Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from July, 2025 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 2:15 pm on July 29, 2025 Permalink  

  Leaf Tips 

  The storm from last night did not bring rain to amount to anything.  The storm did however bring quite a bit of wind as per the amount of leaf tips in the back yard.  In a matter of days the leaves will dry up and not bother the lawnmowers.

  Yesterday, Dennis’ life long friend, Dwayne passed away.  Dennis and the little red pickup will be doing solo “drive arounds” in the community.  An International tractor fellow that will be remembered by many.

  I had a good session in the studio this forenoon.  The piece of hardanger will live a bit longer as I did find a way to display it.  That is one craft I never dipped my toe into but I can appreciate the time and skill in achieving a finished project.  I had everything in the stashes to freshen it up.  I did not resort to any type of glue on the fabric.  Yesterday I did glue two equal squares of foam board together to allow for some sturdiness.  Today, I stretched a burgundy color of the fabric over it so as to have a colored border for the light color of the stitched fabric to be highlighted.  I looked at the frames I had saved in the studio.  One of them had a backing of foam board that was just the right size to put on the back of my project and thus cover up the edges of the burgundy fabric.  Out of site, out of mind.

  

  I did trim up the fringe on the project.  I debated about putting the decorative thumbtacks spaced every several inches around it and then thought that less was more.  I used some of the ribbon that Kersten had given me and hung it on an existing nail in our living room. 

  I call this project done.  When anyone from the family checks it out and has any suggestions on it, for it, I am open to that.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:45 pm on July 28, 2025 Permalink  

  Relief 

  For the storm we had last night, around bedtime, I would have thought there would have been more relief from it.  When humidity and dewpoint are neck and neck . . . not much relief.

  I spent my forenoon in the studio.  I am working with a stitching of hardanger.  For decades I knew that the lady that had stitched this had her favorite spots on the fabric to hold it for each stitch as she went.  I decided to launder it in Woolite, a very gentle product.  I did try to give certain areas a bit more attention.  The oil from our hands could easily hold a candle to the oil I use on my sewing machine . . . well . . . maybe not.  No success.  I am going to go ahead and put it back on a piece of foam board.  The stains do not diminish the quality of stitches nor the time to stitch the piece.  Time will tell.

  The Congress of Eagles that I stitched are all one piece of fabric, 26″ x 29″.  That project is getting closer to having more TLC spent on it.  Stabilizer is needed for each design to be worked with as the fabric is a weave that could ravel before your eyes until there was no plan for it to be used. My plan was to use the woven cotton stabilizer that has adhesive on the back.  I ironed it on as one large piece rather than five individual pieces.  The next time in the studio, they will be cut into individual blocks, with not one the same size as another.  Lights off for the day.

  My next challenge was in the south half of my bedroom porch.  Tiny microscopic ants.  Today, I tried to shine a light on the walls of the area to see if I could find a trail of them either coming or going.  While I am either stitching or using my laptop one will appear and then there might be a variety of them on the mouse pad.  I checked outside to see if I could find some of the critters on the foundation or on the window frames . . . nothing.  I have Taro down in several places.  It did call for making my desk sparse, very sparse . . . “all the better to see you my dear.”  At one point I had used the 3M sticky roller to pick up a few so Dennis could see what I was talking about.  I have been up against mightier foe.

  Alas, the last of the cucumbers are ready for supper as well as the last potatoes peeled.  That means we have worked our way through five pounds of potatoes.   Time for a change of menu.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:10 pm on July 27, 2025 Permalink  

  Advisories 

  Not only old folks, but all need to pay attention when there is a severe heat advisory issued.  I stay inside.  Not one single reason to go out.

  Dennis does keep the patio kitties with plenty of fresh water.  Dennis has commented they don’t have much of an appetite in the heat, but it is available.

  Dennis got a call last night from his friend Dwayne’s wife.  Dwayne had fallen in their home and it was severe enough that he was out in our hospital.  Maria asked if Dennis would come out to see him.  This forenoon Dennis went to see Dwayne.  It is serious and a matter of time.  Blood collection on the brain is not always fatal, but in this case, as I said . . . it’s a matter of time.  Dennis came home and is very quiet.  Dennis and Dwayne graduated together and have been lifelong longs.  Since Dwayne could no longer drive, Dennis would pick up Dwayne and they would tour the surrounding area in Dennis’ little red pickup every several weeks.  Hmm.

  I spent quiet time in the studio working with the foam board and my stitching.  Slowly but surely keeping the stitched fabric straight as I used stick pins.  I didn’t do just one side at a time.  A few pins on each side at a time.  The pins pulled a taut edge with them being about every quarter of an inch.  I had checked on a piece of foam board first to check on the tolerance so as to not degrade it.  I knew my foam board would allow for an almost perfect 20.5″ x 28″ finished piece and it did.  I am pleased with the outcome.  My border fabric sets off the stitching well.

  

  I had been mulling this project and the time and energy I have put into it.  Neither of those two are an issue.  It was a project that brought hours of comfort to me.  I thoroughly enjoyed every stitch.  3/16 foam board does not have a whole lot of stability.  I have a frame ordered for it.  The frame company is used often by other stitchers and they know a reliable company at reasonable prices.  Not any type of glass or plex-a-glass.  It is a fairly narrow wood frame.  The finished size is 22″ x 29.5.  I am excited to enjoy it on our living room wall.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:03 pm on July 26, 2025 Permalink  

  They Say 

  They say it is not a nice day out and I am taking their word for it.  Dennis and I have no reason to leave our homestead today.

  Saturdays are not for listening to KNUJ in the studio as it’s usually about sports.

  I was brave and cut into the 30″ x 40″ sheet of foam board.  Stretching and centering my stitched piece began . . . quite slowly.  I had had grandiose thoughts of putting some quilt batting behind the stitching.  It got real in a big hurry.  Accomplishing getting it centered . . . I will settle for that.  I was happy not to have any additional noise in the studio.  The church tables have two bricks under all the legs.  That really helps when bending over is the only way a project needs to be handled.  When two this afternoon came about, I was ready to close everything down.   Tomorrow is a new day and I want to enjoy it with feelings of  . . . Yes!

  Dennis has gotten the hang of our potato peeler and has been going to town.  The peeler fits in the palm of the hand.  I enjoyed cucumber spears for my noon snack.  There are three potatoes peeled for supper as well as a new batch of the creamed cucumbers to enjoy over the boiled potatoes.  Heck, I will eat potatoes and cucumbers until the cows come home if he is content and happy with his endeavors.

  When I get busy in the studio, some of the Merry Maid work on the first floor takes a backseat.  All I need do is ask and Dennis pitches in and does the best he can.  It is very much appreciated.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:22 pm on July 25, 2025 Permalink  

  So it Ends 

  One week after another flitters by.  August is in sight.

  I had a very productive day, aka: forenoon, in the studio.  I embarked on opening the huge box from Amazon that held the six sheets of foam board.  I took it very slowly as after one sheet would be removed, the remaining five sheets in the plastic envelope that they came in would be returned to the box, thus keeping it from any wear and tear.

  I am now in the process of deeming the size I will work with for my stitching project to be put on.  Measure, measure.  I have fabric sewn around all four sides of the stitching.  I know that my goal is to have 1.5 inches of that fabric framing the stitching on all four sides when it is a finished project.  As I said, measure, measure.  I took time to get my box of very small stick-pins out of storage.  That refers to the shaft of the pin, not the length.  I left said project on the church tables while I thought things over.

  There is a software program that I purchased at the same time I bought the Bernina, aka: Tool Box.   Independent designs can be created via my laptop and then downloaded onto a flash drive to be recognized by the sewing machine when it is inserted.  Really a sweet program that I have used often.  I wanted the numerical number of “2025” to be embroidered and incorporated as I work with the Congress of Eagles project.  I did a test stitch.  I now know what stabilizer and thread will be needed when I get to that point.

  Knowing when to shift gears allowed me to shut the studio down.  I have lots of food for thought for one day and also to carry forward.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:11 pm on July 24, 2025 Permalink  

  Haul 

  Grammie had a haul today via the mail.  As I haven’t been anywhere to do shopping to finish up some projects, I relied on Amazon.  The haul was my retail therapy for the summer.  No postage.  The fee for Prime on Amazon does not compare to the gas in the little red pickup when I need something.

  I required a piece of foam board to stretch a stitching project . . . 22″ x 30″.  The only size close to that was 30″ x 40″ on Amazon.  So be it.  Also, it was packaged with six pieces to an order.  I am thrilled to tackle said project.  One piece will be used in stretching and pinning the embroidery.  A second piece will be used in the backing, thus a clean appearance.  More on that later as I have it in the studio with the box opened but no farther today.

  On the Congress of Eagles project.  I ordered, via Amazon, a fabric patriot panel: 25″ x 45″.  That was in a small package.  In a separate package was the 2 yards of fabric in the same printed vintage look as the panel.  Postman Michael Nett was busy.

  Everything is in the studio for the next visit.  I do pace myself.

  Earlier in the day, I delivered Maria’s embroidered apron.  As I was about to leave her shop, two customers came in for haircuts.  Maria whipped on her new apron and was ready to do the snip, snipping.  I thanked her for the cucumbers and relayed how good they were creamed over boiled potatoes.

  Dennis made a trip today to Ormsby, just a stone’s throw to the south.  He had seen of Facebook that his friend Daryl Olsen was selling canned pickled asparagus.  We now have two pint jars cooling in the refrigerator.  Pickles, from our way of thinking, are always better chilled. 

  With a sweet day on Stauffer Avenue, it is about time to think on supper.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:19 pm on July 22, 2025 Permalink  

  Some Thinking 

  Graph paper in hand, the studio found me working with ideas as to how to finish the five designs from the Congress of Eagles that I have stitched.  When Carrie’s family was here at Easter, I listened, eavesdropped, on a conversation Megan was having with her fellow, Jarrod.  I am going forward, using the graph paper and some of the goodies Amazon will be delivering.  I no longer am doing items to put into my storage here in the studio.  This totally finished item will not be staying on Stauffer Avenue.

  I am passionate in staying busy.  That is not to say I am either a genius, nor am I crazy.  I know where my level of comfort lays, aka: having something to show for my days.

  Dennis has been busy in the kitchen.  When we had some boiled potatoes last night, I had boiled the potatoes with the peelings on.  My hands don’t do well with the peeler.  Tonight, we are having the remaining of the creamed cucumbers with “peeled” potatoes ready for boiling.  When Dennis gets busy in the kitchen, I stay away.  Why squelch his enthusiasm. When I was invited to the kitchen, I was amazed how many potatoes had been peeled.  Fried potatoes with onions is always a welcomed fare to any supper.  Sweet.

  Dennis’ son-in-law mowed the properties today.  The entire process takes about two hours.  The garage lot of AJ’s, our residential lot as well as the 1.3 acre lot is a lot of mowing, and Tom takes pride in his mowing.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:52 pm on July 21, 2025 Permalink  

  On Site 

  We had an on-site farmer’s market on our front deck this forenoon.  I knew immediately who had left the cucumbers and new potatoes.  When we had our spa date on Saturday, Dennis was visiting with Maria about his love of creamed cucumbers over boiled potatoes.  It was quite the surprise and very much appreciated.  Both will be with our supper this evening.

  I had a very satisfying day in the studio.  I completed two projects.  Neither one was to be a hurried one.  When I have other people’s items in the studio, I feel better having completed them.  After all, no one would know what to do with half finished items if I couldn’t get back into the studio.  It brings me peace beyond understanding.

  Going forward, I had several  works in progress of my own items that are now completed, meaning the stitching has been done.  That portion, makes them finished.  Now I want to push into them being totally finished, meaning they are ready to hang in our living room or ready to pass along to someone else.  Amazon is right on schedule for the delivery on the 23rd or 24th.

  Sometime in the future, it will be a lot harder for family to throw away totally finished items than finding a bunch of stuff under my bed that they can’t make heads or tails out of.  The only thing to be found under my bed at that time are dust bunnies.

  One of my completed projects was that I had offered to make Maria another apron that she wears at her beauty shop with her name and some butterflies embroidered on it.  A good, kind deed done.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:32 pm on July 20, 2025 Permalink  

  Sunday the 20th 

  Sunday the 20th with the Grace Lutheran Church service on in the studio.  Great start for a new week.

  I can piddle away more time in the studio than I had initially planned.  Quiet time well spent.  Time for reflections, time for memories that pop up if I happen to pick something up off of the mirid of shelves.  Oh yes, I actually have  a few empty spots where I have been sifting and sorting.  Tomorrow will be the day to get the lights on in the studio as well as the lights on the sewing machine.  Looking forward to the next challenge.

  Dennis’ grandson AJ was out from Mankato this forenoon.  He and Dennis always can while away the time over . . . who knows what.  It’s very good for Dennis’ soul to have that connection.

  Dennis is making supper this evening.  The fare is a package of Johnsonville’s beef brats . . . plus.  Yesterday I picked up a container of Gerry’s potato salad.  Got it home and emptied the contents into a refrigerator container and began adding to it.  Three eggs were boiled and then chopped to be added.  A half onion was sliced and diced to be added.  Over night the flavors have co-mingled to perfection.  Coleslaw and bread and butter pickles will round out the offering.  I am staying out of the kitchen until I am summoned.

  I have finished a stitching project.  It was called Congress of Eagles.  Five designs of various sizes to honor the 250th celebration of our nation in 2026.  Part of what is coming from Amazon will go into putting a finish of the five separate stitching’s. 

  The afternoon found me digging in my very old stash of stitching fabric.  I found a piece of 20 count, 20 “x” stitches per inch.  With the help of the magnifier that is next to my right elbow, I think it will work after I check through my file folder for just the right design.  Once I am out of bed in the morning, that could be anywhere between eight and ten, I cannot “just sit and veg out.”  You know darn well, I will find something to get into, do or try out, to fill my day until bedtime.  Idle hands are the work of the devil.  Yes, Grandma Laura, I will have something tangible to show for the day my Lord God has given me.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:19 pm on July 18, 2025 Permalink  

  Gloomy Day 

  The air is heavy.  

  Last night after I had gone to bed, I knew I would not be staying there.  The restless legs were jumping.  The best thing is to try and walk it off.  It doesn’t happen often so there is no reason to add angst to it.  I didn’t feel like I was alone.  Our county fair is in progress and the loud-speakers on the grandstand were really barking and the breeze carried the noise north, as well as the sound of the event that had a lot of horsepower behind it. I hope they had a good turnout.

  I got up at six this morning for a bathroom trip and decided to lay back down for just a little bit.  I awoke at 9:45.  Hmm.  Dennis was in his recliner napping as well.  It was one of those mornings when it felt as if I was retired with no schedule to rush for.  Dah!

  After I had my self-allotted 1.5 cups of coffee, it was time to take part in the day.  If I partake of the day, I also need to participate in the day.

  When I got into the studio, I was just in time to hear the news of the day on KNUJ.  Nothing serious going on there.  I do have a project that will be in the works soon.  I do like to keep busy. My strategy is to make an assessment of what I want the end goal to be.  Making sure I have all my supplies before I get serious as anything missing needs a haul to Mankato, or in this case an order from Amazon.

  Many times, those that visit the studio, remark on how wonderful it is to have the two church tables to work from.  What makes it even better is that my sewing table has the ability to be raised high enough to put it on a level playing field of the church tables.  Add to that, a multiple amount of weights to manage where I would like a project to remain while I work with it.

  Lots of food for thought.  With that the studio went dark and will stay dark until the mail delivers the missing element.

  Our neighbors to the south have planted several Sunflowers last year.  This spring, they let all the volunteers from last year’s seeds to propagate around the front of their house.  I really feel sorry for the mail-carrier wading through dozens of plants that are now six feet tall to get to the front door’s mail box.  I think it could be a case where it was decided that the mail delivery was being compromised.  Several blossoms have opened.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥