Exercise. Ugh.

Since coming back from our aborted holidays, I am, once again,  exercising each morning.   I keep trying various things but, unfortunately, have trouble sticking with it.  In the winter time, I walk.  I enjoy the scenery and the temperatures allows me to go at a good pace.  In the spring, I am concerned about bears and, of course, bugs, so I try to make a point of walking a few blocks in town each week.  Those good intentions never last into the summer so, here I am, trying again.
I have found I am more likely to stick at something if I do it at home and so I have got out an excersice cd and am keeping it in the computer.  This one is dance steps and has four different routines.  I am alternating between two of them. I doubt if I will ever look like the instructor no matter how hard I try but I do notice that I am standing straighter and my balance is better. 
If I can just keep at this until winter, I know I will benefit.  I am hoping that as I can vary what I am doing there will be less chance of getting bored.  Of course, I may have to shoot the instructor.  They are always so skinny, so peppy and so full of life.  Wouldn't it be nice to find a teacher who looked as though she just finished sending the children to school, had a face and body that appeared to live in the real world and was panting a bit at the end of the routine.
Blessings

Bread and Quilts

It is a rainy day here in the backwoods.  A good day to stay inside and make bread which is what I am doing.  Once that is done, I will get back to assembling the blocks for the wedding gift quilt.  I am at the stage where I wonder why I start these things.  These blocks have three areas on each side that have to be joined and the center one is a point.  For some reason, I thought that it would be easier to do this without sashing.  Not sure where my brain was when I made that decision although as I think the appearance of the top was probably a factor, I still think (despite the work) that I made the right decision.
I am sure non quilters must wonder why we spend so much time just thinking about quilting but those of us with the addiction know that it is all part of the process.  I am sure that you are like me and spend most waking (and some sleeping) moments thinking about colour , top stitching and asembling choices before you even begin to cut the fabric.  In fact, there are few times when something to do with quilting isn't on my mind.
Yesterday, I received the lastest edition of Canada's quilt magazine, Quilter's Connection, and now I am thinking about one of the products I saw advertised.  It is a devise that fits on your long arm sewing machine and automates the topstitching.  Does a lot more than that but it is way out of my budget.  Of course, I have been assured that I am a finalist in the Reader's Digest sweepstakes so maybe I should put in my order!
Blessings

Just Another Day

There is a lot to be said in favour of routine.  The same old activity of getting up, having coffee and breakfast, exercise, check e mail, do housework etc provides a kind of security.  Holidays are fun but it is home that provides the comfort.
This week I am getting back into that routine.  Yesterday was my usual Monday quilt group.  A nice day with most members attending and we did get some sewing done in the midst of the conversation and sharing.  Last night, I got back to the wedding quilt I am working on and today, after I get the other routine stuff done, I will get back at it.
Yesterday, before coming home, I went for the mail.  As I walked up the post office steps and nodded to people I didn't know, I thought, again, about how nice it was to be home. We have been here for two years now and, much to my continual surprise, I feel like a much loved kitten-content with the world.
I wouldn't like doing the exact same thing every day although I know some people find it comforting.  I think one of the things I like about quilting so much is that while it is quilting, it can be done in so many different ways.
If you are a quilter, you might be interested in knowing I will be posting a monthly block pattern-probably around the 15th.  It will start this month.  Most patterns will be traditional but others will be my own.  They will include foundation piecing, applique and rotary cut.
Blessings

Quilt Day

I don't usually have a chance to post anything on Monday as it is my quilt group day but I am on the go earlier this morning.  My husband had to take our camper in for certification so that meant I had to be dressed and ready to be seen by neighbours for 8.30.
I am looking forward to getting back to group after a couple of weeks away.  I wasn't sure what I was going to take as a project but decided to start something new.  I am going to make a quilt using the Day and Night block.  It, as it sounds, has two or more contrasting colours.  The blocks are 12" so it should go together quickly.
I try to have a seperate project to work on at group as I take a different sewing machine than the one on which I do most of my quilting.  Because there is always a chance of a difference (however slight) in seam width on different makes of machines, I like to keep my work seperate.
I have also found that it is easier to take a less complicated block to group as with all the conversations, viewing each others work and helping when possible, it is easy to lose track of what you are doing.
It is quite a bit cooler here now which makes it so much nicer for working and sleeping.  I don't expect it to last but will enjoy it while it is here.
Blessings

Sun Kissed Trees

Last night, just after supper, I was letting Heidi back in and noticed that the setting sun had created a wonderful picture.  Because we are surrounded by trees, we don't get to see either the sun set or rise but we often have wonderful side effects.
These trees are on the south side and the setting sun had reached through and turned the wood into crimson.  I have often see this depicted in paintings but first time I really noticed it 'in the flesh'.
I think I am going to put together a collage of our trees in all their various guises-sun kissed, fall finery, snow blanket, frost tinged, winter starkness etc.
It is amazing just how varied the appearance of one tree can be.


Every so often my husband and I need a few days apart (usually after a holiday). So he has gone to spend a couple of days with his family and to go to an automotive show.  I am going to be reading, sewing, reading and sewing.  I have a new quilt pattern idea I would like to try although I hesitate to start anything new until I get more of the wedding quilts finished.  Can I still be on holidays even though I am at home?
Blessings

Holiday Photos

One of the  things I think everyone does when returning from holidays is to go through their photos.  I didn't take a lot on this trip as it is one we have done a number of times but here are a couple.  The goose is the well known landmark at Wawa, Ont.  I have other photos of this but I thought the workers made a humorous difference.  It looks as though they are cleaning up after the goose-and it would take a number of them with a bird this size.

These realistically designed animals at Hearst have always been amongst my favourite.  The setting  adds to the realism.  Heidi was a little nervous of the wolf.

Both these communities are in Northern Ontario and the towns are to be congratulated for, not only the sculptures, but also the foresight in having them created.  Before cars became so gas efficient, travellers had to stop in every community just to get fuel.  Now it is possible (for most of us) to drive for nearly a day without a pause. 
We always try to take a photo of every giant perogy, frog etc. that we see.  I am sure others do the same and, of course, we take the opportunity to grab a coffee at the same time or perhaps walk the main street. All this adds to the income of the community.
Have you got a favourite giant?
blessings

Home Again

We never made it to Edmonton.  On Friday morning after a night of no sleep and the weather turning bad, we decided, for the sake of safety, to return home.  the first 2 nights we had got a few hours rest but Thursday was dreadful.  Heidi barked all night.  When we checked into the motel, we told the staff that we had a hyper dog and needed to be somewhere were it would be quiet. What we got was near the front desk so people were coming in and talking, walking by the door etc. The staff talked until after midnight.  Heidi, of course, reacted to every sound. 
We got back home Sunday evening, disappointed but glad to be in our own beds. It is going to take a few days to get over the exhaustion.
Despite everything, we did have a good time together.  We got to spend some time with Roger's aunt in Dryden, picked up some amathest in Nipigon, saw moose, ducklings and amazing scenery.
We are now trying to figure out how we are going to handle future holidays as it is obvious our little dog does not like motels.
Blessings