This year on June 17, 2022 my husband, Larry Bilyeu and I celebrate our 50th or "Golden" Wedding Anniversary.
Larry growing up in the small town of Mehama, Oregon and myself in the small town of Douglas on Douglas Island, Alaska. Larry and I were married at the "Shrine of St. Therese"a tiny forested island, past Auke Bay, about 25 miles north of Juneau.
This beautiful little Shrine was originally built by visiting Jesuit priests who came to the Diocese of Juneau to serve in territorial Alaska.
They found such beauty and so great the need for their services that several stayed and with the help of volunteers they completely built the tiny shrine out of the local beach stones on this tiny bit of land now known as "Shrine Island".
The Shrine is lovely, inside and out.
When the tide is in, the entire island is surrounded by beautiful blue water, except for the narrow 'walking-only' causeway.
We walked out from our wedding ceremony to the sight of eagles soaring above, whales spouting, and sea lions barking their congratulations. It was incredibly beautiful.
Now, there is this labyrinth walk etched in the sand where we once walked to the log cabin rectory on the mainland to sign our marriage certificate. And yes, we've been back and it's still lovely and weddings are still held there.
During our ceremony "The Wedding Song" by Peter, Paul, and Mary was sung and played on a folk guitar by a high school friend and at our reception a lot of Simon and Garfield and similar songs from that era. Somehow those beautiful songs filled hearts and souls as they were after all, new to many back then!
And yes, I made my own wedding dress! And each of my bridesmaids made theirs from fabric I bought and sent each of them in three different states as I gathered best friends from High School and College and included my youngest cousin who was so happy to be a bridesmaid!
Our dresses were all in different colors and were beautiful laces over satin, I even made my veil, covered my Bible with the same fabrics and carried a hand carved rose wood rosary.
Ah, the memories of a time, a place, the sounds, and the people. So many have passed on now, most of our guests, many of my own family even several who are younger than I am now.
You never know what paths and causeways you may walk in your life time. Who you will love and who you will remember.
I have since lost both of my parents, a sister in law who was there, and my dearest uncle who died a few months after he attended our wedding. Uncle Bobby's two sons were teenagers and his 12 year old daughter was my Junior Bridesmaid.
Love and pride filled his face and his heart that day. His one and only chance to see her all grown up in a long bridesmaid dress. It was a glorious day and a memorable wedding. And that day, that date, has only grown with memories ever since that beautiful day 50 years ago.
I rejoice in the wonderful memories of so many from that day, just as I grieve the loss of those who have since passed on.
For sadly, two of our best friends, mine and my youngest daughter's, passed away on this day, 25 years later in 1997. Terri Oldham was only 46.
We met in college in 1969 as next door dorm mates and later shared acreage to each build our homes on and raise our children together. Terri and Greg's daughter Kelsy was only 12 when their family was in a car accident en route to the 1997 summer Jr. Olympics where Kelsy was a cross country runner expected to win top honors in her division. Terri and Kelsy didn't survive though Greg and their two teen sons did. It was an unbearable loss for all of us.
Kelsy and my daughter were born 6 months apart. I was with Terri the night before Kelsy's birth and we saw her almost every day of her life as our girls were almost inseparable. Our other two children were closely bonded as well. This devastating loss broke our hearts and changed our lives and those of Greg and their sons forever.
While it also changed the memories of June 17th from our 25th anniversary on, it didn't change the love we felt for all who have been parts of our lives for whatever time we had with them. We treasured this family and all of our many shared adventures and experiences.
And now, it's not even surprising to me, that on this day, June 17, 2022 our dear friend, Daryl Stroschine is having his final big send off into the land, sea and sky with a memorial service in the tiny community church of Mehama, Oregon.
Larry and Daryl were best friends from Elementary School in Mehama, on through High School in Stayton, then off to separate colleges.
Larry at Oregon State where we met and Daryl to Warner Pacific on a full athletic "wild and wonderful ride' of an adventure. Larry and Daryl would get together over the summers and as Larry's letters to me in Alaska can attest, he and Daryl got right back into their hiking, fishing and other adventures.
We continued to keep in touch through life's many challenges and Larry and Daryl never forgot phone calls on their shared birthday in November and in these many final years one to as many as three times a day phone calls!
Larry and Daryl shared a deep love of nature, and the outdoors. They hiked, camped, hunted and fished together throughout their younger years with lots of swimming up the North Fork River, or visiting their favorite spot at Shelburg Falls.
We sheltered Daryl (and Doobie his tiny lap dog) during the Santiam Canyon Fires, along with our own Mehama Kids/grandkids/dog/cat and even chickens.
It was a challenging time. The fires came within a 1/4 of a mile or less of their homes. Larry and I did all we could think of to keep spirits lifted and bodies well fed but the fear of losing not only their own homes in Mehama along with almost everything they owned was intense.
Daryl and I had deep talks over coffee about life, loss, and death. We shared a similar innate sense of natural spirituality, a love of the natural world, a love of arts and creativity, family and most of all love and pride in our grandchildren.
Daryl and Larry remembered decades of stories from their shared childhoods. What one had forgotten, the other remembered.
But in the end all was well, just like this rewritten, reused, and now rewritten with inclusions of Daryl's passing and connection to this anniversary post for Larry and I.
For in the end, the lovely and positive sounds, sights, and memories remain above all else and I am filled with gratitude for the good times and the lessons and treasures from even the saddest times.
Somethings never die. Beauty, art, music and love can fill up our our lives and our hearts forever.
Click below to hear this lovely song that was titled 'The Wedding Song' as it was often performed by "Peter, Paul and Mary" and this version by its writer/also solo performer on the folk group's own 25th anniversary.
The same song that Larry and I had sung by a friend, Geoff Rogers, as he played on his quitar during our wedding 50 years ago during our Catholic Mass Wedding service. Our service was performed by a traveling Jesuit priest in this beautiful place, special time, and never ending symbol of the timelessness of memories.
The song is just as meaningful and beautiful as ever. The songs of that era are all etched forever in my heart.
Our professional and recessional songs played on his guitar by Geoff Roger's of Juneau Alaska was:
The beautiful chords and melodies that make up the songs of our lifetimes.
50 years later!
Michele Bilyeu Creates With Heart and Hands as she shares her imaginative, magical, and healing journey from Alaska to Oregon. Creating, designing, sewing, quilting, and wildcrafting, from my heart and with my hands.
💜🕊💜
Tribute Obituary/Memorial
Daryl Gene Stroschine
1949 - 2022
Rest in Peace
We love you and will never forget you.
💜🕊💜
Paul Toews of KYAC, a public supported small community radio station) in Mill City Oregon
"Honors the Life of Daryl Stroschine:
(And yes, that's my husband Larry who ended up at last possible moment being a call in radio guest)
Replayed from original broadcasting using mixcloud.
This year on June 17, 2022 my husband, Larry Bilyeu and I celebrate our 50th or "Golden" Wedding Anniversary.
Larry growing up in the small town of Mehama, Oregon and myself in the small town of Douglas on Douglas Island, Alaska. Larry and I were married at the "Shrine of St. Therese"a tiny forested island, past Auke Bay, about 25 miles north of Juneau.
This beautiful little Shrine was originally built by visiting Jesuit priests who came to the Diocese of Juneau to serve in territorial Alaska.
They found such beauty and so great the need for their services that several stayed and with the help of volunteers they completely built the tiny shrine out of the local beach stones on this tiny bit of land now known as "Shrine Island".
The Shrine is lovely, inside and out.
When the tide is in, the entire island is surrounded by beautiful blue water, except for the narrow 'walking-only' causeway. We walked out from our wedding ceremony to the sight of eagles soaring above, whales spouting, and sea lions barking their congratulations. It was incredibly beautiful.
Now, there is this labyrinth walk etched in the sand where we once walked to the log cabin rectory on the mainland to sign our marriage certificate. And yes, we've been back and it's still lovely and weddings are still held there.
During our ceremony "The Wedding Song" by Peter, Paul, and Mary was sung and played on a folk guitar by a high school friend and at our reception a lot of Simon and Garfield and similar songs from that era. Somehow those beautiful songs filled hearts and souls as they were after all, new to most back then!
And yes, I made my own wedding dress! And each of my bridesmaids made theirs from fabric I bought and sent each of them in three different states as I gathered best friends from High School and College and included my youngest cousin who was so happy to be a bridesmaid! Our dresses were all in different colors and were beautiful laces over satin, I even made my veil, covered my Bible with the same fabrics and carried a hand carved rose wood rosary.
Ah, the memories of a time, a place, the sounds, and the people. So many have passed on now, most of our guests, many of my own family even several who are younger than I am now. You never know what paths and causeways you may walk in your life time. Who you will love and who you will remember.
I have since lost both of my parents, a sister in law who was there, and my dearest uncle who died a few months after he attended our wedding. Uncle Bobby's two sons were teenagers and his 12 year old daughter was my Junior Bridesmaid.
Love and pride filled his face and his heart that day. His one and only chance to see her all grown up in a long bridesmaid dress. It was a glorious day and a memorable wedding. And that day, that date, has only grown with memories ever since that beautiful day 50 years ago.
I rejoice in the wonderful memories of so many from that day, just as I grieve the loss of those who have since passed on.
We met in college in 1969 as next door dorm mates and later shared acreage to each build our homes on and raise our children together. Terri and Greg's daughter Kelsy was only 12 when their family was in a car accident en route to the 1997 summer Jr. Olympics where Kelsy was a cross country runner expected to win top honors in her division. Terri and Kelsy didn't survive though Greg and their two teen sons did. It was an unbearable loss for all of us.
Kelsy and my daughter were born 6 months apart. I was with Terri the night before Kelsy's birth and we saw her almost every day of her life as our girls were almost inseparable. Our other two children were closely bonded as well. This devastating loss broke our hearts and changed our lives and those of Greg and their sons forever.
While it also changed the memories of June 17th from our 25th anniversary on, it didn't change the love we felt for all who have been parts of our lives for whatever time we had with them. We treasured this family and all of our many shared adventures and experiences.
And now, it's not even surprising to me, that on this day, June 17, 2022 our dear friend, Daryl Stroschine is having his final big send off into the land, sea and sky with a memorial service in the tiny community church of Mehama, Oregon
Larry and Daryl were best friends from Elementary School in Mehama, on through High School in Stayton, then off to separate colleges. Larry at Oregon State where we met and Daryl to Warner Pacific on a full athletic "wild and wonderful ride' of an adventure. Larry and Daryl would get together over the summers and as Larry's letters to me in Alaska can attest, he and Daryl got right back into their hiking, fishing and other adventures.
We continued to keep in touch through life's many challenges and Larry and Daryl never forgot phone calls on their shared birthday in November and in these many final years a daily phone call. They had the same deep love of nature, and the outdoors. They hiked, camped, hunted and fished together throughout their younger years with lots of swimming up the North Fork River, or visiting their favorite spot at Shelburg Falls.
We sheltered Daryl (and Doobie his tiny lap dog) during the Santiam Canyon Fires, along with our own Mehama Kids/grandkids/dog/cat and even chickens. It was a challenging time. The fires came within a 1/4 of a mile or less of their homes. Larry and I did all we could think of to keep spirits lifted and bodies well fed but the fear of losing not only their own homes in Mehama along with almost everything they owned was intense.
Daryl and I had deep talks over coffee about life, loss, and death. We shared a similar innate sense of natural spirituality, a love of the natural world, a love of arts and creativity, family and most of all love and pride in our grandchildren.
Daryl and Larry remembered decades of stories from their shared childhoods. What one had forgotten, the other remembered!
But in the end all was well, just like this rewritten, reused, and now rewritten with inclusions of Daryl's passing and connection to this anniversary post for Larry and I.
For in the end, the lovely and positive sounds, sights, and memories remain above all else and I am filled with gratitude for the good times and the lessons and treasures from even the saddest times.
Somethings never die. Beauty, art, music and love can fill up our our lives and our hearts forever.
Click below to hear this lovely song that was titled 'The Wedding Song' as it was often performed by "Peter, Paul and Mary" and this version by its writer/also solo performer on the folk group's own 25th anniversary.
The same song that Larry and I had sung by a friend as he played on his quitar during our wedding 50 years ago during our Catholic Mass Wedding Service performed by a traveling Jesuit priest in this beautiful place, special time, and never ending symbol of the timelessness of memories.
The song is just as meaningful and beautiful as ever. The songs of that era are all etched forever in my heart.
Our professional and recessional songs played on his guitar by Geoff Roger's of Juneau Alaska:
The beautiful chords and melodies that make up the songs of our lifetimes.
Michele Bilyeu Creates With Heart and Hands as she shares her imaginative, magical, and healing journey from Alaska to Oregon. Creating, designing, sewing, quilting, and wildcrafting, from my heart and with my hands.
Rest in peace Daryl.
We love you and will never forget you.
Obituary/ Tribute for
Daryl Stroschine
1949 - 2022
Paul Toews of KYAC, a public supported small community radio station) in Mill City Oregon
"Honors the Life of Daryl Stroschine:
(And yes, that's my husband Larry who ended up at last possible moment being a call in radio guest)
Replayed from original broadcasting using mixcloud.
It's so much fun creating colorful quilts, wall hangings, table toppers, Easter baskets, or creative children crafts to welcome in the hopes of Spring and the season or renewal, hope, peace and freedom.
Making an 'Easter' quilt can be as simple as making some four patches.... and added some bits and pieces ...just from some scraps you might already have....in bunny, chick, or any pretty Easter fabric!
I used some scraps in Beatrix Potter prints, as shown above, and made this cute but easy, baby quilt and included a little soft fabric book for a quick gift! This little baby quilt is in flannel, and these where all the scraps I had in these colors..so no outside borders, and very simple style..but it is soft and special and still so cute! And best of all, the sweet little one who received it,
Basket Blocks by Gwen Marston:http://www.gwenmarston.com/freePattern/basket.htm
free basket blocks pattern by Gwen Marston; from her Beaver island Quilt Retreat on Baskets. The pattern is for one of eleven baskets quilts she made for the retreat. The quilt is made with 16 pieced baskets and 15 alternate blocks in redwork. Baskets w. Red work 60" x70"
Bunny Quilt from Quilting Passion http://quiltingpassion.com/MQs/MQ11/
Blocks create a cute bunny shape! The finished size of this project is approximately 30" x 42", without borders and 42" x 54", with borders.
Cactus Pot Basket Block http://blocksnswaps.blogspot.com/search/label/Cactus%20Pot from Blocks 'n Swap.This basket block was first published in the Oklahoma Farmer Stockman, on January 1, 1930
Easter Chicks Decorate and Bunny Luv
Bonnie Sullivan of Salem OR
Check out this darling original wallhanging, wool applique on flannel, 24"x 28" and quilt designed by Bonnie for Fons and Porter, free downloads as of above at: http://www.allthroughthenight.net/All_free.php
And don't forget how easy and how much fun making Easter pillowcases can be! Use my magical 'burrito' pillowcase pattern and a yard and maybe a bit more for trim..and you'll have a darling pillowcase in no time at all! Make a Magic 'Burrito' Pillowcase
And consider making a little 'stuffy' toy or a little Easter gift accessory for yourself, a family member or a friend!
...here's a fun list of photo ideas from some of my own projects files, and from so many other "Easter/Passover/ and Celebrate Spring!"pattern links..not just for quilts, and quilt blocks but a few super cute Easter crafts, too!
Any spring colors, any styles in so many different crafts to choose from! And do come back as these are updated all of the time. Just click on my my master link list up at the top border, or over on the side gadgets to the right!
thanks for the pdf link to the Ocean Waves Quilt Guild and to the photo of a pincushion, made and featured at the "The Chicken Run" Challenge Group..see lots and lots of chickens!!
http://ohsewtempting.wordpress.com/chicken-run-gallery/
2 identical log cabin blocks, 4" x 4" (3 1/2" x 3 1/2" finished); 1 square 2" x 2" of ... Lay down one log cabin block, right side up, as illustrated with the dark half of ... Fat Quarter Bundles, Original Quilt Kits, Quilting Fabrics & FREE Quilt Patterns
Also for recipes and other wonderful Passover posts: Do Check out Cheryl Lynch's blog She celebrates Passover and the traditions for her children in some truly lovely ways!
All links have taken me 6 years to compile and update. All missing links are not the result of whomever I am linking to removing it from their site, in that case there is nothing I can do to restore it. I apologize for the inconvenience, but please remember, I'm just a blogger who does this as a community service..no one pays me for all of this work. With Heart and Hands
Michele M. Bilyeu 2006, updated 2017
Kermit Says "The Luck 'O the Irish to You!" and offers to share my free St. Paddy's Day quilt or quilt block patterns with you!
Shown above, is my own favorite simple string quilt, pieced in a diagonal pattern with 'Kiss Me I'm Irish' and other fun shamrock fabrics.Kermit's Irish green eyes are smiling on the string quilt done in greens and holiday shamrock fabrics, hope yours are too!
And above, my own green Somerset Star Potholders Tutorial complete with a free patter tutorial:
**Yellow Clover a block design first published by Nancy Cabot for the Chicago Tribune.
According to Barbara Brackman's Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns, Yellow Clover is one of hundreds of Cabot patterns sold by mail order during the 1930s.
YELLOW CLOVER debuted in the Nancy Cabot quilt column in the Chicago Tribune on March 19, 1936. Cabot's notes state the following:
"Yellow, green and white form one of the most popular of present day quilt color combinations. YELLOW CLOVER is one of the newer pieced blocks which allow the quilt maker to use these colors in a most appropriate pattern.
It is a pattern which is not difficult to piece, and only 36 blocks are required for an entire coverlet. They are set together six blocks across and 6 blocks deep and surrounded by a five inch border of white material and bound with leaf green bias binding a half inch in width."
The pattern is included in most compendiums, see p.207-5 in Jinny Beyer's QUILTER'S ALBUM OF PATCHWORK PATTERNS, for example, or p.212 in Maggie Malone's 5,500 QUILT BLOCK DESIGNS, or #2459 if you're using Barbara Brackman's ENCYCLOPEDIA OF PIECED QUILT PATTERNS.
For an index of Nancy Cabot designs at this site, see CABOT BLOCKS. Yellow Clover: BLOCK SIZE:10 1/2" square
MATERIALS
Dark print at least 5" x 10"
Medium print at least 10" square
Light print at least 16" square or one fat quarter
CUTTING
Dimensions include a 1/4" seam allowance
Cut 2: 5" squares, dark print
Cut 3: 5" squares, medium print
Cut 5: 5" squares, light print
Cut 4: 3 3/8" squares, light print, then cut them in quarters diagonally to yield 16 side triangles
Cut 7: 2" squares, light, then cut 2 of them in half diagonally to yield 4 corner triangles
DIRECTIONS
Draw diagonal lines from corner to corner on the wrong side of each 5" light print square. Draw horizontal and vertical lines through the centers.
Place a marked square on a 5" dark print square, right sides together. Sew 1/4" away from the diagonal lines on both sides. Make 2 using the dark squares and 3 using the medium ones.
Cut the squares on the drawn lines to yield 16 dark pieced squares and 24 medium pieced squares. Press the seam allowances open. Trim each pieced square to 2".
Sew a 2" light print square to a dark pieced square to make a rectangle unit. Make 4. Press the seam allowances open.
Lay out the square units, rectangle units, and the remaining 2" light print square. Sew them into rows and join the rows to complete the block center. Press the seam allowances in the direction indicated by the arrows. Set it aside.
Lay out 3 medium pieced squares and 2 side triangles. Join them to make a pieced strip, as shown. Make 4. Press the seam allowances open.
Lay out one medium pieced square and 2 side triangles. Join them to make a pieced strip. Make 4. Press the seam allowances open.
Sew a corner triangles to a pieced strip to make a corner unit, as shown. Make 4. Press the seam allowances toward the corner triangles.
Sew a corner unit to a pieced strip to make a large triangle. Make 4. Press the seam allowances toward the corner.
Sew 2 large triangles to opposite sides of the block center. Press the seam allowances toward the corners. Sew the remaining large triangles to the remaining sides and press to complete the block.
AUNT MARY'S DOUBLE IRISH CHAIN - Antique Geometric Quilt Designs
S DOUBLE IRISH CHAIN INDEX | BOOKS or search engine by freefind advanced Quilt Notes: AUNT MARY'S DOUBLE IRISH CHAIN dates back in print to a 1906 booklet of blocks, previously earlywomenmasters.net/quilts/a/auntmary/index.html
Michele Bilyeu Creates With Heart and Hands as she shares her imaginative, magical, and healing journey from Alaska to Oregon. Creating, designing, sewing, quilting, and wildcrafting... from my heart and with my hands.
Brooch to represent the Passover Exodus to freedom
