a relaxing weekend

it's been a good weekend...there was a pow wow at our little casino but neither one of us could really get in the mood and that's **different**...

I've been making a belt bag for my niece, here's the deal - I was given a basket of yarns and hooks when one of my cousins (sisters) passed on; when the giveaway happened my sister W brought it over and dropped it in my lap with a big smile. I asked what's this and she said "YOU'RE THE ONE THAT MAKES STUFF!" So there it is...

The bag  you see to your left is crocheted from some of that yarn...it's actually not yarn, it's some kind of like doily thread or something...I don't do doilies, so this was the next best thing. This is worn on the belt when dressed in wingdress; I always put beads and jingles on my gifts, just can't seem to help it...this one will make a nice ringing sound as the one who wears it dances in the longhouse...

It's yellow to depict what we call "the Light" something we sing for and work towards in our daily lives; I dont't think I can say TOO much here because these are our traditional ways passed down from our grandmas...the fringe is done in reds-to yellow and to me this is to help my niece with power for strength and healing and wisdom. There are twelve fringes - these are twelve songs...in one of our services we do one set of twelve songs...in others we do three sets of seven...

a note about the dancing: we call it dancing, it's also called "jump dancing" and/or "jumping" but the bottom line is, the meaning of it and what makes it so awesome to ME is that it's symbolic of "beating down a path for your way." Older women don't dance, we kind of walk along in rhythm to the music but this Sunday my brother and I went to the longhouse - I was first in line when we went out to dance (the cooks often go out on the last three song)...I noticed with a smile that even though we were ALL walking our footsteps made a beautiful pattern in the "wash" (another day we'll talk about that). Another note on being first in the line...smile...this meant I was the oldest one in the kitchen on Sunday.

In this picture, another niece opens cans of appleasauce for Sunday dinner. She's a hard worker and has learned so quickly.

She always greets me with a hug and just seeing her makes me light up.

Here's the other bag I've been working on for OH so long. it's woven and will be worn with a traditional regalia set - it's woven for an older friend of mine - I used the multi-color "mountains" because of her years I know she's seen many ups and downs. I used the vine at the bottom to signify there is always growth happening and she is always green and beautiful...there are other meanings but they are more personal and I won't share them here. My brother helped by doing the fringing and finish work.

It was a very relaxing and weekend