The wave of the future

 Even though I had a lot of work to do yesterday, solving the microwave problem was a priority. I downloaded the Jiffy app (a place to find service people) in the hopes that I could perhaps get the microwave fixed. I researched and found out that three different pieces can cause the microwave to stop heating. I found a service person, and they got back to me very quickly through the app. 

He STRONGLY suggested that it would cost me almost as much to have the microwave repaired as it would be to buy a new one. Not only was cost a factor in the repair, but the part would not likely last too long in an older (hmmm - must be 15 years old???) microwave. He suggested that I buy new. OK - so that was easy to figure out. Then onto the Goeman's Appliance website to see what was available. 

A microwave is a microwave - really - how different can they be? I did a webchat with a salesperson, and we went back and forth with details. I got a quote for one that would fit my space, and that was in stock. We discussed the installation options via webchat. I went back to the Jiffy app guy, and he would do the deinstall and reinstall for less than HALF of what the appliance people would do. SOLD!!

I bought the microwave which is supposed to be delivered on Thursday, and the service person is coming on Friday morning! I wasn't sure what people are doing with the pandemic. I have no problem that they come to my house, but I wasn't sure what protocols are out there since we're in lockdown. So - hopefully, I'll have a new microwave on Friday. 

The hilarious thing was that we were scheduled to have leftovers last night for dinner. OH - and how do we heat that up? I ended up putting dinner into the frying pan, and it worked like a charm. Just took a wee bit longer. 

So, what about the breakfast thing? I could have had another protein bar, but that just felt weird. Thankfully, I got an e-mail from Jackie suggesting Stoked Oats. I was off to the grocery store in the afternoon, and guess what I found? 

Stoked Oats - a new version of Oatmeal

Jackie, thanks for the tip! You can microwave this product, or you can just add boiling water. Simple! These oats are mostly rolled with things added - I prefer the steel cut texture better, but hey - I don't have a choice right now. And yes, someone already suggested that I have a new learning curve to cook oatmeal in the new microwave. Hopefully, my existing formula works. 

It wasn't until later in the day when I realized that I bought a stainless steel microwave and our fridge and stove are white. HEY - our dishwasher is stainless steel. Personally, I couldn't care less what it is - I don't even know the brand. I just needed a new one. How silly of me. But we get so caught up in the details and really - size and availability were the two most important factors. 

Diane has been busy sewing and sorting. This is a bag of flannel scraps that she isn't going to be dealing with at this point, so it came back to my house, and I'm good with that. I'll be going through it and sorting it by color. Then I can sew the scraps together to make blocks, and we can use those blocks to make more quilts. I love doing that kind of thing, and I might just book a day to make that happen. 

Flannel scraps

While I was at the grocery store, I had a peek at the magazines and came home with two. I know - I shouldn't have, but I have hardly purchased a magazine over the past year; I figured I deserved a treat. 

Two new magazines

Hmm - I haven't heard back from anyone regarding the 1988 Piecemaker's Calendar. I'm guessing that's going to be a lost cause, and I'll have to wait to get it from Carol's estate!!

Here's something else that I came across over the Virtual Retreat. Paul was chatting about his friend Micheal who lives in New York. Micheal had a couple of placed quilts in the American Quilter's Society challenge "New Quilts from Old Favorites". So I dug out my collection. 

New Quilts from an Old Favorite books

Then I did a bit of digging. Oh my  --- there are quite a few that I do not have. Ohio Star, Mariner's Compass, Pineapple, Storm at Sea, Bear's Paw, Seven Sisters, Sawtooth, Burgoyne Surrounded, Baskets, Jacob's Ladder, Caroline Lilly, New York Beauty, Flying Geese, Bow Tie, Oak Leaf and Reel, Wheel of Fortune. Although some of those sound very familiar - I must look at the covers to see if I recognize some of them. Then they can be filed together. 

Check out the link - they are taking a break from this contest and have a wide range of themes. 

Speaking of the quilt top that I finished yesterday, here's the quilt top again. 

Someone asked for the name of the pattern. It's called Quilter's Patch by Edyta Sitar. You can check out the quilt on her web page. 

And Sophie sent me this picture yesterday, which was hilarious. I taught this quilt as an ongoing class at The Hobby Horse several years ago. Actually, I think it was 2017. In the original pattern, there's a cat in the garden. I switched it up for Lexi and Murphy. Here's a picture of me in the class showing my girls on the block. 

Lexi and Murphy on the quilt block

Oh gosh -- look at my hair!!! A tad bit shorter than right now!!

I know that you've had a couple of days off from the decluttering process. Here's a suggestion from Diane. Go to the furnace room or the cold room or wherever you have stored old frames/pictures. Dig them out and decide what to do with them. I still have that frame of that fantasy poster sitting in the office. It's been a bit of a time challenge these days, so I haven't dealt with it. 

I bet if you searched on Pinterest for old frames, there would be loads of things to do with frames. Or take out whatever you have in them and donate the frames if they are still in good condition. The glass in my frame is broken, and so without the glass, the frame is pretty worthless. It also wasn't an expensive frame, so I need to take the picture out. Actually, I have some errands to do on Saturday with the car, and I might just deal with that poster on Saturday. The frame goes in the garbage, but I have a couple of ideas of what to do with the picture. 

It's hard to believe that we're halfway through the week already. The days seem to be blurring together with all the prep work. The days are getting light so much earlier now - that's exciting, and I didn't freeze yesterday even without the flannel-lined pants. It's much warmer today, so I can't wait to go for a walk. Most of the ice is GONE from the sidewalks. Yeah!!!

I did something last night that I don't usually do - I sat up quite late and listened to an audiobook scheduled to go back this morning at 5:53 AM. And yes - it went back at 5:54 AM. So I sat in my comfy chair and listened to the book for a couple of hours. Yes - I had to go back a couple of times because I nodded off. I wasn't doing anything else but listening - I NEVER do that. 

This book is DISTURBING. It's disconcerting, but as a thriller? Oh yes - it's a great book. Another new Canadian author. Hannah Mary McKinnon. The book was Dear Sister. I'll be mulling those details in my head for days - gosh - it was disturbing and evoked a TON of emotion. To me, when the book pulls you in and grabs you and makes you want to cry or feel compassion for the characters, that's a good book. 

On that note, I'm out of here!!

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!!!

An AHA moment!

For those that know me, I'm not much of a cook.  Don't get me wrong, I can be a good cook IF I choose.  I don't have the time, I don't have the interest. Food isn't important to me except that I need it to live. I know this is shocking to the foodies of the world.   I like to eat, but I would be very happy to eat pretty much the same thing all the time.  Plain and simple is what I'm all about. It helps to keep you from gaining weight as well!

As you know, I've been having an issue with cooking my oatmeal. It bubbles over in the microwave.  I saw Kathy's comment on my blog this morning and well - that was an AHA moment.  She says to cook the oatmeal at 60 % power.  Now why the heck didn't I think of that?  

This morning, I cooked it at 60%.  I had to check out the microwave and I don't think I quite perfected the technique, but the bottom line - cooked oatmeal - NO mess.  Mission accomplished!

A HUGE thank you to Kathy for that tip!!!!   And now I love, absolutely love my soup mug for oatmeal.  While the mug is hot, the handle is not.  PERFECT!!!!   Life just doesn't get any better!

From time to time, you see me post about little gifts that I've received from my students or friends. I still have a couple pictures to post, but no time. It's just total chaos these days. 

However, I don't want you to think that all those kind gestures are one-sided.   Case in point - this quilt below. 

Quilt made from Fireside fleece

A while back, a long, long while back, Ronda bought a kit for a quilt made with Fireside fleece. I think it was one of those "I NEED this kit" moments.  When she got to thinking about it, making a quilt from Fireside fleece is messy!  It's hard to sew because it's stretchy and well, all around, not good news.

After it had sat at her house for a while, she gave it to me - I think the original intention was for me to try and sell the kit to someone.  Well, that won't do.  After all, she bought the kit because she liked it.   I decided that I would make it for her.

It sat at my house for a long, long while and some time ago, I cut the top and serged all the squares together. It went together quite quickly and then it got quilted.  I have no idea when it was sewn or when it was quilted but I want to say that it was this year!   I even made something with ALL the scraps, but that's not finished yet.

I was going to give the quilt to her without the binding. I thought that at least she could do the binding.  Then I thought, NOPE, it's got to be complete or it will sit for a long, long while at her house before anything happens.  The next question was what binding to use for this quilt.  No to cotton and I really didn't want to use fleece, although I've since found instructions for putting on a fleece binding.

I opted for black flannel.  Washed the flannel, since the fleece isn't going to shrink at all, but that flannel will.  Made the binding slightly wider than normal because of all the thickness - yes there is batting in that quilt. I managed to get that binding on by machine - both sides!    I did hand stitch the corners of the binding down and now it is at Ronda's house. Just in time for the cooler weather!!!

And that's one more quilt out the door.  Now why did I do that for Ronda?  Because she has saved me numerous times, with a run to Tim's, picking up little things here and there.  Making this quilt - I probably still owe her for all the small favours she has done for me.

Thanks, Ronda!!!!  It's great to have friends like you.  Enjoy the quilt and NO - it isn't for Mark!!!!

ON that note, the day is already off to a wicked start.  I'm standing in the locker room at the gym (after my shower) and my locker won't open.  Thankfully I wasn't alone in the locker room so someone notified the front desk on their way out and the attendant came to rescue me.  We discovered the lock was broken. Thank god - but now that I'm thinking about it - I might be the one who broke it!  You see, I go to two different locations of this gym.  One you turn the lock to the right to lock it and the other is to the left.  Ooops - I think I turned to the wrong direction.  Sigh........  

Time to get moving!!!

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!