Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from August, 2023 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 2:04 pm on August 2, 2023 Permalink  

  A Day that Goes Well 

  The older ones on Stauffer are each having a good day.

  With two half gallon sprayers mixed to do battle with the burdock, he was off.

  I stayed behind and spent time in the studio.  I have been away from stitching for some time.  As I was looking at stashes in conjunction with graph paper, I got a phone call from Gibbon.  On the 12th of this month, two t-shirt quilts will be leaving the studio.  Sweet.  I continued on with what will be a scrappy quilt of every color under imaginable.  All the cotton prints will be petite floral.  Once it is on paper, that is half the battle of making the 8″ finished blocks.  No seams to match in the way that I will lay them down.  I do know that it will be 7 blocks across and 8 blocks down with three different configured blocks to make up the top.  By using a half block on the left of the first row and then using the half block on the right of the second row, staggering down the 8 rows, that will illuminate seams that need lining up.  With my blocks being designed, I also will know how much of each piece of fabric to cut.  Not much waste is going to be had.

  I did snap a photo of my stitching.  Keeping the pamphlet close by for encouragement. I am pleased with the progress.  Yes, it is wrinkled.  As I work, the area under the needle is stretched taunt in a hoop.  Steam pressing is way too far in the future to worry about.  I am waiting for Amazon to deliver a new hoop to me.  The one I had been using was a 6″ x 6″ and needed to be held in my left hand as the right hand worked the needle in and out.  Though the left hand does not operate well, I could tell the pull all the way up to my left shoulder.  The one that is coming is 11″ x 11″.  I will be able to rest the top of it on my book rack and the bottom will sit on my lap, leaving the left hand be at rest.  It takes awhile to get everything on board for the best process.

  Dennis now has a pair of pants dedicated to the blue barn acre work.  Without realizing it, he had brushed against the weed that has little stickers that embed themselves into the fabric.  Dennis tried the shop vacuum and the 3M lint roller.  I will wash them by themselves and we have held the dedication ceremony.

  Dennis and I have each had a productive day with all things going well . . . keeping it reasonable.

   
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  Noreen 6:21 pm on July 17, 2023 Permalink  

  Monday 

  Way too much wonderful that was filled with today.  How can I be this weary after such a wonderful.  I am going to write it off as Grammie is tuckered.  I will catch up tomorrow.

   
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  Noreen 2:13 pm on March 4, 2023 Permalink  

  Intermittent Sun 

  Can you imagine if the sun were to stay out full time!

  I can share with you that our oven meal from last night was good.  The chopped peperoni slices added a bit of zing to the chicken pasta dish.  It was a large enough dish that there is a container in the freezer for another time.  As it is, a repeat for this evening will be supper.

  We enjoy creamed cucumbers any time of the year.  I added a bag of English cucumbers the last time I was in the grocer’s.  They were on the small order and would make a perfect pairing with the oven meal.  Can’t have creamed cucumbers without a goodly amount of thinly sliced onions and lots of ground pepper.  I peeled and Dennis sliced.  Popped them into the refrig for tonight’s supper.

  First order of business was mending Dennis’ everyday jacket.  There was a tear just above the wrist area.  The wrist had elastic in it.  It was quite a struggle to get it wrangled onto the free arm of the sewing machine.  Once there I could only go foreword and back.  I am sure the patch will hold.  Then . . . the feather jacket was bound for the washing machine.  I didn’t dare wash it before patching as it would have been awful to loose a bunch of feathers.  The jacket is ever so light weight but very warm.  It did take me using the plunger to get the jacket soaked up in the washing machine.  By this evening, the jacket will be ready to wear.

  Today I decided to text grandson AJ in regard to his t-shirt quilt.  He has a king sized bed.  I needed 30 blocks at 16″ each, plus some sashing around the blocks to get it king size.  His shirts only gave me 19 t-shirt quilt blocks.  I wanted to clear it with him before I improvised by adding embroidered blocks.  Come to find out, he had some choice Harley t-shirt to wear when riding his bike and what I had were the shirts he was retiring.  Too funny!  I defiantly got the go ahead to improvise at will.

  At the time I bought my Bernina, I also bought a program that allowed me to create original designs.  The program is loaded on the HP that Kevin and Kersten bought me a few years ago.  I need to inquire if I can also have it loaded on the computer inn the studio as well or if it is one license for one computer.  It would save me going up and down the steps as I work on a design.  I believe I have it loaded on a flash drive ready for the sewing machine, but then I double check by plugging it into the sewing machine.  This morning I worked on putting “AJ” in an enlarged format for the 16″ quilt block.  As you enlarge the design it also adds stitches, keeping it appearing correctly.  It worked out great.

  The sun is out and it is streaming into the south studio windows.  It will make the 34 degrees feel as such.

   
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  Noreen 2:25 pm on February 22, 2023 Permalink  

  Off and On 

  With the snow being an off and on thing, it’s hard to tell where this storm is at.  The wet sticky snow has slowed the traffic down.  Dennis’ grandson stopped by with the skidloader and took out some snow.  When Ryan tipped the bucket over to empty it, he had to trip it several times to get the snow to fall out.

  The first floor needed some mundane tidy work.  By noon all had been accomplished.  There are days the studio has lost some appeal.  A good book in my bedroom porch won my attention.  There are options in the refrigerator for supper.  It is going to be a night of “everyone is on their own.” 

  The dressing of Dennis’ left foot is going swiftly compared to January.  If we continue following the doctor’s orders . . . that is all we can.  Patience can be hard to come by.  The Old Adam in all of us wants to be in control. 

  Esther Schafer, I can hear you as if you were sitting at my table; “If life doesn’t kill you, it will make you stronger.”  Her strong deep laugh never let anyone think they had a reason to bellyache.  Dennis doesn’t belly ache, he just pushes buttons.  Gotta give the fellow credit for trying.

   
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  Noreen 3:14 pm on December 18, 2022 Permalink  

  A Winter Sunday 

  The wind gusts have finally given up on themselves.

  Last night the deer were on the back patio by 4:30.  Dennis and Jan, next door, are putting out containers.  What I have also noticed is that a pair of Cardinals are also enj0ying the feast.  The male is not hard to pick out amongst the branches of the lilacs.  The Blue Jays are added to the mix along with many other smaller birds.

  This afternoon I found instrumental music on one of the Samsung channels.  It served me well while I did some tidy, tidy.  A bit of tidy each day counts up.

  The studio is playing second fiddle during this next week.  Its not to say I won’t be poking around once in awhile, but nothing akin to starting a new project.  Being quiet in spirit during this week is important to me.  It brings the peace that passes all understanding.

  The new week awaits.  There is nothing so important that it should cause stress.  Jesus is the reason for the season.

   
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  Noreen 1:51 pm on November 8, 2022 Permalink  

  Good Deed 

  Today after Dennis had his Tuesday’s group up town for coffee, we went and voted.  As well as nationally, there were some local races that we wanted input into.  Good deed was done.

  I had a fair amount of local effort to get done on the first floor of our home.  I am amazed at the amount of paper that the end of our dining room table can accumulate.  Each time a doctor appointment ends, they send you off with a printout of the prescriptions and after-care instructions.  By this time . . . I’ve got it down pat.

  Dennis helps out in the kitchen and with a light colored flooring, the coffee dribbles and a few others are the first to catch the dust off of the shoes as the dribbles are walked on.  This afternoon we are starting fresh. 

  This afternoon, I am making a kettle of chili.  It has been some time since we got the items and  cans of beans out.  I am trusting that I can still get the flavors correct.  What I do not have is an onion to sauté.

  I have decided on some fabric from my stashes to help making all the blocks the same size on Luella’s blanket.  Baby and toddler clothing is all quite light in color.  Down right blah.  I found the perfect addition for some of the blocks.  Looking at this fabric makes me smile.  Towards the end, there will be some pink, as that is Luella’s favorite color.  I did pick up on the pink in many of the items of clothing.

  I am on to the chili making and maybe there will be some time to decide on the thread . . . after I have given the sewing machine a lube job.

  We had a few sprinkles of rain allowing for a gloomy afternoon.  It’s not all bad, it could have been snow.

   
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  Noreen 4:16 pm on September 15, 2022 Permalink  

  A Day Like Non Other 

  I am home from the stitchers luncheon.  I am full of good feelings.  By the time I get caught up with Dennis, I will feel as if I need to put my feet up before bedtime.

  Catch ya all tomorrow.

   
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  Noreen 1:10 pm on August 27, 2022 Permalink  

  Felt Wonderful 

  My walk this morning felt wonderful.  There was a strong breeze from the north with enough cloud cover I didn’t have to walk against the sun.  Stauffer Avenue does run east to west.  I feel safer on it than I do the cemented 11th Street with all the heavy truck traffic.  I tried it once last week and will remain on Stauffer Avenue.  There is a four-way stop north of us, less than 300′, but the need for speed . . . I won’t take a chance of falling off my walking crutches if I were to be startled.

  The cottonwood trees are letting go of their leaves, making the ground take on a sheen from their unique leaves.  As they rustle in the breeze they take on a tune all of their own.

  As I walked east I had to give out a “Hello” to the Hispanic fellow working on his garage.  He was kind enough to take all the extra bricks that we had accumulated as flower bed borders.  Those same bricks are now a part of his exterior to their home. 

  When I came back from my walk, Dennis was in the kitchen.  I was told he would be making an oven dish for supper.  Get out of the man’s way!  It is best that I give Dennis the space and time he needs.  I know if he would need me, I would answer the question that he posed to me and then hands off.  Who am I to question this.  I will take it any day of the week.  Besides . . . he washes the dishes that he used after the round blue speckled enamel roaster is perched on top of the kitchen range ready to pop in the oven at 350 degrees at 4:45.  The digital thermometer was also laid out to make sure it would be done when it hit 160 degrees.  Sweet! 

  In between being busy in the studio and taking breaks reading a few chapters in a novel that has really gotten spellbinding . . . I am having a very fine day.

  Happy, happy weekend!

   
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  Noreen 4:17 pm on July 14, 2022 Permalink  

  The Party is Over 

  The party is over.  That is the party that we had for two days of . . . great temps.  This afternoon the corker of a dew point that is higher than the humidity doesn’t feel that great.  Let’s hear it for those that can call their work day done at five.  Do it!

  Six of us stitchers met today at Baker’s Square for lunch and chit chat about all things relevant . . . and some not relevant at all.

  I tried to keep track of all the web sites that were spoken of today for fabric sales and buys, to no avail.  I know when I need something, I will muddle through.

  I was going to bring supper home for Dennis from the Hy-Vee as I knew I would be home too late to pull something together.  That fare has since been parked in the refrigerator for tomorrow night as Dennis and Dwayne had a late lunch today in the Home Town Café here in town.

  Both Dennis and I had a great day and it feels good to be here in our home.  It’s fun to go but so much better to arrive home safe and sound.

  Tomorrow we meet with the wound specialist in Mankato.  I am hoping we get a good review and maybe a tip as to how to how we can continue taking care of the area next to the little toe on the left leg that had the unfortunate luck to have rubbed raw in the wooden boot that was put on his left foot in October of last year.  Maybe only a half pound of gauze.  We are so close.

   
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  Noreen 2:30 pm on June 4, 2022 Permalink  

  Saturday the 4th 

  We had rain that started during the night and it carried over into the forenoon.

  I was bummed as I had had plans to be outside.  With coffee cup in hand I headed to the studio to work on half square triangles.  I didn’t even need a radio on for company.  Dennis came down long enough to decide what kind of progressive soup we would have for supper.

  The quiet of the studio ensued.

  Soon there was a hello coming down the steps of the studio that continued into hellos that filled the studio . . . plus.  It was Dennis’ daughter and her family from Silver Bay that came for a grad’s party on the Dennis’ son-in-law’s family.  In short order we had eleven people over for a visit.  By that time the rain had stopped and the patio was the gathering spot.  What a busy three hours was had before the group left for the graduation party.  Surprise visits can be the best reward.  For us to see the four great grands that range from 14 t0 7 1/2 from the north country is special.  Josie made sure she got the half in.

  What started as a damp dreary day has turned out to be sunny in many aspects.