Updates from December, 2020 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

• 

  Noreen 5:02 pm on December 17, 2020 Permalink  

  Forgotten 

  I had forgotten how sticky things can get when one is making candy with sugar and syrup.  I was determined to step out of my comfort zone with treats this Christmas.  All I had to loose was perhaps 5 lbs of sugar and a lot of stirring over boiling goodies.

  The cocoa fudge did turn out and it tastes just like what my Grandma Laura would make.  It is a grainy surgery finish.  Back then, cocoa was the thing to bake and cook with.  I don’t think chocolate chips were abundantly available, more so the bar of bitter sweet chocolate to shave off what was needed.  Indeed a flavor from times back.

  I had some evaporated milk left from the 12 oz can, so today I tried my hand at milk chocolate chips and marshmallow cream out of a jar.  It’s too soon to tell.  Getting my sticky dishes cleaned up is always a good thing to do.  Hot sudsy water does soak its way through the worst of it, you just can’t rush it.  

  It’s always sad to learn when an old friend and neighbor passes away.  Martin Duesterhoff was such a good person.  He lived just a bit up the gravel road to the southeast.  He and his wife Fern never had children.  The entire community had him as a fellow that could be counted on.  Martin passed away at age 96.  

  I went down into the basement today and the fact that it got a good cleaning yesterday, gave me the best feeling.  It’s all tidy!  The sewing machine is taking a vacation until after Christmas.  I have no doubt I will keep busy as well.  Tomorrow, after a quick visit to the VA clinic here in town, we will be heading to New Ulm to pick up the little red pickup from the spa treatment.  Exciting to say the least.  

  Hmm.  It’s supper time.  I did pull out a pan of refrigerator rolls from the oven.  They should go well with some chicken tenders, fried potatoes and green peas.  A supper fit for this candy-making queen . .  oh I am sure Dennis will enjoy it as well.

   
• 

  Noreen 5:15 pm on December 16, 2020 Permalink  

  Fuzz and Threads 

  I have rounded the corner of my Victorian Santa quilt top.  The majority of the stitching is complete.  What does that leave . . . getting out the old canaster Filter Queen Vac.  I do try to keep the waste bin in use as I sew.  Just as many threads that hit the cylindrical target there seem to be just as many that cling to my clothes, shoes and get snipped at the ironing board.

  Many years ago Calvin and Lois gave me a jute area rug.  I do have it in the sewing studio under my feet at the ironing board.  The jute has a way of allowing the extra threads to weave themselves into the nap.  The best way to vacuum it is to go over and over it until there is a windrow of fuzz and then put the vacuum wand directly on top of it.  Job done.

  The basement is ready for the next barrage of stitching.  That will be sometime after Christmas.  Preparing for that time, I went to Old Alley Quilt Shop after the cleaning stint.  There was not enough of any green fabric in my stashes for the border around the top as well as the backing.  My friend Lori was the only one working in the quilt shop today, and as luck would have it, I was the only one in the shop for quite some time.  It gave us a chance to catch up with each other.  We have bonded for quite a few years over the choices in the store.  As I said, after Christmas, the Victorian Santa stands a pretty good chance of being finished.

  I spied a fudge candy recipe that one of my cousins had posted on Facebook.  As I type, the fudge is in a buttered dish, cooling, AND . . . setting up.  It has the old fashioned powdered cocoa and it looks as if when it does set up, it will be a strong chocolate flavor.  It was a chance I wanted to take.   Is there such a thing as a failure . . . no.  If it doesn’t set up, I already know what Lena would have in mind: roll that mixture up into a small ball, roll it in finely crushed nuts and call it “a new take on sweets.”

  For supper, it is chili straight from the freezer, heating on the stove for supper.  Easy suppers are my sweet spot.

   
• 

  Noreen 4:42 pm on December 13, 2020 Permalink  

  Dark and Gray 

  Dark and Gray out today.  It didn’t effect me much, as I was in the sewing studio for most of the day, after I had put together a pasta dish for supper.

  I thought today would be a breeze in the sewing project.  Boy, was I fooled.  The border of a project tells me where the bear did it in the buckwheat.  For borders to work, there is a justification process.  Not each block that is the outside border of twenty five blocks is exact.  It’s one thing for the pattern to have 10″x 1 1/2″ red stripes interspersed with 1 1/2″ pink blocks to play nice along the edge of said project to perfection.  It looks pretty and easy in a photo.  Me . . . the human that did the stitching . . . is not perfect.  It was easier to custom measure and cut each 10″ strip.  Why fight it.  I only have three more sides to work on . . . another day.  I couldn’t do a “slam dunk fix-it” that would work for the entire project, so I fixed my thinking and the problem fixed itself.  Investing time to get it right is worth it.  It may have seemed like an uphill struggle, but the view upon completion was priceless. 

  When I think of Dennis’ day in the rocking chair in the patio porch, I sometimes wonder why I put myself in situations that can easily spiral into unknowns . . . because I can.  Personal growth . . . who knew it could last well for over 76 years? 

  When I came upstairs to write a few lines, the lit Christmas tree in the darkened living room, took all angst away.  A calming that is the peace than passes all understanding.  I love it.  And now that it is close to five in the afternoon, it is usual for it to be dark and gray outside.

   
• 

  Noreen 4:29 pm on December 12, 2020 Permalink  

  Humble Pie 

  Hmm, humble pie doesn’t taste all that great.  I have not been in the sewing studio since Tuesday.  Tuesday evening, we got the sewing machine tucked into its case and put it in the back of the car for the trip the next day to Bernina in Bird Island.

  When there are fussy seam allowances in a project, I always rely on painter’s tape to be put on the Plexiglas table topper that fits around the bed as well as the top of the sewing machine.  Needless to say, it all had to be taken off for transport.  The entire Victorian Santa quilt top has been done in 1/8″ and 1/4″ seams.  Matching up the rows of the log cabin had been going great.

  Originally. my placement of the painter’s tape might not have been within a 16th of an inch of accuracy, but it didn’t matter as long as everything sewn to that point was consistent.  Today, I was going to whip downstairs and begin where I had left off.  Not!  Putting down new tape to match all the previous seams . . . it was a struggle.  All I could do was practicing stitching on scrap fabric until I had success.  Now you might think that putting down tape is a no brainer . . . not for this sewer.  Twelve inches of sticky take can have a mind of its own.  Either the wrist wasn’t wanting to go where my mind was willing it to, or the shoulder did a wanky twitch and so did the tape.  I was humbled, but by no means defeated.  After multiple sample seams, I had mission completion.  There wasn’t as much done today as I had hoped, but tomorrow I will start knowing all is in sync.

  Dennis has been in cowboy heaven all week.  RFD channel has had all nine days of the 2020 rodeo in Texas on.  Usually, Dennis would have had to settle for the placing as a highlight.  This is his sweet spot.  Each night after nine, he has come in and given me a buck by buck synopsis.  I was pleased that he took 15 minutes to have his supper.  At age 40, Dennis was still riding bucking broncos at the local fairs. Dennis is still riding them as he is watching.  Priceless.  This is the last night of the nine.  What is special, is that a grandson of one of the fellows Dennis rode with is placing quite high in the rankings.  The rocking chair in the patio porch has been keeping up right with the contestants.  

  We may have many interests in life, but there is a lifelong passion that never dims.  I know for myself, I fan that passion of mine here in the sewing studio.  My hope is that everyone keeps their passion aglow whenever possible in this busy world.  It makes us happier people.  It brings us peace within beyond all understanding.

   
• 

  Noreen 3:56 pm on December 9, 2020 Permalink  

  A Good Feeling Day 

  What is not to like when we have a 51 degree day on the 9th of December.  

  I had a great day and I didn’t even leave our home.  One of my good friends was taking her sewing machine to the Bernina people in Bird Island.  Turn around is fair play.  I took Jody’s machine with me last year and this trip, my machine road along with Jody.  I had taped concerns onto the bed of my machine with my phone number if Kelly ran into something other than the usual and customary tune up.

  Here it is at 3:30 and the machine is back in the sewing room and ready for whatever comes down the pike.  I have had my machine for five years as of this last Thanksgiving.  Kelly left a note on my invoice that I had 496 hours of the needle going up and down on it.  I can tell you they have been fun hours with just as many challenges as not.  There are many more things that I want to do on the machine in the guise of embroidery and piecing of fabrics.  This tune up turned out great as it was on my tick list to get done while the roads and weather were good.  Thank you Jody.

  Tomorrow I may need to set our alarm.  Dennis needs to be at the pulmonary clinic department in Mankato by 9:45 a.m.  Nothing serious, so two sets of ears are not required.  His prescription for  CPAP supplies needs to be renewed by a visit to the pulmonary nurse.

  I need to be at my car dealer in New Ulm by 10:00 in the morning.  Getting a strut replaced is important.  The last huge item to be gotten done before our real winter hits.  I am sure I will be making a stop or two on my way home.   Yup, the alarm needs to be set to give both of us time to be fully alert before we hit the highways.

  This season has turned out so good for us.  Water heater and refrigerator in and out of the house with no sloppy mess.  Traveling on dry roads while wearing a light jacket . . . priceless.  It seemed like there was a lot on our plate for awhile.  Then . . . I realized, God did not make me timid.  He gave me a spirit of resolve, power and good decision ability.  Can’t downplay the heart that knows no limit in loving.

   
• 

  Noreen 2:23 pm on December 8, 2020 Permalink  

  Stitching is Coming Together 

  I had a good session at the PT today.  The tendon that is as tight as that which makes up the wound innards of a golf ball is slowly loosing the battle.  It doesn’t have much choice when it is rolled over a muscle mass time and time again.

  I spent some time in the sewing studio today and the 25 Santa blocks are coming together well proving that adhering to a strict 1/4 inch seam throughout is worth the effort.

  

  Santa Prayer

  Lord you know You’re the reason for this season.

  I take pleasure in this season,

  but I don’t want to take Your place.

  But just reflect Your wondrous grace.

  And when they begin to open gifts for

  which they have been hoping,

  may they give You all the glory for 

  You’re the One True Christmas Story.

  – author anonymous

  The Santa from a long ago ceramics class and the wooden depiction of the Nativity always go hand in hand.  Kevin tooled the oak Nativity at a time that we lived in South Branch.  The well built chicken house was partitioned off and Kevin had a great work shop during his grade school years. This Nativity has become priceless to me.  The hard oak took a lot of patience in sawing and in sanding.  Timeless.  

  In my mind’s rambling, I do have many memories.  Those that do not bring a smile, get glossed over quickly.  Bad choices, bad events have no business taking up my time, my energy in today’s real time.  They are over.  They are not being repeated.  I want and need my mind to be open to the wonderful things that happen each day.  There are wonderful things that have come about during less than good times.  I save the best and leave the rest.

   
• 

  Noreen 3:52 pm on December 7, 2020 Permalink  

  Radio and Sewing 

  I have taken to having the KNUJ am radio station on while sewing.  It has a variety of news and music.  I am amazed at how far out geographically their ads are collected from. Everything from manure spreaders to donations that can be made for the laundromat to one of the churches for those that need clean clothes but are short of resources.  I think that is wonderful.  Who doesn’t like clean clothes.

  One ad that brought a smile was for Long Branch Salon in Franklin.  Memories of the mid 60s flood back.  I am quite sure this is the same bar and grill that Richard Scheffler and Orlin would frequent on some of their trips to the Franklin elevator when they got corn for the beef cattle when we lived at Beaver Falls.  Franklin sold an awful lot of corn to Richard.  Richard spent an awful lot of money at the Long Branch.  Some of those nights got quite lengthy.  Orlin worked for his brother-in-law and was often the designated driver for Richard.  Carrie, who was born when we lived at Beaver Falls, many a night she and I would be sound asleep when Orlin came home.  One night about this time in December, Orlin came home with a pink stuffed teddy bear for Carrie.  Where on earth in the wide spot of the highway going through Franklin did Orlin find a teddy bear.  I am quite sure that 55 years later, that pink teddy bear with sewn on buttons for eyes is still in Carrie’s cedar chest.  Good times, good memories.

  As of today, the 25 Santa quilt blocks are ready to be joined together.  I may rearrange a few before they find themselves under the needle, but the gist pattern of the pattern rings true.  This was a fun challenging project.  The finished size will be 65″ x 65″ by the time the border is constructed and sewn on.  All lights are off in the sewing studio.  I have learned that when I get tired, I rest . . . I do not quit.  I believe that is the secret to all things.  I do not quit . . . I rest.  Quitting is final, resting is a mere pause. 

  Dennis has gone to have coffee at one of the apartment houses where his friend Lyle lives.  They all do social distancing and I don’t ask about the masks.  Ignorance can be bliss.

  Fog has been the usual today.  Gray brings on the evening darkness sooner than I would like.  Hmm.  In the scheme of things, it really doesn’t physically impact me . . . more a state of mind.  Oh that sweet mind of mine.

   
• 

  Noreen 5:03 pm on December 6, 2020 Permalink  

  A Busy Day 

  Today I spent some hours in the sewing studio.  Out of 25 blocks to piece, I have five remaining.  When the back started feeling tight, all was shut down for the day.  Too much of a good thing will have payback later on.

  JoAnn cued us in on some soup mix, Shore Lunch.  Today I mixed up a batch of Chicken Noodle.  I had leftover chicken from the other night also with some corn and added it to the noodle, carrot and peas that were freeze dried.  8 cups of  boiling water and it was soup on its way.  It smells wonderful and supper is underway.

  We have had the Christmas tree up since Thanksgiving and it had been out in the west porch.  I decided to make room for it in the living room and today it was decked out with decorations.  A pencil thin, seven foot tree is not the easiest to decorate and the branches are not very long.  I think it turned out great.  Many of my decorations will have to wait for next year when they get to take a turn.  I am short of flat spots for my Nativity sets.  

  It is five and it is dark out.  After supper I will be doing a stint in my chair and the heating pad on my back.  Priceless.

  A new week awaits and so does more wonderful weather.  Enjoy and know that no matter what our day brings, we do not walk alone.  An extra hand that can be felt on our shoulder brings support and peace.

   
• 

  Noreen 3:55 pm on December 5, 2020 Permalink  

  No Time for Sewing 

  I think it has been a week since I have had the sewing machine running.  My idea is to get all the “have tos” done and then I will play with the sewing machine.  With this Indian Summer, there seems to be odds and ends to do or help out Dennis with outside.  I am more than happy to help.  Whatever can be taken care of in the potting shed, the garage work bench or in the patio porch without getting fingers cold . . . I am all in.  In short time we had Dennis’ tick list completed.  He headed for the rocking chair in the patio porch and I headed in to see what Saturday work needed attention.

  With a forced-air furnace and flannel bedding . . . there is no short supply of lint and fuzz in the house.  Once Dennis was finished outside he came in looking to see what he could help with.  He took a swipe at the new litter of dust bunnies under the beds while I stripped the beds and headed for “day two” in the laundry.  I remember what Carrie once told me about toilet paper.  Charmin is the lintiest of any other brand.  I concur. The sun streamed into the octagon window in the bathroom while I was tending the washing machine that we have in the bathroom. The oak mopboard woodwork had a soft white layer of Charmin lint.  At the time, Charmin was all our local store had and beggars can’t be choosy. 

  We had an abundance of coolers and cold packs that we had used when our new refrigerator was in transit and while it had a chance to cool.  Today was time to take the cold packs back down into the basement refrigerator. 

  What came flooding back to me was about 1974, we were living in a comfortable mobile home outside of Buffalo Lake.  Orlin worked shift work at 3M and there were 3M products available to employees.  With two kids it’s amazing how much Scotch tape can be gone through.  What was also a good product were the gel-packs that could be kept in the refrigerator for aiding when there were boo-boos.  There was a certain day when things went south.  One of the gel-packs had been used on Kevin the night before when we tucked him into bed.  Before I got it retrieved the next morning to put it back in the refrigerator, Kevin decided to see how much pressure could be put on the expandable soft pouch.  We found out that they do not take kindly to having a kid jump off of the bed and onto the gel-pack.  If you don’t experiment . . . it will always haunt you.  A very different product to clean up after.

  Often, in what might seem to be mundane household chores for me, those memories sneak back that make me chuckle out loud. Priceless.

  Our Saturday is winding down and it has been a satisfying day.  Any day that has produced local effort enhances our general well-being.  Dennis does often comment that every day something comes up to keep him busy, and . . . Dennis knows when I spy with my little eye something that has gone undone, I am happy getting after it to the best of my ability.  Hey, if I let one or two items go, and before you know it, I can feel overwhelmed.  Never fear, I don’t run out of things to do, that’s not the way of owning a home.

   
• 

  Noreen 5:14 pm on November 23, 2020 Permalink  

  Victorian Santas 

  The Victorian Santa quilt blocks are in progress.  This is a Log Cabin pattern with a bit of a twist.  There will be three different sizes featured in the center of each block.  I chose the 6 3″ blocks to do first.  The small size takes a total of four logs around the image.  It was quite a bit of stitch a seam, press that seam and then trim that seam.  Slow but sure and it also allows me the opportunity to keep moving and not sit in front of the sewing machine for too long.  This Victorian Santa pattern spoke to me, big time.  In times past, I have ten Victorian Santas that I have done in Counted Cross Stitch.  They have all been framed by Michael’s and are under UV protective glass.  They average 20″ x 26″.  They are tucked away in the attic, right beside the storage box where there are just as many Victorian Santa figurines that stand 10″ tall.  Within my own home I could very well have a truck show of Victorian Santas taking front and center.  

  There was a purpose for me to remain in the sewing studio for the better part of the day.  This morning Dennis began the prep for his colonoscopy tomorrow in Fairmont.  I had no idea that our hospital had ceased doing the procedures.  Dennis has been allowed clear liquids for today.  Coffee and green tea topped with water.  It was easier for me to let Dennis roam at will today and having me remain quite and not asking anything or making any comments.  I am quite sure that after he begins the prep cocktail at six this evening, all thoughts will be centered as to his physical proximity to the bathroom.  I am proud of Dennis for doing the colonoscopy.  Our family doctor did tell Dennis as the age of 84, it could be bypassed.  Dennis is of the mindset of doing what is required to stay on track with health that is as good as possible.  That tells me that he still has dreams to see through, events to look forward to and most of all, he wants to spend as much time in our forever home as possible.

  Dennis has been in the patio porch and I know he has been napping off and on.  What a great way to pass time.  Dennis is adamant in taking his meds and I know he will see this through being just as adamant.  Let’s hear it for the ole cowboy.

  I have fixed myself a bologna sandwich and have it in my sewing studio to enjoy sometime for supper.  I could not eat in front of him. 

  Take care and my hope is everyone is taking good care of their medical checks and balances.  You are worth it.