Bread Baking, Valentine's Surprise and Stitching

Oh happy day!  It's warmed up a bit today and I think we are to get warmer and warmer....what a cold snap!!!!!  Today we are to get a bit of snow, which comes with the warmer temps, but that's okay!  I'm sooooooo over the freeeeezing cold weather!!

When I went to get groceries last week, I found some frozen bread loafs made by the bakery.  I thought I'd give it a go and it turned out quite well.....of course, I didn't have to do much except thaw and let it rise then bake it but I was impressed all the same.  😂  I didn't get a picture of it out of the oven but it rose a bit more and got a bit brown but it did taste good!!!😋

Hubby surprised me with a beautiful bouquet for Valentines Day. 💗 I think I am almost over the dread for this day after owning the flower shop with my Mom!!  😄  The lilies smell amazing!

On Saturday a friend and I met and we went to a local quilt shop together.  I went for pre-wound bobbins, which I got, but I also came home with this:

I'm hoping to make myself and my Dad a table runner.

I finished this on the weekend too.....it's a project for a swap I am doing in one of the Facebook groups I belong to.  It's called Grace.  I hope my swap partner likes it!

My friend Kim gave me two of these quilted pictures.  Lyla and I started one day and then her and her Mommy finished it yesterday.  I love it and will make it into a pillow.

This big dude turned 11 months on the 10th and he started daycare today.  😢  I guess he wasn't very happy when his Mommy left and his big sister was very concerned.  I hope they let her see him while they are there.......only a part day today but a full day tomorrow! 

And look at this little guys smile!!!!!  😍  We are so blessed to have amazing, wonderful and cute grand babies!!!  (Okay, at least WE think that they are amazing, wonderful and cute!!!!😆) 

Cleaning day today but first the dogs are going to get a bath.  I'm washing bedding (it's nice to have a new washer and dryer and not have to worry about whether or not I will break off a paddle from the agitator!) and want all of them to smell fresh and clean!!  Phoebe goes for her dental cleaning on Thursday...hope she doesn't need any extractions!  She will be freaked out being left there..........

Off I go!!  Enjoy your day!

 

The Science Experiment

Last week this little girl, who is growing up way too fast, came to stay with me for a few days.  We are experiencing a "polar vortex" and it's been extremely cold so we couldn't get outside much!!!!  The first full day she was here we made a Valentines day sun catcher and baked and decorated cupcakes all before noon!  Then we watched movies and started reading Charlottes Web (not sure if she's a bit too young for a big chapter book with few pictures...) and played a bazillion games of UNO. Anyway, we were both getting a bit stir crazy (read that as she was driving me crazy and we needed a change of scenery!  HAHAHA) so on Saturday we popped into town.  I had a few things to pick up and she wanted Skittles and M&Ms for a 'science experiment'.  She tried to describe what she wanted to do but I wasn't getting it so when we got home she did this: 

How cool is that???????  She watches a show on Youtube (I think) and this is where she got the idea.

One of the things I had to pick up was this vintage bread box.  I wanted to use it in my sewing room and have put some charm packs and layer cakes in it but it doesn't fit even half of my "collection" so I will try and think of something else.  I asked on one of my FB groups and there were alot of suggestions on how to use it decoratively....or to put patterns and books in....do they know how many patterns and books I have????????  😆😆😆

And then there is this little guy......my little "Alien" as Hubby calls him.  He goes for his 6 week check up today already!!!!!  He changes every time I "see" him.  He sure is squeezable!!!!!

I get my new washing machine and dryer today!  Woot woot!  My washing machine has completely died (unrepairable) so it will be nice to have a set I don't have to worry about.  And with this extreme cold (the schools here have been closed....this is the second day in a row!  Good thing they are all set up for online learning!) we all worry about our furnaces.  So far so good here!!  🤞  Hubby gets home from work tomorrow and I am sure he will clear the snow from the driveway.....and I am hoping this cold will take a flying leap soon!!!!!!  

So today will be a sewing day while I wait on the appliance arrival.  The sun is shining again so that sure helps warm a person up!!!! 

Stay warm!!!  🧣⛅⛄ 

 

The Happy Post!!!!

Hi....here's the happy post!  😝  Like I said previously, I do not make resolutions.  But when I go down to my sewing area I have been feeling overwhelmed with how many WIPs I have (Works In Progress).  I apparently was (am??) a Block of the Month-aholic and have many of those started.....so, I made a list....I bravely pulled them all out and wrote down, in a book, what I have to finish.  Two of them I listed on FB destasher groups because I didn't think I wanted to finish them (not sold yet) and the rest of the WIPs (not only BOMs) were written down...in INK....in a book! 😳 WOWZERS....eye opening!   I started on that list (I am proud of my progress so far!) .....These are the first ones done (tops done):

These two are completed:

This quilt was an old "kit"...fabric and book I bought while on a trip with friends to Spokane many years ago tucked neatly in a little tote.....it was time to "get 'er done"!!!! My friend Kim worked her magic and quilted it and attached the rick rack for me!!  

Completed!

Some friends got cushions for Christmas:

The oldest grand babies got new aprons:

Our youngest son got a new flannel lap quilt for Christmas:

Made this quick table mat out of leftover charm squares:

And a quilt for the new grandson along with some burp cloths:

Here is our sweet Joey on his quilt....after it was quilted by my talented friend Kim:

This snuggly sweetheart was born on December 29th....and we finally got to see him in person when he was three weeks old.  His big brother is thrilled and so are his parents.  😍

This big dude is now almost 11 months old!!!!!  CRAZY!!!!!  He is so darn happy! 

(and squeezable!!!! 😍 and drooly!!!!  LOL😀)

These two were here for Christmas with their parents.  😊😊😊😊  It was quiet with only them and Daughter2 but wonderful just the same.

So I hope to keep the sew-jo flowing!  I am working on another WIP now and have the house blocks done on this old Kim Diehl BOM: 

There is still a ton of work to do...sashing, corner star blocks and a scrappy border......but I love anything Kim Diehl and look forward to this getting finished and crossed off the list!!!!

I hope everyone is "surviving" and doing what they need in order to feel safe, and most importantly, happy.  😊🌈🌞💓

 

A New Year

 Once again I have been neglecting my blogging duties.  Oooooops!!  When one day seems like the next, it's hard to form a habit or schedule on when to blog.  I won't promise anything....I do not do new years resolutions.....but here I am and we will see how this goes.

With a new year comes feelings of refreshment, renewal, clean slate.  I think a lot of people had those feelings when this horrid 2020 flipped to 2021.  I know I kinda did.  But Covid continues (which is will.....but our politicians and healthcare people in charge make us feel like if we wear a mask, avoid seeing friends and family, wash our hands, close our businesses and get a vaccine that it will magically disappear??....like how the flu seems to have done 😏)  I avoid the propaganda spewed by main stream media (CBC, CFRN, newspapers) and will, on occasion, do my own research from people and experts who have nothing to gain.  One day all the truths will come out (unless govt's prevent that) or more and more lawsuits will happen and this insanity will calm down and go away.  I fear that it won't happen soon.  In the meantime, our provinces and country are swirling down the proverbial toilet......  My life really hasn't changed much but the fact that we are being controlled in such a way angers me.  The fact that since our freedoms and rights are being taken away, and we willing follow along, makes me fear that we will not fully gain them back again. (read about income tax)  I fear people will break and there will be riots and civil unrest and Canada will become one of THOSE countries.  My poor dear grand babies and their babies and their babies after that......having to deal with the debt and the way of the world......and over what?  Do the math.....the percentage of people affected and even dying is so miniscule.  Yes, every life matters but we cannot avoid death.  It's going to happen.  We take risks every day that could lead to our demise.......I truly feel for the children being abused, the people taking their own lives because of the stress, the drug and alcohol abuse, the bankruptcies........the mental health of all ages from the school aged kid who can't see their friends or participate in their extracurricular activities, to the grandparents and seniors prohibited from hugging their grandchildren or great grandchildren.....especially those locked away in long term care facilities in their last days/months/years of life......is this any way to live??? Our province has released a guideline by which they will follow in order to reopen some things.....it is all based on hospital numbers which I find hilarious.  A) the testing is so inaccurate that to base the decision on whether or not someone can reopen their business to provide for their families on these tests makes me ill.  B) There are over 161 hospitals in Alberta but we can't overwhelm them....with 600 cases.  The world doesn't revolve around Edmonton and Calgary, Dr Hinshaw!!  C) Where the F did the flu go?  Hinshaw says we've irradiated it because of masks, etc  REALLY???????  I call bulls*t!  And you can't contact your gov't official because it falls on deaf ears.  ARGH!!!!!  

All I ask is for people to do their own research....beyond the propaganda.  Know that there are experts out there who do not work for the gov't/AHS (in Alberta) who are voicing their expert opinions on this but the main stream media is not reporting on it because they are all gov't controlled.  Does that sound like the way we want our Canada to be???  We have to quit being sheep (or Jews being convinced that the nice big building over there is a shower house!!) even though that's the easy way to be.  La la la la...oh shucks, we can't go to the restaurant because of big bad Covid.....not thinking of the owner and the family and staff who are losing everything!  It's the places that haven't had cases or have been linked to "outbreaks" that were forced to close again that really piss me off....restaurants, gyms.  Long term care facilities are huge on the outbreak list....hmmmmm why?  Residents can't go anywhere....so......call me crazy but I think it must be the staff bringing it in!!!!!   Find a solution to THAT!  

My rant is over......I will do a post of the fun stuff that has happened since my last post.  We see our grandchildren and kids.  They bring us so much joy and be damned if I will let a public servant dictate whether or not I am going to enjoy their company or not.  We have even had a new addition to the family!!!!!!!! 

Start questioning, start researching, start living!!!!!!!!!!! 

A BIG Finish!

Good Morning!!!!  I'm sitting here thinking I should be doing something...anything...but decided to write a post...that's something isn't it?  😆

I spent a little time in the sewing area the other day.  We are getting to the end of our Birthday Block Club year (thank goodness!!!!).  My friends daughter is involved and I had made her a cowgirl boot for one of her blocks (they are horse people).  She has a sweet daughter who was in the last kindergarten class I worked in......so I made her a smaller version of her Mom's block and made it into a little pillow.  I hope she will be surprised!  

This little monkey had a two night sleepover last weekend....it was just us girls!  She's a goof (but I LOVE her!)  I think she is coming for a visit today as she told her Mom she missed her Papa....Papa was away working when she came and stayed with me.

While Hubby was up north I had a vision for a shelf at our entry way and asked my dad if he would whip one up....well, he did and Hubby brought it home with him.  I LOVE it and can't wait to decorate it when I decorate for Christmas!!!

Folks...it's done!!!  The Santa, The Tree, The Turkey & Me by Hatched and Patched!!!!!  A TON of work but I truly did enjoy every step along the way!  I will hand quilt it, like Ani Downs has done to hers, and hope to get it sandwiched this week.  I showed Hubby and he said "that looks like alot of work!"....every time I would be stitching on a block he would ask if it was done yet!  I know just where it will hang in the livingroom.

Can you believe we are coming up to only a month until Christmas???  I am bringing out the color this year for decor......I will use my Jim Shore things which have been in hiding since we moved here.  It feels like a year of over-the-top rather than minimal like I did last Christmas.  We will see........I have to get to my decorations first!!!!  (my garage is a MESS!)  I even bought Christmas cards yesterday....but I have a bit of shopping left to do (and a quilt to quilt for Son2!)  Time for a to-do list!!  

I'd best get a start on my day....enjoy yours!!!!!!!  

 

Hello.....Where Did October Go?

Geez.....I missed another month!  Not sure why I am being a bad blogger....I have all the time in the world....I guess nothing much to post about.  But since I missed a month, this post will be picture heavy!!!!  

There is a quilt shop in Innisfail.  It's not very big but nice and close by and I follow them on Facebook. Wawa's Quilts.  They posted that they had just got in the Simple Sampler book by Kim Diehl and the Ornament Extravaganza book by Buttermilk Basin.  Well........I came home with a couple more books too!! 

One of the quilt shops in Olds was having a "sidewalk sale" the same week and I found these homespuns (and more):

It was a great time to stop as a gal I knew from Grande Prairie was there helping out and we planned a road trip to another quilt shop....that was a fun day!

I have to show you some of my birthday gifts from friends.  Kim sent me some yummy stuff!  I can't wait to try the appliqué circle things (bag in front) and the thread wax smells delicious!!! (and it works great!!!!)   I love it all!!!!

These canisters were from my kids....I have since bought the cookie jar that matches:

These next two gifts show how diverse my friends are....is that the right word???  

My friend Diane gave me this necklace with this sweet note:

My friend Sue made this sign for me:

HAHAHAHAHA😆😂😁 

My Dad and Son2 came down one weekend so we had everyone here for a visit.  We spent a lot of time outside...it was great!

Then came Thanksgiving....Dad and Son2 were not here...this is the crew!  It went well as I had pre-made a bunch of stuff.  The turkey even turned out well (I am not a poultry cook!!)  

Then came Halloween.....of course we don't get trick or treaters out here in the country but I always have to have candy just incase!  I always buy the mini chocolate bars but these were for me!

I LOVE them but they are hard to find and once they are gone they are gone. 😒  I knew I should have bought 2 bags when I saw them!

Lyla was here a little while ago, before Halloween, and drew Frankenstein and a witch....pretty good for a 4 year old!  

My Spiderman💙:

My Dinosaur and Bowser💚💜:

Here's a cute pic of Brody that his Mommy sent me.....he's growing up so fast and changes every time we see him!!!!!!!  Soon he will be eight months old (can you believe this COVID sh*t has been happening for 8 months????)

Some of my recent sewing:

These are blocks from Hatched and Patched "The Santa, The Tree, The Turkey and Me"  I am LOVING them and am waiting for kits for the next three blocks....there are only 7 in total.  The blocks are ready for the wool appliqué as I have done the embroidery stitching.  They are coming from Out of Hand in Calgary.

Not much more to report.  I guess I had better post more often so I don't have so many pictures to share!!!!  Once again, I will try!  

We have had snow but lately the weather has been gorgeous!  No snow left (but lots in the forecast for the weekend)....I may have to wash the windows in this sunroom today......maybe. 

I see on Instagram, etc that many people are already starting to decorate for Christmas.  The attitude is because of the way 2020 has been, do what you enjoy and play that Christmas music, decorate and be happy!!!!  We will see..........😙

Enjoy your day!!!