Overall, A Great Day

 Yesterday was a beautiful sunny day with a high of 20.3C. This morning it is 11C and we are to have a mix of sun and cloud and a high of 19C.

Lifestyle

I spent the morning cooking. I got the phyllo pasty out of the fridge and looked at it like a silly girl as I didn't know if I should roll it out thinner or leave it as it was. After reading a bit, I was still unsure so I left it as it was. I put it back in the fridge while I made the apple dessert. Both cooked in the oven at the same time, the chicken pie taking longer as it was cold from the fridge. 

The chicken pie was delicious and the apple dessert needs less cinnamon. The apple dessert was suppose to be turnovers but I had too much filling hence in oven proof dishes. I have one meal in the freezer. 

After lunch, I was to the doctor. He was running behind and I thought I'd be in for just a few minutes. Not the case. We talked about how I'm doing, my sleep habits, where I'll live, etc. He feels I am strong and doing well. My blood pressure was good and he is encouraging me to get back into a routine and listen to my body. I was surprised at his empathy and caring manner. He is naturally that way but I didn't think he'd spend that time with me on a very busy day. 

I did more stride walking in the house and it is helping my knee and hip a lot. I still have to think about how I need to walk but am happy I can stride when a month ago I couldn't. I was happy a month ago that I could walk properly. Today is assessment day and I will probably go next week and then every other week after that. 

Sewing

I snuck down to the sewing room while the little dishes were cooking and cut out the insole lining and glued them on. They were dry when I went down after I got home from the doctor. I spent some time putting the uppers onto the insole and have them both the same length. 

I need to touch the T with a hot iron so it will disappear. I may look in the tubs to see if I can find something to put on the shoes or I may just put on crystals or I may leave them plain. 

Daughter has asked me to make her a bag for an online auction. We will talk today and I will get the fabric tomorrow. It won't take me long if I can get the correct interfacing. I will have a couple of days to sew it and then ship it out in a box of Christmas gifts. 

Knitting

Kit got to the model the sweater (finally) and it fits beautifully. 

I don't have any extra yarn in the stash so either I have to buy a ball (if still available) or scrap the idea of a hat. 

I did knit on the shawl and I thought I was going to run out of yarn. I am now knitting 2 rows at a time and evaluating. I may just let myself run out of yarn as I have two small balls of left over yarn in the stash. I tried it on Kit and the front tie part goes under her arms. Hence why I'm still knitting. 

Today

I have physio this morning and Covid vaccine mid afternoon. Not sure what I will get done between other than finishing the shoes and trying to figure out what I need for the dog bag. I also need to bring in the carrots so I can start freezing them for winter. 

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

More Things Done

 Yesterday was a lovely sunny day. The high got to 17.9C. This morning it is 6C and we are to have sunshine with some clouds and 20C. 

Lifestyle

Yesterday morning I pushed myself doing housework. How much could I vacuum before I had to sit down? Half the upstairs was done before I sat down to rest. Then the other half, rest, and finally the stairs and entry way. That was the hardest to do. I rested after doing the vacuuming wondering why it hurts my back so much. I think it is the angle I bend at doing it. After resting I got the bucket of water and washed all the floors without resting. I was more upright and my back hurt less. I also pushed myself to do it as I had less pain. 

After lunch, it was off to the bank. I added son to the accounts and the Spousal Unit was taken off. We had several more things to do and were done. The only thing that had to be done after we left was taking the Spousal Unit's name off the mortgage. One thing off the list and 3 more to go. 

When I got home, I was mentally exhausted so I rested before making 2 chicken pies. I did the one from One Dish Kitchen website and it made 2 - 16 oz ramekins plus enough for part of my dinner. I did enjoy cooking this recipe as it was something I wanted to make. I have to do the phyllo pastry on them today and bake them in the oven. I am going to make apple turnovers to use the remaining pastry I have thawing in the fridge. I enjoy cooking when I can try new things and have the time to do it. Next up will be Shrimp Scampi. 

With the sun streaming in the windows and while I was cooking, I opened the windows to let in the fresh air. I also spent some time walking the length of the house working on my gait. Longer and complete strides so I am working muscles that I don't use when I take shorter strides. I would try to walk a full 2 minutes without stopping. It really is helping me walk so much better. I still have to think about it but it will become something I will do naturally. 

Sewing

I didn't go into the sewing room yesterday. Actually I didn't go downstairs yesterday as I was too busy. But I did think about sewing and I need to work on Christmas gifts and finishing up doll's outfits. Once I finish the doll's shoes I have to:

Make placemats for daughter

Make towel toppers for daughter-in-law

Make a shopping bag for daughter-in-law's parents

Once these are done, I will make a new list and continue on. I will make more for the dolls to complete the Regency Dress, the Soutache Dress, and the sweater I just knit. They are not high priority but fun items to make. Gifts first then fun sewing for the next while. I am very thankful I have a lot of gifts made earlier this year. 

Knitting

I knit on the shawl last night and it is slowly getting bigger. A lot of stitches to knit on each row now. Next up will be socks for grandson. 

I wanted to knit a hat for the test sweater but I only have 17 grams of yarn and need 35-40 grams. I need to dig in the yarn stash and see if I have any left over from a previous project. 

Today

I need to finish yesterday's cooking and start freezing carrots. I am at the doctor's at 1:30 pm and then home to hopefully sew on the doll's shoes. I have to sneak down this morning and glue fabric on the insoles. Knitting tonight. I am having one of the chicken pies and turnovers for dinner tonight. The other will go into the freezer for another night. 

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

Progress

 Yesterday was lovely and sunny with a high of 13C. It was nice to have it a bit warmer. This morning it is 3C and clear. There is frost on the roofs. We are to have mainly sunny weather with a high of 18-19C.

Lifestyle

My first job of the morning was to shop for groceries and that I did. I got 2 Pyrex 16 oz ramekins for making 2 containers of chicken pie that will be topped with phyllo pastry. I found the One Dish Kitchen site about a week ago and am going to try her recipes starting with her chicken pie. I bought Pyrex so I can bake them in the oven though other containers I have are oven proof also. I need to divide up some of the meat into smaller packages for cooking for one. 

Once I got the groceries put away, I headed out to the garden and cultivated the 8 boxes and put fertilizer on them. It was a  job that needed to be done and I hope I did it correctly. I have to smooth one box to plant garlic in next week. We have rain on the horizon so I wanted to take advantage of it. 

I had lunch and dozed for an hour. I was tired not only from being on the go with a sore back and knee but from mental stress of knowing I am bringing closure at the bank today. I wasn't wallowing in a pity party but just needed to bring calm to my brain and body. I'm learning how to accept these spells and listen to my body. 

Sewing

I did go down to the sewing room after I rested. I looked for buttons for the sweater and found none. I have to go through my buttons and bag up the ones I don't have enough of and see if I can either get more at Fabricville or give them to the little girl I sew for so she can use them for crafts. 

I cut out the shoes to match the Soutache dress. I got them sewn, trimmed to size and they are ready to be attached to the insoles. I have to cut out the insole lining and glue them on. Progress was made. 

Once done, I had to leave the house as I needed a change of scenery. I headed out to the quilt store. I got the buttons for the sweater plus fabric for my kitchen.

The browns are the same shade as the tile on the floor. The blue will be my shade of blue for the open part of the house. I'm quite in love with it and may have to get more fabric. Especially the blue plaid for a cover for my Kitchen Aid mixer. 

I found this fabric for placemats and potholders for daughter for Christmas. 

They will be simple reversible placemats as I want to use the plank fabric to the fullest. 

The Addy outfit is finished and Lemon Bay Doll Co outdid herself once again. She is such an amazing seamstress of doll clothes. 

Knitting

The buttons are on the sweater and I do love the ones I chose. I would never have chosen gold ones but the quilt shop had no grey ones. 

I did knit some on the shawl last night and it is getting large. I need to try it on the doll. 

Today

The goal today is to vacuum and wash floors and do laundry in the morning and then I'm out to the bank after lunch. I may or may not sew this afternoon depending on how mentally exhausted I am. If I have the energy, I will cut out the fabric and glue them to the insoles. I will knit on the shawl tonight. 

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

Test Pattern Sweater Completed

Yesterday saw a lot more clouds than forecasted. The sun did shine at intervals during the day. The high got to 12.2C. This morning it is 2C and the high is to be 15C. I am sure there will be frost on the roofs this morning. The frost warning has ended and we will be having warmer temperatures. 

Lifestyle

I finished cleaning the living room yesterday. The area around the Spousal Unit's chair was dirty to the point I had to wipe the floor in one spot. I dusted the walls, mouldings and electric baseboard heaters. The windows were washed on the inside and the track between the window and screen. Finally I wiped down the lamp and polished the end table. In all, I did get rid of a few things and the living room looks quite minimal and, I hope, easy to keep clean. 

While I was cleaning, I got 2 loads of laundry done which was nice. I did a run out to the garden to get the blankets so they could be washed. Now I can fold and put them away. I also got a pot of turkey soup made pulling carrots for it when out to get the blankets. 

After a good rest and lunch of soup, I divided the remaining soup and left it to cool. I have 3 containers in the freezer. 

I headed out to the garden boxes after lunch and cleaned them up. I had to dig the leeks and they are huge. I have them in the shed so they dirt on the roots will dry off. Next the carrots got pulled and it was a better crop than I thought. They are in the shed and will be frozen over the next couple of mornings. Lastly I pulled out the peas which were never going to mature. Next year I will not be planting a second crop of anything. My next chore is to cultivate one box in preparation for planting the garlic and fertilize all the boxes. 

I was totally exhausted and hurting when I got the garden done. I drug my sorry self into the house, cleaned up, and rested with the magic bag on my back. Once rested, I made the bed and did the dishes. I bought myself dinner as I was too tired to do any more. I did enjoy the short drive into town as it was a break from the house. 

I have the heat on this morning as the house was cool. Elliott has chosen to sleep on the dining room chairs as the heat blows on him. He was upset as I just turned off the heat. He spoke to me and looked at the heat pump head as if to say "turn it back on".

Sewing

I didn't sew yesterday nor did I step into the sewing room. It didn't bother me at all. 

I did think about sewing and what I need to do in the future. I need to stop dreaming and sew for now -- Christmas is coming and I need to get a few more gifts made. Time to think about that rather than doll clothes. 

Knitting

While resting my sore self, I finished knitting the test sweater. It is a lovely pattern and I enjoyed knitting it very much. 

I need to put buttons on it after I steam it a bit. The back is just as gorgeous. 

I will be taking pictures of it on one of the dolls once I've got it ready. Hopefully today. Now it's back to knitting the shawl until it is completed. 

Today

It is the beginning of a busy week. Today I need to grocery shop, vaccum the floors, fertilize the garden boxes, and finish the sweater. I will knit tonight on the shawl. 

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

Happy Thanksgiving

 Yesterday was cool and sunny. The high got to 13.3C. This morning it is 1.5C and it looks wet outside. Not sure if it is dew or if there was frost. Today it is suppose to be sunny and 14C.

Lifestyle

As it was our day to have our Thanksgiving dinner, I spent the morning downstairs sewing. I hemmed grandson's pants and put the snaps on the Soutache dress. Those jobs are done and off the to-do list. 

After lunch, I went over to family's and spent some quality time with daughter-in-law while son and grandson were in the city at soccer practice. It was a delightful afternoon of smelling the prime rib cooking slowly in the oven, doing the vegetables, and watching a new show on TV. 

Our friend came for dinner as she was also alone. We talked up a storm with her and had some great laughs. Later in the evening our friends came in for pumpkin pie. In all, we did well for our first holiday without the Spousal Unit. We did talk about him some remembering some of the lovely memories we have. 

I got home after 9 pm and slept fairly well last night. Elliott was upset I was gone for so long and after he let me know, he slept with me all night. I'll be home all day for him today. He was all over my clothes as he could smell the cat that is staying at family's. Little Boy spent some time cuddling me on the couch which is unusual for him. I enjoyed him cuddling for about half an hour. 

Today

I am going to clean more of the living room, do a load of laundry, make soup, and clean up more of the garden. I have to plant garlic next week. I hope to knit tonight as I need to have this sweater done this coming week. It will be a somewhat busy day. 

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

Soutache Dress Update

 Yesterday was cloudy with one rain shower in the afternoon. The sun did shine towards the end of the day. The high got to 15.5C. This morning it is 1C and the high is to get to 15C. It is suppose to be a sunny day.

Lifestyle

I spent most of the morning cleaning the living room. I'm slow due to my knee and hip but I got the L-shaped couch pulled out from the wall, the baseboards and wall dusted, the floor swept and the a lot of Elliott's hair off the couch. I was impressed with how little dust there was behind the couch as it hasn't been moved for 6+ months. The cleaners did a good job of keeping it clean with a duster. I cleaned my end table by putting books into a basket, wiping the lamp well, and making sure there wasn't a lot left on the table to hinder dusting in the future. By the time I got that done, I was tired and it was almost lunch time. I chose to rest until noon. I'm happy with what I got done. 

My knee is improving by leaps and bounds. It hurts when I try to do things on my hands and knees and gets stiff if I don't move it for long periods of time. I still have the sore spot in my hip which means I still have tight muscles. 

I am still looking for meal ideas and have found a couple of sites. One is for freezer meals and the other is for cooking single portions of a wide variety of foods. More on them later as I am still figuring out things. I am waiting for a saucepan to come on sale and I will get it. I need two smaller ones for cooking for myself.  

Sewing

I spent a couple of hours in the sewing room yesterday and got the dress done to the snap closures. I do like this dress on Addy. 

I wanted the skirt short enough to show the lace on her pantaloons. It interfered with the embroidery as I had to stitch through it when I hemmed. I'm living with it. 

I love the fit of the bodice on the doll. It took a lot of work getting the embroidery to line up at the waist but I'm happy with that. I am putting the pattern to bed as I probably won't make it again with the embroidery on it. I may make it as a fancy dress later on. 

I have enough fabric to make shoes to go with the dress. I'm excited to make them after I finish hemming grandson's pants and putting the snaps on the dress. 

I am going to work on getting the shoe uppers the same length when I attach them to the soles. 

Knitting

I worked on the test pattern and got the body finished and started on the first sleeve. I quit when my hands started to cramp up. No pictures as I forgot to take any. I didn't knit on the shawl. 

Today

I am going to head down to the sewing room to hem grandson's pants and sew on the snaps. We are having Thanksgiving dinner tonight so I'm not sure how much I will get done other than those 2 jobs. I do have to uncover the peas and check the carrots. I am wanting to make a huge pot of soup and need carrots for it. I will freeze the soup in individual containers and add the noodles when I cook it. 

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

Making Things Final Hurts

Yesterday was cloudy most of the day with a high of 19.7C. We did see a bit of sunshine in the late afternoon. This morning, it is 13C and we are to have sunshine, clouds, and showers with a high of 17C. Frost warning for tonight. 

Lifestyle

Before heading out for physiotherapy, I got a load of laundry done and in the dryer. I had an extra 30 minutes at home and decided laundry it was. 

I had another intense session at physio. I rode the bike for 15 minutes and it hurt my knee for the first half. I am riding faster now to help strength everything. The other exercise I did was a walk forward and back lifting weights. I did well on the sore knee as it is my dominant side. My non-dominate side is weak and we will be working on that. After some stretches and bends, I got the current put on my back with a hot water bottle on top. I was tired when I got done. 45 minutes of exercise and 15 minutes of heat and pulsating on the back. 

When home, I folded the laundry and put it away. I was tired as I hadn't been sleeping well. I did push myself and got a few things done before lunch. 

In the late afternoon, I headed out to the county office to get the water and land taxes put in my name. The property is now in my name through land registry so the others will happen next week. I have 4 things left to do; three next week and one at the end of the month. Not too bad. Life insurance will arrive when it arrives but they are under review now. It makes me sad as putting everything in my name makes things final. I miss the Spousal Unit so much it hurts most days. 

Sewing

I did do some sewing yesterday. The second sleeve was put in to the Soutache dress and the sleeve bands sewn in place by hand. 

The lining was cut out and almost ready to be sewn on to the bodice. Hand sewing the bodice at the armholes will be the hardest part. Such a small area to work in. 

I have been thinking about doll sewing for next year. I want to make a doll's outfit that has under garments and outer garments that go together. I am going to call this a slow sew as it won't be done in a month but over several months. I got my inspiration from Lemon Bay Doll whom I follow on Facebook and Instagram. It started out when she made Queen Victoria's wedding dress and then Jane Eyre's wedding dress. She is now doing an outfit on Reimagining Addy Walker. 

This couture doll seamstress researches each of the outfits she makes and this one is no different. She has teamed up with The Paper Costumier as she reimaged Addy and her clothes at 26 years old. The one thing I'm impressed with is that Lemon Bay Doll has had the fabric made to specs. That is what I call research. I can't wait to read her next post on the undergarments. 

I really want to make a complete outfit which will include undergarments, dress, hat, and overgarment. 

Knitting

I had great intentions of knitting last night and promptly fell asleep on the couch. I was tired from not sleeping well the past few nights.

Today

My goal is to start doing a deep clean in the living room. I would like to put the lining in the bodice of the Soutache dress and start hemming grandson's school pants. I would love to knit tonight. 

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