A BLOGABLE LIFE?

I've been giving a lot of thought recently to the future of this blog.  Here are some thoughts ---

London Eye, 2008

I started this blog on July 22, 2008 after a wonderful 50th wedding anniversary trip to Europe.  I had been lurking in the blog world for sometime, and thought that maybe there was something in our 50 years of marriage about making a home and living and loving life that was worth sharing.  Also, I thought of it as a way to journal our lifestyle for our descendants if in the future they were interested.  Thus, SALMAGUNDI, was conceived. 
I've always been fond of alliteration; and my name, Sally Saulmon, and Salmagundi seemed to fit.  One of the definitions of Salmagundi is "A disparate assembly of things, ideas, and people."  That was what I wanted my blog to be.
It's been a journey as my computer skills were lacking (still are!), and finding a niche in blogland for my style was daunting and elusive (and still is!)  But here we are at Post No. 556.

THE THINGS:
Oh my, we have things!  And I have blogged about hundreds of them.  We have been antique and junk accumulators from the beginning of our marriage.  And, we still enjoy the hunt and incorporating them into our home; but have slowed down considerably.  There is simply no more room in our house. 

Christmas 2014

THE IDEAS:
I'm a thinker -- I over-think and try to solve everything within my sphere of influence.  Just ask my family.  However, I'm not an intellectual.  If I can't control a part of the situation; I, unfortunately and regrettably, don't give it much thought.  Therefore, the ideas on this blog are rather shallow.

THE PEOPLE:
I have had amazing Colorado pioneers in my family that worked long and hard to pass on the lifestyle I've been fortunate to enjoy.  I have blogged about several of them and the belongings they have entrusted into my care.  And, of course, I've had a husband for 56 years who has always supported me both emotionally and financially to allow me freedom to do what I wanted.  We raised two amazing children that have endured their own hardships and struggles, but have come out on top.  We've been blessed with two adorable, absolutely wonderful grandchildren.  But, how many pictures of "The Beauty" and "The Cutie" can my blog readers endure?

That leads us to the present ---
I'm to the point that I'm almost blogged out!
I'm thinking a sabbatical is in order -- not just a couple of weeks, but possibly six months. 

THE FUTURE: 
I have obligated myself to a one-woman quilt show in August; a retrospective of my 65 years of making quilts.  And, I have been thinking that a retrospective really should require that I finish the albatross quilt in the closet.  

My First Quilt (1950) and The Albatross (2015?)

 The albatross has been ten years in the making; but with arthritic fingers and declining eyesight, I've struggled with finishing the hand quilting.  I love this quilt, and it deserves to be finished and exhibited.

So, I figure if I devote 4-6 hours each day to working on the albatross; I can complete it by the August deadline.
I have decided to concentrate on that feat.

I plan to remain on facebook and pinterest, and regularly check on my favorite blogs as I can't break my computer habits so easily.  I'll be at church every Sunday morning, and hopefully increase my prayer time at home. Then, there is always the cooking to be done, and the need to dust all this stuff occasionally -- my least favorite activities but necessary.  Just as we have for 30 years; every Wednesday morning will find me with my girl friends having coffee/tea, eating, complaining, laughing, and solving the world's problems.  
And, there are still good books to be read.
Bob and I will occasionally be out there searching for that perfect piece we don't need for our home.  And, I will be running interference into the kid's lives.  As the Countess Violet on Downton Abbey says, "It's the grandmother's job to interfere."
And who knows, I may experience something blog worthy and occasionally pop in here at Salmagundi.

But, for now, a very tiny hand-quilting needle and an albatross in the closet is calling my name.

 My plans are to return in September to resume blogging regularly.

A RING OF POSIES

A ring of posies for those who are celebrating Spring ---- I'm still hoping for more Winter, so I appliqued them on 100% wool.

I made this pillow last week from two thrift store skirts -- both the black and the gray plaid skirts were from Harve' Benard (by Benard Holtzman).  The 100% wool was so soft -- my needle just glided through the fabric.  The reds and rusts were scraps from previous projects.

I've never used a variegated thread for embellishment before, but thought I would give it a try.  I like using #5 Pearle Cotton, and bought this variegated thread in two colorways at Hobby Lobby.  Not sure yet how I feel about it.  Guess it does add a little dimension.

I've started working on a table runner using my wool plaid scraps.  It will take me some time to complete; however, it is not going to make a dent in my fabric stash!

Happy Winter/Spring!!!!

I'm joining the following:
Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday
Common Ground for Share Your Style Thursday
Nancherrow for Fridays Unfolded
French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
Pieced Pastimes for Saturday Sparks
Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
Confessions of a Plate Addict for The Scoop Tuesday
A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday

A TEACHER NEVER STOPS BEING A STUDENT

It's birthday time here again.  Our first-born turns 47.  How did that happen so soon?

He has been bright-eyed and inquisitive since he was a few weeks old.

10 weeks old

However, he did flunk out of pre-school for expressing his opinion and knowledge a little too frequently!  Does that surprise anyone who knows him?   Homeschooling was in order until he could attack kindergarten.

2 years old

From then on there was no stopping him from loving to learn.

First, there was high school graduation, then a college chemical engineering degree, then a master's degree in chemical engineering.  As if that wasn't enough --  then another master's and a doctorate in biochemistry were earned.  It got a little old going to graduations, so we all missed the last two (thus, no photos).

He finally found his niche -- teaching high school math and science, plus sponsoring the International club at school enabling him to travel the world with his students.

Happy Birthday, Dr. S.  
 You continue to enrich our lives immensely. 

PENNY RUG PILLOW

subtitled:

441 FRENCH KNOTS LATER -----

I like to have some handwork to sew on in the evenings while we watch TV.  After all, we can't miss 2 hours each week of Antiques Roadshow, many reruns of NCIS, innumerable episodes of American Pickers, plus the unending sports programs.  And how can I forget Downton Abbey; the only night I control the remote!

This has been my project since the first of the year.  

I like something repetitive as my creative mojo has died by evening; and I also like something that gives me a few week's work without switching gears.

You wouldn't think that an 18-inch pillow would take two months --- but, it did!

Time for a new project. 
It's almost the TV season for one million baseball games!!!!

I'm joining the following:
Common Ground for Share Your Style Thursday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday
French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
Pieced Pastimes for Saturday Sparks
Smiling Sally for Blue Monday
The Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Monday
A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday
Savvy Southern Style for WOW Us Wednesdays

FINDERS KEEPERS

A few weeks ago at an antique mall, Bob found a great old crusty tool box -- one that had seen a lot of use!  After a short negotiation we brought the box home with us.

Some people like to keep things in their found condition; but, Bob sees everything as a project.

He likes to take everything apart to see how it was constructed; polish everything up; repair it; and return it to its original intent.

 Under the grime was unusual handmade copper hardware.  

He figured out that some of the hardware was designed to hold leather straps that were missing.  Also, that the tool box was designed to hold saws.

And to add to the story --- last Fall, Bob was walking down to get the mail one day when he spotted some antique saws in the neighbor's trash at the curb.  He asked him about them -- they belonged to his grandfather, and no one in the family wanted them.  Bob was happy to take them off his hands and out of the landfill!

Now the saws have a home.

Yes, finders keepers!

I'm joining the following:
Common Ground for Share Your Style Thursday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday
Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
Our Home Away from Home for Tuesdays At Our Home
Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday