Thursday, December 14, 2006
A Holiday Tradition
Last nite I made fruitcakes. Nine, to be exact. I struggle with this fruitcake making every year. They are sticky and messy to make. They are also expensive to make. The fruit alone costs about $4 per cake. It's just that I have never not made fruitcake at Christmas. Ever since I left home, I have taken the "secret" family recipe with me--the one my grandmother allegedly found on the back of a cereal box in the '30s. It's something that joins my mother and I together every holiday.
"How many are you making this year?"
"I dunno. They are a pain in the butt to make."
"Yeah, expensive too."
"A freakin' sticky mess."
"Yeah."
"Get me enough fruit to make 5 batches."
"Five batches? Are you nuts?"
"Well, somehow they all disappear."
"Yeah, I know."
"Do you have pans?" (Ed: Disposable tinfoil pans)
"I'll get you pans"
"Okay."
"I really don't feel like making the things this year."
"Me neither."
And yet the fruitcakes get made. Every year. Some traditions die a slow death.
"How many are you making this year?"
"I dunno. They are a pain in the butt to make."
"Yeah, expensive too."
"A freakin' sticky mess."
"Yeah."
"Get me enough fruit to make 5 batches."
"Five batches? Are you nuts?"
"Well, somehow they all disappear."
"Yeah, I know."
"Do you have pans?" (Ed: Disposable tinfoil pans)
"I'll get you pans"
"Okay."
"I really don't feel like making the things this year."
"Me neither."
And yet the fruitcakes get made. Every year. Some traditions die a slow death.
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Stuff 'n Junk
I've been everywhere, man. I've been everywhere. Currently working on a commission that I can't show until after December 18th when it's being presented to someone at a dinner. It's composed of 16 blocks with sashing and 8" borders. It's about 60" square. A large wall hanging in batiks with a traditional composition. I got all of the blocks quilted today and have to figure out something for the sashing. I've also been working at my "real" job more, as this is a busy time of the year for my husband.
Did two quilt appraisals this week. It's good to get in front of quilts and I really enjoy the process of working with clients.
Something else new... I'm starting college in January. BA in Art History @ Mansfield University. Some will be on-line. Some will be at other PA state colleges in the area. This is going to take some time. However, as I journeyed on in my art and appraising career, I just felt that my education was not broad-based enough. I'm really looking forward to starting, but I'm scared. Wondering if I can cut it. They took all of my credits from classes taken over the years. I figure that if I do what I need to do, it will take me 6 years to finish. My son and I will be finishing about the same time...go figure.
Did two quilt appraisals this week. It's good to get in front of quilts and I really enjoy the process of working with clients.
Something else new... I'm starting college in January. BA in Art History @ Mansfield University. Some will be on-line. Some will be at other PA state colleges in the area. This is going to take some time. However, as I journeyed on in my art and appraising career, I just felt that my education was not broad-based enough. I'm really looking forward to starting, but I'm scared. Wondering if I can cut it. They took all of my credits from classes taken over the years. I figure that if I do what I need to do, it will take me 6 years to finish. My son and I will be finishing about the same time...go figure.
