Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from March, 2025 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 1:56 pm on March 11, 2025 Permalink  

  Tuesday the 11th 

  This morning, everything seemed to come up roses.  We have chillier weather but the sun shining seems to make up for it.

  I gave myself kitchen duty this morning and forenoon.  Once the washer was doing its thing, I set about making a batch of cold crab salad.  I always add a few extra ingredients.  This time it was minced raw onions and the remainder of the Asiago shredded cheese.  The box of Suddenly Salad has a good amount of herbs in the seasoning packet.  It went into the refrigerator and by tomorrow noon the flavors will all have co-mingled.

  Next on the docket was getting pasta boiled for this evening’s oven meal.  I sauteed the remaining chopped onion and then put them aside.  One pound of 80/20 ground beef was the next item in the fry pan.  While that was browning, I drained the jar of sauerkraut into my cheesecloth.  Taking it up like nap-sack on a pole, I twisted and twisted that bundle of flavor to get as much of the juice out as possible.  Not to worry, there will still be plenty of salty flavor for the blue-speckled roaster.  The ground beef was drained of extra fat and while it was still hot, I stirred in a hefty tablespoon of beef flavored Better than Bullion as I know the ground beef on its own lacks flavor.  All ingredients were waiting for the binder . . . a jar of Ragu Alfredo.  It’s not my favorite brand but it was on sale at $2.49 a jar.  The folding over process of all the ingredients does takes its tole on the Grammie.

  Just as if planned Dennis was on the scene to do the prep dishes.  That fellow knows good eats.  His job is also to top the oven dish with ground pepper.

  I left the kitchen in good hands and went into the studio.  I had three pouches as part of my assembly line.  What I had to do first, which I had forgot to do yesterday, was to clean the cutters.  Not needing to cut the threads after a seam has been sewn may not sound like much but that in conjunction of not having to raise and lower the presser foot or threading the needle saves so much on my hands and arms.  Those three pouches now join the other finished ones on the church tables.  If I return to the studio tomorrow, I have three laid out ready to have zippers put in.  Sweet.

  My great day continues.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:22 pm on March 10, 2025 Permalink  

  Appreciation Day 

  Today was showing appreciation and love to my sewing machine.  My sewing machine is a work-horse.  It has given me so much joy and contentment over the last seven plus years.

  After all the lights and KNUJ were on, it was time to pull out my tool box for the sewing machine.  Nothing sews better than an oiled machine.  Underneath and topside my syringe-looking oil can did its duty.  Tiny threads no larger than the tail on a flea were rousted.  The surgical tweezers got them all.  The dual feed foot got a going over as well.  A tiny screw that can wiggle loose with each stitch the machine takes got a bit of tightening.  The dual feed can be engaged as the feed dogs move to allow motion under the needle, this acts as additional feed dogs right behind the needle to help things move along.  The last thing was to put in a new needle.  Needles are so cheap with tips so small, whatever I am working on deserves for the thread in each stitch to be done to its best.

  I didn’t get much stitching done in the studio.  I do have notations as to what amount of the corks need to be met up with the correct size of zipper.  That alone makes the next visit to the studio enjoyable.

  Last night we enjoyed our usual Sunday night supper of sharing a 12″ tuna sub.  Very tasty and fresh.  This evening, we are having a skillet meal that I am in charge of.  I man the skillet and Dennis takes charge of the dishes afterwards.  Well . . . that’s because I wouldn’t do them correctly.  

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:11 pm on March 7, 2025 Permalink  

  Bone Weary 

  Bone Weary.  What’s up with that!  I don’t have a complaint in the world.  I had a good night’s rest by sleeping straight through as did Dennis.  The coffee pot went off at six this morning and the aroma wafted through the house.

  I fought the weary feeling and went on with my usual routine of checking all things via the HP in my bedroom porch with a cup of coffee at my elbow.  That did help.  Getting dressed and smartening myself up a bit with a cold washcloth.  With a full cup of hot coffee . . . studio here I come!

  I look forward to what KNUJ has for news blurbs.  I put on all the lights possible and hit the power button on the Bernina.  With the completion of an unusual shape to a box pouch, I powered on.  The reason it was an unusual shape was that I was determined to use up a zipper that was shorter than required for even the smallest of box pouches, 9″.  It did make me feel better, knowing that thinking outside the box gets my gray matter working.  I went on to the next challenge by using an 18″ metal zipper that has been kicked around in the supply box for a long time.  The sewing machine needle can make it over a nylon zipper by treading carefully and not breaking.  I hand turned the motion of the needle and made it with the needle intact.  After this medium-sized pouch was finished, I knew I would use a bit of the E6000 glue on each end where it could not and would not be detected.  With that “mission completion” the studio went dark for the day.  I still have zippers that I made using the zippers by the yard and zipper pulls.  I needed to work through using what perhaps should have hit the circular file.

  With determination and concentration the weariness had been kicked in the ass.  Who knows what tomorrow will bring.

  The evening healthy suppers have been diligently put forth.  This evening we are having French toast and some sausage patties I found in HY-VEE the last time we were in Mankato.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:28 pm on March 6, 2025 Permalink  

  Melting Snow 

  Amazingly the snow from the recent blizzard is dwindling.  The added moisture that we received was worth it.  Mixed with the snow, there was a fair amount of dirt from our horrific wind prior to and during.

  While in the studio this morning, I cut out four more box pouches.  I chose zippers to go with the sizes I cut out.  I stayed in the studio long enough to pick up on the noon news from KNUJ.  Tomorrow I may return to switch on the sewing machine.

  Dennis and I had a noon snack.  Not your usual snack by any means.  The snack was a bit of cherry crisp that I had baked out yesterday after the sugar coffee bake-off was done.  I popped it into the refrigerator yesterday after it had cooled.  The crisp was topped with a spot of ice cream.  Neither of us care to eat anything after our supper so the baked dessert got the nod at noon today.  That may be the case until the small pan of crisp is finished.  

  Dennis’ pickup drives into the garage from the graveled Stauffer Avenue.  Today the pickup stayed on the concrete drive so he could use the leaf blower to blow off the floor with the garage door open.  With no wind or breeze it was the ultimate time to do it.

  Each day both of us find local effort to keep us busy so we can have a five o’clock supper with an appetite to enjoy it.  Our oven dish of Tuesday will have its last hurrah this evening.  Some don’t enjoy leftovers . . . we don’t mind them one bit.  Waste not, want not.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:41 pm on March 5, 2025 Permalink  

  So it Blew 

  Last evening we ended up having heavy rain before the first of the snow could be seen flying sideways.

  We lost power at eight last night and it came on at 3:30 this morning.  The extra batteries.  Dennis went to bed about nine without the use of his CPAP.  I pulled one of our soft chairs closer to the bedroom door so I could here Dennis and cat-napped.  The house maintained a 58-degree temp for the duration.  That was the longest power-outage I can ever remember.  

  Dennis reported that from one of the televisions in the patio porch, we may have gotten between five to six inches.  It is indeed white.  Randy scrapped off the concrete drive and most of the drive is bare concrete.

  Sometime these last months, I had bought a box of Betty Crocker sugar cookie mix while in Sam’s Club.  Today was the day to use the last two pouches of the mix.  Dennis shook the eggs needed in a half-pint Mason jar and I put the butter to melt mode in the microwave.  With the butter and eggs then getting whipped into a frenzy in the KitchenAid mixer.  That beast rolled that cookie dough stiff enough that I could take a spoonful out at a time, roll it, and get it onto the baking sheet.  I did put some of the cookies in the freezer as I know from experience they don’t stay soft for too long.

  And how did I come about to have a KitchenAid mixer?  Several years ago, I helped out a previous employee when she was fighting Pancreatic cancer.  Her apartment was where she wanted to stay for as long as possible.  I was retired by that time, and I would be at her home every day as her daughter could not leave her work.  Lorraine didn’t want Hospice.  She was the most humble private person I have ever know.  One day when I went over, her daughter had made arrangements to take medical leave and could I please bring her mom to her home.  So it was determined. Lorraine had said that when her cookie making days were over, I was to take her mixer home with me.  A few days later when I tidied up her apartment, I did take the KitchenAid home.  Lorraine passed away within five days of being with her daughter. Whenever I use the mixer, I think of Lorraine. 

  But . . . this afternoon when the sugar cookies were done, I took the hot leftover coffee with a cookie and sat at the table.  I dunked this cookie as a homage to my great grandmother, Christine.  When I would stay at my grandparent’s home, Christ and Laura’s, Christine lived with them.  She spoke no English, but she always let me be by her side when she stirred up something to bake for the hard working multi-generational farm family.  In her long black dress with the ever fresh white apron, her and I would sit at the round dining room table to share a cookie.  She had heavily laced cream coffee and I had some coffee in my cup.  She would pick up her cookie and beckon me to do the same, and then . . . dunk!

  I have so many memories that seem to be freshened with the activities of my days.  What a treat.

  By the way, the oven dish of last night was very tasty.  Before putting the round, blue-speckled roaster into the oven, I covered the top of the dish with finely shredded Asiago-Parmeson cheese.  It gave a bite like no other.  A welcomed repeat for this evening.

  With that I will take my leave.

   
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  Noreen 2:37 pm on March 4, 2025 Permalink  

  Drip, Drip 

  We all were told there would be moisture coming our way.  The day was getting darker and darker this afternoon.

  I came up from the studio at one and in a heart beat there was a heavy shower of rain.  Now mid afternoon it is a drip, drip.  There may be more coming.

  The first item on the docket this morning was putting together an oven meal for this evening’s supper.  It was two cups of pasta to boil until tender.  One packet of boned out rotisserie chicken out of the freezer.  I only had peas in the freezer for some color.  When I drained the pasta while it was still hot I stirred in a heaping tablespoon of Better than Bullion, vegetable flavor.  That perked up the pasta big time.  One jar of Alfredo sauce folded in and we will be having a wonderful hot meal tonight.

  We did have a delicious hot supper last night as well.  Steaming bowls of oatmeal with a hearty fat pinch of flax meal.  Dennis had not had oatmeal for a while and he really enjoyed it.  The flax meal gives the bland oatmeal a nutty flavor.

  

  The assembly line of three box pouches is finished.  I brought them upstairs when I was done with the sewing, as the studio was chilly.  Mission completion.
  
  

  It all goes well taking it slow, one stitch at a time.  I may be sewing a few more of various sizes.  What’s not to enjoy using up stash items.  It will be easy handing off a pouch more so than the raw supplies.  The zippers by the yard and the packet of pulls were not doing any good as they were.  Items like that would not be given a second look if push may become pull.  I know that Carrie and Kevin grew up with me always doing something in the sewing or craft line.  They would have an awareness.  None of the three girls of Dennis’ could give a lick less with tools of the hands.

  I feel so fortunate that I have the tools and the supplies to keep me involved, curious, content and happy.

  I have just a bit of cold coffee left to enjoy to fill out this afternoon as I watch the weather and the traffic from my bedroom porch.  Hmm.  There is even a loaded needle waiting for me before getting our oven meal into a 350-degree oven.  Sweet.

  One more thing.  I always check our bank account via the HP in my bedroom porch.  Halleluiah!  Our small but good refund from the state income taxes hit our checking account this morning.  April first the federal will yank out what we owe them.  Please oh please let this be one of the years, social security is taxed.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:15 pm on March 2, 2025 Permalink  

  My Time 

  My time has gone well today.

  Several goals have been met on the first floor of Stauffer Avenue.  It always makes me feel good when I can balance out my day and my energy.  Chased and caught a few dust bunnies that were hiding under a small cabinet in Dennis’ bedroom.  Gottcha!  Several threads were put into my stitching that I am working on in my bedroom porch.  I then headed to the studio.

  All things considered I am doing well with my creative “Cork 101.”  Sometimes I get a pouch done in a day, sometimes it takes longer.  Where in the heck am I going!  I even got a few eyeglass cases done out of some scraps.  Thus far, I am only using the scrap pieces of Amanda’s cork, fitting a zipper to the scrap, ending up with no two pouches alike.  The large pieces of cork, some measure 27″ x 32″, are still in their cellophane bags. 

  

  This evening’s supper is chili that has been taken out of the freezer and a grilled cheese sandwich.  Where, oh where, did ketchup on grilled cheese sandwiches come from?  It’s a Curry thing, not mine.  I will admit that I bought several frozen dinners during one of my trips to the local grocery store.  When I have had a day, Dennis gets his choice out of the freezer.  It is then paired with some apple sauce.  As I make sure it has become table-ready with my digital thermometer, I have tasted the sauces or the potatoes.  Frozen dinners have come a long way when I read the labels.  Those evenings I indulge in oatmeal with a toss of flax meal on top, also paired with apple sauce.  This Grammie is over stressing out of serving a hot supper.  Sweet.

  With that I will take my leave. ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:03 pm on February 26, 2025 Permalink  

  Hello! 

  It’s me . . . !

  I am the one perched on my cherry red chair taking in the sunshine and feeling the sun’s power through the windows.

  When I came up from the studio at two this afternoon, I admit, my fingers were a bit chilly.  No amount of jacking up the thermostat could make enough of a difference in the studio air.  I have a small ceramic heater that oscillates warm air.  I just don’t stay in one place for very long.

  Late yesterday I decided to bite the bullet.  I opened all the letters I had been collecting for doing our 2024 income tax.  Dennis was out and about and I knew that starting the process was a good thing.

  Amazingly, using the Tax Act program, the entire process went well.  Of course, our filing is such that I input what monies we had coming in and the revenue department takes what it needs.  We do not have itemized deductions.  That eliminates a huge amount of record keeping.  I did do the electronic filing.  The federal filing was free and the state’s was $39.00 and some cents.  We enjoyed our crockpot supper feeling a relief for having the tax filing over with.  We always have to contribute more to the federal as our social security benefits in part are taxable . . . 50%.  Wonder of wonders if  taxing social security in the state of Minnesota ever goes away.  There will be a small stiffen coming back to us from the state.  I doubt if we could fill up both of our vehicles at the gas pumps with that amount.  Oh well.   

  This morning when I sat down in front of the HP and checked on things, both the state and federal had accepted our returns. 

  We are having leftovers for supper.  It will resemble beef commercials less the bread.  The bread is always an option at the supper table.

  I did read a Facebook post this morning from the poet’s corner; “Love yourself with your whole being, as you will be spending a lot of time with yourself.”

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:40 pm on February 25, 2025 Permalink  

  A Day 

  When I opened my eyes this morning, the sun bid me a good day coming.

  The programmable coffee pot had not been set last night.  When I pushed the pot to begin brewing, I set the crockpot up so it could welcome a beef arm roast complete with some extras for flavor.  A few buttons were pushed on the washing machine.  A cookie sheet was hauled out of storage to welcome some frozen cinnamon rolls.

  I then poured myself a cup of fresh coffee and toddled to my bedroom porch to check out what the HP had to say for itself.

  By 10:30 I was in the studio with KNUJ blaring in the background.  I did have a few things laid out, ready to stitch.  That went about three inches and the sewing machine needle dropped out of its housing, looking as if it was going to drop where no needles should dare to go.  If I tighten the needle housing too tight, I need a needle nose plier to help.  With this latest lesson, I think I will go for using the plier rather than having the sewing machine needing servicing.  I can’t imagine where rouge needles could cause all sorts of problems.  All went went well with a new needle in tow.

  Dennis’ help was enlisted with swapping out the laundry and after the cinnamon rolls had been out of the oven for one hour, there was a scant amount of frosting to spread over them.

  I continued into the studio and Dennis decided, with his little red pickup, to head southeast out of town to visit his cousin Sam and Marie.  Sam is wheelchair bound and Maria has Parkinson’s.

  I told Dennis I would see him about five for supper.

  As I sit and let my thoughts dribble out to the keyboard, I can’t help but notice looking out the windows that our lawns look totally freeze-dried.  No chance of winter mold.

  I have had a very good day with my objective having been met:  nothing stole my joy from me today.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:41 pm on February 24, 2025 Permalink  

  All is Well 

  No matter where I look, I see no snow.  I see the city streets wet but that may be due to the warm temps in the 50s making them sweat.

  I am maintaining a schedule spending time in the studio, but not over-doing it.  I need to do a balancing act.  If I over-stay my welcome, it might become such that I don’t get to visit at all.  I have lived within this body for over 80 years.  I know enough to listen to it when it gives me signals.  The most important thing is that I am happy with what my days hold for me.  I am content knowing what my limits are.

  There is only one thing that I need to police myself on.  I am a duty bound care-giver and that aspect could get away from me.  What I have implemented is tough-love.  I am a firm believer in trying.  I am a firm believer in thinking things through with logic and seeking solutions.  If both elements come back in a zero, then we will talk.

  The only grocery item that surprised me last week when I was in our grocery store in regard to price was Bisquick.  It was $7.49 for a not very large box.  I use Bisquick in the concoction I make when coating chicken or Tilapia for pan frying.  I always use it for making pancakes.  Grant it, a box kept in the refrigerator does last a long time. 

  That being said, that is what I am preparing for supper.  I can’t remember the last time.  The reason being, I have a hard time getting the wrist to accomplish a good flip of the pancakes.

  We had Subway last night and it was refreshing and tasty.  Splitting a 12″ does us just fine.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥