Cold and Bright

This morning I woke to a bright and sunny day. A nice change from the continual snow squalls we have been getting.
I was at a community meeting last night and we had a good turn out with lots of positive response so I am happy.  Our rural community, like so many others, is struggling to have a vibrant downtown area.  There are so many little things that could be done but it takes people working together to accomplish it.  Hopefully, last night was the first step in acheiving that.
I also found out that I might be eligble for some grant money for the quilt business I want to develop. That has sent me on a mental happy dance.
I am feeling rested after a good nights sleep and now am looking at all the work that needs to be done.  Isn't it amazing how quickly laundry, dirty dishes and fabric can pile up?  My quilt room looks as though there was an explosion in a material factory.
I got an e mail from a friend this morning and it was so typical of her that I had to smile.  She is one of those women who doesn't just stand in a check out line, or take a taxi or any of the usual activities.  She always gets involved with people.  This morning she was saying that it was quite slippery in Edmonton and, while waiting at the bus stop, she was showing people how to slide their feet rather than step so they didn't fall. 
I always except to see her on you tube conducting inpromptu stretching exercises or something while standing in line at Walmart.  Quite the lady. She keeps life interesting.
Blessings,

Pattern Finished

I didn't get enough sleep last night-dog decided she wanted out just after five.  My brain is too fuzzy to be working on business plans so I decided to finish up the pattern for the web site I mentioned yesterday.  It might sound odd that someone as math deficient as I would find it easier to do something that involved a lot of numbers but I do.  I guess it is because I already know what to do with the pattern but the business plan is something new.
In any case, the pattern is finished and sent off.  I am not sure how quickly she will be able to get it on her web shop but I will keep you posted.
I have a meeting in the village tonight and the weather hasn't been good.  I hope it clears up before then as the committee that I am on are trying to get the business owners, organizations etc. together to work on revitalizing our downtown.  This is a concern shared by many communities whether they have a large or small population.
We got a positive reaction when taking around the posters so I would hate to have to reschedule.
Going to have a lie down and then have to put together an agenda and sign up sheet.
Blessings

Too Much Thinking

It's time to take a break.  I have been working on a business plan for a woman who is starting a quilt shop.  Even with the help of templates and samples, it is a lot of mental work.  I am thankful that there is so much help on the Internet and all of it free.
It is important that this all be done correctly as it will be used to apply for financing.
The store already has an online shop at: www.sistersquiltexpo.com  if you would like to check it out.  They will be carrying my quilt patterns so that is exciting.  That may give me the impetus to get them written properly. The web store will be a big help toward the success of the 'real' shop.
We are having a cold and sunny day which is a nice break from the almost constant snowfalls.  The accumulation of fluffy stuff doesn't amount to much; just enough for the road to need plowing almost every day.
My husband went shopping today and, when he returned, he kept something carefully hidden as he went to his cupboard.  Valentine's Day must be approaching!
There seems to be a lot of turmoil in the world at the moment.  I am glad for the peace of my little backwoods home.
Blessings,

A New, and Better, Day

Today is baking day.  The bread is in the oven, the stew is on the stove and the applie pie is undone.  Ran out of energy by the time I finished the first two and still had the cleaning up to do so, no pie for supper.
I called the dog owner yesterday and left a message on their machine and it seems to have worked.  No dog and no dog souvenier's today.
Last night I finished the quilt top I have had laying around for a while.  This one is, as I think I mentioned, for the master bed so is quite large.  I started it while living in Edmonton and then set it aside while working on other projects.  The pattern is called Patience Corner's, if I remember correctly and it is one of those optical illusion ones.  I still have to quilt the borders and put on the binding but that shouldn't take long. 
I spread the quilt out on the bed last night and it does look really nice against the headboard my husband made.  I will take a photo and show you next week.
With this project almost completed, I have just about caught up with all my unfinished project.  Just re read that sentence and I sound completely wishy washy-almost completed, just about caught up.  Let me off set all that with a definate statement.  Have a great weekend and if your weather is stormy, stay inside.  Quilt, read a book, snuggle or watch a movie but stay safe.
Blessings,

Letting Off Steam

I am irritated enough to melt all the snow in our backyard! I mentioned yesterday about a web site that had a pattern that I wanted to buy but they only sold to Americans. I was offered the home address of an on line contact which was very generous of her.  I put it into company's order form and then found that I had to pay by credit card.  You can guess the next problem-my credit card address didn't match the one given.  Well of course not.
All this idiocy for a downloaded six dollar pattern.  I sent them an e mail that should get their attention.

Irritation #2.  We have a neighbour with a large dog.  When they first moved in, the dog was allowed to run free and, of course, it came here as we have a female.  Dogs being dogs, it left evidence of its visit.  I went to the neighbour and told them of the problem and we haven't had any more visits.  None until the last two days that is.  I am not sure what to do next.  Pack up the evidence and leave it on their step?  Call the dog patrol?  Visit them again?
I don't want to have bad feelings with neighbours and I certainly won't do anything to the dog but it is causing problems.  The mess is bad enough but the reaction of our dog is even worse.  She barks her little head off and starts running frantically all around the house trying to get to the other animal.  Argh.

Irritation # 3 (It's been a bad day). This one isn't anything to do with me but I never let a chance to be annoyed go past.  You will, of course, be aware that earlier this week we were warned about a severe snow storms.  Motorists were advised to stay home.  Many did.  Schools closed, meetings were cancelled and I am sure some business were operating with few employees.  It turned out that although we did get a storm, it wasn't as bad as predicted.  Now, the media is chuckling at Torontonians because they over reacted.  How fair is that.  People did as was suggested and then are told they are wimps.  I get a bit tired of the Toronto bashing.  What the media chose to ignore was that if the highways had little traffic, it was because the people who commute to Toronto stayed home.

Now I feel better.  My husband has already heard me going on and on and on about this so I needed a new audiance.  Isn't it nice to be able to let off steam once in a while.  Now I can go back to quilting and be relaxed.
Blessings,

The Last Storm?

If you are anywhere on this side of North America, you are probably getting a snow storm.  Seems as though most of the estern United States and Canada are hunkering down and waiting. 
We weren't supposed to be affected up here but it is snowing quite heavily.  I cancelled my hair appointment and rebooked for tomorrow.
So, today I will finish the stew I started yesterday, make some biscuits and work on a quilt.
I had a frustrating situation with an internet quilt site last night.  I saw a lovely pattern that I wanted to order and, as it was a downloaded, didn't think there would be any problems-pay the fee, push a button.  I noticed that they didn't ship to Canada but as I wasn't getting it shipped, again, I didn't think there was a concern.
Turns out I was wrong.  You have to give them a U.S. address.  I could probably figure out the pattern by looking at the picture but I would have liked to have their instructions plus, as they have lots of free stuff, given them a bit of support.
I may end up seeing if I can use the address of an American on line friend but it is a nuisance.
Better get this posted as it looks as though my internet service is flickering.
Blessings,

Happy February

I can never resist taking winter photos.  This one I did on Saturday morning.  It was one of those glorious sunny, cold days and the snow was glistening so brightly I had to shade the camera to get the photo.

The weather reports say that another storm is hitting southern Ontario.  We seem to have escaped all the extremes.  I am surprised to find just how easy the winters are here in the backwoods.  After living in Edmonton with its minus forties and Orillia which is in the snow belt, it almost seems balmy here.  Almost but not quite.  We have had some very cold days and others when the snow just keeps falling. Those are the times when you are especially grateful to a neighbour who has snow removal equipment and is kind enough to do your road.

This photo shows our next door neighbour working on our driveway.  You can see about three quarters of the road length which gives you an idea why we are so grateful.

If you are in the area that will be affected by the storm, please stay safe.  It is a good opportunity to stay inside and quilt.  If the hydro goes out, take it as a sign that it is time to organizes your scraps or maybe do some hand quilting.

By the way, if anyone is in need of some business cards, I have found a great source for some free ones.  They are good quality and you get a little case for them-also free.  The site is http://www.vistaprint.com/

Blessings,