Month: September 2018

Two Cousins

Hi Sis,

It has been so wonderful to be able to see you lately. Before you married and moved to Texas, I was at your house probably half of the week. Then, I was lucky to see you once a year! Being able to see each other every few months has been a real treat! I also now get to feel like an Aunt to William, because I am around enough to get to know him. 😊

As great as our friendship is, it is so nice to see the relationship budding between our little ones. 

William is such a sweet and amazingly gentle toddler, and he is definitely taking to the big boy role with Evelyn. He gently rocks her in the bouncer, enjoys talking to her, hands her toys, and like every one else has taking to petting her hair. lol

Evelyn isn’t at a very interactive stage. But you can tell by her stares, giggles and smiles that she really likes her time with her big cousin.

Here are some pictures from their baby meeting. I have no idea what they were talking about, but they seemed to understand each other just fine. lol

Love,

Jamiegoof

Visiting John & Susan

Dear Sis,

Spending the day at John & Susan’s with Carmin and your family brought back lots of good memories from our days at Temple Hadar Israel:) 

Naturally, Carmin and Nate played games all day. They started outside, but eventually moved things inside when it got too sunny. Gingers are afraid of sunlight… almost as bad as vampires, but not as bite-y.

We ladies talked the day away, while babies ate, napped, and played.

Of course, Susan made us a wonderful dinner! She was kind enough to share recipes. Actually, I have a big stack of recipes from her. She is enabling our cooking addiction! …but it is nice to get pointers from a chef like Susan:)

Lamb Chops with Garlic Cream Sauce

Caramel Crunch Fudge Cake
Serves 12
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Ingredients
  1. 1/2 c unsalted butter
  2. 2 oz unsweetened chocolate squares
  3. 1 c water
  4. 1 c rolled oats
  5. 1 c granulated sugar
  6. 1 c dark brown sugar
  7. 1/2 c chocolate syrup
  8. 1/2 c cold coffee
  9. 1 t vanilla
  10. 3 eggs
  11. 1 1/2 c unbleached flour
  12. 1 t baking soda
  13. 1/2 t salt
Caramel Topping
  1. 1/3 c salted butter
  2. 1/4 c heavy cream
  3. 3/4 c dark brown sugar
  4. 1/2 c pecans, coarsely crushed
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 9x13 baking pan.
  2. In a large saucepan, melt together butter and chocolate.
  3. Add water and bring to a boil. Remove from heat.
  4. Stir in oats, sugars, chocolate syrup, coffee, vanilla, and eggs until well combined. Stir in remaining dry ingredients. Pour into prepared baking pan. Bake 25 - 30 minutes.
  5. When cake comes out of the oven, prepare caramel topping. Combine all ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce to a simmer 2-3 minutes, until slightly thickened. Pour over hot cake.
  6. Broil about 2 minutes, until bubbly and lightly browned. Cool completely.
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Love,

b

P.S. I wish I had taken more pictures during our PA visit. I didn’t get any with Mom’s or Dad’s family. 90% of what I do have is from OEV friends, cousin Lea, and you!

Making Zorb Diaper Inserts

Hi Sis,

 I have somewhat decent sewing skills, so I decided to make some diaper inserts. When looking up fabric types, I learned about Zorb.

Zorb (thinkingaboutclothdiapers.com)

Have you heard of Zorb yet? Although I had seen it sold on Wazoodle, my first experience with it was in an all-in-one from Mother-Ease, called the Wizard Uno (which, by the way, we love!) Zorb is a blend of bamboo, cotton, viscose and microfiber. It was designed specifically for cloth diapers, with the goal or reducing costs and improving performance.

Each layer of Zorb replaces 2-3 layers of cotton, bamboo, or hemp terry, or microfiber. The manufacturer claims that it absorbs moisture 20x faster than other fabrics, and will hold more moisture. It’s apparently a miracle fabric for diapers too – it’s much less likely to have stink issues that need stripping from hard water or detergent residues!

Zorb looked like the highest quality insert out there, and was super trim. It is also very expensive, at the average seller selling double zorb inserts for $8.00 each! But, by making it myself I was making it affordable (the cost of normal inserts) but getting much better quality. I figured, why not?

I ordered Zorb from Wazoodle Fabrics, which is the only manufacturer of the patented product. I got eleven inserts made from 1 yard of 45″ fabric. The cost was $23.41 which came down to $2.12 per insert.

After, washing and drying the fabric, I measured all my pocket diapers and came up with a size that would work for all of them. I took two pieces of the zorb quilted fabric and sewed 1/2 inch and 1/4 inch away from the border, and then I ran around the whole thing a few times with a zig zag stitch. A serger would have made this easy work, but it came out just fine.

I was rather happy with how they turned out. Look how trim they are compared to my other inserts.

left to right
zorb, microfiber, birdseye cloth diaper with flannel

These do need prepped. Most inserts do, so this was no surprise. They get more absorbent with every wash. I can’t wait to see how they perform. After the second wash they were absorbing rather nicely. I will wash them five times and then put them into the diapers.

Zorb Inserts

Love,

Jamiegoof

EDIT/UPDATE: After some use!

  1. I saw holes forming on the top layer of the zorb inserts after some washing. So, I covered them in cotton flannel. The flannel stopped the problem. 
  2. I found Zorb to be like hemp.  It isn’t soft like cotton or bamboo, and is slower to absorb. I ended up using it as a bottom layer with cotton or bamboo in front.

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September Birthdays

Dear Sis,

Our family is loaded with September birthdays! Today we were able to celebrate three of them… Grandpa Carmin, Great Aunt Lucy, and Cousin Roman. William passed out presents and we had Grandpa Carmin’s favorite cake, Cherry Chip Cake with Marshmallow Frosting and Coconut Flakes. 

William and Roman really enjoyed their time together. Roman was such a great big cousin… looking out for our little guy:)

Carmin’s Favorite Cake

Betty Crocker makes a Cherry Chip box cake mix. I haven’t tried to buy it in a decade. In that time, it  is no longer a standard stock item. I had to order a case of 12 boxes just to get one! 

Our oven at home is broken, so we were planning to do our baking at Grandpa Carmin’s house. As it turns out, his oven doesn’t work either! So we put plastic over our cake pans, took them to Old Economy Village, and baked them there while we had lunch with Sarah. 

I made Aunt Cil’s Marshmallow Frosting, during nap time. Poor sleepy William slept until 5, so we were late for our dinner visit with cousin Lea and family.

Marshmallow Frosting
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Ingredients
  1. 1 1/2 c sugar
  2. 1/3 c water
  3. 2 egg whites
  4. 1/4 t cream of tartar
  5. 1 t vanilla extract
Instructions
  1. Heat a double boiler.
  2. Combine sugar, water, egg whites, and cream of tartar in the top of a double boiler. Beat on high 1 minute.
  3. Place over heat and beat 7 minutes.
  4. Remove from heat . Add vanilla. Beat 2 minutes more.
  5. Cool to room temperature and spread over cake or cupcakes.
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To make Cherry Chip Cake with Marshmallow Frosting and Coconut Flakes. Bake cake in two round pans as directed. Prepare frosting. Fill and frost the cake generously. Pat sweetened coconut flakes into the sticky surface of the Marshmallow Frosting. Enjoy!

Love,

b

 

Visiting Old Economy Village

Dear Sis,

Today we visited Old Economy Village. Four years ago today, we got married there. Although Josh was away on a work trip, it felt special to visit that day. William and I got a picture in the Feast Hall were Josh and I said our vowels. 

William enjoyed the Harmonists’ Natural History museum displays… especially the owls, and the stones on main street.

We saw a many friends and co-workers, but somehow only managed to get pictures with Sarah:)

Love,

b

1941 Letter to Great – Grandma

Dear Sis,

When mom showed me this letter that great grandpa wrote great-grandma I knew I had to type it up for keepsakes, as well as put it on the blog!

bucket packet = lunch box

Clymer PA

1941

Hello Darling,

How are you getting along I am sure have it pretty tuff the home is so cold when I get home. I don’t even bother fixing the stoves I crawl right in bed and it so cold that I had to get the extra cover and I even sleep on the blanket for I can’t hardly stand it

Darling I am sure glad that you and the baby are where it is so warm. I really don’t known when I am going to get in to see you and the little one. I’ll try and get in when it gets a little warmer it is to cold to come in me a scard to take a chance I may freeze my feet or ears.

Darling I get up at seven every morning to get the house warm it never warm until about ten and it rushes me to get breakfast and get the dishes done and get my bucket packet so I would be ready to go to work at two thirty.

Dearest I looked all over for your sanitary belt and I didn’t find it. I looked for your pink girdle and didn’t find it. I found the write one that you put a piece on it.

Dearest all but you need your nightgown back. I’ll bring that in the box for you as soon as I can get in. I can’t even get waited on till I get in to see you and the sweet little darling of ours it is so mean darling to get a way going in that I didn’t even feel right dearest don’t think I’m a mean dearest it is tuff I sure miss you and the little dearest one a day is so long it seems like a year to me.

I hope it gets a little warmer so I could get in so I wouldn’t feel so bad and lonesome

Dearest you got your Better Homes and Garden magazine. I’ll bring it in, and we got another second request for the Frididaire so Ime not sending it in because we send one in

Dearest take good care of your self and the little one I sure was glad Tuesday when I called the nurse told me that the baby is gaining. It sure made me feel happy to hear that you are feeling all right as long as you to are alright i’ll take care of myself this weather sure is hard all but the little on and you can’t get waited on to see me the baby sure would like to see its daddy but its daddy will sure pay up for it when the baby and its mother comes home

Dearest excuse my writing and scribbling but this letter makes me feel a little better and I known that it will cheer you up a little also, Dearest I think I better close for this time and get my bucket packet, good by Dearest

I me saying morning & noon & evening prayers so you & baby feel well. Good bye Dearest May God bless you and take care of you and our little baby in the very best way. Good bye Darling.

p.s

I got oranges and cookies for your (can’t read the rest)

my face is burning from the wind and dust I’m a scarf in shame it may burn off

Love,

Jamiegoof

Caesar’s Creek Pioneer Village

Dear Sis,

We had a lovely time at Caesar’s Creek Pioneer Village. We spent a rainy day in Hawkins cabin. Miss Patty warmly welcomed us and our munchkins. He even made a private nursing space for Evelyn. 

Evelyn breezed through her first event napping, drinking milk, getting diaper changes, and being held by adoring fans.

William was his usual un-shy self. Greeting everyone… especially the children that entered Hawkins cabin as if they were coming just to see him!

I got to help prepare rabbit soup on the hearth, while Dana made some marvelous lemon curd to go with the delectable sweet potato scones Patty made.

It was a special treat to have both a period lunch and a tea in one day! Not to mention the live music and dancing. We went home damp and tired, but very happy:)

We even got some lovely mother-child shots to remember the occasion!

…and a sister shot compliments of Dana.

Love,

b

1860’s Sewing for Munchkins

Dear Sis,

You visited for a week under the guise that we would be helping sew new gowns for one another. As moms, we should have known we would spend our time working for our children instead:) In the end, we had two moms pretending to fit into some period garb… I think we hid things nicely, and two lovely kiddos who really did fit into their period apparel. 

Pinafores

Each munchkin got a new pinafore. For kids this young, they work great as bibs. With all the mud and muck at the event Saturday, I ended up leaving William’s in the car, so the only photo I have with him in it is a sewing room pictures:)

1-2-3 Pinafore by Elizabeth Stewart Clark

The hard decision when drafting this pattern was how wide a fabric panel to use. I decided it to match skirt fullness of the garment it would cover, in our case 2 (30 inch) panels. It ended up a few inches narrower because of the limitations the remnant possessed:) 

1-2-3 Pinafore: Girl’s Variation by Elizabeth Stewart Clark

Jamie made two lovely gowns for Evelyn, incase spit up or blow out should reck one. I suggested a pinafore to add another layer of protection. When you offer to make things for other people free of charge they are shockingly agreeable:)

I guessed I would need a half yard of period calico. Evelyn is wearing 3-6 months in modern apparel. I missed the mark. It is not visible from the front, but one of the back skirt panels is pieced together, so the fullness would match the 2 (25 inch) skirt panels in her gowns.

The other regret… waistband circumference. The pattern suggests adding 2 inches to the natural waist measurement for seam allowance & overlap. One inch is consumed by seam allowance, which allows only a 1/2 inch tab on each side for button and button hole.

Solution: add another inch so you will have 1 inch tabs on each side or only put a tab on one side, so it can be 1 inch wide. The side where the button is stitched doesn’t really have to have a tab. You will find hand stitching a button hole much easier with a full inch of space, as you won’t have to work too near the bulk of seam allowance. 

Slat Bonnets in Many Sizes

Simple Slat Bonnet by Elizabeth Stewart Clark

Sizing Suggestions for Infant – Adult

After whipping up three of these, in three sizes, in three days, I discovered:

All the yardage suggestions are idealistic and scant even with non-directional period prints. Hence the color coordinating curtain ties and lining on Jamie’s bonnet, which was purchased at exact suggested yardage. Luckily for the kiddos, I was working with remnant that was more generously portioned. 

The pattern suggests trimming slats if they come too near the ears for the sake of auditory efficiency and comfort. Easier still don’t put slats there at all. The slats are for crown shaping, and don’t need to cover the ears at all. 

The ones for small people whip up so fast even with hand-sewn slat channels:) I had fun making them! As with all sewing patterns they are a nice place to start, because they get me through hours of trail and error, but I always find I need to modify them in some way. Having written patterns myself, I understand that it is easy to overlook a small detail when trying the create written instruction. Having said this, Elizabeth Steward Clarks are still some of the very best period patterns around especially for munchkins:)

A Simple Bolero Style Short Jacket

When it became evident the day before the end that we could expect a day of rain and cool temperature instead of the warm summer weather we have been recently accustomed too, I needed a period way to make William’s short sleeve gown a touch warmer. 

The day before the event, I ran to get another 1/4 yard of fabric to go with the remnant for dress making, did some crash coarse research, and made a pattern, so I could whip up a matching bolero.

I used Elizabeth Stewart Clark’s Infant Gown pattern as a starting point when drafting my bolero pattern. William’s gown used the Natural Waist bodice pattern with the Half-High neckline and the Short Sleeve options. For the bolero, I decided to start with the Natural Waist bodice variation, but use the High neckline and the long sleeve option. 

First, I added an inch and a half to the length, so the bolero would hang just below the natural waistline.

Second, I tackled the biggest hurdle: transitioning form a back closing to a front opening garment. Cutting the back piece on a fold is simple enough, but I had to take out the 2 inches of fabric that is used to face a back closing garment on each side, so that the panel would be the proper proportions as a single piece. 

For the front panels, I did the opposite. I didn’t cut on a fold. I also added a rounded edge to the bottom of the opening and added a bit of fabric at the side seam. I didn’t want to change the armscye, so I added the fabric by making a point to the left of the side seam by one and one half inches on the bottom. Then, using my sewing ruler, I made a diagonal line from the upper point the near the armscye to the new point at the bottom of the side seam. It looks crazy, but it will add just a touch a fullness to ease the garment over a base layer. 

Because this new diagonal line is longer than the original vertically cut side seam the back panel possesses, it is important to match the seam from the bottom edge and cut away the excess fabric in the armscye. 

Other sewing notes: the bolero bodice is fully lined, the armscyes are piped, and a added hand top stitching all around the front opening and bottom edge of the garment for a more period finished look. Add trimming as desired. Time constraint made that impossible and after wearing it to an event without trimming, I’ve grown to like it plain.

Love,

b