Here, There and Back Again

 We have just dug out from another blizzard though this one was warmer. There was about a foot of snow fall and it drifted once again. The snow turned to ice pellets and left an ugly coating of ice on everything. Today it is colder at -14C but it will warm up again. And they are calling for a significant snow fall again this weekend. 

Small History Nova Scotia by Sara Spike

Lemons are steadily advancing in price owing to the demand for their use in allaying La Grippe. Digby Jan 31 1890.

Lifestyle

On Friday, we packed up and went to our son's house (they were negative from Covid) to stay out the storm. We did it in a hurry as the storm looked pretty bad for Saturday and Sunday. We can keep warm with wood fires if the power goes out and their road is plowed before ours. 

On Saturday the Spousal Unit went out with the family to shovel. He came in when he wanted to and out when he wanted to. He kept the driveway around the cars and the front step cleaned off. He got really tired from it all. 

Son and grandson took the snowblower over to do our driveway and the roads were in horrid condition once you got off their road (the old highway). Our road hadn't been plowed. Our neighbor was doing our driveway so they came home. 

Sleep was a scarcity for 2 days. With the Spousal Unit overtired, he got over agitated and couldn't sleep. Even after we came home he was on the prowl and after 3 p.m. he sat down and had a good nap for 30 minutes. I didn't sleep during the day as I was monitoring him. We both slept well last night and I am hoping we have a good day today. 

The number of cases of Covid are going up and down slightly. Hospitalizations are doing the same. There are 92 people in covid units with 15 in ICU. There was one death over the weekend. 

Sewing

I was working on the doll's outfit when we left. I had done one cuff and got it sewn on the sleeve. Cute but no picture as I had to leave it and pack. 

Knitting

I finished the doll's outfit and got pictures of it. I need to move the bow down on the hat by 2 eyelets and then it is ready for the little girl to have in March.

I started on the next test pattern and it is going quickly for me. It is a neck down and I am on the body part now. 

I spent time on Saturday afternoon and evening re-knitting grandson's sock that had a hole in it. I'm glad that project is done and it looks good. 

Today

I have to do some housework, sew, and knit. I am hoping that I am not going to be exhausted today worrying about things. 

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

Muttering Due to Stupidity

 Yesterday was sunny most of the day. The high got to -7.9C but the sun made it feel warmer than that. The temperature dropped to -14 by 9 p.m. but was -7C this morning. We are under a storm watch which includes snow, rain, ice pellets, and wind. The high today is to get to -1C.

Small History Nova Scotia by Sara Spike

Captain John H Anderson has opened a navigation school at Lower Jordan Bay. He has 13 scholars to date. Jan 28 1898.

Lifestyle

Yesterday I swept and mopped all the upstairs floors but the bedrooms. I did a load of laundry, folded it and it's ready to be put away. 

The Spousal Unit and I went out for a bit and it was busy in town. We got a few things before it went crazy. People were lining up waiting to get into the store and the manager was doing security. No one was upset they waited their turn patiently. We got in and out before that happened. 

A friend texted us last night to say our house in Ashcroft is on the market to be sold at just about double what we sold it for. Though the inside looks great, there are areas of the outside that look a bit tired. We love that house very much and wish we could have picked it up and moved it here. 

There were 366 new cases of the virus and 1 more death reported yesterday. There are 93 people in people admitted with covid and 15 are in ICU. Though they say this variant doesn't make you as sick, I am starting to wonder as the number of people in the hospital across the country is high. 

Sewing

I worked on the top yesterday and was making great progress. I sprayed the pieces to get rid of the blue marker. When I touched one piece with the iron, brownish marks showed up. The iron was dirty from using interfacing and I didn't see it. I sprayed the pieces to make sure the brownish marks disappeared and cleaned the iron. I left the sewing room muttering in my best logger's language. 

Knitting

I finished knitting the hat for the test pattern last night and saw the pattern has been published. More muttering on my part but I've been doing less testing for this designer due to her wanting us to knit the patterns quickly. I will do the buttons and ribbon on this one and start the next test pattern. I will be using the same yarn but smaller needles. 

Today

I want to start wiping the windows with bleach as there is mold showing up on them. I want to sew on the dress and knit. With the storm coming on, we will be staying at home for the next few days. 

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

A Test Pattern Started

 Yesterday started out sunny and we enjoyed it. After lunch, snow flurries started and it started to get colder. By evening, the snow flurries stopped and it was cold. The high got to -4.1C and the coldest temp was near midnight at -18C. This morning it was -19C and we are to have a high of -11C. The sun is suppose to shine though. 

Small History Nova Scotia

The past week has been very stormy. The heavy fall of snow today is very gratifying to the lumbermen. Tidnish Jan 26 1896.

Lifestyle

On Tuesday I cleaned our bedroom and it was very dusty. It seems as if I should be doing a deep cleaning 4 times a year rather than twice. It is, once again very clean. 

Yesterday I boxed up the Juki sewing machine and entertained the Spousal Unit. Try to put everything back into a box with one piece of styrofoam in wrong. Finally got it right and we were out the door to get it to the shipping company so it can get to Winnipeg to be fixed. This morning (12:30 a.m.) it was in Moncton New Brunswick. 

Daughter-in-law texted to let me know there was a covid case in grandson's class on Monday. We can't see them until they are sure they not infected. Fingers crossed they don't get it. 

There was a briefing yesterday and it is felt we have plateaued in this wave. Hospitalizations will rise for a bit. There have been 30 deaths so far this month and that is sad. They talked of loosening restrictions but not until sometime in February. The vaccination/boosters shots has been amazing with over 250 000 shots in arms so far this month. 

Sewing

I spent time sewing up samples to send with the machine. It seems to be a top tension issue. I set up the Diamond on the sewing cabinet and will be sewing with it. 

I cut out the back bodice pieces for the 1870's bustle dress. I am reading the instructions carefully and am now ready to sew the lining pieces to the main fabric.

The pleats go from the neck to the waist on the back and the from the waist down a bit on the lining. All will be held in place with buttons. I'm not doing a lot of trim on this outfit as I want to keep it quite simple. I will hand sew trim on when I want it.

You can see it here - the top flounce as I will call it.

Thimbles and Acorns 

I also watched some videos on quilt as you go and I am going to have to try this method out. I may end up doing Elliott's quilt using this method. 

Knitting

I cast on the hat to go with the sweater, knit about 12 rows and have to take out 5 rows as I forgot to do the row that has the holes in it for the ribbon. I have a few rows left to unknit and then I can move forward. 

Today

I have some housework to do and then we want to get out of the house for a bit. Then it is to sew on the test pattern and knit tonight. 

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

A Slow Day

 Yesterday morning there were flurries and then in the afternoon it was cloudy. The high got to -3.3C. This morning it was -8C and there was a skiff of snow. We are to have a high of 3C and periods of snow or rain (or maybe both).

Small History Nova Scotia by Sara Spike

Winter Cod fishig in the Bras d'Or Lakes has commenced. Jan 25 1882.

Lifestyle

Yesterday morning I took grandson to school. The roads were snowy and everyone was driving slowly. Once home, I left the car outside so I could kick the snow off underneath later on. 

After breakfast the electrician arrived to replace the bulbs and ballasts in the lights in the garage. I helped him out as his helper didn't show up for work. I washed the light fixture covers and the garage is now well lit. By the time we were done, my feet and legs were really cold and I was tired. We will have the person back to do some other work later on as he made this house generator ready and did a great job. 

I had a nap before lunch and warmed up and then headed out to do some grocery shopping. The roads were bare and wet. The store was busy but everyone was courteous and followed the rules. I was home in good time, got the groceries put away. 

There were 362 new cases of the virus and 5 deaths reported. There are 92 people in the hospital with 14 in ICU. We may not have plateaued as I had hoped. 

Sewing

I got some fabric for doll clothes laundered yesterday and then crashed due to exhaustion. 

Knitting

The sweater is done and ready to sew the sleeve seams and attach the straps to the back. I need to find 7 buttons for it. I will start the hat next.

The other test pattern is on hold as the designer is not feeling well. She has been given medication and I hope she is feeling better in a few days. 

Today

House cleaning went on hold yesterday due to the electrician and I will start again today. I would like to cut out one doll's outfit and see if the sewing machine has a balanced tension when using the straight and zig zag stitches. More knitting tonight.

Free Motion Tension Issues

Though not sunny, the high got to -0.2C. There was some snow and this morning it was -6C and about 1.5" of snow on the driveway. It is suppose to get to -2C today. 

Small History Nova Scotia by Sara Spike

The snow is being taken advantage of, and the merry jingle of bells is heard everywhere in the frosty air. Mill Village Jan 24 1894.

Lifestyle

Yesterday morning I washed all the floors but the two bedrooms. I also did the stairs and the front landing. I also dusted furniture in the living room. It was a big job but it is looking amazing. 

When done the house cleaning, I spent time working on the puzzle. I got the people done and some of the larger pieces connected together. The hard part is to come - the rocks and water. 

There were 503 new cases of the virus reported yesterday. There are 85 people in the hospital with 11 of them in ICU. Has the number of cases started to plateau here? I don't know but I'm hoping it has. 

Sewing

The first page of tracing is done and I'm labeling each piece with two numbers. One is the fabric number and one is the placement number/order.

I played around with free motion quilting and I'm still having issues with the tension. I get eyelashes at the curves and the bottom thread shows which is somewhat normal when you use a light thread in the bobbin and a dark for the top. I did watch a YouTube video on road mapping by Helen Godden which had nothing to do with tension. I'm back to testing the machine using a regular foot and the zig zag stitch to see if it is the machine or me. I have a feeling it is me. I need to play around and get the tension correct for the fabric and batting. 

Knitting

The sweater is done to just the straps (20-22 rows each) and then I can start the next test pattern. I have to say this top is cute and will be appreciated by the little girl for her dolls. 

Today

 We are suppose to have an electrician come in to replace the bulbs in the garage lights. I hope to start cleaning our bedroom and do some laundry. This afternoon I will cut out a doll's outfit to sew and work on the free motion tension issues. Tonight is knitting. 

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

A Busy Day Upstairs and Downstairs

 Yesterday was a cold day with a high of -8.5C. It wasn't really sunny but it wasn't gray and gloomy. It snowed during the night and was -10C this morning. The high is to get to -2C and we could have sun and snow flurries during the day with snow tonight. 

Small History Nova Scotia by Sara Spike

The boys are taking all possible means of practicing hockey. Hansport Jan 23, 1901.

Lifestyle

Though I was tired, I pushed ahead and vacuumed all the floors upstairs. This included moving furniture so the floors underneath could be done. I also vacuumed the stairs, front landing and down into the basement. The blankets on the couch and chair were laundered and all the knitting was put into the bag. Step 1 of the living area is done. 

I had a short nap in the afternoon as I could not keep my eyes open and was becoming nonfunctional. It helped keep me going until bedtime. 

There were 502 confirmed cases of the virus reported yesterday. There are 82 people in the hospital with 11 in the ICU. There are 287 confirmed cases of covid in the hospitals which is up. 

Sewing

I started to trace the pattern for the kit I have. 

There are a lot of pieces to trace and I did a few. Once the page is done, I will label each piece, cut it out and put them into bags according to fabrics they go on. Then onto the next page.

I printed the pattern for the doll outfit I want to make. The fabrics were chosen and they are ready to launder today. 

I pulled out a UFO to free motion quilt and had issues with the tension. I am going to change the needle today and try again. I have a video to watch also. 

Knitting

The top is coming along and I have about 14 rows left before I do the shoulder straps. This was a faster knit than I thought it would be. Decreasing the raglan sleeves hasn't been as difficult even with the pattern. 

Today

I want to clean some of the living area furniture and wash the floors. There will be some laundry done. I want to work in the sewing room doing more tracing and quilting. Tonight I want to knit on the test pattern. 

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

Declutter Challenge Finished

Yesterday was sunny and cold. The high got to -11.4C. It turned cold last night and this morning it was misty and -22C. Today it is suppose to get to -9C. 

Small History Nova Scotia

A most interesting horse race took place on the ice opposite Sydney town between horses owned by Mr K McKenzie of Sydney and Mr Campbell of Coxheath. Mr McKenzie's horse won the race. Jan 22 1884.

Lifestyle

Yesterday morning I got the bathroom cleaned, floors swept and then I scubbed the bathroom, hall, and dining area's floors on my hand and knees. Once the floors dried, I used a dry swiffer cloth on them to get rid of any remaining cat hair. (Thanks Elliott). It was a big job. I was tired when I was done but I'm pleased with the results. 

The next area is the living room and stairs. I sat and looked at it to get a plan in place. I'm sure it is going to take me 3 days to accomplish what I want to do. The main area of decluttering is my knitting. I'm trying to get it put into one knitting bag. I did declutter the bag, put the items not being used away and have one project in the bag. I need to put the other two into plastic bags and get them in there also.

There were 601 new cases of the virus reported yesterday. There are 94 people in the Covid units with 13 in intensive care. Overall there are 280 people in the hospital with Covid. 

Sewing

Yesterday was the last day of the decluttering challenge. I didn't have any bags or stray containers in the sewing room so I swept the floor. 

I made three more mug rugs yesterday and have a set of 4 done. While the stitching was happening, I hand sewed the back envelopes together. 

When done the project, I put everything away and prepped a bit for the next projects. 

I even put the embroidery unit away and set up the Diamond to make piping. I have one more piece to make this month. 

Now to keep it up though I know I will be doing the challenge in 2023. 

Knitting

I have the body knit, the sleeves added and the first row done. The first rows are the hardest as I have to read the pattern carefully and do it in chunks. Once I get enough stitches decreased for the raglan sleeve shaping, it will become easier though I'm dealing with the pattern at the same time. 

Today

The central vacuum will get a work out today as I am going to vacuum floors and wipe some of them to keep them clean. I want to trace the horse head pattern, and start cutting another piece of fabric for piping. Tonight I will continue knitting. 

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

I Was A Grouch

 Yesterday's high of 4.4C was around 9 a.m. yesterday. It cooled off after that and we had snow flurries starting at noon. This morning it was -14C and our high is to get to -11C. It certainly is not going to be a warm day. 

Small History Nova Scotia by Sara Spike

An unusually large number of persons took advantage of the good sleighing. Waverly was one of the principal points of attraction and Thomas Beech the genial proprietor of the Waverly hotel had his hands full. Jan 21 1896.

Lifestyle

I was a bear with a thorn in its backside yesterday. I was exhausted, dealing with depression, and trying to find an electrician when I blew up. Once I settled down, I was grouchy all day. I did find an electrician who said he'd be here on Monday. 

I had a much better sleep last night and feel quite calm this morning. Part of being tired is being up during the night to deal with the Spousal Unit and giving him his puffers. He didn't need a 2nd one last night which allowed me to wake up briefly and go right back to sleep. The other part is my SAD is the worst it has been since we moved here. Less sunny days this winter.

I tidied up the bathroom and washed the floor. I need to wipe down the whole room again and do the floor on my hands and knees. The fluff off the toilet paper is unreal and I'm just moving it around when I wash the floor with a mop. 

Next up was to make sure the kitchen was clean and then I scrubbed the floor on my hands and knees. I even scrubbed all the grout lines. When done, I cleaned the dining room table and purged the drawers in the server. I'm now ready to scrub the floors. On top of this, I did 2 loads of laundry. 

There were 696 new cases of the virus and 3 deaths reported yesterday. There are 85 people in the hospital with 12 in the ICU. Number of people up in the hospital but down in the ICU. 

Sewing

Yesterday's challenge was fabric. I did mine over the course of the challenge. It was suggested we inventory how much we have on hand but I don't do that. I track mine as I sew or buy it. Works for me as I'm trying to sew down the stash not have an inventory. For others, this works like a charm as they have wonderful systems set up for to inventory what they have. 

I decided to start the next set of mug rugs using the wave quilting design on the main fabric. I got everything cut up including the scraps into leader pieces while the last of daughter's mug rug stitched out. 

I put the stitch out into the machine and got started. As this is a quick stitch with no added design, I basically had to baby sit. The thread changes were fast - 1-5 minutes of stitching time. 

I chose the thread carefully so the fabric did the talking. 

Knitting

I got to row 22 done on the body of the test pattern. The yarn I'm using is acrylic and slippery. But I'm persevering with it. I'll be glad when it is used up. I won't be buying it again.

I have started to get caught up with my knitting journal. I got one more project documented and am ready to do the next one. I need to get pictures printed so I have a visual record also.

Today

This morning it is fold laundry clean the bathroom, dust the dining area and scrub floors. This afternoon I want to finish the 3 remaining mug rugs and do a bit of tidying up in the sewing room. Tonight I need to knit on the test pattern. 

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

A Second Gift Bag Completed

 Yesterday started off cool and sunny and as it warmed up, it got cloudy. Actually quite gray by the end of the day. The high got to 3.9C sometime near midnight. This morning it was 5C and we are to have rain or snow. It is going to be cold again tonight. 

Small History Nova Scotia by Sara Spike

A few evenings ago a number of the youth and beauty of the community assembled at Vincent's and spent a very pleasant evening tripping the light fantastic. Big Pond Jan 20 1897. 

Lifestyle

I was out early and got groceries and was home 45 minutes later. I do enjoy shopping at 7 a.m. as the store is clean, quiet, and quite well stocked. 

We were out again mid morning for hair cuts and got home before lunch. The Spousal Unit walked up and down the driveway a couple of times in the sunshine and did enjoy it. 

There were 527 new cases of the virus and 3 deaths reported yesterday. There are 83 people in the hospital with the virus with 12 in intensive care. The actual number of people in the hospital with Covid is 256 as people have tested positive upon arrival at the hospital for other medical reasons or contracted Covid in the hospital.

We continue to slow down only doing grocery shopping. It is taking its toll on us and we hope to get out for a drive in the next couple of days. 

Sewing

Yesterday's decluttering challenge was fabric scraps. That was dealt with the other day though I do try and keep up with it on a regular basis. 

I decided to finish the 2nd gift bag from the blue fabric and got it done. 

It looks a bit deflated as there is nothing in it. I may put in a longer ribbon and then fold it up in the tub. I cut the ribbon 30" long but it needs to be 36".

There is a bit of fabric left over of both the print and the red. I will use them on mug rugs either as side pieces or a set as a gift for a friend. I can tuck them into the bag with a couple of mugs and a container of tea. 

Knitting

I worked on the 2nd sleeve and got it done. The body has been cast on and 5 rows of ribbing done. Still 5 to go before I start the pattern. It is coming along. 

I still need to download the next pattern and start on it. 

Today

I am going to scrub the kitchen floor and clean off the dining table. I would like to start purging the server but we will see if I have time to do it today or if I start it another day. I want to embroider the last mug rug for daughter and cut the scraps from the bag into mug rugs. Tonight I will knit. It is definitely a stay at home day today.

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

Mug Rug #3 Done

 Though yesterday saw a high of 6.1C sometime during the early morning hours, the temperature dropped all day. It was cloudy but not dull though it did get dark in the afternoon. This morning it is -13C and chilly out there. 

Small History Nova Scotia by Sara Spike

We are having clear frosty weather and the ice is beginning to form between us and our Island neighbors. Cape John Jan 19, 1900.

Lifestyle

Yesterday's decluttering and cleaning was the driveway. The Spousal Unit put salt on the icy part (1/3 of said driveway) and we left it for a bit. When he went out to shovel the back deck, I drug out the ice scraper and shovel and went down to scrape the ice off the driveway. 90 minutes later, it was done. Some places the ice was thick enough I had to chip away at it. Other places the ice came up easily. I was sore when done and had muscle cramps from the work. The Spousal Unit put salt on the bits of ice we couldn't get up and the driveway was clean by mid afternoon. 

There were 415 new cases of the virus report yesterday. The number of people in the hospital is 73 and there are 15 of them in ICU. One person passed from the virus. 

Sewing

I decided to see if the next mug rug had the thread color in the order I wanted it to stitch out. It did and I was thrilled to have that figured out. 

One left to go and I can start the ones for gifts. 

Today's declutter was batting scraps. I don't keep a lot of batting scraps as I buy what I need. I use the left over large pieces for bags or pillows ending up with tiny pieces. I had cut one scrap into the size needed for mug rugs and moved on. 

I checked the scrap embroidery stabilizer I am using and all is good there. I had saved it when I was doing a lot of embroidery and overlap two pieces on a hoop. It is perfect for mug rugs as it is light weight. I could have all those scraps gone this year.

In the end, I decided to inventory knitting needles and put them all into one tub. Job done while the embroidery was happening. I also cleaned out my knitting bag and have two current projects in it. 

Knitting. 

Though I was tired and my left hand was still cramping some, I cast on the 2nd sleeve and knit the ribbing. I will work on the sleeve today.

I got the pattern for a 2nd test pattern and will start on it also. It is a sleeveless top with a peplum. It will be done in red also. 

Today

I'm heading out to shop in a few minutes. We have hair appointments this morning and this afternoon I want to finish the last of the mug rugs for daughter. I will have to find a declutter job to do as I am pretty much caught up on fabric. Tonight I want to knit on one of the patterns. 

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

More Purging Done

 Yesterday was one of those days where the weather went from bad to bad. It started out cloudy and then we had snow. Big flakes of snow. The wind came up and it started to rain. It rained hard. During the night it all stopped and was very quiet. The high got to 7.1C, the wind gusts got to 66 km/hour,  3/4" of rain fell, and this morning it is 4C. The temperature is to drop to 1C. 

Small History Nova Scotia by Sara Spike

A girl named McLeod at Big Glen went to learn  the cause of some unusual excitement among the sheep and found that it was a wild cat. The animal flew at her and she hit it on the head with a stick which she fortunately had in her hand and killed it. Jan 18 1899.

Lifestyle

I was out to take grandson to school and get him yesterday. Both times I was out, the weather was pretty good. The roads were covered with snow/slush. It was after the morning drive that we decided to stay home and stay safe. We were going to Coldbrook for a drive and apples. Not yesterday.

I cleaned the fridge and freezer yesterday morning. The fridge was easy and 4 containers of expired food was tossed. Everything was washed well and the fridge looks empty. The freezer was emptied and some forgotten items were tossed. It was harder to scrub the freezer but I got it done. It is organized and I can find everything easily. The outside of the fridge was cleaned and polished. I also put a container of cleaner into the dishwasher and put it on sanitize to get it cleaned. 

I am finding keeping the kitchen clean easier as I have done the cleaning. With just the floor to sweep and scrub, I think I found my groove to keeping this room tidy and clean. It just needed me to focus on it rather than focusing on other useless things. 

There were 495 new cases of the virus reported yesterday. There are 73 people in the hospital with 13 in ICU. Also reported was 4 new deaths which was sad to read.  

Sewing

After cleaning the fridge, I scooted downstairs to make piping for daughter. It was experimental as I wasn't sure if the pattern would make good piping. 

It was a success and daughter loves it. 

There is 2.7 meters of it and it's bagged in the tub to ship to her. Success of getting a fat quarter made into piping. 

After lunch I went down to do work on the garment fabric. According to the decluttering schedule, it was for fabric scraps. I had a few that I cut into squares for leaders when sewing.  As I cut the squares I pondered on what is a scrap. Later, as I read the posts on scraps, I realized it is different for each person in the challenge. What some people keep as scraps, I'll make some leaders and toss the rest. Others call fat quarters and larger off cuts scraps. I use them for small projects. It is all in the eyes of the beholder.

The next step was to tackle the garment fabric. I put about 40% into the thrift shop boxes. It lifted a weight off my shoulders to see it go. I kept exactly what I wanted for when I start sewing for myself. 

The pile that is gone. Some of that fabric is 12-15 years old. Other pieces was bought when it went into the Bargain Center at 50% off. I do not and did not need it.

What is left is manageable. I can keep sewing away on what is there and buy what is needed to finish a few projects. I have pulled the black out curtain down to protect the fabrics from the sunlight.

At the end of the session, I cleaned the table I have my pressing tools on. Nothing disappeared from it but the dust on the floor underneath it and the ironing board was wiped up. 

In all it was a good day in the sewing room.

I am going to buy the Forget Me Knot bag pattern so I will have another gift bag pattern to use. It comes in 2 sizes and at $2.00 USD, I may buy this one and the mini one. 

Knitting

I dug out yarn and started the sweater again. I have one sleeve done and ready to start the 2nd one. Behind but I will get it done. 

Today

We plan on cleaning up the garage a bit this morning and then turn on the heat for 2 hours. I want to start cleaning the dining area beginning with the table. I'm not sure what I will be doing in the sewing room for decluttering but I would like to make another mug rug. I have 2 cut out ready to sew. I may sort knitting needles today as I need to bring them all downstairs and put them away properly. Tonight will be knitting.

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

UFO and Kits

 Though it was cool, the sun shone and it was calm outside. The high got to -8C. This morning it is -16C and we are under a wind warning. It is suppose to get to 5C today. One extreme to the next. 

Small History Nova Scotia by Sara Spike

Complaints have been made that some persons are in the habit of trotting horses over the bridges at South Brookfield and Pleasant River. Jan17, 1888.

Lifestyle

I did the household budget for the end of November and December. We ate well and, after Dec. 20, we went no where. So far January is looking the same. 

While I was muttering at the computer plugging in numbers, our friend's oldest son came over and helped the Spousal Unit shovel out the end of the driveway. There was a lump of snow about 2 feet high and across plus other smaller lumps to be removed. The Spousal Unit then shoveled the bit of snow off the driveway and threw on some salt. 

The drifts are everywhere in everyone's yards and the piles of snow are up to 6 feet deep. In the 4 years we have lived here, yesterday was the first day we saw a mix of salt and sand put on the roads. Usually it is salt. 

Yesterday there were 696 new cases of the virus reported. There are 68 people in the hospital with 10 of them in ICU. 

Sewing

I played with the embroidery software yesterday morning and figured out how to change the order of the stitching. I now have the last row of stitching that hold the backing in place where it is suppose to be. 

When entering the sewing room yesterday, the first job was to look at and make decisions on the Halloween fabric. One piece will become a table cloth and the rest will become reusable bags. I'll find some kids who will want them. I have the fabric to make a wall hanging that I'm still deciding if I want to make or if I will give up on it and use the fabric for doll clothes. 

I did the UFO's and kits yesterday.  I have 4 UFO's that I would like to finish this year. 

Santa wall hanging is ready to be quilted. I found the binding for it. Date I bought this was pre 2010.

I am going to sew red buttons onto the branches and find someone to take it. Or put it into the thrift shop box completed.

Quilt Flimsy (top) was made about 2014 as a mystery quilt with a group of people I knew. We were to use jelly rolls. What I used was not cut correctly and it was enough to make a person stop quilting.

Daughter has claimed this one for their camper. I have the backing, batting, and the fabric for the binding for this one. 

Table Runner was another mystery quilt-a-long with the same group. Why oh why did I choose those colors? 

I have the backing, batting and binding for it. I'll practice quilting on this one and give it away. 

Cardinal wall hanging was done in 2009 and is one I am keeping. I have to buy backing and decide if I want to add a border. I may have to get batting for it.
 

I would love to get all 4 of these completed this year and out of the sewing room. 

There were 3 kits in the sewing room. One has been put aside for a friend to give to a quilting guild.

This was for the family room in Ashcroft when I was going to do Christmas trees in every room. 

The second kit was taken apart and the fabric put on the shelving unit. The pattern was put away as I would like to make it next year.

This last kit has to be made and I will start tracing it once I have the fabric all sorted. 

I found the Steam-A-Seam for it and have enough to probably make 5 of these wall hangings. 

The bottom 3 shelves are now organized and ready for me to start on the garment fabric. 

The cutting table is cleaned off and I wiped it down well. I'm ready for the next step in purging the sewing room. 

I left the sewing room mentally and emotionally drained. I keep thinking of the one kit I'm giving away. Should I keep it but my heart says to give it away. I'll never make it. 

Knitting

I worked on the sweater and am going to run out of yarn. The goal was to see if I could find it in Coldbrook today but we are staying home. I have other yarn I can use to start again. 

Today

I am going to finish the budget, pay bills, start cleaning the fridge, and do more in the sewing room. Tonight I will start the sweater over again. I like the pattern and want to knit it for the little girl's dolls. It was a hard decision not to go out today but we don't want to be caught in the high winds and snow that is forecasted to start at noon. 

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

What A Storm

 We had quite the storm. It made the one last weekend look like a beginner. On Friday it started to rain around noon and it was pouring rain when we left to stay with our son and family. By 8 pm, the snow started and the wind came up. We had a full blown storm all night. The snow stopped but the wind kept blowing. There were drifts everywhere and roads were closed. The power didn't go off which was nice. 

Small History Nova Scotia by Sara Spike

Two huntsmen went to Musquash Lake in pursuit of rabbits but the cunning little creatures changed winter quarters. They were agreeable surprised to find the locality inhabited by enormous animals which live by feeding off the tops of trees. Port Saxon Jan. 16 1891.

Lifestyle

It was quite the 24 hours of the before and after the storm. The last time it was this bad was the winter of 2016/17. 

We know the snow drifts here but when it drifts this deep, it is a bad storm. Son was out to snow blow for 3.5 hours and daughter-in-law and grandson that length of time also. When they moved the car, they had to push it out as the snow had drifted underneath it. 

We weren't allowed out to help. Once their yard was almost done, daughter-in-law and grandson went over to shovel out our yard. 

The main area of concern was the road end of the driveway. 

The county filled all the driveways when they plowed the road. Friends came over to help and they did our driveway and our friends. We are so grateful for family and friends who help us during these storms. 

We got home at about 5:30 pm to a warm house and was to bed early as we slept poorly due to the wind. 

Elliott enjoyed his stay at our son's. He was happy to have "his family around him". He slept on the couch wrapped up in an afghan. 

He is a crazy cat.

The number of new cases of the virus was 627. There are 59 people in the hospital with 10 in the ICU. ICU numbers are creeping up. 

Sewing

The interfacing and batting got cleaned up on Friday. I purged some of the interfacing that I will never use, organized what was left. I found the pattern tracing pellon and have lots for doll clothes. The rest of the interfacing was organized and folded. The batting was folded and all but two baskets put on the bottom shelf of the shelving unit. 

The two baskets on the floor will go onto the shelf once I deal with the Halloween fabric. 

I started the second mug rug after playing with the software. I didn't have to baby sit as much as the first one. 

While it was stitching, I put the elastics onto 3 masks. One left to go when I find the elastic. 

Knitting

I have both the sleeves knit on the test pattern. The ribbing is done on the body part and I'm ready to start the pattern. 

Today

I plan on doing the budget this morning while the Spousal Unit does a bit of work on the driveway. This afternoon, I am going to look at all the UFO's and decide which I will keep and which ones I will toss. Most of the colors are wrong so you can guess what I'm thinking. I hope to knit tonight. 

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

A Mug Rug Is Embroidered

 Yesterday the weather was a combination of sun and clouds. The high got to 0.1C. We are under a winter storm warning which is to start this morning. The temperature was -1C and it is foggy. We are to have rain, freezing rain, snow, ice pellets and anything else Mother Nature can throw at us. 

Small History Nova Scotia by Sara Spike

This morning when people began to move around they saw such snowdrifts as had not met their eyes for many long years. In some places the drifts were on a level with the tops of the doors. Antigonish Jan 14 1894.

Lifestyle

Yesterday morning I cleaned the oven using the steam clean function. While it was working I scrubbed the racks and the divider for the 2 oven function. When I cleaned the oven, I had to scrub some stuck on stuff off but it is quite clean now. I pulled out the stove, cleaned the side of it and the cupboards, swept the floor and washed it. I also cleaned the microwave and then polished them both. It was quite a work out but worth the effort. Just the fridge to clean and the floor to scrub.

The Spousal Unit was out and scraped the little bit of snow off the driveway and salted it. We now have a clean driveway which may become plugged up tonight with the incoming storm. 

There were 542 new cases of the virus confirmed yesterday. There are 59 people in the hospital with 7 of them in ICU. 

Sewing

I was going to sort and tidy up the interfacing yesterday but the embroidery project took longer than I had thought it would. The interfacing waits until another day. 

I am going to make mug rugs for gifts this year. I made the first one using scraps of fabric left over from masks I made for daughter. 

Getting use to how they are done is one thing but the software decided to make it even harder as I didn't pay attention to the colors and I had to really watch the stitching out. I have redone the colors and then did another one with the same saying but for dogs. There is enough for a third mug rug which will have the roses embroidered onto it. Then I can start on Christmas ones. 

Knitting

I did nothing last night.

Today

I am going to do two loads of laundry and then we are packing up to go spend the night at family's. We will stay in the in-law suite where we can light a wood fire if the power goes off and can cook on their gas stove. We will bring Elliott with us and come one when we can tomorrow. At the moment we are monitoring the weather so we can leave before it gets too bad to travel. 

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

Quilting Cottons Sorted

 Yesterday was warmer with a high 0.9C. We had snow flurries and wind but it wasn't unbearable. This morning it was -1C at 6 a.m. with no wind. We may see sunshine today but there is to be no precipitation. 

Small History Nova Scotia by Sara Spike

For some time past a band of small boys have assembled in a shanty, built by themselves, for the purpose of cursing, swearing, smoking and playing cards. They have given their rendezvous the name of Royal Hotel. Lunenburg Jan 13 1892.

Lifestyle

I did no housework yesterday. It was time to get out and do a few things and have a nice drive. It did both of us good. 

We got the results of Elliott's urine sample. No infection or crystals so the diet is working for him. We did buy him some more pate to go with the dry food. 

I finally had a decent night's sleep last night. It was nice to wake up feeling more refreshed than the past several morning. Hopefully I will get several more good night's sleep. 

We listened to the briefing on the virus yesterday and hospitalizations are up by 2 to 60. The number of people in ICU is up by 1 to 5. There were 837 confirmed cases of the virus reported yesterday. There will be more than that as rapid tests are not included in the count. 

Sewing

I dealt with the doll's pdf patterns. 65-70% were put into recycle and the rest are in the tub I have for the doll patterns. I want to keep it to the one tub. The pdf patterns are stored on a tetra drive and easy for me to access and print if necessary.

The next job of the day was to put all of the Christmas cottons on the floor and sort through them. Some of the fabrics are orphans but with a fat quarter or two will make gift bags. Other pieces have a project attached to them. When I stacked them up, I realized I have sewn 50+% of the Christmas fabric I brought to this house. 

Next up I put all of the quilting cotton on the floor. I sorted through them, put some into a pile to donate, some useless scraps into the garbage bag and then piled the fabric according to use (piping, bags, quilts, and unknown). 

I put all the fabric in an organized fashion onto one shelf and there was space left over. I moved them around so they weren't crammed and am pleased with the results. I can see the fabric for when I am making projects.

A quick tally shows I have sewn 200 meters of stash since Jan. 2019 and sewn about 75 meters of fabric I have purchased in that time. When I look at the fabric on the shelves, I see about 8-10 meters of fabric I have purchased in the past year. The rest is stash. The tall pile on the left hand side is fabric daughter sent me to make her piping. I will be working on that this year also. 

Knitting

Grandson's sock is set up for redoing the foot and several rows knit. I used the new needles daughter sent me and they are lovely to knit with. 

Today

The goal is to start cleaning the appliances this morning. In the afternoon, I want to sort the interfacing as it is a total mess and start mug rugs to send to daughter. I may cut out some piping for her also and start the next gift bag. Tonight I need to start the test pattern for a designer. 

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