Updates from January, 2020 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

  • Noreen 4:28 pm on January 19, 2020 Permalink  

    Brr! 

    Seems as if the cold hasn’t slowed too many people down as per the traffic past our home.

    It seemed a good day to swap out laundry and chase dust bunnies.  Where oh where do they all come from.  The laundry tells a tale.  No matter how many loads of washed clothes we may go through, the lint is never finished.

    Dennis did get his pickup driveway cleared out with his snowblower.  The alley is narrow and it doesn’t take but one swipe of the city plows to plug the doorway of the pickup garage.  Dennis said he would chauffeur if I wanted a lift to the grocery store.  I couldn’t pass that up.  What’s a kitchen without onions . . . and a few other things.

    On the way home from the grocery store, Dennis made a swing into the Fleet and Farm.  It seems that Harriet had checked out one of the large flower pots that holds the Koi pond plant.  Yup, it got tipped over.  Dennis and the vacuum had a mission that left the pot needing more potting soil.  

    I had just gotten a phone call . . . from Dennis in the patio porch.  I needed to come to the bathroom window as there were ten deer under our Maple tree and in the backyard.  Oh my what a glorious site to see them in the daylight.  Dennis had put some new slabs of hay under the Maple tree. Though deer are not real fond of hay, the corn and oats that Dennis had sprinkled over the hay made it a great treasure hunt for the deer.  Good going Dennis!

    Another tip with the hay.  Dennis had checked out the patio porch and the garages looking for Harriet.  Dennis feared that she had snuck out and was out in the sub-zero cold.  Nope.  When Dennis went to fetch those new slabs of hay.  Harriet had burrowed in on top of the open bale.  

    Tell me that retired folks have a boring life and I will show you some boring folks.

     
  • Noreen 3:49 pm on January 18, 2020 Permalink  

    Hang On 

    This is a day that a brick should be in our pockets when we go outside.  Horrific wind blowing around the fine powder-like snow.  It’s hard to tell how much snow we actually got as it won’t stay in one place for very long.

    Dennis and neighbor Randy played in the snow for some time today.  They may have to repeat that tomorrow unless the snow gets a hard crust on it and stays put.  We are so fortunate.  Dennis can run the small blower that Kevin handed off to him without hurting himself and Randy takes the brunt of the heavy stuff off of the driveway.  Two neighbors across the way struggled with their snow.  How could you rent a home in Minnesota and not have a plan for snow removal.  

    Best-HelperEarly last week I thought I was in need of a haircut.  Wouldn’t you know it . . . I still am.  I had planned on making a purchase that day in Mankato.  With the weather I put an order into Amazon and it came yesterday.  Great service.  I think it is one of my best decisions in some time.  I may continue recovering from a bad neck . . . or I may not.  I talked it over with my physical therapist and I am up to using a neck brace intermittently.  I am still on Mike’s schedule for therapy going once every two weeks.  What makes me such a believer in what Mike can do for me is that his wife suffers from much the same situation.  Mike knows!  I wore the brace to bed last night and I could settle down more easily and quicker.   

    Bake-OffYesterday someone mentioned chocolate cake.  Hmm.  I have not baked so much as a single crumb in months.  Today I cut the toes out of a white sock and stripped it over the neck brace and hit the flour and sugar canisters.  The sock . . . you never know when a splatter is flying to reach the ceiling and I would get in its path.  It is now late afternoon.  The frosted brownies are complete as well as six dozen cookies, some of which will be hiding in the freezer.  Dishes are done and I feel better than I have in the late afternoon for a long time.  I think that brace and I will get along just fine once in awhile.

    Dennis is out in the patio porch getting the deer food ready to set out.  Late last night after the snow and before the winds started they came for a snack.  Such a good feeling from such a simple act of kindness.  

    Betty Crocker is hanging up her measuring spoons for the day (actually, I did receive the Betty Crocker Minnesota state award in 1962) and I trust the day has been satisfying for everyone in one or two simple ways.  It’s the simple things in life that are most rewarding.  In the mean time, hang onto your mittens and hat when going outside.

     
  • Noreen 4:30 pm on January 17, 2020 Permalink  

    A Snow Day 

    It may have been a snow day outside, but the sewing studio was humming right along.  It is always gratifying when a project that really didn’t have an end game planned does comes together.

    I enjoy making scrappy quilts.  Let’s get to the  bottom of that scrap box and throw something together.  What seemed to come together was a lot of warm colored scraps.  I picked up a pattern off of Facebook and went with the eight point pinwheels.  It took 49 nine inch finished blocks.  I had begun this in August of 2019.  Of course . . . it’s warm outside and warm colors are being put together.

    I knew I would like to have a double sized quilt in the end.  I had also thought I would have liked a flannel back to this quilt.  88″ x 88″ is very close to what the books say is a double sized bed quilt.  The flannel was not to be had in the 108″ choice as I shopped at Old Alley Quilt on their last days of business when everything was 30% off and choices were slim.

    Tropical-Sea-QuiltI have titled my quilt top Tropical Ocean Waves.  When it came to putting sashings and corner stones to it, I was less than thrilled with what I had on hand to go with the warm colors.  I was determined I would not purchase fabric for the quilt top, it had to come out of my stashes. I went to the exact opposite and chose dark teal and light teal colors from my stashes . . . thus the Tropical Ocean Waves title.  The lighter of the teals being not a solid color . . . who knew!  It was as if it was planned all along for ocean waves.  Dennis’ opinion was asked for and he was a great help.  By adding the 1/4 inch blue strip around all of the the blocks it tied in well with the plan.  I didn’t think I would ever get done cutting 1″ wide strips.   It took 49 of them with several inches left on each for the circular file. 

    As of this afternoon the sewing studio is tidy.  Everything is put back in its place and the quilt top, batting and backing are stacked ready for a winter weather break to take to Sharon in Sherburn.

    Dennis has been playing in the snow this afternoon with his snowblower.  I kept track of him as he blew a path on the east side of the garage to blow out the area where the pan is set out for the deer food.  The temps have warmed up allowing the snow and the winds are promised to be wild this weekend.

    Staying safe this weekend is the tip of the day.

     
  • Noreen 4:21 pm on January 15, 2020 Permalink  

    Sun Dogs 

    Sun dogs at night . . . sailor’s delight.  So says the old adage.  There are sun dogs out this afternoon and it is beginning to bite with the cold.

    The camera that Dennis’ friend had put out for deer photos is less than good.  Rich had it set quite close to the patio door and thus the photos are very blurry.  If there happened to be a deer in the top of the photo that allowed for a clearer image as it was farther away.  As Dennis mentioned, we knew how many there were and how entertaining it is for us on a nightly schedule.

    I put out feelers for a long-arm quilter and I got a bite.  Sharon sold the Old Alley Quilt shop and let it be known that she would have a long-arm in her home in Sherburn.  Sharon has done many quilts for me and I will be thrilled for her to do another one for me.  I told her I would keep in touch when my top was completely sewn.

    We do have the thermostat set at 70 in the house.  I must say that the basement is a bit cooler even with the heat register open.  I came upstairs and decided that the blog would be done on the living room HP.  My fingers are a bit chilly.

    A Dennis-style hotdish is in the oven.  Dennis’ choice is chicken, corn and pasta.  He did let me add some chopped bacon when he mixed in the Alfredo sauce.  His choices and I know he will enjoy every last bit of it.  My choices will be for a time when Dennis is off to a weekend gun show.  You have to know when to hold them and when to fold them.

     
  • Noreen 4:25 pm on December 17, 2019 Permalink  

    Farming 

    I sure hope the latest farm bill has included gentlemen farmers.  Our driveway today looks as if the hay baler just left after the latest cutting of hay.

    Needless to say Dennis was on a quest to find hay with which to feed the deer.  Home deliveries are alive and well.  For this evening fare there is a bright green slab of hay next to the huge Maple tree in the backyard.

    When I came home yesterday from the stitcher’s meeting I noticed there was an extra coffee cup on the cupboard and the cookie container was quite lacking.  Yup, Dennis had afternoon coffee guests.  When the visitor left, what was remaining was a night vision camera affixed to the clothesline pole adjacent to the patio porch. Dennis means to get some good photos.  Trying to get a good photo with our little camera through the screen and glass patio door just doesn’t do the event justice.  

    We are winding down the day and Dennis has kept busy most of the day.  Surprisingly the horse tank that the Koi are enjoying over the winter was in need of replenishing.  I am sure the heat from the furnace for the garage plus the water fountain making bubbles and oxygen for the Koe all makes the evaporation process a daily thing.

    So . . . what have I been doing?  I am working on a repair of a item I gave out to be used in day-to-day life as a prototype.  Stitching it and having it look just as I had envisioned is one thing . . . putting it to use is the rest of the story.  I appreciated the feedback and will keep this one aspect of the pattern in mind for future projects.  

    The world keeps turning and each day is given to be used and enjoyed . . . with visuals of local effort to show for how the day was used.  There are no d0-overs. When we awake, it may be such that we are not the same person as we were when we went to bed.  Perhaps those with whom we share our love and support within our families may have need of us.  Being prepared for possibilities is the best weapon to keep ourselves as healthy as possible.  All this is said to talk myself out of enjoying the remainder of the sweets that have been left over from our family gathering on Sunday.  I hope, I hope I win the battle.

     
  • Noreen 5:48 pm on December 14, 2019 Permalink  

    Here to Tell You 

    I can tell you the feather comforter was a winner last night.  I usually go to bed with fresh white socks on.  There is a good reason.  The foot end of my bed is against the north west wall of my bedroom.  That says it all.  Insulation can do only so much when the wind continues to insist to blow in the double figures.  Halfway through the night, the socks came off.  Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

    I have had a great day.  Some days click right along as if going to a hard and fast schedule.  If Dennis were to be asked, he would say all my days have a schedule.

    Dennis just called from the patio porch.  Someone must have rang the dinner bell for the deer.  The dinner guests have gone from four to seven.  Dennis gets a kick out of the yearly buck with the ever so slight horns that will become this yearling’s pride and joy antlers.

    Tonight is my night to be showered up early.  My favorite PBS shows start at seven sharp.  With the PBS shows having no commercials,  no quick errands can be run as I may miss something.  

    May everyone have had a day as great as mine.  Catch ya tomorrow.

     
  • Noreen 4:23 pm on December 11, 2019 Permalink  

    Brr! 

    I had an appointment this morning at ten for physical therapy.  When I backed the car out of the garage the interior dash indicated it was 45 degrees in the garage.  By the time I was at the clinic which is less than 10 minutes away, the readout was -2.  Brr.

    The good news is that my neck and shoulder situation is getting better.  Mike T. knows his business.  Neither one of us is giving in.  During the time with him I did comment that mobility was a good thing but I didn’t need the rotation of the character in The Exorcist movie.  I have no restrictions from Mike.  I have put restrictions on myself and am holding true to a few items . . . no pushing snow and vacuuming.  The last is Dennis’ contribution for my recovery.  Now wait a minute before he gets a lot of kudos for vacuuming.  We have a total of a 4′ x 8′ area rug in the basement sewing studio that requires care from the threads that happen when I miss the waste basket.  Our home is Swiffer friendly for the remainder of the floor area.

    I spent time in the sewing studio with some well needed needle time on several pairs of my pants.  I needed to put belt loops on two pair of pants.  Kevin has commented in the past, “Mom, you don’t have a butt.”  Well guess what?  Not all pants are created equal.  I am now sporting belt loops on all pants that I have in my possession . . . all four pair.  It made sense for me to take care of this as it is hard on the shoulders when the hitching up of pants is going on non-stop from the time they are put on in the morning right up to the time that it’s time to call it a day. 

    When I was at the clinic this morning visiting with acquaintances as we waited for out appointments, I did find out who Dennis can contact to purchase some alfalfa hay bales for his deer.  Last year the neighbors had some road ditch hay they put out for the deer.  That hay stayed laying right where they had put it until the spring thaw.  Not a lot of farmers in our area have need for fields of alfalfa as they are predominantly cash crop farmers. 

    Hang tough everyone, there are some warmer temps coming.

     
  • Noreen 3:58 pm on December 10, 2019 Permalink  

    Sunny and Frigid 

    Frigid temps don’t feel so bad when the sun is shining and it is bright out.

    Why am I not surprised.  Dennis came home from coffee with his buds at McDonald’s to stop in and say he was going out in the country to a friend of his.  They had been chit chatting over coffee and Dennis was offered some oats for the deer feeding.  That was all Dennis had to hear.  While he was at Dwayne’s he also offered some advice on guns that Dwayne wants to sell.  Dennis’ suggestion was to let the children pick what they would want from their dad and then decide on what was left as to the price he would want.  Good friend that Dennis is, he did not offer to purchase, only to give advice.  

    Bell-PillowI muddled through a pillow.  The way velvet stitches out embroidery is really nice.  How to work with velvet afterwards is a nightmare.  Because of the nap of it, it doesn’t play nice when being put in a seam.  It slips and slides to no end.  My pillow is done.  In the photo the white flang border does not want to lie flat to be photographed.  That is unfortunate as it is some white elite that I had used to make Carrie a dress for the Christmas concert many, many years ago when we lived in the two story brick schoolhouse.  The embroidered design fit right in with the stitching of the bells.  The tartan plaid taffeta seemed to be a good fit.  Taffeta has its own issue when seaming it.  It frays like a dog that is molting.  What can I say.  When you bite into a challenge, you have to be willing to work with it and then as Dennis did with his highchair . . . you say “Uncle.”  I need to inquire with my stitching gals in regard to their experience with velvet, as I will want to be ready for it again next year at this time.  Yup . . . stubborn and no throwing in the towel. 

    Patio-GuestsDennis is practicing with our small camera to capture photos of the deer that come to enjoy his patio.  I think he is doing a fair job.  Holding the camera steady is huge, but the drift of the photo is spot on.  The deer coming this close to the patio is the cat’s meow . . . literally.  All three sit at the sliding patio door and take it all in.  Hard to say if the cats are putting on the most nose prints onto the glass . . . or if it’s Dennis.  Priceless.

     
  • Noreen 5:57 pm on December 7, 2019 Permalink  

    A Social Day 

    Once the beds had been stripped and the laundry going, it was time to do a bit of dust bunny hunting.  Saturday’s mean taking a Swiffer and skidding and sliding over all the floors.  It is amazing what is captured.  Dennis thinks there are more people living here than are fessing up.

    The VFW in town had a local vendor’s show.  I have several gals that have small home businesses that I wanted to support.  I looked, I touched but there was nothing that came home with me.  A sign of contentment.

    The Odin Craft Mill does a spring and fall show.  This year they did a Christmas show starting the day after Thanksgiving and open every day. December 8th will be the last day.  I had not gone to any of the events in the last several years.  Odin is only eight miles from St. James and I was curious.  After being open for nine days, there was still an abundance of items to take in.  I looked, I touched and did come home with some eatable items.  Dennis will enjoy the caramel popcorn and the small squares of various fudge favors.   I was able to ferret away a few goodies for the times when Carrie’s and Kevin’s can make it over for Christmas.  Who would look in a sewing studio for Christmas treats!

    The gal who owns the property at Odin for the craft mill will be coming over sometime next May.  Nancy said she would be over after the spring show to dig up some Hosta.  Yes, I am serious about cutting way, way back in the flower gardening.

    This evening we were entertained by four deer just a bit after five.  They must be hungry or just sociable.   Dennis gets the greatest thrill in this.  It’s a good thing.

    Tomorrow promises to be another good day in regard to temperatures.  It has been great to have our concrete driveway totally cleared of snow and ice.  Our neighbor Randy has a total gravel driveway that makes a horseshoe shape around their home.  With using his tractor and snowblower on the gravel, these warmer days have made for a great horseshoe shaped ice rink. Hmm.

     
  • Noreen 5:46 pm on December 6, 2019 Permalink  

    Efforts Were Split 

    Dennis wanted to stay close to home today to wait for “people.”  The snowblower, which has quite a bit of age on it, needed some tender loving care.  The throttle was touchy.  If lowered a bit too much the snowblower would back-fire.  Not to worry.  Charlie made a house call and tweaked it to perfection.  Charlie works for the county as a mechanic.  Good job Charlie and good job Dennis for staying on top of things before the snowblower was needed to be put in action.  Monday is to be a snowy day.

    Dennis just called me from the patio porch.  His pan of alfalfa pellets and cracked corn has company.  The lights are on in the patio porch and the television is on – I am sure fairly loud.  The pan is four feet from the patio sliding doors.  How fun for Dennis, and the cats are sitting right at the base of the doors watching also.  These two deer, I am quite sure are the two fawns from last year.  Oh my gosh, they were so small then compared to the two that are out there now.

    I digress.  I went to Mankato today to pick up supplies for Dennis’ CPAP machine.  All supplies are prescription-based.  Medicare and our insurance supplement honor pickup of supplies . . . if they are stated to be a month’s supply . . . that date needs to be adhered to as to when the last prescription was picked up.  Not one day earlier.  When Dennis went in for a checkup in October and to get a renewal of these CPAP supplies, the doctor wrote the prescription for three months worth.  So, February 6th is on my telephone’s calendar to make the return trip.  It does all work if you play by the rules.

    All is good here and I think the largest challenge facing me for tomorrow is to pick up milk.  Dennis informed me that when he had his oatmeal and flax Noon meal, he emptied the 1/2 jug.

     
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