Dreams

 My scrapbook weekend is coming up and I am so excited. Its a weekend I look foreward to each year. We have a good group and its lots of fun. I was very concerned that Covid would put an end to it but so far the rules are going to allow us to get together. I have been making lists and packing supplies for a while now. Today I actually started to move the supplies out to the front entry for easy loading, The worst part of this hobby is the equipment and paper is so freakin heavy. We have tote boxes and trolleys becase its not our first day at the rodeo. Thank goodness for the Banker, she helps me greatly to do the things I love to do.

The Christmas quilt is coming along. This week we have to make only one block. Last week it was two big blocks. Two stacks of presents.

I realized after I got them sewn up that the Santas in the biggest presents were upside down in several places. That has been corrected and Santa is no longer standing on his head. I am amazed that my box of Christmas fabric is still as full as it was when I started this project. You would think that I would be used to that happening by now but its always startles me.

I did some Amazon ordering lately. I have not done that for awhile but I ordered up a couple of things I wanted. I now have a five foot pencil Christmas tree  for the piggy ornaments. I will use it in the dining room. I, somehow. managed to throw out the top of my piggy tree two years ago. I don't know how or why I did it but I did. I decided I wanted a pencil tree to replace it but not one that was six or seven feet tall. Amazon was the only place I could find what I wanted in the size I want. I am very happy. I simply cannot survive one less that 6 Christmas trees. (Ok that even makes me laugh)

My other purchase was a book I started reading eight years ago. Twitch upon a Star, a biography of Elizabeth Montgomery. I was reading it on my kindle while I traveled to Ireland. I, then, read some more on my trip to the East coast.. I do not like reading on a kindle. I like an actual book. I have never finished the book and I want to finish it. I'm not even sure where my kindle is. Finally I broke down and actually ordered the book so I can get it read at long last. I just have to figure out where I left off or just simply start from the beginning. 

Not much else going on.  I have some toddler hats to make and I'm still kitting on the scrap afghan. I am slowly getting things out away upstairs. My project to find a home for things is still going on and I am still making headway. Its a slow and unsteady project. Raffle ticket sales have been good and steady. We need to get our book club up and going again, this means I need to get sending out some emails. Busy, busy, keeps me out of trouble. 

Toodles

Linda 

Me Again

 I have been watching podcasts, crafting podcasts and its a total rabbit hole. There are so many things I want to do and learn and try, my mind is spinning. There is not enough time in the day. I used to think that work was in my way but now I don't have that excuse and there still is not enough time in the day. Who knew there were so many different ways of doing familiar crafts and so many new things to try? The mind boggles.

Speaking of rabbit holes, I totally went down one last week when I got making lop ear bunnies. I made four blue and then I switched colours.

And I added cozy little scarves. So much fun but I did have to stop, I have other things that need to be tended too so I put the bunnies away for the moment. I still want to make one for myself.

This last weeks Christmas quilt block was very easy and not nearly all the little pieces as the Christmas lights..

I wish I would have fussy cut the snowman material but I am not going back and remaking the block. One of the quilters in the group pointed out that they look like they are playing peek-a-boo so that works for me. I just opened up this weeks block and its going to be fun. 

A friend has asked me to make some toddler hats again this year. I do animal themed winter hats for her nieces every year. I, of course, was convinced I had to order a lot of yarn for the project. I even got looking on line for what I "thought" I needed. Thankfully I got distracted and never placed the order. In my moment of chasing down shiny objects I went through some tote boxes. Long story short, after my snoop through the totes, I could cut my yarn order down from 6 balls to 1. When will I learn to shop the house first? I know that I cannot rely on my memory when it comes to my craft supplies. I can remember some but not all. I have promised myself that I will look first from now on instead of spending money on things I do not need.

In my snoop, I came across some material I had in a pile of stuff that I did not know what I was going to do with. Its not my favourite and it was given to me with some other material. Recently, I had seen a tutorial or making a very simple shopping bag that I wanted to try out. One of the stores here has bags that I do not like but I have some. I use these for those times when you may not get the bag back so you don't care. I decided to try the new pattern on this material that I am not overly fond of and then I can use the bags as ones I don't care if I get them back. This pattern is super easy and I will, for sure. make again

I had enough material to make two. The sides are done with French seams so they are nice and strong. I put the material to good use, I gave myself something to do and now I have two new bags to use. Excellent results in my opinion.

Thanksgiving came and went. It was a rather sad lonely weekend but I would rather my family be safe than sorry.

I made myself a nice meal. Crock-pot chicken and gravy with rice and yellow beans. I went to town and made a pumpkin cheesecake for dessert. My meal looks a little grey but it was very tasty and the crock-pot chicken was very easy to make. The cheesecake was not as good as it should have been. I will try another recipe in the future because I really like pumpkin flavoured things. 

I spent Sunday and Monday being very lazy. I binged watched Netflix and knit for the best part of the days. I watched the entire season of Maid. I liked it but it was so sad to watch, I guess because I worked in that world for so many years I could understand the frustrating bureaucratic side of the story but it did not stop me from feeling for this poor woman. I also LOVED the ending. 

Something really good that has been happening to me lately, that I am very pleased with, is my blood sugars. They are excellent lately. So many things are not going all that great in the health and wellness department as I get older. Much to my annoyance, hings keep ceasing up and failing to function like they should. Not my sugars!!  My blood sugars are being stellar and make me do a happy dance everytime I test.

I started to knit a scrap blanket. Its was mindless knitting and easy to do while I watched tv on the weekend. Its going to use my scraps up once again. I always seem to have scraps, no matter how many scrap afghans I make.

Its going to be very warm and rather nice to look at if I do say so my self. 

Well  I think that is all for this time. The Banker is coming for coffee this afternoon and then on Thursday I am meeting a former work mate for coffee. BIG week for me.

Toodles

Linda

Trivia

 This is going to be a very random post because there is not a lot to chat about. Events are thin on the ground around this house these days. Thanksgiving is a no go and my scrapbooking weekend has not happened yet. Housework looses its reporting appeal after awhile. especially when it takes me forever to get anything done, Not to mention as we all know, it never ends, its always there needing to be done. Curses!!

Ok so what do I have to report?? Well one exciting thing, for me at least, is I am getting on with the Christmas shopping, I want to get it done sooner than later and I am doing rather well  I have 3/4s of the big gifts organised (as long as they are shipped in time) and am in hot pursuit of my exchange gift. I started nagging for suggestions yesterday. I also have a good start on the stocking stuffers. Some I had from last year that never got delivered and I have been beavering away making some others. I am actively looking for ideas at the moment. All in all I am very happy with my progress. Regardless of how things go for Christmas, (covid is still with us), I am going to have gifts to give.

Look at these!! Its getting to be the end of the growing season and the leaves are dropping like crazy, just look at what my marigolds doing?? Blooming their little heads off! They look better now than they did all summer. Crazy. It does make me happy though because I love those little yellow flowers flanking the sidewalk in my front yard. I had hoped to get them to self seed this year but I think I missed the boat on that. Oh well there is always next year.

The Christmas quilt is still ticking along. Last weeks block was a challenge! So many teeny tiny pieces and so many blocks to make. 12 blocks, each with 13 patches in each block. I like the finished product but I doubt I will ever make them again, at least not that small.

I have not pressed the block yet. I was not interested in hauling out the iron when I got them finished, Six little Christmas lights in each block. Each little light is a 3 1/2 by 6 1/2 inch block. I am still using material from my Christmas stash. I am thinking I maybe should have found some solid colours for this patch but its too late now. I am not redoing it.

I also have been busy making something else super cute this week. A friend asked me to make some bunny stuffies for her to use as a prize for a race she is organizing on Thanksgiving. The race is to  raise funds for a four year old boy who needs to travel to Florida for surgery on a benign brain tumor. His favourite toy is Hoppy the blue lop eared bunny. Thanks to Pinterest I fount the pattern for this guy

I think he is super cute and is pretty close to the original. Before I knew it there were bunny bits all over the living room. She needed four for the race,

These happy little guys are not very big and very easy to whip up, I got them all done last week with lots of time to spare

They are all made with the same pattern, by the same person and yet each one looks a little different and has its own personality. This pattern is definitely getting printed out and saved for future use. I almost think I need one for myself.

Last Friday the No Cooks had a lovely Chinese meal then finished off the evening with coffee and a campfire. The Sailor has a fire pit in her back yard and we have never had a chance to test it out. Covid and other commitments kept us away. So last Friday we finally got to sit around it and toast marshmallows. It was the best of evenings.

The weather was perfect. We hung out until after 10 which is always a good indication of how much fun we were having, Making the most of the last days of this lovely warm weather. Lets hope it hangs in there for some time to come.

Toodles

Linda

We Are Not Amused.

 This pandemic and the people that refuse to get vaccinated are getting right up my nose, on my nerves and are riding the ragged edge of disaster. Tater Tot's school has had an outbreak and he has been exposed of course. So far he has tested negative but still it scares the bejeebus out of me and everyone else. SO in order to protect everyone and do whats best, Miss Mouse, The Farmer and Tater Tot will not be venturing out here for Thanksgiving, Crap Crap Crappity Crap. I totally understand and I would never want them to do anything that would put them in jeopardy but that does not mean I can't be miffed about the situation.

Busy and The Carpenter called and we had a long chat. We realized that we were all on the same page. As much as we would love to get together, we decided its best to cancel this year and look foreward to another year. While I have no doubt that we made the correct decision, it doesn't mean that I cannot be having a childish pout about it all. I am so tired  of all this danger and the idiots that refuse to get vaccinated. I am over it. For all that will get me. There we go, Thanksgiving is up the spout for this year. I will continue to pray for the safety of all and set my hopes on the day we can get together again.

I have been making pumpkins because I have a few bare stair steps. I plan to make one more and that should have the pumpkin parade complete. I'm such a child but this sort of thing thrills me. I'm telling you my eyes lit up and my heart skipped a beat when the Banker mentioned the idea. I have no idea why I never thought of it myself.

Tomorrow we get the next Christmas quilt block pattern. Last week we got to make four cute little star blocks.

They were so fun to make. Some of the group are doing it all in shades of blue. I love that. Blue Christmas!! I half way wish I had thought of it but maybe another time. I'm using stash material to make this quilt so its going to be mostly red and green with a little blue included. I can't wait to see the finished product.

Do you ever have days where you question your sanity, I have them more and more. Last week the Nurse asked me to hem some drapes for her, No problem, It just that my sewing thread stock is running low. I needed to get grey thread. I placed an order to Michaels for said thread. At some point in that simple action, I just lost the plot, My first order (notice I said FIRST)

Do you see any gray thread? Well neither do I, One might as well make the trip worth while if you are going to do a curbside pick up so I ordered some other thread I needed, and some yarn, Well at some point I manged to either delete the gray or not order it at all because I did not get it and its no where on my order form. Crap

Why make one trip when you can make two?? I had to redo the order and go back again the very next day to get what I originally needed. I got some scrapbooking paper I really did not need but it was on sale. That will show me what is what.

I have moved upstairs in my continued "find it a home" project. I have actually discovered the floor in my bedroom once again. I would have taken a before and after picture but I honestly forgot. There is still a lot to do but it looks a zillion times better. So I have one guest room done, my bedroom about half done and the last quest room is a total disaster. Sounds like all things are normal here at my house.

I think now that my company is not going to be able to come, I will start some of the painting projects I have in the queue. I have had the supplies for a long time and now I may actually get going on it. Should  I burst into activity I shall be sure to  share the pictures here.

The Banker and I got our raffle basket ready to go this weekend. I think we did a great job. I want to win it.

We have named it S'Mores and more. Its full of treats, edible and inedible. We have just opened up the raffle this day. All the proceeds go to our local Safe and Warm Shelter. I hope the sales go as well this year as they did last. We managed to raise $400.00 last year.

Well I cannot think of much else to talk about and .I do think I need a nap. 

Toodles 

Linda

Tuesday Stuff

 Another week has come and gone and I'm not sure what I did but I managed to pass the time one way or the other. I still revel in the fact that I am not having to go to work. I can spend the days doing much as I please and I don't miss work, I have not found anything to dislike about retirement. The money could be better but in time it will be. So no complaints here, just a happy bunny bouncing around doing things that make her happy.

Speaking of making me happy, another block for the Christmas quilt has been completed. We got this weeks emailed today and I am itching to get going on that as well. This was last weeks pattern:

Two sweet candy canes to add to the growing pile. Apparently we are nearly to the half way mark on this quilt-a-long.

I did a bit of decorating for fall. I have a thing for pumpkins, I love them. We were chatting about pumpkins at No Cook one night and the Banker made a remark to the effect of "what you don't have enough pumpkins to go all the way up the stairs?". A light bulb went off, I never thought to put them on the stairs. CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!!

I am about four short to have some on every step. What a surprise! Not to mention that only two of them are not handmade by me. These are the soft pumpkins. If they get kicked down the stairs they will not break. I have a shit ton  several breakable pumpkins that are not going to live on the stairs. I also have the materials to make the four that are lacking. ( another shocker)

I  decided to just concentrate on the entryway this year. I think this is enough. Oh my I do love the fall.

I have started again to knit on my donation hats and scarves. I started on or before I retired  but then Covid hit and the shelter was not taking donations. I hope they will be able to this year. I find this is a good way to use up left over scraps of yarn.

I nearly have a garbage bag filled and I still have tons of yarn sitting about waiting to be used. Its great to sit an knit on these and watch tv. They are easy knitting.

I have discovered Pod Casts. Once again I am well behind the rest of the world but I am enjoying watching pod casts. So far I only watch the Crafty Toads and have started from the beginning, I try to get in one a day and they are all about knitting,  they make project bags and they are in two book clubs. I feel like they are my people. I know there are millions of pod casts out there but I am dipping my toe in slowly so far its been very enjoyable.

I made a Pokemon hat for a friend. As usual, no pattern, just a picture  so I gave it my best shot. It was a gift for a newborn.

The purchaser was very pleased and from the picture he shared of the newborn wearing it along with  Dad in his matching hat, I gathered they were pleased as well. That always makes me happy. I got a hug from the young man that commissioned it and he gives the best hugs of anyone I have every met. I have had several from him in the years I have known him and they are all memorable.

The house cleaning is coming along. Slow and steady. I have a long way to go but I have come a long way. Its what it always is. 

Toodles.

Linda

Bit of this, Bit of that.

For the last two weeks, Facebook has been serving me up memories of my trip to Ireland. Today I got the memory that it was our last day there and we were flying home. I am so grateful I got to go. It was a dream for so many years and then it became a reality. I treasure each and every memory, I love to pour over my albums of pictures and my scrapbooks,  I would go back in a heartbeat if I had the chance. Ireland holds a piece of my heart without a doubt. 

Aw memories! How blessed I am to have good ones,

The No Cooks did a road trip on Friday. We took a run out to a small town close to ours, just a half hour drive. The Banker had arranged for us to have a tour of a store there that showcases local artists. What a lovely place. Its the sort of store I love. In an older building, all the things displayed so nicely. Art and antiques, fabulous smells and wonderful colour to fill your senses. The owner was so gracious to open her doors for us after hours and let us meander about.

Personally I could have spent a ton of money in there. Sometimes its good to be on a fixed income. I did get a couple of things, a Christmas ornament and some of the most delicious candy ever. Lots of pottery and some beautiful wooden biscuit barrels that I wanted so bad but they will have to keep for another day. We then had supper at the wood fired pizza place and dessert at the new ice cream stand. That being done, we headed home. Well some of us did. Half of us had to wait on the CAA guy to come and give us a boost as we killed the battery. No harm done, we managed to chatter away until he showed up and gave the battery a boost. Poor guy, a half hour drive for two minutes of work. There was no one around or we could have gotten someone else to do it, we had  cables.  Small town, no traffic. Thank Goodness for CAA.

So I am up to date again on my Christmas Quilt blocks. These last ones were very cute, a little more challenging and yet not too bad. We needed to make four this time.

Mine are a little wonky but in the big picture they will be fine. Some day I should post the picture of what it will look like when its all finished. I have another top ready for a donation quilt. Finished sewing it on Sunday. I also have a top ready for a quilt for me. Its not that I need it but I spent more on the material than I normally would and have decided to keep it as a treat for me. I need to get some quilt batts before I can go any further. Again that fixed income business is rearing its annoying head.

Today was a day of ordinary miracles. I finally got myself to the bank. I have had a money order to deposit for literally weeks and I just could not convince myself to go. I also did not want to ask anyone else to do it for me. Its one of those things that I can do for myself. After the miracle trip to the bank I went and picked up my prints from the photographers. I also took the garbage and the compost out. I am so happy with myself that I am keeping on top of that.

To be fair I am totally aware that any or all of these things are no big deal, the rest of the world does them without thinking of it. HOWEVER in my world these are noteworthy accomplishments. I can with little to no effort overthink things and turn something simple into an overwhelming task. Sad but all too true. 

Our trip to the store on Friday night confirmed for me something I have been ignoring/denying for some time now. Thanks to Covid restrictions and my own natural laziness I have seriously lost mobility this last while. SERIOUSLY. It scares the bejeebus out of me. I am trying to get some of it back. I have been using my stationary pedals but again working with my laziness and the fact that it hurts does not make me eager to do it.. I also have to mention the fact that its like all things, so much easier to go in the wrong direction that it is to go in the right. Its like gaining weight, can gain in a blink of an eye but to loose takes serious work, and a serious amount of time. Sigh. I want instant results and I'm just not going to get them. Hense it being a big deal to make it to the bank and the photographer. I keep telling myself as long as I don't totally give up I am winning the game. My goal is to get back to where I was when I retired. If I can walk and stand that much I will be triumphant. Wish me luck.

Oh the trials and tribulations of my life. I don't want to moan and complain on and on about it. It is what it is and I just need to get on with it and deal with it as best I can. Its the cards I have been dealt.

Toodles

Linda

The Last Days of Summer

 I was going to do this post earlier in the day but I was busy this morning, The Banker stopped in for coffee this afternoon and I just now finished having my supper. Lots to do and lots to distract me from my schedule. I love when that happens,

Facebook has been presenting me with memories of my Ireland trip, EIGHT years ago!! I shared one or two with the Banker, because she shared that fabulous trip with me. Today she popped over for coffee and brought her Ireland scrapbooks. I snooped through hers and she did the same with mine. We reminisced and shared and had a great time. Ireland was the absolute best trip of my life. We had no bad days, just good days and better days. I could not have asked for better and its a very treasured memory. I still hang onto the vain hope that we can get to Scotland, it may be silly to do so but I am not giving up on that miracle. 

We had a lovely afternoon, reliving the best vacation ever, catching up on each other's lives, giggling, chatting and just spending time together. My goodness I cherish my friends!! I cannot imagine life without them.

This morning I was working on Operation Find a Home. Doesn't that sound fancy? Its really not. Its not some grand charity, its just me and my cluttered house. I am determined to find a home for all the things in this house that have no where to be but in the way. Things that have a home need to be put away in their proper place. New things need to be homed or they need to move on, WHAT A JOB !! 

I am making headway, its a slow and steady grind, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Dim and distant though it may be. So far I have found table tops

I have found the hutch!!

The kitchen actually has a floor, especially under the hutch and under the kitchen table. I have seen none of these spaces for ages. It feels fantastic to be winning this particular fight. I still have a long way to go but I am winning the battles with an eye to winning the war. The dining room is finished and the kitchen is ever so close to being done. The next in the sights is the living room, Go ME

As you could see by the dining room table I have started to bring out a few of the fall decor items. I hope to have this finished by the end of the week, Not sure I will haul it all out but enough to make the place look festive.

Today I got the new Christmas quilt block and its going to be a fun one, The last week's one was not all that much of a challenge but cute none the less.

This one is a candy stick and we only had to make one, The new block requires four to be made. I shall try to get at it tomorrow.

Tomorrow is grocery day, errands to be run and more work on the homing project. No rest for the wicked. If I get all the chores done, I can take some time to work on quilts.

Speaking if which I have started a new donation quilt. I worked on the top over the weekend and so far I am liking it,

It does not show up that well in the picture but its all in blues and has black sashing. Oh my its hard to work on at night but then I need to replace some burnt out light bulbs in the craft room. Regardless I have hit that age where black is not easy to work with without sunshine,

I think that is it for my news today. I hear my chair and a nap calling my name. I think I shall answer the call

Toodles

Linda