Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 4:52 pm on December 17, 2022 Permalink  

  Gusty Winds 

  Gusty winds with snowflakes.

  Today Dennis and I procured all the fixings for our Christmas dinner.  Surprisingly the four lane was clear after we got past the area between Madelia and Lake Crystal.  It has always been a bugger.

  When we got the word that there would be eight of us for the day, Dennis was giddy.  Dennis has a great “like” when Kevin’s and Carrie’s are coming, more so than when his children come.  Hmm.  I do know there are some favorite dishes for those coming. 

  I have a few items on a to-do list.  One for Kersten and one for Kevin.  Sweet indeed.

  The temps are really going to turn frigid this next week.  I will be happy to hibernate through it.

  Today we bought a small electrical heater for my studio.  I don’t need much sitting under my sewing machine but this will help with the cool air from being in the basement.  I do think of moving above ground . . . some day.  For now I an content and happy.  Never a day goes by that I don’t find myself wandering through my goodies.

  May the weekend bring contentment and enjoy this time.  Before Christmas is the perfect time to pull in and cherish what is in this world that we have carved out for ourselves with determination and care.

   
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  Noreen 2:29 pm on December 16, 2022 Permalink  

  A Friday 

  Today is the second day of the snow recovery.  

  Today is a day of not much exciting going on.  With one stitched project completed, I did work through some of my stashes for the next project.  I am a huge fan of Tartan Plaid.  It may well be in the next mix.

  Dennis is working with the Simplicity snowblower.  He takes many breaks.  Dennis needs to have his days include “local effort” as much as I do.

  The way the wind is blowing, the snow hasn’t found a place to settle as yet.

  I hope everyone has plans for the weekend that will be safe.  For Dennis and myself, our needs are few and we could subsist on the supplies on hand for some time. 

  Not every day needs to have excitement from morning to night.  Taking time to watch a few snowflakes goes a long way in sitting back and reminiscing.

   
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  Noreen 2:16 pm on December 15, 2022 Permalink  

  And so it Was 

  It only took for me to open one squinty eye to realize it was white out.  So it was forecast and so it is.

  I was surprised that there were as many schools closed as announced on the radio.  As wet as the snow is and with a wind at 14 mph, us two old fuddy duddies are in a good spot right here on Stauffer Avenue.

  This morning as I had a cup of breakfast coffee going, I tugged on clothing right down to heavy socks and shoes.  Hmm.  I reminded myself of Lena.  If Lena was caught in her housecoat during the forenoon, it meant she was feeling under the weather.  Mom was up, she was dressed and took on the day’s activities.  I do know after I retired, I thought it was a treat to keep the housecoat handy not get dressed for the entire day.  I have become my mom in many ways and I like it.  I like it a lot.

  It is better for me to wear those heavy socks and shoes as our basement floor is cold.  Many winters we have had the sump pump running off and on during the entire winter depending on the amount of rain in the late fall.  With sub ground water running along the perimeter of the four sides of the basement, the floor is bound to be cold.  Staying out of the studio until all conditions were 100% . . . it just isn’t happening.  When Dennis and I had surprised Carrie for her birthday at her clothing store, I bought a three quarter length sweater that has a hood.  It is a loosely knit design and oh so warm.  The perfect pairing for time in the studio.  It doesn’t have any closures.  One of my clips that I use to hold stitching together is the perfect fit when I clip it collar bone height.  At that height it snuggles the hood around the neck.

  Today my goal was to stitch out the opposite end of the table runner that I am doing in tone on tone of light browns.  Midway through at a thread color change the machine was not giving up the green light.  That has never happened to me before.  I thought perhaps it had been a coincidence that the bobbin was out of thread.  Nope.  I took the hoop off of the module, raised and lower the pressure foot . . . nothing.  The red light stayed on.  I thought about it long and hard.  I had no idea what would happen if I actually shut the machine off and then restarted it.  Would the design want to start over from stitch one?  Would the design have lost the placement on the fabric?  I crossed my fingers and hit the power button, waited a minute or two and then turned it back on.  The machine turned on.  The module took the hoop to the far right and then to the far left and finally settled right where it had left off.  Whew.  After all these years, a new experience. 

  May everyone be able to stay safe as the snow is promised to fall well into the evening.

   
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  Noreen 3:07 pm on December 14, 2022 Permalink  

  The Sun 

  The sun had not forgotten us.  Thirty five and sunny.  

  The sun streaming into the south basement windows does the heart good.  I took my time cleaning all things of pink fuzz out of the sewing machine.  A new needle and a bit of oil and it was all systems “go.”

  It had been some time since I had put on the embroidery module.  I have nothing that has been promised.  I do have some designs that piqued my interest.  The first thing was to pull out some ecru fabric that would make a good table runner.  12″ x 36″ finished is what I stitched up.  Giving it a pressing with some Best Press spray gave it a lightly starched surface.

  This particular design has three colors.  Basically a tone on tone appearance with a pop of bright red to finish it.  I do plan on putting the identical design on the opposite end of the table runner.

  As I don’t really want any stabilizer to show on the back side, I have gone with the Sulky Super Solvy water soluble medium weight.  When I had coupons for JoAnn’s over the course of this last year and many doctor appointments, I would pick up a roll.  The design has stitched out well.  My work is not done.  I will need to take the water soluble off the top as well as the backside.  This can be done with a fine mist of water, placing a paper towel over it and using a hot iron with a light pass over the paper towel.

  I have been staying busy and Dennis has also in his patio porch.  I know he has been tending the two patio plants with water and a bit of Miracle Grow dissolved in the water.  Those two plants harken from a time when I was still working, 2009.  

  We have one more night of my oven dish for this evening.  Sweet.  It will be interesting when I open my eyes in the morning.  How much white will there be?

   
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  Noreen 2:46 pm on December 13, 2022 Permalink  

  A Howler 

  The wind during the early morning was a real howler.  The large evergreen on the northwest corner of my bedroom really accentuated the noise.

  It has been raining off and on all day.  At noon, KEYC news reported 1.49 inches of rain.  I am sure more can be reported at the six o’clock news.  If the snow has moved far north, that would be fine with us.

  If we do have measurable snow that Dennis feels he needs to partake of with his snowblower around doorways, Dan at PT told Dennis this morning, “no snowmobile boots.”  At all times he needs to wear footwear that does not allow for his foot to slide around in.  More information was given that as we age the amount of skin covering the sides of our feet is very thin.  Message taken in.  Dennis does follow medical instructions.

  I am in between projects in the studio.  I am not without ideas.  I have taken to doing more reading right now.

  I have ideas about my studio.  The thread of text messages within the stitcher’s group is amazing.  The majority of them are making plans for a trip in April to a place called SR Harris in the metro.  It is a warehouse for fabrics.  I could give them a von buoyage send off as I need no supplies.  I generally do not seek reasons to leave my home.  I like it here.  I like it a whole bunch.  To each their own.

  Dennis and I are on the same page about being homebodies.  People joke with us about what plans we are making for taking part in tours.  For myself, I did take one tour bus tour years ago.  We met at the hotel in Fairmont early in the morning.  When we returned to the hotel late in that same day . . . never again.  The person in front of me enjoyed their seat tilted quite far back.  I had just enough room to fold my hands over my chest.  Any points of interest that I might have, I can journey there on my own in the comfort of my own vehicle.  If I want to go somewhere, Dennis only needs a few minutes and he is ready to take me.  Again, to each our own. 

  The afternoon is early and there is yet another chapter to read while in my bedroom porch.  I might get in a bit of traffic watching.

   
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  Noreen 3:31 pm on December 12, 2022 Permalink  

  We Have Aced the Day 

  For this Monday to be gloomy and damp, Dennis and I have aced the day.

  Dennis took charge of the patio porch.  With the snow and cold, the kitties have had antics much like having cabin fever.  It is amazing what can get tipped over in the adjacent garage.

  I was in my element with the Monday laundry.  As the loads were being swapped, it gave me a chance to put an oven dish together for tonight’s supper. 

  I had pulled out two Christmas wall hangings and that was on the afternoon’s agenda.  The wall hanging over the basement steps is always a challenge.  There was no way we were going to bring in a stepladder from the garage.  With slits cut into the end of a wooden strip of wood, we got out our long rubber bands that Dennis had bought at Harbor Freight in Mankato.  A rather long rubber band was slid into each end of the wooden strip used as the hanger.  Dennis manned the hanger with the wall hanging on it and I used a longer strip of wood and hooked the rubber band with it and slipped it over the Command Strip.  Hmm.  Older people can be quite creative.  It will be interesting as to just how durable these rubber bands are.

  The wall hanging near the back steps went much faster.  It took two steps up on our kitchen step stool and Dennis could get the wall hanging in place.  When Dennis stepped off of the stool backwards, his foot managed to step onto the rubber foot of my walking crutch and the top of the crutch hit Dennis in his back.  It startled him so before he could figure out what was attacking him.  We both got to laughing so hard it brought tears.  Oh my gosh!

  Our Christmas decorating is complete.

  With that being accomplished we are calling it a day.

  We are in a winter storm warning.  It might be white stuff or it could be rain.  Time will tell.  We are safe and sound on Stauffer Avenue.

   
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  Noreen 2:18 pm on December 11, 2022 Permalink  

  Sunday’s Visitors 

  Yesterday after supper I sent a text to Dennis’ granddaughter in Mankato the I was “pinked out.”  Luella’s blanket was done.  Amy said they would drive out this morning to pick it up.  Talk about what a highly anticipated project this had been.

  Today, was indeed an anticipated day of rest for me.  I admit I had pushed myself yesterday.  I slept until eight this morning.  I was out of bed just in time to get a text from Amy.  They were just leaving Mankato.  Holly Toledo!  I got dressed as I poured myself a cup of coffee.  It seemed as if I had barely made it into the studio to put lights on and my Sunday visitors were coming in the back door.

  Amy was followed in by Luella and her brother Oliver.  The studio was hopping.  How sweet.  The mound of pink on the church tables couldn’t get unfolded quick enough.  Luella, at four and barely tall enough for her head to clear the table tops asked Oliver for help.  Amy put Luella on a chair for her to stand on and Oliver kept rotating the quilt for her to make comments on the squares that she remembered.

  Luella and Oliver made their rounds in the studio.  While Amy visited with her grandpa Dennis, Oliver pulled out what looked like a slight ball of yarn from his pocket.  Oliver is learning to crochet.  Oliver had a square to show me that was the pattern called The Granny Square.  Oliver is in fourth grade and there is a time in the afternoon of the school day that someone comes in to do crafts.  Oliver is also into origami.  He and his friends had been trading Pokémon cards until the teachers no longer allowed it.  

  Luella went home with a pink blanket, but Oliver went home with a Pokémon baseball cap, the rest of the Pokémon material I had made into a pillow case and a small crocheted afghan.  His crochet was in double crochet stitches and he was proud to explain that to me and he saw what happens with a lot of singe crochets in the afghan.  Sometime Oliver wants to come over to see how the Pokémon could be stitched on my sewing machine.  I think I have a fellow crafter in my corner.  Awesome!

   
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  Noreen 3:09 pm on December 10, 2022 Permalink  

  My Mission Completion 

  No clouds were allowed in the studio today.  I had my sights on great granddaughter Luella’s blanket.  After niggles in my brain for an hour about the binding . . . I decided what had been good enough for Lena’s bindings was good enough for me.  Prairie points all the way.

  Mom’s point of view in regard to using prairie points was that the points could take off additional wear and tear of the actual quilt.  To achieve each point there is a total of four layers of fabric to take the brunt of fingers and hands.

  Here we are in the middle of the afternoon and I am about to shut down the studio for the day.  The blanket/quilt is finished at 60″ x 70″.  I can honestly say . . . I have had enough.  No matter how the quilt is arranged on supporting tables, it is a lot to herd under the needle.

  My last task for this project is to take it up to the laundry.  With a damp bath towel it will have about 20 minutes on tumble to give that wonderful quilt batting a chance to feel free to puff up at will. 

  Today Dennis took down all the wall hangings in the house and tomorrow the Christmas wall hangings will go up.

  We do have plans to welcome family on Christmas Day.  Sweet!

   
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  Noreen 3:18 pm on December 9, 2022 Permalink  

  The Busy Town 

  With the five to seven inches of snow that fell during the night, the traffic going by the house is every color or size of snow blades, pushers and blowers.

  Dennis’ grandson Ryan was here with a bobcat that was sporting rubber tracks.  It made quick work of the drive and the snow on the south side of the garage.  Of course Dennis will tidy up with his walk behind Simplicity.

  A morning visitor brought me down to the studio before nine.  Is it ever too early for a fellow quilter?  No.  It had been some time since this visitor had stopped in.  Before long I had had help picking out a fabric to use in binding Luella’s blanket. 

  After Dennis had come in for a noon break, I returned to the studio and began taking out the huge amount of safety pins that had served me well in keeping all layers of the blanket secured.  As I am taking these pins put, it does bring a chuckle in regard to a mailing I recently received with additional pins to use in future projects.  One can never have enough safety pins. 

  When I had a chance to question and visit our mailman about the recent mailing of pins, he assured me that I could call the post office and the nice lady could help me.  I must add . . . the mailman is a very slightly built young Hispanic fellow.  His mail bag is larger than what one thinks he could carry as he trudged through the deep, recent snow. 

  I am far enough along with this current project that I will soon be turning my imagination to some embroidery.  There is no shortage of ideas that come across from various groups I have joined on Facebook.  It does keep the wheels turning.  That is what a balanced life is all about.

  May everyone experience the coming weekend with light hearts.  It is the season when we need not stress as He is the reason for the season.

   
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  Noreen 4:03 pm on December 8, 2022 Permalink  

  A Solo Trip to the Big town 

  Today there were eight of us stitchers that enjoyed each other at Baker’s Square.  Some of us had not been in attendance since September.  It didn’t take long and the sharing and laughter was in full swing.  Lou had a quilt to share.  Lori had quilt books to share.  The rest of us took it all in and might be spurred on to share something in January.  

  Five of us have mates that keep our home fires burning while we gather.  For myself, it was sweet to come home and find that my major elf had been busy.  He had asked what I needed help with in the house and . . . mission completion.  After all these years I get it.  I just need to ask.

  Several outside decorations greeted me when I drove up.  It brightened the gloomy afternoon.  I think by the time the evening sets in the fog might be thick.  The snow is forecast to begin by nine this evening.  Me and my ole cowboy will be snug at home for this evening and the entire weekend.  Sweet.  

  The only errand that Dennis will run tomorrow is to pick up his six five gallon pails of corn from the elevator.  Those six pails lasted him for almost two weeks.  Dennis told me that he only has four deer coming each night.  Each night a 2 lb. coffee can of corn is put out.

  I had told myself when I was in Mankato that if the snow had held off by the time I got to St. James, I would stop in our local grocery store.  I did pay $4.62 for a dozen eggs but as I held and caressed that head of lettuce priced at $5.96 . . . I just couldn’t do it.  Down it went.  I will be fixing more green beans and corn.

  I need to get back to the studio and Luella’s blanket.  With the help that Dennis gave the homestead today, there is nothing on my plate for tomorrow.  It is so close to being done for this four year old.