Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from January, 2025 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

• 

  Noreen 3:28 pm on January 31, 2025 Permalink  

  The Aromas 

  The aromas from the little kitchen on Stauffer Avenue would have been hard pressed to have been any better in a 5 star eatery.

  The last time I was at our grocer’s they were running a special on a lb. of bacon.  The kicker was that it was honey jalapeno flavored wide sliced bacon.  I thought what the heck.  It was too good of a price to let it go.  I used a cookie sheet covered with tin foil and lined the slices up.   I didn’t let them bake to crispness.  When we have eggs and bacon for supper, I will top them out in the microwave. 

  The second cookie sheet, I covered with parchment paper and put the frozen cinnamon rolls onto it.  I knew that with the Pam sprayed onto the cling free sheet over them, the heat from the yeast would have them ready for the oven in three hours.

  It was a continuation of good aromas in the kitchen.  Dennis sampled a piece of bacon on his way out to the medical clinic.  It passed mustard.  Both projects were easy clean up.  The coverings of both cookie sheets hit the trash can.

  The studio was visited in between.  I have the walking foot on the sewing machine and it is threaded to match the canvas of my soon to be tote.  I do use a basting spray with which to hold the canvas, the top, to the batting and the backing.  I have always had good success with it holding everything in place when it goes under the needle.  The best part about the spray I use, is that it doesn’t gum up the needle as it sews.  It sure beats a multitude of stick pins jabbing me in the fingers as the project is manipulated under the needle while everything is held in place.  It also takes away from sewing over a pin and having it jammed somewhere under the hood.  The machine is capable enough as Megan found out when she was doing a quilt for Nicholas.  The needle of the machine went straight through the thickest portion of a safety pin.  The needle didn’t break but it took some doing to get the needle out of the machine while leaving it in the safety pin.  No harm was done.  A new needle was put in and all was good.   

  The studio got a short visit as operating the nozzle of the spray can did a number on the index finger as well as my right hand.  Way back when . . . who knew the index finger of either hand would be handicapped.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 2:44 pm on January 28, 2025 Permalink  

  Bricks Needed 

  We went up to the courthouse this morning.  First challenge was the wind from the north.  I could have used bricks in my pants.  The heavy railing they have put next to the sidewalk was used with every step I took.

  I looked at the roster of department heads.  My, my.  All new from when I left service in 2009.  We got our questions answered and Dennis got his new tabs for the little red pickup.

  With the biggest task completed, I came into the house and went straight down to the studio.  I was determined to make progress on the setup needed for my next project.  Mission completion.  I have multiple bobbins wound.  The canvas has had the edges surged to prevent raveling. I have my canvas in the hoop.  The tray with the collection of threads is on a tray within reach as they wait on the corner of the church table within reach of the sewing machine.  A piece of purple fabric is on the ironing board.  I will use that to add blocks to those long awaited embroidered designs that have nagged me long enough.  So there!

  I am not sure what Dennis is up to in the patio porch.  We will be meeting up for a supper of chicken tenderloins, potatoes and cauliflower in a steamer bag. 

  I usually open the weather on my computer.  I then expand the map to check for where the snow will be coming from.  Nothing for the next 24 hours.  I like that.

  As soon as the kids to the south of us are off of the afternoon school bus, they are riding their bikes up and down on Stauffer Avenue.  The contest seems to be which one can do some sharp turns making the most dust.  So it is January 28th with 50 degree weather.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 2:58 pm on January 26, 2025 Permalink  

  Hello 

  Hello to the sunshine with . . . very little wind.  How sweet is that!

  I have had a good conversation with my brother in Cloquet.  We chatted back and forth for over an hour.  I had not visited with him since Eric had helped him to relocate from Decorah, Iowa, over the Christmas.  Calvin stayed at Eric’s, outside of Duluth, for several days as Eric got the assisted living apartment ready to move into.

  It has been a change for Calvin, not a bad one.  He has a set-up with what he enjoys, much like how it was in Decorah, his television and his computer.

  After the New Year, our cousin Mark and his wife popped in to visit Calvin.  Mark lives in Finland, north of Duluth.  Mark’s dad, Melvin, was the youngest of my mom’s family of eight siblings.  Melvin worked and retired from the radar station that was active during war times protecting what may be coming in from across the ocean.  Calvin thought the visit was great.  It’s been a long time since Decorah held no possibility of a visit such as that.

  This morning, Megan and I shared a text back and forth.  Her courses are keeping her busy as well as doing some in-service off site related to her endeavors in the classroom.

  I have wandered from the studio to my bedroom porch and back.  The fabric I want to use for the next embroidery has been squared and the next step is to take in a tutorial on YouTube on a tote bag on which to put the embroidery.  I want to make sure I can get the centering of the design.

  Super is a container of Chili out of the freezer.  Sweet.

  Our week is free of any appointments.

  There is nothing like having choices throughout my days.  I will note that yesterday, Maria commented on the rise of the RSVP cases and covid.  Maria shares her salon work week with Windom as well as St. James.  Windom seemed to be her biggest concern.  I trust Maria and her nursing skills as much as the wickedness of sharp shears for a great haircut.  I do believe I will keep my nose down right here in my home.  I lack for nothing.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 3:25 pm on January 25, 2025 Permalink  

  Hmm 

  Oh yes, they spoke of forecasting temps in the twenties.  Nothing was mentioned of winds that would take us to feeling like -4.  Never to mind.  The strong wind rolling the dust down Stauffer Avenue, taking it south doesn’t make it feel like January.

  This morning we motored four block west of our home to visit Maria for haircuts and pedicures.  What a feeling of a treat.  There is nothing like it.  We came home at noon for a lunch of crab salad.  The flavors that have been co-mingling since yesterday’s forenoon.  Let me tell you, it served us well in the taste department as well as the texture of it.

  Dennis and I had a good full day yesterday, allowing us to take selective participation for this afternoon.  I don’t regret an afternoon like this.  The balance of life gives good days for happiness, bad days give experience, worst days give lessons and best days make for good memories.

  I have a YouTube playing in the background while I am doing some stitching, sitting upon my cherry red chair in my bedroom porch.

  Supper is a replay of the tuna oven meal of last night.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 3:08 pm on January 24, 2025 Permalink  

  A Busy Friday 

  Last night over supper Dennis asked me what my plans were for the next day.  I did share that it seemed like it would be a heavy first floor day.  His bedding needed to be laundered.  I had crab meat that I wanted to make into our favorite crab salad as a noon snack to tide us over for a hot supper.  I also had everything needed for a tuna oven meal to make a large enough batch to put one container in the freezer.  “What can I help with?”  I don’t think he expected me to answer as quickly as I did.  Yup . . . I came back with the plan.

  If Dennis would pull his bedding apart after he got up this morning and deposit the sheets and pillow cases next to the washing machine, I would have them washed and dried when he came in at noon.  If he would then tidy up the floor with our little first floor vac before he dressed his bed.  I assured him I would have the salad and the oven dish going in the kitchen and do up the prep dishes.  Dennis thought that all sounded good.

  I was making great headways this forenoon.  The buttons for the laundry had gotten pushed and I was breezing into getting the Suddenly Salad box opened to get the pasta boiled.  I had the raw onion diced as well as the crab meat diced up.  I use the crab meat out of the refrigerated section of the grocer’s that is a USA product.  I was onto mixing the envelope contents for the dressing.  You have heard of the commercial of a Dollop of Daisy sour cream.  I had the dollop going when the container spun out of my hand and flew to the floor doing a cartwheel but still landing right-side up on the floor.  The cartwheel had landed a spray of sour cream on the kitchen wall and floor.  Stop the presses.  Breathe.  Tidy, tidy and we were back in business for the salad to be completed and in the refrigerator.

  On to the tuna oven meal.  More pasta boiled, three cans of the Albacore while tuna opened and drained.  We have realized when we get a 12″ tuna Subway that the onions we request with the rest of the goodies goes really well with the tuna.  First time adding them to the oven meal.  I diced more onions using the large onion up I had purchased yesterday and sauteed them until translucent.  A package of baby green peas out of the freezer and a jar of Alfredo sauce opened.  So close to a finish in the food prep.  I added a bit of heavy cream to the empty Alfredo jar with a shake shake to get every bit.  I had enough for a glass container of the tuna dish to be put in the freezer for another day.  Sweet.

  During all of this Dennis came in at noon, just as usual to find his bedding washed and dried.  I turned a very self protecting deaf ear as the grunts and sounds ensued from his bedroom.  The comments varied from difficulty as to which way the fitted sheet went on as to where I had hid the small vac, yada, yada yada.  I remained doing the prep dishes, cleaning the kitchen range, etc.

  I soldiered through having continued from start to finish while in conversations with Dennis during his multiple breaks and catching of his breath at the dining room table.

  Wonder of wonder, we both completed our tasks.  I never got off of the first floor being busy.  Dennis had asked and his wish had been granted.  He has a fresh bed to retire to and we have several good options of healthy foods over the next days.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 4:01 pm on January 22, 2025 Permalink  

  Damp Day 

  There is enough humidity in the air to allow a snowflake once in awhile.

  During this cold spell, I spent time at my desk in the bedroom porch of mine.  It has been a good feeling to get to several projects that I had on the far, far back burner.  The first was the circular wooden box of Ester Schafer’s.  It is now a sewing box holding many of the mini pillows I have stitched.  The second was using some of Esther’s silk floss that is now a bell pull sampler hanging next to our front door.

  The third project is now done.  I have been saving some small wooden blocks for decades.  They had been stored in Esther’s wooden box.  They were 1.5 x 1.5 varnished and waiting.  My dad, Raymond, had cut them for me.  Dad passed away in 1992.  Hmm.  These blocks have waited and needed to have something done with them.  You all know I was not going to do away with them.

  These blocks are now donning decals on all sides.  Some floral decals, some Christmas ones.  They are now housed in a wonderfully wooden bowl that my great uncle, Roy Grunewald, worked his magic on in his workshop.  Dad spent many hours at Roy’s house as Dad learned the ins and outs of using wooden shapes to be glued together and then turned on a wood lathe.   I have a lamp base and two smaller vessels that Dad turned out using walnut wood.

  

  I come from lineage that always had something going on the side after their daily work was done.  Did they think idle hands were the work of the devil?  I can’t speak to that.  What I can attest to is being creative comes second nature and it is oh so rewarding.

  The older priceless treasures have been touched and finished.  

  Today I went to the studio and pulled an embroidered pattern I had downloaded some time ago.  The pattern used Maderia brand embroidery threads.  I use only Isacord brand.  The first thing I had to do was to go online and find a conversion chart to print out matching color for color.  I liked the design enough to purchase it, so it warrants embroidering it.  All the spools are lined up on one of the church tables like sentinels.  I am giving serious thought on what to embroider it on.  Time will tell.

  Dennis is having a meal in a dish of the leftovers of last night’s supper.  I am having a steaming bowl of oatmeal.  It’s a win, win for each of us.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 3:23 pm on January 21, 2025 Permalink  

  Changes 

  Changes are coming!  My mail flap on the outside of the house is clapping.  The clapping is due to the wind being from the southeast.  Let’s hear it for the clapping!  To be honest, it does startle me at times.

  Time was spent on organizing and going through all of the stitching supplies I have used since late last summer of 2024 from my bedroom porch.  A container of beads here, a packet of beads there, a scrap of fabric too small to keep my interest.  I made one trip to the recycling with various small cardboard boxes and manilla envelopes that the mail had delivered and I had kept.

  Dennis took his friend Dwayne out for coffee this morning.  They had not seen each other since before Christmas.

  Last night after supper, I was transfixed to my bedroom porch watching the goings on kitty-corner from our home.  There was a fire at Hillesheim’s.  So many fire department vehicles and firemen in the blistering cold.  Our neighbor Randy had worked with Glenn at John Deere.  It was an electrical fire that warranted the ladder being used.  So sad, it does make one pause.  This morning, Dennis drove past on the south side and the lawn had various amounts of interior debris.  I cannot imagine the amount of smoke damage.

  What made me feel for Sue was my memory of how smoke filled our kitchen was when I let a kettle of what was to be boiled eggs boil dry.  Not long after, the kitchen ceiling got one layer of Kills painted on and then the semi-gloss paint.

  I have stayed on the first floor of our home today.  I managed to stay occupied.  Soon it will be time to start supper.  Canned beef will be thickened with corn starch to put over potatoes to go along with green beans and cranberries.

  Our week is open.  How great to not have appointments.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 3:34 pm on January 20, 2025 Permalink  

  So It Is 

  Today my goal for the morning was met.  Down into the studio with my shoes giving my feet good support, I made tracks.  Walking around the two church tables . . . around and around with KNUJ playing in the background.  Walking is walking.  Moving is moving to keep me going.

  While I was in the studio, I laid out some future plans.  When I had worked on a quilt for Megan with the OESD’s design package, “The Words of Wisdom,” I had some designs that were either duplicates or extras.  I have six of those extras.  I did cut each of them all down this forenoon to 9″ x 11.5″.  I pulled material to make them up into a small lap robe or a small quilt.

  I came upstairs with paper and pencil to plot out the rest of the story.  I believe it can be about 41″ x 61″ using plain colored block to intertwine with the embroidered blocks.  The 3 yards of flannel I pulled out to back it with, I need to pre-wash as flannel does shrink.  Shrink it now before completing the project, as the 100% woven cotton will not shrink.  

  My goal had been to use up some of the possibilities that were in the stashes, thus two placemats received embroidering.  I had very little left to use as a gift for . . . any occasion I make it.

  So what does the sewing machine work, the hand stitching work or reading add to my days?  It enhances my resilience.  When I attend to something else other than the stress of everyday life, or arthritic aches and pains, it helps.  It allows my mind to clear and detach.  I become so absorbed that it shifts me from small and annoying stressors.  My mind is in my safety zone.  

  Off and on snow squalls are making a showing.  Within the sheltered spots of the drive, there is a bit of collection.  Anything in the open has been relocated over and over with the wind. 

  For my money, I think a hot bowl of bean and ham soup with buttered toast will fill the bill for supper.  I will accept any other offer if it will be set in front of me at supper time.  Yaa, that is as unlikely as the thermometer here in my bedroom porch reading the outside temp at 50 degrees.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 3:35 pm on January 19, 2025 Permalink  

  Today is Sunday 

  This day is Sunday and I have quarantined myself to the first floor of our home due to a cold cement floor and cold walls in the studio.  Bummer.

  When I poured breakfast coffee into my northern wall cup this morning, the steam rose like a volcanic reaction.  The coffee was tasty and the second cup stayed hot longer.

  About the only positive spin I could put on the winter of these last months is that with no snow, ice or sleet, there is nothing coming into the house that may have been caught on the bottom of the shoes.  Dennis makes untold number of trips from the patio porch to the house during the course of his days.  Me . . . not so much.  The reason being he has no options for his awake time to keep his interest.  Really unfortunate, but that is how it is.

  There ‘s been more traffic moving in the bitter cold as the afternoon has gone by.  As I was stitching and having a YouTube video on in the foreground of my desk, a vehicle caught my line of sight pulling into Stauffer Avenue.  Yup . . . it was the little red pickup heading to the garage.  Dennis, Dennis.   

  I have been stitching and reading for this day.  Any progress is good.  It is amazing how making one stitch over another to make a cross does count up. Watching videos, in certain geographical areas, there are many that find stitched projects to save in thrift stores.  Those that save them are stitchers themselves.  The Goodwill thrifters soon pick up on the fact that the inventory is all color coded to indicate how long it has been in the store before it is moved on to the next step, whatever that may be.

  We had a supper last night of sautéed jumbo shrimp, instant potatoes and greens.  This evening, I will brown the leftover potatoes, mix in some scrambled eggs and cut up breakfast sausage and call it a skillet meal.

  With that I will take my leave.  ♥

   
• 

  Noreen 3:39 pm on January 15, 2025 Permalink  

  Tuckered Out 

  Today is Wednesday and at this writing, I declare that I am tuckered out.  That is what happens when this Grammie does the “Merry Maid” thing.

  I didn’t even go near the studio today.  I had an agenda and having stuck with it, there was no energy or time left.  We do have a batch of chili ready to enjoy for supper.  There will also be several meals of the chili going into the freezer for another day.  I like to use one pound of 80/20 ground beef and one pound of plain ground pork.  The Italian seasoned pork has too many flavors I do not want in my chili.  Dennis opened three cans for me and one jar.  I use the quart jar of Classico red sauce.  I started the process of dicing a rather large onion and sautéing that in my soup kettle before adding the meat.  When the onion is sautéed the onion pieces turn translucent and not as noticeable as when you pitch in the onion right from the cutting board.  To get the meat into the nice sized pieces, I use two forks to pull at the meat while the kettle is hot and the browning of the meat can begin.  A dash or two of Cayenne pepper, a sprinkling of bacon bits and a swizzle of molasses.  I used two cans of red beans and one can of refried beans.  I have a circular ironclad plate to put on the burner.  At a low simmer the entire bottom of my kettle gets evenly hot.

  When Dennis decided to sample . . . he gave it a thumbs up.

  Our wonderful lightweight vac was pulled out of the closet and I did the floors on our first floor.  It was time to do a thorough tidy of the bathroom, making sure to vacuum out the area of the lint filter in the clothes dryer.  Giving the chili a stir once in awhile I got the damp mopping done.

  The “Merry Maid” is enjoying the last of the cold breakfast coffee while I type.  I have had a great day with much self satisfaction.  I so enjoy our little home after a day such as this one.  Will the tidy, tidy last?  Absolutely not.  Our home is meant to be lived in from the east end to the west end.

  The studio will wait for another day after Grammie has had a good night’s rest.

  With that I take my leave.  ♥