Thursday      October 16, 2014

Its been a long time, again, and again life, or "things" had taken over.

Part of the "things" was an actual Quilt Retreat with The Quilt Pattern Magazines
group under it called   Pattern Pastiche.

Check out their site:  http://www.quiltpatternmagazine.com/

My involvement with the Retreat will come later, first:

I must brag on the Site where we had the Retreat:  Capon Springs & Farms, Capon Springs,
W. V.
Main buildings were built in 1850's,  there is a beautiful pool,  (don't test the water or you won't go in!)  It is quite chilly even during hot summer times.  There are trails folks can hike on, several outbuildings that were cottages, a "castle" and a log cabin folks could rent and stay in.   They have a golf course, shuffleboard, a ping pong building, a room where they make their Apple Butter (the best!) and residents were given a chance to stir it in a huge copper kettle With a huge shovel shaped paddle (rounded end to fit the kettle), They put 11 bushels of apples into each kettle they cooked. we just can't remember the total volume.  It is cooked down naturally, and spiced just enough to make it sooooo good.  They also sell 3 salad dressings, I didn't need to go past the Pearle's Piquant, to find the one I loved.  I feel bad for the other 2 flavors in that I didn't taste them.  I hurt one of their feelings. 
They also make and sell cherry and blueberry jelly, and sell the apple butter. we got some of each.
Happy memories will pop up every time we use one of the products.

The golf course side of things also had a large covered dining area, open air, HUGE stone fireplace, we had 2 meals up there, one was  evening and featured bbq'd chicken, and the weather was chilly the other was great weather, and lunch time and we can't remember the featured food.  The cherry pie was to die for, not loaded with the artificially flavored sauce, but loaded with cherries on the best pie crust made with Lard.  That meal was not too hot, nor cold, breezy but not windy.. just wonderful.

Fresh apples were always available in a special bowl someone made.. Beautiful workmanship.
They also had a bed time snack..

We played Bingo twice.. I didn't get close the first night, and the second night I won twice. Once was for 3 golf balls which I traded in for a coaster.  The other was a bag of fresh baked cookies.. They too are special..  lol, so much so we eke them out one per day.  Sadly they are all gone.  I'm hoping they are "Snicker doodles" and can get close to the same using my recipe.

Roland didn't win at all at Bingo, sort of. Those who had not won, were asked to stand up, and as they had a number that was called, they were to sit down. 

It was sooooo much fun, so great to see how others go about getting would sit down.  ,

 Roland didn't win at all at Bingo, sort of. Those who had not won, were asked to stand up, and as they had a number that was called, they were to sit down.  Roland was the last one standing for "Worst Card" He got a real nice T-shirt.

We, or at least I, had a blast seeing  their projects  come to life as they were working on them.  A terrific treat to see them completed into tops.  Some had other projects to complete also with the Button Up quilt the focal project for the Retreat., one lady had a GORGEOUS light peacock or aqua, of various light shades and she was adding a bargello border, I think it was about 18 inches high.  It was a king sized quilt, and so scrumptious when finished.  I'd love to see it in person when it is quilted.. Looked to be a prize winner to me.

The gals in general were terrific, so sweet, so helpful, so fun!  Even when I wasn't dealing with them directly, it was great to hear the conversations, and see some dancing during lunch!  Maybe next year a belly dancer could perform?  roflmho... lol lol    (shhhhh)

Food was more than plentiful, breakfast was oatmeal or 7 grain hot cereal, eggs our choice of how they were fixed, meat, ham, bacon or sausage, usually 2 or the 3 (or more than 3).  Also toast, pancakes, French toast, juice, fresh fruit (usually prunes and/or sliced bananas..
Water was the best, clean, nearly pure, nice flavor, spring fed... nice on complexion also.

Lunch was everything I can think of.  salad, (or was that supper, or both?) ladies were awake and the crowd even had the other clients watching, listening, and one lady from NC actually struck up a convo with me.  We chatted for a bit.  She was fun and so informative.  I really liked her.

Lunch was between 1 and 2.  So many dishes I can't think of any of them.  We had a mini quilt show on Tues.  a Lot of projects were shown, with some selling.. Great for them, and our eye candy was great.

Isobel, our fearless leader, had dozens of hand outs which she had solicited shops and folks who quilt, for them.  a magazine, to several patterns, to a "Belly Button Brush"  from someone.  I put it to good use..rofl, dusting my machine out.   Where in heck does the word "reindeer" or was it caribou stick in my mind come from.   Maybe we saw some along the drive.. Yeah,. I bet that was it!


We also had door Prizes, and I got the Zinger!  A 30 Fat Quarter Bundle.  Love it!   The colors are so soft.  It will make a nice quilt for us to keep.  and I'm sure a lap robe or throw or two also.  7 1/2 yards of fabric goes a long way when piecing tops.

We had a trip to the Fabric Shop, Scrappy Apple, in Winchester,  WV.  A real small shop, most of us managed to get into at once, and nice fabrics.  I managed to get some at what was probably close to wholesale.

I also had to pick up a wine and a bright green to replace the Button UP blocks I'd cut too small. The small ones will go in a quilt border or strip, etc.  Thinking wasn't the best as I was on a short term prescribed steroid med.  Hate the way it makes me feel and think drunk.

Roland was put to work, getting my Go-Go in and out of the car, or up a step that it couldn't negotiate.  They did have other entrances without the step, we found out.  Should have looked first.
He also helped a lady pin a couple quilt tops.. he loves helping, so was happy and busy.

A couple times he was a gopher.. other than for me, and helped set up the room for the quilt show.
They did a terrific job.

We slept so well, so quiet, so dark.. AND Best Of ALL there wasn't a phone, a TV or Internet in the rooms.. so rest or rest while reading was all we did, and it Was Very Restful.

The staff.. right on the ball, with smiles, and helped without taking over from me.  Of course in the lunch room or dining hall, I became known as "Speedy" and heard comments like, Here she comes, or Shes going full speed.  She can park that thing real well, it must be from practice.

I don't think I ran over anyone.. I pray not, and apologize if I did.  I hope I wasn't that inattentive.

We had milk, water, iced tea, hot tea from a variety of tea bags, most were unknown to me until then.
If anyone went away hungry, it wasn't from lack of or variety of food. 

I thought at first the meals were on the heavy side, but didn't feel that at all after I finished eating by about 5 min.  We were all kept on the go so much, and the nerves at getting projects done, so it didn't hang around, and were needed.  I'd love to go back just for a couple nights and sleep in the log cabin.

About 5 p.m. we had a snack, supper was from 6-7.  Mac and cheese is one dish I can remember.
They have an 11 o'clock p.m. curfew.  I hear some were let stay up later, but I was long gone into dream land.  Must have slept well, and didn't have jitters, as I didn't dream nor have night-mare's at all.

The folks in the kitchen and serving were very attentive to my allergy, and didn't treat me like I was asking for Swiss Cheese from the moon.  They made sure they saved a portion of the dish without the dreaded Bell Pepper, and closely related peppers.  Once they found I could handle most dishes or drinks while on the Go-Go, they let me deal with it, and I appreciated that so much.  Sometimes folks won't listen and take things right out of my hands.    I do apologize for a glass of Orange Juice that got away from me.  Still don't know what set that dribble off, but do Thank the Ladies who cleaned up for me.   A couple of the retreat ladies cleaned up after me.

I did finish one of the Microwave pot holders, and managed some other sewing.  It seems I got one other project finished, too, but hanged if I know what.   Still didn't get the facing on one blouse sewn down, nor the other that needs to be hemmed up to stop the hem from rolling up on the outside and looking less than nice.  Eventually.. I just may ask a friend, Judy D., if she will do it for me, since we barter haircuts for fabric, and so on.

We also drove up to where they have Petting Friendly Pigs, and off bread Cows.. Darn! can't remember what they called them.  Guess I will have to ask.

The check out gentleman was so nice.. I hadn't paid, and was hoping himself would do it, and he didn't, so they thought I forgot.  I didn't and had to pay.. for both of us.


DID   I    HAVE   FUN?

                                          YOU BET YOUR SWEET TOOTSIE POP, I DID.

THANKS ISOBEL, THE QUILT PATTERN MAGAZINE EMPLOYEES, THE GIFT GIVERS,
AND JUST AS MUCH,           CAPON SPRINGS AND FARMS EMPLOYEES.\

God Blessings on all of you.

More when I can.........                   ...................             ..................................

 Thursday 11 September 2014

Twists and turns happen in all walks of life to all kinds and ages of people..

Mine has turned towards the good side..

I'm able to plan, and carry out most projects I set myself up for.  Now and then one doesn't come out quite like intended, but it happens.

Thought processes help conclude a project or carry it to the next step and be a lot less exhausting in the mental department, than when on the nasty prescribed med.

We are both feeling so good we are going out fishing most days, have been down to help and 0bserve the fair.   It is small as it is a Lions Club sponsored fair for the Region.

Changes every year make it more interesting and fun to attend.  They also brought in a new Midway company, diff rides, some spruced up with glitter, like the kids cars and trucks.. the glitter seems to catch their attention and make it more fun.

Anyway, life is good, changing and soon I will be able to be post some picts of the projects I'm working on.

Far too many UFO  projects.,  that means:  Un Finished Objects.

Microwave pot holders,
a Stained glass,

A QoV on the frame for one lady and ready to put on another.. nope, I  have the second one on the frame right now.

Readying various quilt tops for quilting.  Some need a border, some need backing, some just need to be done.

Trying to sort and organize the room we keep the fabric in.   Scraps to be cut into strips or squares,
larger pieces, fat eights and larger, in another area or large contaner, and so on.. above FQ s I have tried to locate the smaller pieces, like 1 yard or so in one area and then the mid sizes up to about  3 yards in another then the bigger and backs .

Now and then we have to sort or dig thru, but that is ok, it just really speeds things up when only a FQ is needed to go along with 2 yards of one, and 1 1/2" of another. 

Working on piecing a quilt with alternate 9 patch blocks made of fabric I dyed.. then on to brighter projects, with more planning to them.

Some are pre printed and merely need backing and some plan of action for the quilting..

Some are in construction stages.. need more blocks of one kind or another, need them assembled into the quilt top.   Two of the Mystery Projects are in doing stages.. one needs one last border, the other needs more blocks, and the last set of blocks is Very Labor Intensive.. turn a piece wrong and have to do a lot of unsewing.

enough for today.  I pay to be back every few days from now on..  So much to do, so little time..

God is Good.

God Bless

 

No boring you with what's been going on these last couple of months..

Quilting is progressing, I have 2 jobs right now, and one QoV which is on the frame.. I'm having fun with this one.

I'm trying to do some piecing and finding I'm distracted to too many started projects.. I have to stop starting up new ones. 

I was given several quilt blocks and fabric to finish the quilt block piecing, and then the quilt top.

I have to start getting these finished that I have started in the last few weeks,  then will be getting the started quilts that I have and that will make quick work of those quilts.

Fishing has been on the agenda and I'm tollerating the heat quite well, its the high humidity that gets to me.

Without Dr. appts. every week, often more than one, we are getting lazy and sassy.  Have to work it out with casting the hook and bait out into the pond............ and catching fish.

The chestnut tree is beginning to drop it's leaves.  Quite early, but Mother Nature knows what God wants her to do.

The fabric room is on the last bit of organizing and clearing things up.

An hour per day for about 3 days should finish that job.
A couple hours per day for the long arm quilting should be enough too.

When tired, the quilting just doesn't go well, and that means the hours spent quilting have to be kept to not more than 3 per day.

Oh I'd love to go out fishing this morning.. It's only 80 out at 10:10 a.m.  Just right.. to get hot today, meaning over 90.


God bless, stay safe and healthy.

I'm back, finally!

Tuesday             July 8, 2014

Life has taken hold and givin me pretty good health, so fishing, doing small jobs out in the yard,  -

Monday                  June 2, 2014

The weather is just plain beautiful.   Only 60*F at 8:30 this morning.   Will be wonderful for going fishing this afternoon.  

Himself got the new blueish colored paint cut in against the ceiling, and windows.. he will be rolling the rest of it today.  It will be great to have it done, again.   It was so pretty but got brighter, (and I love bright colors!)  every day, the yellow wall with the blue reflecting on it turned it pea green.  The yellow wall will be painted blue like the rest of the room.

Using the computer that goes with the quilting machine, should let me do at least one quilt today, I hope.  It will depend on how long it takes to do each row. 

Excitement about the long arm quilting is building.  It's been a hard road to get back to thinking things through to get it set up right.

Still working on the Irish Chain, and we still haven't found the 17 or so blocks which I had finished,
and we had to move them.  Now we can't find them.  One day they will come to light.. probably when I don't need them any more.

It felt good to be able to go to church yesterday.   It was hard to sit there that long, but I managed.

It was also good to see Brenda again.  Still working long hours..

So, today must be started, and it will be interesting to see just what does get done.

Have a blessed day,



 

Progress is going on.

Sunday                  June 1, 20114

Sometimes life is just great.. such is the last couple of days.

Progress is being made on the paint indoors, and I love it!  Living room only needs the dark door frames wiped down and painted.

We went out fishing one day this week and Himself skunked me, with I think 3 gray channel catfish.
They tasted good, anyway.

Yesterday we went to the pond down by the Rehab Home, and I caught 2 cat and one nice bluegill.
That will be our dinner today.  I skunked him, this time.

After we finished fishing we went up to PineLake Rehab and visited with some of the patients and a couple of the staff.    It was great.   My room mate is still there, and thinks she will be going home today.  I'm surprised as she was able to walk just holding the nurses hands, or the rails in rehab.
She could have gone home long time ago.

It was heart warming to see her looking so much better,  with color in her cheeks, and her eyes bright, and her glasses on properly instead of all askew.

Yesterday we just took care of things here at the house and did what we wanted. 

I think I will be going to church today.  I certainly feel up to it.  I just hate to think of carrying the portable oxygen concentrator.  Maybe my oxygen level will be good enough to leave it in the c ar, then go get it if I need it.

I've lost so much weight that I'm not sure what will fit now and what will be too big.  Maybe I will fit into the one new outfit I've not worn.  I gained too much weight too fast.

This pict shows some of the blocks that we are making in a Mystery Quilt challenge.  I love it so far.  It's been fun,  lol,  but not when I cut some blocks too small, and had to do them over.

We only have a couple of months to finish the quilt.  I have the June block instructions and they are not hard, so I will be doing that this afternoon.  The off white fabric really isn't as cheap as the pict seems to show.  Nice fabric, really.    Shall post picts when it's done.

The need to see if I can get myself put together, and attend church, is calling.. Best to do it now, and not worry about it at the last minute. 

I will be working on the grandsons quilt this afternoon, and we will have the fresh fish for our dinner.

Stitch on,

Sunday                   May 25, 2014

Today is supposed to be near perfect, and I'd really like to go fishing..  Not real hot, and with shade where we like to fish, it would be terrific.  I'd like some fresh fish to eat, too.

Yesterday we went and bought the paint for the entry and living room.   He has one wall painted and we think we are really going to like it, once done.  After the walls, there is only the doorways, etc to be well washed and painted white.  I can't stand this dark finish with light and dark areas, where the wear of hands, movingt furniture, boxes from purchases has really taken a bad toll.

It will just be so good to have it all done, and the house looking more like someone cares about it.

We bought some seeds yesterday that are still well within  the season for planting.  Okra. pumpkin, snow peas, (to be planted in Aug) etc.

I'm still trying to find a few flowers that deer won't eat to the ground.  So far the only one I've come up with are Marigolds.  Maybe we can try some others one at a time, at the end of their selling season.  Even smaller bushes that flower over a nice length of time will help.. just not too fond of using bushes as deco plants.

Another thing that needs to be done is put the siding on the addition so it will really look nice around here, and we will both feel better, too!

 We have Jr. to dig the drain field ditches for the ceptic tank.  If I can't find it on line, Himself will need to check in with the building permit office and see how deep and how long the drain tubes need to be.   I'd hate to have Jr. dig them and find out they aren't deep enough, or too deep, and not long enough, etc.  I hope we can the info needed, on line.

The living room windows prove themselves as a positive, day after day.  It will be interesting to see how much a door with a window will help/ add to the lighting in the dining room. 

Mean while have a most blessed day of worship and relaxing.

Back Again

Friday            May 23, 2014 

Well, busy is the way we way were  yesterday.  A lot of piddly things to take care of and they were taken care of.

We couldn't get this set of patio doors clean, and tried everything we've ever heard.  Still it had streaks, newspaper did nothing but smear it around.

We finally thought of the squeegee, and that did the trick.  Now I have one clean door and the stationary window isn't clean.   LOL, I couldn't keep him interested long enough for that!  In all honesty, the stationary door needs to be replaced.   A beebee got it one day.

Stains on the ceilings have all been primered over with the sealing paint, and next will be the real paint that needs to go up.

Still need to buy the paint we want for the walls.   They will be 3 walls a very pale aqua, one wall will have the palest yellow we can get.  The yellow will bleed into the dining room walls, and go into the kitchen.  Meanwhile, we need to get the skins for the cabinets and cupboards.  He is dragging his feet on getting back to finishing the new cupboards he put in.  

The cabinets and cupboards will be painted white with pale aqua trim, and a bit of the yellow.  The blue will continue down the hall, and into the laundry room.  Then my bath will be painted a peachy color, and our room will be a clear olive green with pink.  The more I thought of the terracotta the less I liked the idea.  Too orange.

Well, on to other things waiting to be done.. a lot of them.

Wednesday               May 21, 2014

Today Looks to be overcast.. though it's predicted to be up in the high 70's and low 80's.  I was hoping to get out fishing today.   I will need to check the humidity and see if it's breathable.  If too high, the breathing just doesn't work well.

Progress is being made in the "preparing to paint"  area of the living room.   No idea what we will be able to find, to store all thats in the entryway.  I hate the thought of leaning it back up against a freshly painted wall.  I'd really like to clear the entry out so we can use it for an entry.

Finally got a hair cut.. it's been about 2 months.. Only one place that it needs to be a little longer, BUT the blending she did on the top of my head is wonderful.  It's what I've been trying to get for the last couple years.  Terrific haircut and I'm so pleased, Judy.  Thanks!

So, today will continue on clearing things out, and get some sewing in, too.  I hope we can take the Viking down to the dealer, and see what it is going to take for a basic maint and checkup, then the search for what is causing the embroidery to not work, the light flickering, etc.  I just get so frustrated when something isn't working as it should.

The little red, white and blue paper pieced blocks will be finished, then I can go back to the Irish Chain I started before the long medical problems reared their ugly heads.

Life is improving and that makes it good.


Until then

Tuesday                 May 20, 2014

Weather is being nice, not hot like it can be.  Mostly cloudy today, and moderate temps, low 70's .

Going to take the Viking in to be worked on, if it's worth it.  Just don't know at this point.  I need the embroidery, and have gobs to use, just no idea if it's worth keeping or go to a new model.   Prices will decide.

This is supposed to be the day I finally get a haircut.   We've been changing the date and time for a bit over 2 weeks now.  I don't know of anything that will stop today's date, unless it happens to the gal I'm bartering with.

Sewing I am going to try.  I think I have the problem on the paper pieced blocks I should be doing, so can get them finished up.   They want the colors in a specific place and following the printed blocks, it just doesn't come out that way.  So, I will reverse the placement of the white and blue and get what she wants. 

Quilting on Penny will have to wait a bit longer.. just not so sure I can handle it today, and get what I want to sew cut off and started in an angle instead of clear rectangle or square.

Breathing has not been good, and as much as I hate it, I think the oxygen will have to be a constant  irritation.  Just not getting enough air to do anything without it.

We need to get some potting plants that deer don't eat, put out in the back yard.  It's looking a bit barren and the pond is disappearing into the soil.   It needs to be pulled out, and replaced.  I think the next size up will work fantastically.

We have enough gravel and rocks to fill it up to where it should be.  I want it a couple inches above the ground, too.  I just hate it when rains flush mud into it.

We have 2 new cats to deal with, one is a tortoise shell and the other, the dumbest one, is solid black.  I will not let them set up camp and be catching and eating my squirrels and birds.   I'm tempted to get a 22 they have at Walmart, but am afraid if I miss the cat, I'll hit gas tank, lawn mower, or some such,  down in the shed.