Friendship Bread It's All About Relationship

Today I reflect on relationship and how it comes into play in so many areas of life.  My sister Kathi received a gift of some Amish Friendship Bread from someone in her life. Even though she is at a place in life where she does little cooking or baking she chooses to care for and share this bread starter... relationships will prompt us to take action. She shared this bread starter with me and I am planning to share this Amish Friendship Bread starter with some of my friends too as I have done with my Kombucha Scoby. 

This blog is about inspiration that originated from my Nana. One thing I learned at my Nana's house was that it's all about relationship. H-mmm you might say, why is that? Well when we went to my Nana's house it was not about "You kids just go outside and play", or "shoo, I've got a lot to do" or even "I'm too tired right now". All of those things were probably true as with so many of our lives but it never felt that way at my Nana's. Do I remember her lying down to rest, yes. Do I remember her life being full with church, friends, gardening, household tasks, projects, and more? Yes, that too. I remember my great Uncle Bobo driving quite a ways to pick us up even with their busy lives he was not too busy to do that. Thinking about this reminded me that we often exchange time to share in relationship. 

My friend Diane and her sweet husband Alan have been amazing examples of this. We did not know it at the time, but one evening in April of 2021 we said goodbye to Alan for the last time. He had been over at our home sharing relationship in the form of help to my sweetheart. They put up drywall for several hours after Alan had worked a busy day. We do not always know the impact of our actions, but this I know,"relationship counts". In hindsight his life was FULL of relationships that counted. 

So today is day 6 of the lifecycle of my Amish Friendship Bread starter so I am feeding the starter in preparation for more starter growth and eventually sharing. It reminds me that in life in order for us to have growth we must also care for our relationships consistently, keep it warm and happy, feed those relationships, then eventually we will have multiplied it and finally the sweet outcome is the ability to share it with others. Sometimes we share it fully mature like a loaf of this delicious bread...other times is is still in a stage where it requires much more maturity before it is ready to give and share. At each stage it is beautiful. 

I'm excited to create a delicious loaf of bread from this starter but even more excited to be able to share it again with another. 

Making It Work; A Creative Makers Life

2020...Making It work is a creative makers mantra and certainly represents my thoughts especially as we experience uncertain times as we self quarantine and shelter at home. 

My Nana often started a sentence with "you go to work and..." For many, the word "work" has taken on thoughts of what we "have" to do rather than what we choose to do. I believe for Nana it was just daily living, it was life, it just WAS. I loved her practical no nonsense way. 

Today as we go out of our homes, we think of far different concerns than this time last year. Simple concerns...How do I shop for groceries safely, see the doctor when needed, get that part to fix the broken faucet and on and on.

Our world has experienced shortages of needed medical supplies as just on of the many side effects of this pandemic novel coronavirus. Because of this specific shortage of masks that help with viral spread,those of us makers, creatives and practical inventors do what my Nana did..."you go to work and...". There have been amazing solutions to making sure to be as safe as possible for all, safe as we go about the business of life. 

I have a beautiful and amazing granddaughter in law Angie who got her degree in fashion design. As my grandson and her began their married life she also began her business career and she opened her own fashion design business, Studio 93. We are so proud of the two of them!

Check her out on Facebook :) As with many, life for her has shifted from her physical business space to her new space...her home. With "shelter at home" directives becoming the norm many business owners have had to rethink how to offer their services... as has Angie. Last year an interview on internet radio sharing about women in business, led to her own radio show weekly. Today she shares her many talents mostly from home like many following worldwide health concerns. Angie hosts her radio weekly shows Fridays on Facebook Live. Now Angie is busy making face masks to assist the health community needs due to this virus outbreak as well. If you wonder how she happened to find herself so busy click here to read about how this came about. 

For all YOU amazing designers, makers, creatives out there I want to send my applause and appreciation for being problem solvers and so much more! 

Let's take a look at some others and their mask making solutions.

   

Lexie Saks from Good Housekeeping shares a simple solution most everyone can put together. 

Do you have a bandana or 22" of fabric? Done.

Another simple no-sew mask from Crafty Caboodle made from stretchy fabric like a t-shirt will also get you covered and on your way. 

But since this blog pays homage to my Nana who was a seamstress extraordinaire I would like to share with you a simple mask like my Nana would have come up with had she been living in this time of covid-19. 

Step 1 Find some newspaper for a surface to draw a pattern.

Step 2 Draw out a basic design for your mask wearer.

Step 3 Lay out your selected pretty fabric and pin to your pattern. 

Step 3 Cut out the necessary pieces for the mask.

Step 4 Sew! 

For those of us who find it helpful to see a video I thought this blogger 

at Treasurie and her patterns made two sewn masks that I think do a great job. 

I hope one of these makers solutions will serve you well and keep you and others safe and healthy.