Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from November, 2023 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 3:07 pm on November 22, 2023 Permalink  

  Thanksgiving Eve 

  This generally is the day when the kitchens would be humping, getting ready for Thanksgiving.

  I have been successful with the prep that was needed on Stauffer Avenue.  The pies have been taken out of the freezer and have been put in the refrigerator.  Mission completion.

  There had been Thankgivings that Dennis and I were alone.  We decided to drive to Mankato until we found something that was open and served food.  It worked out just fine.

  Dennis ran the MKX through the car wash today. Jeremy and Nicholas can put the car cover on it tomorrow with as little dust as possible in these next 24 hours so as not to rub on the car from the cover.  Dennis had a plan and the car is now in the garage with the furnace cranked up a bit and fans running so the car will be totally dry by tomorrow.

  Today the living room north wall has the Santa quilt on it.  I had a lot of enjoyment working with the paper-backed fabric sheets that could be run through the HP printer with a large variety of images to choose from.  It makes me smile every time I look at it.  It was the first time I had used mono-filament sewing thread when I free-motion quilted over the Santa blocks.  The bobbin had green thread in it for the total project.  The front was quilted with changing off the red and green threads when quilting the log cabin blocks. 

  Well, well.  Sometimes when an item is purchased online, you can get burnt.  First time for everything.  I had ordered a stitching kit via Etsy on October 1st.  I have been diligent on the tracking number.  The tracking stalled and as of yesterday that shop on Etsy has closed down.  Live and learn.  Hence forth, I will work with needlework shops in the good ole USA.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:42 pm on November 21, 2023 Permalink  

  In Between 

  My studio is in between seasons.  Plugging in my small heater was the recourse.  All that needs to be done on the first floor before Thursday has been covered.

  My day down here in the studio started at three this afternoon.  Today was pedicure and haircut day for Dennis and me.  It is a block of two hours that we need at Maria’s.  A great job is done for the two of us once a month.

  We only had to shop at the grocer’s for whipped cream in a can for the pumpkin pie on Thursday.  The wind would have torn off the pickup door if I had not held on for dear life.

  We had barely gotten home when Dennis got a call from friend Dwayne that his wife had the car and was stuck somewhere with a breakdown.  Immediately Dennis told him to call AAA.  How can people in their 80s not have road side assistance?  I have no idea how Dennis’ afternoon is going.  Supper will no doubt make for interesting conversation.

  I had a shock this morning when I left a text for our family clinic with a prescription renewal for Dennis.  I received a text back that our primary physician is no longer with Mayo here in town and my request would be handled by a doctor.  Dennis saw him last week with no hint that he would need to choose a new primary.  Grant it, he is 65, but generally,  family doctors do stay longer.  Dennis and I have no idea who will be our next choice.  Hopefully we won’t need to be in a hurry.

  We had a late noon lunch today.  Dennis said he would like Pregresso Chicken Noodle soap for supper.  Easily can do that.

  My feet are toasty with the 73 degree heat from the heater.  You know . . . Dennis and I are so spoiled in our forever home. 

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:08 pm on November 20, 2023 Permalink  

  Peaceful Day 

  My usual Monday laundry day is finished.  It’s a very gray day with a shower of rain once in awhile.

  We are having company on Thanksgiving.  It will be six of us.  I had put out an inquiry as to what the grandkids liked to eat for Thanksgiving.  I heard back from Jeremy, the son-in-law.  Jeremy has a few days off this week and he is bring the Thanksgiving dinner in total.  Sweet and wow!  I did not ask any questions. 

  Dennis and I are doing the pies for dessert.  Dennis and I traveled to the Walsh Apple Barn yesterday and we now have the pies, fully baked and frozen in our freezer with instructions on when to take them out of the freezer and put them in the refrig. 

  Amazingly, the apple barn pie shop is open year around.  Last Wednesday they ceased taking special orders as they know what their freezer capacity is.  They also have a pie shop in St. Peter, it is called The Pie Monger.  The shop here on 169, furnishes the pies for St. Peter.  When Dennis and I were at the counter waiting, the glass viewing area into the oven area was amazing.  We have treated ourselves to one of their pies off and on.  Never disappointed.

  This afternoon, with the leftover breakfast coffee, I watched some of the YouTube videos that I have subscribed to.  The inspiration is amazing.  I do have finishes left to do on my scrappy quilt top with a border to assemble and sew on.  I did so enjoy my cross stitch project that I plan on doing another.  I have enough of the same fabric and it will again be done again with just one color.  It will be the same deep navy as the one I just finished and I have ample of that one floss.

  After this posting, I plan on doing some reading before supper.  Dennis requested one of his favorite Progresso soups.  Very easily done as neither of us have done any heft today.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:59 pm on November 19, 2023 Permalink  

  Sunday the 19th 

  It has been a very intense day for me.  I don’t even know what kind of weather we are having.

  My goal was to have the brunt of the housework done so I could use my energy and time today, framing my counted cross stitch project.

  It is scary when the project needed to be trimmed down to fit the frame I bought at Hobby Lobby.  I can always trim and cut more off, but if I cut it too close, I can’t put the fabric back.  What had been in the frame could not be taken out as it was a frame within a frame.  Ideally cross stitched finished pieces are laced onto a hard foam board for correct placement.  All I could do was put some quilt batting down and fit my trimmed piece over it.  The stitched piece would be tucked down in the space where one framed item was in the second framed item.  Ya . . . scary.

  I needed to run a ribbon of glue onto the backside of the raw stitched piece on all four sides, one side at a time and then tuck it down and in.  I had four emery boards thick to wedge in between the fabric and the frame allowing the glue to set.  It was a slow process.  The only glue I had was E6000.  It was the same glue Kersten and I had used to glue the cement antler onto the cement deer.  Slow, slow.

  When all was glued down, I had a gap to fill.  Out came whatever stash I had of trims.  I chose the black with gold.  The baggie stated, “Clearance $2.00.”  With only five inches remaining, I tucked this around my stitched, glued down project.  

  Dennis kept me company in the studio for moral support.  I needed it.  Tomorrow, the hanger on the back of this metal frame will be called in for duty.  The frame had been 50% off of $26.00.  Isn’t everything in Hobby Lobby 50% off?

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:21 pm on November 15, 2023 Permalink  

  Not Planned 

  Today a trip to Mankato that was not planned. 

  Dennis has been using a CPAP machine for sixteen years to aid him in night time sleeping to avoid Sleep Apnea, the heart stopping.  All had been going quite well for some time.  Once a year, the pulmonary department requires the prescription to be renewed for the medical supplies of the CPAP.

  We saw several different people during that time as personnel was being shifted.  A month ago, the strong suggestion was that Dennis use a new headset that might cut down on the episodes of the mask leaking air.  So be it.  During last night both Dennis and I agreed that things were not working as they should.  Tried for a month and still working to find the right adjustments.  We were up at one and also at three trying to find what would work.  Today we went back to the Mayo store and Dennis requested the headgear and gasket that had been working for him.

  I cannot imagine having to suit up as Dennis does every night and has been for sixteen years.  He needs to know what works for his night’s rest and not the well meaning people that work with patients.

  While we were in Mankato, I requested some retail therapy.  I had finished a piece of counted cross stitch about a month ago and wanted it to be more than getting moved around on my sewing tables.  In Hobby Lobby I found the perfect frame, 16″ x 16″.  There is a standard colored cheapy print in it, that I will replace with my threads and fuzz.  Of course the department I needed was in the farthest corner of the store.  Whew!  I now have a new goal in my studio.  Sweet success for a trip not planned.

  Today as we traveled we saw fields being tiled for better drainage and acres being worked down after the harvest was off.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:14 pm on November 12, 2023 Permalink  

  Rejuvenate 

  In searching the internet, I was seeking a floor wax or such thing to put on worn vinyl flooring.  Rejuvenate may be the answer.  Our kitchen flooring and bath flooring has gone beyond the years of retaining that wonderful from the factory finish.  I may give this product a try.  What does work in the most worn foot traffic areas is a Mr. Clean sponge.  Down and close does the trick.  Getting up from the down and close is another matter.  The years where grime was dragged in daily is no more.  Taking off shoes . . . I don’t even want to do that when I come in from outdoors.  Life is too short.

  I spent some time in the studio yesterday and remembered a YouTube video I had watched in using scraps.  In the hunting yesterday I found a sheet of Pellon that has a one inch grid on it.  One side can be used to iron on fabric pieces.  I started playing around and soon I had one inch pieces filling a portion of it.  They were soon ironed down.  From the backside the grid could be seen.  One row of the backside width was folded on the grid line and a scant seam was sewn.  When all the seams in one direction was sewn, the piece was pressed.  Then the length of the piece was again folded on the grid line one row at a time and stitched.  Hmm.  A good press was given.

  I found a piece of batting, and using an extra block of the recent quilt top, I sandwiched them.  A six by seven was too small for me to imagine binding, it was zig zagged several times around the perimeter.  It was entertaining to see if I could do it.  The one inch squares finished at 3/4 inch, indicating how narrow the seams were. This Pellon could just as well have used three inch squares butting up next to each other.  Another curiosity squelched.  I now have a mug rug for my coffee cup and the fingers will rejuvenate from cutting one inch squares.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:02 pm on November 11, 2023 Permalink  

  11/11 

  November the eleventh and it is a holiday that ceases the mail for the day.

  When Sadie and Sandy were here yesterday, I had a favor to ask of them.  Last week we had two different days that we had water come into our basement from the floor drain.  Since then, my paranode nose has been smelling less than good in the studio.  The same thing can be said of one when they work with livestock.  The nose can lead us astray.  Both gals said there was no hint of anything bad.  Whew! 

  Dennis had taken our car up to the ultimate car wash with the plan of us putting the car cover on the MKX.  His wax job of last week left no water drops on the car.  Sweet. Though we had bought the cheapest car cover as it doesn’t sit outside, I couldn’t get over how heavy it was.  When we read the instructions as to how to handle the area where the antenna is, our plans changed.  Dennis and I do not have the strength to do this correctly.  It is going to be a job for Jeremy and Nicholas to do, if weather permitting, they will be here Thanksgiving day.  Dennis said he would have a very sharp knife or scissors for them as there is a set of grommets to click together where the antenna is after a hole is cut in the center of the grommets.  Good decision.

  I went down to the studio and found what I was seeking for the next step in my quilt top.  I moved an item to get to the target. I looked at it and sorted through it and that led to another and another.  The recycling bin will have some goodies as well as the circular file.  It felt good to lighten the load, getting that which I do have an emotional attachment to being better organized.

  I can putter away a lot of time in the studio.  There are no time restraints and I enjoy being in my element.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:31 pm on November 9, 2023 Permalink  

  Sunny Afternoon 

  The sun has made an appearance . . . at least off and on.  It seems like we will have some nice temps through next week.

  My day started out absolutely great.  Thank goodness for phones.

  Just when I thought Dennis had an empty job jar, it was not meant to be.  A bottle of Murphy’s wood soap and whatever is wood in the patio porch is getting cleaned from top to bottom.  Yes, that warrants a nap in between.  Naps are good.  My dad believed in them.

  The lights were on in the studio over the noon hour.  A bit of fabric cutting and a bit of stitching, followed by steam pressing.  That was all she wrote for the day in the studio.

  I wanted to go uptown to the grocer’s.  I noticed last week that their flyer had boxes of steamer frozen veggies on sale.  I made sure that the freezer unit of our refrigerator was organized.  We had picked up an 8lb. bag of chicken tenderloins in Sam’s Club last week.  This was the perfect day to take freezer bags and bag up three tenderloins in each.  The small bags tucked in easily around the ice cream and the heavy bag was a drag to get out and take out a few each time.  With the freezer tidied, I knew how much of the frozen vegies I could buy.  It’s nice to have a variety over and above from canned goods.  I was also hungry for pickled beets.  Dennis was hungry for the chunky Campbell’s bean and ham soup.  Mission completion.  My all time favorite apple is the McIntosh.  I have three bags of 5lb. each in the refrigerator in the basement.  An apple a day will keep the doctor away . . . I hope, I hope.

  We no longer have heavy meals for supper, but I do like to put out a variety of supper meals.  Between the freezer and the pantry, the bases are covered.  I did leave three chicken tenderloins out for supper.  Instant mashed potatoes and a can of green beans will round things out.  I have never cared for frozen green beans.  I think they are tough.

  What I had on my mind has seemed to dribble out into a blog post.  What I find to be thankful for is that my mental energy and my physical energy is quite well paired.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:28 pm on November 8, 2023 Permalink  

  A Flying Enemy 

  As I am down in the studio, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a flying enemy, aka: an Asian Beatle or a Box Elder.  Now to find where he landed.  Bugs such as Asian Beatles and Box Elder bugs are not friends of cloth.  They mark fabrics with a nasty stain.

  It has been enjoyable to listen on KNUJ to the Future Farmers of America convention.  Listening to . . . Box Elder just crawled across my computer keyboard . . . got him.  As I was saying . . . listening to the young men and women with their plans and what is available for them is amazing.

  Stitching went well this morning.  Stitch a bit, then get up to press and then to pin, allows movement of up and down and standing in place.  So much easier than staying in one place too long.  The top has been stitched together.  It’s about 50″ x 62″.  I am very much in-like with how this has turned out.  I am planning on doing either one border or two, neither would be very wide.  I have options with two different blues.  I am drawn to putting on a 1.5″ of the darker blue and finishing with 2″ of the lighter blue.  Following that, I want to do a piano border.  I have quite a bit of odds and ends of all of the prints.  The length of each piece would be 3″ and width would be varied from 1.5″ to 3″ in width around the entire perimeter of the quilt top.   To many it would sound tedious.  To me, this is my passion.

  Dennis took a “Happy Birthday” letter to the mail this morning.  My aunt Janet of Brownton will be 90 on the 13th of this month.  Janet is the last of my dad’s siblings.  Janet and Jerald were the youngest of eight.  I am sure a set of twins was quite the surprise. 

  It is early in the afternoon, but I am going to shut down the studio and revert to doing some reading in my bedroom porch, perched on the cherry red chair.  I miss doing some cross stitch.  I have a complete kit coming from Etsy.  Little did I realize it was coming from the UK.  I have been tracking it.  It hit New York last week and is now on its way to Toronto, Canada.  Hmm.  I have heard some amazing stories of how items reach Minnesota from the UK.

  Dennis assures me the flying enemies are not in shortage outside.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:42 pm on November 7, 2023 Permalink  

  Stitching 

  Today is Tuesday and my day was spent in the studio.

  It is always exciting when quilt blocks can be stitched together to make rows.  There are a total of eight rows that will make up this quilt top.  After stitching to make five rows, I called uncle.  The shoulders were beginning to tell me enough was enough.  It is wise to cease and call it quits before the message is so strong, pain ensues.  Dennis did come down to the studio and comment on the variety of colors.  There may be more stitches tomorrow.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥