Just Another Day

My Tablecloth (because I have no pictures to share this time)

 Its cold and crisp and clear here again today. The temperature is in the -30's but the sun is shining. I do have to admit that knowing it is that cold outside and knowing I don't have to go out is as wonderful as I always dreamed it would be in all my working years. Retirement is awesome. My heart goes out to those who have to go out in the cold. Those who spend their days outside working and women going to work in Ladies dress pants ( those suckers are the coldest things going!!) especially. I feel so blessed to be able to snuggle into my house and stay warm.

As always not much going on around here. I did finish a book last night. Only the third I have read since the pandemic but my interest in reading is starting to pick back up again. I am working my way through the Cardinal Series by Giles Blunt. I just finished the second book. I am going to take a break and read one of my Christmas books before I start the third in the series. I watched the TV series and really liked it. So far the books are not disappointing. 

I have run out of white material so work on the current quilt has ground to a halt. I have 30 of the 48 clocks made.  I will order some material today. I also need to order some yarn for a project for my niece Miss Mouse. I am also going to get groceries tomorrow. I am really looking foreward to that as I will once again have coffee. I ran out a few days ago and I have been using tea. I love tea but it fails to give me the kick I need first thing in the morning, Coffee does that for me and I am looking foreward to having some in the house again.

Laundry is chugging away in the machine, the kitchen has been bossed back into order and I am still working on my tablecloth now and then. I have decided to spend part of my day, each day, putting things back in their proper place. One of my big downfalls is that I don't seem to put things away when I am done with them. It was the bain of my Mother's existence for all of my childhood. She did her best folks, but I failed to learn. Now at this ripe old age I am finally figuring it out.

I don't even have any pictures to share this week. Aw well, it is what it is

Take Care

Toodles,

Linda

Very Late or Very Early

I know, I usually post on Sunday or Monday but its Friday and I am just getting to it. Its because I am not overrun with blog material. Its like when people ask me "what are you doing?" I cringe. I am doing the same things day after day. A little housework, some crafting, some tv watching and the odd visit from a friend. Nothing earth shattering and nothing surprising and nothing out of the ordinary. I leave the house to get groceries and for the odd appointment and that is it. I am not complaining, its just that its not great for making an interesting post.

Finally all the stuff made it to the basement. The Banker stopped in and I put her to work. I could have done it but it would have taken me a month. She did it in a matter of minutes and its SO GOOD to have it put away. My house is a constant work in progress but it is getting done.

I have started to work on a new quilt. Its a scrappy one that will hope to make a bit of a dent in the stash. I'm not sure what I will do with it but I saw the pattern on Instagram and thought I would like to try it. Thanks to the wonderful tutorials on the Missouri Star Quilt Company YouTube channel I am learning more and more quick tips. I have been making quilts since I was 13 years old. I am always thrilled to find out new stuff.

I will always make quilts, I will make them until my hands fall off so I need to find a way to make use of them once they are made. My family and friends can only use so many. I have some ideas but I need to give it all some more thought. Donations? Selling? Etsy Shop? Facebook Market Place? I will figure it out and until then they can just pile up in the spare room.

I am working away on my tablecloth. Its so pretty and I am loving making it. Its something I have not done for a very long time and its nice to get back to it

I used my Indigo gift card that The Pilot gave me for Christmas and the books arrived yesterday. My heart flutters at a bunch of new books. When this pandemic hit and I retired I moved away from reading. I have only read two books in all these many months. Its just recently that I have started to want to get back into reading. I now have eight books in my "to be read stack" and I am itching to get at them.

So its quiet days filled with ordinary miracles. I am loving the fact that I am retired (in case I had not made that clear) that I can do what I wish without having to be at work. I feel so very very blessed.

So today will be quilting, crocheting and this weekend will be scrapbooking. Oh my its a hard life!!

Toodles

Linda

Onward and Upward

 So except for the things that have to go to the basement and the lights on the veranda, I think I have all the Christmas stuff back in its Harry Potter rabbit hole under the stairs. I do have to say it went back into place a lot quicker than it came out.

I am sorry to see it all go away, I like all the knick knacks and Christmas themed things about the house. Naked Christmas trees look sad. 

All the stuff makes the house look cozy and festive. I guess if it was up all the time I would not appreciate it as much as I do when it does all come out. 

We are still in lock down. We will be until the end of the month. This really has been a long drawn out affair. I am so grateful for the visits I get from friends. One person at a time and we take care to not get within 6 feet of each other and I have disinfectant on hand for clean up before and after each visit. So far we have stayed safe. I know we are only supposed to have one person to visit but I could not choose. I am vigilant about the other rules and no one is ever here when someone else is. Call me a rebel but its how I choose to roll.

I tend to be a solitary person normally so being home alone is not the worst thing in the world. I do have to admit that after these many months I so enjoy having a visit from an actual live person. Texting, Facetimes and phone calls are wonderful as well.How would we manage without them??  I am so grateful for each and every one. My heart goes out to those social butterflies that love to have people around them all the time. This must just be such a struggle for them.

I think I have my sleep pattern sorted out and I have gotten back to more normal. I am grateful for that. I have also started to read a bit more lately. I almost stopped reading when I retired and Covid hit. I find this odd because I finally had lots of time to poke my nose into a book. I also should mention that I LOVE to read, always have.  However I seem to currently think that YouTube is the best thing ever and I have been watching a mess of videos. Lately I am getting back to the books and trying to limit my time with the videos. I have a series of good books to read so I am happy with this turn of events.

Its rather hard to blog these days. When your life consists of staying home and being on your own its hard to find fodder for a post. Especially if you want to make your posts even remotely interesting.  I have some mending jobs to do for other people, so I have not started any new craft projects. I have a list of them but nothing to report about at the moment.

I still struggle with this meal making thing. I have no idea what my problem is. Well part of it is I am a lazy cook and the other thing is I can be as hungry as can be but not be wanting any specific thing. Its so weird. Today I have it figured out for supper (ham and scalloped potatoes) breakfast is never an issue but lunch is a major problem today. Sigh. I need to make some bread and then that would help a little with the problem. I cannot tell you how much I annoy myself. Other people I talk to are always making interesting things and have plans for what to have for a meal and I flounder. I am a mystery unto myself. I cannot figure out how I managed to create lunch everyday when I was working. 

Well I suppose I should go and see what I can scare up for lunch. I will leave you with this picture for no other reason than I think these little guys are the cutest things and make me smile everytime I see them.

Toodles

Linda

2021.... Here's hoping for a better year

 2020 has passed but the effects still linger on, Nothing dramatic changed with the ticking over of the clock at midnight. The pandemic still rages, we are still in lock down and the situation has not changed dramatically. The best we can hope for is that things improve, restrictions loosen, the curve flattens and we start to move toward things getting back to some sort of normal. I think we are all hoping for that to happen.

New Years was quiet around here, it always is. This has never been a big deal for me. I like to have some nice food, watch some good tv and stay up to let the new year in and let the old year out. I did all that and then I was tucked up in bed by 12:15. All in all it was a normal, pleasant evening for me. I spent a lot of time watching Star Wars movies and crocheting on the table cloth that I started for myself.

My sleep schedule is still all over the map. I either am hardly sleeping at all or I am sleeping like a teenager. This morning things are more normal than they have been for awhile. I slept most of the night and was up at a decent time this morning, I did the dishes and got a pot of soup on. That turkey broth and left over meat is getting used, which makes  me so happy. I really am trying to not waste food. Its too expensive for one thing and its a sin and a shame for another.

I finally found someone to shovel snow for me. I cannot tell you what a relief that is. I cannot do it for myself anymore and I am petrified of falling, well not of falling but not being able to get back up. I called Seniors for Seniors (cause I am one of them now) and they recommended this nice young man to me. He impressed me right from our first contact and he did a fabulous job of shoveling for me. I was tickled pink to wake up to this one morning. He had been and gone and I had not even heard him.

He even cleaned off the tops of the dumpsters for me. I now can get out and about without worrying about snow drifts. IF it snows he shows up, I don't have to call him, not to mention that his rates are good. Its a complete blessing for me to have this finally taken care of.

Poor KitKat had to put down two of her beloved cats over the holidays. It was so sad for her, she is very fond of her kitties. To have two of them go at the same time is so hard. I know a bit about this myself. Its made even harder that we could not go and give her a hug. 

However in true No Cook fashion we did what we could. We all chucked in some funds and The Banker gathered up a nice basket of goodies for her. We all jumped in out cars and did a drive by drop off at her house.

She still has Alex to keep her company although the two of them are lost without the other two. 

I think she was touched that we made the effort. Its what we do, our No Cook group are very good at supporting each other no matter what. 

So here is t hoping this pandemic thing becomes a thing of the past, that things improve, that everything gets back on track and I learn how to sleep like normal person once again.

Toodles

Linda

Wonderdul Wooden Candy Cane

 Christmas is over and done for one more year. It was different this year, we could not celebrate in the normal way but we managed. Thanks to the miracle of modern technology I was able to be in touch with my nearest and dearest. Texts, pictures, videos and video chats made me feel part of the day and part of the fun. One cannot feel sorry for yourself when you get to see a little one squeal with joy when her Jack-in-the-box pops out at her EVERY SINGLE TIME. It just never gets old. Present opening, tobogganing and just general fun was shared thanks to the internet. 

Teddy Bear popped in for a visit each day. Pandemic rules allow one visitor if you live alone. I am so grateful for those visits. She brings me a coffee and we sit and chat about everything and nothing. Its so nice to have contact with another human being. 

I did all the usual things that I find traditional for Christmas. I had appetizers for Christmas Eve supper, I watched a ton of Christmas movies, Christmas morning it was the fireplace video, the tree lit up and coffee while I opened my gifts. Then the Queen's speech and breakfast, not delicious Breakfast Bruchetta but breakfast none the less. No Monkey Balls or fruit tray but I was satisfied.

That fireplace video was something I thought was a bit silly when I first saw it but now I love it. It makes for a cozy livingroom at this time of year.

Miss Mouse and the Pilot sent me stuff so I had presents under the tree. My gift exchange gift and things for my stocking, It was so sweet of them. While the adult in me could have waited because postage is ridiculously expensive, the child in my soul was thrilled. Lots of things I had on my list for stocking stuffers. I was tickled with it all but I have to say the most special gift was this:

My wooden candy cane nut dish. The Pilot made this himself and he did a most excellent job. Its as smooth as satin and I could not be more pleased. I will treasure it always.

I cooked myself a turkey. Just a little one this year and I have to admit that I am always amazed that I remember how to do this each year. I was grateful I had a little one in the freezer from a while ago.

The stuffing came out of a box but I am ok with that. I like the taste of it. All in all I think I had a lovely time. It would have been better if I could have been with my family but that was not to be. I would rather have all of us safe than be together.

I have started to crochet a tablecloth. It has been a long time since I did this sort of fine work.

There is a long way to go before its an actual tablecloth. In a way its a total waste of time and energy. Chances are that this will never get used and no one will want it after I am gone. This sort of thing is so out of fashion no one is interested in them anymore. I'd doing it just to have something to do. I have the cotton in the house and may as well use it to pass the time as to leave it sitting there rotting. Personally I like this sort of thing and I'm sad that people no longer like  doilies and tablecloths. Oh well, what else would I do with my time?

Toodles 

Linda

5 More Sleeps

Its nearly here, By this time next week Christmas will be over and the New Year will be the next celebration. It is with sincere hope that 2021 brings some relief from the pandemic. It needs to be done and we need to get back to something that is a little closer to normal. Even a homebody like myself am seriously missing humans.

I finally finished my scrap afghan. It seems to me that I made scrap afghans last year or the year before but I know it was around Christmas. I managed two of them again this year but I think I will keep this last one for myself. I rather like it.

I have already tested it out with a little nap and it works wonderfully well.

I have cranked out five table runners this season. There is something about them that I really like and I swear it would not be Christmas if I did not make one or two of them. Three of them got sold

And the other two were for me. I have to admit that I have all I need now. I really do like making them. I think its the quick gratification of it all.

At long last I finally got the lights, Frosty and the garland out and onto the veranda. I was pleased to remember that I straightened the icicle lights last year so they hang as they should this year. The weather was wonderfully mild so no frozen fingers getting the job done.

I did not hang the red balls this year but the rest is up. I fear Frosty's burnt out his light bulb and I have yet to find a replacement. So for now he sits dark but I know I have another bulb around someplace and once I find it I hope he will be lite up once again. I just love that snowman!!

After a week of little to no sleep, I cracked and got The Banker to get me a sleep aid. I took it that very night a gratefully slept!! oh the bliss and the relief. The next night I took only one pill and didn't really sleep again. Last night I managed to sleep the majority of the night without aid and for that I was most grateful. In fact I slept in until 11 and was tempted to stay in bed. Hunger had other ideas so I did get up but today has been a pajama day around here. I have done nothing but watch movies and be lazy. 

Finally watched the latest version of Little Women. I rather liked it even though there was much about it that was not period appropriate. It was fun and easy to watch. I have seen each version and this one is amongst my favourite. To me its a Christmas movie and I always watch the Wynona Ryder/Susan Sarandon version each year.

Tomorrow I will venture out and pick up the last of the groceries for Christmas, then I shall be home for the foreseeable. The decorating is done, there are presents under the tree, my gifts have been delivered. All is well. Friday night saw some of the No Cook group doing individual drive by treat and card deliveries. It was so lovely. I need to get the rest of my cards taken care of.

I need to find a couple of new craft projects to work on as I have done the ones I was working on. I have lots of time to figure it out.

Toodles

Linda

Counting My Blessings

 Christmas is rushing towards us at an amazing speed. I have been caught up in frenzy of decorating and crafting that I forgot to do my blog post on Sunday. Oh my. I have been packing as much Christmas into this little house as I possibly can. I can pack a lot into a small space, its one of my talents and I have been making good use of it. I am happy to say that I am almost finished. I have to put the lights and the garland out on the veranda, place Frosty on his stump and I will be done. I think I will do that tomorrow. Today I have some craft projects to finish as they are on a time crunch.

I made one of these runners for a former co-worker and she liked it so much she wondered if I could make two more before the 18th. Why yes I could, so that is what I have been doing. I also have been making these

Fancy little cable sweaters for wine bottles. So far I have knit up four of them. They make a nice little addition to a gifted bottle of wine over the holiday season, if you need something quick. I also made this

A little Santa sack for a bottle of booze. Teddy Bear needed to dress up a gift for a friend so I helped her out. I rather like it. I regret I did not have black felt but I made do with dark gray.

Did I show off the elf slippers I made? If I did they deserve a second showing because they are so stinking cute.

I am hoping to get a picture of the little girl wearing them but you never know. I think they are adorable.

Guess how clever I am? I managed to throw out half of my 4 Ft Christmas tree last year. I can remember doing it. It was a bit of a surprise when I dug into the bag and found only half a tree, then it dawned on me. I actually threw it out, thinking it was a different tree that had a broken stand. I remember thinking it was odd I could not find the stand but out it went. THIS IS WHY I HATE TO THROW STUFF OUT. Well not really, it was a silly mistake on my part. So I had to adjust my dining room plans.

Its all going to work out. I was not overly thrilled with that tree. It was an awkward size to have in the room. My plan now is to get a pencil tree, at some point in the future, to take its place. It will fit better in the spot I have for it. Sometimes I used to put the old tree on the dining table which didn't really work very well. So this year I have a spare 3 ft tree that I am using. (doesn't everyone have a spare tree or two?? No, Just me? well ok then) You cannot get a pencil tree, in town or on line this year. I can wait. Now I just have to gear myself up at pitch out the remainder of the tree.

I have all of the trees up and running now and I love them

The Family tree

The Gingerbread Tree

The main traditional tree

The Sewing Tree

The Santa Tree

The Pig Tree

The sewing tree is a work in progress. I need a trip to the dollar store to get some sewing themed things for it. I also need to find the box of wooden spools I have been carefully hoarding but have put in the infamous SAFE PLACE. Oh well it gives me something to work on.

The rest of the place looks as it always does. The Santas are all out on display, the kitchen is decked out along with the rest of the house does not change much from year to year. I really do have way too much Christmas stuff but nothing I can stand to part with just yet. Not to mention that I have all the things I used to use at my office now has to find places in the house. 

So that is what has been happening around here lately, The only other new thing is my new sleep pattern. Oh how happy this has made me!! ( yes I am being sarcastic) What I do now is fall quickly asleep when I first go to bed, sleep really well for about an hour, hour and a half then I wake up. I wake up and stay that way until about 4.30, 5:00 in the morning then I fall asleep again. Oh my stars this is annoying beyond words.  When I say awake, I mean wide awake. Then when I do get up I spend a good part of the day feeling very sleepy. Crap. Sleep and I ave never been very good friends and this latest shenanigans is doing nothing for our relationship.I hope this is just a passing phase.

On the up side of life, I have been getting Christmas cards, pictures and little treats delivered to my house. All of which makes me feel loved and thought about. Covid has made us do Christmas differently this year but its not all bad. There are some nice things happening too. 

Chin up and stay safe everyone!!

Toodles,

:Linda