Shopping Day

Dear husband and I went to Huntsville today to do a bit of shopping.  The main purpose of the trip was to pick up a part he needed for his quad and the modem for our new Internet server.  We have been quite happy with our current provider but recently we have been having problems with low speed, flickering of the connection or none at all.  The company we have switched to is cheaper and, hopefully, faster and trouble free.
It should have been a fairly easy trip but because I hurt my back a couple of days ago, it was a painful one.  Walking around wasn't too bad but getting in and out of the car was excruciating.  Riding wasn't too much better.  We have a standard and Roger was trying to be very careful but there is always bumps and jerks as well as the road surface to deal with. 
I get this periodically and it is just something to put up with until it settles down again.  Sure makes a person appreciate good health when everything is back to normal.  I am generally an unsympathetic person with anyone who has aches and pains.  Not nice of me but I am being honest.  I have a feeling that as I get older and suffer through a few of my own that I will have a change of attitude.
Blessings,

An Heirloom.

Carol's Quilt

It is a rainy day here in the backwoods.  The ground is becoming strewn with a carpet of multi hued leaves.  Soon it will be replaced by snow which is just  as lovely.
This marvellous quilt was made by my friend, Carol, for her daughter.  It measure 6 feet by 8 feet and was machine pieced and hand quilted.
Didn't she do a lovely job?  I am sure it will be an heirloom to be handed down in the family for many generations to come.
My younger sister and I were exchanging e mails yesterday and I had told her about our egg bounty so she started punning me with egg related words.  Just a few silly moments but fun.  I was hoping to go and see my other sister today before she returns to England but I have been feeling a bit ill and didn't want to give her whatever I have.  Flying is bad enough.  Flying with a head cold is torture and can be dangerous for your ear drums.  So, I am disappointed but just didn't want to take any chances.
I am fortunate to be able to see my two dear sisters fairly often and one brother lives about an hours drive away.  The youngest brother and I keep in touch through e mail but I downloaded Skype yesterday so hope now to be able to talk to him via that.  A much cheaper alternative to the phone.
Blessings,

More Chickens



Autumn Glory

My husband picked up five laying chickens on the weekend and got them installed in their new home.  We didn't expect any eggs for at least a week but, lo, and behold, we got three yesterday.  Two were white and the third brown and all a good size.  I was at quilt group and Roger called to let me know.  I hope he was at least that excited over the birth of his sons.
Our trees seemed to have reached the peak of their colour.  There are still a lot of green leaves but the ones that have changed are fading and falling.  I think they are early this year but others said there are on schedule.
I saw a wonderful thing on television this morning which, once again, emphasised the great country in which I live.  You are probably aware of the protest against the oil pipeline going from Canada to Mexico.  There was a demonstration in Ottawa and the news clip I saw was of a police officer, politely and calming advising protesters that if they came over the fencing they would be breaking the law.  The protesters just as politely and calmly,  thanked the officer who then stepped back as the man climbed over the fence.  The other clip was a row of arrested protesters sitting on the ground with their hands secured behind them and a police officer walking along asking if they were okay.  Marvellous.  No guns, no dogs, no yelling or throwing of things just a peaceful demonstration of rights.
As for the issue, my personal belief is that as Texas needs oil, it would be to our advantage to provide it.  Accept the fact and make sure it is a safe as anything can be.  The oil from the sands in Alberta is cleaner (in many senses of the word) than that coming from Arabia. I have been to area of number of times and have always been impressed by all the green vegitation that surrounds the site and the area.
The same news cast also explained why we don't refine our own oil and the answer is economics.  It is very costly to build the refineries and the companies don't see it as beneficial to their bottom line.  Right or wrong this is a fact.Sometimes you just have to accept things are what they are and do everything you can to make it positive.
Having said all that, I still think that demonstration was a wonderful thing.  I doubt the clips I saw will get world wide attention, but they should.
Blessings,

Last Days of Summer

Our Heidi

Today is the first day of autumn.  It is a bit dreary outside; rather grey and raining but the trees still make a bright contrast.  Yesterday was so lovely that, between baking and cleaning, Heidi and I went for a walk and played chase the ball.  In this photo, she has captured it and is deciding if she is going to bring it to me again.
She looks so nice and white against the green grass although, in truth, she needs a bath.  I also need to give her a trim before the snow falls because it sticks to her hair in great heavy clumps.
This is my 'in the office day' so I plan on working on getting a few more articles finished for the on line quilt magazine.  Before I can do that, however, I have to go to the village because our grocery store has butterball turkeys on for a good price.  We are hoping to have my brother and his wife here for Thanksgiving so I have better serve turkey.
When we were driving to his place this week, we had a flock of geese fly down fairly close to the road, just over a transport truck.  They stayed above it for a while and it seemed as though they had decided to follow it south.  A funny sight.
Whatever you are doing this weekend, I hope you take time to get out and enjoy the colours.
Blessings,

Harvest Beauty

Harvest Beauty

We have gathered together most of our crops and will be bringing them indoors for winter consumption.  I will start canning in October as I am still too busy to do much now although I am turning some grapes into juice while I wait for the bread to rise.
Some one asked me the other day how I am able to get so much done and I think it is because I do a number of things at the same time; for example make bread, simmer grapes for juice and write my blog.  I am often folding clothes or doing a similiar task while waiting for supper to cook.
I think women are blessed with this ability to multitask because we never would have the time to do everything if we just focused on one job at a time.
I have updated my web site (well, my webmaster has) and I now have some quilts listed for sale.  I would also like to remind you of the Name the Quilt contest that is underway.  There is nothing to mail or buy so it is easy to enter.  Simply come up with a good name and send it to my arkangelcreations@gmail.com address.
I am almost ready to start my hand applique Baltimore album quilt.  I've ordered some nice white fabric from Sisters Quilting Expo and once it gets here I am ready to start.  This is a backing fabric so I didn't need to buy as much and the quality is great (I got a sample).  I am just finishing the border on a child's quilt and then I am ready to go.
Looks like it is going to be a great day for getting outside although rain is predicted.  It that holds off I will take Heidi for a walk after lunch.
Blessings

Awww, Isn't She Cute.

It is another lovely day here in the backwoods.  My husband is outside doing some work and I should be doing house stuff.  Our little Heidi did the cutest thing this morning (Don't I sound like a doting grandmother).  Roger asked her if she wanted to go out with him and if she promised to not wander away.  He said 'raise your right paw if you promise'.  Heidi went into beg position and stuck her paw out for a shake!  She didn't keep her promise though.  I guess she got bored with just sitting and came back to lay by the front step. 
I always put her on a leash so I can keep track of her but my husband is more trusting.
I believe I mentioned that my doctor gave me a prescription for some pills to stop the headaches I've been getting.  I've quit taking them.  I found that I have been too sluggish throughout the day and I hate that feeling.  I am usually pretty energetic and can get a lot done in a short time.  When I can't do that, something is wrong.
Going in to the village this morning to meet a quilter who is vacationing in the area.  Always nice to meet another addict.
Blessings,

Lovely and Busy Day

We have had a lovely day.  My sister is here from England and so she and my husband and I drove to Bracebridge to visit with my brother and his wife.  It is always special for us when we can get together.  We are fortunate that it happenes at least once a year now as my sister comes over to see her son and family and we are all no further than three hours or so apart.
Our fall colours are begining to show themselves in earnest now and it appears that every maple has at least a few leaves that are tipped in orange.  The areas south of us haven't as much colour but will before long.
I think my husband is going to be taking the air conditioner from the window this week as it doesn't seem as though we are going to get any more hot weather.
I am still working at finishing up some of my quilts.  I have the binding sewn onto two of them and just have to do the hand stitching. 
I have a large tote piled high with quilts that are partially done and as much as I am dying to start a new pattern, I am trying to discipline myself to keep at that pile.  Of course, that doesn't stop me from picking out the fabric that I want to use in the new project!
Blessings,