Wyoming Breezes

I've admired the windows in my church for years and decided to share them with my readers on Sunday. Each Sunday I will feature two stained-glass windows along with an explanation of each window. Previous windows can be viewed by typing "Windows of Faith" in the search box in the top left corner. Crown and Palm Crown of Thorns windows "Hosana; Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord." (John 12: 12-13) These were the words that were shouted by the multitudes as Jesus made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The symbol of this is the palm leaves and the crown. It depicts the victorious Christ as King of Israel. Not only does this window remind us of Christ's victorious entry into Jerusalem on that first Palm Sunday, but we are also reminded of the victory which is ours through our Victorious Christ during that Passion Week when "He gave His life a ransom for all" and when "He was raised again for our justification...

Misawa, Japan March 1979 Icicles, some of the longest I'd ever seen, adorned the roof of my classroom. According to this site , 122.6 inches of snow fell from October - May that year. Thirty-nine inches fell in February; 33.1 inches,  in March. Strangely, the snow in Japan did not squeak under foot like the snow in Wyoming.

Sears Roebuck Kit House Riverton, WY Did you know a complete house kit could be purchased from the Sears Roebuck catalog ? I didn't until one of my friends told me several years ago. All the building materials for her childhood home, pictured above, arrived on the train. Although my friend's house has some newer additions, I think its floor plan is the Westly. The Westly was available from 1913 to 1929.  Check out other Sears'  house plans . Many of the styles are similar to houses in my community. It would be fun to know how many of these homes were from Sears. Follow these tips to see if you have a Sears home.

Several months ago, I purchased a kit (pattern book, 2 charm packs, and border yardage) on clearance. It was a great deal. On Friday I got to work after choosing "Jack in the Box," one of four patterns in Hooked on Charms by Paula Stoddard. The quilt in the book is made with 16 blocks, but I had enough fabric to make 20 blocks. When finished, Jack in the Box will be a child-sized quilt. The blocks are currently 8.5 inches, and with a border the quilt will measure approximately 36 X 44 inches.

After cutting the fabric, I arrange pieces for the blocks on individual squares of newspaper and stack them on a large square ruler. This allows me to sew the pieces together correctly without a lot of hassle or confusion. Do you use a similar system?

I've admired the windows in my church for years and decided to share them with my readers on Sunday. Each Sunday I will feature two stained-glass windows along with an explanation of each window. Previous windows can be viewed by typing "Windows of Faith" in the search box in the top left corner. Dove and Tablets of Stone windows The most used and most authentic symbol of the Holy Spirit is the descending dove. It is based on the account of the baptism of our Lord. The dove is one of the earliest forms used to represent the Holy Spirit. This window includes seven flames which refer to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit as taken from Revelation 5:12 - power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing. When man fell into sin, the knowledge that he had of God's will, written in his heart, was sadly blurred, yet not entirely effaced, a remnant remained. The natural knowledge of the Law is true, as far as it goes, but it is not perfect. In order that we migh...

Off-base Housing Misawa, Japan August 1979 - April 1980 It wasn't much to look at then and definitely isn't now. On-base and off-base housing was scarce, and when something came available, it was taken whether you liked it or not, and for the record I took it, but I didn't like it. The front door went into a tiny utility room that housed a kerosene hot water heater and a minuscule washer and dryer. More about the hot heater later. The utility room opened into the main section of the house where the living room and kitchen melded into each other. The galley kitchen was tiny. Notice how low the cabinet is by the stove. I'm 5'8" and really had to stoop to use the kitchen sink that was in that cabinet. The refrigerator was directly across from the stove, and the bathroom door was adjacent to the refrigerator. The bedroom was through the doorway between the stove and refrigerator. The living room was also tiny. The object in the lower left corner of this ph...

 Waiting for evening Museum of the American West Lander, WY Grounds crew trimming palm trees Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore Oahu, Hawaii

Anna's Spring House February block The Quilter's Neighborhood In March and April, two more house blocks will join Mary's Winter House and Anna's Spring House to complete the Quilter's Neighborhood. The Original version of Anna's Spring House on display in the shop used brighter fabrics. My BOM kits will all feature Thimbleberries fabric.

Mary's Winter House January block  The Quilter's Neighborhood The Quilter's Neighborhood is the Free Block of the Month program at Sheep Camp Quilt Supply. The first four months will focus on houses: one house is decorated for a each season with a quilt block. The following four months will feature trees dressed for the season, and then another set of four designs to finish the row quilt. The blocks can also be used for table runners or pillows. The program was supposed to begin in January, but the kits were not ready. On Saturday, I picked up both January and February's kits. The first kit (the pattern and enough fabric to make the block) was $10, and if the finished block is shown the following month, the next one free. If I do not finish the block in time, to stay in the program, I must purchase the next kit. By completing the blocks in the allotted time, I will have 12 blocks for the original cost of $10. The shop offered a choice between the Original version ...

Thursday evening I joined friends at the Morton-Kinnear Fire Department Pancake Supper. As always, the food was plentiful, hot, and delicious. They served pancakes, sausage, eggs, coffee, and milk. Believe me, if anyone went away hungry, it was their own fault. The firemen even served seconds (or thirds) of everything at the table. Held annually, the supper is a major fund-raising event for the volunteer fire department, but it is also a place to visit with friends. These men have mastered the meal preparation and serving, and they are great fire fighters, too. The Morton-Kinnear Fire Department is one of several battalions which make up the Fremont County Fire District . The District covers an area of 6,000 square miles with 200 volunteer fire fighters. The new Morton-Kinnear fire house was dedicated in July 2009.

I've admired the windows in my church for years and decided to share them with my readers on Sunday. Each Sunday I will feature two stained-glass windows along with an explanation of each window. Previous windows can be viewed by typing "Windows of Faith" in the search box in the top left corner. The Lamp and The Holy Blessed Trinity windows In the Book of Psalms states, "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." One of the most popular symbols for the Word of God is the Lamp. The significance of the lamp as a symbol of God's Holy Word is that the Bible is not some dark difficult book which ordinary people should not read, but it is a "light unto our path," clear enough for us to understand, pointing and showing the way to "salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." In the Holy Scriptures, God has revealed Himself as the Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, three distinct Persons in one divine Being. Thi...

Sapporo Snow Festival Sapporo, Japan February 1981 We toured some of the snow sculptures at night. This was one of my favorites. It didn't have the detail of the sculptures we saw the next day, but the emotion it conveyed was still strong. It was massive and impressive from every angle. If I remember correctly this was in the international section, where groups from other countries created entries, but I am not sure. I don't remember if prizes were awarded at the festival.

Dahlia , measuring 16 inches in diameter, was knit on size 2 circular needles, using Aunt Lydia's Crochet Thread (size 10). Dahlia is one of three doilies featured in  Fresh Knit Doilies by Larisa Scott, published by Leisure Arts. One adjustment to the pattern, because I am inept with a crochet hook, was the knit edge. I will use the stitch again since it complements the design more than the crochet one and I doubt that I will ever master a crochet hook. The stitch, called Crown Edging, can be found on page 86 in knit edgings and trims , edited by Kate Haxell. In an earlier post , I showed other edgings from the book. Blocked and starched, Dahlia is displayed on my front room coffee table.

The doily is finished and being blocked (right side down). I'm very pleased with how it turned out - mistakes and all. When it is dry, I'll post photos of the front and the edging that I used.

Mobile ATM at a Flea Market Honolulu, Hawaii November 2010 I guess we really are a mobile society. Have you seen anything like this in your area?

Due to an abundance of coal, oil and other minerals in the area, Gillette, WY is booming town. Because housing is so tight, workers, today, often live in campers and families live in motel rooms. It was no different 38 years ago when I was assigned to complete eight weeks of student teaching in Gillette. I knew housing would be a problem, so I contacted the church to see if someone in the congregation would be willing to rent a bedroom for eight weeks. Mrs. Cannon, an elderly woman, graciously invited me to live in her home. Mrs. Cannon was an accomplished knitter, and knitted doilies (the first I had ever seen) were displayed everywhere in her home. It wasn't long before she gave me the confidence to start one of my own. When I didn't have school obligations, Mrs. Cannon and I would knit together in the evenings. She was so proud when I finished my first doily (pictured above). It was my first experience with double-point and circular needles and even knitting lace. I vow...