I am still here.....

It's been a long time since I posted ...way back in October was the last time, but that doesn't mean to say that I have not been looking at your blogs and sometimes leaving a comment. 

I am working on two quilting projects at  the moment, a wall hanging and a quilt for my bed.  Photo,s coming soon.   Our quilting group has a Christmas dinner and gift exchange, this year it is in January.  Just finished making a gift for the person who's name I drew.  Can't show it here because I believe she looks at my blog.

On Saturday, my dd2 hosted  Christmas dinner for her in-laws and I am always invited.  She never has a traditional dinner, each year it is different.  This year, everyone brought a dish which is traditionally served in their or their parents place of birth.  What a feast, we had food from Belgium,  Poland,  Greece, China and England with a bit of Canada thrown in. I took brussel sprouts and a trifle.  After dinner they decide what the theme will be for next year, our decision, the entire meal will consist of ---appetizers--.

I would like to wish all of the people that read my blog:


             Merry Christmas
and a Happy, Healthy and  Prosperous  New Year

Patricia

Quilt Show

An early start yesterday, as I went to the Rouge Valley Quilt Show in Ajax, ON with four quilter friends.  Going into the room where the quilts were hanging we thought it would be a quick visit because we couldn't see a lot of quilts, however, we were pleasantly surprised by the large number of quilts on display.  I took several photo's but the pictures did not do justice to the fabric and work involved  in making the projects, so I will not be posting them.
Looking at quilts makes a body hungry so we travelled to Uxbridge for a lovely lunch.  We all had a steaming mug of Pumpkin and Apple soup--delicious, and we needed it to warm us up. The weather was wet and very windy making it feel a lot colder than it really was. Three of us also had quiche, and the other two had a sandwich and a pasta dish. Fortified, it was time to go shopping, no day is complete without a couple of hours in a fabric shop.  We all left the shop with our treasures and in the van had an impromptu "show and tell".  I purchased a "One Block Wonder" quilt book, planning on making a quilt using this method in the future, also some yardage for my gd2's wedding quilt and some goodies to put into a quilter's Christmas gift.
After our retail fix we began our ride home,  stopping for dinner and all arriving home safe and sound after a great day out with friends, looking at some fantastic quilts and shopping, what more can a quilter ask for.  
Patricia

The "TO DO" list still waits....

Last night we had rain so it is much too wet to work outside today, and it is also quite chilly, Autumn is certainly around the corner. 
So today I am inside and there is a long list of chores that need to be tackled which includes, shortening a pair of pants for my sister. (I don't think she knows which end to thread a needle)  LOL.  Earlier this week I picked up a quilt that had been quilted by Mr. H, this is one of the comfort quilts our guild donates to the local hospital chemo patients, my partner (members are paired up) sewed the blocks together now it is my job to sew on the binding,--- its sitting there waiting.  Ironing --- still in the basket, a big container of apples from my Mother's tree that need to be made into sauce for the freezer --- in the garage, and of course all of the regular tasks that have to be done each day.   I did none of these jobs, what did I do?
On Saturday, there is going to be a yard/garage sale on the street where one of my grand daughters live, I  know that I have some items that I no longer want or need and could sell (note to Mrs sft - possibly bumping up my travel account).  I went to my furnace/storage room, it did need a good clean, so I started.  I did have some items for the sale, however, where do all the other treasures, (bits and pieces of junk) come from.  A length of wire (6 inches)????, a mirror from a vehicle we owned three years ago, a toilet paper holder and drawer knobs from when we redid our bathroom, a huge picture of a cat???? in a chrome frame, no less, a broken florescent light bulb! what a mess.  I am either getting very forgetful or I have ghosts or goblins that come in the dead of night to store these things, have to blame it on someone---don't I?  The spiders must have been working overtime to make all of the webs I found.
I am finished and there is a place for everything and everything is in it's place.  For now.
My reward, I going to the theatre with a friend tonight and having one of our inexpensive  cheap  meals, thanks to the fast food coupons.  I know these meals are not the best nutritional choice, but occasionally shouldn't hurt.
Gotta go and get cleaned up myself.
Hope everyone is have a great day.
Patricia

The Proms

Today my Scottish friend and I went to a London, Ontario movie theatre to watch a live performance of "The Last Night at the Proms",  from the Royal Albert Hall  in London, England. 
Because of the time difference, our performance on the big screen started at 2:30 p.m. and it was sold out, a lot of the patrons were carrying Union Jacks that they waved when everyone was singing "Land of Hope and Glory". 
What a show, we both throughly enjoyed it -- Lang Lang, a Chinese pianist was absolutely amazing.
We could not believe the crowds that were in Hyde Park U.K. watching it on big screens there, I am sure  some big time parties were being held.
The tickets were quite expensive, but we justified the cost by using a coupon from Mac Donalds for our dinner???  It cost us $10.00 for the two of us. lol.
The theatre chain that we went to is showing a lot of live theatre from London, UK. in the upcoming months and we are hoping to see as many of them as we can.
Patricia

And the thunder rolled.....

Last evening the area where I live was under a tornado watch, several funnel clouds were spotted however, have not heard of any touching down.  Thunder and lightening, wind and rain continued from approximately 9:00 p.m. until 11:30p.m.  Lightening and thunder in the distance until way after midnight. I don't like storms at the best of times, so down into my rec room I went, with a flashlight in hand just in case the power went off.  Came through it unscathed, my daughter did loose her power for 12 hours.
Sft---for some reason I am not able to comment on your blog.  So many people I know that are around my age are getting seriously ill, time to do some deep thinking.....Just wanted you to know you  have inspired me, saving for a trip in Oct 2012 to you know where.
Hope everyone is having a great day.
Patricia

Busy and a whole lotta shaking going on

Yesterday  and today I worked my buns off, (needless to say I have still got a lot left to work on, lol).  I took everything off the floor in the garage, moved the classic car out and power washed the floor.
I then washed and waxed said cc, this car is a mile long, not quite, but when you are waxing it it seems that long.  She sure did shine, I have finally decided to put it up for sale, its not getting the use that it should and its not the same without OH.  I then washed my car and put the garage back together, put the cc in and then washed down my driveway.  I thought after four hours of manual labour it was time to call it a day.

There was a beautiful breeze today, so laundry done, ironed and put away.  Then I decided to cut my lawn, however, the mower wouldn't stay running.  I get so frustrated, I don't know whats wrong with mechanical things, so therefore can't fix it, so have to wait for sil to come and look at it, so the grass is growing and growing and I cleaned out my garden shed instead.

This afternoon just before 2:00 p.m. I was downstairs in my basement,  (I have a recreation room down there), just looking as some blogs on the computer.  The screen started to move and then my chair started to shake.  I thought, maybe I had been doing too much and was going to pass out so I went upstairs for some fresh air, in my dining area my light fixture was swaying,  we were having an earthquake.  After looking at the news the epicentre  was down in Virginia U.S. and was 5.8 magnitude shallow temblor so the shaking was more widespread. Hope everyone down that way is fine.

Needless to say I am pooped from all the work I have been doing so no sewing or quilting has been done.

DD2 came through her surgery OK.  I can't believe it, she was wheeled to the OR at 8:00 a.m. today and was home by 1:00p.m.  No more gall bladder or stones to worry about.

Time to think about dinner, I am starving.

Hope everyone had a good day.

Patricia

It's been a Month?

I can't believe it has been almost a month since I last posted.
Our weather is changing, pleasant sunny days with little or no humidity, cooler nights and that ball of fire in the sky is setting earlier and earlier every night, an indication that our Summer is coming to an end.  My flower garden is looking tired and stressed, recent thunderstorms with lots of rain have given my lawn a new lease on life----I cut it earlier this week, have to get it done again as it is getting long again.
August 11th myself and three members of the quilting guild I belong to visited an exhibition of quilts from Hawaii,  very interesting to see how people in other parts of the world use colourful fabric to make their creations.  I was actually surprised to see a lot of wall hangings, whether this was a trend for Hawaiian quilters or a decision made due to ease of travel I don't know, should have asked but......  A lot of paint was used to enhance the designs, personally I was not fond of the resulting stiff finish.
I been have doing hand work on my hexies during the past month and that is the extent of my quilting, a couple of UFO's are sitting there for me to work on, once the evenings draw in a bit more I will have to get them finished. 

August 13th, my sister and I had a family BBQ for my Mum, 94 years old, August 14, we had a great time, why does food cooked on the BBQ and eaten outside always taste so good?  She still lives by herself in her own little house, very independent, even washes her bathroom floor on her hands and knees!!!!.. can't clean a floor with a mop!!!  Yes, I do do housework for her, her eyes are getting bad and she can't see a lot of what needs to be done.
Yesterday, I had my gas furnace and fireplace cleaned, new filter and checked over to make sure both were in good shape for the upcoming Winter,  $$$$$.. I think it would have been cheaper to buy a new furnace and fireplace.  Can't complain, well I can, but at least I know they are both in good working order.
Should go and pick up a few grocery items needed, another busy weekend coming up, visiting friends on Saturday for a fish fry and Sunday going to see my Mum.  Monday, dd2 is having surgery, hope it can be done, as planned, without an incision , so that she will be home the same day.  Such advances being done, can't believe she can go in hospital in the morning, have body parts removed and be back home before dinner time.  Due to the nature of her work, she will be off for about a month.
Hope everyone has a great weekend.
Patricia