Woe Is "Knee"!

 As well as getting my morning cup of coffee set up, another sweet thing SW does for me (pretty much daily in the cold weather) is get a fire going in the downstairs wood stove.

So lovely on any chilly day, but seems even better when the snow is falling outside. My view out the window of my sewing room:

I began this morning by trying to get as much of the homework done as possible for my Graphic Jam class today. While I did not get everything done (none of the background pieces necessary to get the first 2 rows sewn together), I did manage to get the blocks done for all 4 of the assigned "plus" signs. Not bad in 9 days :) I took this photo before I had the last 2 sections done.

Jade decided today that she wanted to be able to lay out near the fire. She was able to "toast her buns" while keeping and eye on me AND on the red squirrels just outside the sliding door.

I love when she keeps me company!!!

Following the Zoom class for Graphic Jam, I began work on the "star" blocks for the background. I cut all of the necessary fabric pieces for the 12 blocks, and managed to get 4 of the blocks done (shy of sewing the four sections of each into a block). I did not take any pictures of that work. More on that later :)

On a side note, I have to say that I really do love my calendar. It reminds me of what classes are coming up, and the side bar feature (Best thing ever!!) keeps me focused on what homework I need to get completed for each class. 

I would need a SIGNIFICANTLY larger side bar if I wanted to record all the work I needed to get done on my various UFOs (UnFinished Objects)  :(

Jade came into the sewing room at the appointed time (3:30...She does seem to know how to tell time) to let me know that it was time for our afternoon walk. I got myself ready and we headed out. With having had both my knees replaced (Is it really almost 6 years ago???), I am always very conscientious of stepping carefully in the winter time. When things are icy, I even put chain-grips on my boots. Well....didn't I actually slip and fall today!!!

That is not my kneecap you're looking at, btw. That is swelling below the kneecap. The knee itself is not really sore atm, but there certainly is a lot of swelling. I just might have to go get it looked at tomorrow if the swelling doesn't go down...or if the knee becomes painful. Ah well....Just so happens I have a bunch of blocks that need to have the paper removed from the back of them. Good excuse to sit and relax. I think a sappy Hallmark Christmas movie is in my future tonight!!!

On that note, I wish you all a very good night!

TTFN

The Calm Before The Storm

 This past weekend, SW and I decided to get away with our friends from Cambridge. I took along the new cord that SW purchased for me to be able to download my pictures from my phone (leaving his at home) only to find that it was not compatible with an iPhone. Hence, no posts for the weekend :(

We had a LOVELY time at a place called Elmhurst Resort. This was the view from our cabin.

It was a beautiful, crisp morning on Saturday, so we decided to walk the trail that followed the lake edge. There was a thin layer of ice at the edge of the lake, and the waves moving under the ice were making a very interesting sound....almost like birds chittering.

Along the path, we found this stone chair. The Elmhirst Resort is a family owned/run business, and this chair was placed to commemorate the ancestors who began the resort.

A little further along the path, we learned that you could book seaplane flights....at least, in the summer.

On Saturday afternoon, we decided to "stimulate the economy" by doing a little shopping in Keene. As well as a candle shop, where I bought 2 lovely fruit scented soy candles, we visited a place called Patricia's Gift Shop. I was able to purchase a lovely Christmas table cover by way of thank you to our neighbour who was looking after Jade for us.

Even though we were at the resort to relax and enjoy each other's company, I had planned to get some fabric cut for my homework that was to be completed for tomorrow. I even packed everything I needed to get the job done.

Alas....you know what they say about the best laid plans. I DID NOT get any fabric cut.....but I did have a lovely weekend!!!

And on that note, I wish you all a very good night :)  I will write about today's adventures as part of tomorrow's post.

TTFN

"Dampened" Spirits?

 Does damp, dull, rainy weather "dampen" your spirits? It can for me sometimes, and other times...it's just a good excuse to curl up with a good book or enjoy less demanding activities (puzzling, adult colouring, ???). I think that these days can affect your mood, but I also think it's what you make of it. Putting on some upbeat music and engaging in pleasing activities certainly helps to overcome the doldrums. And knocking jobs off your list is always pleasing. You just need to have a plan.

My morning began as usual....with a cup of coffee. In my kitchen, there is a shelf that is filled with a variety of mugs...most of them actually pottery mugs. 

Each day, my other half, who is almost-without-fail up before me, selects a mug for my day and prepares the Keurig with my first cup of coffee for the day. In the interest of being environmentally friendly, we use a reusable basket in our machine. His selection for me today?

After my usual morning routine with coffee, it was time to walk Her Ladyship. My other half and I have quaint little names for each of our walks. One of our walks is called "The Turquoise Flamingo" walk.

Another one is called the "Whatever Floats Your Boat" walk.

We used to call this one the "King Rock" walk. This driveway was part of the property next to it, and there used to be this massive rock blocking the entrance. The property has since been severed and the new owner, who plans to build a home on the lot, has removed the rock.

These walks are all segments of a larger walk that I will share with you now.

Today, I decided that regardless of the rainy weather, Jade and I (SW was working today) would do "The Highway To Hell" walk.

Why do we call it this??? Well, it takes our road out the the highway, AND there are two significant hills on this walk...one heading out to the highway, and one heading back.

Since the pictures do not do justice to the hills, let me put it into perspective. Upon returning from the walk (and accounting for my minimal activity before going on the walk) my Fitbit registered that I had completed almost 5000 steps and 17 flights (each flight counts for 10 feet in elevation). It's no wonder I'm a little breathless at the summit of each hill!

I did not get much done for "my craft" today....no sewing :(  I did, however, get the fabric for the next group of Graphic Jam blocks done.

This block is called "Orange Oscillations".

On that note...I am off to begin supper preparations, and then settle into the usual quiet routine of the evening. I wish you all a very good night!

TTFN

Graphic Jam Again

 Like quilting, there is a pattern to my days. In the morning, I wake up and have coffee while making some notes/lists. I play Words With Friends 2. I read a friend's quilting blog. I play "On This Day" on the local radio station, and then I/we (when SW isn't working) walk the dog. Jade really does love her walks each morning. If SW and/I don't move fast enough for her liking, she lets us know with a look.

Of course, it's always a highlight for Jade when she gets to see friends on the walk. Today's visits included Abby and Buddy, both Border Collie breeds.

When the walk is done, I generally eat breakfast....enjoying a second cup of coffee.....and then get on with sewing and/or housework. In the evenings, SW and I generally unwind by watching some TV, and then reading or playing on our iPads while listening to Jazz music. And now, I've added blogging to this mix :)

Today, I began work on the second set of blocks for Graphic Jam, aptly named "Tangerine Tangents". First, I cut the necessary fabric pieces as per the patterns instructions.

This is a paper piecing pattern. While it's not necessarily very fast....there is a lot of folding back paper and trimming involved...., it is satisfying to see sharp points/corners and seams.

However, if you don't carefully gauge where to lay your next piece of fabric to be stitched on, you might find that you misjudged once you iron it back, finding that there's a corner missing :(

Oh well! This one's not too bad. I think I can make it work.

I managed to get the centre block of the plus sign completed and then my supervisor showed up to inspect my work. Actually, she was there to let me know that it was time to get out for our second walk of the day.

Can you hear her saying "Mummah....It's time to pound the pavement! Leave the sewing! Let's go!"

"Seriously, Mum....Can we go now?!?!?"

When we got back from our walk I continued work on the blocks for Tangerine Tangent, and managed to get them done just before it was time to make supper. Whew!!!

A pretty good day, I'd say :)  And now it's time to pack it in for the night.

I wish anyone reading this a good night with a restful sleep :)

TTFN

So…this blogging thing is something entirely new for me. I was inspired by a quilting friend of mine to try give it a go. It will be anything but polished!…but that is okay 👌!

Why “The Twirling Dervish”? Before I retired, I often felt like the more urban definition of a “whirling dervish”: a person with boundless and irrepressible energy. I would feel like I was going in a million different directions, trying to accomplish as much as possible in a day. Since retiring, I have slowed down some, but I still do set myself up for busy days. The word substitution is a quilting reference. For those who might not know, one “twirls” the intersection where a number of seams come together in order to make the block lie flatter. And so….I have traded the crazy-busy life of a teacher to that of quilter/crafter/builder/gardener/landscaper/…. I continue to be full of boundless and irrepressible energy most days, most of which is directed toward quilting.

Take today, for example…

I rose at 7:30. I enjoyed a morning cup of coffee while making some notes, reading a friend’s quilting blog, and playing 5 rounds of Words With Friends 2 with a bestie. I then played “On This Day” with members of the local radio team (a trivia game; you text in answers), and followed that with walking Jade. She definitely loves this time of year! While I was still dressed for cold weather, I hauled firewood into the house and cut some trim to embellish a door.

And that was all before 10:30! There’s really is some truth to the early bird adage. I allowed myself a break for some breakfast after that!

My plan after that was to get busy with some sewing work. I am dreadfully behind on the homework for several of my Zoom quilt classes (work and the numerous outdoor projects this summer/fall), but am slowly making headway on catching up. This morning I finished the blocks that will, when sewn together with the background, become the first “plus” in a quilt called “Graphic Jam” (by Sassafras Lane Designs), and then moved on to creating this blog page (Can you say “Holy learning curve!”)

Now I need to get showered and head into town to pick up some groceries. After that….who knows!?! But, no matter how I choose to fill the remainder of this day, I do wish anyone reading this a lovely afternoon and evening 😊

TTFN