Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from May, 2023 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 1:59 pm on May 7, 2023 Permalink  

  A May Sunday 

  A cool Sunday, but much going on.

  Dennis and I have been doing some surveying work this afternoon.  One of the lots that we purchased on a tax forfeit is the backyard of our friend Edna’s home.  Edna’s house is now for sale.  Dennis wanted to have a marker where our lot extended to the north.  I agree with Dennis that with Edna having moved, he will no longer mow that lot around the home and to the street.  Dennis has plenty to mow and the realtor getting his percentage when this home sells can nicely mow it or find someone to mow it.

  We went on to check out our lot line of the barn acre.  Dennis was relieved when stepping off going from west to east, there is a whole bunch of mess that is not ours to the south.  We have made strides in this newly acquired acre.  The mowing that Dennis did on Friday made a huge improvement. 

  The studio lights have been on today.  Having worked with my computer software, I will now be able to add a block, actually two blocks, to each twin-sized project.  I had Michael’s dates that he was with the Gibbon fire department and finding a helmet to download, this will make a nifty addition.  The block stitching out at 85% made for little to no puckering.  In time when quilt blocks are sandwiched with backing and batting any puckering is quilted out.  I have one down and the second of the same design is now stitching.  While the module is at work it gives me an opportunity to iron stabilizer and trim those ironed blocks at 16 x 16.  The blocks had to be that large to capture as much of the designs on his t-shirts as possible.

  Supper is going to be tuna sandwiches and soup.  I had a thumbs up on that choice.  Neither one of us have done enough today to warrant anything heavier.

  A new week with new possibilities as to what will present itself.  Enjoy, smile and find something to bring about hearty laughter.

   
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  Noreen 2:58 pm on April 20, 2023 Permalink  

  The Last Task 

  Oh my oh my, have we ever had the rain.  The blessing is that the ground around the patio porch has been able to take it.  No flooding, no tornadoes . . . as I said, blessings.

  Yes, the king sized project is now officially a quilt.  There are bits and pieces of leftover fabric I need to put in their place.  Black and orange will not be in my future for some time.  When Dennis came into the studio to see the finished item, we did manage to get the quilt folded, so my church tables look tidy.  I could not resist putting my John Henry onto AJ’s quilt.  It didn’t take but a few minutes to put the embroidery module onto the machine and play around with the fonts that are already loaded on the sewing machine.  The quilt hooped up nicely and I found the perfect spot on one of the bottom corners.  This was indeed the last task on this project.  It just so happens that the block that is adjacent is the only embroidered block not done in manly colors.  The quilt needed a heart on it.  When I texted AJ, he may see us this weekend.  

  As the studio is too cool to make a day of being down here, I gathered up some supplies from the pantry down here and decided on making an oven meal.  That should warm up the entire house.  I don’t carry items up from the basement.  I took what I had gathered and set them on the second step from the bottom.  As I walked up each step, so did my supplies.  It does take me a bit for me and the supplies to reach the kitchen.  But we do make it to the first floor and for me, it is safety first. 

  The oven dish is a layer of diced raw chicken tenders in a Pam sprayed baking dish with a sprinkling of Lawry’s seasoning salt.  One can of drained green beans placed equally.  A package of DRY Stove Top Stuffing sprinkled over the dish making sure the bottom of the package that has all of the seasoned herbs is sprinkled evenly.  A can of cream of chicken soup that I added the last of the cream I had and whipped it together.  That is the topping.  Bake covered.  It will be in at 325 – 350 degrees for an hour, using my thermometer to let it reach 155 – 165 degrees.  Here is my secret . . . if not as moist as what was anticipated after each of us have spooned a helping onto the plate. . . add butter.  You can never go wrong with butter.

  Tomorrow, the last of the week, with no promise of better weather.  We need to suck it up and make the best of it.

   
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  Noreen 1:09 pm on April 14, 2023 Permalink  

  A Sweet Friday 

  Dennis and his friend Dwayne joined the rest of the fellows at McDonald’s.  I had a plan when I got up at eight.

  The breeze from the south was brisk.  My plan was to give loft to the leaves next to the picket fence between neighbor Jan’s and us.  With the old rotting lilacs having been cut out last summer, I was able to get right next to the fence.  I had help.  Snuggles was right there sniffing every time when a layer of leaves was lifted.  From there the two of us walked to the far east line of the acre.  The branches that had blown down over the winter, I put on the trailer that was parked to next to the garage.  There were too many to carry to our burning ring closer to the patio.

  I had worn out snuggles and he decided on a nap in the patio porch.  I found the dandelion poker and took out some of the plants that had made it through the winter.  Some of the catnip plants were greening out.  I poked a few of those and Harriet appeared from nowhere to enjoy the high from chewing on them.  Sweet.

  The last of my outdoor energy, I used on clipping off the old canes of the Russian Sage on the southwest corner of the house.

  I walked into the house right with Dennis as he returned home from the coffee clutch.

  My thought process while doing some yard work is that I need to build up my strength after a long winter’s nap.  Doing housework and taking time in the studio is not allowing leg muscles to remain strong enough to supplement my core muscles.  A little bit at a time and it feels sweet.

  I took an hour and opened a new book to read, sitting in my bedroom porch.  The breeze through the west window was just as great as the leftover breakfast coffee.  That hour gave me the moxie to cook up some pasta.  The meatballs from Easter had enough spices to carry them to today.  I used some softened cream cheese into the drained hot pasta along with the minced, cut up meatballs.  Supper on Stauffer Avenue is on!  Dennis is doing up my dishes as I type.  Can sweetness of the day carry on?  I think so.

  All that remains for the day is changing the dressing on Dennis’ foot.  I have so enjoyed this day.

  I did share the same sentiment as Dennis did when he came home.  The black flies are out in force.  Dennis had stopped at nephew Brett’s garage.  All that there is at the site is gravel as the fellows are getting the trailers ready for DOT inspections.  The black flies were making the fellows work one handed as they were swatting flies away.

  Too much summer, too quickly.

   
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  Noreen 2:16 pm on April 1, 2023 Permalink  

  Keeping Busy 

  A day to stay busy and let carpenters do their thing.  Bryan and Carlos were here early considering they needed to brush snow off of the tarp of lumber waiting to be used.

  Oh yes.  We had freezing mist and snow with high winds.  Could this be the last of it!

  True to my word to Dennis, I have stayed out of the way of the front door project.

  It seemed like a good day to try out an embroidery pattern I downloaded yesterday.  I don’t want to forget how the downloading process goes.  If I did forget, I would feel that an entire window of possibilities would be closed to me.  Yes, each design does cost about $3.50 each.  I couldn’t even go uptown and have a cup of coffee with a donut for that.  Once I download it, I have ownership of it to use as often as I want.  

  The three towels I embroidered today is an example of my ownership.  We have a towel of a Mackintosh red apple tree, a green Grannie Smith apple tree and one Golden Delicious apple tree.  It kept me busy and the best part is, there are no puckers in the embroidery.  Just as in keeping my hand in downloading, it is also remembering what stabilizers to use for the best outcome. 

  The sun is out and it is bright, but last night’s dumping has kept the temps cool.

  As Dennis and I had been beating the bushes for quite some time to have carpenters on board, I have taken it upon myself to post Bryan’s business card on Facebook.  Bryan and his wife, plus Carlos, moved here from New York last summer to help Bryan’s father-in-law with the huge two story house across the way from us.  Bryan’s decided to stay in St. James, so Carlos did also.  Seeing Bryan’s van in our driveway is good advertising so the business card on Facebook can’t hurt either.

  Our town needs carpenters and repair people.  The Good Old Boys Club has dwindled.

  We have decided on eggs and sausages for supper.  I picked up a package of Jimmy Dean’s pre-cooked link sausages.  If the links are as good as the patties by the same brand . . . I will let you know what the foodies think.

  Have a blessed Sunday.

   
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  Noreen 2:01 pm on March 24, 2023 Permalink  

  Sun and Calm 

  Sniff, sniff.  I can smell spring in the air.

  We are going to need an awful lot of sun such as we have today to melt through all the layers of ice in our backyard.  Right east of the patio porch where the deer have been feeding all winter, the sun doesn’t make much of an impact.  Fleet Farm sold Dennis some salt pellets and he is trying to help things along.

  As I drove to Old Alley this forenoon on #4, I couldn’t help but notice that south of Ormsby there wasn’t near as much snow to melt.  Not all things are fair in the winter season.  As I had mentioned Old Alley will be long arming AJ’s t-shirt quilt.  All I had to do was pick out the batting and bid a goodbye until I get the phone call to retrieve it.  In the mean time, in between time, I will get the binding cut and pressed.  As Val measured it the final count was 94″ x 112″.  It’s a good thing the batting is 122″. 

  The railroad tracks are just north of us by a block.  Even the train whistle sounds happier today.  Sweet.

  I stopped at the library before I came home.  Sometimes I have a difficult time finishing a book before it becomes due.  I had a plastic grocer’s bag with me and I shopped from the rack of books that are offered for free as those have been retired.  It doesn’t really need to be a certain author.  I can get into a book’s story line quite easily.  I have a total of eight books out in my bedroom porch, ready to enjoy at will.

  I won’t be having a post tomorrow.  Dennis and I will be traveling to Montevideo, northwest of here by two hours.  Dennis’ granddaughter Sadie is in the military and will be receiving her commission as Sergeant Major.  Dennis will be pinning her.  Dennis will have on the clothing that identifies him as a Korean Veteran.  Sweet for both Grandpa Dennis and for Sadie.  Sadie is a single mom of two and is 38 years old.  Sadie has served well.

  One more oven dish from the freezer for supper.  It is a tuna and pea pasta dish with Alfredo.  That is the last of the goodies to come out of the freezer.  Oh my gosh, I will have to cook from scratch going forward . . . or not. 

  I did score an appointment with Kelly at the Bernina shop for Monday.  Be forewarned as there will also be a visit to Fairfax in the afternoon.

   
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  Noreen 1:45 pm on March 23, 2023 Permalink  

  It is Done 

  At least my portion of the t-shirt quilt top is done.  All in all it went well.  Right now I believe that this was the last king sized top I will make.  Of course, things are always subject to change.

  Dennis helped me fold the ungainly top up.  The pieced top and the fabric I had purchased for the backing is in a bag with handles and Dennis has put it in the car.  Tomorrow. I will be making a trip to Old Alley to let Val work her magic with the long arm.  What a great feeling!  Though I had nothing to prove, when a challenge is met it gives a feeling of a conquest.

  One of the first things I did this morning was to send a birthday greeting to Sharon Skolberg.  A life-long friend that I have no intention of loosing.  Oh for the memories when her and Ted farmed down the road from us to the north.  Orlin and Teddy were both from Hector.  Sharon and I both went to rural schools just a bit distant from each other.  Those memories can become oh so sweet.

  Dennis had a physical therapy appointment this morning and I hunkered down to do some tidy, tidy in the studio and also under the hood of the sewing machine.  Nothing is messier than course cheap t-shirt material.  It is the fuzz that keeps on giving.  When I go into the studio after it has been tidied, it is as if I am the first customer in a new shop.

  I kind of think that my friend Ann is not very interested in becoming a quilter.  First time visit . . . only visit.  She went home with good information plus the fabric for a first time project.  Time will tell.  I have no problem keeping myself busy.

  Supper is to be the last container of the beef vegetable soup I had made in January.  Dennis commented that it needs a bit of a kick on the flavor.  I can do that!

  The next item on the list is to contact Kelly in Bird Island as to when he can fit in servicing my machine,  I make this appointment once a year before Kelly gets busy in the fields.  This checkup is the most important to ensure another year of good stitching.  He updates the firmware and not one lint ball escapes him.

   
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  Noreen 3:41 pm on March 20, 2023 Permalink  

  Thawing 

  The sun is working its powers.

  I made a solo run to Old alley Quilt this afternoon.  The t-shirt quilt top made huge strides today.  Measure once, measure twice.  The realization dawned that I had nothing left for a border to go around it nor for the binding.  The trip didn’t take long as I didn’t let my eyes wonder while I was in the shop.  One project under the needle at a time, especially a 90″ x 108″ . . . for sure a king-sized goodie. 

  I couldn’t believe how broken up highway #4 is.  The worst may yet come.  KNUJ reports that the frost is not very deep.   

  When I got home, Dennis was getting ready to leave.  Tonight is the fish and game yearly fundraising event up town.  It is Dennis’ responsibility to make sure all the kids attending get something to take home.  By the way, he does a great job.  The club usually serves a good lunch.  I am having a bologna sandwich for supper.

  We are happy for the sun’s power.  I think Dennis’ today trip to the elevator for shell corn may be the last.  The woods out east may be able to have something sprouting that could be to their liking.  The deer have had a good run from our yard.  Before Dennis started feeding and the deer came into the backyard, Dennis commented how they had goopy matter in the corner of their eyes, much like cattle when when there is a concern on their feeding ration.  As close as the deer get to the east patio slider, the eyes are clear.

  I must get on with my sandwich and tuning in to a goof PBS television program.

   
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  Noreen 2:36 pm on March 19, 2023 Permalink  

  A Balmy Sunday 

  Does it really feel like 30 degrees?  It might if the wind would go down.

  A dish of chicken parmesan pasta has come out of the freezer for our Sunday supper.  Man oh man.  I wish I had thirty such dishes to pull out of the rabbit’s hat.

  I put in five hours in the studio today.  The electric heater felt good on the legs and feet.  It was the best investment of the winter.  It is three thirty in the afternoon.  I can’t say that five hours wore me out.  What I can share with you is that my left hand has had me hit the back button more than what the right hand has done for errors in spelling.  It is amazing the telltale signs of the stroke.  When I had been making all the bias tape strips, one night I had to get up and take a pain pill.  It was needed to settle down the muscles in the left shoulder.  I had not felt anything at the time I was working my arms.  The body sure can let this ole Grammie know who is boss.

  Last week we had no trips to Mankato for appointments.  This week we have one on Tuesday.  I have a grocery list going.  I am sorry to shop out of town, but our one local option is outrageous in prices.

  I hope everyone has a wonderful week ahead for them.  Spring begins tomorrow.

   
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  Noreen 2:02 pm on March 16, 2023 Permalink  

  Is That All? 

  So far this Thursday afternoon, we can say, “Is that all of the storm?”  It has rained with some little ice balls once in awhile.  All the schools have closed pretty much by noon today.  When nightfall comes, things could definitely change.  If there is no snow to speak of, I am sure strong winds could move existing snow onto roadways.

  We were up fairly early today.  My plan was to finish sewing what needed to be done on each of the individual t-shirt blocks.  Dennis said once I was done with making snippets of threads and fuzz he would vacuum the studio.  What a fellow!  Dennis has been very helpful in getting AJ’s project as far along as it is.

  After noon lunch, Dennis and I were both in the studio with cleared off church tables and the thirty quilt blocks.  Putting down the blocks as they will be sewn together is not an easy task.  AJ’s t-shirts to cut up to be used were not very colorful.  The thirty blocks were laid down on the church tables and then the challenge began.  I could not count how many times each of us walked around the tables, moving the blocks around for a semblance of a quilt top.  There is no wrong layout, nor is there a correct layout.  We have agreed.  What there is, is what there shall be.  

  I had mentioned early on that this was not a quilt top for competition’s worth.  AJ had kept his more desirable shirts to wear when he was on his Harley.  I can say that Dennis and I gave it our all.

  I took the time to clean the sewing machine complete with an oil and lube job.  There is a new needle in the machine, a bobbin has been filled and the machine is threaded.  I have the sashing cut to join the rows of blocks.  I can say that that is all for this day.  Tomorrow is another day here in the studio.  It will feel good to come down to a tidied floor.

  We are having chili for supper . . . straight out of the freezer.  Priceless.

  I hope everyone is safe and sound today and for the remainder of this weather threat.

   
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  Noreen 3:31 pm on March 15, 2023 Permalink  

  The Eve 

  This is the eve of our last snow storm.  No . . . I am not putting any money down on that.

  Ann needed to take care of grandchildren today, so her sewing session in the studio is being put off for a week.  Her grandchildren go to Fairmont schools and I have no idea why the school closed at noon.

  I have had a good session in the studio.  I have three more blocks of the thirty to sew on the 1/4 inch border.  At that time I will have sewn 60 yards of the quarter inch embellishment.  Yes, it has been worth it.  Satisfaction is 9/10th of the measure.

  The stitchers were set to meet tomorrow at Baker’s Square, but due to possible weather issues we have postponed that until April 13th.  Wise choice.

  Dennis had an eye injection today at our local eye clinic.  That is one item I am thankful for not having to have done.  He takes it like a trooper.

  This evening we are having Johnsonville brat patties for supper with mashed potatoes and creamed cucumber.  A little variety in the menu.

  I will catch you all tomorrow whether rain showers or snow showers.