Three young girls, all interested in the same thing and the direction they took in life. A sewing machine was their beginning.

Recently I was in New York City for a lovely family wedding.

My sister lives in New Jersey.  She was kind enough to meet my husband and I for a day out on the town and a bit of adventure.  We decided to take the tourist way out and hopped on a bus to look at the city in a broad view.  We have both been there several times, she for work and me for work and fun.

While in SoHo/China town we stopped in a lovely leather shop filled with hand made items.  We both fell in love with their, far too expensive for us, products.  While looking, we both migrated to a section in the store with old sewing machines.  I knew what Mary, my sister, was thinking.  She was thinking about our first sewing machine.

The clerk walked over to us and said that they were the owners collection but that they were also for sale.  We both chuckled and one of us said, "Oh we had one like that, except it was a treadle, in a cabinet."  The clerk was engaged and we told her our story......

Remember it was a small town, during the late 60's. I was in third grade, my sister was in second, and our neighbor Brenda, was in first grade. Somehow we decided that we were going to go to an auction that was about 6 or 7 blocks from our house.  The auction was on the edge of town so it was almost "in the country."  I don't quite remember how we knew what to do at an auction, but auctions were part of the fabric of a small town back then.  I am not even sure that our mother knew where we were or what we were doing.

We had very little money in our pockets.  Brenda had the most which is key to our adventure.  We looked around at the items and we saw this old treadle sewing machine.  The three of us wanted it bad.  We wanted to sew, create and make things; on our own sewing machine.  We had watched my mom make all of our clothes and we wanted to do that too.  I don't think mom was ready for the battle of teaching her two strong willed kids sewing technique.  Brenda's mom was not a sewer but Brenda wanted to be.  (Later on Brenda's mom became, and still is, quite a quilter, an AMAZING quilter!)

We pooled our money which was around a $1.00.  The auction was huge.  It was the contents of a family's chicken farm.  When they finally came to the sewing machine we bravely bid on the machine. We had no competition.  We couldn't believe our luck.  We were so excited!  The story varies as to how we got it home.  I remember the machine having wheels and wheeling it home.  My sister remembers us getting our wagon and wheeling it home.  But we did it on our own.  I remember traveling over gravel and then thinking, finally a smooth tar road.  Our mother's wanted no part of this treadle machine.  I think their irritation was really amusement with our energy and seriousness to get this wonderful new toy.  I remember trying to figure out where to put it and it was determined we would put it in Brenda's basement as she had the largest stake in the deal.

We tried it and made it work.  We never really used it a lot.  My mom soon thereafter shipped me off to her sister's home to teach me how to sew.  This avoided conflict with mother and daughter. Frankly, I have never stopped sewing.

When I look at the three of us and our personal history that sewing machine adventure was really the beginning for each of us.  We all took different paths but stuck to our original love.

My sister,Mary, has been a planner and in allocation for the retail industry for years.  She LOVES fashion and the industry and has worked for several shopping networks and is presently at Burlington, in Burlington, NJ.

Brenda has worked in the sales end of the industry with shoes and Vera Wang.  She now owns and operates "Italia Celebrations" in Italy.  A lovely wedding planning service.   https://www.facebook.com/ItaliaCelebrations/?ref=br_rs

I went the traditional route teaching Family and Consumer Sciences focusing on fashion and sewing construction.

When we finished telling the clerk our story, her response actually shocked both Mary and I.  She was thrilled and said, "Oh, I love this story.  Someone needs to do a little short story about this, I can see the little girls getting that sewing machine home.  It should be a 3 minute short story on HBO"  We smiled and thanked her, we were just three small town girls ready to sew, but what a fine memory it is for us. And look where it took us.  Oh the places you will go........!

With love from the very soon to be, back in retirement, FACS teacher,
Jane

I am sad for our country, this election is not making us strong, or united. What have we done?

I ache inside every time I look at my Facebook page, turn on the television, look at twitter, or talk to anyone about politics.

Maybe because I am a Libra I find myself trying to balance everything in my mind but all I see is division and pain.

I am not going to lie, politics have always been difficult for me.  I am a teacher by trade and my husband and I own a small business.  These two things alone traditionally create a political conflict with each other.  I want to be conservative with taxes but I want education to be properly funded.  I see kids growing up with extreme hardships, I know family history, but I don't know how we can help families sustain in the continued economical environment.

What hurts me more than anything is the party division and name calling that I see everywhere from both sides of our political parties.  I have been voting since 1978 and I have heard every four years the same cry.  "We don't have a decent candidate."  Never before has this been more true.

This summer I stated several time to people in both parties, "I can not and will not vote for either of these candidates."  Each of the people that I spoke to, and it was several: said,  "You shouldn't do that, you will throw away your vote."  I can do that and I will do that.  I can not and will not support either candidate because they both have unanswered issues that are not o.k.  They are both supported by big money, which I believe is an issue for all of our elected officials.  Big money has made our government corrupt and ineffective in all ways.  I don't know how this is going to be fixed but it needs to be addressed soon.

I heard a panel on ABC this morning that was rather biased towards one direction but Minnesota's, Kieth Ellison said something that struck home to me and I find it key to everything!
This is paraphrased, Whomever wins must make a plea to all voters and talk to them to see what needs to be done in our country, to address all voters so that we can come together, and feel like all voters needs are being addressed and noticed.

In the future, I hope that we can see people respecting each others opinions and that we can be kind to each other.  I hope that no matter who wins we can say we are all members of the United States and we can stay together and support one another.  I hope that the evident, strong, nonacceptance of each others views and beliefs can be accepted and we can move on.

This election scares me, and it makes me feel like we are losing our grip as a nation.  I don't care what anyone stands for, I don't care who anyone votes for in this election.   It is not worth this divisive horrible, verbal commentary, under the table evil, and dark speculation.  Our nation needs to find a way to come together, not divide.  This, this that we have right now, will lead to something bad in the future.

With love from your temporary working, retired FACS teacher,
Jane

Oh my goodness I am sleepy after a half week of workshop. Back at it for awhile.

It has been a little bit since my last post.  I came home from vacation and really just started sewing quilts and quilt tops to get caught up.

Very soon after my lovely cousin emailed me and said, "I don't suppose you want to teach for a co-worker that has a concussion?  I said no and then pondered it.

I decided to inquire as I know there is such a shortage of FACS/FCS teachers everywhere.

So long story short I am back at it.  I have had 3 days of workshop and I am so tired I can see the words I am typing.  All a blur.

O.k. that may be a dramatization.

Anyway, I have been watching all of the great posts on Facebook about getting rooms ready for this school year. I have been noting curriculum that I want to use and will help me get through the next few months.  My job is an undetermined amount of time.

Wish me luck!  I am nervous and excited about doing Foods 1 and the energy that comes with a class full of 9th grade boys....but as I say to my students, I control my own destiny.


Take care,

With love from your retired but back at it FACS teacher,
Jane

Motorcycle, Travel and Fabric in Southern MO and Northern AR

Each year my husband and I like to do a pretty long vacation on our motorcycle.  Last year we had the opportunity to travel 15,000 miles during the summer on two vacations.  We most often plan our trip in the winter and book hotels early so that we know we have a place to stay.  When you are on a bike it is difficult to travel from town to town not knowing where you might stay.  We book them between 200 and 300 miles apart so that we don't get too cranky.  The sun, potential rain, and your back end are all major factors.

One thing that I like to do while on the bike is stop at quilt shops.  Fabric is fairly small when folded and can also be shipped if I go a little too crazy in my shopping.

This year we were very disorganized in our trip planning.  We literally planned our vacation one week before we left.  We have been trying to sell our home, have been moving to our new home and neither of us could get it together.

We went to the Ozarks, even though we didn't really have the time or the cash, which was amazing. There are wonderful motorcycle roads filled with curves, rolling hills and beautiful country side.

I had planned one stop outside of the Ozarks and that was Hamilton, MO.  They are know all over the Untied States for their 14 quilt shops in this tiny little town.  Missouri Quilt Star is worth the side trip. My husband was kind enough to schedule 4 hours of shopping for me.  (Even though he is allergic to fabric stores.)  Just in case you have not heard of this place let me give you a quick review.  Each store has a theme (although they are all owned by the same family).  The fabrics are grouped by type of fabric, solids, children, flowers, modern, themed, civil war, etc.  There is also a shop just for men to hang out, play pool or cards etc.  There is also a nice Tap room in town that my husband discovered, thank goodness.  It was a great stop.  The employees are helpful and kind.  They also sell on line.  There prices are generally $1 less than many quilt shops because they do a large volume of business.  Shipping is $5.00 or free if you spend over $100.

I had two other stops, both were not planned but great finds.  They do not do on line business but they are fantastic!

The first was in Salem, MO.  It is called MeLear Fabrics.  They have a wide selection and also have very affordable long arm quilting available.  It might very well be worth it to ship your quilting there because of the great price and service.  The fabric prices were mostly $3.99 to $5.99.  The newer prints were $10.99. Needless to say I went a little crazy on my selection because of the great value and the great service.  I could have very easily purchased more but I had my super patient husband outside waiting for me.  I needed to ship this box too.  Across the street is a fantastic Barbecue restaurant by the way, so don't eat on your way there.

The second was Thayer Fabric and Rug in Thayer, MO.  It is on the border of MO and AR.  I saw this giant bill board on the highway that just said FABRIC.  I begged to stop.  I could not believe this place.  I can only say, "Wow, wow, wow."  The prices were $2.99 to $5.99.  But most fabrics were $4.99.  It is run by an elderly couple that has a connection to someone in the manufacturing industry. There was so much fabric I couldn't stop grabbing.  I wanted to stay longer but I knew someone was getting a bit anxious for me outside in the heat.  But he was very kind considering how much I purchased.  We made a trip to the post office to send this stash off too.  If I lived anywhere near that place I would visit it on a regular basis.  Seriously, if you live close by make a trip with your fabric friends.   There is an o.k. Hotel next to the town if you need to stay over night called Mammoth Spring Hotel.  There is also a very lovely state park for fun.

We had a great vacation and I used up my fabric purchasing power for the next 4 months.  I know, I am ridiculous.

A sideways look at me in front of the Missouri Star Quilt Co

Barbecue in Salem, MO

Hotel to stay at in Thayer, MO

With love from your retired FACS teacher, Jane

My heart hurts.

Recently my husband and I were on our motorcycle vacation enjoying the country side.  We do this each summer and have most often stayed in rural areas because it is an escape.

We drove to St Louis from eastern Iowa to visit with my aunt and cousins.   As we live in a technical world we use a GPS to navigate and my husband never deviates.  Occasionally it irritates me.  Just
Saying.

On this trip we were directed through the city of St. Louis.   We crossed the river in Alton and went through the residential area of North St.  Louis.   I have seen similar housing in Detroit but as I felt then, my heart just ached for those living in this so called housing.  Shame on us for letting society call this housing, shame on me for not knowing that people are living in falling down apartment buildings not fit for anyone. 

Shame on anyone for saying just get a job and you could be better off.  There was no industry in the area and very little retail.  How can we sit by the side and say we have a better place when people are living in this poverty?

I was told that St. Louis is known as the most racially divided city in America and I believe it after my recent visit.   There was an instant line and noticeable difference the minute we crossed it.

I don't know the answer to the issue but I do know that there is not always equity in our society.   I do hope that if you are an employer you do not look at race but qualified candidates.   I hope that if you are in education you do everything you can to encourage children to seek a vocation that brings them financial success. I hope that we all do just a little something to change the horrible tensions in our country and bring peace.

I hope that you and I care about all in society and that we all have a goal of helping people become self sufficient members of society. I hope that all can someday be able to work equally, in fair conditions with fair wages.  And, as I type this it makes me sad because this is what the fight during the 60's was about.  Shame on us for thinking the fight is over.  No it is not, it is an allusion and escape for those of us living in privileged society.

With love, hope and peace from your retired FACS teacher,  Jane

Thank you to Curtis Duffy, Ruth Snider, and Michael Muser.....Because of your generous, kind acts combined with hard work, dedication and artistic ability FACS has been noticed.

I independently chose to become an advocate for Family and Consumer Sciences because I loved my profession.  But, I must say that my love for the profession grew from the dedication and kindness that I received from my then "Home Ec" teachers in Junior High School and High School.

One, Ruth Gregerson-Burg noticed my gift for sewing and let me sore beyond my classmates in Junior High.  She, Jan Walsh and Roxanne Ebnet helped me hone my leadership skills, and continued to let me grow with textiles skills through out high school.  I thank them for that and appreciate what they did for me personally and for my education.

This blog is not about me it is about the life a wonderfully successful man, Curtis Duffy, who chose to acknowledge Ruth Snider for her kindness and positive involvement in his life.

On the Family and Consumer Sciences Facebook page, one of the 4000 members remarked about the documentary on Curtis Duffy and Michael Muser.  I immediately watched it (with tears) and felt an instant, "well finally" feeling in my heart!

Many times we hear successful people talk about their teachers and how they helped them but it is often in the general sense and very rarely do we hear about FACS professionals.  Curtis states very clearly, in his story both in the newspaper, and in the film that Ruth did not teach him his skills but introduced to him an art and a skill that he felt good about, gave him purpose, that he wanted to pursue as a career.  He could have very easily talked about Ruth as his teacher and not included the "Home Ec" title but he chose to give her that label with dignity and pride.

For those reasons I thank the group of you in this film.  Your food, service, ambiance, staff all appears to be fantastic (well dah....3 Michelin stars) but really thank you again for sharing your roots.  As educators dealing with life long lessons we often get over looked,  poopooed, and told "anyone can do that".  As FACS professionals we often sit by the side knowing that we are most often strong, family oriented, people that work more hours than the average due to our diverse content area!  For those reasons I can not thank you enough for your acknowledgement of that fantastic woman, in that small town, in Ohio that gave you a breath of life through food.  Because really, there are many more like her!

Your love for each other, the food that you prepare, and work that you do, shines very brightly in this documentary!

With love from your retired FACS teacher,

Jane

A note of thanks to the documentary folks, Kevin Pang and Mark Helenowski for bringing this film to the public.

For FACS professionals looking for this film, you can find it on Netflix and Amazon.

So "Mom hair" is now a thing.....What is wrong with it? And, why do we ALWAYS have negative connotations associated with MOM?

Recently I was listening to talk radio while the personalities were talking about the article written about "Mom hair".  I became a bit outraged while driving in my car.  With out reading the article it was implied that because someone became a mom they instantly became frumpy, drab, and became even more so when they cut their long hair into a reverse bob.

Seriously??????

Here is the public link to the article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/23/fashion/mom-hair-tips.html?_r=0

As I read it, it talked about Mom's feeling bad about their appearance and so the instantly cutting their hair to make them feel better but it often does the opposite because it makes them look chubbier.  Say what?

I am a Mom of grown children and yes, I and several of my friends have this hair cut.  Guess what, some of our grown girl children say that we are with it, we are vogue, we don't appear our age.  So what about the Mom hair is an indication of your old and out of touch?  Someone, please, explain to me why having your hair manicured and styled is frumpy and bad.

Over the years we have attacked Mom's about their clothes, their body shapes, their personal appearance, now their hair and along with many other things.  How about we salute Mom's and be grateful for the things that they do and have done for their children.  How about we praise them for the items they give up so that their children can have more.

How about we give Mom's a break for not being slim, trim and having a tummy from birthing children and maybe drinking one too many cocktails during their relaxation time.  What Mom, with children, has time to take an hour out of their day to run to the gym and exercise for an hour several days a week?  What Mom hasn't given up the "new" jean silhouette so that she could provide more for her children?

Mom's are super heroes!

The average mom sacrifices so much for her children and her family.

She gives up her personal time, clothing budget, personal space, social time with her spouse, often while working too and keeping up the home.

Is their a way to help Mom's with out criticizing what they do?  Is their a way to make a mom feel like she doesn't need plastic surgery and lypo suction to be attractive?  Is their a way we can help society make Mom feel like she is a wonderful, kind, giving beautiful person just the way she is?

Let's celebrate Mom because she is Mom.  Let's not judge each other but celebrate each other.  Let's be at peace with who we are in the moment.  Let's just be.

Because with out Mom, her love, her giving, her kindness, her understanding; we wouldn't be the people that we are.

With love from your retired FACS teacher and yes a lady with "Mom hair".

Jane

P.S. Mom is spelled with a capital M with intention!

My reuse and recycle continues: Buffet from the 1940's moves on to the contemporary present. MY HOW TO.......

We moved from a home that had a great deal of space.  That home had a very traditional dining room and living room.  Our new home has just enough living space for us but it has a much more casual environment.

In the first year of our marriage we purchased a dining table, chair and a buffet at an auction for $280. We really thought we were going over the top on spending that much money at the time. We used the table and chairs for 15 years.  We have never stopped using the buffet.  After our move I wanted to make it feel casual like our home.

It seems like most everything is painted these days to make it "current".  This actually makes me chuckle, because there was a time during the 70's that my mom put paint and antiquing on everything. I see that phase again and I hope it lasts for a while because I do not want to strip these items because someone says I ruined them with paint.

This buffet is a replica Ducan Phiffe from the late 1940's.  In this picture the top two are pictures of the buffet before the remake and the lower two are the NEW version of my buffet.

Advice and steps for a project like this.

Things you need:  Sand paper, disposable paint brush(es), paint ( this project took the small can of paint), handles, some sort of drop cloth, drill and drill bit, screw driver, wet towel or attachment for drill. (Note for beginners:  your drill has a reverse on it so that you can remove screws with your drill very quickly.  Do not forget to change it back when you are putting handles on or drilling.)

1. Carefully decide what you want to do before you act.  Occasionally we think we have bright ideas and we act before we think and the cartoon bubble in your head does not resemble your finished product.  

2.  I removed the handles on the buffet.  

3.  I wasn't sure if I wanted to paint the entire buffet so I started with the top, doors and drawers.  I used Rustoleum furniture paint which I love!  

a.  Sand surface that you want to paint with fine sand paper.  This helps the paint adhere.  

b.  Make sure you place cardboard or newspaper on the area that you are painting because no matter how careful you think you are you will spill.  

c.  Always have a damp towel or rag at your side for slip ups and spills.  

4.  After the buffet dried I decided I love the partial painted look.  

I purchased handles that had two holes to attach to the buffet (the previous had one).  If you do this make sure the hole is going to be covered.  If not you will need putty that matches your surface and fill the hole.  I then measured the distance that the holes needed to be drilled and made a template so that the handles would be placed evenly on the project.

Note that I chose a handle color that matched the hinges on the doors.  You would not want nickle plated handles with brown hinges.  The type of handles that I used are traditionally known as CUP handles.

You want to make sure that you have a drill bit that is the correct size.  If it is too big your handles will slide around.  Also make sure that your bit is sharp so that you can drill through the wood quickly.

5.  After your markings and holes are done you can then attach the handles with the screws provided.

I love how my buffet turned out.  My husband came home and though that I had purchased new furniture.  This goes so well with the more casual look that we have in our home now and feels like it is NEW.  

I spent about $25 on this remake, well worth time and money that it saved me, versus purchasing new furniture.

What ever your project might be, I hope that you might have fun with it!

With love from your retired FACS teacher, Jane

Reuse and recycle still works.....Lawn furniture getting a perk!

As my husband and I are getting our new home organized (which might be totally organized in several years) and trying to fit old things into different spaces I have been modifying several items.  I will talk about one today but oh, there are several more to come in the future.  We never expected to move and had built our dream house.  When my husband lost his job 6 years ago we purchased a business as we realized he was at a difficult age to get a job.  In the last 5 years his commute of 30 minutes kept getting longer and longer.  We decided we would move only if we found a house that we both loved.  We found that home.  It was difficult to leave our friends and the community as we have been in our previous community since 1989.  

Our previous home had a patio and a deck.  We had metal furniture in the front of our home that was purchased during the early 90's.  The deck had furniture with cushions that we purchased in 2006. Both were in pretty tough shape but I didn't want to spend money on new things right now.  As most of you know a move is never inexpensive, always has one or two surprises that you don't expect, and often requires $.  Always things that you don't care about but have to take care of when trying to make your new home yours.  (For us, everything is smaller....including the dishwasher.....seriously, our square everyday plates do not fit in the dishwasher.....what?)

Our new place has a 38 foot deck that overlooks the Mississippi River (yes, we are very lucky and we love this little spot).  We are using all of our furniture combined and we know that it doesn't really all go together but we will make it work.

I made a trip to the local hardware store and purchased some spray paint that prevents rust.  I brushed off the chairs with a whisk broom and sprayed away.  These chairs look brand new and we love them. We hope that they last another 10 years and if the rust peeks out again I sure know where to get more spray paint.  They will NOT be available in our future garage sales. Ha!

a close up

I like to spray in the grass.  You can cut off the spray and destroy the evidence.  

With love from your retired FACS teacher, Jane

Societal stress.............from Politics

I can tell you that I have always been a person that hates conflict but then again when I feel strongly about something my voice is heard.  I once wanted to speak to Al Franken at a hearing about Nutrition and exercise but wasn't aloud to speak.  When he left I walked out of the in progress hearing and followed him to the rest room and waited until he came out to "give him my thoughts."   Slightly embarrassing but I got my point across.

This year we have the most interesting, the most unlikely, and my least favorite candidates EVER running for office.  I find that my family of aunts and uncles have often forgotten the rule, do not discuss politics or religion and the supper table. There have been very strong discussions witnessed during my youth, that may have scarred me for life.  But still, I care.

For me, it is not just about politics of a party, I want to look at everything on the table.  When I look at Trump I see a mouth trying to be an entertainer, that really is not interested in qualifications for running a country.  When I look at Clinton I see I lady that has support of the "machine" that got her husband in office with some pretty dirty politics.  Some say that the dirt about the Clinton's was partly manufactured by Republican pun-dents but, I think, some of it is real.  Even though they say she is living in the shade of her husband she really did stand beside him and support him.

They say a good democracy only lasts 200 years and we have gone well beyond that time frame.  I hope that we can see the reflection of our politics as people and we can make some political and national changes through our voting voice.  If we really look in the mirror our reflections are just not that great.  We need to stop disliking and judging each other for believing something different than us.  We need to stop saying that my candidate is bad but not a bad as yours.  We need to find someone that is determined but good, supportive but strong and by all means bipartisan.  

Just my thoughts,

With love from your retired and somewhat politically frustrated FACS teacher,
Jane

FYI, What is the difference between a quilt, a quilt top, piecing and quilting?

Sometimes I get questions from people in general and from my Etsy customers about quilts.

I sell two things related to quilts.

Pieced quilt tops and quilted quilts.  I have a few tied quilts but I do not make many of these any more.

There are two kinds of basic quilt tops.  Quilt tops are generally know as the top of the quilt or the side with lots of sewing and fabrics.

1. A pieced quilt which was started by piecing scraps of fabrics together left from old and new garments for families.  It has evolved into an art with new fabrics and patterns.  There are traditional patterns and modern patterns.  They are all sewn together.  Now with a sewing machine, originally by hand.  Generally the seam is 1/4 inch.  For a long time quilt seams were pressed to the side but the "new quilters" are thinking open seams are better for a flat quilt unless you have a dark and a light fabric sewn together.

Here is a simple example of a pieced quilt TOP:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/291492431/quilt-top-in-tan-reds-coral-colors?ref=shop_home_active_1 

2,  An appliqued quilt top is a fabric design cut out of different types of fabric to make a scene or picture out of different colors and textures.  When I started quilting in the late 70's (I was a kid) I loved this type of quilting because it was easy for me to make with out instructions.  I have never really liked pattern following.

This quilt has applique and piecing.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/229353677/applique-and-pieced-quilt-saying-they?ref=shop_home_active_5 

Generally quilts have 4 main parts, the TOP, the BACKING, the BATTING and the BINDING.

1.  We've discussed the top.
2.  The Backing is generally one piece of solid print or color that is related to one of the fabrics in the top.  More and more people are making designs on the backs of their quilts but it is generally less detailed.

Here is an example of a quilt that has pattern to both sides.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/286242607/wide-lap-or-baby-quilt-in-kaffe-fassett?ref=shop_home_active_12

3.  The batting is the textile in between the quilt top and backing.  Generally if you are doing machine quilting you use one layer of a cotton batting or a poly/cotton batting.  Quilts with a great deal of loft are generally synthetic.  These battings are often used for tied quilts.

The difference between a quilted quilt and a tied quilt.  The quilting are detailed stitches that are random or a pattern.  Now we most often do machine quilting but quilting started by hand and is often considered a lost art.  The purpose of the quilting is to hold the fabrics together, especially when laundering.

Tied quilts hold the 3 pieces together for laundering.  We often use embroidery floss or yarn.  This is considered a much easier quilting method and is more utilitarian.

Example of a tied quilt.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/153961295/extra-large-strip-bright-baby-quilt?ref=shop_home_active_14

4.  Binding:  This is the part of the quilt that finishes the quilt.  It goes around the edge of the quilt and covers the raw edges of the back, batting, and the quilt top.

In conclusion, if you see quilt top or unfinished top that means you are not getting a finished quilt but a part of  a quilt.

Why would someone want a quilt top?  Generally some people love to do machine quilting but don't like to piece quilts or don't have time to piece quilts.  If someone else does it for them it saves time and sometimes money because they do not have to purchase all of the fabric yardage.

I hope this helps none quilters when looking at and purchasing quilts.

There were no resources used in this article.  It was written from experience.

With love from your retired FACS teacher.  Jane

The dishes delema, I have a problem! !!!

Ok, I admit it. I don't need this many sets of dishes. (I have 7 and I know it is conspicuous consumption, ridiculous, and greedy.....sorry!)   I  am moving I need to downsize.  But how? 

Each set has a reason for being in my life and now I must cut a couple of them out!  

One set from my husband,  one set was my Grandmother 's, one set was my mother's,  one set is Christmas,  one is everyday.....!

I have always had this issue I can't help it I love pretty things,  thus, the teacup issue which is a whole additional story that I need to depart with....need any teacups?

Oh, heck this is way people leave their stuff for their kids to auction off after they die!

With love from your retired FACS teacher,  Jane

A FACS reflection featuring the Minnesota Family and Consumer Sciences Conference.

It was good to see my FACS/FCS friends at the Minnesota Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Conference.  The theme, Bridging the Gap, centering our focus.

This information is in regard to our conference but much of it is important for anyone in the field of FACS/FCS.

Minnesota has just completed their "Frameworks".  It is called "Frameworks"  because FACS/FCS is an elective in Minnesota and the content should be left to the district.  Therefor we can not call them standards.  But, they are similar and a good "Frame" for educators to follow.

Dr. Jill Conlon, Karen Smith and Debbie Larson have spent countless hours meeting with FACS/FCS educators around the state assembling for each of our content areas.  While doing so they lobbied for a FACS/FCS Specialist.  We thank them and the many others that have lobbied for this position over the last 12 years for the success of re-instating this position.

Maxine Peterson was hired in August.

Max, Debbie and Jill spoke at the conference.

Jill and Debbie spoke about the "Frameworks" and the items that they focused while building the content.  They spoke of how the "Frameworks" refer to our National FACS/FCS standards, they said that it is a living document and that it is to be used as a reference in your school's program.  It also refers to STEM, Career Pathways and Math focused areas.

It discusses FACS/FCS as Career and Technical Education, Traditional Programs, Critical Science (addressing issues in society and traditional Science).

Maxine reminded us that a flash drive of the document is available through the Minnesota Department of Education.  She talked about STEM in relation to FACS/FCS and the career wheel. She also reminded us that tuition reimbursement is available for FACS/FCS educators because there is a shortage of teachers.  (Through Perkins, Stafford, and Teach grants).

Minnesota has a Childhood Education Career day in 2016.

She talked about the teacher Cadet training for educators to recruit FACS/FCS educators in your classroom.  http://teachercadets.com/

Lastly she reminded us about the importance of Advisory Boards in your school district and the component of leadership in your program.  (FCCLA is one way to get that leadership component)

Dr. Carolyn Barnhart, AAFCS president, spoke to us about the AAFCS and the programs currently being featured through AAFCS.  Say Yes to FCS and Dine In and the coalition recently formed among FACS/FCS related organizations.  There are 4004 members in the Association, if you are not a member please consider joining.

I was given the opportunity to speak in an educational session about my advocacy of FACS/FCS through my blogging and how to use ETSY.  It was great fun and I thank those that attended the workshop and hope that you gained a bit of knowledge about those items.  FUN group.

A link to my ETSY account/shop:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/EmilHansDesigns?ref=hdr_shop_menu 

Thanks to Lois Lewis and her team for her countless work in organizing the conference.  It was a great venue and well planned out.

With love from your retired FACS/FCS teacher,
Jane

Dr. Jill Conlon and Debbie Larson speaking on "Frameworks"

Maxine Petterson, FACS/FCS specialist Minnesota

Dr Carolyn Barnhart, AAFCS president speaking on behalf of AAFCS

Lois Lewis, national FACS teacher of the year 2013. Program chair

Family and Consumer Sciences educator shortage is real in some areas. In some, the programs are going away.

Because education has had a budget shortfall over and over in the last 25 years many schools have cut Family and Consumer Sciences programs or stopped building them all together.

These budget cuts have created a lack of interest in the field leaving the many educators, that may be ready to retire, in fear that there is not a group of people ready in the wings waiting to carry on the field.

In many Midwestern and some Southern states there is a FACS teacher shortage even though programs have been cut to the minimum.  This is a conundrum that I have blogged about before. Those that analyse for a living find it odd that a field that is dwindling in numbers but can still be growing in educator positions.

Factors that influence these issues in the United States are:

*location of the program (state)
*state funding of the program
*is STEM promoted in the department
*size of the department
*courses that are taught in the school
*popularity of courses that are taught in the school
*is FCCLA in the school
*is the school rural or urban
*administration support
*how has the school promoted the department and its work
*is department current with times

and the list goes on....if I have missed something obvious please message me!

If you are interested in recruiting and keeping FACS alive the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences is helping.  They have devoted a page on their website to recruiting tools for FACS educators.  Please take a look at and utilize these resources to help this program stay alive! And of course, if you are not a member please join forces with AAFCS and become a contributing member.

Here is the link:  

http://www.aafcs.org/FCSEdPipeline.asp

With love from your retired FACS teacher, Jane

Things happen, and there you are, packing, downsizing and wondering why you have all of this "Stuff"

Several years ago my husband lost his management job.  We were at an age that did not lean to acquiring a new position easily at the same income level.  Shocking.

He came home and said, "I think I am going to have to buy myself a job."

Of course he already had a plan and I trusted him.  We purchased a machine shop.  We have had it for 5 years and for the most part it has been a good decision.  His commute has been horrible.  A snowy day could take him 3 hours on the road.  He has always said, "It is fine, unless the perfect house comes along at a good price."

Last week we looked at a home 5 miles from his work and we both knew.  This was it.  Our realtor had been sending us home links for 2 years so we really never planned for this because we didn't think it possible.  So now, here we are attempting to put away items that we have acquired in last 30 years in just a few days.

The last time we moved we declared we would never do it again, we declared we were going to get rid of stuff.  We have piles with good intentions ready to photograph and sell on line but never did. Now, today, we are chucking money out the door because we just do not have time.

Those of you with young children, in your 20's, 30's, and 40's, keep up with the accumulation.  Get rid of things when you are finished with them.  Hand them over to people that might use them, bring them to thrift stores, reuse, recycle but keep up.

Ahhhh, I need more time.

On the other hand, I am looking forward to the new stage and looking out at the beautiful new landscape of our life.

With love from your retired FACS teacher, Jane

Can the internet be changing everything, including my profession and how we interact with others? Go to a Conference.....Really!

Yes.

Yes, it is and I am not sure that this is right.

I am preparing for Minnesota's annual conference in northern Minnesota.  The organizer sent me information about attendance because I was curious.  I have cut back on my involvement because I am no longer in the classroom but I am still very interested in "keeping things alive and active."

The numbers for registration are down for our state and I believe on the national level.  I realize that people are busy with their careers, their personal lives, the costs often come out of our pocket and it is expensive.

But I would like FACS teachers as a whole to look at the good that comes from the conferences.  The number ONE thing, the interaction with people!

The Facebook page for Family and Consumer Sciences officially has over 4000 members.  This is a wonderful thing!  There is not a day that the page isn't buzzing with pictures, information and questions.  It is an amazing tool for all FACS teachers.  It helps everyone stay fresh, save time and be creative.

I hope that the good that comes from this page does not hinder the wonder that comes from personal contact and "live" conversation.  I have met some of the most wonderful people in my life through FACS conferences.  These contacts have remained friends and will always be cherished.

Besides my good friends, I have made business contacts, had the opportunity to speak on a local and national level to share my work and the work of teams that I have been a part of on all levels.

My point, yes the Internet is a wonderful tool.  Yes, we can collaborate from all places on line and get things accomplished.  But we do not have the people interaction that all of us need!

The next time you think you don't need to have interaction with your FACS people; think of the couple on a date, not talking to each other, both looking at their phones for validation from an outside source instead of each other.

.......Go to a conference, see your people.

With love from you retired FACS teacher, Jane

Eggless cheesecake, because sometimes you forget all of the eggs have been used

This is a salted caramel type cheesecake.   I used to make cheesecake all of the time but I haven't since our kids left the nest.  This weekend we are traveling to see both of sons and their girls.  I thought I  should bring something sweet for Valentine's day.

The recipe

Crust

1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 1/2 cup oatmeal
2 Tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 cup butter melted
1/2 teaspoon salt

Mix press in pan, bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.

Filling

2-8 ounce bricks cream cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup brown sugar
2 Tablespoons corn starch
1 1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
7 ounces sweetened condensed milk  (half can)
2 Tablespoons milk

Cream together cream cheese and sugar.  Add all other ingredients to creamed mixture, mix until smooth.   Pour into baked crust,  smooth out.

Bake at 375 degrees for 1 hour.

Topping

Place remaining can of sweetened condensed milk in a pool of water on the stove and heat until brown.  Stir occasionally, especially as it gets browner and thicker.  (About an hour and a half)

Sprinkle a Tablespoons of oatmeal over cheesecake, spread caramel over the cheesecake.   Sprinkle a bit more than a dash of sea salt over the caramel. 

And....if I have a few chocolate chips in the house I would melt a 1/2 cup with a Tablespoon of oil and drizzle it over the caramel.

Eat.

I used a heart shaped spring form pan.  You can also use an 8 inch spring form pan.

With love from your retired, FACS teacher, Jane

Minnesota Conference February 26-27 at Cragun's resort near Brainerd, MN, I will be presenting....Drawing for a prize for attending my workshop

The Minnesota Association of Family and Consumer Sciences will have their annual conference at Cragun's resort, February 26-27.  It is a great place and their is still time to register and be a part of this event.  "Bridging the Gap, Center our Focus"

See link  http://www.mnafcs.com/2016-conference/

There are many wonderful activities and events to attend and enjoy.  We will celebrate the hiring of our FACS specialist, Maxine Peterson, the first specialist in our state in many years.  Such excitement for our field.

I will be speaking at the conference on Saturday about my blog and ETSY.  I will talk about how to use blogs in your life, your classroom and your work.

I will also talk about ETSY, how it works as a seller and the work that is involved in getting customers through marketing.

Since my workshop is the last possible session on the last day of the conference I will be bringing prizes for a drawing.....handmade of course.

If you are attending the conference and are interested is seeing any of my products for purchase, please message me, I will bring it along so that you can look and touch.  No obligation to purchase.

 https://www.etsy.com/shop/EmilHansDesigns?ref=hdr_shop_menu

Hope to see you soon,

With love and a bribe from your retired FACS teacher,
Jane

A quick soup recipe for a cold day or a short lab time.

I like my sweet potato soup savory not sweet.  I made this recipe because I don't like things that remind me of cookies in my soup.  Call me crazy but everyone is different.  The combination of the sweet potatoes with the spices just hits the spot for me.

My fast Sweet potato soup

2 cans (29 ounce) cooked sweet potatoes drained
1 medium onion chopped
2 Tablespoons olive oil
3 cups chicken broth (can use vegetable broth too)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 cup sour cream
dash red pepper

In a 6 quart pan add olive oil and saute the onions.  Once they are clear add the drained sweet potatoes chicken broth and seasonings.  Simmer until warmed through add in sour cream and whisk in the soup.  Use an immersion blender to make your soup smooth.  (May be poured into a blender if you do not have an immersion blender)

Serve topped with a dollop of sour cream and green onions (scallions) for garnish

With love from your retired FACS teacher,

Jane

A smoothie recipe for all but especially those of us over 40

There has been a smoothie craze for at least 5 years or more.  I have often thought that it was a bit crazy to drink ones breakfast but it is wise for those on the go to whip this up and take it on ones commute.  You can even prepackage most of your smoothie and freeze it so that you just have to pour a few things in the morning.

I think smoothies are also a great replacement for the malt or shake craving.  It is the same kind of cool texture, better for you and of course if done correctly less calories.

I say this smoothie is good for us over 40 because some of the items in this recipe are "supposed" to help our shot metabolism, fight inflammation and are good antioxidants.  Who knows, but I do think it has been good for me.  (Sources are authority in nutrition, lives strong, WebMD, worlds healthiest foods)

Recipe

1- 3/4 cup crushed ice

1 cup skim milk (protein and calcium)

1-3/4 cup mixed berries ( I like to use the mix with cherries and blueberries, as cherries are good for combating inflammation and blueberries are an antioxidant.)

1-2 tablespoons lemon juice (this is good vitamin C and antioxidant, it has many properties but one main one is it can eliminate the occurrence of kidney stones. If you like tart use more)

1-2 table spoons fruit flavored balsamic vinegar.  (I use blueberry or any other fruit I have on hand.  This is expensive but I use this instead of sugar.  Balsamic is suppose to lower blood pressure and keep sugar levels steady.)

1 tablespoon flax seed (Has good fat in it, estrogen, antioxidant and of course fiber.)

1/2 to 1 teaspoon turmeric (Largest property anti inflammatory. As good as ibuprofen, so they say.)

1 teaspoon cinnamon (Has several properties but for me the most important is it reduces blood sugar, which is very good for those susceptible to type 2 diabetes.)

1/2 to 1 teaspoon ginger (Reduces muscle pain, reduces inflammation, reduces nausea.)

pinch of red pepper (good flavor accent)

About 230 calories

This will yield about 2 cups.  I mix in a individual blender but you can use a regular size blender too.  You want to make sure that you have everything covered in liquid.  If not just add a bit of water.

Try it I think you will like it.

With love from you retired FACS teacher, Jane

One generation versus another, or Type A versus type B?

Two things got my mind rolling this week.

One was a conversation at the New Years gathering that I went to and the other was a dialog on the Family and Consumer Sciences Facebook page this week.  Both of these conversations made me wonder if sometimes being in a field of mostly women trying to do too much in very little time might cause an inner battle.  Then again maybe it is just a female thing.  Because the dialog that I witnessed reminded me of the ever going debate.....breastfeed-formula, stay at home-work, sleep alone-family bed...etc.

My New Years conversation was quite funny and made me feel really hip.  Two sisters were looking at there phone and talking (one 25, one 28).  The 25 year old was showing her sister a website that she was using to sell and purchase clothing.  She says, "Jane, I think you will like this it is called Poshmark."  and I reply, "Oh, I have been on that for quite awhile."  I have sold several items and it really does work but the funny part was the generational shock that an old lady like me would have been using a technology app before them was pure "Golden".

The second dialog that I followed and participated in was about a new FACS/FCS teacher taking over a classroom after a long time teacher and feeling like they had left a mess, archaic information, and tools that people no longer use for her to clean up.

My point in all of this is that sometimes we look at a books cover and we don't really have all of the facts to make a proper judgement of what really happened.

For me, when I decided to retire early, I knew that would more than likely not be teaching FACS/FCS again.  I cleaned out many file cabinets without looking at anything and just tossed them into the garbage.  (Most items from courses I no longer taught, or items from people before me.) This seemed very odd to people around me because each year I was teased about my desk and the mess in my office to the extent that it sometimes made me angry inside.  (Not enough to clean it though)  But I often went along with it and toward the end of my career I would send out an all staff email saying they could now view the Formica on my desk on the rare occasion that it was clean.

I really do want to address the "why" in the question, "Why would anyone leave this old stuff here?" Women that started teaching in the 70's grew up with parents that were raised during the depression. During that time people had very little and they were the inventors of reuse and recycle.  Some of the practices that they did are now looked on as ridiculous but were truly the key to survival for many. Other ideas are still used and thought of as wise.

When I started teaching again in 1999 it was a new school but the teachers before me moved EVERYTHING over to the new school.  My co-worker at the time did not want things thrown away and she was department chair.  She believed that it might be used someday and that it was school property so we did not have the jurisdiction to throw it.  When I became department chair we often gathered in the foods room and talked about what needed to go to the district garage sale and what needed to stay.  Guess what?  It was time for most of those items to move on but sometimes we were looking for something and said, "Did we put that in the sale last year?" But truly there is only so much storage space and you do have to "get rid of old stuff!"

I am not advocating that being a pack rat or a hoarder is a good thing.  I knew my bins full of scrap fabric would not make others happy but my style was to cherish fabric and use every bit of it.  After I left my room, which I thought was pretty clean, my three former co-workers went over it, tossed things, changed things and made it theirs.  They did not want me to know, I felt bad.  Not because it was changed to their liking but because I thought I left it in pretty good shape.  I felt horrible that they had to do that extra work and "pick up after me."  Now, when I look back, I know that no matter what I would have done the person taking my place had to make the space theirs and it would involve tossing, cleaning, organizing and more.

Please hold your judgement, because those teachers that you are replacing had good intentions and were more than likely doing a pretty good job teaching.   There might very well be a reason a film strip from the 1960's was still in your classroom, (maybe) but everyone is different, uses different methods, systems and resources.   But, if you are in a place that the person was over the top with keeping and hoarding please don't think all "old" people are out of touch.  (Boy that is a great deal of writing to get that point across.)

Let me leave you with this crazy story.  A young person teaching in the South took over a classroom during the middle of the year for a person ready to retire and was sick.  When the new teacher arrived, the classroom had 11 donated couches in it and there was barely enough room to walk around the desks the children were sitting in during class.  So, there you go, take the outdated full file cabinets.

We all tried or are trying to do our best.  Please work together, Seasoned teachers need to embrace new ideas, New teachers need to accept some old things just work and everyone needs to be supportive of each other for FACS/FCS to work and be a team.  In the end, don't we really all have the same goal; To educate mindful, productive citizens in society.

And remember, "One day at a time".

With love,
Your retired FACS teacher,
Jane