Sabbath Leaves

Our Beautiful World: Did you know that once Beargrass blooms and then dies, a new stalk will bloom 5-10 years after that? (Thanks to Glacier National Park for that info.)
Blessings: For a visit with my family.
Striving: to be a better wife.

Saturday Night Cinema

Three Violent People
Date: 1956
Starring: Charlton Heston, Anne Baxter, Gilbert Roland, Tom Tryon
Directed By:Rudoph Maté"
A fabulous film recommended to me by Keira.
It is the story of a Texan who returns to home after the Civil War to his ranch. Along the way he hastily picks himself up a wife without bothering to look into her past. Back at the ranch we meet the black sheep of the family and the poet of a Grand Vacaro and his 5 sons. While all the ranchers in the area prepare to fight the carpetbaggers our hero discovers his wife's past. . .

Fans of M.A.S.H. might notice a familiar nose on Pedro, he is played by Jamie Farr though credited as Jameel Farah.
The Grand Vacaro possibly has the best role in the film and certainly the best lines, for example:
"At times a Saunders does not live well, but he always dies well."

7 out of 7 stars, one of my favorite Westerns. Boss Moss approved.

In Which Moose Finds Himself Permanently Moved to the Dog House

My sisters and I planned a little bit of fun this vacation. Trying on our wedding dresses 10 and 7 years later, respectively. The Lovely Mrs. Moss couldn't bring hers, and Super Nanny doesn't have hers yet so she tried on her prom dress.When Weenie walked out in her dress her husband looked at us like we were insane and then walked over and gave her a kiss.
Moose, on the other hand, glared at me from across the room with an unimpressed look that bordered on disgust. Eventually he came over to me and said "Why are we doing this?"
"Because it is fun." I retorted.
"Where did it come from?"
"It's my wedding dress."
"Really?"
"Umm...yeah." I point to the picture of our wedding day that was hanging over my head.
"Oh, it doesn't look as good."

Thanks.
Later he insisted that my dress was sleeveless (on what planet would I wear a sleeveless dress?) and that he thought I picked the dress up while I was antiquing that morning.
I might be biased but somehow I don't think my dress is very forgettable.

Some notes: It seems a common thing that one out grows their wedding dress in the ribcage area.
Next time we hope to have 5 wedding dresses and we will do our hair and makeup too.

Would You Care for a "Smole?"

Boba Fett asked most politely for another "smole" while we were at the cabin roasting marshmallows. We deciphered that he was interested in another "s'more."
Nutmeg schooled the entire family in the correct way to roast marshmallows. Proper form.

Sabbath Leaves

Our Beautiful World: Big Sky Country, the sky really is bigger here.
Blessings: I am thankful for Montana, cowboys and the first Moss Family Round Up.
Striving: To pray.

Saturday Night Cinema

Oh yes.
North By Northwest
Starring: Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint
Directed By: Alfred Hitchcock
Date: 1959

Espionage, mistaken identity, unidentified (possibly communist) foreign bad guys. Cary Grant. Sleeper Trains. Steamy.

You simply have to see this film. It is iconic. Literally.

Hitchcock referred to this film as "the American 39 Steps."

This was my Grandma's favorite film. She also loved Cary Grant because "He is so handsome!"

Saddle Up!

We are off to Montana for the first Moss Family Round Up.
I will have cell service until the moment we hit the Montana border.
With the sunset scheduled at 9:41pm we should be pulling in just as it gets dark at 11pm.

Luckily, will not be travelling along Going to the Sun Road, so it's all good.

This is Why Marriage is Fun.

Last night as I was reading the computer screen over Moose's shoulder we came to a video that we thought was very cool. About 1 minute in I said "I am so posting this" to which he replied "Not if I post it first" and the race was on, I dashed into the schoolroom to grab my laptop, he yelled "Hey, get back here." by now we were both laughing hysterically as I brought my computer into the room with a faster connection. We both tried to be the first to post the video on Facebook, I won but only due to some gadgets on my toolbar and a little more (read obsessive) Facebook experience. It was a fun way to end the evening. I realize this is one of those "I guess you had to be there" things, just trust me, it was hilarious.
And of course the video that started it all:


Weird Al is the undisputed King on Parody and a genius at that. How does he come up with all of these songs? I think I like this one so much because The Doors were really popular when I was in Jr. High and I never quite figured out why.

I dedicated the victorious post to my favorite Craigslister with "This one goes out to the one I miss..."

Do You Yudu?

Today we brought 22 black shirts and 2 pizzas to the Kang House for the first of our summer crafty days. The kids started playing and I didn't see them for the next 6 hours as I printed up our family reunion t-shirts. Boba Fett didn't want to leave, usually he is the first one to ask when we are going home.

We are pretty pleased with the results of Sarah's Yudu machine. I wish that the ink was a little more opaque though.

In other news we are busily scrubbing the house in preparation to our bi-annual trip to Big Sky Country and the first ever Moss Family Round Up. Funny how going on vacation necessitates a top to bottom house cleaning.

Notice: Career Change

Boba Fett, who used to want to grow up to be a Dragon but then decided he wanted to grow up to work at Wendy's has decided on a new career track. Boba Fett would now like to grow up to work at the Oregon Zoo. He would like to feed the animals. Please make a note in your files of this change.
P.S. Boba Fett does not yet know that aquariums exist - once he does he might change his mind to the ever romantic occupation of "Marine Biologist."

A Prayer Concerning My Garden

Father,

Thank you for the bounteous and fruitful garden this year. 7th time's a charm eh? I am so excited for all of this green goodness. The potato plants are really getting huge. I love the green carpet of lettuce too. Thank you for helping those green onions to come up, I was starting to lose confidence. How do you think the soil is for the rhubarb/blueberry patch? Let me know so I can have time to fix it. I was thinking we should have a game plan for whatever it is sneaking a bite of the strawberries. I am a little worried about the bok choi and broccoli raab, I don't really want to eat either right now, and there is so much. What should I do? Next time I think we should go with plain broccoli and BABY bok choi and just a few of those. Tonight I noticed how you designed most of the leaves in the garden to funnel the water down to the base of the plant. Really, brilliant! I love that. Thanks again, and as usual, please, can I have some decent tomatoes this year?

Amen

Saturday Night Cinema

We have been mad for all things Miniver around here of late. La Keira and I have been reading and raving about the book Mrs. Miniver by Jan Struther. I was very concerned about the film afraid that I would hate it. I watched it last night and the verdict is 6.5 out of 7 thimbles! And so I submit Mrs. Miniver for your Saturday Night Cinema pleasure.
Date: 1942
Starring: Greer Garson, Water Pidgeon, and Teresa Wright
Directed by: William Wyler

This movie is fantastic if you forget about the book. Nothing that is in the movie is in the book, apart from names and general spirit. It works because Mrs. Miniver is written as little snippets in a woman's life over a couple of years so you can imagine that the movie just carries on in the parts you don't read. You also have to make Vin 5 or so years older. The fil is sweet, exciting and a little suspenseful. The actor who plays "Clarence" in "It's a Wonderful Life," Henry Travers is in the movie too. Greer Garson is outstanding as Mrs. Miniver.

The book is so soft and pastoral. The way the author writes of a HAPPY marriage is refreshing and hits home. The book is very centered on little insignificant details. There isn't much of a plot just little scenes and thoughts in the life of an ordinary British woman.

It is.

6.5 out of 7 thimbles for the film, 7 out of 7 thimbles for the book.

P.S. The movie has German Bad Guys!

Saturday Night Cinema Update

2 of my Saturday Night Cinema recommendations recently became available on Netflix's watch Instantly feature The Third Man and The 39 Steps. How fabulous!

Beachcombing

My aunts Kim and Beth and their families were camping on the coast this week and called me up to see if I wanted to come out to visit. I have been trying to convince someone to go to the beach with me for 2 weeks so I said "Heck yeah!" and loaded up the kids and went to the beach.
Boba Fett was exuberant to say the least. He ran, he skipped, he picked up countless creatures dead and alive. He yelled and giggled and laughed. He sang songs, danced in the icy waves, climbed dunes, and rolled in the sand.He threatened to die of a broken heart if I did not let him bring home the sand crab he found.
There is a sand crab in bowl of sand on my kitchen table right now.

Bleach Pens

Family Fun is the only secular magazine we subscribe to. We just love all of the fun ideas that we find in the pages. I give Commander C each copy to flip through and find things he would like to do.
This month he chose to decorate t-shirts. We didn't have any plain tees to decorate so we went to Target and snagged some shirts and a bleach pen. Here are the results.Commander C's trademark snowman
Boba Fett's Baby Dragon
Nutmeg's Ballerina (thanks to Degas for the inspiration.)

Sewing Machine Meme

Oooh sewing machine meme over at Sew, Mama, Sew! I'm in.

What brand and model do you have? Kenmore 158.18020 (circa 1973 ish?)

How long have you had it? 2 years

How much does that machine cost (approximately)? $50 on Craigslist!

What types of things do you sew (i.e. quilting, clothing, handbags, home dec projects, etc.)? a little of everything, a lot of professional quality costumes very little quilting.

How much do you sew? How much wear and tear does the machine get?

I am a binge sewer. She will sit untouched for weeks and then get heavy usage for a week and then be left alone again.

Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does she have a name?

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! Very passionate. I love her mint green vintage-y-ness. Her name is Violet.

What features does your machine have that work well for you?

Automatic buttonhole, tons of stitch functions, she is sturdy and can go through more than 4 layers of fabric! All metal parts baby!

Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine?

I do wish that there were larger automatic button holes and there is not a free arm so narrow projects can get tricky.

Do you have a great story to share about your machine (i.e., Found it under the Christmas tree? Dropped it on the kitchen floor? Sewed your fingernail to your zipper?, Got it from your Great Grandma?, etc.!)? We want to hear it!

I bought her and more than 50 attachments for $50 on Craigslist. I knew it is the one I wanted because a friend has one that she has been using since the early 70's and loves it.

Last summer I accidentally knocked her off the table and broke a big metal piece. I was bereft, sobbing, thought she was a goner, but she lived!

Would you recommend the machine to others? Why?

Well, yes, because I love her so much.

What factors do you think are important to consider when looking for a new machine?

I am a big fan of non-computerized machines mostly because of the easy and cheap maintenance. I can't imagine how annoying it would be to have your machine not work because of a computer glitch. All metal parts. Does it have the stitches you would like. How expensive are the attachments?

Do you have a dream machine? Yes, the exact machine I have with a free arm and some bigger automatic button hole parts. I would like to have a cabinet to mount her in so she doesn't fall off again. I would also like a carrying case for her. I would like to complete the set of monogram cams.

I suppose, if pressed, I would accept a high end Viking or Bernina and I could use a good serger.

The End of an Era

Meet Clotilde, my trusty razor for going on 18 years now. That's correct, I have been using the same razor for the majority of my shaving career. Clotilde has been to Wales, Cornwall, Scotland, Canada, Hawaii, Leadore, Idaho, everywhere that I have been. Clotilde has shaved my legs for every date, Clotilde has been with me through heartache and three pregnancies. That's loyalty, that's "Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without." Thrift. Frugality. Very Samurai Mom.

Last week I happened to find myself in the razor aisle of Target and looked for the ever familiar packet of Personal Touch razor blades. I became concerned but didn't panic. Tonight I went to Rite Aid, no razor blades. I think they have discontinued them. I knew the day would come but I had hoped to be really old when it happened - perhaps old enough to stop shaving all together. Alas. I suppose they think that I have received my money's worth from that razor.

If you happened to see the little brown cartridges at your drugstore let me know so I can snatch them up. Thank goodness I have a year's supply.

Saturday Night Cinema

I'm in the mood for a feel good comfort movie. While the ultimate feel good movie for me is Little Women this one is a good choice too...

Miss Potter
Date: 2006
Starring: Renee Zellweger and Ewan McGregor
Directed by: Chris Noonan

This biopic is a pretty true to life tale of the life of authoress and artist Beatrix Potter (you know, Peter Rabbit.) Having read some biographies of Beatrix Potter I was not disappointed in Miss Potter as a film. I found it charming, magical, a little bit romantic, a lot sad and full of hope.

Renee Zellweger can get on my nerves sometimes but she does a fine job in this film as does Ewan McGregor (I think, but I can't tell because I am always dazzled by his smile and ignore all else.)
Rated PG this film is clean as a whistle and you can watch this with the kids - boys might find it a little slow but I am sure the girls will love it.

6 out of 7 thimbles

The biggest Failure in the History of Garage Sales

This is what my garage sale looked like at 8:30 this morning. This is what my garage sale still looks like a mere 30 min before the appointed closing time. The weather was yucky yesterday and not much better today. Yesterday I made $68, today I made $12. I have had about 12 people stop today. I have given this sale 2 days of my life, my evenings for a week and neglected my children and house in excess. FlyLady is right, garage sales are not worth it.

If only the weather had been better. I have, however, said goodbye to an awful lot of stuff. I NEVER thought I could have such a huge amount of stuff to sell.

Here is a little bit of fun for you though. Mr Moss and The Lovely Mrs Moss and their friends killing time.

Coming Up for Air...

Coming up for a breather from a mad uncharacteristic urge to purge and clean the house, make a veil for a friend's daughter, take the children to the zoo, get new bookshelves, move 500 books twice and whip together a garage sale. Let's pray for sun tomorrow because as we learned today the yard sale business is a little slow on drizzly damp days. Sorry about the no picture post but I can't seem to find the camera. I hope I didn't accidentally place it in the FREE box!

Camp Zarahemla

Just a few last words about Camp Zarahemla. It was beautiful. We were threatened with hypothermia if we were even in the water for a few moments so swimming was not allowed. I was highly suspicious of this claim for many reasons one of which being there was no snow along the actual lake edges. Jewel Basin, Strawberry Lake, June. I swam in it I did not get even a touch of hypothermia, Clear Lake was lower in elevation AND there was no glacier feeding it. Don't tell a girl from Glacier country about hypothermia. (I also went surfing in Cornwall in October which was VERY cold.) I did take all 3 of my kids out in a canoe and we had a great time even thought it started raining. I love canoes!

This is Nicki on the porch of our cabin overlooking the lake. The cabins were lush. Real walls no cracks, actual windows with glass and working screens. Lights, outlets a mini fridge, a microwave and......

A gas stove with a thermostat. We had that cabin toasty warm.
There was of course a lodge with kitchen, bathroom and showers. There was a great playground for the little ones, and the big ones too. There were port-a-potties near all cabins and each cabin had a fire pit with cords upon cords of seasoned firewood. The cabins even had Christmas lights hanging outside.
I am so glad we went. We had such a great time.