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

Random Thoughts

 I don't have a whole lot to say as a whole lot is not happening around here but I figured I would make an attempt anyway

• I got groceries this week. I could have picked them up on Tuesday at 9:00 pm but I felt that was too late so I booked to pick up on Wednesday...........at 9.00 pm apparently. Oiy. I cannot believe that I still cannot tell time at my age. So I got my groceries in the dark and learned to double check everything next time I order.
• Busy gave me a face time call this week. usually I get calls from the two of them at once.  It was so nice to chat to her.  She and I have always had a good relationship. We caught up on our news and I got to see the renos they have done to the bathrooms. My goodness their house is looking spectacular. 
• She texted me later to ask for my ice box cookie recipe. I make them every year for Christmas. I cannot tell you how much it warms my heart that Miss Mouse says it won't be Christmas without them. 
• I have finally started to decorate for Christmas. I know I have mentioned before that I want a lot of Christmas sparkle this year and that I can pack a lot of Christmas into this house. As I have hauled out the stuff and spent the best part of the week working on this I have to admit that I have WAY too much stuff that is Christmas related. To the point where I started to think I maybe should thin the herd. I can't, I love it all and in my heart of hearts I don't want to get rid of anything. Cannot decide what should go so it all stays. The upside is I have so much I cannot remember it all so there are lots of surprises as I unpack it all and that although it takes longer to do, I can still do it.

          I still have the trees and some more decorating to do but its almost done.

• I finally finished reading a novel. I think its the second one I have read during this pandemic. Funny how when I have all the time in the world to read, I am just not in the mood.
• Feeling a little overwhelmed these days. Nothing specific just like its all too much. I'm pretty sure its just phase and will pass but its not making me happy.
• I actually baked a batch of muffins this week. I know its crazy

• I finished one afghan this my scrap yarn and I am now working on number two.

• I think I have run out of news. 

Toodles

Linda

Remember Me???

This has been a lovely week in someways and a craptastic mess in others. Lets concentrate on the good things shall we?? Craptastic is a given and is what it is. Ok on with the lovely. I have had a week where people have been checking in, not just the regular ones but old school friends, old co-workers and people I don't hear from regularly have been contacting me to see how things are going. Its so touching.

I am the sort of person that has the best of intentions but somehow never seems to actually do what I intend to do. So when people contact and say " I was thinking of you" and they actually make contact I am blown away. It is very very very appreciated. I am amazed that I cross people's minds. Not to mention thrilled that I have left a pleasant memory for some.

I got my Christmas shopping done and most of it has been delivered to whom it belongs. Not that I have lots to do now but it is a  rush to have it done  Once we decided that the family Christmas get together may not happen this year, I changed my mind and I decided that I wanted the littles to have a present under the tree from me. So I plopped myself down in front of the computer and in 20 minutes had my shopping done and dusted. I would have bought local, I honestly would have, but I could not find the stuff I wanted and the free shipping and the "let us mail it for you" option local, so I went with what worked best for me. Little old lady on a pension has to mind her pennies. I will be locally supportive in other ways. So its done and mostly delivered. I could not be happier. I will still get myself a present. I do that every year but for now the others are taken care of.

Yesterday I could not decide what I wanted to do with my self so I started to sew together some squares I had crocheted from my scrap yarn. It will eventually make an afghan that will be donated or given away. Waste not want not!! I cannot seem to find a pattern for the Christmas fat quarters I recently bought. I want to use them on something I really love. I'll find it, its just gonna take time. 

Today I will  probably keep working on the afghan. I don't feel like doing much of anything else. Covid Lockdown is still in effect and will be for sometime I think. I am missing the warmer weather where I could have company come and visit on the veranda. Can't do that now so this round is a little moire solitary than the last one. This too shall pass.

So I have nothing more to say for myself. Well I could complain for a couple of hours but no one wants to listen to that, including me. Next week I think I will start to drag out the Christmas stuff and get some sparkle and shine going on around here. If I'm going to be home for Christmas, I want as much Christmas as I can get and I can get a lot of Christmas packed into this little house!! Stay tuned.

Toodles

Linda

 

Lock Down 2.0

Well we are right back to where we were before. No going out except for essentials, no gatherings with more people than live in your home ( yahoo party for one!!), businesses are closed, its so disheartening. To be fair, those of us that live alone can pick a person that is allowed in your house but it has to be the same person each time. I cannot choose so I have avoided that for the moment. I'll decide when I have to. There is text, the phone and zoom so I do not feel I am isolated or completely on my own. My friends keep track of me very nicely plus I reach out to them when I feel I need human contact. Its working well so far. More businesses are offering curbside pick up so I have to get someone to get things for me, I can do it myself. Go me!!

Busy and the Carpenter called last week. We had a chat about Christmas.  Originally the event was going to happen at their house, well times have changed. While we have not cancelled the family thing for definite but,so far it looks like its a no go. Very sensible I think. Most likely we will have Christmas in our own homes and be safe. Thank goodness we got to get together at Thanksgiving, that was such fun and so special. 

I have been reliving the memory as I have been scrapbooking the pictures from that weekend. I spent most of the weekend scrapbooking. I have to say its not nearly as much fun doing it solo as it is in a room full of my friends but it was not a bad way to spend my time.

I also have to say I miss the eight foot long table I am used to working on at scrapbooking weekend. My little sewing table is a bit cramped but I made it work. Where there is a will there is a way.

I cooked again this weekend. I really love this smoked sausage jambalaya recipe. Its so quick, so yummy and its not beige!! I dined the whole weekend on this pot of yumminess.

I also spent some time knitting sweaters for wine bottles this week/weekend. No the lock down has not finally made me snap, I am making them for a former co-worker. They are a cute gift to give with a bottle of wine over the winter season.

So all in all it was a very crafty weekend at this house. Shocking I know!! But it keeps me busy and I so enjoy it. I am almost finished a little pair of elf slippers that are so stinking cute I cannot wait to show you once they are complete. 

Today is laundry and a bit of housework. Nothing too exciting. I may start a new quilt today or I may do some more scrapbooking this afternoon. Oh the options!!

Toodles

Linda