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  • Noreen 3:34 am on October 28, 2016 Permalink  

    Finished 10/27/2016 

    IMG_4697

    We are on the downhill slide for this fall’s “do it yourself.” The entryway and basement stairwell are a real challenge.

    IMG_4696

    As this height was a challenge for me, Dennis was right there making sure I felt safe. Wouldn’t you know it, grandson AJ stopped in to do the annual skylight cleaning. Kevin had just done it the week before, but AJ did take the paint brush from Grammie and AJ painted the stairwell ceiling going down into the basement. It garnered him a hug and a bag of chocolate chip cookies. As AJ lives in North Mankato, this was just a huge surprise visit and it worked out so well.

     
  • Noreen 2:07 am on October 27, 2016 Permalink  

    This is what went through my mind this afternoon.

    “Elvera, do you remember that tomato soup bar recipe? I just found my copy complete with the brown sugar frosting.”

     
  • Noreen 2:58 am on October 26, 2016 Permalink  

    Buttons, Buttons 

    Buttons and Quilting 2016 004 (440x330)

    I enjoy using buttons in a quilting project when it is not actually a quilt. Ten buttons per card and I am down to the last fourteen to sew on.  The staples that hold the buttons onto the card are as much of a pain as the actual sewing.  Ironically my Bernina is not the machine for sewing on buttons. My fifty-year-old Sears Kenmore is back in harness. I can control the back and forth sewing to attach the buttons in an easy motion. The Bernina is too much speed even if I want to take it slow. A gal learns those things by what else . . . breaking a sewing machine needle.

     
  • Noreen 3:34 am on October 25, 2016 Permalink  

    Glory to God in the Highest 

    Northern Red Oak 2016 002 (330x440)

    Vibrant colors of the Northern Red Oak reaching into the clear blue skies of a late October day. This is glory to God in the highest. Standing under this tree, taking the day in, I feel so very thankful for what Dennis and I have and what we share.

     
  • Noreen 2:34 am on October 24, 2016 Permalink  

    What a grand weekend I have had. Dennis being gone from Friday until . . . I am sure he will be home today before dark. Girl’s weekend “Home Alone.” Baking cookies, stripping beds and outfitting them with flannel, getting a batch of potato salad ready for the ole cowboy when he gets home, sorting through the closet and having a bag ready for the Wounded Warriors clothing van next month, cutting down plants and shrubs, emptying the dirty laundry baskets (that is until Dennis gets home and fills them up from his weekend) and most of all babysitting Dennis’ cats. They were in for a surprise. If they were not home by nine p.m., they stayed outside for the night. Both nights, Butter Ball and Tabitha were in. Snuggles, Honey Bunny and Harriet were left out. Grammie’s curfew is a bit more stringent that Dennis’. Both mornings, they were at the back door waiting to get into the porch for food. I am really mean.

    It really felt good to sleep in this morning. I think 9:30 a.m. can be deemed “sleeping in.” Another great day for a Sunday with the winds being quite strong. My agenda today was being in my sewing studio and I did and am so enjoyimg it. The pot of coffee I am topping off doesn’t hurt either. There is just something about spending time by yourself with not one single thing having to be planned or done but still hitting all the marks of necessary tasks to be taken care of.

     
  • Noreen 4:59 am on October 23, 2016 Permalink  

    It Was Not to Be 

    Fall Clean Up 2016 001 (440x330)

    I was totally planning on spending the day on some sewing items. Last night when I finished cleaning up the kitchen from making cookies, my plans were whirling in my mind. This morning with the sun bright and warm temperatures, the sewing was not to be. Making sure I had a charged battery in the weed whip, I headed to take down all of the perennials. In past years we would have had a killing frost by now. Not. The perennials were lush with stems filled with lots of juice. I went through my two batteries and finished with the garden shears. It did need to get done. Better doing it with warm sun beams and not chilling arthritic fingers paying a price. Snuggles and I took quite a few breaks. Snuggles would find some foliage that I had whacked and settle in the sun. If I headed to the patio to sit a spell, Snuggles was right there to curl up on my lap. His moral support was great. When Dennis returns from a trade show, I know we will be pulling leaves and foliage out into the open and Dennis will have the riding mower ready to do some mulching. The sewing studio will welcome me when the air has a crisp nip. Today Snuggles and I did what was needed. Both of us will rest well this evening.

     
  • Noreen 4:07 am on October 22, 2016 Permalink  

    Making Cookies, Made Easy 

    Easy Cookies

    Without the recent addition of this gently used Kitchen Aid mixer, cookie making would indeed be beyond my capabilities. 5 cups of oatmeal, 3.5 cups of flour,  2 cups of sugar, 3 cups of chocolate chips, 4 eggs, etc., and it was all mixed within minutes and I didn’t have to wear out what strength I do have in my arms. This is one kitchen appliance I so appreciate and I would never have guessed what a work horse it is. I am thankful for the gift of this gently used mixture. It was a gift to me from Lorraine in the days of dealing with cancer on a daily basis. She is now painless, resting with her Lord.  I will always remember that gracious lady each time cookies come from my oven.

     
  • Noreen 3:32 am on October 21, 2016 Permalink  

    The furnace to take the chill off of the house felt really good this morning. Going down into the sewing studio, it felt like someone else had started projects and then up and left them undone. It took a bit of time to realize where I had left off several weeks ago. Coffee and patience. Knowing that Dennis and I have taken care of what was best for us in our Stauffer Avenue home with the help of Kevin and Kersten, I can well take my time acclimating myself with threads, fuzz and fabric in the lower level of our home. I am not putting away the paint pail to finish up the basement stairwell, just taking a few days off.

     
  • Noreen 4:05 am on October 20, 2016 Permalink  

    Whoopee! What a grand feeling. I feel really good to have primed and painted our kitchen ceiling. Grammie can still do it! It did take me three days, but this cold cup of coffee I am now enjoying is the best tasting coffee ever. Time to kick back for several days and see if anyone has moved in on my sewing studio.

     
  • Noreen 3:40 am on October 19, 2016 Permalink  

    How could you not enjoy this day. Mild temperatures and lots of sunshine. Dennis is slowly getting ready for a road trip this weekend to Mitchel South Dakota for a trade show. Life long friend Lyle Grove will be riding shotgun. For Dennis, life long friends are beginning to be hard to come by.

    I did a closet check and will have a bag of goodies for the city wide Epileptic curb side pickup. Much of what they collect in clothing aides the U.S. veterans. There is also a store of gently used items called Savers in Rochester. I must admit one of Dennis’ shirts hit the garbage. Holes from welding, holes from cigarettes and multiple colors of paint stains. Sorry honey.

     
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