All waxed up!!

The weather is just totally insane. Earlier this week, we had high humidity and hot temperatures. I'm wearing my sweatshirt this morning, and it's only 14 outside. Zero humidity. I'm not complaining—I can put on more clothes, but it changes so much from day to day that you don't know what to wear! 

Sadly, we are leaving later today. I'm not ready!!! I have a lot of stuff to do at home, so I guess I'm good to go. Plus, those two girls will be very excited to see me. 

I've been up early and already at work. I've got all the flying geese for the 365-day quilt trimmed and ready to sew together in a border around the center block. How exciting is that! Before finishing that task, I have to make the four corner blocks. I won't have time this morning, but who knows what I'll get to when I get home. 

Trimming quilt components

I downloaded an audiobook, put on my headphones, and trimmed early in the morning. In addition to trimming those flying geese, I decided to work on the bag of half-square triangles, and my goal is to finish trimming them before I leave. Why not get the darn things done? I want to say that I'm halfway through. I made good progress so far, and that's all that counts. 

We had a good laugh yesterday when one of the ladies pulled out a UFO. Look at the detailed notes she had in her box. 

Detailed instructions for a UFO

And then look at this. There was a note, but all it did was bookmark the pattern in the book!! 

No instructions - just a bookmark!

If there is one, most of my notes look like the second example! I need to change that because no one will know what it's all about if I don't finish a project. 

We stopped at the used bookstore yesterday, and I hit the jackpot. I had 31 books on my list, and I found 11 of them, many from before 2000. 

Inside the bookstore

Like many used bookstores, it's a maze but extremely well organized. The name is CTR Books (Orangeville), and the owner is amazing. I had a list by author and title, and she had everything on the computer for those I couldn't find by myself. She had to dig in a box in the back for one of the books—I think that was the one from 1967! She's very knowledgeable and very helpful. 

And YES—I can return books to her, so I'm going home to unpack those donation boxes. I should have brought them with me. DRAT!!!! They have sales in February, June, and October, so I might wait and come up in October to return the others! 

They only take cash, so now I owe everyone in my group! Thank goodness for them and their emergency funds!

While we were there, someone spotted this old tractor! Oh my—we had to stop, and I took pictures and sent them to my dad. This is a Rumley tractor manufactured in Indiana. It's pretty old, but it has been refurbished. 

A Rumley tractor

OK -- so when we got back and had a quick bite, we were ready for our afternoon adventure, and this was the setup. 

Setup to make waxed food wraps

We were making beeswax food wraps. Since none of us had made them, we had no idea how it would go. It ended up being a group exercise as we helped each other. They had to go in and out of the oven, and it was hilarious as we had timers going off and dancing around each other to keep the production line going. 

Waxed food wraps in progress

We had borrowed a melter for the wax, which worked like a charm. 

The wax melter

We worked as a team to let the wax harden on the fabric. 

Having fun with waxed food wraps

In the end, we each made 8 wraps, and I used up all the fabric I cut. Yeah!!! That was very cool, and I'd make them again. It helped that we could borrow all the equipment from someone who makes these and sells them. 

Our finished wraps

I've been drinking Yogi tea for a couple of weeks, and only yesterday did I realize (after someone mentioned it) that all the tea bags have a wee saying on them. Who knew!!!!

The saying on the tea bag

Finally, we got back to sewing, and I finished the quilt top. That was great. Then, I started on the next project, which I can't share because it's going into a magazine. 

Another quilt top - DONE

Wow—I love quilting retreats. I love getting together with friends and doing things we don't normally do, like taking little side trips. It's all a great feeling. Thanks to all my retreat friends!!!

I have some retreats booked for 2025 and know I'll have spots open. So, if you are interested, please let me know. The retreats are all booked for near New Hamburg in Ontario. elainetheriault@gmail.com

I've been keeping up my walking and walking more than my daily goal of 12.7 km. I'm a little bit behind, so the extra will take me closer to getting ahead. Hopefully, I can drop that daily goal, but I've got to work to make that happen. 

Well, I'm off for the morning walk, so I can sew before I leave!!!

Have a super day!!

Ciao!!!

This is why we have a design wall (and why things go missing)

Yesterday was a fun day!   It was time for the classes (Quilter's Garden Patch and Kaleidoscope) to check in.  I think there's going to be some pretty amazing show n tell in November.  I can hardly wait for that!  I will attempt to post some of the pictures later this week.

Then machine quilting.  It's one of my favorite classes to teach. It's such a great feeling when you see the students have that AHA moment, especially with free motion quilting. They all think it's something unattainable, but then they see how easy it is and well - it's great.  But it's a busy class and no downtime at all.

I got home around five and the real meat of the day began. I was cutting and trimming and sewing and cutting and trimming and sewing. I did that for 5 hours!  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get any of the trimming done during the day so it all had to be done last night.  That would be 576 little trims and let's not forget the pressing. Yikes!!!  Let's sew the first piece on, which was a partial seam - that's a pain to be sure when you're in a hurry! Only 36 of those.  In total, I managed to get all the centers together - 36 of them.  Round two also involved a partial seam. Twelve of 36 blocks are done and on the design wall.  The remaining 24 blocks are in various stages of completion.

I'm thinking I might have to make a couple more of the trimmed components as I have a few pieces left over. I haven't counted yet and will wait to see how many completed blocks I have.  It won't take to make the two missing components and sew those last two blocks together if, in fact, that's what I'm missing.

Now here's the thing. Last night I put two completed blocks on the design wall with a wee bit of white space between them so the sashing could be added later.  Hmmm - I'm liking it with the white sashing, but alas that is NOT what I submitted.  I had brought home two fabrics - the original choice and another one which I thought blended better. I put both of them up last night, took pictures. When I went down this morning, I'm NOT liking the new one that I thought would work and it took me forever to choose that one!   So I'm back to the original one that was submitted on the design.  Do I like the white better?  I'm not sure, but this sashing sure livens up the quilt!  

Here's the thing - it's Sunday. No access to any different fabric, can't use my stash and I have enough of the original one so let's stick with Plan A!   I think it will look just fine.  But without a design wall, it would be very hard to see exactly what is happening.  This quilt makes me happy!   So after we're back from the dog park, I'm hoping one more hour?  will be enough to finish the remaining block even with that nasty partial seam. Then cut the sashing and load on the long arm!  This one is getting an overall design so I hope to be done this afternoon so I can move onto the next one!   Yikes!  No pressure!

Always trying to think ahead, as I came home yesterday from class and sort of unpacked, I decided that I need to sort of pack for the retreat as I will not have any time (or much time) to do so when I get back.  I grabbed my laundry basket and what do you think?  Is this allowed???

Laundry basket of retreat projects

I literally grabbed stuff that was hanging around!   Some of it needs to be prepped. I don't think any of it is on the UFO list for this year!  But I think I'm going to be wanting to work on mindless projects. Stuff that doesn't matter especially after the run that I've had lately!

I'll probably throw some other stuff in as well, but at least I'll have something to sew while I'm away!  Or at the very least, it'll get prepped while I'm at the retreat for the next retreat!

Now, this is how things go missing in your house.  I went to put the girls outside this morning and noticed this at the back door.

AHA - a camera randomly placed

It would appear that I was taking photos yesterday and now I remember why which Lexi will explain in the next day or so.  But apparently, I randomly set the camera on the leaf blower - yes - there is a brand new leaf blower sitting in my kitchen and has been for - well a while!  Who has time to blow the leaves away?  And besides, the girls don't leave any leaves unturned so not really much to blow away!   The idea was to blow the leaves off the deck and since that hasn't happened in a while, I can't imagine that I'm going to get it done this season either.   But I could move the leaf blower to the shed at least!

Now for those of you who know the story about me and the tractor quilts, here's something for a good laugh. And if you don't know about the tractor quilts, you can check out the tractor tag on the right-hand side of the blog - you have to scroll down - it's in alphabetical order.  Believe it or not, there are 17 posts about the tractor quilts!!!   You can take the girl off the farm, but you can't take the farm out of the girl!

So thanks to Marilyn and Lois who thought of me on their trip out west and brought home this lovely souvenir for me!!!   It's a tray for dip and chips (or veggies), but I'm thinking it could be used for chocolate and other goodies!      Thanks for the dish.  I love it!!!   And who would imagine that such a thing exists???  when is the next potluck???   Guess what I'm taking?   This tray will be the talk of the table and no one will dispute which dish is mine!

John Deere chip and dip platter

On that note, I''m out of here.  The whining and crying is getting very annoying. I think the girls are trying to tell me something!They are so impatient!!!

Have a great day!!!!

Ciao!

It's my birthday!!!

I've spent a good deal of time this morning editing and posting pictures for the blog.  Now I have over one week's worth sitting there waiting for some amazing stories for you to enjoy!

Today's post got a few of the leftover things! 

First off - yes - it's my birthday. Yeah me!  Already had yummy cake with the other birthday people at work.  Happy Birthday to Aunt Yvonne who shares the same birthday as me or should I say that I share the same birthday as her!  Not planning to do anything special today, but on this date, I always reflect back on the few birthdays that I remember. My 13th - don't ask me why I remember that one. The birthday I spent at a company event in Arizona years ago and the couple of birthdays I celebrated on cycle trips and had cake with the group. The rest of them?  Nope - I don't remember them!  I'm not a big birthday celebrator and that's OK. 

The girls have been to the dog park - talk about excited. You would think they have won the lottery and were going to have unlimited kibble for the rest of their lives. Don't even think about missing a dog park date!

While I was away on vacation, I took a few small embroidery projects with me and I finished TWO of them. This one has some vines around the base of the bird house and then since I was on a roll, I did a buttonhole stitch around all the appliques. All that it needs now is a bit of quilting to hold it together and it's done!

Embroidery project - DONE!

 It appears that I did NOT take a picture of the second project so will make that happen later today. I had one more project with me and I had used blue wash out marker to mark the embroidery lines.  NEVER use blue wash out marker unless you plan to do the project within a couple of months.  The lines will disappear over time because of humidity in the air. While I was at my parents, I washed all the blue away and remarked the lines with a Frixion pen (the ONLY time I will use one of those), but at least the lines will stay on.  I'm going to try and keep that block with me so when I have some down town, I can do some embroidery.  

It's funny because we used to have a LOT of down time in the past. A LOT of down time and I like to read so I would always take those moments to read a book or a magazine. Smart phones have killed a lot of that dead time!!!   But I still get my reading in!   I found a book on my shelf about TRUE MURDER stories in Canada. While the subject matter is gory, it's interesting to read. Go figure!

I couldn't help myself with this next item.  Just shoot me as it appears I have a disease. When I was in Saskatchewan, I found this tractor fabric and I bought some. ACK!  I don't need any more tractor fabric, but this jumped into my bag before I could say NO!

More tractor fabric

I'm not sure how much I have sitting there, but it's time to do something with it and say goodbye forever to tractor fabric!!!

I also found this little gem when I was out with Ronda and Laura when we went Row by Rowing in the US weeks ago.  It's a cute little homemade ironing board.  With Debra Gabel's fabric on it.  It's super cute and I was using it for my paper piecing the other day. Of course, I used a protective cloth (as I always do when paper piecing!)

Little ironing board

Well, it's going to be an exciting week (I hope) and lots to share with you including upcoming classes that I'm teaching so be sure to stay tuned for that and I hope to have a HUGE surprise for tomorrow.

On that note, I'm out of here!  And if it's your birthday today as well - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!!


And if you've been missing the adventures of Lexi and Murphy, I do believe Miss Lexi posted something this morning.

What I didn't buy!

As much as it was nice to be away, it's always nice to come home. And last night, I unpacked the car. Well, I had no choice, at least the back of the car.  Miss Lexi NEEDED to go to the dog park and there was no room for her. I decided while I was on a roll to unpack the entire car. It's now sitting in my hallway and every time I go downstairs, I take another bag of stuff.

Unloaded from the car and in the hallway

I had to laugh because the number of days on the retreat had to be cut short and I knew that about 2 days before I left. No actually ONE day before I left. The reaction of the other ladies?  They took out a bag or two of stuff. Me?  Nope - didn't change a thing. In fact, I may have winged one or two more projects in the bag!  But I did catch myself and I had a couple more projects in my hands and I decided to leave those at home!

You all know I have this thing with tractor fabric. I'm not even sure how it all happened, but it did.  If you don't know the story, check out this link to see some more tractor foolishness. Actually, if you scroll down the right side of my blog, you'll see some tags for John Deere (11) and tractors (15).  I know - I have a problem.

I was at a quilt show in August. The International Plowing Match. The preview of the quilts for the big event in September and there were vendors.  How could I walk away from an event like that without buying something with tractors on it?

Tractors!!!!

The retreat house we stayed at was on a farm. We also visited two quilt shops, one of which was on a farm. Needless to say, we were smack in the middle of farm country. And look what I saw in the shops.

John Deere fabric

This shop had a TRACTOR section

I've never seen these fabrics!

And more John Deere from the other shop

There was John Deere, New Holland, CASE and International Harvester.  Ask me how much I bought?  NONE!!!!  Nope - I came with ZERO tractor fabric.

I noticed that my roomie had a John Deere pink fleece blankie that she brought with her!  Hey - why don't I have one???  She had it because they have a John Deere riding mower at home (and we had to bring our own bedding). Her husband has John Deere stuff, so she decided to get something for herself as well.  Shoot - I never got a picture of it!!!!


Then when I got home, I had this waiting for me.  A TELEPHONE BOOK.  I know, it's hard to get excited about a telephone book, except if you're into string piecing. Then telephone books are good.

Telephone book for string piecing

 I was down to my last book a couple of months ago and put out a call and well - I think I'm good for a while.

A stack of phone books ready for string piecing!

 Time to get back into the routine. I have loads of work to get done this weekend on stuff that is not mine. I thought I would play hooky this morning and do some prep work for myself before the "work" day began.

I was cutting blocks for the Gravity quilt and getting that organized. I was also cutting scraps for another project which I'll share at some point with you.

Cutting scraps

Actually this pile of "scraps" above was culled from the bags of scraps that people had given me for the pet mats.  Some good stuff in there and it will all get a good home.

On that note, I'd better get to work.  Much to be done and the day is going to fly past.  Now to find the project that needs to be done today in that mess of bags.  And I'd really like to find the bottle of anti-inflammatories for my knee.  I did some walking at the retreat and my knee is not happy!  It might be faster to hit the drug store!

Have an awesome day!!!

Ciao!!!!

Oh yes, don't forget the last two posts for QUILTsocial. I think I forgot to include the link for them.

QUILTsocial - Day Four


QUILTsocial - Day Five


PS - it was wonderful to write the blog with NO distractions this morning!!!   Oh, one more thing.  I mentioned it before, that Louise Penny (a Canadian author) - her husband passed away in the middle of September.  Read this beautiful tribute to him.  I don't know if I could have done what Louise did, but there was much love between her and Micheal and it's a beautiful tribute.

It's all about the tractors!

I was just checking messages on my home phone. Did you know that I'm UNDER INVESTIGATION from Canada Revenue for some tax thing?  I got TWO calls.  Give me a break!  I didn't even listen to the entire message - 337 - which is the same as delete!   I feel badly for anyone who has got duped by that scam and I only hope that when I'm older and have less brain cells, that I don't get taken for a ride!   What's interesting is that they do mention (OK - I did listen to a little bit of it) that I''m under investigation because of an audit they performed.  Well - it they did an audit - you think I would know about that.

It's just a shame that people feel the need to scam others and they think this is a "honest" way to earn a living.

However, speaking of rides - how about a tractor ride?

You see from time to time, people pick up things that they think would be of interest to me.  Low cost or free items of course.  Well this next thing is an absolute HOOT!!!!  It has to do with tractors and you would NEVER in a million years guess what it is.  I almost died laughing when I received it.

Now here is the other thing - when I was a kid growing up, there was NO ONE else that I knew with the name Elaine.  Now - I know MANY MANY people with the name.  And it was another Elaine who gave me this unusual gift.  

Have a look.........................


YES - you are seeing that correctly.  It is a KIDs album of songs about John Deere!!!!!   Really?????  Who knew that such a thing existed.  It did come from the Mississauga Library, but it was retired and Elaine happened to see it and rescued it for me!!!

CD of John Deere music

Now in all fairness, I thought I should listen to the CD. Perhaps there would be some snappy song that would inspire me.  It's a CD and I've got a CD player in the car so the other day on  my way home from work, I popped that CD in the player.  The CD is 37:38  minutes long with 18 songs.  What is funny about that is that I popped that CD in in the parking lot at work.  The CD ended as I was backing into my driveway!  Perfect!!!    Thanks Elaine - while I enjoyed listening to the CD  - it won't be something I'll be listening to each day on the way home!

I kept saying to myself on the way - no accidents please!  Well, no one ever wants to have an accident, but can you imagine if the last thing you hear in this world is kid's songs about John Deere tractors?  And imagine what the police would think when they popped that CD out of the player!  I made it home safe and sound!

The singer is James Coffey and apparently there are MULTIPLE CDs about John Deere. Maybe that is someone who could use a John Deere quilt???

My John Deere quilt with the CD

I guess you could snuggle under the quilt while listening to the music!!!


So of course, that got me off on an exploration. I know there is a bundle of John Deere fabric sitting on the messy tables. I know - it's like this stuff keeps reproducing over night.

John Deere fabric

 When I pulled it out of the bag, I got a pleasant surprise - it's cut and ready to sew together.  How fun is that!!!!  

However you will be very happy to know that when we were in Orillia recently, I popped into the Fabricland there and guess what I saw?????

Yep - that would be John Deere fabric and did I purchase any?   I did NOT!

John Deere fabric

(They were doing inventory so everything was bundled and I'm certain that I've never seen the second and third from the top!  But I swear - I did NOT buy any!)

Then when we were at Hewitt's Farm Market, there were several aprons made from John Deere fabric.

John Deere aprons

Well of course after I dug out the John Deere fabric, I had to dig out the farm fabric and the CASE tractor fabric.  Yes - there is still a whole box of that stuff.  Where does it all come from?   I had this pretty much down to nothing - I'm NOT buying it.  Well I thought I had it down to nothing, I guess I didn't.

Farm and CASE tractor fabric

 On another gifty note - Carol gave me this gorgeous bag with bicycles on it. It's plasticized, has a handy little pocket inside.

Bicycle bag

 It's perfect for schlepping all that bike gear stuff around.   Thanks so much Carol!!!

Full of bike stuff

This was a photo I snapped on the weekend.  Notice how clear those tables are - I was busy working on both machines. I know - silly me.

Hard at work with two sewing m achines

I was sewing that URGENT - well not urgent any more quilt. I started off on the far side machine, but it was getting to be a LOT of work to walk around the table to the design wall to get the next set of blocks to sew. So I fired up the other machine and then when I wanted the next set of blocks - it was easy to just turn my chair and there they were.

And I did very good at not mixing anything up until I decided to start chain piecing and then I had to do a bit of ripping. I didn't chain piece after that!

As for the ripping - I have one more area of quilting ripped out, leaving 2 of 5 to go.  For some reason, I'm pretty calm about the entire thing - not sure why?  Older and wiser?  I doubt that!

Made progress on the quilt repair and I'll share that with you tomorrow.

I'm off on another adventure today - yep - a day off.  Tell you more tomorrow.

And what's with this weather?  I'm certainly not complaining, but it's very cool in the morning and hot during the day.  Have we moved to the desert and no one told us?

Have a great day!!!!

Ciao!!!!

Farm Girl Vintage

Good morning - nothing like an awesome spin class to get the day started even if the weather is crappy outside!  The traffic and the roads were decent. Of course, I cheated and took the toll highway all the way in.  On bad weather days, I don't mess with the other highways.

 I must have been fast asleep when I drove this morning because I almost got on the highway instead of continuing on the overpass to get to the gym and then instead of exiting one stop early to stop for breakfast at TIm's, I kept going on the highway and had to circle back. I was away for one week and my routine is messed up!

I have much more to tell you about QUILTCON, but the pictures need to be edited. 

Here is the show n tell from our most recent Farm Girl Vintage class.  It's such a fun project and we are all over the map on this one.   I am assigning blocks, but everyone is going to make their own quilt so that will be interesting. 

Farm Girl Vintage by Lori Holt

Here are all the blocks that were shown this past class.  They look awesome. 

Farm Girl Vintage blocks

Let's have a closer look at them. I won't remember everyone's names, but let's see how I do!

Liz is going to make 12-inch blocks

Vjera has a fruit theme on the left. (4 more names - can't remember whose is whose!)

It was a good exercise to see some of the blocks made in 12 inches and some in 6 inches.   And why not mix and match some of the blocks?

Linda (top left)  and Beth  (big blocks)  (two more names - not sure whose is whose!)

Cindy

I'd like to single out one person because they made three blocks. While this is not normally an exceptional deal - these are LINDA's blocks.  Linda has had a bit of a dry spell and so nice to see her back at the sewing machine.   Her goal for this class is to completely finish ONE BLOCK - quilted and bound!!!!!   I don't care which one - but ONE - that's all I ask Linda!!!!

Linda's blocks

Notice that she even fussy cut some of the pieces. It wouldn't be Linda if she didn't try to up the ante with the homework!!!!


Then we had other non-Farm Girl Vintage show n tell.

Genny with her paper pieced top - it's beautifully put together

Liz and her Misty Pines - DONE!!!!!

It really is a gorgeous quilt!  I must get to work on mine.  Oh yes - in another lifetime!   NO - I need that Misty Pines done as I'm putting together a trunk show of quilts that I made/designed with Northcott fabrics.  I hope to have it ready by the end of this year.  Hmmmmm - I have ONE quilt.  I had better start sewing - FAST!!!!


And since we are on the Farm theme - Liz brought in some FARM fabrics that she didn't want.  And it appeared that despite the fact that we are working on a FARM themed (sort of) quilt, there weren't too many takers for the fabric.  I do have an idea of what to do with some of it.  I must get something designed with that and the rest gets donated!!!!

Farm themed (well mostly chickens) fabric

And if that isn't enough farm stuff for you, look what Susan saved for me.   I'm not going to remember the name of the beer that this came from, but Bob was going to throw the caps away and Susan rushed to save them for me.  I LOVE them. I think they came from Beau's Brewing but I can't verify that at the moment. It might be the Lug-Head.

Tractor beer caps

On that note, I'm out of here.

Have a great day!!!!

Ciao!!!!

Christmas Eve 2015

You would think that one of these years, I would get to relax and enjoy myself.  Like that is ever going to happen.  Besides - I did relax and enjoy myself. Here's what happened.

Oh - before I get into my day - I had a lecture coming up - the topic (although the guild doesn't know it yet) is group quilts.  I did this lecture with a friend a while back, but this time, I'm going solo and I need a few more quilts.  I have participated in MANY MANY group quilts over the years, but many of them are still in the block stage. It is my goal to try and finish THREE tops before the guild meeting (I have one month) - I know - just add it to the pile of stuff that is already waiting to be done!!!!

I pulled out one group project box last night - OH MY GOD - I will show it to you another day, but it is a Tinners from 2003/2004!!!!!!!   Oh LA LA - what a story this one will have to tell.  Last night as I was relaxing - I was on the computer doing some research to try and get some ideas on how to finish this quilt.   I got the perfect idea which just solidified in my head as I did the research.  I can't wait to get started!!!!!!   But look at what else I found on-line.  A TRACTOR quilt - a JOHN DEERE quilt no less - but it was made with T-shirts.  Drat - I don't have T-shirts with John Deere on them, but I bet there are a whole bunch of farmers out west who have unwanted T-shirts.  Now where are those farmers when you need them?????

John Deere tractor quilt   (T-shirts)

OK - so you're wondering the status of those customer quilts - right????   Well the T-shirt quilt went out the door at noon.

T-shirt quilt - DONE!!!!!

 I hope the recipient is happy with it!!!!   I"m pretty pleased with the results.

At some point in the afternoon - I needed a break and well - we don't really have a ton of snacks in the house.  If they are in the house - I'll eat them and I don't need or want them.  No Christmas baking HOWEVER I do have some fruit cake that I got from Helen Anne.   Hmmm - since it is Christmas Eve, I do think it is time to break open that package.

Christmas cake

Look at that cake!!!!!

 So that cake looks very MOIST.  I wonder why it is so moist????   Let's just say that you don't want to be driving if you have an entire slice - it is laden with yummy rum!!!!    Thanks Helen Anne - the cake is FABULOUS and I'm going to savor it over the next day  or so!!!

Back to quilting -  I got the second top done!!!!!  

Second memory quilt top - done!!!!

Binding made

Quilt is loaded on the long arm (no batting yet)

 The blue one is quilted, trimmed, the hanging sleeve is made and just have to machine stitch the binding on.  I was hoping to get that all done this morning, but that was not to be.  I didn't have a good night's sleep and why is that????

Well - guess who's back??????????????????

A quick look at my kitchen should be enough evidence.

What happened to the kitchen???

 Yes M arrived home yesterday.  Nope - the parents weren't allowed to pick her up.  Her friends did - then she did come home to get Dad's credit card so she could go grocery shopping and well - when she and her friends got home - the kitchen exploded and why oh why do they have to bake cookies at 10 PM??????    I need my sleep and the kitchen is just below the bedroom.  I'm very particular about my sleep - if I get agitated - I can't go to sleep.  Then my sinuses got stopped up and I had to get up to let them drain (I know - that was gross).  But I finished the book I was reading - Coming Clean by Kimberly Rae Miller.  Oh boy - I can so relate to her situation - well, mine was never as bad as hers was, but the scary thing - there is no real cure.  ACK - what are we going to do with my parents????

Since it was the most amazing day (weatherwise) yesterday - I had one more errand to do before Christmas and since it was relatively close by - I pumped up the tires on my townie bike and away I went.  I just had on a fleece jacket and I was fine.  It was very windy yesterday and it took me no time to get to Streetsville - the wind at  my back and downhill all the way.    The way home was  a different matter and well I was huffing and puffing by the time I got up the hill.  A little three speed doesn't have the same hill climbing capacity as my touring bike!!!!

A beautiful day for a bike ride!

 Then the girls and I were off on an adventure whereupon Little Sammy grabbed my cell phone so she could take a selfie.   Little munchkin!!!!

Little Sammy's selfie!!!

 And it just seems wrong that on Christmas Eve that you can find dandelions in bloom and dandelion fluff.  Yep - this picture was taken yesterday!!!!

Dandelion fluff

So you see - while I did get some quilting done - I really did mess around a great deal of the day.   However that means that I will be quilting later today and I have two bindings, labels and sleeves to get on as well as the customer is coming tomorrow morning to pick up the two quilts.   The other two quilts will be worked on in the next couple of days, but I also have a bag that I MUST get done for work by Monday.

On that note - have a very very Merry Christmas. I hope Santa fulfilled all your dreams!!!!!   Make sure you relax.  I always laugh because everyone tells me I am so busy - I need to slow down.  Well - today - I have NO PLANS  (I mean out of my control!) which is probably more than I can say for all of you!!!!  No running around - no trying to not eat things that aren't good for me - nope - the entire day (well almost) stretches ahead to do whatever I want!!!!!


Have a great day!!!!!!!!


Ciao!!!!!!!!!!!!