End of an Era

 I didn't do as well at the fair as usual but my friend got all first prizes.  I am so proud of her.  The entries, vendors and crowd were down this year but as it was the first fair after COVID, it wasn't unexpected.

Today my quilting friends and I were invited to one of our group's home for a visit.  It was a lovely day.  She lives on the lake so we took our hand projects to the lakeside deck and relaxed.  This lady is a wonderful hostess and served some finger foods to go with the lunches we brought.  Everything was topped with a couple bottles of non alcohol wine  which we drank in real glasses.  We even had gifts to take home.

When I left in the morning there had been an announcement of the Queen's health and it was worded in such a way that I realized her death was imminent.  It happened while I was out and each of us spent a bit of time reflecting on her reign and what the future might bring.  I feel very unsettled right now but am going to try not to think about the future with Charles as King.  Everything is just speculation at this point and, I believe  the Queen had faith in her son's ability to rule so we will need to give him a chance.

 This is one of my friends prize winning quilts.

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Blessings,

Fall Canning Underway.

And, all of a sudden, I am in canning mood.  I was going to wait until August was over but decided I had better get the crabapples done, then came the over abundance of tomatoes to be froze.  I am going to turn those into catsup this year. The crabapple jelly didn't set as well as I would have liked but it will do.

 

I have all my fall fair entries ready.  Usually, I am scurrying at the last minute.  I will make the brownies and pick carrots tomorrow but everything else has the labels attached and ready to go.

The temperature has dropped to below 20c this week although there was some humidity earlier because of the heavy rainfall The change in temperature have caused to  leaves to take on a tinge of colour  and I expect they will begin changing quickly now.  They seem slower this year as we often have a fair bit of orange along our driveway by now.

Blessings,

Mr. Mickey's Carriage.

I am getting my entries ready for our fall fair.  I am adding gluten free brownies and carrots to the list this year.  I didn't have to make anything specifically for the day as I have a lot of quilts (surprise) table runners and so on that I have made over the past two years.  The only thing that I have to make is the doll outfit.

My little dog wasn't feeling well for a couple of days but seems to be okay now.  I saw the neatest idea on Connie Campbell's blog.  She has an aging dog, Mr. Mickey, that isn't able to walk as far as she would like.  She solved the problem with a stroller and harness.  Now when Mr. Mickey gets tired, he can ride in style.

Heidi is still able to walk as far as I want but there are times I would like to take her to street festivals or other events where there is a lot of foot traffic.  I don't think it is safe or thoughtful to expect a little dog to be able to navigate through a forest of legs.  His/her own stroller would be perfect.

I am starting my first batch of apple jelly today.  I am not sure if I am going to be able to do as much jam as I have in other years because of the unavailability of fruit.  However, I still have some left from last year so we aren't going to starve.

Blessings,

A Dilemma

 Hubby and I went shopping yesterday.  I planned on buying some apples as well as other fruits and vegetables.  That plan changed when I saw the price of apples.  I am used to them being around 4.00 to 6 dollars depending on the variety.  The prices for these were four dollars higher.  10.99 for a bag of apples in a province that has as more apple trees than all the other fruit trees combined.  I know the price of fuel has affected many things especially food but  the other items I bought were still close to the price that they were a couple of years ago.

I left the apples and bought oranges and bananas instead.  Fortunately, I still have a lot of frozen apples in the freezer.

I picked up a book this week by a local author.  It was promoted as a romantic mystery.  The romance part was written well but the mystery has remained a mystery.  There seemed to be parts left out and situations that had no background or explanation.  I can't decide whether to write and ask her for an explanation or to let it go.  I know she will make a certain amount of sales as she is local but, unfortunately, I can't see her reaching a large audience.

What would you do?  Let it go or as tactfully as possible ask her to explain some of the confusing areas?  I am not sure how I would feel if I received an email basically telling me I need to improve a lot to be considered a good writer.  Fortunately, I have a good editor who goes over everything I write with the proverbial fine tooth comb-not that doesn't stop the occasional typo to slip through.

Blessings,

Home Made Ketchup

 I am getting my fair entries ready before the last minute for a change.  Most things are done already except for the gluten free brownies and dressing a doll.

Do you enter anything in your local fall fair?  I find it a fun way to take part in a community event and the prize money always comes in handy.  As a quilter, I think anything that showcases the beauty and creativity that is involved in producing something both useful and decorative.  I always hope that a young person will look at one of the entries and decide it is something they would like to learn.

We are going grocery shopping tomorrow.  If I never had to do that ever again, I would be happy.  I do buy some items on line but that doesn't work with fresh fruit and vegetables.

Our grandson did a lovely thing today.  He videoed a message to his great grandmother (who is in long term care) letting her know that she was loved.  He is a very caring young man.  His sister doesn't find it as easy to express her feelings but she, too, is a caring soul.

I am thinking of making my own ketchup this year.  I don't really like the bottled versions.  It isn't hard and we always have lots of tomatoes.  If it turns out, I will have something new to add to my fall canning list.

Blessings,

Amazing Applique

We had what my Dad used to call 'a gully washer' today.  It had been spitting all day but when I started home from quilt group the rain fall got serious.  There were times I could barely see and the puddles were deep enough that safety dictated slower speeds.  As I passed a friend, and fellow quilter's, house, the rain lessened to a light shower, then as I turned onto our road, it started again.  Our driveway had a few ruts where the gravel had been moved but nothing serious.

My youngest sister went to a quilt show in England and sent me a photo of the one that was judged Best of Show.  I looked at another close up and the flowers etc. are appliqued.  Beautiful work.

Blessings,

Fall Fair Coming

We had one of those noisy rainstorms early this afternoon.  I was just going out for a walk with the dog when I noticed how black the sky was.  The thunder started by the time we were half way down the driveway. We hustled back into the house and made it just before the rain fell in a deluge.  It didn't last too long but the hydro flickered once and we lost the tv satellite for a bit.

I have started quilting my scrappy quilt and it is going alright.  I also need to get at my entries for the fall fair.  One of the other ladies in the quilt group is entering this year.  I like to see lots of quilters submit their work because it brings attention and interest to our craft.

I have been spending a bit of time getting to know my new sewing machine.  I haven't tried all the decorative stitches yet.  It is fun having a new toy.  I may get at the Dresden plate quilt that I have been planning to make using men's ties.  I can use the fancy stitches on the adjoining pieces.

Blessings,