My Grandmother's Aldens Super Zig Zag Model AZZ Sewing Machine

Let me introduce you to my cantankerous and beloved Aldens Super Zig Zag Sewing Machine. It is a JA 38, Model AZZ. I think that the serial number 14A115. It is the number that is on the bottom of the machine. 

My grandparents ordered it from Aldens (Chicago, Illinois) on May 4, 1960. They paid $129.95 for it and $3.90 in tax. It was delivered by the railroad to Seaman, Ohio for pick up. Want to know how I know all this? My Grandparents kept EVERYTHING, which is good for me now. According to my Grandfather's diary, they picked it up on May 23, 1960.

From what I read on this page the Aldens sewing machines were made by Standard Sewing Machine Company in Japan. Aldens added their tag and sold it. 

The picture above is of all the attachments. I even have the original box and screwdrivers that came with it (not the stitch ripper or sewing machine oil though :D). The one at the top of the picture is a ruffler. I haven't tried it yet, but am going to have some fun this week. There is also an attachment for making a button hole, adding a button, hemming, quilting, and braiding (that one still confuses me).

It is housed in a BEAUTIFUL, old and very heavy wooden frame. This housed my Grandmother's previous sewing machine, an Improved New Goodrich No. 2 treadle sewing machine (which I also have). They bought the treadle machine on April 23, 1947 (again, according to my Grandfather's diary) for $15.00. Unfortunately, I don't know who they bought it from. I do know that the original owner bought it from Foley and Williams Mfg. Company on September 9, 1898. My Grandmother still had the original instruction manual.

I still use the machine. It works well, when it wants to. Our current fight: it wants to keep throwing in zig zags when I have everything set perfectly for a straight stitch.

I haven't found much information on my machine. I'll keep digging. I did find that they were mass made and not worth much, $5.00 to $50.00. The value of this one and all the memories wrapped into it? PRICELESS!

Now I'm going to go crawl under my blanket that Grandma make on it and gave to me when I was a child. Wrap myself in some love. Goodnight.

Lessons From Our Sunflowers

         We were gone for most of April and May. When we got back home we discovered some sunflowers had grown up through a crack by our back steps. We were excited, but I didn't expect them to last long with kids running in and out. There have been some bends (what I thought was the end) from kids and wind. The flowers proved me wrong though. Whether they are laying flat or standing tall, they are blooming. They are still going strong and we have been enjoying the blooms.

I decided that I could learn a few lessons from the sunflowers. Here they are:   

• It may be a tight squeeze, but if God is behind it, it will happen.    
• There will be bends and falls. No matter what, keep looking toward the Son.
• Others may expect failure. Let God prove them wrong through you.
• You may look a bit rough, but when you bloom fully, it will be amazing.
• No matter what position you are in, you can still produce.
• You may feel like you are unimportant, may appear unassuming, but God is working. If you allow Him to do His work the bloom will come.
• If you are willing, you can produce in abundance.
• Keep growing!

Psalm 37:23-24 (NASB) says:

"The steps of a man are established 

by the LORD, 

and He delights in his way. 

 When he falls,

he will not be hurled headlong,

because the LORD is the One

who holds his hand."

KEEP BLOOMING!

Here's some information on sunflowers.

Spice/Herb Mixes

I figured that I'd keep with my theme of the past couple of posts and share some more recipes. I like to make some of my own mixes for things such as taco and pizza seasonings. Here are some of the recipes that I use. I lessen the amounts of some of the spicier spices for the kids. I also usually use less salt than called for. I make a large amount and store so that I have it on hand.

Pizza Seasoning (This makes about 1/2 cup)
                       2 tablespoons oregano
                       1 tablespoon basil
                       1/2 tablespoon onion powder
                       1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
                       1/2 tablespoon thyme
                       1/2 tablespoon fennel
                       1/2 tablespoon paprika
                       1/2 tablespoon black pepper
                       1/2 tablespoon ginger

Combine all ingredients and store in a tightly sealed container. Use about 2 teaspoons of the mix per one cup of tomato sauce.

Taco Seasoning
1 tablespoons chili powder
5 teaspoons paprika
4 1/2 teaspoons cumin
3 teaspoons onion powder
3 teaspoons salt
2 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 1/2 teaspoons cayenne pepper

Mix all ingredients and store in a tightly sealed container. To use: Brown one pound ground beef (or whatever you prefer). Drain. Add about 2/3 cup water and 4-5 teaspoons seasoning mix. Simmer until water is gone.


Here is an excellent spice mix recipe for beef roast (I've never tried it, but imagine it would be good on deer also). I like to make some blue cheese dressing to go with it.
Herb Rubbed Sirloin Tip Roast


Onion Soup Mix
3/4 cup dry minced onion
1/3 cup beef bouillon powder
4 teaspoons onion powder
1/4 teaspoon crushed celery seeds

Combine all ingredients and store in a tightly sealed container. About five tablespoons of mix are equal to a package of store bought onion soup mix.

And finally, for desert!

Pumpkin Pie Spice
4 tablespoons cinnamon
4 teaspoons nutmeg
4 teaspoons ginger
3 teaspoons allspice
2 teaspoons cardamom

Mix all ingredients and store in an air tight container.

Enjoy some good food!

My favorite place to get good quality, inexpensive spices (they also have powdered beef bouillon and dry minced onion) is Azure Standard . They are awesome! (And no, I don't get paid for that comment. :D )

Babies!

I love creating things from paper crafting to cooking to making my own powders, oils and soaps. I've found a couple of recipes that have worked well for me. One is Calendula baby oil . My first two children did not have much cradle cap, but my third and current baby has had it a lot. I have previously just taken some olive oil and added a few drops of lavender essential oil. That worked as it is the oil that softens the cradle cap. A while back I came across a recipe that uses calendula, which I love. Calendula is also called pot marigold or garden marigold. It is not the same as marigolds that are used as ornamental plants. Calendula is a great antiseptic herb. It can also be used in cooking. Some use it as an inexpensive substitute for saffron. There are many more uses for it. Check this page out for more information: Calendula.

The recipe is very easy. Just eight oz of olive oil and 1 ounce of calendula flowers. Put them together in a slow cooker on low for about four hours. Let the oil cool, strain the calendula. If you want to (I did), try adding 5-10 drops each of orange and lavender essential oil. Orange also has antiseptic properties and lavender is calming.

The recipe for baby powder that I have used for a couple of years now is found here: Organic baby powder. You will need some sort of grinder for this, as the lavender, calendula and orange peel (all dried) need to be ground into a fine powder. This powder is good for all ages (my brother says it works better than Gold Bond :D ).

Use 3 1/2 cups of corn starch (I prefer to use organic to avoid GMO corn); 1/3 cup dried lavender flowers, 1/3 cups dried calendula flowers and 1/3 cup dried orange peel (I save my peel from oranges that we eat and dry them). Grind the lavender, calendula and orange peel to a fine powder. Mix into corn starch. Easy!

I love knowing that the things I am using aren't full of harsh/harmful chemicals. These two recipes are some ways that I can accomplish that.

Dandelions

After a rather long hiatus from posting, I begin again. My subject: Dandelions and all the wonderful things you can do with the flowers...

If you are looking for a quick snack you can eat them raw, as my kids have learned. :D  Be sure to avoid the green part of the flower, as it can be rather bitter.

Grandma McCarty would fry the dandelion flowers when I was a kid. After a try a few years back which turned into a nasty mush with a horrible taste, I learned that the oil has to be hot before putting them in (thanks momma :D). Here is how Grandma made them:

Dandelion flowers (be sure to remove the stems)

Flour

Salt & Pepper to taste

Soak the flowers in salt water. Heat oil (about 1/2 inch thick) in a skillet. When the oil is hot enough flour will sizzle in it. Roll the flowers in the flour mixture and place in pan. When the flowers have browned on one side, turn them over and brown the other. It just takes a few minutes. If you have ever fried mushrooms before, it is done the same way.

I also found this recipe on allrecipes.com http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Fried-Dandelions-Appalachian-Style/Detail.aspx

Here are some other ideas to do with the flowers ... 

Dandelion Vinegar 

 http://www.ehow.com/how_4855702_make-dandelion-vinegar.html

I made this last week. Hoping it turns out good. Now to find ways to use it.

Dandelion Oil

I read that dandelion oil is great for sore muscles and joints. So ... I made some to try. I found varying recipes. Some said to sit it in the sun for two weeks (I live in North Dakota, the sun hasn't visited much yet). Some said to heat it for a while. One said to fill a jar with the petals, pour sunflower or olive oil over them (I used olive) and let it sit for six weeks. This is what I tried. For the first few days I would shake the jar and make sure that all of the petals were covered with oil. I added more oil a few times to keep the petals covered. For the next five weeks I'll keep it away from heat, then strain out the flowers and try it out.

Dandelion Flower Cookies

½ cup vegetable oil

½ cup local honey

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup plain flour

1 cup oatmeal

½ cup dandelion flowers

Preheat the oven to 375. Mix the oil and honey together and then beat in the eggs and vanilla extract. Remove the yellow petals from the dandelion flowers and add them to the oil and honey mixture along with the flour and oatmeal. Drop the batter onto an oiled baking sheet in tablespoon sized blobs and bake for 10-15 minutes. 

I tried these also. They were okay. Nothing really special about them.

Dandelion Hair Rinse

Put 3 cups of dandelion flowers into a pot, cover with cold water and boil for an hour. Strain out the petals and cool the liquid. Pour over freshly washed (still damp) hair, then wrap the hair in a dark towel for at least 30 minutes. Rinse clean and dry as normal.

I haven't tried making the rinse yet. Not really sure what good it does. Any thoughts?

 

Dandelion Jelly
2 cups dandelion blossoms, separated from leave and bracts

2 cups water

1 cup sugar

2 teaspoons lemon juice

1 ¼ teaspoons pectin

Boil flowers in water on medium heat for about 10 minutes. Strain petals from liquid. Return to pot, and bring to a boil. Add sugar, lemon juice and pectin (follow instructions on pectin label). Boil and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon, skimming the foam, until the top surface becomes blobby and glasslike (2 or more minutes).

I tried this. I think that it needs a little more pectin; that or I did it wrong. There wasn't anything too special about the taste. It had the consistency of honey. My opinion: not worth the work.

Dandelion Honey/Syrup
4 cups dandelion petals

4 cups water

3 (1/4-inch) thick lemon slices

½ vanilla bean, split in half

2 1/8 cups granulated white sugar

Remove petals from the green bottoms by just pulling them apart, measure the petals only. Place petals in heavy sauce pan along with water, lemon slices, and vanilla bean. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 30 minutes. Remove from heat and let steep for 6 hours. Strain the dandelion tea through cheesecloth and dispose of the organic matter. Place in a heavy saucepan and bring to a low boil. Gradually add sugar while stirring until dissolved. Lower heat and let simmer to desired consistency (may take up to 4 hours). Can be used in the same way as regular honey.

Since my jelly turned into honey, I didn't try this.

All in all, I had fun finding different ways to use dandelion flowers. My favorite way is still frying them. If anyone has any other uses, let me know! Thanks! Enjoy God's amazingly wonderful & tasty creation!

Start My Day

Here is a poem that I wrote several years ago. It remains one of my favorites ...

Father

Here it is a new day

And You are in it

I do not know what steps to take

But You do

I do not know which path to walk

But You do

I do not know what is around the bend

But You do

I want to stop to smell the roses

Yet their thorns prick me

It hurts

And You care

You joy in my joy

And comfort in my sorrow

You send sunshine to warm my soul

And storms to make me grow

You fill my day with Your presence

Your Spirit fills me

You walk with me

And You talk with me

I love our conversations, Father

I joy in hearing Your voice

Speak to me

Tell me Your will for the day

I wish to do all to glorify You

To lift up Your name

To praise You

I love to sing to You

To exalt Your name

I love to live in Your presence

Because You know

And You care

You are my Abba

My Father

Who loves unconditionally

If I fall today

You will not let me tumble

You hold my hand

You will not turn Your back

And say, "You are worthless"

"I have told you a thousand times"

"You will never make it"

You will not do this, Father

For even though I do fall

Even though I hear You a thousand times a day

Even though I do feel worthless

You considered me worthy enough
To send Your Son --

Your only Son --

To die in my place

For my sins

For the times that I fall

You care for me

That I will never understand

I do understand the peace, though

The peace You give when I ask for forgiveness

There is nothing to compare

It seems an unequal relationship to me

You give Your Son

For something I did

Yet still love me

And call me Your child

You give so much

And ask for so little

How could I not start my day

With You

And end my day

With You

My Abba

My Father

- July 1999 -

Why Do We Pedal So Hard?

I ran across this while I was cleaning out an external hard drive. I thought I 'd share it ...

28 June 2006

            One of my earliest memories is participating in a kiddie tractor pull. I can still remember how I pedaled and pedaled. The farther I went, the more I strained. I was determined to get to the end. I crossed the finish line and ended up getting first place. I still have my trophy to prove it.

            Mom recently told me about a festival she and dad went to with my little sister, Rebekah and niece, Houston. Rebekah and Houston took part in the festival’s kiddie tractor pull. Houston’s results stuck in my mind. She got on the tractor and strained and strained, but couldn’t move. Then someone bent down and unhooked the weight. She flew across the finish line, ecstatic that she had finished.

            How much like our Christian walk this is. We are weighed down with many different things in life. We strain to reach the end. We never lose our focus, but it seems so hard, the weight so heavy.

            Jesus is standing there, waiting, wanting to lean down and unhook our weight. He said, “Come to Me all who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest.”

            He desires to take our burden, our weights. He, out of anyone, understands burdens. Before He was even born on earth, He knew He would be coming here to die. He suffered horrible physical pain (beatings; being nailed to a cross) and horrible emotional pain (being rejected by His home town; watching His mother watch Him die; being deserted and denied by His closest friends), yet He did what He did so that we can cast aside all weight.

            Hebrews 12:1-3 says,

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance (a burden; a weight) and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame and has set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lost heart.”

            We can still make it to the finish line with our weight attached and receive our reward, but it is so much easier when we lay aside our encumbrances. Jesus faced the cross with joy (Heb. 12:2) because He knew the outcome: not just salvation, but the ability for us to cast off our weights  and run the race with endurance.

            Wow! Why do we pedal so hard when we can fly?