Go Canada

As you can see by the photos, we were at the torch relay yesterday.  Sundridge is a community about the same size as Burk's Falls-population of 1000 people.  Yesterday afternoon that number was, at least, doubled as celebrants from surrounding areas gathered to watch the sight.  There was a brief build up, the torch arrived and lit the one waiting, a few moments for photos and it was off again.  Prior to its arrival, the bearer who was waiting posed for photos for anyone who asked.  He was wonderful and really added to the excitement.

Today, we once again have news of soldiers being killed, citizens murdered and weather disasters.  I am going to focus on yesterdays experience as a wonderful way to end this decade.

  We are off to Orillia again so the next posting will be on Monday.

Happy New Year everyone and thank you, Lord, for Canada.

Blessings

The Torch

Have you been following the olympic torch relay?  We are quite excited about it and especially so as it gets closer to our area.  The outpouring of Canadian spirit is both astounding and enheartening.  It is so rare that we Canuks demonstrate our feelings about our country.
As I write this, my husband is on the lap top following the torch through Orillia.  We both lived there for a number of years and go back a few times a month to see his family.  We are watching to see if we know any of the torch bearers.  I am particularly watching for one very deserving person.  Walter Henry is one of amateur boxings best known fighters.  He has won a room full of awards, set records (some of which have yet to be beaten), been to the Olympics twice and all without a trainer.  He, of course, lives in Orillia and I have been proud to call him friend for many years.
We are heading north to Sundridge this afternoon to watch the torch make its way through that community.  We will be wearing our red gloves and taking pictures.  I will post some tomorrow.  Go Canada.
Blessings

Paper Piecing

We had some bad weather yesterday afternoon.  The snow combined with wind created almost a complete white out condition here in the woods.  I was glancing out the window as I sewed expecting to see one of the trees come down or the toboggan go swirling past but everything stayed put.  I did see something memorable, however.  Walking out of the storm toward the house and then strolling past was a buck.  It looked just like something from a painting 'Stag in Storm'.  My husband is working on a picture this morning and I think that may be what he is doing.
I have been putting blocks together for a quilt for my sister-in-law.  They are all different paperpieced birds-jays, cardinal, wren, robin etc.  I enjoy seeing each completed block but, oh my, those tiny pieces of fabric.  One of the enjoyable aspects of quilting is that there is always something new to learn and each bit of knowledge opens the door to more projects.  This is especially appealing to me as I get bored continually doing the same thing.  Learning to paperpiece has enabled me to do patterns not possible with rotary cut squares, strips and triangles.
In a few days, we will be in a new decade.  If you haven't tried anything new recently, I urge you to take on the challenge.  The quality of your success isn't as important as the quality of your attempt. Think about something you have always wanted to do but haven't dared to try.  Give yourself a start date, mark it on your calendar, book lessons, if needed and get going. Share your plan with others so they can encourage you. Let me know what and how you are doing.  I would really like to know.
Blessings

The Ghost of Christmas Past

I hope you all had a great Christmas.  The day itself was rather hectic for us.  We drove to Orillia about an hour and a half south of us where we spent some time with my father in law.  Then it was on to the farm where the rest of the family was gathering.  By meal time,  the noise level was pretty high with the excitement of children and adults trying to carry on a conversation. We had to take our little dog as there wasn't anywhere to leave her and she usually goes crazy when around people but this time she just lay on my lap and watched everyone.  It must have been hard on her as she slept all the way back home and didn't move much the next day.  We left for home right after eating as freezing rain was predicted.  We didn't have any problems and arrived home safe and sound.
We have started opening our gifts on Christmas eve since moving nearer family.  It makes things a bit less rushed the next day.  I received, among other things, my requested yellow sweater.  Heidi gave us the red Olympic gloves which we will wear on Wednesday when the torch goes through our area. I also got a quilt calendar (pattern a day), a gift certificate to a fabric store and some of my favourite sour candies.
After opening our gifts, we put together some snacks and watched Scrooge-the black and white version with alister Sims.  I have seen it so many times now that I almost know the dialogue by heart but I still enjoy it and I still cry when the Cratchit's talk about Tim.
It is still snowing and the driveway will probably have to be cleaned again but for now we can stay in, enjoy the wood stove and scenery and relax.
Blessings,

Christmas Eve Day

Here is a couple of photos of some of the things I have been working on this Christmas season.  The first picture is of a dresser runner for my sister-in law, vest for great nephew and dog for a great neice who is a toddler.

The quilt top-unironed or dethreaded is 60 x 60.  The light squares are actually a shiny gold.  I don't have a Christmas quit so I thought that this year I would do one.

We will be opening our gifts this evening as we will, like many of you, be on the road in the morning.  My wish for you all is a peaceful Christmas, safe travelling and the comfort of knowing that you are loved.

      Merry Christmas to you all.  The next posting won't be until Monday.

Blessings from my house to yours.

Silly Me-Twice

How much is that Heidi in the window?  Priceless.  This is her favourite place; sitting and watching the deer.

Well, I am not sure where my head was yesterday but, apparently, not on my shoulders.  I really thought it was Wednesday.  My husband and I had to check the internet to be sure it was Tues.  I should have realized it was as I don't watch television on Tues, as I mentioned and I had looked at it the night before.

Second oops was when I went to do the DVD and realized I had deleted my brother's instructions.  He has resent them and,as I now have an extra day (sigh) I still have time to put that together. 

Today which really is Wednesday, is making bread and wrapping gift day. Not sure if all this is because I am getting older or just because there really isn't a reason for keeping track of the days. 

Tomorrow, (Thursday!) I will post some photos of my Christmas projects.

My mother is very much on my mind as I get ready for the celebration.  It will be our second Christmas without her and it is still difficult.  If you are missing a loved one, my thoughts and prayers are with you.  It is harder to feel sadness in the midst of gaity.

Blessings.                                                                                                                                                    

Just Two More Sleeps

I finished the last of my gift making yesterday evening.  Other than the news, I only watch TV on 3 weeknights, Mon. Wed. and Fri. and that is when I get all my hand sewing done.
I saw an interesting sight this morning.  Roger was chopping wood and there was a deer nearby, 10 to 12 feet away, just munching on some scraps we had put out.  I could see that she was watching him but didn't seem to be to concerned.  At one point she started walking closer and was within reaching distance when she seemed to realize what she was doing, turned tail and bounced into the bush.  Quite the sight.
Our little dog loves to sit on my sewing table and look out the window at the animals.  She is in the way when I am sewing but I don't have the heart to move her unless I am working on something large.
I am going to try and put some of our house and property construction photos on a DVD for my father-in-law to watch on his television.  He is somewhat housebound and hasn't been here so I thought he might like a virtual trip.  I haven't done this before but my younger brother has sent sprecific instructions so I should be alright.  I will let you know how it turns out.
Blessings