Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from April, 2023 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 2:05 pm on April 22, 2023 Permalink  

  Cold and Raw Wind 

  The morning didn’t offer any sunshine.  What the morning brought was Dennis’ grandson, AJ, to pick up his quilt.  It didn’t take him long to unfold the 96″ x 112″ to inspect and take in all the extra blocks I had added when the amount of t-shirts fell short for the project.  I received several hugs as he ferreted his quilt away into his pickup and AJ headed to the patio porch.

  Well done for the studio and this Grammie.

  AJ and Grandpa Dennis spent a good long time visiting in the patio porch.  When I went upstairs for a cup of coffee, AJ was putting up the patio umbrella.  It is cumbersome.  Hefting the umbrella up into the cast iron stand . . . it can become top heavy.  Last we took down the Christmas wreaths on the north side of the garage and today we are trying to coax the sun out by having an umbrella up.  Go figure.

  We least expected that the demolition on the blue barn would begin yesterday, Friday.  This barn is the structure on the tax forfeit lot we purchased late last fall.  A sorry structure that has been failing for years but did attract animals and kids thinking it was fun to play in.  Also a lawsuit waiting to happen.  It seems the fellow doing the job had put us on his schedule early on.  Ryan has the license to do this type of work.  Anyone else offering to take part in this, could have gotten hurt and we could have been on the hook for medical expenses . . . or worse.  One load was taken out yesterday.  Monday will be quite busy.  Dennis had checked and yesterday’s load took out an old refrigerator and such items that a homeless man had amassed while living in a building that had no services.  Where was the the city’s building inspector then?

  The good thing was that there was no asbestos.  The old wood shingles had been covered over with tin.

  The studio is quite in the recovery mode.  Extra fabric has been put away and there is no fuzz or threads about.  That could change in a heartbeat.  

  There are some plants brave enough to poke through.  The Fern Peony is always early.  I have two plants that came from my mom’s garden.  Mom’s Fern Peonies came from my grandmother Laura’s garden.  A sweet plant to hand down.  I did hand two off to Carrie’s garden.  Taking care of my plants as you can never tell who else might start a garden.

  It is time to shut down the lights here in the studio.  Tomorrow is a new day and I might have a new idea to go with it.  But for the rest of this ducky day . . . rest up for a new week.

   
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  Noreen 2:06 pm on April 21, 2023 Permalink  

  Betty Crocker 

  The 1962 recipient of the state’s Betty Crocker award received less than favorable comments on the oven meal that was prepared for last night’s supper.  The person that prepared the dish was . . . me!  Myself and Dennis were the two giving the comments. 

  There is a serious revision that needs to take place when or if I do this oven meal again.  First off the Lawry’s Seasoned salt should have been omitted.  Way too salty.  In hindsight the Stove Top Stuffing should have been prepared as the box directed and then spread on the green beans and raw chicken.  Dennis’ suggestion would have been to top the dish with a jar of Alfredo sauce, and then using the handle of a wooden spoon, popped holes in the top allowing Alfredo sauce to penetrate the layers.  Good thought.  The beans are canned in a salty mixture, the stuffing mix has salt in it and Campbells’ soup is loaded with salt.

  As Forest Gump so wisely stated, “That’s all I have to say about that.”

  We will have a second round of last night’s oven dish as neither one of us throws out good food.  Live and learn.

  Today has seen a mixture of mist and snow.

  Dennis has his pickup bed filled with all that is needed to change oil in the rider mower and the Cub Lo-Boy.  It was too wet and raw today for that.  Hopefully the weekend will bring more favorable weather.

  Dennis helped me take the 6′ x 10′ jute carpet and put it going east to west next to the church tables on the south side.  I have found the extra heft of rolling my sewing chair over carpeting during different sewing needs requires a momentum that begins with a motion in the hips and follows through to the back.  The chair does not move on its own.  It proves over time to be hard on a tender back.  Funny story on that bit of carpeting and where it came from.  My brother, Calvin, had bought the jute piece for in front of their television.  Liking to go barefoot, the new jute texture didn’t feel good on tender feet.   

  I have enjoyed that handed off carpet for many years.  Would I ever put more carpeting down in the studio?  No.  Pins have a way of taking flight while I sew and they hide surprisingly easy.  Though I don’t go barefoot in the studio, we do have some that visit and don’t think a thing of slipping off their shoes when they visit me in the studio.  I would hate to have someone find one of those pins that have evaded me. 

  The sun threatens to shine, but I give it a flunking grade.  Maybe tomorrow.

   
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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 3:08 pm on April 19, 2023 Permalink  

  And the Thunder Rolled 

  During the night we had flashes of lightning that lit the house up.  Right on target, a few seconds later, the thunder rolled.  It rattled the windows.  According to KNUJ, 4/10ths of an inch of rain.  I think there is more to come as the remainder of the week is uncertain.

  Today, Dennis and I visited the Hallowed Halls of Watonwan with questions on the  Notice of Values that came in yesterday’s mail.  The assessor’s office has totally new staff from when I left almost twenty years ago.  We had questions and we received answers.  Of course . . . no satisfaction.  Jessica is the appraiser that assisted us with our inquires.  Jessica is Norma Wellnitz’s granddaughter.  Norma worked for me for several decades in by-gone times.  Sweet.

  Our trip off of the property was taken care of.  Check that off the list.  

  I continued with stitching binding on the king sized quilt.  Dennis came down to check on me and of course a snapshot was needed.  Amidst all the folds and mass of fabric, I have felt overwhelmed at times, but not really swamped.  There is an end to this project, perhaps not today, but soon.  A tug here and a tug there around the corner the stitching went.  This tugging is a great reminder that quilts of this size will not be tackled again.  I did not add the word “never.”  Realistically, I have plenty to do without looking for additional projects.  I don’t call it work as it is with a joyful heart and soul that each project is tackled.  

  As in the photo, over my right shoulder is where the button tree had found a home for quite some time.  A vacant spot with additional spots to be thus wished for.

  Tomorrow is my target date to send a text to AJ for him to pick up this quilt the next time he finds himself coming in our direction.  AJ just had his 29th birthday, he mans a team that does fiber optics.  AJ has an old soul persona.

  A fellow stopped by today and confirmed that he will be working in our backyard soon, demolishing the old barn that is on the tax forfeit lot we purchased this winter.  Now for the rest of the story.  After the lot is indeed free of all materials that can be labeled as part of a structure, our value on that lot will be reduced considerably for the value of 2024 and taxes paid in 2025 . . . as a vacant lot.  Sweet indeed.

  That is all folks.  Hump day has been chilly and damp.

   
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  Noreen 1:49 pm on April 18, 2023 Permalink  

  Desperate Times 

  The old adage is that desperate times call for desperate measures.  I dispute that on every point.

  Coming upon challenging issues, indicates to me that I need to think things through before it comes desperate.  

  You all know that I have had a stroke that makes the left portion of me less than it was . . . less than I would wish.  I have carried on with all that I had previous to the stroke.  It may take me a bit longer, but try, try, try again.  The leaf raking several days ago didn’t go too badly.  Granted, my rake is only 6 inches across, it still managed to roust the piles that were as matted at the manure in a calf pen.  Yes . . . one layer at a time.

  My true joy is the studio.  So named as there is no one choice of activity down in the studio.  All is fair game.  My goal is to keep it zeroed onto one project at a time.  I get nervous when there are UFOs, unfinished objects.  It’s not that I think I won’t have time to finish them, I just want to honor the effort and resources that have gone into them thus far.

  There have been quite a few posts on here, of this beast of a king sized t-shirt quilt I am doing for Dennis’ grandson, AJ.  All has gone well with the slow and steady technique.  Once all thirty blocks had found themselves sewn together, I didn’t have to think about it for awhile.  I dumped the project onto Old Alley Quilt Shop to do the longarming.  I knew I would have a several week hiatus before I would get the call to come and pick it up.  Yes, it did make me feel good when I got the invoice and the notations were “Fantastic quilt, I loved the embroidered blocks.” Bless her heart.

  The meandering on the quilt top looked great.  Hmm.  Here I was with the last step.  Four hundred and sixty inches of binding was going to be my best friend.  I prepared as much flat surface as I could to distribute the bulk.  Feeding the quilt under the needle ever so slowly.  It really did go slow.  The left hand could not grip the heft to take it away as the needle stitched.  Creativity to the recue.  One of my 2 lb. weights had a surface of fabric much like sticky felt.  It didn’t take me long to use that weight as my rudder as the sea of fabric threatened to swallow me.  The left hand had only to gently push it and the fabric followed suit.  Oh my gosh was this fantastic or what!  If the hand didn’t have to work hard the left shoulder also benefited.  You can be sure, this little beauty will be close at all times.  The 5 lb. weights worked well for anchoring the yet-to-be-sewn quilt.

  There comes a time when a break is needed.  Tomorrow will be ready for more sewing.

   
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  Noreen 1:57 pm on April 17, 2023 Permalink  

  Happy Monday 

  Happy Monday and the last day to frequent our favorite IRS peeps.  This gives us thirty days before our real estate taxes are due.  Anyone needing to get their car tabs?  Might as well do all of the nasties up.

  It is mid afternoon and I have surfaced on the main floor of our home.  The real reason I have shut down the studio is that I got cold.  This time of year the thermostat on the furnace can in no way make the basement comfortable.  It happens every year and this too shall pass.

  I did get all set up to begin sewing on binding of the king sized quilt.  Plus the two church tables I have moved the ironing board to the south side of the tables.  All of this done for as much area as possible to help with the heft of the quilt as it gets moved around from under the needle.

  After the project got strung out onto the flat surface, I had to flip the switch on the sewing machine to take a gander on how the binding would be sewn on and at what length of stitch.  Hmm.  Four hours later, I do have the binding sewn onto the back of the quilt.  Four hours . . . no wonder I got chilly bordering on flat out being cold.  Being in the studio it is easy to become distracted and loose track of time.  I do so enjoy that.

  As I am doing this posting, I do have the television on.  With the Samsung smart TV, I have found that I can watch some YouTube videos on the television, rather than my laptop.  One of my favorites is “The Last Homely House.”  A woman, Kate, from the eastern end of the UK that is into all things similar to my tastes.  For me, it’s relaxing and it gives me permission to be my eclectic self.  Did I mention how I so enjoy the distraction that can be found in the studio? 

  Dennis has been off to Fleet Farm for oil.  It’s time for getting all things with an engine ready for yard work.

  No sluffing off on Stauffer Avenue.  Have a happy Monday!

   
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  Noreen 1:41 pm on April 16, 2023 Permalink  

  Home Sweet Home 

  Early yesterday afternoon, Dennis called his family members and allow them to know we would not be traveling to the metro for Dennis’ niece’s funeral on Sunday.  He had heard enough of the weather reports to make that call.  Sweet.  

  Here it is today, Sunday, and we are snug and safe at home.  I have no idea what conditions are outside of our home.  Both of our phones went off an hour ago advising of an accident on Hwy 60 and Hwy 4.

  The studio has remained dark today.  I can fess up that when the gal came yesterday for the button tree, it did not go as smoothly going out as Kevin made it look when he delivered it coming in years ago.  The two older ones on Stauffer Ave. kicked it in gear and assisted.  It was a good team effort.

  Dennis has been in the patio porch with the kitties.  I found a fantastic mystery on Acorn.  Sitting and letting the body be at rest may be foreign to me, but needed from time to time.

  This week the weather is going to be all over the map.  Dennis and I will be right here at home taking it one day at a time.  As always the laundry basket is overflowing and that will wait until tomorrow.  I have been resting on my Laurels in regard to creative kitchen and supper making details.  It has been wonderful.  Tee Hee!

   
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  Noreen 2:10 pm on April 15, 2023 Permalink  

  Just Rolling Along 

  What a whirlwind of the last 24 hours.

  I had barely finished my early afternoon blog yesterday when Old Alley Quilt Shop called.  AJ’s king sized t-shirt project had been long armed, trimmed and ready to be picked up in downtown Sherburn.  Dennis said he would drive us there.  I think he was just as thrilled to get us one more step closer to being able to call this a quilt as I was.

  Dennis went into the shop with me.  He knew it was a heavy parcel when I dropped it off.  Now with quilt batting, backing and umteen feet of thread, I would appreciate the help.  Dennis looked over the long arm.  This shop’s long arm compared to his nephew Brett’s, Brett’s looks like a toy.  The gals in the shop thought that the embroidered blocks that were intermingled with the t-shirt blocks made for a fun t-shirt quilt. 

  I had also ordered from Old Alley a new cutting mat.  The Quilter’s Select that I had ordered has a surface that does not allow fabric to slide.  It also is a self-healing, multi-layer mat usable on both sides.  The Fisker’s I have been using has dots to use as guides for 1/8″ through 3/4″.  The Quilter’s Select has actual slash marks of those measurements on each one-inch increment across the 24″ x 36″ mat.

  We got home, and of course had to unfold the 96″ x 112″ Harley project.  I do have the binding ready to be sewn on.  That may be next week’s project for me. 

  My plan for today was to set up the Husky table so as my machine would feed the quilt through the needle the quilt would flow onto the church tables, taking away the heft of fabric so as to not have it pull away from the sewing.   

  I decided to check my computer and lo and behold I had a serious nibble for the Fairfax button tree that had gone onto the Facebook Marketplace.  Within two hours, the button tree was loaded into a pickup and heading for St. Peter.  How sweet was that!  Someone having the ability to use what I no longer did . . . priceless.

  As I am finishing this posting, the 39 degrees compared to the 79 degrees of yesterday morning can definitely explain why the furnace has been kicking in and out.

  Tomorrow we are to go to Dennis’ niece’s funeral in the metro.  Visiting with Dennis and what the weather is forecast to be . . . time will tell.  Colder temps, possible snow and high winds will decide if we hit the highway or stay safe.

   
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  Noreen 4:03 pm on April 13, 2023 Permalink  

  Solo Trip 

  I had a solo trip to Mankato for the stitchers at Baker’s Square.  It had been several months since I had been in attendance.  It was enjoyable to see everyone and get caught up to date with each other.

  There is road construction for a stretch of highway by Madelia.  From some of the other gals coming from different directions, it is the norm.

  What didn’t feel like the norm was the strong wind from the south.  I stopped at our Lewis drug as I came home.  It actually took me some time to get the car door open due to the serious wind.  I was on high alert getting into the drug store as well as returning to the car staying upright.  2023 has had way too many less than norms when it comes to weather related items.

  I do think everyone is on their own for this Thursday night’s supper.  I am just not feeling creative.  I think breakfast cereal sounds good for me, Dennis will have to think his fare through.

  It’s been a good day and being home is the best part of it.  Dennis had a cup of coffee waiting for me . . . sweet.

   
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  Noreen 2:35 pm on April 12, 2023 Permalink  

  In Progress 

  When the temps jump up into the 80s in such short order, there is outside work beckoning.  I did tackle some of the outside items this morning.  

  When individuals are kind enough to move mountains of snow at their convenience, there is bound to be some after effect.  This morning I found my favorite little rake and tackled the clumps of sod that had been pushed up at the same time the snow was moved.  It took me quite a while.  Slow and steady as I took the job in stride.  The wind from the south was strong, just as strong as the sun’s rays.  I was happy when I could work in the shade of the evergreen on the northwest corner of our home.

  When I walked our backyard I couldn’t help but think that the deer did a wonderful job of aerating most of the area.  It will be interesting to see if any of the Hosta appreciated the many footprints in the soft soil.

  When Snuggles and I had put quite a few snow implements into the potting shed we kicked back and thought well, “For the first attempt of spring yard work, we did well,”  This definitely is going to be a work in progress as the spring days will beckon us outside.  The two spots of the Fern Peonies, are just showing some bright red little buds poking through.

  I did walk through the studio this afternoon picking up a roll of paper toweling.  I did stop at one of the church tables to take a peek at the project that will have to wait for a bit.  It for sure is a work in progress.  I had kicked off my garden shoes and made the trip into the studio in stocking feet.  Holy buckets the floor was ice cold.  The water finding its way around the perimeter via the tile heading to the sump pump . . . I cannot imagine what the temperature of that water would be.  I picked up the towels and beat feet out of there.

  By the way, the haircut turned out well.  Bless Dennis’ heart.  Before I got into the chair, he commented to Brenda that when he had to help get my hair to lay down for a road date, he liked the way I looked when the hair was snipped in all sorts of lengths.  Dennis knew how I had fought with my brush to get the heavy lengths to do something.  No . . . Dennis is not my stylist, but him talking and commenting to his niece went very well.  Like I said, bless his heart.

  Tomorrow the stitchers are meeting at Baker’s Square in Mankato.  We have cancelled more times than not since before Christmas.  The winter didn’t allow Thursdays to be safe.