Fabric Headbands

I've been meaning to do a few projects while I'm at my in-laws' since I have a lot of free time, but as of this morning I hadn't done much other than get ideas!  But since I missed posting last Thursday I decided I couldn't let myself skip posting again today.  It was time to make something!  Some of the other projects I am planning on doing would be a bit too involved to finish in time, so I decided to pull out a project that had been in the back of my mind for a long time - making headbands.  A while ago I found a tutorial on pinterest that I was interested in trying, so that seemed like a good place to start!  I ended up making two kinds of headbands, because there were a couple different fabric options I really liked, and I tend to unnecessarily complicate things.  But it was fun!


Twist Headband

This fabric was my motivation for making something for myself.  I think it's really pretty.

To make a twist headband you need two strips of fabric.  I made mine 2 inches wide and 22 inches long.  You pin each strip of fabric in half lengthwise, right sides in, and sew along the edge to make a long tube.

Then turn the tube of fabric right side out.  (I suggest pinning a safety pin onto one end and threading it through the tube to turn it right side out.  I didn't the first time and it took forever.  The second time I remembered the safety pin trick and it went much better.)  Repeat with the second piece of fabric.  Flatten the fabric so that the seams are in the middle of the back.  Ironing would probably be a good idea, but I didn't bother.  Lay one piece seam side up and lay the other piece crossing it seam side down.

Match up the ends of each piece with the seams on the inside.  Sew the ends together.

Sew the headband into a loop that fits your head, and cut off any excess.

That's it!

Braided Headband

This headband takes three strips of fabric.  I cut mine 2 inches wide and 30 inches long.

Sew the fabric into tubes the same way as the twist headbands.  Pin the three pieces together at one end and braid.  Pin the other end.

Sew the ends together into a loop that fits your head, and cut off any excess.  Enjoy!

Out in the Fields with God

One of the joys of staying at my in-laws' is getting to wander through their acreage and enjoy the stillness and peace that comes from being surrounded by nature.  Yesterday, on one such wander, I remembered a poem that I loved as a child and I thought I would share it with you. 

Out in the Fields with God
by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

The little cares that fretted me
I lost them yesterday
Among the fields above the sea,
Among the winds at play,
Among the lowing of the herds,
The rustling of the trees,
Among the singing of the birds,
The humming of the bees.

The foolish fears of what might pass,
I cast them all away,
Among the clover-scented grass,
Among the new-mown hay,
Among the hushing of the corn,
Where drowsy poppies nod,
Where ill thoughts die and good are born -
Out in the fields with God.

A Time For Reflection

“Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what 

makes you come alive, and go do that, because 

what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

-Howard Thurman

Our vacation, while it is primarily about visiting family, has also given us a chance for a much needed rest.  It has been so good to get away from the day to day survival mode that we've been in for the past few months.  We've been able to talk, pray, and reflect on our lives and what changes we may need to make.

A big part of what we have been asking is what would we want to do, if anything was possible?  What do we love to do, long to do?  What makes us come alive?  And why aren't we doing it?

There are many different ways to receive guidance from God.  We are guided by his Word, and through prayer.  We can receive guidance through the people around us, and circumstances in our lives.  Another way to hear from God is to listen to the deep longings that he has placed in our hearts.

I believe that we all have a big dream deep in our hearts, but too often we believe that it is impossible.  The gap from where we are to where we want to be seems insurmountable.  There are too many unknowns, too many risks.  To be honest, it is scary.  But to follow our dreams is also be deeply fulfilling, and brings life and joy not only to ourselves but also to everyone around us. 

I think that is what this quote reminds me of.  To dream big and follow the desires that God has placed in my heart, and through that to change the world.  As has also been said:

“The place God calls you to is the place where

your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet.”

-Frederick Buechner 

Kale Chips

My little garden has been producing quite a lot considering its size.  So far there has been an abundance of cherry tomatoes and cucumbers, as well as peas, basil, and kale.  Kale is one of those things that I appreciate in theory.  I know that it is healthy and all that, but I have a hard time finding ways that I enjoy eating it.  I first tried making kale chips almost a year ago.  I liked them, but it seemed like quite a lot of work for not much of a result.  However, as my bag of kale from the garden kept getting bigger, I thought it might be good to try again.  Considering my recent success using a dehydrator to make roasted chickpeas, I thought I would try using it to make kale chips.  Once again the dehydrator proved itself, and it made really good kale chips!

All you need to make kale chips is kale, oil, and salt or whatever other seasonings you want.  I have been growing two kinds of kale in my garden.  I tried both of them as kale chips, and I enjoyed the frilly kind more.

Start by tearing the kale into bite-sized pieces.  Drizzle a little oil over the kale and rub it over the kale pieces until they are completely covered in oil.  Spread the kale on the drying racks, turn the dehydrator on, and let it dry!  When the chips have become crunchy rather than chewy, remove them from the drying racks and toss with salt and/or any other seasoning that strikes your fancy.

While Jesse says that kale chips taste too vegetable-y to count as chips, I find that they are a healthy way to satisfy my desire for a salty-crunchy snack.  And they look pretty too!

Silence

Away from the city
Away from the streets
Away from the bustle
Away from the noise

Quiet your mind
Quiet your spirit
Quiet your worries
Quiet your heart

See the breeze swaying the flowers
See the birds soaring overhead
See the light shimmering on the water

Feel the sun warming your skin
Feel peace washing over your soul

The silence is full of life

Seven Months

The past month has included learning more about big people food, getting really good at sitting up, delighting us all with "mama" and "dada", and lots of adventures!

Hanging out in Vancouver with Auntie Kathryn

Swimming is fun!

Swing rides are fun too!

Yummy banana

5 Things I Find Funny

I thought it would be good to follow my weekend rant with something a bit more cheerful.  I frequently run across things in my daily life that I find amusing.  Sometimes I have a chance to take a picture of them, so I thought I would share some of those with you!  These may not be laugh-aloud funny, but I am always encouraged when I remember that there is irony and humour to be found all around us in this crazy world, if we only look for it.

1. The packaging on this Psychology textbook I ordered online that I am quite certain cost significantly more than $10.

2. This transit sign that shares my opinion of big box stores.

3.The fact that when my student loans started asking for repayment, at least they included a postage paid envelope.

4. The time that Google forgot where Canada is.

5. This book that looks like it was munched on by one of its hippos.  (I learned my lesson and stopped letting Steven play with his books when I'm not watching.)

What are some things that have made you smile recently?

Nothing has Changed: A rant concerning internet mob violence

Someone becomes a target.
Maybe they said something wrong.
Maybe they did something wrong.
Maybe they were in the wrong place at the wrong time.
But suddenly they become a target.
They become a hashtag.
They stop being human.

They are thrown into the gladiator ring by a bloodthirsty mob to be torn apart by wild animals.
They are the victims of a witch hunt, sentenced to death without hope of a fair hearing.

We think we are better than people in the past.
We are more enlightened - champions of democracy, social justice, and environmental care.
But deep down we have not changed.
Today we are a mob just as bloodthirsty.

We sentence people to social annihilation
Ruining their career and reputation without a thought.
Destroying someone to satisfy our fickle emotions.
There is no fair trial.
There is no one to show compassion.
No one to treat them like a human.
No one to give them a second chance.

There are only two options:
Pick up a rock and join in the stoning,
Or stay silent.
There is no free speech. 
No safety.
The only voice that is permitted is one that is in agreement with the bloodthirsty mob.
So we allow the destruction to continue.
And hope that we will not be the next target.

There is no compassion.
There is no humanity.
We are the bloodthirsty mob.
Nothing has changed.