Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 4:17 pm on November 29, 2023 Permalink  

  Indian Summer 

  It might not be Indian Summer out, but what Indian wouldn’t like it with temps in the high 40s.

  I rode along with Dennis today as the little red pickup needed an oil change.  When the computer comes up at Jiffy Lube, the little red pickup gets everything it needs considering the mileage.  We have never had problems with vehicles.  They get good care just like we do when we go in for a medical tune-up.

  As we drove, there was not a single ear of corn left to be harvested.  Very few fields had been tilled via moldboard plowing.  Chisel plowing has taken over.  With this weather to allow tillage, the spring field work of 2024 will have a head start. 

  Today our John Deere neighbor to the north of us, Randy, had a retirement party at John Deere.  Randy has worked for our local Deere since he graduated from high school.  Hats off.  His wife, Jan, retired from the school district in the spring of this year.

  This has been a good hump day.  Not much happening here on Stauffer Avenue for local effort.  Tomorrow will be time enough to put the lights back on in the studio.

  By the way, my stitched prototype came though the laundry perfectly.  I can now continue with the 4″ blocks for the backing.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:12 pm on November 28, 2023 Permalink  

  Wind from the South 

  We have a small flag on the southwest corner of the house.  It is telling me the same thing KNUJ said.  The wind is from the southwest and tomorrow a temp in the 40s.  What’s not to like about that!

  My cousin Mark called last night.  He was telling me he had gotten off for Saturday so he would be seeing us at our Aunt Janet’s 90th birthday Saturday at the Penn Church that our cousin Dan owns.  I told him we realized it was from one to five.  But with darkness coming early, and Dennis is not fond of driving in the dark, we would most likely be there by 12:30 and heading home by three.

  We got good news yesterday afternoon.  Nicholas passed his driving test.  He told us on Thanksgiving about the car he had bought and that he and his dad were doing the brakes.  I forgot as ask him if he could drive it now.

  I spent some time in the studio and made a prototype large enough to realize if it was a winner or not.  As I was using a backing to the 4″ squares, it went into the washing machine this afternoon with the light colors to see how it would hold up.

  There is a freezer bag of hotdish sitting out for supper.  I had wanted to make sure I had some sour cream in the refrig.  For some reason the pasta was really starchy and stuck together.  The Daisy Sour Cream should mix in well.

  Though the temp is 38 out, I think Dennis was feeling chilly as he is in the house manning the clothes dryer and playing solitaire on the HP in the living room with a crime show on the television.  Talk about multi-tasking.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 4:09 pm on November 27, 2023 Permalink  

  A Nip 

  There definitely is a nip in the air that is exacerbated by a strong wind.  This afternoon, I hitched a ride with Dennis up to the grocer’s for some milk.  We use 2% milk and purchase in a quart size.  I checked the cap and the sell by date was December 6th.  That check is so important.  I can’t believe what they try to push through.

  The morning in the studio was a very good one.  As I have no time schedules, I am going to put a scrappy back on my scrappy quilt top.  There is now a huge amount of 4″ squares cut of the various fabrics the quilt top is sporting.  Of course . . . I did a small area as a prototype. 

  This entire project will speak to the authentic person that I am . . . living the good life as a product of the post World War II War.  The Hutchinson Creamery would have carried printed 50 pound bags of chicken feed concentrate much like my scrappy project printed fabrics.  Oh yes, I have purchased fabric for quilts listed at $12.98 per lineal yard.  This project is giving me so very much more satisfaction.

  Darlene Zimmerman from Fairfax has a complete line of authentic reproduction fabrics.  It is the in thing to harken back to days of old to create what can be used in today’s modern world.

  At the Thanksgiving Day dinner, our table was set with various vintage mismatched eating utensils and serving spoons.  How fun is that!  Seeing one or more of the six of us at the table turning over a utensil to read the origin of manufacturing.  It wasn’t intentional.  The cupboard drawer was pulled open and Nicholas pulled out six place settings, handing them to Megan to get the table ready for eating. 

  Dennis, the hibernating bear, is napping in his recliner with the heating pad set on the low setting lying across his chest.  What a great way to while away an afternoon.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 1:56 pm on November 26, 2023 Permalink  

  Easy Come 

  Easy come and easy go . . . the light snow of the last days.  Our front deck no longer has any snow on it and the concrete drive is bare.  I think the brisk breeze has something to do with that.

  The street past our home is a thoroughfare.  There has been minimal traffic.

  The morning and a small portion of this early afternoon has been spent in the studio.  I achieved my goal of getting the border onto the scrappy quilt top.  The final measurement is 60″ x 72″.  That will not change as the binding may add a half inch . . . or so.

  The snow began to fall late yesterday.  I think the bear in Dennis must have begun the hibernation.  Dennis has been asleep in various locations since he got up at six this morning.  When looking out into the patio porch from our bathroom, there has been one cat after another walking across his jacket.  None have roused him.  I am not prone to nap during the day.  How could I?  I go to bed at nine in the evening and sleep until 7:30 the next morning.  Different strokes for different folks.

  Late yesterday afternoon, the next hand-stitching project was put into a hoop.  The stitching design is up on the angled book rest with the metal 8″ x 11″ sheet behind it and the magnet strips holding the design in place.  The floss is six strands.  Two strands are used at one time.  It is one stitch over one thread . . . making a full cross.  I usually thread three needles at a time so as to not let the orphan threads get tangled.

  I sure hope this Sunday is bringing some rejuvenation to all of you.  When Dennis has had his fill of naps, it could be an interesting evening.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:11 pm on November 25, 2023 Permalink  

  Light Snow 

  We have light snow this afternoon.  For my part, it could stay light for a long, long time.

  When I realized my cross stitch project that I had ordered off of Etsy tanked,  I looked into ordering a pattern from a company that I had heard quite a bit about on the YouTube channels I have subscribed to.  123 Stitch is a large site offering all things imaginable.  123 Stitch is from Texas.

  In today’s mail, my next project came.  It will be a smaller finish than what I framed last week.  I really don’t know as yet, how big it will be.  The pattern calls for 35 stitches per inch.  I am using the same yellow as the previous project and that is 16 stitches per inch, also using the same deep navy floss.  The yellow was also a mottled yellow that had been died, making the holes a bit smaller from the process.  Nonetheless, I am excited.

  Dennis’ grandson from Mankato came to see his grandpa today.  We do store his Harley in the back garage over winter.  Dennis knew it still needed its cover as the bike was too hot when AJ drove it from Mankato and parked it.  Those two can really cover a lot of topics.

  I spent good quality time in the studio.  Using many pieces of my scraps from the quilt top, the border will be three inches wide around the perimeter of various widths of scraps.  Most likely a photo will be ready by tomorrow.  I have had a lot of time to think about the backing for this scrappy quilt top.  Buying a wide width of printed fabric for it is a possibility.  I think I am leaning towards using more of the fabric that the scrappy top is sewn with.  Time will tell.

  My sister-in-law’s mother passed away this last week.  Donna, age 90, was in a healthcare facility in Hutchinson.  It will be interesting as the oldest daughter has broken all ties with her entire family since my brother Michael passed away.  Dynamics within families are unique. 

  I have shut down the studio for the day.  I do have some reading time before supper.  With the mail having delivered my next project in the hand stitching, I am back to having a balanced day: machine sewing, hand stitching, reading and keeping the home front tidy.  I love it.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:28 pm on November 24, 2023 Permalink  

  Over Load 

  The amount of emails is on overload on this black Friday.  I have been hitting the delete button over and over.

  Dennis and I are not partaking in any fast and frivolous purchases today.

  While in the studio today, I was doing my mental recap of yesterday.  

  Nicholas is 6’1″ and as a sophomore, he may still have a bit to grow.  As he has purchased his own car, he said putting in 35 hours each week all summer at the fast food place called Chick Fila helped a bunch in buying car parts.  In June his band will be doing a trip to Italy.  Wow.  Nicholas said their fundraisers were really hitting all the marks.  Good for them.

  Megan’s targeted finish for her four year college program will be in three and a half school years.  She has a grade point average of five thus far.  She is working as a server in Texas Road House at $20.00 an hour.  We had not known that she has her car at college.  Jeremy loaded her car on a rental trailer and took Megan and her car to Virginia.  Since school started in August of this year, she has fueled up once.  Even Dennis noted that Megan has not gained any weight from being in college.  Jeremy showed me a photo of their college cafeteria when he was there in August, also a photo of the salads they were having.  I could get used to those fixings real easily.

  Both of the kids had a great time hanging out with grandpa in the patio porch for quite some time.  Grandpa can wedel information out of them when the parents aren’t around.  Too funny.

  Son-in-law, Jeremy, is the bookkeeper for Carrie’s store.  It seems to work out great after he is through with his full time job.  Carrie does have five part time employees to help in the store, but none that can either open the store at ten or close it at six, six days a week.  It does afford her to take some time off during the day.  Sunday is her day off.  Carrie does have a torn meniscus in the left knee.  It will be interesting how that is going to be handled.  I did not ask a lot of questions.

  Our day yesterday was great catching us with the family as we had not had interaction since Easter.

  Jeremy left us some stew from yesterday that we will have for supper.  In exchange we sent home some pie for them.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:07 pm on November 22, 2023 Permalink  

  Thanksgiving Eve 

  This generally is the day when the kitchens would be humping, getting ready for Thanksgiving.

  I have been successful with the prep that was needed on Stauffer Avenue.  The pies have been taken out of the freezer and have been put in the refrigerator.  Mission completion.

  There had been Thankgivings that Dennis and I were alone.  We decided to drive to Mankato until we found something that was open and served food.  It worked out just fine.

  Dennis ran the MKX through the car wash today. Jeremy and Nicholas can put the car cover on it tomorrow with as little dust as possible in these next 24 hours so as not to rub on the car from the cover.  Dennis had a plan and the car is now in the garage with the furnace cranked up a bit and fans running so the car will be totally dry by tomorrow.

  Today the living room north wall has the Santa quilt on it.  I had a lot of enjoyment working with the paper-backed fabric sheets that could be run through the HP printer with a large variety of images to choose from.  It makes me smile every time I look at it.  It was the first time I had used mono-filament sewing thread when I free-motion quilted over the Santa blocks.  The bobbin had green thread in it for the total project.  The front was quilted with changing off the red and green threads when quilting the log cabin blocks. 

  Well, well.  Sometimes when an item is purchased online, you can get burnt.  First time for everything.  I had ordered a stitching kit via Etsy on October 1st.  I have been diligent on the tracking number.  The tracking stalled and as of yesterday that shop on Etsy has closed down.  Live and learn.  Hence forth, I will work with needlework shops in the good ole USA.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:42 pm on November 21, 2023 Permalink  

  In Between 

  My studio is in between seasons.  Plugging in my small heater was the recourse.  All that needs to be done on the first floor before Thursday has been covered.

  My day down here in the studio started at three this afternoon.  Today was pedicure and haircut day for Dennis and me.  It is a block of two hours that we need at Maria’s.  A great job is done for the two of us once a month.

  We only had to shop at the grocer’s for whipped cream in a can for the pumpkin pie on Thursday.  The wind would have torn off the pickup door if I had not held on for dear life.

  We had barely gotten home when Dennis got a call from friend Dwayne that his wife had the car and was stuck somewhere with a breakdown.  Immediately Dennis told him to call AAA.  How can people in their 80s not have road side assistance?  I have no idea how Dennis’ afternoon is going.  Supper will no doubt make for interesting conversation.

  I had a shock this morning when I left a text for our family clinic with a prescription renewal for Dennis.  I received a text back that our primary physician is no longer with Mayo here in town and my request would be handled by a doctor.  Dennis saw him last week with no hint that he would need to choose a new primary.  Grant it, he is 65, but generally,  family doctors do stay longer.  Dennis and I have no idea who will be our next choice.  Hopefully we won’t need to be in a hurry.

  We had a late noon lunch today.  Dennis said he would like Pregresso Chicken Noodle soap for supper.  Easily can do that.

  My feet are toasty with the 73 degree heat from the heater.  You know . . . Dennis and I are so spoiled in our forever home. 

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 3:08 pm on November 20, 2023 Permalink  

  Peaceful Day 

  My usual Monday laundry day is finished.  It’s a very gray day with a shower of rain once in awhile.

  We are having company on Thanksgiving.  It will be six of us.  I had put out an inquiry as to what the grandkids liked to eat for Thanksgiving.  I heard back from Jeremy, the son-in-law.  Jeremy has a few days off this week and he is bring the Thanksgiving dinner in total.  Sweet and wow!  I did not ask any questions. 

  Dennis and I are doing the pies for dessert.  Dennis and I traveled to the Walsh Apple Barn yesterday and we now have the pies, fully baked and frozen in our freezer with instructions on when to take them out of the freezer and put them in the refrig. 

  Amazingly, the apple barn pie shop is open year around.  Last Wednesday they ceased taking special orders as they know what their freezer capacity is.  They also have a pie shop in St. Peter, it is called The Pie Monger.  The shop here on 169, furnishes the pies for St. Peter.  When Dennis and I were at the counter waiting, the glass viewing area into the oven area was amazing.  We have treated ourselves to one of their pies off and on.  Never disappointed.

  This afternoon, with the leftover breakfast coffee, I watched some of the YouTube videos that I have subscribed to.  The inspiration is amazing.  I do have finishes left to do on my scrappy quilt top with a border to assemble and sew on.  I did so enjoy my cross stitch project that I plan on doing another.  I have enough of the same fabric and it will again be done again with just one color.  It will be the same deep navy as the one I just finished and I have ample of that one floss.

  After this posting, I plan on doing some reading before supper.  Dennis requested one of his favorite Progresso soups.  Very easily done as neither of us have done any heft today.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥

   
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  Noreen 2:59 pm on November 19, 2023 Permalink  

  Sunday the 19th 

  It has been a very intense day for me.  I don’t even know what kind of weather we are having.

  My goal was to have the brunt of the housework done so I could use my energy and time today, framing my counted cross stitch project.

  It is scary when the project needed to be trimmed down to fit the frame I bought at Hobby Lobby.  I can always trim and cut more off, but if I cut it too close, I can’t put the fabric back.  What had been in the frame could not be taken out as it was a frame within a frame.  Ideally cross stitched finished pieces are laced onto a hard foam board for correct placement.  All I could do was put some quilt batting down and fit my trimmed piece over it.  The stitched piece would be tucked down in the space where one framed item was in the second framed item.  Ya . . . scary.

  I needed to run a ribbon of glue onto the backside of the raw stitched piece on all four sides, one side at a time and then tuck it down and in.  I had four emery boards thick to wedge in between the fabric and the frame allowing the glue to set.  It was a slow process.  The only glue I had was E6000.  It was the same glue Kersten and I had used to glue the cement antler onto the cement deer.  Slow, slow.

  When all was glued down, I had a gap to fill.  Out came whatever stash I had of trims.  I chose the black with gold.  The baggie stated, “Clearance $2.00.”  With only five inches remaining, I tucked this around my stitched, glued down project.  

  Dennis kept me company in the studio for moral support.  I needed it.  Tomorrow, the hanger on the back of this metal frame will be called in for duty.  The frame had been 50% off of $26.00.  Isn’t everything in Hobby Lobby 50% off?

  With that I take my leave.  ♥