Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from February, 2024 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 2:43 pm on February 16, 2024 Permalink  

  Keep Moving 

  It is chilly out and as I listen to KNUJ, it could easily feel like a minus temp.  I am in the studio.  I keep on moving from one side of the church tables to another and do not feel the chill.

  Listening to YouTube videos, I had picked up a tip for filling pincushions.  Leave it to Amazon to deliver to our front door two bags of 11 oz. each of crushed walnut hulls with some lavender seeds in the mix.  Three of the four stitched items were filled with the hulls.  The fourth had to settle for a poly fill as I didn’t want to open the second bag of hulls.  I enjoyed the stitching and will enjoy knowing there are no UFOs.  No unfinished objects, aka: pincushions.  I am waiting for the small openings to dry from using the E6000 glue to dry.  I love that versatile glue.  Kersten and I used some of it quite a few years ago to put the cement antlers back on the concrete deer.  Still holding strong.

  I scrounged around and have some trim to put around the edges of the stuffed pincushions.  Going first class the whole way.  Keeping busy is enjoyable for me.  I do manage to feel that I have worn myself out at the end of the day.  Perfect.

  In between time, I have a pork steak in the oven for supper.  I used up the half onion I had plus spreading some Ragu tomato sauce over it that was a leftover from last week’s chili.  Ragu is not the ultimate but I don’t have the variety of spices on hand.  Dennis is in charge of the instant mashed potatoes.  His appetite is not the best some days, but the milk and butter plus the protein in the potatoes is usually a win for him. 

  I am going back to the pincushion project.  That will take me to supper.  It might also be time to start another book in my bedroom porch this evening.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:10 pm on February 5, 2024 Permalink  

  I Am Back 

  I am back in the studio today on the fifth day of February.  First things first . . . turn on all the overhead lights.  Second on the agenda . . .  tuning in KNUJ on the portable radio.

  It felt just plain ass good.

  I knew that puttering around in my Stauffer Avenue Michael’s-like stashes would tell me what and how much I had to work with.  Hmm.  I had forgotten that the foam I had in a roll was two sided fusible.  I had only thought it was one sided.  Never mind, I will make it work.  The piece of linen I used for the machine embroidery is really scant on the bottom.  I have always known I would use quilt batting on the back side of the embroidered piece to free motion quilt everything other than the actual letters themselves, allowing for the letters to pop off.  The color of the thread I will use is labeled as Wild Rice.  A very close match to the linen as I do not want the free motion quilting to take away from the letters.  I have just enough of the silk quilt batting for that job.  Linen fabric ravels super easy.  As I type, Fray Check is drying on that scant bottom of the embroidery.  That aspect of the project, I am still thinking on.

  Dennis cut the piece of the hog paneling for me for the length I needed.  I put off putting the hanger on the back side of the covered panel so it would lay perfectly flat when I needed it to.  I cut the fusible foam for the length and width with extra inches.  I tried out our very old carpenter’s stapler on the piece of paneling I do not need.  That staple was put into the paneling with the fabric I intend to use to cover the paneling with.  I will have enough width and length to bring the covered fabric over the paneling to staple it down.  It held really well.

  The quilted linen piece with the letters will be affixed to the foam-covered green fabric with . . . 

  Ya, about that.  My plan was to turn under a scant 3/4″ of the linen with copper covered upholstery tacks.

  This is a good time to shut down the studio.  All materials have been thought through, measured and laying out on the church tables.  I literally will need to sleep on all of this.

  It’s a good thing I had one more package of a hot dish in the freezer.  My thinking cap has worn me out.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:47 pm on February 2, 2024 Permalink  

  No Shadow 

  Somewhere the groundhog didn’t see its shadow.  Not a fan of that old tale.

  I had a desire for the Campbell’s large can of bean soup.  It is very tasty.  In our store I looked high and low.  Nothing.  I settled for the store’s Best Choice bean and bacon.  Hmm. I purchased three cans.  We tried one can.  Not a fan at all. Very strong taste.

  Today it was time to use those two cans of not so good bean and bacon soup.  I diced an onion and sautéed it in my soup kettle.  That was joined with a pound of 85% hamburger.  A dash of several seasonings including chili powder.  One can of Kidney beans and one can of black beans.  That conglomeration is now on simmer on the kitchen range.  After a taste, I believe it will fly.

  This afternoon, Dennis and I filled our yellow Avalanche case with our personnel papers.  That included Dennis’ military papers to the present, as was my papers, past and present.  What a great case.  There was even room for my parent’s info, grandparents and great grandparents.  A case holding a whole lot of history now on a shelf in the studio.

  I continue reading and stitching in my bedroom porch at all times of the day.  I do take a break for a YouTube video now and then.  Enjoying what others are stitching and sewing is inspirational.  Since dropping out of the stitching group in Mankato, I have increased my own personnel enthusiasm 100%, viewing from those around the world.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:37 pm on January 24, 2024 Permalink  

  A Chill in the Air 

  At 33 degrees I can feel chillier than when it was a minus zero.  It may all be in my imagination.  That does go off on its own sometimes.

  Dennis is doing what I so appreciate . . . running errands in his little red pickup.  Dennis had several prescriptions of his to pick up at Lewis Drug. There were several letters to pop into the mail.  The quilt that I have mentioned needing to be at the UPS depot will soon be scanned and ready to travel.

  Did anyone anticipate or expect that this quilt had been done . . . no.  Why wouldn’t I give back the fabric that had been intended to be a quilt.  Alex Trettin’s grandmother felt she had many more quilts in her.  Our tomorrows are not promised. 

  When Dennis had first mentioned putting a car cover on the Lincoln after it had had a wash and wax job, I didn’t know how I would feel about not being able to use the car when I felt like it.  It has gone well.  When I see cars going by covered in salt slush . . . it was a good thing.

  This is a chicken noodle soup and sandwich night for supper.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:58 pm on January 12, 2024 Permalink  

  Toss Up 

  Today it is a toss-up as to which is less desirable.  We had very little new snow but the wind is moving around as much of it as possible.  Toss-up or . . . either or.

  With the wind from the northwest, the seven foot tall shrub on the northwest corner of our home, that never gets trimmed and acts as a buffer, is a Godsend.

  A testament can be given for the Command strips that mesh together, bonding to hold up to 16 lbs.  I never planned on testing them to that extent.  They are marketed for hanging frames.  I used them to hang my scrappy quilt on the living room wall.  One strip on the wall and the matching strip on the back of the quilt.  This project was taken on with me going solo.  Knowing what and how this was going to be done, was easier on me than trying to explain it to a second party.  I do not take chances. I know and have the logic to proceed one step at a time while stepping on the second available flat area for my feet on the kitchen stool.  Using the third and the highest step was never an option.  If I wake up tomorrow and the quilt is still hanging on the wall . . . I will be thrilled. 

  We have had Jimmy Dean sausage and gravy on hand for some time.  The refrigerated package of four bags had an expiration date far far away towards the end of 2024.  The contents will be heated in the double boiler sauce pan.  I fear it would scorch if the heat contacted the bottom of the saucepan directly. Sometimes the microwave heated item does not stay hot for very long.  There were leftover instant mashed potatoes from last night.  They will be flattened onto a paper plate and microwaved.  Those I know I can get hot enough.  The Jimmy Dean goodies will be spooned on top for each individual’s liking.

  I have not given up on the studio.  My limbs need to recover from doing the two days quilt on the wall project.  It was one day to put the Command strips on the wall and today to get the quilt with matching strips hefted up onto the wall.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   

   
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  Noreen 3:01 pm on January 9, 2024 Permalink  

  Better Late 

  Who ever commented on the saying, better late than never . . . hush your mouth.

  We were doing just fine with no snow.  It was a range of 3-4 inches of first wet mist and finally some official looking snowflakes.  

  Randy next door did not disappoint with his green line as he blew our drive off.  I made sure to have the snow off of the front deck, steps and concrete sidewalk and pushed it all onto the drive before Randy arrived.

  Dennis used his walk behind to clear the garage door opening that faces Stauffer Avenue.  If that little red pickup can’t get out, there would be a sad face.  I, on the other hand, don’t plan on going anywhere until I know there is no wind to polish road surfaces.

  I am a naughty Grammie sometimes.  My heritage is the “old Adam.”  It is better to give than receive.  I will go along with that. . . to some extent.  It took quite a bit of talking this Christmas to convince Dennis to forego giving gifts this 2023 Christmas.  He really, really always enjoyed getting his little stashes together for my children and Dennis’ children.  He would start making plans in October with lists of grandchildren and their spouses.  We were blessed with Thanksgiving guests and Christmas Day guests in our home.  Special.

  It would have been equally nice if someone from Dennis’ family had visited or called to visit in the latter part of December.  Nope.  Nada.  Not even the daughter that lives four blocks to the south of us.  Hmm.  Dennis was ready to receive well wishes from his family.  Maybe next year.

  I have retrieved some supplies from the studio.  I have a variety of Command Hooks, strips, etc.  Soon my Santa quilt will come down from the north living room wall.  I would like my scrappy quilt put up in its place for a while.  I have the adequate supplies, I now need a plan of attack.

  My attack for supper is a hot meal.  Two pork chops, au gratin potatoes and steamed broccoli.

  If you must travel, be safe.  I would rather think about you, than read about you.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:08 pm on January 6, 2024 Permalink  

  Maybe? 

  Maybe we may have a dusting of snow coming.  We knew it would come sooner or later.  So far it has been a gift.  

  First floor local effort was done right off the bat.  No . . . the clothes have not folded themselves.  They are hiding in the clothes dryer.

  As a gift from my children, our first box of 2 meals of Hello Fresh was delivered yesterday late afternoon by UPS in an insulated box with a package of dry ice to keep all safe.  This morning, while Dennis was spending time with his grandson, I went about so we would be having turkey spaghetti for supper with sliced cucumbers and garlic bread.  Many seasonings I have not used before.  I sampled it and if Dennis wants his spicier, I held back and he can add more if he likes.  Sometime in the coming week, we will be having a glazed porkchop meal with trimmings.

  Yes, we had stressed no gifts were needed.  Sometimes ya gotta know when to hold it and when to fold it when it comes to family.  At least it wasn’t 160 acres.  Hmm.  Shame on you Grammie.  You should be better than that.  OK.  The horns have been pulled in.

  The air is heavy, damp and still.  The entire neighborhood has been quiet.

  Well, I am on to folding the laundry.  A Saturday in the new 2024 year and so much for the quiet as the neighbor kid decided to race up and down Stauffer with his dirt bike, riling up a lot of dust and loose gravel.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 4:17 pm on January 4, 2024 Permalink  

  Thursday the 4th 

  Slipping into the 2024 without a glitch.

  Dennis had been heard remarking about a friend in the Trimont health care system.  Last night I offered to ride along with him.  This morning after coffee we headed south.

  I find that if I put out ideas for Dennis’ day, it goes a long way forward for him.  His yard work is on sabbatical.  No snow to move around and that leaves keeping me company in the house or snoozing in the patio porch.  I am so thankful that the child in me has lots of interests to keep two of us busy.

  After we got home, Dennis volunteered to mix up a batch of Betty Crocker peanut butter cookies for me to bake out.  Why Not!

  The cookies have been baked and we are having waffles and pre-cooked Jimmy Dean sausages for supper.

  Hmm.  We did get a call from the police department this afternoon.  Jeff was hit while riding his three-wheel bike and they are looking for him.  Sorry . . . not at this address.  Grandson Ryan told his grandpa that Jeff was on probation for drunk and disorderly and they can’t find him.  He was on probation.  Just what an aging parent needs to quiet the soul.

  Thanks to the times when Megan played at our home, I have the perfect storage for all my easy-to-use pins.  Pins are always needed and I said good-bye to the Glad zip lock baggies.  This is much classier.  A traveler case and all of the naughty, hard to use safety pins are in the lower-class storage.  Sweet.

  I achieved success in self-framing my latest cross stitch project.   I have watched enough videos on YouTube to realize people make a very good income doing the “finish” on other people’s stitched items.  All I want to do is satisfy myself.  Was it hard to decide where and how to hang it?  No.  I just took the first available hole on the wall from where the Santas had hung.  Easy does it.

  Tomorrow, the end of the new week.  May everyone I cherish measure for themselves what is needed in each 24 hours for peace and comfort within themselves.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:23 pm on January 2, 2024 Permalink  

  Gray Skies 

  The gray skies are better than zero visibility due to blowing snow.

  The studio session went well today.  As the embroidery module worked its whiles, I was on the back side of the studio at the church tables working my whiles.  I take constructive criticism well.  With a few hints from Christmas day, I manned the adhesive spray can with a delicate touch.  Spraying on a sample piece of paper first before spraying on my finished item.  All is well and perhaps tomorrow, when I pick it up, it doesn’t fall apart, it may find a place on the living room wall.

  I did have my small heater on turbo while I was in the studio.  When I had had enough of the lower level, the heater was the first thing I shut down as it has a cool down cycle that I wanted to be around for.  Around the church tables I went pulling chains to close down lighting.  Do I need them all on . . . no.  If I am inclined to stay busy in the studio, I might as well have it lit well.

  Dennis did the errand today as I had one prescription to be picked up at Lewis Drug.  It was zero copay for a $59.00 refill.  Sweet.

  This evening we are having a picnic type of supper . . . beef Johnsonville wieners and a can of pork and beans.  Add a piece of buttered bread and we will call it good.

  For all of the neighbors that had maxed out on the exterior Christmas lights, they are missing out on a great opportunity in getting them down.  Up on the house tops, click, click, click . . . it wouldn’t take much of a mist or snow covering for it to be slippery dangerous.  I did enjoy the lights.  Thank you neighbors.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:53 pm on December 28, 2023 Permalink  

  A Thursday 

  On this Thursday the 28th, I did see about a dozen snowflakes fly, and then . . . no more.

  My day is going very well.  Before the first cup of coffee, I had the washing machine going. 

  On to putting our supper into the crockpot.  I had no idea that Wal-Mart put together meals in one sealed tray; a bed of new potatoes, carrots, celery on the bottom, a cut of Chuck Roast on top that a flavor packet moistened rubbed on the roast with more liquid added to the flavoring poured to the bottom with an onion on the top.  It is now 1:30 in the afternoon and I am getting whiffs of our supper.  These darn kids find out all the new and improved ways to make days . . . wonderful.  Thanks.

  I do like to put into practice challenging items here in the studio.  One photo has images of designs I found to download onto my computer.  When I had bought my sewing machine, I purchased the Tool Box software.  There were some free images to play with that I have never used.  I was able to combine those images onto one text box, making a complete design.  I then loaded that text box onto one of the flash drives I just smartened up yesterday.  I made sure when I used that flash drive it came up on the sewing machine as I had planned.  

  With all loaded into the sewing machine there is also a file on my computer, I was able to print out the complete image from the tool box screen with all the called for colors of thread I will need in the stitching process.  As my machine is a Bernina and the Tool Box is exclusive to Bernina, the Isacord threads are recommended on the embroidery and are thus in the printout.

  My day has gone well.  I will admit getting things done on the computer for the sewing aspect, does take me awhile.  Do it over and over till I get a satisfactory outcome.  As I said, challenging myself is a very good thing.

  The studio will go dark as soon as I send off this posting.  It is now time for some reading and hand stitching.  The studio will be there and here for another day.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥