Are We Getting Old?

At supper this evening, hubby and I were wondering what happened to all our energy.  It seems mere months ago that we were going on a two hour ride on our motorcycles just to get ice cream.  The trip back might have included exploring some new roads before getting home and taking care of chores.
Now, a four hour round trip in the car exhausts us.  And to think, when I was working, I drove 8 or more hours a day.

We went to a family funeral to
day and we were so tired that I picked up a couple of TV dinners on the way home to have for supper.  The packaging on them has changed a bit over the years but the taste is still the same.  Not something I would normally consider to be food.  However, tonight I was glad of the convenience.
Some of the tiredness came from driving in less than ideal conditions.  It was raining and misty so extra care had to be taken.  But, we have ridden in worse.  One trip involved so much heat we had to take refuge in a service station and then, a few hours later a thunderstorm had us holed up at a restaurant with a room full of other drivers-we were the only motorcyclists. Once that cleared up we continued on for another few hours before stopping.  We were tired, yes, but not the exhaustion we are both feeling right now.
I think part of the reason is (no, not our age)  that we don't go on many trips anymore.  Our shopping is either done in the village or the nearest town which a half hour away. Even then, we only go to the town perhaps twice a month unless we have a medical appointment.  I like being at home, though, so I am not going to start going away just to build up my travelling strength.
Blessings,

A Nothing Day

This has been one of those busy days when you get a lot done but none of it was noteworthy.  Did the usual housework and gardens stuff but nothing exciting.  I finished the blocks and rows for the black and white quilt and put it aside to finish at quilt group.  After I tidied up from that, I discovered a block that was behind something else.  I may make a cushion cover with that or, as I still have a bit of fabric left, a small lap quilt.  Usually I am squeeking by with hardly enough fabric left to finish the top so this is a bit of a change.
I started working on the next customer quilt and it will be slow going for a while as the centre is fiddly.
I also did some work on a client's web site.  I need to get at my own but that doesn't seem to be happening for a while.
And that was my day.  Tomorrow, I have a meeting and Thursday is the funeral for a family member.
Blessings,

The Same But Different

The one good result of being ill is that when you have recovered, you feel even better than before.  I have had a cold for a few days and it felt as though it might hang on for a bit.  I still felt draggy this morning although I did get up closer to my normal time.  As the day went on, I realized I felt pretty good.  I am rarely ill more than once a year and it generally does last to long so I am pretty fortunate.  Hubby on the other hand is still not over his cold despite have got it a few days before I did.

I did quite a bit of sewing today.  I discovered that it really isn't a good idea to be working on two quilts at the same time and having both on the cutting table.  I am using black (no surprise) in each and was wondering why I had cut 5" squares for the one to turn into HST's when I normally did 7 inches which made four.  It took me a minute to realize the small squares were for the other project.  I gathered up all the pieces for it and put it into a bag.  

I have shown the photo of the black and white quilt previously but thought you would like to see the one I had made from the same pattern quite a while ago.  It is amazing how different another colour scheme looks. The first layout is on its side and still needs more rows as well as the borders.  I am going to use red in this one as well but not sure just yet about any other colours.

Which version do you like the best?

Blessings,

An Unwanted Gift

My dear hubby gave me a gift this week-a summer cold.  He was so kind to share his with me and, although I usually love his gifts, I would like to return this one.  I don't feel as bad as he does-mainly it is just like my usual allergies with the addition of a sore throat. I generally have a very good immune system but I have been a bit more tired lately so that is probably why I succumbed.
We had a really warm day today.  I was working at the Art Centre and didn't get home until 2.30ish but I sat outside while there.  The mosquitos make being outdoors a bit challenging but there weren't as bad as here.
Tomorrow we will set up our bug tent on the deck as well as finishing planting the garden and getting out the garden gnomes.  That will take care of the spring chores.  Then it will be time to start weeding.  All of that is a good excuse to get outside.
Are you all ready for spring or perhaps you live in one of the areas that are recovering from floods and are still dealing with that.
Have a great weekend.
Blessings,

A New Gnome Building

The weather was warm and sunny today.  We took advantage of it to get a few more things done around the house.  We finished getting the fenced in run for the chickens by adding a cover made of chicken wire.  That will further discourage predators as well as keep and hens from testing their flying abilities.  We did some shopping later in the day and I bought a few more plants.

We still have to get our lawn furniture and gnomes out of storage.  Hubby and I collect the little folk and have quite a few now.  They fill up the rock wall at the back of the house and, if you look carefully, you can also find them tucked under a shrub or in one of the flower gardens.

Our nephew made us this church and outhouse.  He did them without any special tools or patterns.  I can't wait to add them to the display this year. (He does sell them if you are interested).

Tomorrow, I am staffing the Art and Crafts Centre.  If you are in the area, drop in for a visit and see the great items we have for sale.

Blessings,

Return of the Banty

I have been looking after a friends cat while there were away.  I went into the village twice a day to give him his medicine, food and make sure he was okay.  If I had time, he generally got a massage to help ease his aging joints.
I am very fond of cats but hubby's allergies (and my aversion to having cat hair everywhere) means we are a dog only household.  So, being able to spend time with someone else's pet is a nice change.
We had some good news this morning.  Hubby went out to tend the flock and saw that our little female banty had returned home.  We were very pleased and now she is back in the coop with her very happy mate.
I started gathering fabric today for a QAL that an area quilt shop is holding.  If you would like to check it out, the link is: thimblesandthings.com.  Look for the QAG button.

Tomorrow I am getting together with a couple of friends for a quilting day.  This is a monthly event and we really look forward to it.
Blessings,

Good News, Bad News

We had a good news, bad news weekend.  Hubby's  younger sister, along with her two young grandchildren, came for a visit on Saturday. We took the children to see our chickens (more about them later) and our neighbours goat farm.  It was such a fun time and, of course, I took lots of photos.  Our little great niece hates bugs so I put one of my bug hats on her.  She wore it the rest of the afternoon and took it home with her.  We gave her brother a similar one.

 Bug free

 Fun with goats

and ponies

and great uncle's gold fish.

The next day was a normal Sunday; church, lunch etc.  When evening came, hubby went out to put the poultry to bed.  He had been gone quite a while and I was just going to call to see if everything was all right.  Before I could do that, however,  he came in with some bad news.  Something had got to the hens (we think while we were at church or we would have heard the nose from them and the dog barking) and killed four of them.  All that was left was some feathers so we assume it was fox or coyote.  We were also missing our little female banting.  She had been sitting on a nest of eggs.  We still haven't seen her so she is either in hiding or has also been killed.  We don't really think the later as she can fly really well and would have been able to escape.  We are still hoping she will return although it is too late now to hatch the eggs.

We hate when we lose a hen but it does happen when you live in a rural area.  You have the choice of keeping them in the coop or letting them run free.  We think they have a better life if they are allowed to be free but, of course, there is always a down side.

Next step is a noisy motion detector.

Despite everything, it was a great weekend thanks to the little ones.

My favourite photo.

Blessings,