This and That

Thankfully it is Thursday and tomorrow is my favorite day Friday AND payday AND the start of a long weekend. Its all good. No big plans for the weekend, mostly just will be puttering around the house. Quilting, yard work and some house cleaning. I, also hope to get some odd jobs done, like touch up the stair paint, move the rug in the livingroom about a foot east, do my hall mirror project and anything else I can think of .

I am quilting, here is a sneak peak at what my poor craft room looks like when I am deep in the throws of creativity:

Yep, its a total mess. Material everywhere, stuff piled up and shoved into corners until I get the sewing done. This is going to be a quilt for Best Friend. Some of the material came from her Dad's shirts so that makes it more special since he has passed on. Its double sized and a jigsaw puzzle pattern. Fun and easy to sew. It is mostly green, blue and yellow with bits of white added. Easy colour choice as those are her favourite colours.

I had to share this picture, because its really pretty and because they still look this good over a week later

I got this bouquet from my grandbaby and her Mommy for my birthday. Except for the rose they are still looking lovely and showing no signs of kicking the bucket. And they are 10 days old today. I am impressed.
I need to find out what the fuzzy green thing in the front is, I am fascinated by it.

Well it is nearly bed time so I will say good night. Hope all is well in your world's

Toodles
Linda

Midweek Catchup

I have not blogged in a week, yikes, where does the time go??? I had a continuously busy week last week. I had my birthday of course,. Wednesday night I was at the Banker's for supper so we could begin to make plans for our trip to Ireland. (OMG I am so excited about this), Thursday night the Nurse was here and we went out for supper. Friday night is No Cook Friday Night which consisted of me bowling for the very first time in my life. 10 pin and I totally loved it. There is something completely satisfying about hurling that heavy ball down the alley with all your might. Very gratifying. Saturday was a free day. I spent most of it crocheting and puttering around the house, lapping up my alone time. Sunday I went with three co-workers to a live performance of Footloose. Fabulous talent and great performances from these young people. One of my friend's son was performing so that made it extra special. We finished the day off with supper on a patio by the river, a lovely day to say the least.

This week has been less fun packed and frantic, which is fine,. I think I am just coming to understand that I now have car payments to make and the puppet money has dried up. Ouch. Oh well, this will be worked out. I just need to tighten the old belt. Blah, but it can be done.

My yard is starting to look lovely, the flowers are blooming and I need to get out there and take some pictures while they are looking so nice. The peonies have bloomed at the front of the house. I love peonies. I wish they were pink but I have my own impatience to blame for that, so they are white.

Right now I need to go do some mending for a co-worker. Then go out an pull some weeds maybe or maybe I will empty the dishwasher or maybe I will ignore it all and watch tv instead. We will see how it goes.

Toodles,

Linda

My Birthday

To day marks the date of my birth, many years ago and inspite of the number I would rather still be having birthdays right now than not so today was a good thing. Before I get all introspective and deep I want to share a couple of pictures with you. My best Ladybug in the the little work shirt I made for her as a present to her Daddy for Father's Day. We took one of Daddy's shirts, cut it down and made it over for her. Now she is set to go help on the tractor and such. Isn't she cute??

Pearl snaps, sun faded and all , she looks ready to get farmin' to me

Ok back to me and the celebration of my birth. I had a lovely day. I got a zillion birthday wishes, I got sung to, I got flowers, I got cards, I got chocolates, I got taken out for lemonade, tea, timbits and ice cream along with a lovely drive in the country.I had singing voice mails when I arrived home and I had phone calls from those near and dear. All in all I was royally spoiled, and felt very loved. Not bad at all for an old bird.

I always get a little introspective at my birthday, I tend to look back and re-examine the past, and wonder where its all going. In so many ways, I do not feel my age, I am still waiting for things to happen, rites of passage to take place and even though I know the reality of the situation, a part of me still waits for these things to happen. My life is not what I had planned, no its not, if it had gone to plan I would be living in a 5 bedroom big old house, fussing over my husband, 4 children (two boys, two girls) and by now  my many grandchildren. we would be spending summers at our lake side cottage and taking regular European vacations. Nope things did not go according to my plans. Ah well. I take heart in the fact that I have provided God with more than a fair share of giggles with all my plans.

I have a life that is maybe not what I planned but it is a good one. I have wonderful friends, a good job, a home of my own . My family and friends seem to be rather fond of me and I am content. There are many things I wish were more, or better but on the whole its been a good life. I struggle with giving over the things that will not happen, I struggle to focus myself on making me a better me. I treasure the good things in my life and I value my friends. I may not be free from regrets but I am well blessed and I am very aware of each and every one. I would not change much in my life. I would have added the husband, and the children. I will always be sad that I did not get to have children but I have made an uneasy peace with that part of my history. It was not meant to be and time has dictated that that it will not happen now.

However, I have many many blessing that I would not have wanted to miss out on and that gives me great joy. I am content with my lot and can stand up and say I have a good life. I look foreward to the coming year and the endless possibilities it holds.

Toodles,

Linda

Waiting for the Caffeine to Kick In

Having my usual Sunday morning breakfast, slow moving, ease into the morning. Its been rather nice. I got up extra late today, spent some time reading before I managed to drag my carcass out of bed. Fifty Shades Darker was calling to me to be read. Not sure what I think of these books but I am curious to see where they are going.

So now I am waiting for the caffeine to kick in and get me going for the day. I have lots to keep me busy. I have more plants to install in the flower bed at the back thanks to a shopping trip yesterday. Then I have the laundry mountain to tackle and conquer. The kitchen needs a complete, full on, total cleaning and I have a swing cushion and awning to sew. That should keep me out of trouble for a moment or two. I should also mow the lawn today but it may be too wet to do that.

Yesterday E and I went out to lunch at a lovely little local cafe which is attached to an even lovelier gift shop. I indulged and bought a nice rusty metal orb on a stick to be installed in the back yard someplace. I would never have purchased it but I had a coupon. We motored all over town, shopping and then ended up at a nursery where we both  bought plants. E bought me a perennial for my garden  as thanks for all my help, taking her shopping and then to quote her " hauling and dragging" everything up to her condo. Its not an easy thing as she lives at the end of the longest hallway ever created.

Then I got home late, had a quick supper and then headed out to a "kitchen party" a friend was throwing. It was not a true kitchen party but more here celebrating the remodel she did on it. She did most of the work herself and did a fantastic job. We gathered in the back yard around her fire pit and had a great time. Lots of good food, laughs and good times. I didn't stay as long as I would have liked to, it was a wonderful evening.

So now its back to reality, things to do, stuff to take care of. Mostly I wish the swing set would recover itself. :-)

Toodles,

Linda

At Long Last Friday

I love this time of the week, your work week is ended, the maximum amount of weekend is ahead of you and No Cook Friday is minutes away. It is bliss. I can feel the tension and stress of the week flowing down and out of my body. Leaving relaxation and calm in it's stead. Oh tis a glorious thing!!

So here are some pics of my projects. Little things I have been working on lately. First up my birthday gift for my grandbaby. I wanted to give her something that I could add to each year, just for her from me, as I have not doubt this little Ladybug will not go short of toys and clothes. I consulted her Mommy and we came up with quilt squares. One each year until she is has enough for a quilt. SO this year she got two of them, one is her birth square and the other is a birthday square.

Birth Square

Ist Birthday Square

Since I call her Ladybug and she learned to crawl this year, I thought this worked

I do want to get a nice box to store the quilt blocks in until they can be put together into a quilt. I am thinking something for storing 12 inch card stock will work. Gotta make a trip to Michael's...........oh darn, what a hardship. I have another little project that involves my Ladybug but I will post the pictures after Father's day. I am not sure if her Daddy looks at my blog, I doubt it but I do not want to take any chances and spoil the surprise.

So this weekend I am getting to go out for lunch and shopping with E, that's tomorrow. Then Sunday I am recovering a love seat swing cushion and awning for a co-worker. That should take most of the weekend.

Toodles,

Linda

A Rip in Space and Time

Did you feel it? The ripple in the force? The world taking a lean to the left? A tiny rip in space and time? Well you have me to blame or thank. I finally managed to plant the last of the plants. After yammering on and on about it for yonks, I managed to get it done tonight. I asked only for an hour of reasonable weather to get the last of the plants into their own little beds and in spite of a severe thunder storm watch, the weather held off and I got it done. All that fuss and flap over an hours worth of planting!! Yeesh I annoy myself some days.

So now I have a wash tub of petunias in the front yard. Inpatients in pots on the veranda and window boxes of million bells gracing the railing and one sweet million tomato plant by the back step. Pansies and more million bells are tucked into pots and crocks in the back yard. I am so glad to have it all done and now I can sit back at watch it grow.

Miracle of miracles, the variegated dog wood bush that I was sure I had killed deader than a door knob is showing signs of life. I am so happy, it was the one and only living green thing in the front yard when I moved here besides a huge tree. I mourned its death and now Mother Nature has worked her magic and life returns anew. Whoot!!!!

I have finished my grandbaby's first birthday gift which I will post pictures of but not just yet. I want to present the gift to her first. I need to find something to wrap it in and then I can pass it on to the rightful owner.

Well I have two pairs of pants to hem so I had best get on with it.

Toodles,
Linda

Sunday Stuff

Well I had plans to be out most of today but one phone call and all that has changed. Not for the worse. I am free now to get some things down around this house. First on my list is potting soil so I can get the last of the plants into soil and be done with that portion of the yard. Digging out the Dog Wood will be done during the week next week.

There is laundry, cleaning, and some other chores that sorely need doing. I have sewing projects to do and I am not sure where to start. The one thing I know is I have been given the gift of time and I am not going to waste it. Things will be accomplished today!!

Toodles,

Linda

UPDATE: Well apparently one does not only need the gift of time but also the gift of energy and incentive. I have not managed much this day but I have had several lovely naps. I did a load of laundry, ran the dishwasher and sorted through some magazines. New sewing, no planting and no cleaning. I could still go back to sleep I am sad to say. I have not made a weekly menu and I have done no cooking. Oh dear, this is not a good start to the week.

Baked Alive

Just as we were getting over the end/beginning of the month, death by duck pecking, they try to do us in another way. No air conditioning for an entire day in a three story cement building with tons of windows and nary a one of them opens. God forbid we should breath in any fresh air or try to jump to our death?? out an open window. The temp hovered around 28 to 30 Celsius. I bought died, I did. Thankfully I have a wee desk fan in my cubicle. I parked my sweaty self in front of it and stayed there for the majority of the day. Limiting movement as much as possible to avoid over heating or giving the old hot flashes any reason to kick off. They have been acting up enough lately, thank you very much. I was one limp noodle by the time I could leave the oven and get in my car, with the lovely air conditioning. Its hot and humid here, perfect storm weather.

My day did not end there. E is home with her hubby from their 35 DAYS in Europe and I had promised to pop in for tea after work. A blissfully air conditioned condo but we did not stay there, oh no no no. OK I am prefacing this by saying in my heart of hearts I was glad to help her. She has to do stuff like this alone as her husband is not in the best of health and neither is she very suited to grunt work. I am glad to be useful. So I am really not complaining even if its gonna sound like it. She wants to plant some pretty flowers on her balcony. Hint. Hint. Have I gone for plants yet?? Hint. Hint. Would sure like to get some plants for the balcony, HINT. HINT. I could not let her struggle on anymore finding ways to drop boulder like hints, we gulped down the tea and went in search of plants for her balcony.

We zipped round town, got flats of bedding plants, some lovely pots of plants and bags of soil, then hauled it all up to her second floor condo. She is the last condo at the end of the longest hallway I have ever seen in a building in this town. I was huffin' and a puffin' by the time we were finished in-spite of the fact there is an elevator. Somebody did not want to wait until Sunday and I could bring my hand truck over to cart the heavy stuff, so we did it manually.  She can happily pot her little heart out tomorrow and I have no doubt that she will make that balcony look lovely. She is missing the beautiful garden she had when they lived in the house. My quick cup of tea turned into a two and a half hour marathon and  I left with a promise to return on Sunday to take her out and about again. I did not get the potting soil I needed, I ran out of steam before I could manage it, so on Sunday I have to make a point of getting it regardless of what she plans. I did manage to get the last of the plants I need for the yard. I just need the soil to stick them into.

When  I got home I was starving and had no energy to make anything.I had planned to visit the Hostess tonight as she is back in the hospital, poor girl, but I did not have the time or any energy left to go. Can you call Nutella and rice crackers supper?? Can if I want to!!

Toodles,
Linda

A Bit of Progress

Last night it was ASTOUNDING how little I did. I managed to scramble some eggs for supper and breath but that was about the extent of any accomplishments for the evening.  I was not even tired, I just seemed to be unmotivated to do anything but my best lump impression. So I lumped it up to no end. Go me!!!

Tonight there was a bit more activity. I actually cooked supper, a decent supper, a menu plan supper and now I have lunch conquered for two days. I cleaned the litter box, I mean really cleaned it, emptied, scrubbed with bleach and finished off with a fresh refilled, Minou is dancing around the house in gratitude. Silly Kitty. I purged under the kitchen sink and now I have room for the compost bin. Whoot Whoot!! No more kicking it across the kitchen floor because is has no proper place to live. I could not get the little recycle bin under there but I can live with that. It hides out in the laundry room anyway. I don't kick it across the floor four out of seven times that I walk into the kitchen.

I need to make a trip to the dollar store for a bin to hold some cleaning products. Right now I have a basket and an old dish pan that make it so I do not have to stand on my head to get the stuff at the back of the under sink cupboard. The dish pan is stained, ugly and just a tad too big. They have some good bins at the dollar store. Bright, colourful, reasonably sturdy and what I think will be the perfect size. Cleaning out under the sink was a little job I have been meaning to do for ages. Cleared out the half used, old cleaners, threw out a good amount of garbage and to be honest I put some things where they should be. Its good to have that done.

My closet upstairs is the next big thing to be purged!! God help me!!

I also spent some time sitting on my veranda, enjoying the cool evening and my yard. My lilacs are blooming, scenting the air with their delicate perfume. Any second now the marigolds are going to burst into bloom along with the peonies. I shuffled the veranda furniture around a bit and now I am happy with the look. It needs a good power wash but all in all its OK. I put the snow shovel away and I do need to take the ladder back to the shed.

I still have planting to do and if all goes to plan that will be done tomorrow night. I was going to get soil tonight but it didn't happen. Tomorrow is another day. Once the planting is done, I am going to get at the sewing projects that are piling up around here. Water dripping on stone, baby!!

Toodles,
Linda

A Really Good Linda Day

I really really really like days like this. Its a Linda sort of a day. The Banker and I took a road trip and went to an antique and collectibles sale in a town about an hour and a half from us. We had a great time, but then we always have a great time when we do one of our road trips.

I bought some stuff of course, I have not had time to take pictures yet but I will. I found a milk glass egg cup to balance the one that I found at the last sale I went to. I got some candlewick glass and I bought 4 little egg cups that look very old and very charming. I think that was all but I have not even unpacked yet so there may be one or two other things, I don't think so. There were a million things I could have picked up but I am learning that I do not need every single thing I see. Some things I would have purchased but the prices were insane. I have my limits.

We shopped, we went to lunch, we shopped some more then we came home and I had a nap. I opened the windows and let that warm sweet breeze that is so particular to spring, waft through the house. I snuggled down on the couch and had a lovely cat nap. When I got up 30 minutes later, I made myself a cool drink and then I sat out on the veranda, enjoying my yard. The grass is cut, the flowers are planted, its nice to be out there. It rained this morning but  this afternoon is wonderfully warm and sunny. The world is fresh, clean and sweetly green. Its beautiful. The summer heat has not yet wreaked havoc on the greenery. My lilacs are just beginning to bloom, the peonies are loaded with buds, any second now they will start to bloom. I take a little pride in the fact that my front yard is my creation. I took it from a prison yard of wood chips and wire fence to lawn, shrubs and flowers. It may not be perfect but it at least alive now, a green and living thing.

I love a lazy Sunday and today was one. The Banker and I are great shopping partners as we both like similar things and she is easy to be with. We always have a good time. She bought a lovely pair of red wool gloves that came from Eaton's. They are perfect for her and I was a little envious of them. I miss Eaton's and am always on the look out for things from that store.

This has been a good productive, fun filled weekend. Come Monday I need to buckle down and get at some projects I have had people commission from me. For now I am going to enjoy the rest of my lazy Sunday.

Toodles,
Linda

Ok I just did not feel like doing much of anything so I took some pictures of my treasures from the sale today.

Number one, the milk glass egg cups. One I got at the last sale I went to and the other I got today. They are the little hens on the nests on the top shelf. I am thinking now the cupboard is full, I may have to give up on the milk glass. There are several more shelves to this cabinet that did not make the picture.

Another thing I collect is candlewick glass, I like the ones that are not etched with anything but just plain. I got this lovely dainty tray. it has some scratches but its still pretty enough to have on the table.

 I found 8 boopie glasses which are candlewick glass,  I am not sure why they call them boopie glasses but they do. I got a deal on them which made them even better. I could not leave the snoozy kitty in her candlewick basket. This sweet covered dish had to come home with me.

Last but not least, egg cups. I got more than I thought I had but they all called my name and so I had to bring them home. I was not going to buy any more when I spotted the piggy one and well really did you think I could say no to that?? Not likely.

Toodles Again
Linda

Saturday in the Garden

I finally went today and bought some bedding plants. I did not put in bedding plants last year because it was so incredibly wet here and then when it dried it was too late in the season. I was sorry I didn't because I missed the flowers. Before I am going  to share my pictures I want to say my home is not perfect, I do not have a weed free, everything pristine and perfect yard. There is all sorts of weeds everywhere, and the paint on the house is peeling, the veranda floor needs painting and when I am being kind I call it shabby chic instead of just shabby but its home, its the homestead and its mine. I love it and like me its a work in progress.

So here we go: I planted a zillion marigolds today. I have narrow flower beds that run down each side of my sidewalk and across the front of the fence. In them I like to have marigolds. I put a potentilla bush at the corners on either side of the gate. On the one side is just lawn and on the other are two miniature lilac bushes, the sundial, another potentilla bush that I thought was dead but its not, (YAHOO!!)

This is the great disappointment of my yard, I killed this poor little variegated dogwood. I was trying to kill weeds but as you can see in the picture, the weeds are thriving, the bush is dead, dead, dead. I planted the two hostas this year. I think I will do more out there. I love hostas.

Next weekend I will dig this poor dead thing out and hopefully those weeds as well and I will replace it with a new bush. Begonias will form a semi circle in front of it. Poor dead dogwood. It was the only green living thing in the yard when I bought the house and I had to go and kill it.

I love this little piggy wash tub. I have a fondness for pigs, yes I do, I know no one knows that but I do. I know you can barely see her snout under the flowers but she is there. I usually plant pansies in this tub but this year I had a brain wave. I bought two cheap hanging baskets and plopped one in this wash tub. I love the result. Beautiful blooms with little effort on my part.

I have put my fancy plant pots on this little plant stand, along with my mozaic bird house. I have impatients plants to fill the pots with but I need to get some proper potting soil. That is on my list for this week.

I also love this little bird house bench. It needs a plant I think to dress up the tool box and watering can don't you think?? I am thinking that I could maybe put the snow shovel away now.

Here is the other hanging basket. I plopped it in this planter chair. Again, lots of blooming bang with little effort on my part. The bird bath needs a cleaning. Poor birds, they need clean water to bath in. I will add this to my list of things to do. I firmly believe that any yard that is mine needs a gnome, a bird bath and at least one or two pink flamingos.  I am working on getting ferns to grow by the fence behind the bench. Three have taken hold so far. At the far end of the bench is a crock. I plant petunias in there, but they too need fresh dirt before they get planted.

My garden bench needs to be painted badly. It was thrown in between the shed and the fence when I first moved here. I dragged it out and I love it., its long and sturdy but its getting very weathered. Hopefully over the course of the summer I will get it scrapped down and painted.

I still have lots to do, I want to hang the mozaic stars and moon on the shed, paint the shed. I have plant pots to fill with lovely flowers, I have a patio pad to make, just a little place where the barbecue can sit with out sinking into the ground and a chair for me to sit in. I need to paint the bench, dig out the bush. Fill in the back flower bed with perennials. Hang the bird house. Put stones in the tiny little annoying space at the back step between my house and the fence. (Cannot get the mower in there and its a weed festival). So the work in progress continues on. There will be more pictures as the projects continue but for now I am happy with my progress, sore from abusing my poor knees and content to sit on the veranda with a cold drink and enjoy the beauty of the day.

Toodles
Linda