Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from October, 2023 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 1:59 pm on October 28, 2023 Permalink  

  Hello Saturday 

  This is a day that had not one single thing on the agenda, the last Saturday of October.

  I am not going to miss with messing with the clock by turning it back in the fall and ahead in the spring.  If  only our legislative secessions could get something else done during their spring fling that could again benefit everyone.

  Dennis has been putzing in and around the garages.  He manages to stay busy.

  I have had the day in the studio.  The radio is on in the background to catch any snippet of area news and weather.  I follow a quilter on YouTube that lives in Indiana.  She does longarm quilting for others and each week she showcases the week’s worth that is ready to go back to the owners for final binding.  Seeing all the patterns, sizes and color schemes is an inspiration for me.

  Tammy Earnest did share clips from a family picnic.  What struck me and other viewers is that the picnic tables had quilts on them as tablecloths.  She followed up with comments to her video yesterday.  Quilts are to be used.  Someone had mentioned to her, “My mother quilted but we never got to use them.”  For myself, I agree.  Use them, abuse them so the quilts keep on sending the messages while they were being made . . . individual love to each owner.  Cottons today are durable and washable and . . . mendable if something need it.

  I no longer intend or plan on cranking out multiple quilts each year, but having one being built under the needle is satisfying.  The three quilts of 2023 were not completed to stay here on Stauffer Avenue, they were intended for the specific request.  The scrappy one I am now working on is a fun one. 

  We are going to have some Gorton fish filets, instant potatoes and green beans for supper.

  With that I take my leave  ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:21 pm on October 25, 2023 Permalink  

  Quite the System 

  Quite the weather system.  Monday night it thundered all during the night with very little rain.  Yesterday was piddle, piddle.  Last night at ten it sounded like it was raining bullets.  Our drought meter is getting kicked.

  Most of yesterday, we did not have internet.  We may take it for granted.  Last night after supper all was well.

  This was a good day for bedding to be laundered while the Swiffer found bunnies under the bed.  No matter how old flannel bedding is or how many times the laundry has had them over the years, there is still fuzz to find.

  Yesterday morning, Dennis said that he needed a doctor’s appointment.  Hmm.  He said his big toe on his right foot looked black.  WTF!  “Show me the toe!”  On the tip of his big toe was a blood blister.  He must have really stubbed it hard.  I didn’t think twice but to send him and his toe to see our family doctor.  When it comes to Dennis’ feet, I am not taking a chance.  Yup . . . it was a blood blister.  No poking at it, just leave the body absorb it just like any other bruise we might get.  Dennis felt better, I felt better.

  Today I have spent some time cutting fabric for the next sixteen blocks of “Block 3.”  I know I needed 124 of 2.5″  x  4.5″.   Perhaps tomorrow might see the lights on in the studio for some machine stitching.  It does pay to have a day or two to think about what I have in the mix of fabric designs.  When I went down today, it didn’t take me long to pull one of the fabrics out as it didn’t make the cut.  It looked so out of place as if it had a red light flashing.  Small print florals in various colors did not have an opening for a small print that had birdhouses in it.  So be it. 

  Today, there were a few plastic lawn chairs that needed putting away in the potting shed.  There is no kidding ourselves that we are yet to have this fantastic Indian Summer.  It is not happening.

  With that I take my leave. ♥ 

   
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  Noreen 2:05 pm on October 22, 2023 Permalink  

  Harvest 

  The grain elevator is open on this a Sunday.  Every color of tractor possible is hauling in wagons of shell corn.  Not every farm works with their own semis.

  Dennis manned the weed whip and the plants right east along the foundation have been taken out.  I clipped off the spent lily stalks in the area going into the house.  With my handy pail, both sites were raked and added to the burn ring east of the garage.  Small steps toward what each day is leading to.

  When I went outside this afternoon, I went via the front door.  The bugs don’t get direct sun there and I could escape.  Ish!  I have never found what purpose they serve.  Taking my pail of greenery to the burning ring, I noticed a huge wasp’s nest on the south gable of the potting shed.  Ish!

  When I was outside, neighbor Jan and I visited over the picket fence.  She asked how things were going.  I made mention that the bucket list of the blue barn acre was empty for the year.  She remembered all the Kudzu vines hanging from the trees.  Dennis nipped all of them where they came out of the ground so that what went up in the trees has no food source . . . except one.  I just got a text from Jan explaining that her new battery chainsaw made short work of that last vine.  My, oh my!  I did indeed thank her.

  Some time was spent in the studio today, pairing up fabric prints to make 16 of the “Block 2” design.  With that cutting and pairing, the sewing of those blocks will go well.

  It is a tomato soup supper this evening.  Crackers, bread, butter and jam will round it out.  Vanilla ice cream could be the finish.  Dennis did comment that tomorrow might be grocery shopping.  With our summer and early fall having been busy getting our total homestead whipped into shape before cold weather, our pantry in the basement has never been so empty.

  We didn’t have a garden to harvest, but I know some great canned goods to have on hand.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:48 pm on October 19, 2023 Permalink  

  Thursday the 19th 

  On this Thursday morning, Dennis headed to the VA for his INR check.

  As the little red pickup headed out, I went into the garage for our Harbor Freight lopper.  It was chilly but I was determined to get my work done before the bugs got warmed up.  It was time to cut down the Russian Sage.

  The bees had a great run of taking the best out of the blossoms.  As I began lopping, there was only one bee that protested my work.  The Russian Sage is a perennial and had even put out more plants from root suckers.  When Dennis came home from the clinic he lent a hand.  We used rakes and pushed the huge amount of foliage down the drive.  When there has been some drying time, it will find the burning ring.  It sure did smell good as we worked.

  Tomorrow is going to be fairly warm.  We still have the garden hose connected.  Where the Russian Sage had spilled over onto the drive, it has left a lot of debris of dirt that has blown in as well as spent blossoms.  I was thinking of squirting Dawn dishwashing liquid on that part of the drive tomorrow and hosing it off.  It might very well be the last of playing in the water.

  Noon found us both taking a break.  I decided to do a bit of reading while Dennis checked out his eyelids for cracks.

  By 1:30 I headed down into the studio.  Dennis wanted to wash off the slider doors of the patio porch.  Too cool for getting wet so he used Windex and his squeegee.

  I did use my rotary cutter, getting ready for a day when I would stitch.  I will admit that I didn’t get as much cut up as I had planned on.  My arms were feeling the lopper work.  Knowing when to hold it and to fold it is the key for good feelings and not discomfort.  At this point is when I find my Teak rocker with the last of the coffee to watch a YouTube video or two.

  The afternoon is getting late with full sunshine.  Boxelders and Asian beetles are basking on the south side of buildings.  Getting my project done in the early hours of the morning, was well worth it.  With that I take my leave. ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:50 pm on October 18, 2023 Permalink  

  Cloudy 

  This is a cloudy hump day.  When I went for a walk this afternoon, it felt like it could rain.

  I am having the week off as far as appointments go.  Dennis, not so much.  Monday was his yearly visit with our family doctor.  Today was his scheduled injection for macular.  Tomorrow he will have his INR, blood clotting, check.  Friday he meets with his primary Veteran’s doctor.  It’s all about remaining on the active list for benefits.  All the appointments are only a stone’s throw from our home. 

  Stitching went well in the studio.  It didn’t take long for me to realize I needed a different weight of cotton thread in the bobbin as well as in the needle.  My fabric is a lightweight cotton, so should be the sewing thread.  What I had cut and laid out yesterday was stitched today.  I would be very content if the days going forward follow that routine.  Not overdoing any aspect of the project.

  I have chicken tenderloins thawed for supper.  My favorite shake of coating is in a zipper Glad bag.  I use Bisquick, any pancake flour would work.  Cinnamon, Turmeric, some seasoned salt and ground pepper coats the chicken and it doesn’t take long to fix the chicken in the fry pan with the screen to prevent spattering.  It’s surprising how low the heat under the pan can be.  Dennis has a choice of cream style corn or green beans to go along with the instant potatoes.  It has been quite a while since a hot, three-course meal has been served here on Stauffer Avenue.

  The afternoon is still young and the cherry red chair is beckoning for several chapters to be read.  I may need my light on as the clouds have left the bedroom porch dark.  With that I take my leave. ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:25 pm on October 17, 2023 Permalink  

  First things First 

  My first thing was to send my daughter a text wishing her a happy birthday.  It never ceases to amaze me that my children have years ticking along just like me.

  After my morning rituals, the lights went on in the studio.  It did feel foreign as this was the darkest the studio has been for this length of time in quite a few years.  But . . . I am back, complete with my good shoes and socks on.  There is nothing that can cause restless legs faster than standing on concrete in less than good shoes for insulation.

  The portable radio was tuned into KNUJ before I had all the lights turned on.

  The project I hope to work on constitutes four different configured blocks.  The blade in the rotary cutter was brand new.  The needle in the sewing machine was brand new.  What I needed to do was stitch out those four blocks for my prototypes.  Cutting the material using the same measure for a total of eight pieces per block needing the same accurate seam allowance. 

  As this is a scrappy fabric pattern, I still need to disperse the prints of my twelve different fabrics somewhat equally.  Therein is the challenge.  Just as Lena would have had, I have my graph paper making notations . . . lots of notations.  

  Let’s be clear, I will miss stitching in my west bedroom porch.  The total package of the cherry red chair, the natural window light and watching traffic, the coffee pot close at hand.  Everything in its season.  If I were better with apportioning my time, I could have it all.  It’s too early in the season, I won’t write it off just yet.  This ole Grammie can still learn a thing or two.

  What this ole Grammie would really like to learn is how to wiggle my nose and a balanced supper would be on the table by 5:30 every day.

  Be careful what you wish for . . . you might get more than you bargained for.  With that, I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:21 pm on October 16, 2023 Permalink  

  My Day 

  This last season I have been working on a counted cross stitch project.  It was nothing serious or to be done in a rush.  When the temps were hot, I would work on the stitching or read all the while in my cherry red chair.  When I could help Dennis outside, both endeavors were put to the side.  Today the last of the navy blue snippets of threads got cleaned up.

  Even as my bedroom was being painted, the deck getting stained and the house stutters getting a fresh look, there was time for doing a few stitches.  One thread at a times does literally count up.  I may well purchase a foam board at Michael’s to mount the stitching on.  

  My plan going forward was that once this stitching was completed, I was going to re-visit the studio for sewing machine stitching.  I have had fabric on the church tables along with my graph sketch.  When in the studio, the lights were always turned off by five in the afternoon.

  If the late fall and winter nights prove to be too much for just reading, I may have a second cross stitch to be in the mix.  For myself, I would choose another mono-colored project.  Time will tell.

  It wouldn’t be surprising if the mowing will need to be done after the great rain we have had.  Dennis had promised me he would teach me to run the zero-turn Snapper.  I think that would be a good thing.

   
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  Noreen 1:54 pm on October 6, 2023 Permalink  

  Indoors 

  This morning is what it may very well feel like in coming months . . . being indoors!

  The coolest temp so far was the 42 degrees when I checked our front deck.  The north wind was not fooling around.  When Dennis came in for more coffee, all three patio porch kitties were content to stay in . . .  just like me.

  Our noon lunch was the last of the rhubarb and strawberry pie from Dennis’ birthday.  I followed the directions to the ultimate for baking.  Hmm.  The rhubarb had not baked soft.  Well, what could it hurt to put a slightly damp towel over a piece and microwave it.  Not one minute, but it took two minutes.  That was the trick.  I do think a convection oven would have worked better than my old fashioned oven.  When it said 375 degrees for 90 minutes, that is what it got.  The crust could not have endured anything longer or hotter.  The main thing is it didn’t go to waste.  Not much on Stauffer Avenue does.

  The wind coming from the south had taken some branches down earlier in the week.  The north wind is not going to be outdone.  When the wind blows as hard as it has, being outside under older trees is not a good idea.  We have kept up doing the tidy tidy of the yards.  Winds usually die down towards dark, but man, it gets dark really early.

  The Odin Craft Mill has started its three weekend event as of the 5th.  I don’t think I will venture forth as Megan already has her Smoky Vanilla scented candle next to her college desk in Virginia.  That was the luck of the draw to find the source in northern Minnesota and get it mailed directly to her.

  My hand stitching is going well.  My supply of new used books was increased yesterday by four when we were doing errands and Dennis swung by our county library.  Dennis looked at the books and asked if those authors were some of my favorites.  I do enjoy novels and I haven’t found a book yet that I can’t get into the storyline.  The last novel was an American and Russian spy storyline.  Forget remembering the long Russian names, just award each of them a nickname.  Worked for me.

  So the month has begun and so it rolls along.

   
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  Noreen 1:53 pm on September 27, 2023 Permalink  

  Mist 

  A mist of rain as late as this forenoon.

  With no mowing for today, we did drive over to the blue barn acre this forenoon.  What looked like a galvanized metal ring buried around one of the older trees, needed a second look.  Sheets of galvanized tin used in grain bins were usually 24″ or wider in width.  Dennis took ahold where he could see the ends overlapped.  Hmm.  The width of this was about 8″.  It pulled out of the wet dirt easily . . . the entire length.  It is still about 20′ of it in length.  Who knows when this was put in and around.  Our small two-wheel trailer will be needed to get rid of it.  Where that location will be, is yet to be determined.  There are also four cement blocks and portions of them next to a group of trees that need to go onto the same load.  Oh yes, there is an older small television in the south line that also needs to go.  Those items are the extent of what will be loaded and out of there this year.

  When we drove into the driveway of the blue barn acre from the Hammond HWY, the acre looked palatial.  Seeing the acre through from all angles . . . sweet.  We have come a long way since the demolition of the actual barn this spring.   All costs of clearing the acre have been paid for.  Tightening our belts did the trick.  We made sure the assessor’s office has taken the barn off of the records.

  Dennis kidded me that all I have shopped for this 2023 year has been groceries.  I did purchase fabric for the two twin sized t-shirt quilts but was reimbursed when they were picked up.  He thought one of these days I would be due for some retail therapy.  Nope . . . I can’t think of a single thing I need. 

  Dennis did decide we’re going west for supper.  West to Windom.  Friend Dewayne has mentioned to Dennis, that he and his wife go there often.  A road date for sure. 

  Sun will be out tomorrow and so will the mowers in our neighborhood.  Dennis has been chomping at the bit.

   
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  Noreen 2:01 pm on September 15, 2023 Permalink  

  Rain Drops 

  It may have not been a gully washer of rain, but every little bit helps.

  Today Dennis and his cousin Bruce visited the blue barn acre with Bruce’s chainsaw.  There were too many trees that were tipping, listing or just plain falling over.  After Bruce left. Dennis gave me a tour.  After several days of the leaves drying, there will be plenty of hauling limbs to the main pile of debris.

  My task at hand today was stripping Dennis’ bed and doing some tidy, tidy in his bedroom.  While the laundry was going, I did some stitching.

  We are have beef vegetable soup and sandwiches for supper.  I metered three cups of soup per freezer bag last night.  Three bags in the freezer for another time.

  The air is heavy but doable.

  At the grocer’s yesterday, I purchased a bottle of Woolite laundry soap.  Tomorrow morning, first thing . . . I am washing my feather comforter.  I did my research on the internet.  It will be fritzy fresh for the colder weather that is bound to find me in my west bedroom porch.

  Take care and do what makes you feel good over the weekend.