Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 2:18 pm on December 11, 2022 Permalink  

  Sunday’s Visitors 

  Yesterday after supper I sent a text to Dennis’ granddaughter in Mankato the I was “pinked out.”  Luella’s blanket was done.  Amy said they would drive out this morning to pick it up.  Talk about what a highly anticipated project this had been.

  Today, was indeed an anticipated day of rest for me.  I admit I had pushed myself yesterday.  I slept until eight this morning.  I was out of bed just in time to get a text from Amy.  They were just leaving Mankato.  Holly Toledo!  I got dressed as I poured myself a cup of coffee.  It seemed as if I had barely made it into the studio to put lights on and my Sunday visitors were coming in the back door.

  Amy was followed in by Luella and her brother Oliver.  The studio was hopping.  How sweet.  The mound of pink on the church tables couldn’t get unfolded quick enough.  Luella, at four and barely tall enough for her head to clear the table tops asked Oliver for help.  Amy put Luella on a chair for her to stand on and Oliver kept rotating the quilt for her to make comments on the squares that she remembered.

  Luella and Oliver made their rounds in the studio.  While Amy visited with her grandpa Dennis, Oliver pulled out what looked like a slight ball of yarn from his pocket.  Oliver is learning to crochet.  Oliver had a square to show me that was the pattern called The Granny Square.  Oliver is in fourth grade and there is a time in the afternoon of the school day that someone comes in to do crafts.  Oliver is also into origami.  He and his friends had been trading Pokémon cards until the teachers no longer allowed it.  

  Luella went home with a pink blanket, but Oliver went home with a Pokémon baseball cap, the rest of the Pokémon material I had made into a pillow case and a small crocheted afghan.  His crochet was in double crochet stitches and he was proud to explain that to me and he saw what happens with a lot of singe crochets in the afghan.  Sometime Oliver wants to come over to see how the Pokémon could be stitched on my sewing machine.  I think I have a fellow crafter in my corner.  Awesome!

   
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  Noreen 3:09 pm on December 10, 2022 Permalink  

  My Mission Completion 

  No clouds were allowed in the studio today.  I had my sights on great granddaughter Luella’s blanket.  After niggles in my brain for an hour about the binding . . . I decided what had been good enough for Lena’s bindings was good enough for me.  Prairie points all the way.

  Mom’s point of view in regard to using prairie points was that the points could take off additional wear and tear of the actual quilt.  To achieve each point there is a total of four layers of fabric to take the brunt of fingers and hands.

  Here we are in the middle of the afternoon and I am about to shut down the studio for the day.  The blanket/quilt is finished at 60″ x 70″.  I can honestly say . . . I have had enough.  No matter how the quilt is arranged on supporting tables, it is a lot to herd under the needle.

  My last task for this project is to take it up to the laundry.  With a damp bath towel it will have about 20 minutes on tumble to give that wonderful quilt batting a chance to feel free to puff up at will. 

  Today Dennis took down all the wall hangings in the house and tomorrow the Christmas wall hangings will go up.

  We do have plans to welcome family on Christmas Day.  Sweet!

   
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  Noreen 3:18 pm on December 9, 2022 Permalink  

  The Busy Town 

  With the five to seven inches of snow that fell during the night, the traffic going by the house is every color or size of snow blades, pushers and blowers.

  Dennis’ grandson Ryan was here with a bobcat that was sporting rubber tracks.  It made quick work of the drive and the snow on the south side of the garage.  Of course Dennis will tidy up with his walk behind Simplicity.

  A morning visitor brought me down to the studio before nine.  Is it ever too early for a fellow quilter?  No.  It had been some time since this visitor had stopped in.  Before long I had had help picking out a fabric to use in binding Luella’s blanket. 

  After Dennis had come in for a noon break, I returned to the studio and began taking out the huge amount of safety pins that had served me well in keeping all layers of the blanket secured.  As I am taking these pins put, it does bring a chuckle in regard to a mailing I recently received with additional pins to use in future projects.  One can never have enough safety pins. 

  When I had a chance to question and visit our mailman about the recent mailing of pins, he assured me that I could call the post office and the nice lady could help me.  I must add . . . the mailman is a very slightly built young Hispanic fellow.  His mail bag is larger than what one thinks he could carry as he trudged through the deep, recent snow. 

  I am far enough along with this current project that I will soon be turning my imagination to some embroidery.  There is no shortage of ideas that come across from various groups I have joined on Facebook.  It does keep the wheels turning.  That is what a balanced life is all about.

  May everyone experience the coming weekend with light hearts.  It is the season when we need not stress as He is the reason for the season.

   
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  Noreen 4:03 pm on December 8, 2022 Permalink  

  A Solo Trip to the Big town 

  Today there were eight of us stitchers that enjoyed each other at Baker’s Square.  Some of us had not been in attendance since September.  It didn’t take long and the sharing and laughter was in full swing.  Lou had a quilt to share.  Lori had quilt books to share.  The rest of us took it all in and might be spurred on to share something in January.  

  Five of us have mates that keep our home fires burning while we gather.  For myself, it was sweet to come home and find that my major elf had been busy.  He had asked what I needed help with in the house and . . . mission completion.  After all these years I get it.  I just need to ask.

  Several outside decorations greeted me when I drove up.  It brightened the gloomy afternoon.  I think by the time the evening sets in the fog might be thick.  The snow is forecast to begin by nine this evening.  Me and my ole cowboy will be snug at home for this evening and the entire weekend.  Sweet.  

  The only errand that Dennis will run tomorrow is to pick up his six five gallon pails of corn from the elevator.  Those six pails lasted him for almost two weeks.  Dennis told me that he only has four deer coming each night.  Each night a 2 lb. coffee can of corn is put out.

  I had told myself when I was in Mankato that if the snow had held off by the time I got to St. James, I would stop in our local grocery store.  I did pay $4.62 for a dozen eggs but as I held and caressed that head of lettuce priced at $5.96 . . . I just couldn’t do it.  Down it went.  I will be fixing more green beans and corn.

  I need to get back to the studio and Luella’s blanket.  With the help that Dennis gave the homestead today, there is nothing on my plate for tomorrow.  It is so close to being done for this four year old.

   
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  Noreen 2:24 pm on December 7, 2022 Permalink  

  A Day 

  Today is a day of abstinence.  No studio work.  Arthritis can be bothersome.  It sneaks into vulnerable joints when least expected or appreciated.  Staying on the first floor was for the day.

  The laundry was bidding and clean clothing is always enjoyed.

  The remaining red russets of the five pound bag were peeled, ready to be paired with several servings of pork roast and carrots from the freezer. 

  There were two dozen muffins to be bagged individually for the freezer.  There is a tip for muffins that can be readily enjoyed at any time.  I can no longer successfully bake.  If my supplies are not dropped, they are likely to be spilled.  The enjoyment from decades ago is past.  For the sum of $.74 each, we pick up two dozen muffins at Sam’s Club.  Each muffin is huge.  Banana Nut, Blueberry and Cinnamon are Dennis’ choice.  Each muffin is popped into a sandwich baggie.

  I plan and prepare our hot meals with the balance that Betty Crocker would approve of.  When Dennis heads out to the patio porch in the mornings, my eyes may not even be open.  Dennis can put a frozen muffin in his breakfast box with a plastic fork the night before.  In the morning he pours a large thermos cup of coffee and is out the door.   No . . . not the best of choices, but at least he is not taking his pills on an empty stomach.  

  For myself, I choose a breakfast as to what is needed to start my day off right . . . no pastries.  There comes a point in an 86-year-old cowboy’s life when I may loose a few battles while yet planning on winning the war in my care of him.

  So my day is progressing. 

  Tomorrow the stitchers and myself are meeting at Baker’s Square.  I have missed the October and November luncheons due to medical appointments.  Tomorrow will feel like quite the treat.

  Hopefully by this weekend, the studio and I will once again have the lights on, KNUJ tuned in and the Bernina ready to stitch.

   
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  Noreen 4:12 pm on December 6, 2022 Permalink  

  Home From the Big Town 

  Dennis had a good clinical visit today with the wound doctor in Mankato.  We won’t be seeing her until the middle of January.

  Our doctor appointments out of town are becoming fewer and fewer.  Gotta love that.

  The bright sun made driving against it difficult coming home.

  Nothing additional new today, and who knows what tomorrow will bring.

  Check back with me then.

   
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  Noreen 2:24 pm on December 5, 2022 Permalink  

  Just a Day 

  Today is a day that I have not dipped my toe into anything new.

  The studio has a project that requires the same old, same old: refilling bobbins, cleaning lint from within and staying the course for consistent seams.

  Dennis visited the studio this afternoon and his day was not breaking any records for “new” either.

  I have turned a corner of the project and can remove some of the safety pins as I go.  I swear they went in a lot easier than they are coming out.  Besides . . . now I realize my fingers are cold as well as the tip of my nose.  Days such as these with temps hovering at the 30s, the furnace does not run as often.  

  I am going to shut down the studio and see what is perking on the mail floor.

  I do know that I will need to set the alarm for tomorrow.  Dr. Renee, the wound doctor, in Mankato has Dennis on her schedule.  Also on the schedule is cat food and kitty litter.  When it is cold as it has been, the kitties are not doing picnic potties.  It is the litter box . . . times three kitties.

  Take care everyone!

   
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  Noreen 2:55 pm on December 4, 2022 Permalink  

  Busy Day 

  Happy Sunday!  For some reason our little household was up early this morning.  Dennis punched the coffee pot at six, which usually wouldn’t go off until seven.

  A breakfast of yogurt and blueberries; I took my breakfast coffee into the studio.  I felt like I could get a lot done today.  The schematics of the quilting on Luella’s blanket was done yesterday.  All that was needed to be done was to turn on the lights and get the Bernina fired up.

  My major elf was enlisted to the living room after he had greeted the patio kitties in the porch and had enjoyed his breakfast and coffee in the porch.  This would be Dennis’ maiden voyage in putting up our Christmas tree.  All I did was put an electric bar close to the activity for easy plugging in and out.  I put the suggestion of the tree out there and he ran with it.  I came up at noon for more coffee and the tree had been put together and the lights were on.  100% success.

  We both agreed it was a tree lacking appeal.  It was a tree I had bought in Michael’s several years ago.  What had tripped my trigger to purchase it was that it was seven feet of one very skinny tree.  The branches do have a bit of frost adorning them.  As you can imagine the branches are not very long.  Hey . . . we have a tree up and the lights work.  I may well be satisfied to enjoy it as is when I sit down fore the evenings in my rocking chair.

  Back to my quilting.  I have quite a few weights that I use to keep the blanket in place to begin quilting.  My sewing table is close enough to the church tables that they carry over as extra area to keep the weight shifted in good proportion while I herd one block at a time under the needle.

  Half way through, I needed a new filled bobbin.  I check under the needle plate and decided additional thread was not all that was required.  Yuck!  What a fuzz mess.  It was a combination of quilt batting that gets pulled up with each stitch and fabric fuzz.  I got out the can of air to use after I had pulled off as much of the mess with a brush as I could.  My hint from the machine dealer was that if canned air was used It was wise to stand facing the front of the machine, not the open bobbin area.  The air is sprayed so the lint will blow out of the opened bobbin area.  A few drops of oil were also applied.  As per the photo, the thread is not exactly free of its own lint.  Cleaning the machine often guarantees happy stitching.

  I was back to stitching and Dennis came down to the studio and said he would take care of supper.  Beggars can’t be choosey.  I will take whatever finds its way to the table.  Dennis did comment how nice the quilting made the blocks look.  As I stitched, I was running through my mind as to what will be used for the binding.  I had two inches on either side of the width of the pink and not enough to talk about in the length.  Yep, I was cutting it pretty close.  There will be plenty of time for deciding that.

  The entire quilting process of the 42 blocks was completed today.  There were no problems and it went well.  I know that after this posting is done, the studio will go dark.  As time goes on today, I will begin to feel some stiffness in my neck, shoulders and hands.  No surprises.  It is part and parcel in projects such as this.

  Tomorrow will play out as it will.  No pressure.

   
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  Noreen 1:47 pm on December 3, 2022 Permalink  

  Not Good 

  Today is not a good day to do more than hunker down doing what needs to be done indoors.

  During the night the winds howled and roared.  I got up at 1:30, only because a bathroom trip was needed.  I don’t see well without glasses, but . . . it was shift change out at Smithfield and there was a lot of traffic going by.  I also went up close and personnel to the window as I couldn’t believe what I was seeing . . . A fellow bundled up riding a bicycle down the street.

  For me, the task was to get the second bed within our home stripped and laundered.  With that going, I actually had time to fiddle around with a stitching design.  I do not like zip files.  I don’t do them often enough to make it easy on myself.  The design is now on a flash drive for another day.

  I have one block quilted on Luella’s blanket.  I now know the machine is ready for more on another day.  Just seeing that this is going to work out does my heart good.

  Dennis is in from the patio porch and is taking verbal lessons on supper.  I am going to whip up a small hotdish.

  First things first . . . getting the bed made.

  This cold is brutal.  I send prayers up for all family members.

  Catch you all tomorrow.

   
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  Noreen 3:25 pm on December 2, 2022 Permalink  

  Dreary 

  Dreary day!  The air feels raw and cuts deep into my joints.  When the temps are as high as they are, the furnace is not apt to run often.  That cooler air in the studio makes all the difference in my level of comfort.  Today was my day off.

  Today was laundry day for the bedding in Dennis’ bedroom.  In between swapping out the two loads, I quieted myself with reading.  It’s always good to have more than one plan for the day.

  Dennis’ grandson, Ryan, came over and the two fellows went and inspected the tax forfeit property we now own.  When Edna, the gal that lives next to it, came out to her front door to bid Dennis a hello, she chatted up Ryan immediately telling Ryan she was so happy that in time, there would be some clean up.  She didn’t miss a beat to also share with Ryan that she was 98.  Sweet. The consentience of the two fellows when they came back that it was doable when the weather turns.  Everything relies on that. 

  Today, first thing, after I could get my eyes to focus, I did wish Megan a Happy 19th Birthday.  Megan shared a birthday with my mom, Lena.  Megan’s middle name is Lena.  Dennis and I learned much from that little one when we took care of her over the years.  Oh for the sweet memories. 

  The winds are swaying the evergreen boughs.  I do wonder where all the birds that I see during quiet moments . . . where do they take refuge?  Dennis does report that the shell corn pan is licked clean from the night before.  Those deer have great shelter with all the trees, shrubs and such next to the creek which is just a block south of us.

  The first weekend of the month is here.  Blink, blink . . . the days pass too quickly.