Working On A Runner For The Bedroom

 Yesterday was hot and sunny with a high of 31C. This morning it is partly cloudy and 18C. Today is supposed to be hot and sunny with a high of 33C (humidex 36C). We are under another heat warning for the next 3 days. 

Lifestyle

I was busy yesterday morning. I cleaned the kitchen and got the appliances wiped down and shining. Recycle was taken out and put into their proper bags. I was really pleased with how the kitchen looked when I was done. 

The next move was to do the balance sheet. It wasn't that hard and was done in good time. All done for another week. 

I also went down to look at what I need to do next in the storage/maintenance room. I opened the doors to the tall cabinet and was shocked. I expected having to clean it out and it was cleaned out. I just need to put some gift bags we use into a bag so they are contained. I looked into the freezer and started to make a plan for it. Old chicken broth was removed and thawed out and discarded. Some food items need to wait for a while to discard as the green bin doesn't go out until next week. But, I got started. 

My friend was over in the late afternoon for a visit. Her flat is full of packed boxes as she moves into her apartment on Friday. She wants it done just before then so they can load the truck and take it all over in one load. She may have to take a few things over in her car. We sat and talked and laughed. Her dog snuggled down into Elliott's quilt and slept. It was a great visit. 

I have been worried about the tomato plants. They are starting to look sick and the Early Girl variety are not ripening. I saw that the heat is the cause of this. The plants are stressed.

The grape tomatoes are doing better even though they are a stressed. I have tomatoes to pick but wonder if it will take forever for the next batch to ripen. 

The cucumbers and jalapeño peppers are also stressed. I water everything two to three times a day with hopes of cooler weather. 

Sewing

I worked on the Irish Chain runner yesterday. I got rows 3 and 4 done. 

The 9 patch blocks for row 5 are ready to sew together. I had to stop as my friend was coming over. 

I have three more 9 patch blocks to make and I can finish this runner, cut out the binding and start on the next one. I am excited to get them made so I can decorate my blah bedroom. 

One fabric purchase for August will be the backing for these runners. I am thinking of this fabric. I can get it at the quilt shop when I take the quilt top in to be long arm quilted. 

Knitting

I knit on sock #1 until I got it ready to start knitting the toe. 

I will pick up the stitches for the gusset on sock #2 this afternoon when I can see the black stitches easier. Then I will work on it tonight. 

Thoughts

    I got a bag of clothes ready to go to the thrift store. I will take it when I go to New Minas with the quilt top. I have some other items to put into the car that will go at the same time. I can't sell them in the garage sale. I now need to get paper work ready to take to be shredded. I am getting a good load ready to go. 

    We are going to have 3 days of hot humid weather. I am not looking forward to that. I have to water the flower pots and make sure I am watering the vegetables 3 times a day. I checked the onions I pulled and they are almost ready to be put into a cool spot. They have matured well with the hot weather. 

    My SI joint is stiff again and won't release for me. My IBS has flared up and I think it is caused by high fibre foods that I am enjoying. As a result, my weight has not budged even though I am eating less and trying to move more. I will persist as I know things will come together in its own time. 

Today

Watering the plants will be done first thing and then I will be off to get groceries. I need to get the items for the thrift store together and into the garage. I want to sew this afternoon and knit tonight. With the heat I will be hunkering down in the cool house as much as possible. 

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

Playing With Fabric

 Yesterday was another warm and sunny day with a high of 30C. This morning it is clear and 11C. Today is supposed to be sunny with a high of 29-30C. I feel like I am repeating this every day.

Lifestyle

Yesterday morning I started out cleaning the laundry closet. I wiped down the shelf (dusty), got rid of some things, and then wiped down my machines. I even laid on the floor and levelled my washing machine. Once that was done, I dusted the walls and trim in the hall and washed all the doors. The little half round table was dusted and the floors mopped. 

After a short rest, I cleaned the wall where the server is, dusted the server, and mopped the floor. Last job of the morning was to do the front entry closet. I wiped it down and mopped the floor. I use it to hold my coats and hoodies along with a trolley for cleaning clothes, etc. 

I took a picture of my bedroom. I have not started to decorate it as I need to figure out where I want to hang the pictures. I know one picture will go above the bed. The others are a bit harder to decide due to the two closets. 

It looks pretty blah right now but I know it will look better as time goes on. 

Sewing

I decided to play with the blocks to make the runners for my bedroom. I got 4 blocks made and decided to do two rows on the first runner. 

I have one block made and enough squares cut to make one for block for row 3. I am really liking how it looks. 

Knitting

I am almost done the foot on sock #1. I just sat and knit all evening. 

Thoughts

    I was up and down the little ladder all morning and my back was sore when I finished cleaning. It isn't a flare up, just tired and sore from doing a bit more than I should have. I will keep doing things as I know I need to get strong again after the flare up I had. 

    I saw the Sturgeon moon and it was beautiful. I normally don't look at the moon during the night but I did see it when I woke up at midnight and then again around 4 am. I could see it both times out my bedroom window. 

    I have to do a bit of meal planning as I am starting to run out of ideas of what to eat. Part is the heat and part is trying to continue eating healthy and loose weight. I will be looking at recipes I have and making some meals with a bit of adaptation to them. 

Today

I need to do the balance sheet, clean the kitchen and put a few things into the shed. If I have time, I will mop the front door floor. It is dusty. I need to look at my recipes and start a shopping list for tomorrow. I want to sew this afternoon and knit tonight. 

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

Progress On The Socks

 Yesterday was hot and sunny with a high of 31C. This morning it is clear and 14C. Today is supposed to be sunny with a high of 29C. 

Lifestyle

I folded and put away laundry yesterday morning. I also spent a bit of time in the storage/maintenance room seeing if my clean up plan would work. I got the craft bazaar inventory into tubs and stacked against one wall. When I looked at the opposite wall, I knew my plan would work but I was sore enough I couldn't work on it. I had to walk away. 

Though my level of pain was less, I was still sore, quite stiff and tired. I sat on the heating pad for a bit to ease the pain. When I went out to water the plants, I wandered around the shed and house pulling weeds. Though it hurt, I was glad I got most of the weeds pulled out. 

I had dinner at family's last night. Daughter-in-law made Pad Thai for us. I have never had it before and I really enjoyed it. They got the recipe when they went to cooking school in Thailand. She put shrimp in ours though you could use chicken or both. 

I stretched good in bed last night and I had several snaps and cracks in my back. I rolled over and slept soundly. I got up to no pain this morning so I know the SI joint(s) are released and nothing is pinched. This flare up was a long one and quite hard to get the joints to release. 

Sewing

I made the label for my friend and was done for the day. 

It is okay. I will be taking my machine in for servicing this month as it needs to be done. 

Knitting

I finished knitting the gusset part of the sock and got 5 rounds done on the foot. 

I still have 51 rounds left on the foot so will be knitting for a couple more nights on it before starting sock #2. 

Thoughts

    There is still not hope of rain for the next week. The farmers are worried about their crops due to the lack of moisture. The government is worried about fires of which there have been a few caused by humans. People are experiencing wells going dry and having to wait a week to get water delivered. We are on voluntary water restrictions while some areas are on enforced water restrictions. 

    I was pleased that my plan for the storage/maintenance room will work but unhappy I couldn't work on it due to the stiffness and pain I had when trying to do the job. I will work on it again now that I seem to be over the flare up. 

Today

My goal today is cleaning up the hall and laundry closet and tidying the kitchen. If I have time I will do a few things in the storage/maintence room. I want to do a bit of cleaning in the sewing room which means cutting scraps of the blue fabric into 2" squares and wiping down the cutting table. If I can do a more, I will be happy. Tonight, I will knit on the socks. I will also be doing some stretching exercises to keep the muscles limbered up. 

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

Redesigning A Label

 Yesterday was another warm sunny day with a high of 27C. This morning it is clear and 12C. Today is going to be sunny with a high of 29C. 

Lifestyle

I spent the morning finishing cleaning my bedroom. I dusted walls and wiped marks off the wall caused by the bed. The floors were vacuumed and mopped as I went along. I was very pleased that Rosie the Robot has done an excellent job under the bed when I moved it. I cleaned the closet and got rid of a few things into the trash. I finally was able to fold the Spousal Unit's western shirts and put them into the thrift store pile. It is time to let them go. I vacuumed and mopped the closet floor (dusty) and finished mopping the bedroom floor. It is done and ready for me to do some decorating a bit later on. 

The company that maintains the lawn was here to spray for cinch bugs. The man rang the door bell so I could walk the yard with him showing him where I was shown some infestations. They may all get laid off for a week as they can't do any weed control due to the hot dry conditions. Walking on my lawn was like walking on a dry cut hayfield. Crunch, Crunch, Crunch. 

The grape tomatoes are starting to ripen. There is going to be a lot of them when they get going. 

I had 5 for dinner last night and they are sweet and full of flavour. 

I started back on eating healthy yesterday. I am measuring and tracking my food once again. I realized that I wasn't eating that healthy and my weight was going back up. Though WW allows me to have 23 points a day, I am eating 25 points for now. I will cut back to 23 points when I get to a certain weight. I knew it was time to take care of myself before my A1C gets up to the pre diabetic levels. 

I was able to get around much better yesterday and my pain level was lower than it has been. As the day went on, the pain decreased. The muscles were relaxing. One thing I did notice was no pain in my legs, knees, and feet. I did have another small crack last night. I am hoping that was the bottom of the SI joint releasing. 

Sewing

I spent the afternoon designing a label for my friend's wall hanging. I did it the way I have been doing it and it was a hot mess. I quit after spending well over an hour watching it stitch out. Back to the drawing board and I found a font I really liked and made a new label. It stitched out in 10 minutes.

I need to adjust the size of font on two rows and then will stitch a new one out in dark brown thread. My friend loves it and it is the new label for her wall hangings. 

Knitting

I knit a lot last night. I am almost done the gusset on sock #1. 

I did have a hard time picking up the gusset stitches as they were black. I tried in the afternoon when it was brighter but no luck. I just need to take my time when I do it. 

Thoughts

    I read that we have not had rain for 2 months. We have had a couple of very light showers during that time but they did nothing to help our very dry conditions. 

    I am planning on what I will clean next upstairs. Will it be the hall or the spare bedroom? I need to do some thinking about old blankets that I have in the spare bedroom. I know I will launder some of them and donate them to the SPCA. Others will be tossed as they can't be used for animals. The hall is easier as I just need to clean it up and mop the floor. No decisions need to be made on what to keep or toss. 

    I also need to deal with the family and sewing rooms. I am avoiding them for some reason. I need to just go down there and clean them up. 

Today

My first job is to make the label for my friend. When it is done and delivered, I will do a bit of cleaning up in the kitchen and maybe clean the table. This afternoon I should vacuum the sewing room and dust everything. I am out to dinner at family's house and I do hope to knit when I get home. 

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

Two Sock Heels Turned

 Yesterday was warm and dry with a high of 25C. This morning it is clear and 8C. Today is supposed to be sunny with a high of 27C. 

Lifestyle

I was out the door to make sandwiches at the hall yesterday morning. My job was to cut the sandwiches and put them on the trays. A job I enjoy. 

When I got home, I sat on the couch for an hour. I was in a lot of pain as my SI joint was tight. It was affecting my back, the muscles in both legs and my right knee. I realized I was having a flare up and had had it for several days. I forced myself off the couch and went grocery shopping. Walking does help it some but it doesn't alleviate the pain. 

Last night I sat on the heating pad for 3 hours in hopes it would help my SI joint loosen up. In bed, I did some exercises, had a good stretch and I loosened the SI joint. It wasn't a large crack but it was a crack. I slept all night and am hoping that I will have less pain today. 

We continue to be dry and have a very large mass of land that is very dry. Our area is in it. It is actually bigger than other areas in Canada that have the same level of drought. There is a great worry of fires and we are getting reminded all the time to be careful. We are not allowed into the woods and can't walk on many trails. It is very scary at the moment. 

Sewing

I forced myself to go down and cut the binding for the quilt I finished. I actually got the strips sewn together and pressed in half. That job is done and is ready for when the quilt comes home from the long arm quilter. 

My next project is to embroider a label for my friend. While it stitches out, I can do some cleaning in the sewing room. 

Knitting

While sitting on the heat pad, I knit on sock #2. The heel flap was done and I turned the heel. 

I am ready to pick up stitches along the heel flap and start the gusset. 

Thoughts

    As I was going to the community hall to make sandwiches, I saw a doe and a buck in one of the yards down our road. They look like they have been enjoying people's flowers and vegetables as they are in great shape. I am sure they were heading back to our end of the road to bed down in the trees and then feed in yards up here. 

    I am watering the cucumber plants several times a day right now. It is drinking a lot of water at this time. But, it has a lot of cucumbers on it that will be picked sometime next week. I may get pots to plant them into next year as the container I am using is too small for them. The other plants need watering twice a day due to the heat. There are grape tomatoes ripening which I hope to use in a salad this weekend. The peppers are going but won't be ready to pick for several weeks. 

Today

I am going to clean more of my bedroom this morning. I want to design a label this afternoon and then start stitching it out. I would like to start dusting the sewing room while the machine is working. Tonight I hope to pick up the stitches on sock #1 and start the gusset. Today is going to be a quiet day at home. 

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

The Quilt Top Is Done

 Yesterday was another very warm day with a high of 30C. This morning it is clear and 11C. Today is supposed to be sunny with a high of 25C. 

Lifestyle

I started out the morning cleaning my bedroom. The goal was to dust 2 walls, dust furniture, vacuum a bunch of the floor and mop what I had vacuumed. Well, I got one wall dusted, the trim cleaned, some of the floor vacuumed and mopped. I didn't get it done until after lunch. It was a morning of interruptions. 

I noticed the company that does the lawn maintenance was here so I was out the door to see what was going on. It was what we dub as "report card time". The soil ph is checked, cinch bugs looked for, weeds observed, and if the lawn is stressed and is "sun toasted". There are cinch bugs and I will get another application to kill them. The lawn needs watering but we are not allowed to do that due to our drought conditions. We passed and will continue with what I have ordered for the rest of the year. 

I was waiting for the bedroom floor to dry where I had mopped and the door bell rang. I opened up the door to a neighbour standing there. He had come over to see if I was okay as the vegetable boxes had disappeared. We sat and talked for 45 minutes about gardening as he started to garden thanks to the Spousal Unit. He has moved his plants to his deck also so the deer wouldn't touch them. He told me the deer ate his holly bushes and rhododendron this year. He told me that everyone who planted vegetable gardens has stopped due to the deer eating all their plants. 

Sewing

I worked on the quilt yesterday and got it done. It was a lot of quilt to press but I even did it without burning myself. 

There are no borders on this quilt and the binding will be the dark colour. I have it folded up to show my friend and then it will go to the long arm quilter. 

I was tired when done and realized it was close to dinner time. I didn't do much clean up when I left the room. I need to cut the binding and sew it together and then clean up. 

Knitting

I got the first heel flap knit and turned the heel on sock #1. 

I do not like knitting with black yarn and I ended up with sore eyes as I strained to count rows. I know some of it is the light at this time of the year. Some of it is the padded stitch I do on the heel flap. 

Thoughts

    There is a thread on Facebook that I follow that leaves me in stitches. This person gives us two weather reports a day. He is absolutely accurate in what he gives. How he writes it is full of humour. 

    We have been asked to voluntarily conserve on water. I am still watering my plants by hand which uses less water than a sprinkler. Everyone is hoping that the high pressure system will move on and rain will arrive. 

    I had a huge craving for ice cream last night. I was ready to go out when I decided to have two popsicles. They were just what I needed. They cooled me off internally. It was warmer here than many other places in our area and I over heated being outside. 

Today

I have to go shortly to make sandwiches at the community hall. I will go grocery shopping when done. This afternoon, I want to make the binding for the quilt and start tidying up if I have time. Tonight I will knit on sock #2. 

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

More Work On The Quilt

 Yesterday was another warm and sunny day with a high of 27C (humidex 31C). This morning it is hazy (wildfire smoke) and 15C. Today is supposed to be sunny with a high of 25C (humidex 27C).

Lifestyle

I started to clean my bedroom yesterday morning. I checked the walls and they are clean so I gave them, the trim, baseboards and doors a good dusting. I got the two short walls and one long wall done. I cleaned two pieces of furniture and mopped the floor under them. Then it was time to tackle one of the two closets in the room. 

The closet didn't seem to have too much clutter in it until I started going through things. A couple of cookie cans, some unneeded paper, clothes I made for display in Fabricland, and some other things I didn't need or want. In the midst of it, I found my Cpap mask I bought last year. I emptied all the shelves and gave them a good wiping as they were coated with dust. I put back what I needed and took what I will give away or sell to the basement. I then tackled the tower fan and got it cleaned. I will sell it next spring at the garage sale. The closet looks empty which is what I wanted. I did mop the floor well as it was also dusty. 

My neighbour came over and hauled more boxes and containers back to their garage. They have to go through everything and get it ready to move. Their goal is to have it at their place in the next week or so as their date to move is later this month.

I was back to family's for dinner last night. Our neighbour's were there also. The boys swam and we talked. Dinner was hotdogs which I enjoyed. We had a good talk about the school our neighbour's boys will be attending in Fredrickton. It is huge with lots of class options and clubs the boys can get involved in. 

Sewing

I spent some of the afternoon in the sewing room. I sewed the 9 patch and square together only to have to take them apart. I had sewn the 9 patch on the wrong side. I got three rows done and sewn together. 

I am ready to sew the two squares onto the last row, attach it, give it a good press and sew the two halves together. One last good press and it will be ready to go to the long arm quilter. 

I still have to cut and sew the binding for it. Then it will be on to making a label for my friend's latest wall hanging and hemming daughter-in-law's pants. 

I took the measurements of the furniture in my bedroom and will start cutting out the pieces to make Irish chain runners for them. I know what I need to do and am ready to make them over the next several weeks. 

Knitting

I finished knitting the leg on sock #2 and started the heel flap on sock #1. 

The heel flaps are black and only 48 rows. I will survive knitting them as I struggle to count the rows on the heel flap at the best of times. 

Thoughts

    I am slowly moving along in my bedroom. Once my room is cleaned, I will move on to another room. I will keep decorating my room. I want to hang pictures, and get the soft furnishings done. I also want to look for something to put on one bedside table. It will be poking around in some stores when I go shopping. It will be minimal but not stark. 

    We are under a stubborn high pressure system at the moment. Tropical storm Dexter seems to be going south of us into the Atlantic Ocean. Rain seems unlikely over the next week. We are as dry as a tinder box. There is wildfire smoke in the air making the sun red as it rises and sets. 

Today

I will continue working in my bedroom getting more done. I have to fold laundry. I will continue working on the quilt top and try to finish it and sew the binding together. I hope to knit tonight. I have already watered the plants and will do them again later this afternoon. 

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

An Empty Back Yard

 Yesterday was sunny with some wind. The high got to 29C. This morning it is cloudy and 17C. Today is supposed to be sunny with a high of 29C (humidex 33C). 

Lifestyle

The morning started out with daughter-in-law coming over with her breakfast. She had gotten up early to go and clean the hall which had been left in a mess. The lady getting the dirt had come and gone with one van load. She had brought her daughter with her who worked like a trooper for a 10 year old. 

The dirt was all gone by 9:30 am and my neighbour had everything cleaned up. 

We talked about how we had gardened and fertilized the boxes each year. He is going to do what I did with them so they can get a better crop. 

I also did the balance sheet which took me twice as long as possible. The bank statement was different than the previous one. I had to find out what I needed to do to get a starting balanced point. I finally did and then the fun began. I had a mistake and finally found it. Then I was 50 cents out and I found it. I got the stats done and the bills paid just before lunch. I have notes written so I know what I need to do when I start August on Sunday. 

I had a nap after lunch. I literally fell asleep on the couch. I have been wondering why I have been so tired. I finally figured it out. I have been going to bed a bit later due to having IBS attacks in the evening. I am waking up during the night and tossing and turning for about an hour. I am tired from this combination and needed to nap. 

Dinner was at family's house. Daughter-in-law had soccer friends over and we had smoked pork loin (delicious), potato salad, and a vegetable platter. It was perfect. The husband and the son enjoyed the pool while the wife and daughter-in-law enjoyed the hot tub. The husband went in also. I sat and talked to them. I left around 7:30 pm as I knew I was going to feel horrid. 

Sewing

I got the starched fabric downstairs and onto the ironing board. It is ready to press and cut so I can finish my quilt. I haven't sewn since I finished the doll's dress on July 30. I am ready to get back to sewing once again. 

Knitting

I knit 20 rounds on the socks last night and have 10 rounds left before the leg is finished. 

Once done the leg, I need to move 4 stitches to the heel flap. I have to do this for grandson and daughter's socks. They have higher arches. 

Thoughts

    I was so shocked to hear how many people knew about the Spousal Unit's vegetable boxes. He was the envy of everyone as he grew great vegetables. People would drive by to see how tall the tomatoes were, how thick the peas and beans had gotten. I've been told the boxes will be missed as it had inspired many to try growing vegetables. It is too bad that the Spousal Unit never knew this. But he can be proud that he grew enough vegetables for us, family, friends and anyone who he could give the excess to. 

    I just checked last night's sleep. I had the most deep sleep and less awake time in ages. On the other hand, my IBS is worse. I'm back to where I was a few months ago. Hopefully I will find a happy medium again. In the mean time, I will nap if I have to keep going. 

Today

My plan is to start cleaning my bedroom this morning. I have already watered the plants before I had my coffee. I want to sew on the quilt this afternoon and knit on the socks tonight. I don't think I need to be out at all today. 

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

A Very Busy Day

 Yesterday was warm and sunny with a high of 25C. This morning it is sunny and 11C. Today is supposed to be sunny with a high of 27C (humidex 31C). 

Lifestyle

I was reading some stuff on the internet yesterday before breakfast and I heard a noise in the back yard. I looked out and my neighbour was removing the vegetable boxes closest to the house-- taking them apart so he can move them. We chatted for a few minutes and I came in to eat. 

Shortly after breakfast, the person who is taking the dirt arrived. Dirt was shovelled into bags and put into her vehicle. While she took it home, my neighbour started to remove the 4 other boxes. They were going to be impossible to take apart so I gave them to the lady who is taking the dirt. They were taken to her house at 8 pm last night. There are just 4 boxes of dirt left to be bagged and taken away. 

I spent my morning making potato salad. I seem to have made the biggest mess going which is not normal for me. I got the salad made and the mess cleaned up. I also rounded up all the garbage and recycling and got it out. At noon the potato salad was in the fridge letting the flavours mingle and was admiring my clean kitchen. 

I had a short nap yesterday afternoon and then puttered around until it was time to go work the bar at the community hall. The wedding was held at the hall at 4 pm and they ate at 5 pm. Daughter-in-law and I were able to set up the bar at 5 pm. I had to make a run for more liquior at 7 pm which is normal when we do a bar. 

The reception was fun and different from the other 2 we worked. It was more of a time for people to visit. There were people from the Yukon and PEI for sure. I started for home at 8:30 pm and had to stay as daughter-in-law had to do some things. My extra 30 minutes was fairly busy but still fun. The bride and groom handed out cake and we even got cake. This was a wedding where the bride and groom were making sure the guests were well looked after. 

I had a fairly bad IBS attack when I got home. Not sure what caused it but I am thinking it is tomatoes. I have been eating them every day. I am not stopping as I love them and have a lot of tomatoes ripening on my plants. On the other hand it might not be tomatoes and something that is hard to pinpoint. 

Sewing and Knitting

None done yesterday. I napped during sewing time and got home too late to knit. 

Thoughts

    I used two different types of onions in the potato salad. One was mild and the other caused my eyes to water like crazy. I have to lay the onions out to dry so we can have them for winter. My one and only foray into growing onions was successful. 

    I slept in this morning as it was cool. I do feel better but it is going to take me a while to get over the heat. Though the nights will be cool, the days are going to be warmer. 

    It is a long weekend in Canada. When we first moved to Nova Scotia, most long weekends meant the stores would be closed on the day of the holiday. There are 10 days that retail businesses must be closed but there were a few more days that the stores were closed in the past. Now, those few days are open for shopping. The only exception is Remembrance Day in which stores must be closed. 

Today

I have to do the balance sheet and pay some bills. I am planning on working on the quilt for a while. The fellow who is supposed to repair the roof is coming today so I need to be home for that and the removal of dirt from the back yard. I will be out for dinner but hope to do a bit of knitting some time today. A bit of a crazy day for me. 

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

Only Sewed Buttons On A Knitted Dolls Coat

Yesterday was sunny with a high of 24C (humidex 26C). This morning it is foggy and 11C. Today is supposed to be sunny with a high of 24C. 

Lifestyle

I was into the city with daughter-in-law. We did an Asian food store first. I drag the rolly cart behind while we look at everything they have to offer. Daughter-in-law was buying a few things for a few meals she wants to make. I bought nothing. 

Our next stop was to Giant Tiger to look at what they had. We wandered around and neither one of us bought anything. I wish I could have bought the popcicles I like as they were on sale for 3.99 vs the 7.99 at the grocery store. 

Our last stop was Costco. That was the fun shopping experience of the day. It was busy as it was Friday, pay day, and the start of a long weekend. I was looking at the Apple phones as I needed a new one. Very pricy but on my list to buy. I went to a booth but you have to buy a plan for their phones. As we wandered along we noticed unusual items on the wall. They weren't with their counterparts. One was 2 iPhones. The black case was more expensive than the green case phone. The green case had more storage and memory. When daughter-in-law checked the Apple Store (online) this phone was 500.00 cheaper than the listed price. I bought one. Who cares if the case is green. It will last me for several years. 

Lunch yesterday is what we call the Kirkland Special. Hot dog and a pop at Costco. Daughter-in-law and I do this a couple of times a year to satisfy our hot dog craving. 

Once home, I found out my neighbour had listed the dirt and plants in the vegetable boxes. We didn't know what the response would be though 2 people wanted the boxes. I visited with my friend for a bit before she had to go out. Once home, I set up my new phone and while I was figuring it out, I was told a young lady was coming to get the flowers. I helped her bag them up and she literally filled her car with bags of flowers and 2 small containers of dirt. I was happy. A couple came later on and got a tub of dirt. This morning, the rest of the dirt is supposed to picked up and the boxes should be gone by tonight. Hurrah. 

I did get the phone set up pairing with my old phone. I did struggle with how to open it and got that figured out. I learned how to open and close the apps and how to swipe the apps shut. That took me the better part of the evening to learn. But I can work my new phone. 

Sewing

I did no sewing yesterday as I was out. 

Knitting

I didn't knit but I did sew the buttons on the doll's coat I finished quite a while ago. 

Thoughts

    I have decided not to make the bags I had thought about. It is mainly the cost and not having an outlet to sell them in which has a lot of tourist traffic. Our area is not a busy tourist spot  due to its location at the beginning of the Annapolis Valley. I have decided that I will make one of a kind bag that can be put into silent auctions or for someone who wishes to have a unique bag. 

    As the days go on, I see more information on how we have reached drought conditions in most of Nova Scotia. That is scary. We need several days of rain at this time to raise water levels in lakes and wells. Vegetation is turning brown from the lack of water. Even the leaves on the trees are turning yellow which is a sign of stress. There is no rain in the forecast for the next 7 days. 

Today

    I have to make a potato salad this morning and then clean up the kitchen. I may sew this afternoon though I should try to nap. I do have the guy coming to do roof repairs and someone coming to get the dirt. I am out working a bar tonight so will be home late. 

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

Thinking Through An Idea

 Yesterday was cloudy, cooler, and a bit humid. The high got to 21C (humidex 25C). This morning it is cloudy and damp (yes rain) and 15C. Today is supposed to be a mix of sun and clouds with a high of 24C (humidex 27C). 

Lifestyle

I was out to get my hair cut yesterday morning and then home to do a few things in the house. I folded laundry and got most of it put away. I watered plants and tidied up more of the house. I was tired from the heat so was forcing myself to do things. 

I woke up after midnight and I was hot. I had opened the windows in the house as it was to be cool this morning. The house was 23C. I got up and checked the outside temperature and the app said 17C. I opened the door and it was raining and a lot warmer than that. There was no air movement either. I closed up the house and turned on the a/c so I could sleep and didn't wake up until almost 6:30 am. The house is cool and I have it open to enjoy the cool damp air. It did rain but not a lot. We need a lot more than what we got but we will take this rain. 

Sewing

I got the quilt fabric starched yesterday morning. I thought 1/3 cup starch mixed in 2/3 cup water would be enough for 2 meters of fabric. I had to mix a bit more in as it wasn't quite enough. I let it soak in a ball for about an hour so all the fabric was wet. I hung it on the drying rack in the bathtub. It is ready for me to finish my quilt. 

I am thinking about making bags to sell but it is just a thought. The outer fabric would be a heavy muslin (canvas?) which I have in the sewing room. I would have dig in the stash for lining fabric and then make a quilt block for the outside. Idea planned. I decided to make a couple of quilt blocks to see how hard they would be to make. I had strawberry fabrics left from my last project. 

My first choice was to make a sawtooth star block. I found this tutorial and it is well done. I got the block done and then spent some time deciding on how to finish the block. I did binding strips on it and put it onto a bag to see if I liked it. 

With the binding strip, it was too large for the bag. Idea was great. After some thought, I cut back the binding strip and folded it under so it was a facing. It was better. 

I grabbed the leftover flying geese blocks I had and sewed them together. I put the binding on them and turned it under. I saw that I had put one row on upside down. 

I am all over the board with this idea. I am not exactly happy with the idea of sewing one block onto a simple bag. I am thinking of a row of blocks on the front of the bag. I would stick with simple blocks like a modified 9 patch, the flying geese, and other beginner level quilt blocks. 

I have set the idea to one side as I need to think more on what I want to do with this idea. Several questions were raised. Do I want to use a heavy muslin (canvas) for the bags or do I want to use something else? What will the final cost be for the bags? Will they be too pricey to sell in our area? And will I enjoy sewing only bags every day or will it kill my creativity. 

I did enjoy making the 2 blocks yesterday even if I ditch the idea. I learned a few things along the way. And I didn't waste my time as the quilt fabric was drying after its starch bath. 

Knitting

I didn't knit last night. 

Thoughts

    It is hard to believe it is Aug. 1. What will August bring? Who knows in a world that seems full of global issues and uncertainty. I am working on several things right now - things I can control in my life and not worrying about other people's issues, enjoying my sewing and knitting, and making sure I am less stressed. I know I will struggle with my mental health but I will continue to talk to myself to get through the tougher days. 

    Though the rainfall last night wasn't a lot, it was lovely to have. It will help a bit. The cooler temperature this morning is a relief and will also help the moisture get into the soil. We need more rain as we are (historically) dry. 

    The check engine light came on in my car while we were travelling to PEI. It went off yesterday. I am wondering if it is the humidity from the humidity we had that is causing it to come on. I will know the next time we have a heat warning. 

Today

I am heading into the city with daughter-in-law to get supplies for the community hall. We are on no time line which is nice. No sewing today though I hope I can knit tonight. 

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

A Doll Dress Is Completed

 Yesterday was another hot sunny day with a high of 30C (humidex 33C). This morning it is cloudy and 19C. Today is supposed to be mainly cloudy with a high of 25C (humidex 27C).

Lifestyle

Yesterday, the temperature climbed all day until 6 pm. The only difference was the humidity was not as high as it had been earlier in the day. The mass of humid air was moving away from us. The heat warning was gone around 8 pm but there were chances of thunderstorms which never materialized.

I started out the morning washing the remaining walls in the dining room and kitchen. The walls are ready for paint. When done, I mopped the kitchen and dining room floors. I was done as I could feel the humidity in the house and it was making me feel tired. 

I was out to the vegetable boxes and picked two more grape tomatoes and a red onion. 

I am picking the tomatoes semi-ripe as I don't want the deer in the yard. Since the dog barked at them, they haven't been around. They love ripe tomatoes so I am trying to get them off the vines so they don't attract the deer.

My blinds arrived yesterday at noon and I checked my order and all is good. I have them in the boxes on top of my wagon. Once the walls are painted, I will get them installed. The old drapes will be gone. 

Sewing

I spent most of the afternoon sewing on the doll's dress. It is finished and I am pleased with it. 

I love this pattern and am grateful I have a copy of it as my friend did not publish it. Though I don't follow her instructions exactly, they are well written for a beginner. 

This dress was kept simple and I added a tiny bow to the neckline. 

On the back, I added 2 buttons as I am working on sewing buttons on when using snap closures. 

I still have some of the fabric left and I have an idea of what I am going to do with it. I may have to buy .5 meter of the fabric. I just need to do my research while I finish my quilt top. It's next on my to do list. 

Knitting

I did knit last night and have 61 rounds done on sock #2. 

I will soon be ready to start the heel flaps on both socks. Progress is being made. 

Thoughts

    I am happy the heat warning is gone and that we will have a couple of cool days and more cooler nights. Everything is so dry that it's scary. There was a wildfire reported near Halifax yesterday. They were fighting it and seem to have it contained. There is a province wide burning ban in effect until October.  

    I am starting to make a list of things to do in August/September. Will I paint the living room? Maybe as it is easy to do. I do know I want to clean my bedroom and continue decorating it. I need to get the vegetable boxes ready to be emptied and gone. 

Today

I have to get my hair cut this morning and my goal is to starch the fabric to finish my quilt. I want to play with some fabric and make a quilting block for the next project I am designing in my head. I want to knit tonight. Another day at home for me. 

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

Making A Doll's Dress

 Yesterday was hot and humid. There was a shower in the afternoon that left outside feeling like a sauna. The high got to 32C (humidex 38C). This morning it is cloudy and 16C. Today is supposed to be a mix of sun and clouds with a high of 30C (humidex 36C). 

Lifestyle

I only watered the plants twice yesterday as they were still wet in the morning. I also picked 6 cucumbers off the 2 plants. 

One I took over to my friend so she can enjoy it. There won't be any more ready for a while. 

I looked out at the tomatoes in the vegetable boxes and I can see another semi ripe grape tomato. I will be picking it this morning as the deer love ripe tomatoes. 

The heat is getting to me and I found it hard to get motivated to do any cleaning. No one is really motivated as you see no one outside doing things unless they have to. My neighbour has been 3 weeks working on putting new decking down and got 2 or 3 boards put down yesterday. He is about half done a 10 x 10 ft deck. Just too hot and humid. Everyone seems to want to be in the shade with ice cream. 

Sewing

I did sew yesterday. I cut out a dress for one of the Gotz dolls and got the bodice made. 

It is a very simple bodice to make and went together quite quickly which was nice. The skirt is cut out and ready for me to serge the seams and hem before attaching it to the bodice. 

Knitting

I knit on sock #2 last night and got quite a few rounds done on it. 

I am deciding if I will make the heel black and the toe white at this time. I could add some rows of black in the toe if I choose. 

Thoughts

    It was a surprise to read that there was an earthquake near Russia and that they are having a tsunami. I also saw the warning for the tsunamis down the west coast of North America and have since read that the waves have been seen hours after the quake. 

    I watched a video where Knitty Natty visited wool shops in Ontario. In one shop she showed a bag which is made out of canvas and it has a granny square trim on the front. It is fully lined and the bottom of the bag is boxed. I looked it up and they sell for $100.00. A cute idea. 

    My friend was over last night while her son's house had a viewing. We talked about items she wants to make to sell that would make good Christmas presents. She has some good ideas which she will sell at a local craft shop. She will get lots made as she sews fast and does a nice job. 

Today

I will try to wash some walls this morning. I want to fold yesterday' laundry. I will sew and knit today. I have to be home as the blinds are supposed to be delivered today or tomorrow. A quiet day for me. 

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