Mid Week

I had a lovely visit with my sister yesterday.  We walked around our property and over to our younger sisters land.  It is amazing to think that in a few years both my sisters will be living in the same country and province as I do.
It is a fact of life in Canada that many of use have parents and/or siblings in another country. I believe the same must be true for people living in the U.S. as both countries receive a lot of immigration.  I don't think those of us that moved from England think of ourselves as immigrants in the same sense as those from non-English speaking countries or who were fleeing persecution although we are, of course. I am here because my mother was a war bride.  We came to Canada on one of the first trans-Atlantic flights.  I don't think you lose your heart ties to your mother country but I am very glad to be living in Canada.
My husband came home from the hunt camp yesterday-a day early.  It is nice to have him back.  I feel safer at night knowing my big strong man is there to protect us. He brought with him an antique chest that had belonged to his Grandmother.  Her family brought it from Quebec in 1900.  It is a lovely piece of oak  (I'm guessing) furniture and, although we really don't have room for it just now, I am pleased to have it.  We were given Grandma's dishes shortly after we married and they have pride of place in the china cabinet.  They were made by Brimley in England and very good quality.  Family heirlooms are very special.  The ones from my family consist of jewelry and although I don't very often wear them, I do value them.
Blessings,

Trinkle, trinkle

We had a wonderful time with my nephews family and my sister (his mother) on Saturday.  The weather was nice which made the drive extra enjoyable.  After lunch, my little three year old great nephew entertained us with story and song.  His favourite tune was "trinkle, trinkle little star" which he sang a few times much to the delight of his adoring family.  Not satisfied with that achievement, he took one of his mother's books from the library shelf and, quite seriously, read us a story which involved mommy, daddy and grandma. 
His older sister, Ellie was busy being a mom with her newest doll considering herself, at five, being much too old for her brother's antics.  Ellie always asks 'where is the little dog' a number of times as she really likes Heidi despite the fact she has been scratched by her.  Heidi is still learning not to jump on people in her desire to show affection and has caught Ellie with her sharp little front claws.  They are moving to a bigger home with a nice large lot so I am planning on taking Heidi on our next visit.
We had left the dog with her caregiver and picked her up on our trip home. Irene had her and a couple of other dogs out for their evening walk when we arrived and they were a delight to see.  Three little dogs with special collars that had flashing lights being walked by two women in fluorescent safety vests.  Quite a sight and, I am sure, people watched from their windows as they passed.  Irene, as I have said a number of times, is an absolute wonder who puts the needs and safety of her little charges first.  I am so thankful to have Heidi as one of her adoptees.
Am still working on the scrappy heart quilt and the book sample one.  This will be a busy week with Remembrance Day, my sister coming here for a visit and taking the car in for its winter readiness.  I guess my quilting will have to be done in bits and pieces. Still, it does get done, doesn't it.
blessings,

Fast Flees the Day

Here it is Friday again.  Another month well started and another week almost finished.  I got an order from a local store for one of my products yesterday so have been working on getting that filled as well as discussing a writing job with another person.  In the midst of this, I am making bread, doing regular housework stuff and thinking about what I need to do before going away tomorrow.  One of the things on the to do list is setting the clocks back.  I will do that tomorrow morning.
I have to take Heidi to her caregivers later today, will pick up the mail and drop off the store order on the way back. Then it is supper and perhaps get some more work done on the quilt book quilt.
I wonder what it is like to be bored.
My husband is going to his families hunt camp the first of this week so I may take some time to just read a book.  My sister is coming over next Tuesday so we can have a nice visit.
I put out some bird seed in the feeder yesterday and noticed that our little red squirrel has found it.  He doesn't realize that I put the cheaper stuff in that feeder as I knew he would be around.  The better quality seed will go into the squirrel proof (I hope) container.  I took a picture of the little guy enjoying his lunch but he was hidden in the shadows so it didn't come out as I hoped.  I am sure I will have more opportunities.
Have a great weekend,
Blessings,

Ouch

Yesterday was a bad day for my aging joints.  My right hand, left ankle, right knee and neck hurt all day.  It has been quite damp but I think it is just the change of seasons that is bothering me.  I go through the same thing when we go from spring to summer.
In any case, I did get more work done on my quilt.  I just have three more blocks to make.  Each block has four different fabrics and, as I have not repeated any choices, it is getting a bit more challenging.  To add to the difficulty, each block has a theme i.e. colour or pattern.  This is a great stash buster pattern and I hope that those who buy the book will find it a fun project.
I started adding some of the sashing yesterday to give myself a mental break.  I am not sure if I will be able to do all the strips in the same fabric.  I have set myself a goal of using only what I have which shouldn't be a problem.  I certainly have lots of fabric, but as you know if you quilt, it isn't always the amount of fabric but the yardage in each bit.
We still haven't caught our last mousie.  Haven't seen any signs but I am sure he is still around.  Going into the village today to buy another product. Tomorrow I bake again.  My other sister is here from England and we are having a family get together on Sat.  I bring the buns. I am the bread lady in our family!
By the way, here is a very simple dessert.  Premade graham cracker crust, jar of jam, packaged pudding.  Spread jam evenly over the pie crust.  Swirl vanilla pudding over the top. I used my home made jam but any of the berry type bought ones would do-medium to large jar. The pudding was the type that comes in individual cups for lunches.  One was sufficient.  If you use no sugar added jam, this is a fairly low cal. desert.
Blessings,

A Day of Accomplishment

My husband got his deer yesterday.  He went out again after supper.  I heard a shot around 6.30 just as I was thinking that he would soon be coming in.  He is happy and I am happy for him.
I had some home made risers done for my quilt frame and got them put on yesterday.  I also tightened up all the bolts and cleaned the runners.  Once I had that finished I took out the projects that needed quilting and, now I am going to have to put the extension back on the frame.  Drat. I prefer to not have it on as my quilt room isn't very big but, I guess if I am going to do things right, I better use it.
I have almost finished the blocks for one of the sample quilts for my book so that, too, is an accomplishment.
I have another handy tip for you.  This came from one of the ladies in our quilt group.  Remember that putty- like stuff that teacher used for putting art work etc on the wall?  It can also be used to hold your seam ripper to your machine.  I have three of them and still never have one where I need it.  My thread snips I have tied to  ribbons and then attached to various places I need them.  Couldn't come up with a solution for wandering seam rippers.  So now, thanks to Davina, I am off to the dollar store for some of that stuff.  Every group should have a Davina in it.  She is marvellous at finding new products or new uses for old ones.
Blessings,

Beautiful Morning

Welcome to our newest member who is a proud mother, grandmother and great grandmother.  Be sure to look over the previous posts for free patterns, contest etc.
Those who have been members of this blog through the last winter season will know that I tend to get burbly around this time of year.  I love the winter.  I enjoy the cold, the snow and the gorgeous scenery.  This morning was typical with the sun turning the snow laden trees into a glistening beauty that no artist can reproduce.  I am so thankful that I have a big window in my quilt room and, while I am sewing, I can look out onto all this wonder.
I have a small quilting tip for you today:  If you make your half square triangles by sewing two blocks together and then cutting in half you may find this useful.  I always cut my blocks slightly larger than necessary and then trim the finished block to square.  If you don't do this properly, you could end up with a problem.  For explanation purposes, I will give each corner a letter-a,b,c.d.  If you trim a/b side, turn and trim b/c.  By doing this, your b corner will maintain a 90 angle and the two sections of the point will meet at the corner.  However, if your first trim did not remove any fabric from a corner, you don't need the second trim.
Blessings,

Thank You

I don't usually post on Mondays as it is quilt group day and I am trying to get out the door on time.  This morning I got up a bit earlier and, as my husband is out hunting, I am a bit more organized.
The real reason, however, that I wanted to make the effort is to thank all those who commented on my last two posts.  They got more reaction than anything else I have written.  The mouse story, especially, seemed to strike a cord.  One person commented about mice in her mother's tea towel drawer.  I smiled, checked mine and, horrors, it was full of dog food as was the drawer above. A good cleaning followed.
We still haven't caught the mouse.
We had our first snowfall of the season this weekend.  I don't expect it will stay but it sure is lovely.
Last night, we dressed our wee dog, Heidi, in her scottish tam and cape and took her to a couple of neighbours for trick or treating.  She loved the attention, we had fun and the neighbours probably thought we were crazy.  Wait till they see her Santa outfit.
If you get the newletter from Quilter's Connection magazine, I had a pattern in this month's (Nov) issue.  I am now dilengetly working on the patterns for my book, Friendship Quilts, which should be ready for purchase in the spring.
Happy All Saint's Day,
Blessings,