Squeaker Squawking Dead

 I think it would be really interesting to be able to get inside Jade's head sometimes. Since she was a rescue....really, who rescued who???....we have no real knowledge of her background before she came to be at the Humane Society. I wish I could know what her life was prior to coming to us. Maybe then I could understand some of her idiosyncrasies and mannerisms....why she does what she does? For instance....if you give her a squeaker toy, she will destroy it!!! And not over time. Like...right now!!! She does not give up until it's good and "dead". She almost becomes manic in her efforts to dispose of the affronting toy!

                                                       "I made sure it's dead, Mum!"

This morning, I woke up at the ridiculous time of 4:49. I NEVER wake up that early....at least not unless I have to for some reason. I decided not to fight it, got up, and had my coffee. It's rather weird sitting and having my coffee when it's still dark out....AND Steve, who is typically the early riser, is not up! Anyway, it turns out that waking up early was for the best. I was going to be having my Zoom class for Modern Holiday Table Runners at 1:00, and I had hardly gotten any of the homework for it done.

Fortunately, by buckling down and sticking with it, I was able to get the flimsy done and sandwiched, ready for quilting, by about 8:30. That's normally the time I get up!

The reason I took this class was to force myself to do free-motion quilting. So...I started with the leaves on the flowers. Although my stitch length is more consistent than I would have thought possible with so little practice, I thought my stitch lines were quite wonky. However, Elaine said they were quite good given my level of skill....especially doing them on an angle. The word she uses is "organic". I like that :)

Then, for the actual flowers, I decided to try another form of free-motion quilting....using a quilting ruler. WELL....let's just say that even though one might think that would be easier to do (after all, you have the edge of the ruler to guide your stitch line), it's not! It's a whole different skill set. I shared the photo with the group, but following the class, I pulled out all the stitches. They were FAR less consistent in length than they ought to be, and the backside (which you can't see in the photo) was a mess....bunches of thread and issues with tension. I think I will need to practice with those rulers on swatches that don't matter before trying them again on a runner :P

Tonight, I spent a chunk of time on the Zoom Retreat with Elaine and the other ladies. It's always nice to sew and chat with others. It really helps to pass the work time in a very pleasant way. I only wish they happened more often. Then, before settling down to blog, I decided to go back and look at some photos from times past. I came across this one...from when I made a "Whinfield Favourites" recipe book for the girls. I'm thinking maybe I should make some again in the next day or so :P I LOVE chewy chocolate chip cookies!

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

TTFN

Three Ring Circus

So...I headed to my folks' place again this past week. On the way there, I had to stop at a train crossing for a train. I don't recall EVER having had to stop at this crossing before.

 It wasn't a long train...2 engines and 11 cars, but I'm sure it was very heavy work for the engines. All 11 cars were packed with bundles of lumber :o

I had another interesting thing happen, as well. I pulled in to Tim's to pick up a much needed coffee, and ALL 5 of the vehicles ahead of me were white! I wonder how often THAT happens!

When I arrived back home, and went to check the mail, I was very pleasantly surprised to find my next Sweet Reads had arrived. Yay!

I have to say....my friend REALLY spoiled me this time!!!

And now to explain the "three ring circus" reference. Every year at this time of year, we start the process of dealing with firewood. Loads of fresh wood arrive....we move all the seasoned wood, which we will burn next winter, into the woodshed and under the deck (for easier access), and then we stack the new wood to allow it time to season. We have already received 12 of the 15 face-cords of wood. Steve has already filled the woodshed. Today he began working on filling the racks with new firewood, and I worked on moving the seasoned wood from beside the garage to the remaining space under the deck.

This afternoon, I got to work on the next bit of homework...Holiday Table Runners. I didn't manage to get too far....there was a counter full of dishes that I didn't deal with last night, and the couch was calling me for a nap. I will have to see how much I can get done tomorrow morning before the class in the afternoon.

The day of cooking/baking before heading South, and the 2-3 days spent with my parents, has certainly affected my ability to get sewing done...and keep up with homework. I am certainly feeling overwhelmed, but....

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

TTFN

Kitchen Krazy!

It was a very busy day in the kitchen today!!!

Steve works 3 days a week, but today he was home. We began the day with coffee, and then, after almost a week lapse for me, we did the "Highway To He77" walk. Until this past week, I had almost made that walk a habit. I must not let the weights of sewing homework, and the trips to my parents place, deter me from getting that walk in...at least when I'm home. Providing I don't have to be in Brantford really early, I should be able to get that walk in before heading South. Where my parents live, however, they do not have significant hills....so I wouldn't get my heavy breathing going....but I could at least get a good walk in.

After our walk, we headed to Sundridge to get some groceries...a few of the things I needed for my cooking/baking plans today. I am heading South again tomorrow, so I decided to make a few things to take along. It's just a little something I can do to make things a little easier on my mom.

When I got home, I put on a pot to make some chicken stock, and I got some of our wild blueberries out to make a dessert.

Once the stock was ready, I made some chicken rice soup. I was able to get 6 servings from the pot...4 to take with me and 2 for our freezer.

Then, I made a Hello Fresh version of Irish Stew (made with ground beef, not lamb). We had some for supper tonight. I'll be taking a healthy amount for my folks, and might even still have some for the freezer.

Finally, I made some blueberry crisps....2 for my Mom and Dad (not cooked; they can do that when they're ready to eat them), and of course, one for us!

And somewhere in between all of that, I was able to finish The Stranger In The Lifeboat by Mitch Albom. As with many of his books, there are religious undertones. This one seems to be somewhat heavier in that direction. It was an interesting read. There was much that gave me pause to think or consider. 

My next read is going to be The Weight Of Ink by Rachel Kadish. And then, I'll be caught up with all of my Sweet Reads reading. Whew! At least, until the next box arrives (my friend's turn to send to me).

And on that note, I wish you all a very good night! Talk to you again Thursday :)

TTFN

Such A Headache!

 Yesterday was ALL about sewing. So much work to get done!!!!

I began with getting the background fabric cut for Tula Pink's Butterfly (homework I didn't get done before Friday's class) before putting the bin away until later this month. I used the list Elaine provided to be sure I got everything cut and sorted to its proper section.

And then I needed to buckle down and and get my Out Of The Box project done because the class was at 10:00 this morning. The parameters were to do something in blue and yellow, and use a machine foot you hadn't yet used. Blue and yellow immediately made me think of the Ukraine, so I decided something related to that would be my focus. I decided I would do a wall hanging with two sunflowers on it (sunflowers are the Ukraine national flower). I began work on it while I was at my parents' place, but only got the centre of the two sunflowers done.....AND I didn't get back to it until yesterday. Yes....I was definitely behind in getting my homework done!

I began by adding the next row of 1" finished yellow squares to both sunflowers. And then, I looked at the time and what I still had to accomplish. Okay....I'm only going to make ONE sunflower. AND, I'm going to switch from 1" finished to 2" finished for some of it. 

Let me just say....this whole project really stretched me. I ran into several brain-teasers along the way....and I had a LOT of stitch-ripping to do! If I hadn't wanted to have something to show Sunday morning, I think it would have become my next UFO! What a headache!!!

I finally managed to get to the point of working on the grass section of the panel. This was where I was going to use a foot I haven't used before. I decided that I would use my button-hole foot. I wanted to be able to string through ribbon, which I planned to twist, to give it a 3D element. I managed to get everything accomplished by about 6:00 last night, and I was reasonably pleased with the results. I think I may change up the ribbon to something softer so that I can create more twists.

What was not great was that I DID end up having a headache. Never a good thing!

This morning when I went down to my sewing room, I was greeted with chaos. It seems that the amount of chaos is inversely proportional to the amount of time one has to complete the work that needs to be done, and directly proportional to the timeline in which to complete it. The shorter the timeline and the more the work that remains, the greater the mess left behind :(  There were even Ghirardelli chocolate wrappers (3 of them) beside the sewing machine.

While I didn't get sewing done today (we had 4 cords of firewood to get stacked into the woodshed), but I did get things tidied up :)

I love this time of year....not only because I can do away with the layers of Winter clothing. Come the end of April and into May, there is another wonderful thing that begins. Hope you enjoy! I know I do!!! (Hope this works!)

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

TTFN

Waving Hello :)

My trip to my parents' place went well. Another "whirlwind tour" accomplished. Mom was much better than she'd been last time we were there. Even so, there are signs that age is catching up with her. She is starting to show signs of forgetfulness and confusion. Nothing to be overly concerned about as yet, but still evident. I was so happy that she was more her usual self.

On my way home, I stopped at Country Concessions (my second favourite quilt store) to pick up some Kona solids that I knew Thimbles & Things did not have in stock. I also picked up a quilting template set to learn another skill set. When I was there, I saw these really cute blocks. I may have to make them sometime!

I am always happy to get within five minutes of home. There is always a friendly wave when I come around the last bend of the highway. And I have to confess....as silly as some may think I am, I consistently wave back, too :)

This morning, after her walk, I found Jade working on her tan :)

Shortly after snapping this picture, the neighbour arrived to drop off the first load of firewood. I got up into the truck and helped him to unload it.

We're expecting 9 more loads as big as this one :o While I was sewing, another load arrived but I did not hear him at all!

My sewing today was to finish the homework for Tula Pink's Butterfly quilt class that was happening at 7:00 tonight. 

I was to make 136 HSTs (half-square triangles), and I managed to get all of them done just in time for the class. I did not get any of the background fabric pieces cut, but I will try to get that done with next months homework.

My latest read is calling me as I finish tonight's post.

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

TTFN

 

Busy, Busy, Busy

Today was a VERY different day from yesterday. I was VERY productive, and very happy with my day :)

We woke up this morning to this?!?!?

It didn't last long, but the day could NOT figure itself out. It kept switching from rain to snow ALL day long. Right now, even, it's snowing again :P

Since I will be heading South again tomorrow to get my mother to an appointment and run some errands for her, I decided to do a few things for us and for them (my parents). First, I put the makings of a stew in the crockpot. Great for our supper tonight, and leftovers I can take to my folks tomorrow.

I had some bananas that were over-ripe so I decided to make some muffins. I did cheat by using an oatmeal muffin mix, but I added the mashed bananas and some chocolate chips. Nice for a quick breakfast for us and a few for a treat for my mom and dad.

When we were down at their place last week, I noticed that my mom has been using no-name strawberry jam....which means that she's out of what I made for her previously. She like nothing better for breakfast than bread with butter and jam. So...I decided to make a batch of strawberry jam for her using some of the strawberries I froze last June. Probably not quite as good as jam made when the strawberries are freshly picked, but pretty darn good none-the-less. Certainly better than no-name :D

I may not have time to do any sewing while I down with them tomorrow and Thursday, but I decided I would plan as if I would have time. With that in mind, I decided I would take what I need to complete my homework for "Out Of The Box". As well as getting my sewing machine and tools ready, I got the fabric organized and drew out the pattern (which I won't show yet).

I also finished painting one of the barn blocks, but was very disappointed when I began removing the painter's tape. There were bits of the dark blue paint that peeled away from the board :(   I did not pull all of the tape off as the yellow paint was the last colour I added a layer to, so it did not have enough time to cure yet. With the dark blue issue, I will have to do some touch-ups before I can say the job is done. I have to confess, however, that I do have some concerns about how well the design will stand up to the elements...regardless of the fact that I used and outdoor acrylic paint. I guess time will tell.

All that, and I even managed to start reading my next Sweet Reads book (only 2 months behind now).

I haven't gotten too far into the book yet, but it has already left me lots of questions and thoughts. I'm eager to get back to reading it tonight :)  Providing everything is alright with my mother and I am able to come back home on Thursday night, I will be back to the blog by Friday.

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

TTFN

Fowl and Foul

What a bizarre day today! It was beautifully sunny this morning and this afternoon, the temperature dropped, the sky clouded over, and it began raining at about 6:00. My mood today definitely reflected the weather. For some reason, my mood was quite foul this afternoon. Thankfully, unlike the weather that hasn't improved, my mood has :)

It was a busy day, with a bit of this and a bit of that. I started with some painting on the barn blocks, and then I did some sewing. I continued to work on the HSTs (half-square triangles) for Tula's Butterfly. This has required some careful thinking as my colour way does not included the greens and yellows in the middle of the wings. Also, some of the blocks haven't been made yet, so I need to consider what colours/fabrics they will be, so that the transition is smooth. In order to be sure that I'm not missing any HSTs, and not duplicating any, I decided to use post-it note bits to mark each HST once I completed it.

Once I tired of sewing, I made calls to track down and order and to make an appointment to get the snow tires off the Sorento. Then, I headed into town to pick up dog food and Jade treats (HAVE to have Jade treats!), and run some errands. On my way out, I spotted a rather large Tom turkey on the neighbour's lawn. Unfortunately, he did not have his tail feathers fanned :(

The other thing we spotted today were some ducks out on the lake. Even with the binoculars, I was not able to determine what kind of ducks they were but they were making a sound like a stomach growling. Weird!

I also spent some time today looking into alternate living arrangements for my parents....hopefully closer to us. Still waiting to hear back.

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

TTFN

Out Of Gas, Figuratively Speaking

 Yesterday, I had 3 quilting Zoom classes, pretty much one right after the other....just enough time to scarf down a bit of lunch after the second class. And....all of the classes were with my favourite teacher!

I had no real idea how much the past few days had affected me, and by 7:15 last night, I hit a wall. I had no "gas left to give". However, I slept very well through the night, and this morning was a new day. I did have a disgruntled chuckle when I came downstairs, though. The cheeky rodent, perhaps not affectionately named Earl, was sitting at the hole chewed into the deck box where the birdseed was being stored.

This morning, I had another quilting Zoom class with Elaine :) This one is focussed on committing to and completing unfinished quilting tasks.

Following the class, I began work on the 136 1/2-square triangles I need to make for Tula Pink's Butterfly, this month's homework that needs to be done before next weekend.

I managed to get several of them done.

I also managed to get more of the painting done on the barn blocks I'm making.

They are almost done :)

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

TTFN