Thankful Thanksgiving

 In the midst if this pandemic, after careful thought and consideration, much planning and many calls some of my family gathered together in an isolated mountain condo to celebrate together. For me it was the first time in a very long time to see the some of the kids. I must say that I had no idea how much I missed every one until I saw them again. I thought long and hard before I agreed to go, Knowing that the kids looked for a place that would include me tugged at my heart strings and I decided to go.

We followed all the rules that we could. We were a group of 10. We socially distanced and some of us even got tested before we gathered. The place we stayed was lovely and there was almost no one around. We saw three people across the parking lot the whole weekend. 

The views were magnificent:

I have not been to the mountains in a very very VERY long time. We also took a drive to the site of the Frank Slide. Its been on my bucket list for many a year and now I have been to see it. 

Its a sad sight to see. Its hard to imagine a town is buried under those rocks. The little ones had fun climbing about. The weather was not the best but we managed to have fun inspite of it all.

We had a lovey time. Lots of chat, lots of good food, lots of laughs and the weekend slipped by before we knew it. I was so happy to have a week away. I felt like I had  lovely long vacation. Tater Tot, Wee Girl and Sweet Pea have all grown and changed so much.

Now its back to the ordinary routine. I have a mountain of photos to scrapbook. Our big scrap book weekend got cancelled but our little group of 10 are going to have a small get together anyway. We have found a space and are doing our own scrapbook weekend. I am so glad that we are not going to have to miss out. Its one of the highlights of my year.

The Banker and I have put together something we are calling our True North Strong basket for raffling off.

The funds raised will go to our local Safe and Warm Shelter. Ticket sales have been rather good so far. Its not going to be the same as the quilt raffle but its better than nothing.

Speaking of quilts. I have at last got onto Best Friends quilt, the one made with her Dad's ties. I think its coming along very nicely

I actually have the entire top sewn up but no picture taken yet and now once the backing has a bath and dry, I can get quilting on it. I am so pleased I can do this for her. I hope she likes it.

Christmas is coming and the shopping/crafting must begin in earnest. We did the name draw over our family weekend and now I need to buckle down to getting the shopping done. I have started on the Christmas crafting.

I happily spent yesterday knitting and watching movies. The perfect way to spend a chilly Autumn Sunday in my world. I even got all excited and cooked a big pot of something

I do not know if its chili, soup or stew. I started out making chili but it sort of went off track. Inspite of it not having a definitive name its tasty and there is a whole dutch oven full. I am determined to get a handle on this cooking thing. I cannot keep drifting along as I have. Its just not good.

I finally got the air conditioner out of the window today. Nearly did myself in but I managed it. I have a list of things that need doing around here and I am determined to get them done. Its a never ending round of needing to improve around here. Some times I wish I had an easier and more willing participant in this project but you work with what you have.

Toodles

Linda

Ups and Downs

Once I finally got  my printer up and running I happily printed off the clip art I needed to complete my last years scrapbooks. I got the last page done and filled in the missing bits.

 All done and ready for me to move on to this years albums. Just in time for Covid to cancel our weekend. Crap crap crappity crap. Our small groups is trying to find a venue that we can still do our weekend but its not easy in this pandemic world. Sigh. I so enjoy that weekend, I am not going to be a very happy bunny if things do not work out.

Finally and at long last I managed to take pictures of the last two finished quilts. I will be setting them aside to raffle off next year.

The butterfly applique quit is not super big. Its big enough to cuddle up under. The black and white Celtic knot is queen sized. 

Things went mad around here this last week. I actually made a pot of soup!!It was delicious if I do say so myself.

Chicken noodle. I am hoping this is the beginning of a trend for me. Soup and sandwich are my favourite cold weather lunch. I really have to get this meal making thing organized. Too lazy for my own good, that is my problem. 

I did manage to get somethings done around here that have been waiting to be taken care of. I got my new wall hanging put up.

I like it right where it is. I am not fond of blank walls in my house. Other people's houses, yes, but not in my own. Even I have to admit that I am running out of spots to hang things. 

I have gotten started on Best Friend's quilt. She passed on all of her father's old ties and wondered if I could turn them into a quilt for her. I have all the blocks made, just need to sew on the sashing and get it quilted.

I do think its going to be very cute. I hope she will be pleased with it

I spent today happily churning out blocks for the third Canada runner I will have made. Its going in a basket that was to be raffled at scrapbooking. The Banker and I do this every year. Once again I am not sure what will happen with it but I'm making it anyway. If we do a smaller version of the weekend we may raffle it off anyway. Fundraising is hard to do this year. Stupid virus is making us readjust all sorts of normal everyday activities.

I may use this pattern in autumn colours for the fall wall hanging I want to make for myself. I got material for it last monday. Not enough but a good start. I want autumn leaves and pumpkins on this hanging. I have a thing for pumpkins.

I also found this panel that I hope to turn into a wall hanging or even a quilt for myself one of these days.

So there are lots of projects on the roster. So many things waiting to be done and  new things keep popping up all the time. I am thinking that I will not find the winter long a boring.

Toodles

Linda

Days of Ordinary Miracles

 Not much to post about today. Like I have said before, retirement and Covid makes for slim pickens as far as blog posts go. I have scoured my brain and found a few things of note. Little ordinary miracles that have peppered my days.

Autumn is moving in heart and soul, my back lawn looks like a 1970's gold shag carpet there are so many leaves covering it. You cannot see the grass but its lovely to look at. It will not be so welcome when it comes to raking it but for the moment its lovely

|The front is not as bad but almost. Those big old trees shade the house all summer and dressed in their best party dresses the trees make a breathtaking showing at this time of year. The weather this last week has been delightful so there has been lots of veranda sitting, coffee sipping, friend visiting time. Precious times to be savored before winter drives us inside. 

Several highlights this week. I finally found my dining room floor. I have the donations, garbage, recycle and all other detritus removed and the floor has been revealed.

 It has not been seen in some time. This is a retirement goal achieved. I wonder how many people have finding their floor as a life goal. Just me??  Thought so.

The biggest miracle, the one I am the most grateful for is the bathroom light. After I soaked it last week with scrub  water, I left it. I removed the light bulb and let the thing dry for a full week in the hope that it was not completely damaged. I put a bulb in it yesterday and Viola!!

Let there be light. No more peeing in the dark!! It works once again. I am so happy. The water stains will get painted over at some point but for now its very good to have a working light once more and not have to call an electrician. I still need to deal with the fridge as its not fixing itself but for now I am basking in the glow of my working light.

My printer is up an running!!! Another reason to do cartwheels (if I could). I did give it a try and failed totally to get it to work. The Banker offered up her tech savvy grandson and today he got it going for me. Turns out my printer is wireless but my old tower is not. He used an old power cord from a past printer and had it running in no time at all. Well it did take him 45 minutes but I am sure that most of that time was taken up by having to wrangle the old cord out from behind the file cabinet. 

Now I am happily printing out embellishments for my scrapbook. Its wonderful. I can stand a better chance of getting the things I want for my scrapbooks, making titles and doing all sorts. I also love that it is so small and tucks in the corner so neatly.

I baked a cake this week. Its yet another miracle. I made a fruit cocktail cake for No Cook. I would make it again but I would make a few changes to it. Everyone seemed to like it unless they were just being kind. I will make it again. Its definitely  better with the cool whip

I am going to start a binder with the recipes I find that I like and will do again in future. In a binder will be a way to know where they are and to make note of any changes that I make to the original. I have the supplies at hand to make this book

KitKat and I ventured out this week to a local cafe for a snack this week. It felt so odd to be out, eating like we did pre covid. The pumpkin pie was totally worth it.

I thought the presentation was so cute. I'm not usually a fan of the presentation plate but this one is one that I liked.

I have had lots of visitors this weekend. I do love when my friends pop in and we have coffee and a chat. I love that they feel free to do so. Always most welcome, always enjoyed and always appreciated.

I think that is is. Not a lot, not extraordinary but its all good. Ordinary Miracles, I'll take them anytime.

Toodles

Linda

Did you ever have one of those days?

My yesterday was one of those days. It even had a theme. The theme for the day was spilling things. It started with me getting up and kicking a bucket of scrub water down the stairs. Yes, for a brief moment I had an indoor water feature. Soaked the stairs, soaked the things under the stairs, caused me to utter an abundance of colourful curse words. It was fun

The water soaked through the ceiling in my bathroom on the main floor. |The bathroom its tucked under the stairs.

\\

Lovely water stains and now the light will not come on. Sigh. I am not going to try it again until I feel for sure it is totally dry and I will put in a new light bulb. It that fails I will sob quietly in a corner.

The rest of the day went on with me dropping just about anything I put my hands on. Two stand out highlights being a complete cup of coffee onto the kitchen floor and a good portion of a bowl of hot soup down my shirt Oiy!! I'm not sure what was up with that but things are fine today. I can keep control of what I have my hands on today. Maybe I was just tired, I tend to get dropsy when I am tired.

I have to call someone about my fridge. It has water inside it. I know I have to get the repair guy in but for some reason I am putting it off, because we all know that is the mature thing to do. I will think about that tomorrow Tomorrow I will get the phone calls made that I need to take care of. I have to make an appointment to get my picture taken for my drivers licence. I have been putting that off too for some reason, when its really not a big deal.

So the other day I got a chance to get something I have wanted for a very long time and to get it at a bargain price. I got myself a quilt rack. Didn't put that off did I???

I am also very pleased that I actually have a spot to put it. Where it sits is where the storage containers used to be taking up valuable real estate.  Now they are tucked away in the cupboard.

Look you can still see the floor in the closet. That is a miracle indeed.

The quilt rack looks so much better in that space. I am so tickled to have it. There is still one more place to put another quilt onto it. I am debating if I should paint it or just leave it as is. That will take some thought so for now, as is it is. A couple of the little buttons are missing that hid the screws but they are an easy replace.

Not much else to say for myself. Teddy Bear's vacation time has ended and she is back to work today. I know she will not be happy about that and I know I miss her. We had a few coffee visits while she was off and it was so nice. I do like it when my friends drop in for a visit. Her job is so hard and just getting harder with each day that passes. She is needs to retire and leave the madness to someone else.

Crafting update. This week I am going to get started on Best Friend's quilt that will incorporate her dad's old ties. I sold some dishcloths the other day so I have been busy knitting new ones to replace them. I have a plan for the dishcloths I have on hand and I need to keep a certain number ready for that plan. 

My next big challenge it to get my printer actually working. (No I have not done that yet). I know they say its an easy install, anyone can do it but I find that statement rarely means me. I did make a spot for it which was a big hurdle but I have not actually plugged it in yet. I need to though. I need to face the dragon, bite the bullet etc because I need to print some stuff.

As a scrapbooker, I use embellishments a lot. Stickers are part of that but I find the ones I really want are not always that easy to find. I am placing my hopes on clip art and my sticker making gadget to solve my problems. Pray for me that this goes easier than I think its going to. I really would like to get my 2019 album finished before I start on my 2020 one.

We decided that even if Covid stops us from having our big scrapbook weekend, our group of 8 will have one anyway. We can look into renting a community center or someplace and do it anyway. I was so happy to hear that, I look forward to that weekend all year long. Its such fun.

Not much else to tell. Covid and retirement do not make for a lot of fodder for blog posts. Maybe I will give the printer install a try, or maybe I will put that off too. Pray for me.

Toodles 

Linda

Fall Free For All

 So instead of a spring clean I am currently working in a Fall Purge. I am still on the road of purging, cleaning and organizing that started with my retirement. Its a slow but steady program. I may never get it all finished but I cling to the fact that I am actually getting somethings done AND that I am actually still working on it. Baby steps but it all adds up over time 

At long last I got upstairs and managed to get the majority of my closet cleaned out. Its been on my list since long before my last day of work. I happen to have the worlds smallest walk in closet and it was packed to the gills thanks to my "toss the crap in there"method of putting things away.   It was starting to get dangerous to open the door. Not to mention, I had some storage tubs in the green spare room that I was hoping to go in my closet to get them out of the way. End result at long last I forced myself back up stairs during the day and went to work.

I just want to take a second to mention that making a second trip up the stairs during the day is sort of like asking me to allow you to yank a tooth without pain meds, Its a fate worse than death and I will avoid it at all costs. I feel actually doing the trip its a major victory in and of itself.

The lighting in the bedroom is crap so I apologize for the poor picture quality. Showing off my stellar photographic skillz again.

Before

There was more in there but I forgot to take a picture right at the start. I hauled out what I needed to and soon my bedroom looked like this

Then I dragged the storage bins into the bedroom so I could try and work them into the closet. My poor green spare room was starting to look like a store room.

I used the tried and true method of three piles, keep, trash and donate. Once I got going it really did not take a great deal of time, where the storage bins once sat now looks like this.

Yes that is correct, The storage bins found a spot in the closet. The three drawer plastic unit that was in there taking up space and not being useful was removed and they took its place. I also added another bin that was under my bed. I cannot tell you how happy this makes me. The three drawer unit will be put out by the dumpsters so it can find an new home with someone who can use it. I will take pictures at some point when I am in the bedroom with  a decent amount of sunshine.

I got two garbage bags of textiles to go to recycle, and the rest has been put back where it belongs and now is neat and tidy with easy access. That is the most important fact, easy access. It is for me that's for sure. Trash has already gone out to the dumpster which is another miracle. I can bag the stuff no problem, its just actually getting it to the dumpster that is the trouble. Sigh, I am my own worst problem.

Textiles bagged and waiting to go. Those will be gone in the next day or two. I still have a few boxes to look through but other than that the closet has been scratched off the list.

I then turned my organizing skills onto my scrapbooking paper. I have two bins of the stuff and its gotten into a right mess. One is patterned paper and the other is solid colours. I actually started with my this years photos. I made sure they were all in the right order and all together in events. THEN I tackled the paper.

Patterned paper was sorted into events (ie Christmas, Easter, Birthday Etc) and what was not specific to an event or place,  into colours. I also made an index to give me an idea of what events I had paper for and where it might be found in the pile. In doing this I found some pages I will for sure use in this years album, Squeeee

The plain paper was sorted back into colours. This took some time but oh my it is so nice to have it all done and tidy once again, All ready for this years scrapbooking weekend

I have also been doing the things that I love best in the midst of all this organizing craziness. I got the butterfly quilt quilted, Its the top that Princess Diva gave me and she thought might work for the raffle quilt this year. I still have not taken a proper picture of it but I will. I am a bit behind on the quilt pictures.

Its so pretty and old fashioned. I love it. It washed up very well. I had my doubts about the butterfly applique but it did not fall apart in the machine, Win Win.

I have even got out the fall decor. I decided not to do the full house this year but I did put out a little. I do love fall and all the fall things. I have a bit of a pumpkin obsession.

Yes Pumpkin spice is something I look foreward to every year. I love it!! 

I got surprise cookies delivered to my veranda this week. I shamelessly begged on Facebook and they appeared.

So yummy and so timely as I was just sitting down to a coffee break when I found out about their arrival. I do have some lovely friends.

Other than that I have knit five dishcloths and and now going to turn my attention to Christmas gifts. I need to get working on them if I plan to make things for the big day. 

I still have cleaning to do upstairs but as I like to tell people I am pacing myself. Can't do it all in one day. I am also really making myself shop the house. I am now making myself take some time, even if I am positive I don't have something in the house that will work for what it is I need. I quite often will find something that works. Saving myself money and not adding to the excess. Reduce, reuse, recycle. I'm learning, I am slow but I am learning.

Hope all is well in your world.

Toodles,

Linda

The Furnace is cutting in!!! WTF????

 Man, the furnace ran in the spring for far longer than made me happy and now its kicking on far to early in the fall. I woke up in the middle of the night and heard it running!! So far this morning its come on a couple of times. This is far too early for these shenanigans, I am not a happy bunny this morning. I like the cool weather but we should not be needing the heat on just yet.

I have to admit I do  not have much to share in the way of blog post material. The last few days I have been enjoying coffee visits from friends, puttering about the house, continuing the never ending story of trying to bring organization to this place. I am making headway. Teddy Bear and KitKat have both made mention of how the place is looking good these days. I am so happy that its not just me that can see it. My greatest joy is the kitchen is staying decent. No endless piles of dishes and stuff all over.

I have finished the raffle quilt. Once I get it washed I will take pictures and post them. I now have to figure out a way to raise some money with it this year. Ticket sales will be problematic with the Covid virus putting a damper on everything. Stupid virus. Not to mention I am no longer at work where ticket selling was so easy, people came to me to get them. SO now I need to get my thinking cap on and come up with some clever idea.

I can now move onto the quilt I am going to make for Best Friend. She has given me her Dad's ties to use. I want to get going on that. I have another top ready to start quilting, A gift from Princess Diva's mom. I also have two quilt tops for myself that are ready and waiting their turn to get quilted. I have to get backing material for them and I will need to get some more quilt batts. I have used all but one that I had on hand. Some of these things are not all that easy to come by these days. Lots of folks sewing a quilting these days.

My mask making count is up to 37 now. Not bad for someone who thought they would not make any of them at all besides a couple for myself. 

Kids are back to school today, Oh I pray that it all goes well and does not spark a swell of the virus again. Lots of pictures of the kids heading off to first day, wearing their masks, Its a sign of the times. 

Ok I am not a student headed back to school but I had to show off my new mask. I found the material in my stash and could not resist making one for myself. I like to think it suits me.

So my goal this week is to actually start cleaning in my bedroom. The closet is a black hole that needs an organizing like nobodies business. I have hopes that it may happen today but my will is fading fast. Maybe tomorrow. 

Toodles

Linda

Autumn is on its way

 Last week you could feel it. The seasons shifted, one to the other. There is a coolness in the air, the nights are chilly. The daylight has a softer filter and the  green of summer is giving way to the pretty colours of autumn. So I felt it was safe to put the autumn wreath out on the veranda. This weekend I will try to get the fall decor out to dress up the place. Fall is my most favourite season. Spring comes second but fall is a solid first. Summer is too hot and winter has only got Christmas going for it.

I have been making masks. I think to date I have made 32 of them. I managed to get some elastic on Amazon and ended up with more than I bargained for. One really should read things more carefully when ordering.

If you don't you get 100 yards of the stuff  butfor a decent price ( that was in my favour at least.) I, then, promptly did this. Skeins of things and I are never friends.

 After much swearing and sweating I got it untangled and sorted. Some of it has gone off to Busy to assist in her mask making. I have more than I will use in ages so I was more than happy to share.

I have had lots of veranda visits with dear friends these last few days. The Hostess stopped by first, armed with coffee and breakfast. ( not obligatory  to a visit but very welcome) We had a lovely chat. It is so nice to sit on the veranda and keep up with peoples lives. Another nice thing is Miss Miles called this week as well. As she lives a couple of provinces away and I am now retired, we can chat easier with the time difference. The Banker and her Sweet Baboo are back from their travels. Its good to have her back home again.

Other than that not much is happening here. Housework, sewing, crocheting, quilting, knitting ..... you know the normal sort of thing. I was to go a visiting this next week, to my other sister-in-law, Granny S and Zoomer (my oldest great niece) but I have called it off for the second time. Every time I think I'll get there, the virus kicks up its heals and scares me back into my comfort zone. I am going to leave it for now and let time tell me when I can go.

Today for excitement, I picked up my groceries, hauled the garbage out AND put the dumpsters out for collection.(a major feat for the resident of this house to have both happen at once).  Took the bags of textiles to those recycle bins, then treated myself to breakfast out. I mean can you handle it?? Its all go around here, no end to the excitement. 

In all seriousness I have rather content. I would like to be able to go visiting my family but I am content to stay home. I cannot believe that it is five months to day since my last day at work. I like to putter and potter about the house. My routine is changing. I eat more meals in the kitchen, I'm getting better and keeping things from piling up. I am working my way through the purging and sorting, I have started a list of things I need to get done to and around the house. If you do not put it out here, the universe does not know what you need. My bedroom is big on my hit list. Actually the entire upstairs  needs a good seeing to. Plus I have the stuff to recover my kitchen chairs, need to get on that as well.

Still cannot say if our scrapbooking weekend in November will be a go or not. Its in the hands of the virus but I am forging ahead like its a go. I nearly have the raffle quilt finished and I have a theme for the silent auction donation basket. The Banker and I usually do one each year. It gives me a chance to make a table runner. I do love to make a  quilted table runner.

I have decided I want to try to make a tumbling blocks baby quilt. It involves sewing Y seams and I have seen a tutorial on how to work them and now think I can conquer them. A crib quilt will do for a start. I like to have some on hand just in case. I have a girlie one tucked away for future use, so this one will be more masculine. 

Wish me luck!!

Toodles

Linda