Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 3:14 pm on February 1, 2026 Permalink  

  Snow 

  We did get an inch or so of snow.  Very wet.  Even the leaf blower had a hard time blowing it off of the front deck.  And then . . . the sun comes out and makes fast work of what was remaining on the driveway after Randy had scrapped it.  The streets are sloppy to the max.

  Lots of deer and rabbit tracks in the new snow.

  The studio got a day off today.  When I got up this morning, there was a bit of vertigo going on with me.  It’s best to stay on one level.  Not much can be done about vertigo unless it is prolonged and severe.  Mine is not.  There is no getting up quickly for a fast get-away.  It helps to move my head slowly and no quick looking down and then up.  My health is the post holding everything else upright.  My body is not just something I live in, It was given to me to take care of.  Stewardship 101.

  We are waiting for one item to come in the mail before I can do our income tax for 2025.  Tax Act is the program we have used over the years.  That and Turbo Tax are both good with easy to follow programs.  I hear there may be changes.  Time will tell.

  I have an oven meal in for supper with a veggie medley on the side.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:25 pm on January 31, 2026 Permalink  

  Icicles 

  Small icicles are forming off of the awning on the west side of our home.  The sun has the power to make it seem as if spring were right on our door-steps.  The mention of icicles brings to mind the amount of ice that can quickly build up from the furnace vent on the outside of the home.  Several years ago we had Watson’s bring the vent from the north side of the house to the south.  For two winters thereafter we never needed to pay attention to it.  Not so much this year.  Dennis has repeatedly commented during the sub-zero weather how quickly the ice wants to rise to meet the vent itself.  It was one of the wisest, safest things that we have had done.

  Even the studio was impressed with the sun coming through the south windows and no wind-chill to speak of.  With my project of doing some placemats, I did the worst of it today.  My goal is to do six placemats.  With the two of them as quilted guidelines, I figured out what length in the binding of six of them I would need.  964 inches was the calculation.  I went about cutting the 2.5 width of strips I would need.  This process is the most disgusting.  I cut the strips from the length of the fabric, the warp.  The weft has a slight stretch to it.  When sewing on bindings, the last thing desired is to have it wonky and wavy as the binding is turned over from the backing to the front.  That was the extent of the studio work.  I had put in a new blade into the rotary cutter, but the pressure on the shoulder after staying with it over a period of time needs to be honored.  

  KNUJ is not much fun on a Saturday as it entails the athletes being interviewed from various sports.  The individual announcer asks all the questions and the athlete gives either a “yes” or a “no” for response.  Boring!

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 4:05 pm on January 30, 2026 Permalink  

  Snow? 

  An inch or so would be great to cover up the dirt-encrusted snow that is remaining

  For some reason the studio felt cooler to downright feeling cold.  I did have an agenda.  I kept moving.  Yes, the fusible foam did remain fused using the Best Press spray of yesterday.  The sample piece of yesterday was put to the test.  I wanted to see if I quilted the placemat every three inches apart doing a cross-hatch, would the friction cause the two layers to move, null and voiding the fused aspect.  No!  It held tight.  I went on to quilt the top and bottom together of one of the placemats.  I did lay out the second placemat using the same painter’s tape concept for accuracy, but it was just not in the cards.  There is no way the thermostat on the furnace could be high enough to allow the studio to be comfortabe.

  I do feel good that the bundle of foam that I have will be usable by activating the fuse it was meant to have.

  The small pillow filled with crushed walnuts did get hand stitched shut.  Hard to believe that hand stitching with a small sharp needle and a single thread used to come so easily.  Now, the hand stitching that I do is done with a #26 tapestry needle and 2 ply embroidery floss.  That’s ok.  I like what I can do. 

  Yes, there is a covering of snow forecast.  This afternoon was the perfect time to make a trip to the grocery store.  The north wind was raw, but new snow and cold temps was more than I was willing to do.  Having concrete dry and bare under the feet is the ultimate.  A little variety in the kitchen goes a long way taking the edge off of meal preparation.  Besides I was out of apples and avocados.

  After the store we swung around town and we have a 12″ tuna sub on cheese bread for our evening meal.  The dressing of choice is ranch.  Green peppers, onions, lettuce, shredded cheese and olives rounds out the food group.  Sweet.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:53 pm on January 29, 2026 Permalink  

  Let the Sunshine In 

  “OH . . . Let the sunshine in, face it with a grin.  Frowners never win, smilers never loose.”

  So goes this day on Stauffer Avenue.  Enough challenge in my projects to keep me humble.  Two placemats in progress. The two-sided foam that I had used years ago making items for Carrie, Kersten and several others has been tucked away, safe from harm.  I decided to take a few scraps of which I have many and check out how hot the iron would need to be set at if using it.  There was zero cooperation.  I even went online to query the lifespan of said fusibility.  There was the answer.  The surface dissipates.

  Hell’s bells.  With not much to lose, out came more scraps.  I decided to use Best Press.  It is a light starch spray that I had on hand.  One piece of fabric down with a piece of foam down and then the topper of the fabric, much like the sandwich I would be using in making a placemat.  The moisture did activate the fusible to the topper fabric.  I made sure to let it dry.  I then turned it over and did like-wise with bottom fabric and the foam.  It seems as if I have a solution.  I put both objects, soon to be placemats, on the church tables to let them thoroughly dry.  When next I visit the studio, I will see if all stayed stuck together.

  I went on to work with two embroidered designs that will be small pillows.  They will be about 5-6 inches square . . . or smaller.  With stabilizer on the back of the embroidered designs and then sandwiching it to a backing and machine stitching around it, leaving an opening to turn it right-side out. It does make for a good workout with the fingers.  I managed to fill the projects with crushed walnut shells without making a mess . . . like in missing the target and getting them all over the church tables.  I have the openings pined, capturing the crushed walnut shells.  Tomorrow with a fine tipped needle I will hand-sew the opening shut.

  That was about all I could handle today.  The lights went out in the studio.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:22 pm on January 28, 2026 Permalink  

  Quiet 

  What’s not to like about a space that eludes quiet.  Dennis was out to his patio porch with his breakfast box in one hand, his thermos coffee cup stuck in his jacket pocket and the walking cane . . . ever forward!  I didn’t put the radio on in the studio this forenoon.  The quiet spoke to me.  The quiet allowed my thoughts to swirl at will.  You know how it goes, “peace on earth, goodwill to men.”

  As I turned on the lights that hang over the church tables, one glance told me the fabric choices and color-ways I had chosen yesterday were keepers.  Going forward, bright fabrics will be turned into several placemats with snowflake appliques onto the upper right-hand corners.  I went further and pulled out the lightweight foam to sandwich in between tops and bottoms.  Plans are in place . . . for another day.

  I have the latest hand stitched design blocked.  Several layers of the thick cardboard grided multi-folded design mats on the church tables allows for poster pins to hold down the design using the printed measurements for accuracy.  Kersten had found two such tools to add to the original mat that had been found at Good Will.  I have a previously used frame on top of the design to get a feel for it.  The color is a good fit.  The finished design is about an inch lacking on all four sides.  It will stay pinned down while I think through as to what my options might be.  An inch is not going to be the death of using this frame.

  With the extended cold that we have had, there is no grace of previous warm temps on the concrete in the studio of the walls or of the floor.  The cold has wormed its way through and through.  Staying in the studio for several hours at a stretch is all I am doing.  The small ceramic electric heater that I have in the studio does a good job . . . if I stay sitting in front of it or stay standing in front of it. No, several hours is enough to break up my days.  My bedroom porch offers the balance of my interests.  The powerful sun, streaming in from the south windows, doesn’t hurt either.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:10 pm on January 27, 2026 Permalink  

  A Day 

  The sun is bright and our small flag by the front door doesn’t get a break from being whipped by the north wind.

  I was in the studio by 10:30 this forenoon.  Dennis’ cousin Bruce was visiting in the patio porch.

  I have pulled together some fabric for a “maybe” type of project.  As I was in the studio, I would do a quick “look see” to nail down my choices.  A quick glance is all it takes to assure the sewist that the wisest possible choice has been made.  When I come into the studio tomorrow forenoon and see the choice on the church tables . . . that will be the rest of the story. 

  Last year when Sadie had brought over her huge pile of t-shirts for her quilt, I knew I needed to call in the cavalry.  I ordered the Worx Zip Snip electric scissors to hep cut up the shirts.  It has since had a center spot in the studio.  It comes in handy to cut apart or to open products that are sealed in heavy see-through plastic.  Fingers could be lost trying to get that plastic apart.  Cutting down carboard for recycling is a breeze.

  Late yesterday, I decided it was time to pull out a book to while away some time reading.  Both Carrie and Kevin know I cannot hold a book for the enjoyment of reading.  Both of the kids also know I found a solution for myself.  The hard cover “free books” from the retired bin in our library soon get their hard covers taken off.  Yup, the Zip Snip makes fast work of that.  I have a holder to prop up said book and I read one page at a time.  When that one page has been read, both sides, it is torn off and put in the recycling basket under my desk.  A solution for what I can handle.

  There is a new small stitching design on my desk here in the bedroom porch.  It will be done in monotone red.  It will be great to have it next to my laptop, joining my reading material.  Putting in some stitches while I have a YouTube or Hulu streaming in the evenings does a great job of winding me down for bedtime.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:23 pm on January 26, 2026 Permalink  

  Well, Well 

  What do you know!  The wind is from the south.  Our mail slot cover was honoring it by clapping all the way.  It’s still cold out make no mistake about that.

  I had the thrill of taking my stitching down to the studio today.  The pattern called Cirque des Cercles by Ink Circles — Tracy Horner is finished.  The pattern is 247 stitches by 185 stitches.  The stitching is now resting on the church tables.  I have my thumb tacks ready to begin blocking it.  I am in no hurry.  It’s an estimated 80 yards of floss.  Of course having to take out some stitches for mistakes would alter that.  I worked totally with Esther Schafer silk hank of the variegated.  Initially I had cut the hank in half.  There remains quite a bit of the half I was using.  Each length that I used contained six fibers.  I used two fibers over each stitch.

  I checked the cistern closet to see what frames I have that may work with the circle stitching.  The blocking will determine the actual size needed.  I do not want to have to make a purchase or to have it framed.  These stitched projects are to keep me busy and not for posterity.  I guess if I offered to hand-mend socks that have worn holes in them . . . that would surely keep me busy as well.

  I will miss having something in my bedroom porch to keep my hands busy.  I will contemplate that and check out what fabric would be available from the carry-0ver stash that Carrie and I squirreled away many years ago.

  While in the studio, I rummaged around in the flash-drives I have for embroidery.  The quilt top is done, my stitching is done.  It may be time to work with embroidery so as to not forget the steps for a good outcome.  I am thinking of doing some smalls that could be made up and donned in a basket.  The Christmas story pillows in the wicker basket worked great.  Easy to have out and easier yet to store.  Food for thought.

  We have had a good run of hot meals with side dishes.  I have kept a can of Dennis’ favorite chicken noodle soup in hiding.  Tonight may very well be the night.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:27 pm on January 25, 2026 Permalink  

  Happy Sunday the 25th 

  Next week at this time, the shortest month of the year begins.  I plan on making the most of these waning days of January.

  Last night while waiting for the sandman to lull me to sleep, I had a thought about what I wanted to do on this day, Sunday.  After this morning’s rituals, I headed for the studio.  I was searching for a bit of sandpaper, a bit of white paint and a length of the white butcher paper that I keep on an old fashioned paper holder/cutter.

  Back in the kitchen I began clearing out and off the first two shelves of the kitchen cabinets to the left of the kitchen sink.  It was time for a little bit of a tidy, tidy.  You all know how I like a good tidy, tidy.  The shelf paper needed to be replaced.  The edge of the bottom shelf was nicked in places.  I do have a little background of our home.  

  Our home initially sat on a farm north of St. James.  It is well over a hundred years old.  In times past, a gal had come to see me at the courthouse and she had a photo of herself standing on the then open porch of the home.  In the late 50s, the huge pasture on the east end of St. James was cleared.  Our home plus as many as six others were moved into town on that area as individuals saw fit for development of single family housing.  Our basement is that of a basement done in that time frame.

  The east end of the home then had a dirt flooring with the concrete blocks for the foundation.  The west open porch had been enclosed, also with dirt flooring and concrete foundation. for more living area.  We have put a vapor barrier under the east end of the home.  The west enclosed porch has had insulation blown in under it.  

  Anyway . . . the kitchen cabinets were in the home then as in now.  When I found this treasure of a home the cabinets were and are of cheap plywood.  It’s amazing what elbow grease, sandpaper, white paint and new hardware can achieve.

  It was time to smarten up that length of top cabinets.  I also wanted to have more items on the lower shelf for easy reach.  Fast forward.  The bottom shelf edge has a new coat of paint with the shelf having a new paper lining.  A whole lot of reorganization has taken place of the bottom two shelves.

  I didn’t want to bite off more than I could chew in an afternoon.  I will see how days go forward in relationship to the cabinets on the right hand side of the sink.  Yup, its all just window-dressing but it feels good.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:14 pm on January 24, 2026 Permalink  

  Frigid 

  After several days the frigid air becomes the usual.

  Dennis was feeling some cabin fever.  Too cold to get the little red pickup out for just a swing around town.  He had checked out his Facebook and the local obituaries.  Dennis asked if there was anything he could do that I had put off due to left arm mobility and the right wrist not doing well.  Well, now that he asked . . . I had been daily seeing the washing machine’s interior top of the tub for some time needing a bit of tidy, tidy.  Splashing of the water and that what it holds had left residue.  Dennis asked for supplies and said he was in for the job.  He wanted his walker behind him in case his legs would feel as if giving out.  I would be standing right behind that walker for moral support.

  We filled the hot water as if doing a light load and added some Dawn.  It was a good thing I had saved my favorite paint brush from me doing the front deck this last summer.  It was perfect for Dennis to use the water to dip the paint brush in to clean the rings around the collar of the tub.  Actually, when Dennis was in the hospital after breaking his hip, I had not checked his jacket pocket and a pack of cigarettes had gone into the laundry.  Hmm.  A few . . . actually a lot, of those fibers had found their way onto some of those rings.  I don’t use fabric softener often, but over time the funnel shaped container on the center agitator had more residue in it than was necessary . . . kind of like a wax residue.  Dennis asked for a plastic spoon and paper towel and it got swiped clean.  Mission Completion!  The washing machine had not had that job done since my stroke.  Sweet.

  We both met at the dining room table for a cup of coffee.

  Dennis reverted to the patio porch and I went to my bedroom porch to do a bit of stitching.  I am using Esther Schafer’s seasoned silk embroidery floss for this stitching project.  This time of winter’s cold I have the pointer finger on my right hand that needs a bit of stitcher’s wax worked into it so the floss does not snag.  It works slick.

  We had decided on supper: some Johnsonville Beef brats cut up into sauerkraut with buttered bread on the side.  It worked great for me.  An easy supper that we had not had for some time.  I will admit that that can of sauerkraut had been on the kitchen shelf for some time holding down the recharge cable for Dennis’ cell phone.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:18 pm on January 23, 2026 Permalink  

  Cold Days 

  Even cold days seem to pass.  To pass the time of this day, I decided to stay on the first floor.  Never being short of laundry that seemed like a good start to the day.

  Watching some YouTube mixed in with a little Hulu, the hand stitching seemed to add to the good mix I had going.  It’s cold . . . not a dang thing to do about it but be grateful for warmth where it can be gotten.

  My eyes did wander out of the south windows here in my bedroom porch.  Our neighbor tried relentlessly to use his pickup to jump-start their car.  I think he finally gave up, perhaps thinking a new battery will be needed. 

  Yesterday forenoon while in the studio, I remembered to make a call to Handi-Medical in Mankato for a 90-day prescription of my catheters.  Unbelievable. UPS delivered them this forenoon.  Neither rain, snow, sub-zero, etc., can keep delivery people down.

  This evening there will be a batch of Bisquick pancakes.  I have used that product from pancakes to a dry-mix plus seasonings for rolling chicken in to pan fry.  It even works for pork chops.

  Nothing earth-scattering to report.  Take care.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥