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  Noreen 5:15 pm on December 16, 2020 Permalink  

  Fuzz and Threads 

  I have rounded the corner of my Victorian Santa quilt top.  The majority of the stitching is complete.  What does that leave . . . getting out the old canaster Filter Queen Vac.  I do try to keep the waste bin in use as I sew.  Just as many threads that hit the cylindrical target there seem to be just as many that cling to my clothes, shoes and get snipped at the ironing board.

  Many years ago Calvin and Lois gave me a jute area rug.  I do have it in the sewing studio under my feet at the ironing board.  The jute has a way of allowing the extra threads to weave themselves into the nap.  The best way to vacuum it is to go over and over it until there is a windrow of fuzz and then put the vacuum wand directly on top of it.  Job done.

  The basement is ready for the next barrage of stitching.  That will be sometime after Christmas.  Preparing for that time, I went to Old Alley Quilt Shop after the cleaning stint.  There was not enough of any green fabric in my stashes for the border around the top as well as the backing.  My friend Lori was the only one working in the quilt shop today, and as luck would have it, I was the only one in the shop for quite some time.  It gave us a chance to catch up with each other.  We have bonded for quite a few years over the choices in the store.  As I said, after Christmas, the Victorian Santa stands a pretty good chance of being finished.

  I spied a fudge candy recipe that one of my cousins had posted on Facebook.  As I type, the fudge is in a buttered dish, cooling, AND . . . setting up.  It has the old fashioned powdered cocoa and it looks as if when it does set up, it will be a strong chocolate flavor.  It was a chance I wanted to take.   Is there such a thing as a failure . . . no.  If it doesn’t set up, I already know what Lena would have in mind: roll that mixture up into a small ball, roll it in finely crushed nuts and call it “a new take on sweets.”

  For supper, it is chili straight from the freezer, heating on the stove for supper.  Easy suppers are my sweet spot.

   
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  Noreen 4:10 pm on December 15, 2020 Permalink  

  Good Stauffer Session 

  Good progress on the PT session.  It’s great not to feel each step I take in the buttocks.  Mike knows his stuff.

  I can tell you that Dennis’ belt buckles are secure and will no longer tumble from their shelves when the cabinet door is opened.  The tightened ribbon across each row is holding them secure.  Whew!  By the Grace of God we have kept the large pane of glass in the cabinet’s door safe.

  The Nativity set is sitting proud on the shelf that Dennis and I managed to put up yesterday.  On a trip to Mankato we will pick up a length of oak so the three shelves will match.  I do have ideas for adding some background for the set.  I think having it done on the spur of the moment . . . I am very pleased that it can be enjoyed and it is on a sturdy shelf.

  We are planning on there being 8 of us for Christmas.  Both Dennis and I agree that we are open to whatever may come down the pike in regards to health issues or weather issues.   No one needs to be in harms way for an event of one afternoon.  With that understanding I just had to try to make some Divinity today.  I do recall a time decades ago, I was going to whip up a batch and ended up burning up my small hand-held mixer.   Since then I have been given a gently used Kitchen-Aid, it was time to see if I could pull off a batch of Divinity.  I read many recipes and decided on the Betty Crocker.  That cookbook has been a mainstay for me since my sister Elvera gave it to me in 1962.  It looks its age but like many of us, we wear out age well.

  It took me a time to rummage into my basement pantry.  Out came my mom Lena’s collection of cooking thermometers.  When my boiling sugar and syrup mixture reached 260 degrees we had the “hard boil stage!”  Some of the nougats are shaped a little better than another, but the hot whipped mixture of sugar, syrup and beaten egg whites and my buttered fingers taking each nougats off one at a time . . . it worked.  Cross that off my list of things I wanted to try.  Never mind!  I have a hiding spot until Christmas.  Dennis gets one or maybe two and the rest will disappear where only I know where.

  Our little home on Stauffer is in the Christmas spirit.  After all . . . where two are gathered . . . that’s all it takes.  Catch you all tomorrow.

   
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  Noreen 4:03 pm on December 14, 2020 Permalink  

  The Busy Folks 

  It’s a good thing both Dennis and I are both retired.  I don’t know how we would have time to hold down jobs.

  This morning we entrusted the little red pickup for a spa vacation.  It is fifteen years old and wouldn’t bring much on an open market.  But let me tell you, the ole cowboy and the little red pickup are joined at the rust spots.  It can’t be brought up to new specs, but it can have a few blemishes tidied up.  Dennis knows, God willing this vehicle has much to give going forward.

  From the New Ulm shop we wandered over to Sleepy Eye to the implement dealer.  Each year a new Hesston belt buckle is produced honoring the rodeo.  Dennis has the very first buckle that was produced in this collection.  The 1974 buckle is quite classy with the bronze look to it and it is quite sought after.  It would be silly not to continue the collection.  Unfortunately over the years, they thought bigger was better.  Dennis is on his second wooden buckle case and the shelf area just isn’t quite deep enough for the buckles to rest easily on them.  When we opened the glass door to add the new one, quite a few wanted to tumble out.  Good thing the glass in the door survived.  Later on this week, I am going to take a length of ribbon and stretch it across each row with a thumb tack holding each end of the ribbon to the inside of the case.  I am quite sure that will hold them to allow the door to be opened safely.

  I had a wild hair to put up one more shelf on the east wall of our west porch that has become my bedroom.  I so want to enjoy the Department 56 Nativity set that I bought at a New Ulm Drug store.  I think it was called Polta Drug Store,  years ago when they were selling out.  It was at a handsome sell-out price.  The Department 56 is also the company that does the villages that are collectible as well as the Precious Moments figurines.  Over the years I have found several add-on pieces to the Nativity on eBay.  Dennis was game.  Bless his heart.  We did get the job done on the wooden brackets.  I had the smart idea to use some white engineered corrugated plastic sheeting that Kevin gave me that is used in the interior of hog barn construction.  Nope!  It does not have the strength that is needed for such a collection of glassware that cannot be replaced.  We took down the oak shelf above this newly created area.  Much more reliable.  After the two of us getting to laughing at each other during the workout, I will take some time tomorrow to get the Nativity set out.

  We are doing pasta leftovers for supper.  

  What would life be if we couldn’t laugh at each other and, most important, at ourselves.  It actually brings a lot of entertainment to our day.

   
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  Noreen 4:42 pm on December 13, 2020 Permalink  

  Dark and Gray 

  Dark and Gray out today.  It didn’t effect me much, as I was in the sewing studio for most of the day, after I had put together a pasta dish for supper.

  I thought today would be a breeze in the sewing project.  Boy, was I fooled.  The border of a project tells me where the bear did it in the buckwheat.  For borders to work, there is a justification process.  Not each block that is the outside border of twenty five blocks is exact.  It’s one thing for the pattern to have 10″x 1 1/2″ red stripes interspersed with 1 1/2″ pink blocks to play nice along the edge of said project to perfection.  It looks pretty and easy in a photo.  Me . . . the human that did the stitching . . . is not perfect.  It was easier to custom measure and cut each 10″ strip.  Why fight it.  I only have three more sides to work on . . . another day.  I couldn’t do a “slam dunk fix-it” that would work for the entire project, so I fixed my thinking and the problem fixed itself.  Investing time to get it right is worth it.  It may have seemed like an uphill struggle, but the view upon completion was priceless. 

  When I think of Dennis’ day in the rocking chair in the patio porch, I sometimes wonder why I put myself in situations that can easily spiral into unknowns . . . because I can.  Personal growth . . . who knew it could last well for over 76 years? 

  When I came upstairs to write a few lines, the lit Christmas tree in the darkened living room, took all angst away.  A calming that is the peace than passes all understanding.  I love it.  And now that it is close to five in the afternoon, it is usual for it to be dark and gray outside.

   
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  Noreen 4:29 pm on December 12, 2020 Permalink  

  Humble Pie 

  Hmm, humble pie doesn’t taste all that great.  I have not been in the sewing studio since Tuesday.  Tuesday evening, we got the sewing machine tucked into its case and put it in the back of the car for the trip the next day to Bernina in Bird Island.

  When there are fussy seam allowances in a project, I always rely on painter’s tape to be put on the Plexiglas table topper that fits around the bed as well as the top of the sewing machine.  Needless to say, it all had to be taken off for transport.  The entire Victorian Santa quilt top has been done in 1/8″ and 1/4″ seams.  Matching up the rows of the log cabin had been going great.

  Originally. my placement of the painter’s tape might not have been within a 16th of an inch of accuracy, but it didn’t matter as long as everything sewn to that point was consistent.  Today, I was going to whip downstairs and begin where I had left off.  Not!  Putting down new tape to match all the previous seams . . . it was a struggle.  All I could do was practicing stitching on scrap fabric until I had success.  Now you might think that putting down tape is a no brainer . . . not for this sewer.  Twelve inches of sticky take can have a mind of its own.  Either the wrist wasn’t wanting to go where my mind was willing it to, or the shoulder did a wanky twitch and so did the tape.  I was humbled, but by no means defeated.  After multiple sample seams, I had mission completion.  There wasn’t as much done today as I had hoped, but tomorrow I will start knowing all is in sync.

  Dennis has been in cowboy heaven all week.  RFD channel has had all nine days of the 2020 rodeo in Texas on.  Usually, Dennis would have had to settle for the placing as a highlight.  This is his sweet spot.  Each night after nine, he has come in and given me a buck by buck synopsis.  I was pleased that he took 15 minutes to have his supper.  At age 40, Dennis was still riding bucking broncos at the local fairs. Dennis is still riding them as he is watching.  Priceless.  This is the last night of the nine.  What is special, is that a grandson of one of the fellows Dennis rode with is placing quite high in the rankings.  The rocking chair in the patio porch has been keeping up right with the contestants.  

  We may have many interests in life, but there is a lifelong passion that never dims.  I know for myself, I fan that passion of mine here in the sewing studio.  My hope is that everyone keeps their passion aglow whenever possible in this busy world.  It makes us happier people.  It brings us peace within beyond all understanding.

   
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  Noreen 2:50 pm on December 11, 2020 Permalink  

  Kitchen Elves 

  We had been talking about Christmas Day at our home.  The birth of Christ was in a humble stable.  We are aiming at a Christmas day that also may be humble in preparation.

  Dennis made the choice of ham and meatballs, but . . . he doesn’t like the flavoring in store-bought frozen meatballs.  What to do?  This morning without hesitation I got the kitchen humming.  In any project in the kitchen, I like to get the worst over with first.  Homemade meatballs coming up, no preservatives.  The first item was diced onion.  I cry so bad when I cut into an onion.  I plowed on and got it diced.  The reading glasses had long been parked on the counter and I let the tears run.  This was actually a good idea of Dennis’ as these meatballs will travel well when we gather with Dennis’ family after the 25th.  I will have them in freezer bags and ready to pull out when they are needed.

  We have the most wonderful Christmas tree up.  It is 7′ tall and pencil thin.  It fits perfectly in the corner of the living room.  It was a bit of a challenge to decorate as the branches are short.  It is wearing some ornaments that haven’t been out for some time.  Dennis was one, that the last several years didn’t care to put a tree up.  This year the “ba-hum-bug” has a brighter view of things.  I have caught him standing by the tree and taking different ornaments in and commenting on them.  Priceless.  Now there is even talk of some candy making.  Who knew!

  I did have help the entire morning.  The washer and dryer were humming, the meatballs turned into fairly round orbs and the best of all . . . no sticky meat mixture ended up on the ceiling or floor.  Let’s hear it for the older ones.  I could keep the sticky fingers working while the clothes was folded.  Dennis couldn’t wait, he made himself a meatball sandwich for lunch.  He gave them a thumbs up.

  I was brave and looked ahead on the weather map.  It looks as if the snow wants no part of us for now.  Iowa got it.  Go Iowa.

  Saturday is around the corner and the month is slipping by.  Today was the day for Dennis and I to begin pecking away for what we want to have prepared for Christmas Day.  Neither one of us do well in a rush and panic mode . . . anymore.  One of the perks of being who we are . . . having the ability to pace ourselves.  A perk that our children may not have, but hopefully they have it together enough that whatever pacing they can do, brings contentment.

   
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  Noreen 4:00 pm on December 10, 2020 Permalink  

  And the Sun is Gone 

  Seriously . . . we couldn’t have thought that Indian Summer was going to be had right up to Christmas.  The cooler temps are sneaking up on us.  Sneak away!

  The Two older ones on Stauffer Avenue are rounding out today successfully.  The car has been serviced and is sporting a new right front strut along with a total alignment, front and back.

  Dennis and I got home right about the same time.  Dennis had kept a pulmonary appointment with the CPAP doctor.  His one year renewal is complete.  Dennis was allowed to know that caution on how often he replaces the facial gasket should be “on a need basis.”  The soft latex of the gasket and how it is attached to the molded head helmet needs daily cleaning . . . carefully.   All supplies for the CPAP originate in Australia.  There has been rumors of shortages coming across the waters. Hmm. Now there would be a great “Made in America” business to start up.  ResMed has the patients sewed up tighter than the butt on a monkey.  

  Dennis’ granddaughter works for MACV, Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans, and is working from home.  Dennis drove out to Eagle Lake and had a great visit with this wonderful single mother of two.  Good job Grandpa!

  How can Dennis resist a stop at the the apple barn on Highway #60!  They usually close the day before Thanksgiving.  With the unusual warm weather they are pushing to stay open until Christmas Eve afternoon.  We now have a frozen apple pie in the freezer.  It just may become a part of Christmas Day goodies.

  Dennis’ last stop was for two of his prescriptions at Lewis Drug here in town.  Let me tell you, this ole cowboy had a very busy day checking off the items on his list that he left home with . . . less the pie stop. 

  Each day we can’t help but comment to each other in one way or another, how fortunate we are in our forever home perched on an acre in the far corner of our fair city.  Not a lot of bells and whistles needed here.  Just pure contentment.  Give me an “Amen” on that folks.  Clouds may be moving in but they can’t take away the blessings we have reaped with this great Indian Summer fall.

   
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  Noreen 3:56 pm on December 9, 2020 Permalink  

  A Good Feeling Day 

  What is not to like when we have a 51 degree day on the 9th of December.  

  I had a great day and I didn’t even leave our home.  One of my good friends was taking her sewing machine to the Bernina people in Bird Island.  Turn around is fair play.  I took Jody’s machine with me last year and this trip, my machine road along with Jody.  I had taped concerns onto the bed of my machine with my phone number if Kelly ran into something other than the usual and customary tune up.

  Here it is at 3:30 and the machine is back in the sewing room and ready for whatever comes down the pike.  I have had my machine for five years as of this last Thanksgiving.  Kelly left a note on my invoice that I had 496 hours of the needle going up and down on it.  I can tell you they have been fun hours with just as many challenges as not.  There are many more things that I want to do on the machine in the guise of embroidery and piecing of fabrics.  This tune up turned out great as it was on my tick list to get done while the roads and weather were good.  Thank you Jody.

  Tomorrow I may need to set our alarm.  Dennis needs to be at the pulmonary clinic department in Mankato by 9:45 a.m.  Nothing serious, so two sets of ears are not required.  His prescription for  CPAP supplies needs to be renewed by a visit to the pulmonary nurse.

  I need to be at my car dealer in New Ulm by 10:00 in the morning.  Getting a strut replaced is important.  The last huge item to be gotten done before our real winter hits.  I am sure I will be making a stop or two on my way home.   Yup, the alarm needs to be set to give both of us time to be fully alert before we hit the highways.

  This season has turned out so good for us.  Water heater and refrigerator in and out of the house with no sloppy mess.  Traveling on dry roads while wearing a light jacket . . . priceless.  It seemed like there was a lot on our plate for awhile.  Then . . . I realized, God did not make me timid.  He gave me a spirit of resolve, power and good decision ability.  Can’t downplay the heart that knows no limit in loving.

   
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  Noreen 2:23 pm on December 8, 2020 Permalink  

  Stitching is Coming Together 

  I had a good session at the PT today.  The tendon that is as tight as that which makes up the wound innards of a golf ball is slowly loosing the battle.  It doesn’t have much choice when it is rolled over a muscle mass time and time again.

  I spent some time in the sewing studio today and the 25 Santa blocks are coming together well proving that adhering to a strict 1/4 inch seam throughout is worth the effort.

  

  Santa Prayer

  Lord you know You’re the reason for this season.

  I take pleasure in this season,

  but I don’t want to take Your place.

  But just reflect Your wondrous grace.

  And when they begin to open gifts for

  which they have been hoping,

  may they give You all the glory for 

  You’re the One True Christmas Story.

  – author anonymous

  The Santa from a long ago ceramics class and the wooden depiction of the Nativity always go hand in hand.  Kevin tooled the oak Nativity at a time that we lived in South Branch.  The well built chicken house was partitioned off and Kevin had a great work shop during his grade school years. This Nativity has become priceless to me.  The hard oak took a lot of patience in sawing and in sanding.  Timeless.  

  In my mind’s rambling, I do have many memories.  Those that do not bring a smile, get glossed over quickly.  Bad choices, bad events have no business taking up my time, my energy in today’s real time.  They are over.  They are not being repeated.  I want and need my mind to be open to the wonderful things that happen each day.  There are wonderful things that have come about during less than good times.  I save the best and leave the rest.

   
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  Noreen 3:52 pm on December 7, 2020 Permalink  

  Radio and Sewing 

  I have taken to having the KNUJ am radio station on while sewing.  It has a variety of news and music.  I am amazed at how far out geographically their ads are collected from. Everything from manure spreaders to donations that can be made for the laundromat to one of the churches for those that need clean clothes but are short of resources.  I think that is wonderful.  Who doesn’t like clean clothes.

  One ad that brought a smile was for Long Branch Salon in Franklin.  Memories of the mid 60s flood back.  I am quite sure this is the same bar and grill that Richard Scheffler and Orlin would frequent on some of their trips to the Franklin elevator when they got corn for the beef cattle when we lived at Beaver Falls.  Franklin sold an awful lot of corn to Richard.  Richard spent an awful lot of money at the Long Branch.  Some of those nights got quite lengthy.  Orlin worked for his brother-in-law and was often the designated driver for Richard.  Carrie, who was born when we lived at Beaver Falls, many a night she and I would be sound asleep when Orlin came home.  One night about this time in December, Orlin came home with a pink stuffed teddy bear for Carrie.  Where on earth in the wide spot of the highway going through Franklin did Orlin find a teddy bear.  I am quite sure that 55 years later, that pink teddy bear with sewn on buttons for eyes is still in Carrie’s cedar chest.  Good times, good memories.

  As of today, the 25 Santa quilt blocks are ready to be joined together.  I may rearrange a few before they find themselves under the needle, but the gist pattern of the pattern rings true.  This was a fun challenging project.  The finished size will be 65″ x 65″ by the time the border is constructed and sewn on.  All lights are off in the sewing studio.  I have learned that when I get tired, I rest . . . I do not quit.  I believe that is the secret to all things.  I do not quit . . . I rest.  Quitting is final, resting is a mere pause. 

  Dennis has gone to have coffee at one of the apartment houses where his friend Lyle lives.  They all do social distancing and I don’t ask about the masks.  Ignorance can be bliss.

  Fog has been the usual today.  Gray brings on the evening darkness sooner than I would like.  Hmm.  In the scheme of things, it really doesn’t physically impact me . . . more a state of mind.  Oh that sweet mind of mine.