Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from October, 2020 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 3:03 pm on October 1, 2020 Permalink  

  Blustery Day 

  When it is less than 60 degrees in the home, as humbling as it is, the furnace needs to be turned on.  I have it set at 69 degrees.  Just high enough that when Dennis comes into the house, it feels warmer than it is outside.

  I have been in the sewing studio today working on quilting the quilt of many colors.  When there are 42 flannel blocks of various colors and designs, it isn’t a slam dunk as to what color thread to use for the top stitching.  Yesterday I had called on Anita in Mankato via text.  Anita had owned her own quilt shop at a time in the past.  Anita is now one of the stitchers that I hang out with.   Anita suggested a variegated top thread.  That sent me searching in my thread stashes.

  More years ago than I can count, Dennis and I had been in St. Cloud for an assessor’s conference.  After hours of the conference agenda, we had looked up the Grubber’s Quilt Shop.  There was this King Tut variegated thread by the Superior Thread Company.  It caught my eye and I purchased it.  Did I have a project in mind?  No!  By the way, what does that have to do with a purchase in a quilt shop!

  That King Tut thread was threaded into the sewing machine for a run.  I tested it out on a scrap.  All systems were a go!  The variegated thread did not take away from the embroidery motif in the center of each block.  This quilt of many colors had found its companion for a finished look.  I will be taking my time.  Though the quilt of many colors is only 55″ x 65″, it is still a bit to wrangle under the needle.  A quality flannel with 80/20 batting, which is 80% poly and 20% cotton, plus the backing is a bit of a heft. I am doing a meandering sewing for quilting.  No rhyme or reason.  I think this will work out quite well. 

  When Dennis gets home from a coffee gathering at his friend’s apartment’s gathering room, we are going to have pan fried Tilapia fish with some fried potatoes and a veggie.  We don’t purchase the pre-coated.  I toss the fillets in Bisquick and then in the pan.  It sounded like a good change out for us.

  By now, anything that was not nailed down outside should be someone else’s problem.

   
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  Noreen 2:02 pm on September 29, 2020 Permalink  

  One More Item 

  Today, one more item was ticked off the list that needed attention for 2020.  It was my turn to have my eyes checked.  I was a bit gun shy as Dennis came home last week from a usual eye checkup, only to have had an injection in his eye for wet macular degeneration. In curiosity, I asked Dr. Pinke how it could come on so fast for Dennis.  Every person, every eye is unique.  The wet version moves quickly.  The dry version may be detected with nothing transpiring over years.  That is where I am at.  I believe it was six years ago, there was a detection of the macular degeneration.  It has not progressed on a bit as of today.  I left with knowing that all was well with my eyes.  A very thankful visit.

  After having been to the Old Alley Quilt Shop last Friday, yesterday I received an email that I had won a $20.00 gift card.  That moved me onto taking a quilt top and backing to Old Alley this afternoon.  Having put together the project thus far, I don’t care for UFOs, unfinished projects, in the sewing studio.  It may be several weeks before it is long-armed.  It will be a good thing to have it in-house to work on the binding of it.  The gift card paid for the batting.  Sweet.

  We had a fellow that arrived last night to look over the Craigslist merry-go-round and Ferris-wheel that we have listed.  He labeled it as one of a kind “Folk Art.”  He agreed, he had never seen anything like it.  He was impressed how the items on the merry-go-round were engineered individually and all run by the belt driven treadle sewing machine wheel under the table.  The tuna can that had been made into a movable twirling ride for the two figures sitting in it, was run in part by a portion of an old metal hand-turned egg beater under the decking.  Mr. Tom took measurements and went home to see where he would have room for these as he wanted them to be each free-standing so all aspects could be enjoyed.  What I gathered is that Mr. Tom collects “Folk Art.”  In truth . . . I was so happy that someone deemed this special enough to come and have a look-see.  The Ferris-wheel, done up with the erector set look, was boggling to him.  The tiny brads used in building all the seats were intact and solid.  Neither Dennis nor I are mobile enough to be able to get under the tables in the event there would be something that needed care or maintenance.  As I have said many times “time will tell.”

  We did have the furnace running for a bit last night over supper to take the chill off.  Once Dennis was tucked into his bed with the electric mattress pad on #3, I shut the furnace down.  I sleep well when it is cool.  To make sure of that I opened a window just a bit.

   
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  Noreen 4:00 pm on September 27, 2020 Permalink  

  Quiet Sunday? 

  It was not a quiet Sunday here on Stauffer.  We had agreed that I would spend some time in the sewing studio and Dennis had several rodeos that were scheduled for the RFD channel.  We each enjoyed a noon lunch of our choosing and we bid each other “catch ya later.”

  I was deep into sewing together the backing of the colorful flannel quilt.  It was fabric the stitchers had helped me pick out Friday at the Old Alley Quilt yardage yard sale.  Out of my peripheral vision, I caught something passing across the basement windows outside to the north.  I slipped up to the first floor and looked out the living room window.  I saw electrical cord strung out on the lawn to the north.  I went to the bathroom window and saw the electrical cord had been plugged into the exterior outlet on the patio porch.

  It was time for me to get a jacket on and see what was going on with the ole cowboy.  Dennis was just in the process of getting our small electric chainsaw going by the old Lilac bush.  I decided right then and there, there would be no sewing until Dennis had completed his spontaneous tree trimming.  Granted, there were branches that needed some TLC.  Granted, we had talked about taking care of it next week.  Hmm.  I stuck around close and made sure I kept track of where that electrical cord was in relationship to Dennis’ feet.  Home accidents can happen very quickly . . . especially with senior citizens on board.  

  I must say the Lilac bush looks so much better as a tidy round shrub rather than having huge bare branches sticking up.  When we got all the branches pulled around to the north side of the garage, we realized there will be more chainsaw work needed to be done . . . next week!  Cutting the limbs into doable sizes and who knows, maybe Dennis will pile them up for a fall fire ring event as he is sitting on the north patio.  I wonder how old the original Lilac bush is.  The rotted, twisted, gnarled limbs would have been content going forward for who knows how long.  They had not reckoned on Dennis and his little green electric chainsaw.  Priceless!  As long as Dennis is content with the day’s labor, it’s a good thing.  I can sew any old day.

   
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  Noreen 4:18 pm on September 26, 2020 Permalink  

  A Lazy Saturday 

  After the usual Saturday house pick-up items, I went down into the sewing studio.  There was a need to pick up some items down there as well.

  Yesterday when the stitchers came to visit and we ended up in the sewing studio, there was some visiting about my slant on everything from storage of threads to storage of stashes and how to find them when they were needed.  Lots on interaction to say the least being able to see my humble sewing studio first hand and today there were items to put back where they belonged.  It is all about organization and being able to find what is needed in a heart beat. 

  What I have picked up on in times past, was that these gals have known each other for quite a few years.  I went with them to one retreat last year about this time.  It was my maiden retreat.  These gals had been going on retreats together for many years.  Their get-togethers were always at a neutral place such as a restaurant or a park . . . or a retreat out of the area.  In early 2019, I had originally seen a posting on Facebook about a quilt shop in Mankato that was trying to get individuals together at said quilt shop to share ideas about machine embroidery.  I went, I saw, I participated.  I was the only stranger there.  The remaining were all from Mankato and had known of each other prior from various events and interests.  After that time those of us that had similar interests began meeting at Barker’s Square once a month.  I sure enjoyed it, including the show and tell and sharing of ideas.

  Being as I was a newbie, what did I know?  Yesterday was quite different for them.  I have been the only one thus far to open up a home for them to glimpse “the rest of the story.”  I had not thought anything about it.  Come on over! Hmm.  This visit as we had yesterday was a visit of curiosity for them and had been anticipated.  It was almost as if it were like a visit into a secret garden, seeing how a stitcher . . . me, actually lives within their home, incorporating fuzz and threads.  Who knew!  I do not take my area of the sewing studio for granted and I also didn’t realize how it would be perceived as for possible ideas that others could take from it.  One of the gals has been wanting a new sewing machine table for a long time to ease shoulder strain.  The prices of the tables offered for “perfect sewing machine comfort” were out of her price range.  Anita will be going to Home Depot and ordering one of the Husky work benches after she sat down at mine and tried the ease of adjusting the height for maximum comfort.

  You never know what will come from interaction with people of like interests, you just have to put your foot out there.  I have gained and grown so much from these stitching gals.  There is no end to what can be obtained for the ease of fuzz, threads and sewing machine techniques.  Once the health threat of getting together in a restaurant comes to an end . . . I can’t wait.

   
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  Noreen 3:25 pm on September 25, 2020 Permalink  

  Best Day Since Covid 

  Here it is, a Friday afternoon and it looks as if it could rain.

  Our group arrived at Stauffer Avenue at 9:30 this morning for brunch.  It is a group of us that love thread and fuzz.  The enjoyment of sharing ideas is priceless.  Several gals had previous plans and I know that we will try for one more outing before it gets cold so the entire group can attend.

  Dennis had the patio set up and we were set.  Even the three cats behaved themselves and stayed under the Hosta’s.  Dennis joined us for lunch and shared conversation about the Koi and how our small lot had become an acre.  There was a brisk breeze . . . what was there not to enjoy!

  There was no way these gals were going to leave Stauffer Avenue without a trip to the sewing studio.  It was a general consensus that the space was wonderful.  I did share that Dennis had had a model railroad setup at one time and then the basement was turned over to the next enthusiast . . . me.  As the gals, one by one visited the bathroom, the main floor of our home was explored.  “For such a small home, there sure isn’t a square inch that doesn’t have utility” . . . yup!

  Dennis announced that he was in charge of the brunch cleanup.  That impressed the gals.  It was time to head to Sherburn to the yardage yard sale.  I had jotted down several items.  Quilt batting and yardage for the backs of quilts were on the list.  There was a mob of shoppers.  There were many, many church tables laden with bolts of fabric that almost made them sage.  The tables were marked in dollar increments with a dot on the end of each bolt that matched the sale price.  It didn’t take long that the bolts were moved and the wonderful scheme of things was just what you could imagine a sale to be . . . rather messy.  There were sale items within the store as well.  Three cutting tables and one cash register.  I have stood in line before.  Patience, patience.   

  It was a welcomed day.  It was the best day since the covid mess.  Dennis checked out my purchases and asked why I didn’t pick up a few more items as the price was very handsome.  Well, truth to tell, it would be similar to the sea of balls at McDonalds play area and someone would ask you to figure out how many red balls there were.  Bolts of fabric going every which way!

  A good day makes for good memories.

   
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  Noreen 2:50 pm on September 24, 2020 Permalink  

  A Night’s Rest 

  A restful night of sleep does wonders.  I cracked open one eye at 8:00 a.m. and realized that we were having a mist of rain.  Sure didn’t last long and the sun was bright.

  Going about the a.m. routine here on Stauffer Avenue sets the tone for the remaining day.  I was geared up to spend some time in the sewing studio.  Busy hands and a busy mind keeps the doldrums at bay.  I had barely gotten the lights turned on when the cellphone’s melodic tune let me know I had a text.

  The group of my stitchers was getting a motorcade organized to head over to Old Alleiy Quilt Shop on Friday to take advantage of a yardage yard sale.  Anita was the organizer and asked if they could pick me up on the way.  Several of the gals do have health issues and are leery with the covid.  The plan was for everyone to take a bag lunch along as eating inside anywhere was not in the plans.  The group was not planning on taking lawn chairs with, due to room with multiple cars.  A city park is what was hoped for.  I countered Anita.  How about stopping here at our home and I would have a brunch ready for the group and then head out for the quilt shop.  The farthest gal would be coming from Jordon, 45 miles east of Mankato.  Being able to sit on the patio with tables and chairs rather than grass . . . complete with a bathroom break if needed, seemed to be appealing.  After all, shopping on an empty stomach can make for less than rational decisions in purchases.

  Anita bantered back and forth via phones and people and by twelve noon it was going to be a done deal.  I got busy and by George, it’s going to all work out.  Dennis is in charge of the patio set up.  Our card tables are under a tarp so they are ready at a moment’s notice.  Dennis had just washed off the plastic chairs on Sunday as he had noticed a few webs where they shouldn’t be.  I now have a cold salad in the refrig, a container of buttered croissants, a bowl of fresh fruit, a container of pickles and a pan of chocolate frosted rice crispy bars.  The beverage of choice is water in bottles.  The guests will arrive sometime around eleven.  Sweet!  Anita had concerns about the effort and the cost.  We had been meeting at Baker’s Square once a month and ordering off the menu and had not done so since February.  The cost of this brunch in relationship to Baker’s Square . . . not even enough to compare.

  Dennis commented that this would be like the old days of lunch on a patio when we would host the secret pal lunches when I worked at the courthouse.  Yes . . . it will and Dennis was all in.

  All I need to do to round out the day is to go down into the sewing studio and get a bit of shopping list ready for myself.  It will be my first purchases in a quilt shop for 2020.  I am in need of some quilt batting.  I am also curious to get some feedback from the gals that have used clear nylon thread on top for quilting, and what would be the choice for the bottom thread.  The quilt of many colors presents that question.   Needless to say the sewing studio lights have been shut off until sometime this weekend.

  The best part is that Dennis will be enjoying for supper the same fare that is awaiting the stitchers.  It doesn’t take much more time to make ample amounts of everything.  

  As I mentioned several days ago, each day does have its surprises.  What a great get together with friends for tomorrow.  Having had a good night’s rest didn’t hurt either.  Here it is at a few minutes before four and all is well.

   
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  Noreen 3:14 pm on September 21, 2020 Permalink  

  Quilt of Many Colors 

  Though it is a beautiful day out, I didn’t have anything on the agenda for the outside work.  I was beckoned into the sewing studio.

  Many years ago when my sister and I would have a coffee klatch at three over the phone lines, we would compare how our day was going.  She was right.  “You can’t be outside all the time, there has to be a choice.”  Elvera would have a project going at her Bernina much like I have with mine.  Elvera wasn’t into quilting until a time after Mom was gone.  She bit the thread and fuzz bug hard.  It didn’t take her long she and her son’s mother-in-law purchased a long-arm quilter together.  It was in Rita’s basement in Brownton, eight miles from Stewart, where Elvera lived.  Today, neither Elvera or Rita are here to swap quilt ideas with.  Hmm.

  In times past, Elvera and I would swap ideas on quilting and we even made a trip or two together to the Old Alley Quilt Shop in Sherburn.  Elvera was just getting into making baby quilts for her up-coming grandchildren, as everyone had larger quilts that she had made and quilted.  The seventeenth, last week, Elvera has been gone for four years.  Time goes by quickly.  At the time of her passing, her daughter-in-law was pregnant as well as her granddaughter.  There were baby quilts waiting for a baby girl and a baby boy. 

  Elvera was right . . . we have choices.  Today, my choice was to work on the quilt of many colors from fabric that was gifted to me by Rita.  The flannel layer cake of 10″ squares is destined to become a 60″ x 70″ quilt.  All the squares have had added an embroidered alternating design.  The stitching of blocks has begun.  I won’t stay at it for hours on end, but . . .  there is now a rhyme and reason to follow.  

  Dennis and his bud, Dwayne, took another load of Dwayne’s goodies to the Storden auction location.  Dwayne will turn the keys to his farm site acreage over to the new owners on October 1st.  The clock is ticking.  Dennis’ little red pickup can handle the large trailer where Dwayne’s old pickup cannot.  What a pair to help each other out.  What a gift it is to lend a hand where needed.  

  Hey . . .  I have a hand to lend as well if needed.  When a need is found, there is always a solution.  

  I have no idea what tomorrow will bring.  That is what is quite wonderful about being retired . . . each day is a surprise . . . how could it ever be boring.

   
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  Noreen 2:11 pm on September 13, 2020 Permalink  

  Layer Cakes 

  A new twist is for quilting stores to sell their inventory as a pre-cut bundle and make it look very desirable, complete with fancy ribbons to tie the bundle together.  The Layer Cake promo is one that is very popular.  I was gifted a Layer Cake bundle.  It has 42 10″ cut blocks of various flannel designs.  

  I have touched this bundle, I have moved this bundle from place to place, and I have put the bundle out of site.  Yesterday I dug out this Layer Cake bundle of 42 flannel blocks.  All different colors.  All different printed designs.  I cleared off the church basement table tops and began moving colors around.  

  This is quality flannel and it has a lot of body.  I decided to work with the 10″ pieces each unto their own.  No cutting them up.  The smaller the piecing to put together the more bulky seams there are to contend with going forward.  Dennis came down into the sewing studio and scratched his head.  This project was out of my comfort zone and he had picked up on it.  Organized pieced patterns that repeat themselves has been my usual for a quilt.  All of these patterns and colors lying next to each other made my eyes twitch.

  This morning I had decided I would tie this mishmash of color and design together with an embroidered design on each block.  I will use the same neutral color of thread on each block.  I have two designs that came loaded on my sewing machine and I will do alternate stitched designs on each block that are similar, but different.  I am not thinking about going beyond this part of the project.  Time seems to help pull sewing things together as after each step something new may be seen.

  Dennis played solitaire on the basement Dell computer as a vote of moral support and confidence.  It does help.

  The sun is out this afternoon and it seems to have pushed clouds and rain showers away for a time.  Each day as I do some reading in our west porch, my view out the windows is our front yard.  The Kentucky Blue Grass is making appearances.  Yippee.  I think it did help that as I looked out the windows I was willing it to pop through the soil.  With the two inches of rain over the last ten days, I think my sprinkling may have come to an end.  The cooler weather tends not to dry out the grass.

  A new week and we will be in mid September before we know it.  Time is precious and I don’t wish it away.  At the end of each day I need to have some accountability for what my God and Savior has given me.  And . . . none of this “Oh, poor me, whatever shall I do?”

   
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  Noreen 3:54 pm on September 10, 2020 Permalink  

  Finally 

  Finally the sun was out today.  It has been a dark, wet week thus far.  It gave me pause to get outside, and lo and behold, there were branches to pick up in the far east yard.  We did have a bit of a storm earlier and the Hackberry tree let loose lots of weak branches.  Dennis’ burn ring is loaded once the branches are dry enough to burn.  One of the garden hoses that I used to sprinkle the north and east side of the house has been rolled up.  The soil in that area that I am working with the grass seed is damp, down to my second knuckle.  The front yard hose that has the sprinkler attached is fine where it is sitting on the front sidewalk.  Time will tell.

  I have been doing quite a bit of reading this week.  Once the house keeping things are done each day, it is a chance for me to have a cup of coffee sitting in the west porch of our home, listening to the laundry and keeping track of traffic as I read a chapter or two.  Balance in the day. 

  I don’t have anything started in the sewing studio right now.  I do have several items ready for travel.  Tomorrow the stitchers are planning on meeting in one of the open city parks in Mankato at noon.  Yup . . . it might be a bit cool.  Several of the gals have health issues and are not brave enough to meet where we had prior to covid.  That meeting spot has been Baker’s Square.  It may be as warm as 60 tomorrow and that is doable. 

  Every three months Dennis’ prescription for his CPAP machine allows for new supplies.  I will be making a swing to the Mayo Store tomorrow as well.  Sometime after supper this evening, I will be checking out the basement pantry to see what may need refills.  It’s so easy to shop from our pantry on the usual items that we need.  I am not one to run to the grocery store every week, if I can avoid it by stocking up at Sam’s Club once a month.  We don’t do a lot of red meat.  We can do a lot with frozen chicken tenderloins, canned chicken and tuna.

  May everyone anticipate Friday! Our weekend plans are quiet ones.  Dennis has been bopping around most of the week in his little red pickup.  His friend Dwayne has kept Dennis busy helping.  Dwayne’s window of opportunity is getting smaller getting things cleaned out of his farm place.  October 1st the keys are turned over to new owners.  It will be a good thing.  These two 83-year-old friends have been giving 100% to find homes for items from the sheds.  A good helper in Dennis has been invaluable.

   
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  Noreen 3:09 pm on September 9, 2020 Permalink  

  Ducky Day 

  It didn’t know if it wanted to rain or just be gloomy and dark.  I made trails for the sewing studio where the LED lights are always bright.  I didn’t have a reason in the world to be out and about today.  Via a text from neighbor Jan, we missed the fact that the air has been smelling like popcorn due to one of the huge storage bins having caught fire on Monday.  Yup, I need to poke my head outside oftener.  

  Over time I have been gifted quite a few things for the sewing studio.  What has found its way to my home has not gone unused.  Multi-dimensional crafter and sewer that I am, I dabble in a bit of everything.  When nephew Brett closes up his concrete business for the season, he has been on the receiving end when it comes to what I have excess of.  He asks and if I have it, I share it.

  Today was the sifting and sorting of threads.  Oh my gosh!  100% cotton, dual purpose, 100% polyester, cotton silk finish, quilting, embroidery, rug warp . . . and it all needed to be organized.  It may have taken me most of the day, but I know going forward I won’t have to read little labels . . . only choosing colors. 

  I try to stand on the last of the basement steps going into the sewing studio and use fresh eyes to see how the sewing studio appears.  After three days of organizing, feeding the recycling bin, combining like items into one container . . . I like the looks of the sewing studio shelves.  Oh no, the basement walls holding all of the shelves hanging from the top of the concrete block walls are not in any danger of imploding.  We are good going into the cooler fall and winter.  Martha Stewart would say, “It’s a good thing.”

  The mail came today and the JoAnn Fabric flyer went to the circular file.  I am holding true to the 2020 year of working out of the stashes.  It should go easier being able to identify what thread is needed and where to find it.

  A second night of chili for us.  Gotta love leftovers.