Visit with friends and family while they are still here!

Progress happened on many fronts yesterday. I did go for a walk yesterday, but I debated long and hard because there was snow in the morning, and not the deep snow that you know for certain isn't slippery, but just a thin amount that covers any ice, so you can't see it. Then I decided that I needed to get out, and I had walked that path the day before, and all seemed to be good. So I went out, and it was just fine. 

I needed to get out and let my mind wonder and wander --- both words apply. I spotted something funny, so I'm glad I went. You have to remember, sometimes I have the mind of a curious child, and the very simplest of things amuse me or catch my eye. 

As I walked, I spotted this on the ground. I have no idea what it is, but it reminded me of those strawberry candies, yet it looked like a large crystal for melting snow. Whatever it was, it was "hot" enough to melt the snow around it. I spotted three of them in the same location and one more a bit further down the path. 

Something to melt the snow

I didn't go as far as I had done the day before - there is one section of the path that runs along the back alley -- I know --- back alleys!!!! It wasn't that I was afraid to walk down it; well, it made me nervous, but it was from the danger of slipping since the back alley still had snow and ice on it, which I knew from the day before, so I did a little detour on the street. But I circled back onto the path to cross this same spot on my way to the hotel. 

Imagine my surprise when those red things were gone!!!!! And look what is around each empty dot. 

Someone likes colorful objects!

Yep --- it appears that some large bird spotted those things and walked over - not even swooped in to pick up two of the three that were in the same location. I had spotted magpies and crows the day before along the path, so it must have been one or the other. Likely the magpie, since I think they love picking up things. 

So I don't know if it was a sweet, but how would that force the snow to melt? Anyway -- it was an interesting thing to spot on my walk. It's that kind of thing that amuses me on my walk and not an audiobook or music. 

I am not a big sports watcher, but I know my parents always watch curling, regardless of the event. So the Men's World Championship is on right now, and I'm watching curling along with them. Well, the last three games have been on the edge, nail-biting events, and I think all of them pretty much came down to the last rock to determine who would win. 

That's too much excitement for an old heart --- should they allow the more experienced of us in life to watch such thrilling events? So today, my parents (mostly my Mom) will be glued to the TV, and I suppose I will be as well, as Canada and Sweden battle it out for the gold. 

There was one shot yesterday, when Canada was playing Italy, and Canada had the hammer (last rock), and Canada needed to get a rock out of the way that had many guards in front of it. And that skip did exactly that -- it was beautiful to watch, but I'm still stunned that he made that shot.

I wasn't sure why my parents were so enamored with curling, but it turns out that my grandfathers, especially my maternal grandfather, were the ones who instigated building a curling rink in the little hamlet near the farm. It was right beside the community hall, and that corner of the hamlet was a hot spot for community activity. I never knew that!!!! 

So everyone in the community curled in the old days, but I'm not sure I ever curled in that small single-sheet rink. It was probably colder than the Antarctic to play in there, but those very resourceful pioneers would have found a solution. No running water anywhere near, so they would have had to haul in water to flood the ice. Or maybe they ended up with a well there. I'll have to ask. 

Anyway -- it's been fun watching that together, and today, there are two games, so we'll all be glued to the TV for that. Although Dad is off to the Museum today. Since he couldn't go yesterday (a holiday), he is chomping at the bit to get some work done. The man is 93!!!! But it is amazing to see how his brain functions. 

Although the situation is starting to get a bit worrisome. I had purchased a puzzle at the Museum that I spotted on one of their Facebook posts. This was back in February. I asked Dad to pick it up and hold on to it for me, and he vaguely remembers doing so but has no idea where the puzzle is. He may have brought it back and donated it to the common room!!!! Mom doesn't remember either, which is unusual, but he may not have told her. Oh well -- it's just a puzzle, I'm not going to sweat it, but how much other stuff does he forget? 

But ask him for information on an engine built in 1901, and you get reams of information!! I'm not worried yet, but a small niggle is starting in the back of my mind. 

And now for the update you've all been waiting for!!!!! I didn't think I'd get that quilting stitch completed around the perimeter of the quilt. BUT I was so focused on listening to the curling that last night, just before dinner, I was able to put in the final stitch. 

The hexagon quilt is complete! 

Finishing the edge on this quilt isn't my best work, but it's done!!! And you can see my stitches on the back. 

The stitches on the back of the quilt

I took it out into the hallway so I could get a good picture of the quilt. OH— I have no idea how to crop out my feet in Windows 11!!! The quilt is very pretty, but it's made with lining fabric. But it doesn't matter, the quilt is done!!!! The only thing I'm going to do today is get some details from Mom about the quilt and I"ll write out the story and then just type it on a piece of paper and keep it with the quilt. I will need to search my blog for dates on when she handed it to me as I've had it in my possession for a "few" years. 

The hexagon quilt is complete!

Actually, I could do that on Dad's computer, and then, when I get home, I'm going to run downstairs to my Visual To-Do list and whip this one off the list. That will make TWO items that I promised to other people that are dealt with for this year. 

I mentioned the other day that I have to add two projects to the list, and both are for others, so I haven't made any headway on the quantity of items yet. That is the longest list, and I would love to clear that one this year. There are a couple of doozy stories on that list, and when I feel the need to be totally embarrassed by the projects, I'll share them with you because I'm going to need some help to finish them.

I was hoping to finish the quilt while I was here, and I was certainly not taking it home again. That feels so good, but I had brought a couple of other small projects with me in case I did finish the quilt. One of them is this little bag of hexagons I started making from scraps of solid fabric. I think the scraps came from when I worked at Northcott; they were the cutoff ends from a project. 

The bag is filled with fabric, glue, hexagons in several sizes, thread, needles, scissors, cardboard templates, and such. 

My hexagon project

Should I tell you that I started to work on this when my parents still lived on the farm, and they have lived in their apartment for 10 years!!! GASP!!!!! 

More hexagons

I know -- it's absolutely ridiculous, but that is going to be my new travel project. Once I remove all the excess from that pouch, it could easily be tucked into a backpack. I'll see how it goes. The scissors would be the only stumbling block for carry-on since not all TSA people enforce the scissor rule equally. BUT, I could prep a bunch of the fabric bits, and then I would just need a needle and a thread cutter. HMMMM --- if I were really smart, I'd cut them on the digital cutter, and it would be super easy!!!

I have another hexagon project with me, and I'm going to focus on that one since I can use it as a sample for work, so that one takes priority for the next two days. 

I probably mentioned this last time I was here, but our family is very atypical in its makeup. My Mom has four siblings, and they are all still alive! Mom is the eldest at 90, and I think my uncle turned 80 last year. Something like that. Two of the five spouses have passed away, but everyone else is alive. There are some health issues, but nothing too severe. My Dad's sibling is still alive as well, and she has outlived two husbands. 

So, the genes are there to live a long life, and it's my job to ensure it's a healthy one! I know that we have no control over that, but I can try!!

Anyway, I gathered up my Aunt Norma and her walker, and we were off to visit my Aunt Margaret and Uncle Sammy, who both live in a nearby care facility. My aunt has dementia, but talking to her, you would never know. We had a wonderful visit reminiscing about the old days and sewing (all of the aunts sew, crochet, or knit). I guess that is in our blood as well. And we chatted about the curling rink that their Dad was instrumental in making happen. Lots of good memories and laughs, and before we knew it, it was their supper time! Oh my, where did the afternoon go? 

I have one more aunt to visit, and I'll be doing that tomorrow. It takes time to make all the rounds, but you never know when they won't be around, and it's fun to get the scoop on everything and remember the good old days, even though they're from a different generation than I am. 

Then the visiting continued. When I got back to the apartment, my parents were watching the second game of curling. Actually, the curling was on in one of the dining rooms at the care facility, and I wanted to see the score, but couldn't see from the door. So I poked my head in, and the staff let me know. 

Anyway, supper was late - you can't have dinner while curling is on! When we finished, we sat around the table for a couple of hours and chatted about the good old days. Just me, Mom, and Dad. We had a very good visit, and I hate to say it, but I'll miss those chats when they are gone!!!

We aren't going to get any Swedish Death Cleaning done while I'm here - perhaps I need to buy the book and give it to Mom to read, but I'm going to focus on that for the next visit later this year. 

Because of the holiday, I won't be able to help Dad with his banking transfer, but now that the bank person knows, I'm sure she will follow up with him and make it happen. I think her email was just making a point that she wasn't going to take orders from me, but I'm sure she'll make the transfer. She knows my Dad too well about his lack of interest in these matters. 

Well, it's time to get moving. I might need a nap later today, as I had trouble falling asleep. I have to close the blinds in the room for some privacy since I'm facing the parking lot, but it's amazing how many little lights show in the room when you do that - the TV, outlets, the clock, etc. So I had to get up and cover the ones directly in front of me. 

Oh my -- I just heard the train go through town and opened the blinds to see outside. The parking is filled with CARS and regular trucks. I only see one white service truck - some poor fellow who didn't make it home for the long weekend. Come Monday, the people who stay here will switch back to road and mine workers, and the people will be somewhere else! 

Have a super day, and if you have someone you've been meaning to visit, get yourself in gear, call them, and make arrangements. They won't be here forever, and let's face it --- if the person was important in your life, you can pick up the conversation at any time. I have THREE people on my list --- one of them lives relatively close to me in Toronto, and the other two I plan to visit on my travels this year. 

I actually have a plan to meet someone from my past on Monday, but it's a big secret! Some I knew from the end of my high school days. Yikes!!!!

Ciao!!!!

Focus is the word of the day!

I get that folks on Vancouver Island don't get as much snow as we do, but yesterday I saw a picture of someone MOWING their lush-looking green lawn, and that grass was LONG! 

For everyone who is missing snow, here are a few pictures. If only it were easy to ship to you!

This doesn't look too bad, but it gives you an idea of how deep the snow is in my residential area. That is at least 16 inches piled up on either side of the sidewalk. The sidewalk plow had gone past a second time the other night, and walking is now very doable on all the sidewalks in my area. Imagine the nightmare if they hadn't decided to bring in the sidewalk plows. It's much safer for everyone because pedestrians don't have to walk on the road. 

The sidewalks in my area

I had to go to the grocery store, so I cut through the forest on my way home. Oh my!!! A narrow path, but a path nonetheless. And of course, I was walking in my running shoes, with ankle-high socks. I didn't get one bit of snow in my shoes!!! But I had to lift the grocery bag high, or it would have been dragged through the snow. That was tiring! The forest is so pretty at this time, but when that snow starts to melt and refreeze, it will become a skating rink. But for now, it's fine!

The path through the snow

While the roads have all been plowed, they are still very snow-covered, and lots of snow is falling from the banks onto the road. So in some spots, the curb lane was very messy. I was off for my adventure in the morning, and it took me almost 50 minutes to drive 10 KM. Of course, I was late for my adventure, which is frustrating, but I had no one to blame but myself. I should have looked at Google Maps for timing BEFORE I got in the car. And as I sat at light after light, or slowed by snow clearing, or got stuck in school zones or behind city buses, the arrival time kept getting pushed back. 

But at last I arrived at the Paramount Fine Foods Arena to watch the Scotties Tournament! Thanks to a friend who invited me along. Her daughter plays on the Northern Ontario team, so we sat and watched the game and had a good chat. 

This was our view. 

Watching the Scotties Curling Tournament in person

Her particular game was televised as well, so we got to see the close-ups of the house on the big screen. We were cheering for Northern Ontario, while the man and his mother behind us were cheering for Nova Scotia, which eventually won. But he was very knowledgeable and kept saying, "OK - they are going to do this, or going to go for that!" It was pretty entertaining and informative, although my host was also telling me what was happening. 

At least, I remembered something about curling from my youth!

As I left the arena, this was the view from the other end. 

The other end of the arena

As I left the arena, I asked the navigation system (Google Maps) to give me directions to Fabricland on Dundas Street, as I needed to find that invisible zipper. It doesn't show you the end destination, but I started driving. Then I realized -- WAIT a minute, it's taking me to the CLOSEST Fabricland to my current location, which is NEAR Dundas Street, but not on it. It's on John Street. That was so weird because I asked specifically for the location on Dundas. It didn't matter, but I'm fortunate to have two stores to choose from, and I hadn't been to this location in a long, long time. 

The staff was extremely friendly and helpful, and actually approached me THREE times if I needed anything. Not once, not twice, but THREE times. That was IMPRESSIVE. 

So while they did have 22" invisible zippers, they didn't have burgundy. I got peach instead and bought two different colors. 

The old and the new invisible zippers

When I got home and compared it to my project, I'm not sure I'll use either of them. I might go to the other Fabricland today and see if they have burgundy. I know - I know. The zipper is invisible, so it won't show, but the little tab will. And I have to go out today because I've accomplished another task on my list. I had designed an applique pattern that is too large to fit on my printer, and so I'm going to my favorite print shop to pick it up. 

Whenever I have oversized projects, I use a software called Canva. I'm new to it, but hey - a graphic program is a graphic program. I know what I should be able to do, and with a couple of well-asked questions to Google, I solved my problems. I sent the file via e-mail yesterday, and I will call the print shop today to make sure everything is OK. 

I actually sent it yesterday, then had a discussion with the owner (a very helpful person). She gave me the preferred extensions, and I was good! So that was one more thing on my list for Studio B this week, and technically, I can't cross it off until I get the pattern in my hands! 

Although I only needed that one zipper, it was hard NOT to come home with only one thing. I didn't have a bag with me, but the very friendly person who checked me out put my stuff in a clear plastic bag for no charge. 

My newly acquired supplies

I laughed when I looked at the receipt. My membership saved me over $30 (total cost was $50), so in just one inexpensive purchase, I recouped the cost of my annual membership ($25). It's even more critical to boycott that online store, and I want to support my Fabricland, or, in the case of my friends who live west of the city, they can visit Len's Mill. Fabricland is closer to me, so that's where I shop. Please think twice before you buy something online! I won't go into details, but your dollars spent there are funding some pretty nasty things! 

By the way, I found a 24" by 36", name-brand cutting mat at Fabricland for $100. I immediately sent a note to my friend who needs a new mat. She picked it up on her way home from watching the curling - she went at 2 PM, I was at the 9 AM event. 

I'm teaching a private machine embroidery software class, and I had some homework to get done. I actually should have had it done last week, but that didn't happen. It's done now, and I forwarded it to the person for review. As I got into bed, I thought of one more thing to add to the document I prepared, so I'll do that this morning. I'll be sharing that document with my machine embroidery club in February. They are going to LOVE IT!!!!

And I'm prepped for the class this morning. I love giving private lessons because I can focus on what they want to learn, and they do the homework and come back with questions. It works for me!!! And then I know that what I'm prepping will actually be used! 

I completed one more task on that to-do list for Studio B and advanced two others, so it was a good day despite the fact that I was away all morning. I've been adding a few things to my online to-do list, and I need to check it this morning. I have two major paperwork things that need to be done today, so I'll see how everything goes. But I'm actually enjoying sitting at the computer and working. Having a pattern work out the way you want, or a professionally completed document? That is as satisfying as a finished quilt!

To end off today, here are pictures of the backyard and the amount of snow we have. Even the dogs are very selective about where they go. They haven't ventured too far off the deck because the snow is very deep. But Murphy blazed a trail to the gazebo to check for rabbits. 

Trail blazing in the backyard

She then plunked herself down to cool off!

MOM - I made it to the gazebo! 

No decluttering got done - that's off the radar probably for the next two weeks, as I have two major sewing projects that are both due by the middle of February, and neither of them has been started. The patterns are created, and I have the fabric for one, but I need to go shopping for the second one. 

Oh well, there are only two clubs between now and those due dates, and all my work is prepped for those! I'm in good shape, but I have no more time to shovel snow, and I will need to set aside some of my other projects! I'm going fabric shopping on Friday! Both of those projects are on the visual To-Do list, and I will remove one more project from it later today! Notice how focused I am!

And on that happy note, I'm out of here! I'm off to spin class. 

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!