Father's Day

For my husband, a very relaxed Father's Day.  There was time with family, attending Mass, lunching on burritos, reading before an open fire, and to end it, a bit of television.

And for my 91 year old Father. What do you give as a gift? Several weeks back, he spoke of how much he missed my grandmother's rhubarb sauce. It was a treat to make him some and it even brought back tasty memories for me.  Warmed and poured over vanilla ice cream, it's akin to a slice of apple pie, minus the crust.

And a little something else for my father: scratch tickets and a jackpot of a few dollars.  Even at 91, you can  dream big.

Rainy Day Sewing

You would've had to don a sou'wester and boots to manage any outdoor work this past weekend. I've procrastinated sewing up potholders for quite some time now but with such rainy days, it was as good a time as any to pull out the sewing machine. 

Nana made potholders for my kitchen 37 years ago. Hers were always made with remnants of bias binding and leftover fabric from garments she had sewn for family. Small remaining end pieces of flannel from hand-sewn Christmas nighties were used to line the inside of her potholders.  Layers of  flannel are what makes these potholders so flexible, not to mention the best assurance against burns. The outer fabric is most worn off her potholders now and the flannel is starting to disintegrate as well. 

I'm feeling quite rich with these new potholders and put them to use after trying out a new rhubarb muffin recipe. Nana's potholders will remain in the kitchen drawer for sentimental reasons, I just can't bear to part with them. Someday I'll have to think about letting go of that flannel nightie she made me when I was little, but for now, that too will stay tucked away.