Apron Completed Before Power Outage

 Yesterday was cloudy and showery. The high got to 18C. This morning it is cloudy and 16C. Today is supposed to be a mix of sun and clouds with a high of 25C. 

Lifestyle

Let me say I was exhausted yesterday and my energy level ran from low to empty all day. Not a lot of fun. 

I started the day working on the family tree and eliminated a person that I had done a lot of research on. I now have to rebuilt that branch. At least it is easy to do with a lot of moving between windows and writing in my notebook the information I need. But, it was a stupid move which I did when I was overtired. 

It seemed as if Nova Scotia power was having lots of issues yesterday. We had the power go out for a couple of minutes in the afternoon and then it went out around 4:30 pm. This was a big outage with over 9,200 customers affected. The reason was transmission interruption. In other words a transformer blew up.  They said we would get power at about 11 pm but it came on at 7:15 pm. I also read there was another huge power outage near Lunenburg earlier in the day. There was also a lot of smaller power outages in the province. 

Sewing

I spent a lot of time sewing slowly yesterday. I checked and double checked before using the sewing machine. By late afternoon I had the apron made except for some top stitching on the waist band. That was too tricky for a tired person to deal with. 

Having made this one and figuring out a way I enjoy making it, I will use this pattern again. 

I have a Japanese style apron pattern for the rabbit and am going to try to make it out of a fat quarter. It is a trial and error as I have no instructions other than the human size pattern at the moment. 

Knitting

None done last night. Too tired. 

Thoughts

    Reading the Facebook comments on the power outage was a good laugh. We rarely get power outages in our area so people weren't complaining. They were just having fun. The power outage map showed less than 5 people in our area without power and that got a few comments. It took a while for the map to be updated. 

    We are to have a few warmer days this week. I am sure it will be humid and muggy as it is supposed to be cloudy. Summer is here and we can expect it to be humid. The rain we had yesterday was lovely and everything is reviving. I did enjoy this rain as it was gentle and cool. 

    Everything is in bloom right now and I am suffering from allergies. This year it seems as if all plants and trees have a huge amount of flowers on them. My Japanese lilac is full of blooms. The most it has ever had. 

    Tomorrow is Canada Day and I will be staying home unless I go for dinner at daughter-in-law's house. It will be just the 2 of us and only if we can find a restaurant open. Most everything is closed tomorrow. 

Today

I am out this morning to make sandwiches. Once home, I will pace myself. I will alternate between doing housework, resting, sewing, and knitting today. I have no reason to go out  for anything. 

Until the next time..............................................................

A Busy Day Outside The House

 Yesterday was cool and cloudy with some rain. The high got to 16C. This morning it is cloudy, windy, and 13C. Today we are supposed to have rain this morning and showers this afternoon. The high is supposed to get to 18C. 

Lifestyle

I was out first thing to make sandwiches at daughter-in-law's house. We were done in an hour and then she and I sat and chatted for a bit. We then left with all the supplies and went to the hall. We covered the tables holding the food with plastic table coverings. 

Once home, I rested as I was tired. I even went to bed for a couple of hours as I was going to be out late helping at the bar at the wedding at the community hall. It was good to rest before being so busy in the evening. 

The wedding reception was very interesting. I was out 3 times to the liquor store and to two grocery stores to find limes. We served a lot of liquor but they had a no drive policy; a taxi was on call. 

This group of people are dancers. Before people started going home, they had a circle dance which they all knew the steps. While they do the steps, people will go into the center and dance. Even a 6 year old took part. This is the first wedding I have seen since moving here. I will see more weddings this summer. 

I helped do some clean up. I gathered up dirty bar glasses and some dishes. I ran three loads through the commercial dishwasher making sure all the hall's dishes were clean. I left one tray for daughter-in-law to do when the rest of reception was over. 

I got some sleep but was up with leg cramps during the night. The cause was being so busy for 2 days. I will survive it with a day or two of resting. 

Son and grandson are keeping us updated daily. They attended a soccer game last night and said the first half was great. They have shown what parts of Montevideo look like. Grandson's promotional video has been handed around to a lot of people and he has been invited to train 2 days a week with a higher level team starting July 1. We wait and see where that takes him in the world of soccer. 

Today

I am resting a lot today and drinking a lot of fluids. I hope to work on the apron and try to knit tonight. I know I won't be a ball of fire but I don't want to do nothing. I do know it will be an early night tonight. 

Until the next time..........................................................

Sock Gusset Done

 Yesterday was sunny with a high of 24C. This morning it is cloudy and 13C. Today is supposed to be cloudy with showers during the day and rain tonight. The high is supposed to get to 19C.

Lifestyle

My thought of a morning out helping at the hall turned into a day out cleaning the hall. The hall has been painted and we needed to prep it for a wedding. As we cleaned up, we got rid of items that have not been used for years. The bar was cleaned and we put the glasses through the dishwasher. The room where small meetings are held was cleaned and prepped for the wedding. It was great to have it done. 

I was sore when I got home and almost crawled up the stairs. I sat and rested with hit on my sore spots. After I ate dinner, I unloaded the car with items we will sell at a garage sale and took a box of items to the thrift store. 

Sewing

None done as I wasn't home.

The quilt shop called to say the dog quilt is ready for me to pick up which I will do on Wednesday. 

Knitting

I sat quietly and knit the gusset on sock #1. 

I am ready to start the gusset on sock #2. 

Thoughts

    I was surprised that I wasn't as sore as I had thought I would be wrangling things at the community hall. Most of the soreness was muscles though my SI joint let me know it was tired mid afternoon. Sitting and resting when I came home was the right thing to do as they relaxed and felt better. 

    I was surprised but not shocked about the news on tariff discussions yesterday. I had to sift through the news as there is a lot of reports "on steroids". We sit and watch what will unfold at this time. 

    The rain coming in tonight was supposed to be include possible thunderstorms and hail. That has disappeared off the radar which is great news. We need the rain as we are to get hot again with Canada Day (July 1) getting to 30C. 

Today

I am out shortly to make sandwiches and then help deliver them. I am to rest a lot today as I am out to pick up the trays at 4:15 pm and help with the bar at the community hall until late. If I can squeeze in a bit of sewing, I will. No knitting as I probably won't get home until 11 pm or later. 

Until the next time...............................................................

Progress On The Apron

 Yesterday was sunny and cooler with a high of 19C. This morning it is sunny and 11C. Today is supposed to be a mix of sun and clouds with a high of 24C. 

Lifestyle

I was out to pick up daughter-in-law and we went to get her car. I made an appointment for mine as it should be gone over and things done to it. That is July 11. 

Once home, I watered the plants on the deck and in the boxes. Everything is growing rapidly. The volunteer petunias are thick and blooming. 

All these petunias will be pink and white as that is what I grew last year. I planted some red ones this year. 

Sewing

I spent a lot of time in the sewing room yesterday. The apron was bugging me and I had to get it sorted out in my head. I had read the instructions and made a bit of a plan in my head. 

I turned the back and neck ties and pressed them. Having them inside out on the table was bothering me. I then decided to focus on the skirt part of the apron. I started on the pocket. I made a template so I could gather around it and give it a light press. I then pinned the seam allowances down and pressed it. 

I basted the seam allowances in place and gave it a good press with steam. 

I then focused on the skirt part. It was a case of turning under the hem on the bottom and sides twice. I also basted them in place, gave them a good press, and stitched them down. I also stitched the pocket in place. 

Next I focused on the bodice of the apron. The darts were already sewn so I stitched the bodice and lining together with the neck straps in place. I clipped curves and trimmed the seams. Once turned to the right side, I spent a lot of time making the edges neat and sharp. I also stitched the yoke piece with blue thread taking out the brown I had put in originally. I pinned the waist band on.

I laid the bodice and skirt together to see how they will look. 

I was done for the day but a lot of things came together about how to sew the next apron. My brain hated the instructions. Once I decided to focus on parts of the apron, I was able to sew it up quickly. I think if I start off making the ties first (her way of making them is great) and then move on to the bodice and then the skirt. Doing the skirt first was fine. 

Though I did a lot of sewing yesterday, it wasn't a fast sew. I did a lot of hand basting as I wanted this apron to look neatly made. I will repeat the process again. Hand sewing is something I enjoy doing. 

Knitting

I turned the heels on both socks last night and then picked up the stitches for the gussets. 

The first sock has 5 rounds knit on it. 

Thoughts

    It was nice to have a cool day yesterday. I had windows open all day airing out the house. It actually was cool enough in the evening that I put on a sweater. 

    I was tired yesterday from the heat and from physio. I didn't do as much as I had hoped but I am okay with that. I didn't want to push my SI joint so it would tighten up and then tighten up the muscles. I enjoyed an almost pain free day. 

    We are to have rain Saturday night. One weather person has said we could get heavy rain and maybe hail and thunderstorms. There is no warning on the weather website I look at. We can use the rain as we are dry and will be having more dry weather next week. 

Today

I am out to help daughter-in-law at the hall this morning. I am sure it is cleaning as there is a wedding reception tomorrow. Once home, I would like to finish the apron this afternoon and knit on the socks tonight. 

Until the next time...................................................

Trying Out A Pattern - Making An Apron

 Yesterday was mainly sunny and warm. The high got to 29C (humidex 32C). This morning it is clear and 12C. Today is supposed to be sunny with a high of 20C. Our heat warning was over by 9 pm last night. 

On Tuesday, we set a record for our highest temperature. The old highest temperature was made in 1975. 

Lifestyle

I watered the plants on the deck first thing as they were a bit dry. They are growing rapidly and the tomatoes have a lot of blooms on them. 

Once I had watered the plants, I was out the door for physio. It was a good session. The very bottom of the SI joint was tight and it released quite easily. Then it was on to stretching muscles. They still like to try and go back to where they were -- tight and short. The therapist did new exercises which is combination stretches and then did some old ones. She can get me into the neutral zone easily now. I had heat and current as she did a lot of work and we didn't want a flare up. By last night I knew she had worked on me as I was a bit sore. But nothing like before which means I am improving. 

I went to New Minas and picked up daughter-in-law as her car was being worked on. We came home and she dropped me off at the house. She needed the car to go to her massage session. When she started the car to go, the check engine light came on. I will be making an appointment today to have the car checked out. I hope they can get me in next week. 

I did take recycling out to the garage last night. The garage is really warm and sorting was really hard to do. I did it even if it makes me feel sick working in the heat. 

Sewing

I spent quite a bit of time cutting out pdf patterns and taping them together. The rabbit's winter dress is ready for me to watch the video. I know one of the pattern pieces needs to be adjusted. Then I can lay it out and start it. 

I also taped together an apron pattern. That was quite the puzzle. I got it done and cut out an apron. This is a trial run. I am trying to follow the directions and they are confusing me. It is a bit of a guessing game knowing which pieces are which when you cut the ties and waistband. I read the instructions many times. When sewing she does it in a way where you sew everything you can and then press. Not my way of sewing but I am trying to do it. I totally failed after having the waist and neck ties on the cutting table sewn and inside out. That stressed me some as I am used to turning them right away and pressing them. I ventured out a bit on my own but the ties are still not turned right side out. 

I put the darts in the bodice and bodice lining. I worked on a little yoke piece and it is tacked on the bodice main fabric. I then laid it on the floor to look at it. 

There is one pocket on the apron and mine is in the print. I will be doing it next. I have a bit of figuring out to do as the instructions are a bit skimpy for them.

Once I get this pattern figured out, I think it will be a fairly easy make. I like it a lot and will be making more of them. 

I still have 4 days this month to cut out projects for July. After the apron is made, I will cut out the dress and then will start cutting out a quilt and a few other smaller items. My goal is to sew up the remaining fabric I bought this year. The dolls and the rabbit will get more clothes to wear.

Knitting

I knit on the heel flap of the 2nd sock and unknit as I had dropped a stitch. I then knit some more and got the 2nd heel flap done. 

I am ready to turn the heel which is tonight's job. 

Thoughts

    Our two day heat wave was a tough one. I only went out when necessary. I do have to say yesterday wasn't as hot but still hot enough to be careful when outside. I have started to stock up on electrolyte drinks to have during these heat waves. I dehydrate not only from the heat but from the a/c. I try to have one of these drinks each day along with a lot of water. If I don't I get muscle cramps.

    Son and grandson arrived in Uruguay and they are adapting to the cooler weather. It was 7C yesterday morning. Not too bad as they are having winter. We did chat yesterday as a family and got to see pictures of the city they are in and the pizza they had for dinner. 

    My Japanese lilac tree is in full bloom and I am reacting to the pollen. Last year it had a couple of blooms and this year it has out done itself. Looks pretty but I am allergic to it. 

Today

I have to pick up daughter-in-law and take her to get her car. I may check in to see when my quilt will be done and show the doll's quilt. Once home, I will work on the apron and knit. I do have to water everything today. 

Until the next time.....................................................................

Sewing Projects for June Completed

 Yesterday was basically sunny with a high of 33C (humidex 43C) (91F/109F). This morning it is mainly sunny and 21C (humidex 27C). Today is going to be another hot sunny day with a high of 29C (humidex 35C). 

Lifestyle

I was out first thing to water the plants and by the time I got back in, I was feeling the heat. It was sapping my energy rapidly. I sat on the couch and drank some cool liquids. I felt much better when I cooled off. 

I cleaned more of the kitchen yesterday. It was mainly taking items to the basement and put in boxes for the yard sale or to be donated. I also wiped down the counter tops to make sure they were really clean, did the bar counter and the small shelves at the end of the top cupboards. I am now ready to scrub the floor on my hands and knees. 

I was outside for a few minutes in the late afternoon and it was hot and dry. I stood in the shade to look at the garden and was inside before I got too hot. I also walked down the driveway at 9 pm to pick up the flyers and it was still hot and more humid. 

Sewing

I spent all afternoon in the basement sewing. I wanted to finish projects that I had cut out at the beginning of June. The last item was a small gift bag. It didn't take long even though I didn't rush sewing it. 

All of the Snoopy fabric has been sewn. 

Next up, I made daughter 4 meters of piping using the red strawberry fabric. I enjoyed making it as it is easy to do. 

There is .3 meter of the white strawberry print left along with some scraps. The plan is to use the fabric for a doll's dress and then give away the scraps. 

I am now ready to cut out more projects. Fabric I needed was laundered and just needs to be pressed. Other pieces need to be located in the stash. And the starched fabric for my quilt needs to be pressed. A good afternoon's job getting prepared for more sewing. 

Knitting

I did knit last night. I finished the doll's coat and need to find buttons for it. 

I wound the rest of the yarn into a ball and have enough for a small project. I will probably look for ideas over the next couple of nights. 

I also knit on the socks. One heel flap is half done. 

You really can't see the heel flap from the right side. It blends in well with the leg. 

I am hoping that I can have both heel flaps done tonight. 

Thoughts

    I am tired from the heat and we've only had it for 24 hours. I feel for those people who do not have a/c and hope they can get out to places where they can cool off. I know that this system is covering a lot of eastern Canada and US. On the other hand, Western Canada is cool. I am seeing pictures of snow in communities near the Rockies that fell over the weekend. 

    My plants are thriving. When I was out to water them yesterday morning I noticed all the tomatoes have blooms on them. The onions are getting big and some of the volunteer petunias are blooming. The plants on the deck are growing rapidly. The one tiny tomato is big enough to see without having to hunt for it. The lawn is looking stressed. Hopefully the rain on Saturday night will help revive it. 

    I watched Knitty Knatty's YouTube video on their visit to Nova Scotia. They did Cape Breton Island and showed some yarn shops there. One was brand new and is owned by the lady I buy most of my yarn from. They also showed her Rolling Yarn Store which travels all over Nova Scotia and to some towns in New Brunswick and PEI. They went to Halifax and toured some of the yarn shops in the city. They did not come out to the Annapolis Valley. I know they are on a schedule to get across Canada. It was an interesting video to watch. 

Today

I am out for physio early and then on to New Minas to pick up daughter-in-law as her car goes in to have the monitor in the dash repaired. Once home, I want to fold laundry and then start putting together pdf patterns and press some fabric. I hope to knit tonight after I water the plants. 

Until the next time.................................................................

Doll Quilt and Pillow Completed

 Yesterday was foggy for quite a while and then became sunny. The high got to 23C (humidex 27C. This morning it is clear and 18C. Today is supposed to be a mix of sun and clouds with a high of 29C (humidex 38C). We are under a heat warning for today and tomorrow. 

Lifestyle

I was gone first thing to make sandwiches at the community hall. When done I stopped at family's as grandson asked me to. He gave me a picture of him and I taken at grad. It is lovely and I was touched to receive it. I have it on a shelf in the tv stand at the moment. 

Once home, I started cleaning cupboards. I sorted and wiped, sorted some more. The cupboards are all done. I then went into the pantry and cleaned it. When doing the floor, I found some of Elliott's hair in a corner. Now I have to put all the stuff I don't want into a box for the garage sale and then wipe down the counter tops and scrub the floor. It was a big job but I did it faster than I thought I would. 

I was out to the community hall meeting last night. It was a small meeting but we got the business done. 

Sewing

I finished hand sewing the binding down on the doll's quilt. As an experiment, it turned out pretty good. I learned how to make flying geese using the ruler while making the quilt. 

Once I was done with the quilt, I made a pillow and pillow case to match. 

And the rabbit's pyjamas match to perfection. 

I did over an hour of hand sewing of lace on the purple fabric. It is coming along and by the end of July I may be half done. No pictures as it looks the same as the last time. 

Daughter sent me ideas for the next quilt. I quite like the idea of this quilt which I may order the pattern. 

I will have to check and see what panels/fabrics she is sending to me. 

Knitting

None done last night as I was out. 

Thoughts

    I am not looking forward to the heat over the next couple of days. I am sure it is the edge of the heat dome that is over Ontario, Quebec and parts of the US. It is also why the prairie provinces are experiencing cold, wet and crazy weather. 

    It seems we may be spending Christmas in Uruguay. I am excited and worried at the same time. Excited to see a new country but worried about leaving my house for an extended period of time. It will all work out in the end and we will experience summer in December. 

Today

I have to do the minutes for the meeting, go out for a bit, water plants, and finish cleaning the kitchen. I want to sew a small gift bag today so I have finished the projects I cut out early in June. Tonight I hope to knit if the house is cool enough. 

Until the next time............................................................

Binding A Quilt

 Yesterday started out sunny and then turned wet. The high got to 24C. This morning it is foggy and 15C. Today is supposed to be mainly cloudy with a high of 24C (humidex 29C).

Lifestyle

My first job of the morning was to do the balance sheet. Three entries so I didn't make a mistake. It actually took longer to get it all out and put away. 

Next up I cleaned the cupboard above the coffee maker. A few things got trashed or recycled due to old age. I scrubbed everything including the doors and the top. I had plenty of time so I tackled the bank of drawer underneath. That was a bit of fun. By the time I was done, I had sorted and put several items I haven't used in over a year into a box for donations. I am pleased with the results of what I did. 

I took down the plates and asked daughter if she wanted them. She didn't so I will ask a friend if she wants them. 

I don't go to parties or outings at Christmas other than family's and they are never used. I use to put a cheese ball on the small plate and crackers on the large one. I had thought about having Christmas dinner on them but I am never home for Christmas. 

I was over to family's for lunch (curries) and spent part of the afternoon visiting with them as they packed their bags. I said my goodbyes and came home around 3 pm. It rained after I got home and I didn't have to water my plants. Mother Nature did that for me. 

I took a picture of daughter-in-law's rose bush. It is more advanced than mine this year. The blooms are going to be huge on it. 

Sewing

I spent time in the morning sandwiching the doll's quilt. I also got some of it quilted. Once home from family's I finished quilting it and got the binding sewn on. I sat for over an hour hand sewing the binding down and it is half done. 

I do like it a lot. I hope to make a pillow with a pillow case for it also. 

Knitting

I sat and knit 40 rounds on the leg of the 2nd sock. It is done. Both socks have had stitches moved for the heel flap and the first row of it done. 

One sock is darker than the other in real life. 

I didn't knit on the doll's sweater as I ran out of time. 

Thoughts

    Our rain was needed as we will be having a couple of hot days and then a lot of sunny days after that. I will be watering plants a lot over the next week. At least we don't have snow or hail in the forecast like Alberta did. Daughter said they have had a lot of rain in BC the last while. 

    My hip, knees, and muscles are all behaving themselves since I have started cleaning the kitchen. They don't bother me much going up and down the 3 step ladder. I must be making them stronger so will be continuing on with housecleaning this summer. 

Today

I have to be at the hall to make sandwiches at 8 am. I need to eat and go to the grocery store first. Once home, I want to do more cupboards before noon. I hope to sew this afternoon. I am out to the hall tonight for the quarterly meeting. If I knit, it will be on the doll's sweater. A busier day for me. 

Until the next time..................................................

Pyjamas Are Done

 Yesterday was another sunny day with a high of 24C. This morning it is sunny and 11C. Today is supposed to be sunny this morning and rain this afternoon with a high of 23C. 

Lifestyle

Yesterday morning I cleaned 4 cupboards. A frying pan, a small worn out pot, a cookbook, and a tired bowl cozy got eliminated from the cupboards. The cupboards were scrubbed clean and everything put back in. There are two Christmas plates on the elimination list as I haven't used them in 7 years. I need to find someone who wants them before I put them into the garage sale. 

I pulled the stove out and cleaned behind it. I also scrubbed the floor. That set me to vacuuming half of the kitchen floor and scrubbing it on my hands and knees. The tiles were fairly clean but the grout was dirty. I used a scour daddy and scrubbed them clean. I rinsed the floor using Bona cleaner. That part of the floor looks cleaner. I was tired and sweating when I got that job done. 

I am going to get a new fridge. I need to cancel the part and then decide which store I will buy it from. It is running all the time and the fridge temperature is sitting at 50F. I am tired of moving food from the big fridge to the small one and having to buy food a couple of times a week. 

I was out for lunch at family's. We had hot dogs and left over fruit and vegetables from the bbq. We ate outside and had a lovely visit. I left early as son and grandson had to finish packing for their trip. 

Sewing

I spent most of the afternoon sewing. I hand sewed the binding down on the pyjama top and got the tiny snaps sewn on after watching the video. I am pleased with the end result. 

I also sat and hand sewed more of the lace down on the purple bag. I enjoyed sewing slowly and when I finished the piece I was relaxed. I have 3 part done now. 

The fourth part is pinned ready for me to hand sew the leaves down. I hope to do a bit a couple of days a week on it. 

I am going to focus on finishing the doll's quilt and making a small gift bag. That will have the last batch of items I cut out done. Then I will start cutting out the next batch to sew. 

Knitting

I did knit last night. I got half the leg knit on sock #2. 

I also picked up the stitches and knit 9 rounds on the sleeve of the doll's coat. 

I checked the sock yarn I have stashed away and have enough for 6 pairs of socks. We are going to New Brunswick in early July and I will allow myself to buy enough yarn for 1 or 2 pairs of socks. This means I have to knit almost every night for the rest of the year. 

Thoughts

    I am pleased with how much I have cleaned in the kitchen. I am doing more than I thought I could which is great. I am having very little pain in my joints as I climb the ladder and get up and down off the floor. The joints do get tired and I push on a bit but not so much that I will hurt the rest of the day. I am hoping to have the kitchen done by the end of next week. 

    I am struggling with my sewing goal of sewing what I want vs sewing down the stash. I have sewed a lot of items I wanted to make but I still focus on sewing down the stash. It is what I think about when I start to plan what I want to make each month. I struggle with wanting to sew up 50 to 100 meters in a year with most of the fabric coming from the stash. I buy fabric for projects and feel guilty about buying it. I then set a goal to sew it up by a certain date. I am working on trying to make things I want to make and using up the stash to make it. Some of it is enjoyable while other projects are sewn to use up the stash. 

Today

I have to do the balance sheet first. Then I will clean the cupboards by the fridge. I want to sew on the doll's quilt today and knit tonight. I know family is coming over to visit. Son and grandson leave tomorrow. 

Until the next time.............................................................

Progress On The Pyjama Top

 Yesterday started out cloudy, was sunny, and ended up cloudy and windy. The high got to 29C (humidex 32C). This morning it is sunshine with some clouds and 15C. Today is supposed to be mix of sun and clouds with a high of 24C (humidex 27C).

Lifestyle

I spent some time outside watering all the plants. Everything is growing well and very healthy. Though not a lot of variety, I am hoping that we can enjoy what I chose to grow. I know we will have lots of onions for this winter. 

I fiddled with my fridge giving it a hard reset. The temperature is sitting at 50F and what I have in the fridge has ice packs around it to keep it cool. I have to decide if I will keep this fridge or buy a new one. 

I took a table over to family's for the bbq last night. I also delivered the devilled eggs for them to have. After lunch I went to the hall to help put handles on the kitchen cupboards. I am going to get a quote for the company to come and finish painting upstairs. I may try to paint the parts I can do but have them paint above the cupboards and maybe the cupboards. I can go over on Sunday to talk to them. 

The bbq was a great success. A lot of good food including some Greek desserts. The potato salad was devoured and got great reviews. I enjoyed the Caesar salad, some vegetables, fresh fruit and a piece of cake for dessert. After putting away items into the fridge and talking for a bit longer, I was home by 9 pm. 

I sat and talked to one of the boys whom I had met at son's birthday party. He is going to start a 4 year program to become a pharmacist (phd program). He is so excited and we had a great discussion on the topic. 

Sewing

After watching how to add the binding around the neck and finishing off the ends, I went down and worked on the pyjama top. I got the bias binding around the neck and looked at the amount of pins I had in it. I chose to hand baste it down. It went on beautifully. I worked on getting the bottom of the binding finished like she did and it is okay. I used fray check so one bit won't fray on me. 

It is now ready for me to hand stitch the binding in place. 

Daughter bought more panels and fabric for more quilts and aprons. I will be making flying geese for a couple of years as I work through the fabric she got. It will be interesting to see what I can come up with. I have several ideas in my head already. 

Knitting

None last night as I got home late. 

Thoughts

    I enjoyed the bbq last night. Family's back yard is wonderful to host these events. They did a great job of designing it for entertaining larger groups. It is also wonderful for having family dinners in the summer. They are also wonderful hosts. 

    I am out 3 days next week. I have physio on Wednesday and I may be discharged. I think I have progressed as far as I will go and may only need to go in if I have an issue. The other 2 days are making sandwiches, a meeting, and working a bar with daughter-in-law. There are days at home so I can do things on own. I do have to water the plants as we are going to have 2 hot days next week. 

Today

I am home all day. I have to do laundry and clean more kitchen cupboards. I want to try and finish the pyjama top this afternoon and knit tonight. I am looking forward to having a quiet day.

Until the next time..............................................................

More Progress On The Pyjamas

 Yesterday was warm and sunny with a high of 26C (humidex 35C). This morning it is cloudy and 18C. Today is supposed to be a mix of sun and clouds with a high of 25C (humidex 31C). 

Lifestyle

Yesterday morning saw me busy in the kitchen. I made a potato salad using 5 lbs of potatoes and 8 eggs. I also made 6 devilled eggs for family to have before the bbq tonight. I also froze shredded chicken and chicken broth and cleaned up the kitchen. 

As I went to put the potato salad into the fridge, I noticed it was warm and checked the temperature. It was 56F inside the fridge but the freezer was okay. I unloaded the fridge into the mini fridge, packed ice packs around the potato salad, quickly ate lunch, and took the salad over to family's fridge. This morning the fridge is 50F and I am worried. Do I have to order a new fridge? I have a couple of things to try this morning to see if I need to do that. This did not need to happen right now due to the fact we have a bbq tonight and son and grandson leave on Monday. 

I had a short visit with my friend yesterday after I got home from family's house. Her dog chased a cat and seems to have pulled a muscle in her back leg. I am hoping the dog is feeling better today. 

I took a walk around the vegetable boxes. The tomatoes I planted in 3 of them have blooms. The 5 volunteer tomatoes survived me moving them. The onions are growing quickly and the flowers are doing well. 

Sewing

I watched part 2 of making Luna Lapin's pyjamas. I got about half way through watching how the top was constructed. I decided to work on that part yesterday afternoon. I got it done and am ready to watch how to do the binding around the front and neck. 

The trim around the front and neck will show the cross over nicely. I am quite happy with how this is turning out. 

I have learned a few things when making these pyjamas. The bias binding needs to be about 1 1/8" wide if you want to machine stitch the piping in place. I enjoy hand sewing so am okay with the 1" wide binding. I have learned to use the zig zag stitch more proficiently on my machine. I know to go slow when using it. Width and length depend on the how big your seams are. 

Knitting

I knit like crazy last night and got 40 rounds done on sock #1. It is ready to start the heel flap after I knit the leg on sock #2. 

I didn't knit on the doll's coat last night. By the time I finished the sock, it was bed time. 

Thoughts

    I slept well last night. I woke up at 4:30 am and went to the bathroom, went back to bed and slept until it was time to get up. I really needed a good night's sleep after having two nights of poor sleeping. One thing I did do was put the fan on in my bedroom to help make it feel cooler. 

    Grandson got his driver's licence yesterday afternoon. Exciting for him as it was his goal to have it before he left for Uruguay. Scary as he is growing up way too fast and will soon be on his own. 

    It is the first day of summer today and it snuck up on me. I thought it was tomorrow. Though today is warm, the humidity will make it feel warmer than it really is. If there is a breeze, it will feel cooler. 

Today

I have to water the plants, fold laundry, and take a table over to family's for the bbq tonight. I would like to sew for a bit this afternoon before I head out for the bbq. I may get to knit for a bit tonight which will be a bonus. It is going to be a busy day today. 

Until the next time...............................................................

Project Progress

 Yesterday was a mix of sun, clouds, and a couple of small showers. The high got to 23C (humidex 27C). This morning it is cloudy and 18C. Today is supposed to be cloudy with a high of 25C (humidex 31C). 

Lifestyle

It was off to New Minas yesterday morning with daughter-in-law. We stopped at the car dealership as she needs one of the panels looked at. That happens on Wednesday. Then it was off to the pool place. The pool is great and needs its usual chemicals. The hot tub needs to be emptied, cleaned, and refilled. We will be doing that next week. 

Our last stop was at Walmart to get groceries. Once done, we headed home. I got home around 11 am and was exhausted. I put things away and sat down trying to figure out why I am tired. I wanted to nap but couldn't. 

I took grandson to his dental appointment. I left at 2:30 pm and due to road construction in the area, I was at their house 10 or so minutes later. Not bad considering it is a 3 minute drive. We spent some time trying to figure out how to get to the dentist and decided to scoot down the road a few houses and take the back road in. We got there early which was fine. He was done an hour later and we took the main way home and sat for a bit waiting for our turn to go at the road construction site. The good thing -- they had moved the flag person from beyond family's house to the back road we took. 

Sewing

I finished watching the video on how to make the pyjama bottoms. Some good information. I forced myself down to sew them. Once I got going, I was able to finish them before leaving to pick up grandson. 

I did follow some of the tricks the presenter said to do and they did help with the sewing. I am pleased with the end result. 

I was a bit worried about the size of the rabbit. When I measured her waist, it was the same size as the presenter's mouse (which is the same body). 

I am now ready to watch how to make the top. It has raglan sleeves and a cross over front. There is bias binding on the sleeves and around the outer edge of the top. A lot of work but I am looking forward to the challenge. 

Knitting

I knit 24 rounds on sock #1 last night. I am half done the leg. 

They are going to be interesting as I think the black is going to spiral around down to the heel flap. 

Once done the sock knitting, I knit on the doll's coat and finished the first sleeve. 

I will probably knit the 2nd sleeve from the opposite end of the ball so it will be light. I do not want a dark sleeve. 

Thoughts

    I did not sleep well again last night. I think the house is too warm and my brain is being over active. I am working on a balance of being busy and having quiet time each day. I also think part of my tiredness is from the air being full of pollen which I am allergic to. With a cool wet spring, the trees and flowers are prolific with blooms. 

    I had a lot of pain yesterday due to the barometric pressure falling. It is still falling today which means I could have more pain today. I am pushing through it as I know it will get better when the barometric pressure start to go up again. 

    I took action on the tiny black ants that love to visit homes in the summer. I have been keeping everything clean. I looked in the compost bag yesterday and it was full of those tiny ants. I took it out to the compost bin, grabbed the Ant Out spray and proceeded to spray the back door and deck where I know they are coming in. Hopefully they won't come in again but I will have to spray after it rains. 

Today

I will be spending a lot of time in the kitchen today as I have to make a large potato salad for dinner tomorrow night. I also have to make sure the kitchen is clean and tidy as I do have a bit of a mess. If I have time, I will be sewing this afternoon and I hope to knit tonight. I am hoping for a quiet day today. 

Until the next time..................................................................

Finishing Projects From Early June

 Yesterday was another sunny day with a high of 23C. This morning it is cloudy and 12C. Today is supposed to be mainly cloudy with a high of 24C (humidex 29C). 

Lifestyle

Yesterday morning I did the balance sheet. It started out poorly with me not being able to balance the sheet. It was out 1 cent which I fixed. The rest of the entries went well and I got it done in good time as I had to do 17 days worth of entries. 

With time to spare, I put on a load of laundry and put chicken into the Instant Pot to cook. I then started cleaning two cupboards in the kitchen. One holds baking stuff and it does get dirty. I scrubbed it well and did the top part. Not too bad. Next I did the cupboard above the stove and the top of it. I finished the morning by shredding the chicken and wiping down the counter tops. 

Mid afternoon daughter-in-law and grandson arrived. Grandson sold the bike he has had stored at my place for a couple of years. While he dealt with it, daughter-in-law and I looked at the tubs of vegetables on the deck. There is a tomato on one plant. The size of pin head but it's a tomato. The other plants have flowers on them. Everything else is growing well and I will have to fertilize them soon. 

Sewing

I had an enjoyable afternoon sewing. I cut and made the binding for the strawberry quilt. The backing is cut out and I can look for batting in the box of scraps. 

I had watched part of a video on how to make the pyjamas for the rabbit. I was ready to start the pyjamas for my rabbit. I printed all the pieces and cut them out. The top is from a scrap of the strawberry fabric and the pants were from the main piece. I also cut out 1" wide bias binding (should have been a bit wider). Using what I had learned from the video, I got the bias binding on the bottom of the legs. I even hand sewed them in place. 

I also got the projects I was working on out and made a mug rug. It was fun to make. 

I even got the binding hand sewn on it. 

I also pressed the interfacing onto the lining of a snack bag and laid it out on the ironing board ready to sew when I have time. 

Knitting

I cast on and knit the 15 rounds for the cuff on sock #2. 

I am ready to start the pattern which is knit 6, purl 2. Something different this time. 

I picked up the stitches and got 8 rounds knit on the sleeve of the doll's coat. 

I did watch a video on YouTube last night. Knitty Knatty, her husband, and dog are traveling Canada and it seems their first stop was Newfoundland. It was a wonderful video which included several stops at local wool shops. I thoroughly enjoyed the video and hope to visit Newfoundland in the near future. 

Thoughts

    Our weather is going to be muggy for a few days. Nights will be warm which means the a/c may have to be turned on. We will have a couple of cooler nights and then more warm nights. Summer is coming and so is our humid weather. 

    I am working on getting the items I started sewing earlier done. It was fun to dig them out and start working on them yesterday. My goal is to finish them before the end of the month. It will be a bonus if I can finish the little quilt and the pyjamas. The remaining strawberry fabric will be sewn in July. I also enjoyed doing regular sewing and then some hand sewing. 

    I haven't sprayed deer deterrent for quite a while now. No deer have been in the yard which has surprised me. I will be starting again as it is dry and the grass is growing slowly. The deer will be looking for food to eat and the plants will be tasty for them. I am hoping the onions (getting large) and the marigolds (blooming like crazy) will keep them at bay for a while longer. The front plants will be eaten first which means I need to start spraying them again. 

Today

I am out with daughter-in-law to New Minas this morning. I will get what I need to make a large potato salad for Friday. Once home, I will watch more of the video on making the pyjamas, and sew a bit. I have to take grandson to his dentist appointment this afternoon. Tonight I will knit on the socks and doll's coat. 

Until the next time...........................................................