. My son may join him. While I share this as a proud mama, I also share this because there is some real talent here and such fun elements put together. Look out Hollywood! There are a couple of Christian filmmakers on the rise!

So, without further ado, here is "Dear Mom and Dad." Enjoy!
 

Blue Jeans

My oldest daughter LOVES blue jeans. She loves wearing them. She loves buying them. She even loves repurposing them. Way back when, I helped her make a purse out of a pair. For earning a high school home ec credit, she sewed a quilt with jean patches and a soft flannel. She even attempted turning jeans into a skirt once.

 Her latest creation is an idea from Pinterest. She has been collecting a bagful of old jeans, worn out from her dad and brothers, or outgrown or unloved from someone in the house.

 

She had a great mix of light and dark, using front and back pockets as well as some side seams. There are even a couple with rips in them. Silly us, we have been saying things like: "Oh, I remember you wearing those." "That was my favorite pair." "There was your jean skirt." "Look how outdated those light ones are."

 

Here it is all sewn together:

The seams are to be on the top side.

With time the seam will have a really cool frayed look.

 

She thought it would make the perfect Fourth of July, watching-the-fireworks blanket.

What could be more Americana than fireworks and blue jeans?

 And the perfect blanket for her husband-to-be and her to have alfresco lunches on!

 

BTW, we did wedding dress shop last Tuesday and she found "the one!"

Oh, so pretty and such a special time together with her sisters and me.

Now it is on with some of the stressful decision making...

 

We'd love your prayers with all that and also your thoughts or creations that you have made out of repurposed jeans.

I wish you all a joy-filled day!

Victoria

 

Yesterday's Joys



Yesterday BNH and I celebrated our 28th anniversary. Vickie had asked what BNH stood for. It's "Brand New Husband!" I wrote that on the card I gave him on our wedding day and have used it ever since. : )  As is our tradition, we took an overnight and stayed in a bed-and-breakfast. This year we coupled it with our trip to Naperville, Illinois for a  homeschooling conference. We had a great time walking the beautiful river walk and spending hours talking, uninterrupted!

Another joy of yesterday was that our oldest got engaged! Her fiancé thought it would be special to propose on our anniversary. How sweet! He's a blessing and an answer to prayer. We are so happy for them!!

 



While I had hoped that this summer would allow me to spend some time continuing in cleaning out and spending some good time stitching and scrapbooking, I know none of those things, however much accomplished, will compare in value to the time my daughter and I spend together talking about marriage and being a godly wife. She told me last night that she can't wait to talk to me about everything and help her in the planning. I am blessed and honored that she wants me involved.

Well, all that's to say that I have not had a bit of time as of yet to send out the patterns that I wanted to share with you. I am happy to say that for everyone who expressed an interest there is a pattern for you! The joy of having a small group of followers!  ; )
So, Parsley - Psalm 145, Cucki - Simple Joys, Tricia - Good Tidings, Fiona - All is Calm, and Barb - Pumpkins 4 Sale, if you are still interested in those patterns, please let me know and leave your email in the comments. No emails will be published.

I'm off to stitch a bit tonight. Tomorrow may be a cleaned closet or wedding dress shopping!

Joy to you all!
Victoria