Bits and Pieces

In between hospital visits and garden work  there hasn't been too much actual quilting, but a few things are in the works.  Another pair of socks is well underway, with one sock completed and another getting along towards the toe.

Since I took the picture I have done another few inches (actually finished them today!)  I tried using circular needles, but found them very fiddly.  I guess it's what you're used to.

Another work in progress is the weather.  I think spring might actually be here, judging by the state of the roads and the few brave flowers that are showing.  I love the way these chiondoxa spread have tumbled out of the flower bed and spread into the lawn.  I'm glad that they are blooming before the grass starts to grow as I hate to mow in that area while I can still see blue.

Unfortunately the roads aren't as attractive.  In between the mud holes and frost heaves, it is impossible to drive in a straight line.  We all swerve and dodge from good spot to good spot while avoiding the deep ruts left by the school bus.  Once the frost has come out, the graders will get busy, but that won't be for a while.

I did sew two little items.  I made a mini quilt to practice the dresden quilt block--not something I would want to do over and over for an entire quilt, but it was an interesting experiment.   I got to use up some red, black and white scraps that are leftover from my mother's quilt.

Finally, a little zippy pouch for my daughter's blood pressure cuff--who can resist a donkey?  When I saw this fabric I knew I had to buy it as there are two hugely entertaining donkeys who live down the road.  They are supposed to guard their flock of sheep, but they much prefer ear rubs and heehawing!

Maybe It's Spring

Today the sun is shining--that sounds like it's no big deal, but after a weekend of snow, freezing rain, hail, rain, sleet, wind and generalized crud, it's wonderful.  To celebrate an above freezing temperature, I got the rake out and took off the dead leaves from the flower beds.  Some poor daffodils were trying to grow and after only two days of no snow on the bed, I found a tiny crocus bravely blooming.

With such lovely weather all weekend, I did manage to finish my purple striped socks.  I went back to knitting from the cuff down with these.  I also started another pair, but not for me this time.

Along with warmer weather, it was time to get the vet for shots and teeth filing to get ready for the summer season.  While waiting for her to arrive, I tried to scrape off the mud and dirt, but it was a hopeless task.  As soon as they went back outside they were rolling in the muckiest place they could find!

They both look so innocent as if butter wouldn't melt in their mouths don't they!

However, they are not huge fans of the mouth apparatus and teeth filing.  Judging how tense and foolish I get at the dentist, I can't say as I blame them.  It's also a nasty job giving Joker cortisone shots in his front feet--lots of leaping backwards and holding on tight.  I was too busy dancing around to get any pictures of that!  Anyway, it's done and once the blacksmith comes tomorrow, it'll be time to get going again.  Yippee!

And just to prove that once in a while I do win at cards, I annoyed my husband enormously by taking a picture of my winning cribbage game yesterday.  Of course, today I lost, but there's no picture of that!

Work in Progress Wednesday

I'm new to all this but why not show off some of my stuff too? I know it's supposed to be "work in progress", but this one is finished and I'm pleased with it.  It's hard to judge size from a photo, and I'm far too lazy to go upstairs and measure it, but it's big.  Years ago when my son was in his mid teens he started to grow and he continued to grow until he ended up at 6 foot 3 inches.  My husband made a special long bed for him so that he could stretch his legs out.  Looks nice doesn't it.  I might mention that he cut down the trees, sawed the logs into boards and made everything you see here.  (floor too) He's a clever man with wood!

This scrappy tripalong was an attempt to get my bits and pieces under control, but I seem to have as much left over as I did to start with.  I'm not sure I want to repeat this pattern as it was not easy to quilt--hard on the hands and shoulders, and if you look closely the quilting lines are a bit wavy, but who cares.  Perfection is not within my grasp, but the joy in the process is.

 There are a lot of little pieces in there, from top of the line designer fabrics to Walmart fat quarters, but somehow they meld together. Lest you think that my life is as tidy as it appears in the photo above, if you turn to the opposite wall, a view of the fabric clutter should reassure you that my stash is as messy as yours!

I have a new project in the works but haven't gotten any further than pulling out yet more fabric from my stash.  Maybe by next Wednesday I'll have some progress to report.

The Sweet Season

I can't say that it's actually spring, but there are signs of it.  The turkey vultures are back, the geese are circling over the swamp and the ducks are squabbling over nesting spots at the pond.    

One reliable sign of spring is maple syrup.  We no longer make it ourselves, but do enjoy helping friends when they do it.  I have such happy memories of being in the sugar house with the children when they were little, toasting sandwiches under the arch and smelling that unmistakable syrup smell.  Climate change has made the syrup season shorter and less reliable, but it is still such a wonderful time of the year.  

Barry's syrup is a lovely amber colour with a strong maple flavour, so it is so good with pancakes or waffles.  I like to use it in my breads too as it adds a little extra taste.

Spring is mud season here, the cars are caked with it and the dog is continually filthy.  I can't wait to wear shoes, not boots and maybe even go outside without a jacket.  It'll be soon, but never soon enough.

Light at the End of the Tunnel

It has been a long, stressful few weeks here in Dunham.  My 92-year old mother had a stroke in February and much of my time has been taken up with going to the hospital and helping her with her rehabilitation.  She will never be able to walk again, but her mind is good and she still can laugh and enjoy the small things in life. She is indomitable.

So, a lot of my personal activities were put on hold for a while, but I did manage to finish my scrappy quilt and finish a small baby quilt.  It is BIG and was a real challenge to quilt, but it's done and looks wonderful on the bed in sewing world.  I have made many bed quilts and have given them all away, so this is the first one that I actually kept and will use!!

Both the lighting and the wind did not cooperate in this photoshoot, but I think you get the general idea.  I also finished a baby quilt for a friend of my daughter who is expecting her first in April.  Making baby quilts is such fun.  For a boy I went with the bear and fox fabric and I think it's pretty cute.

Alex came home for Easter weekend.  We played cards and took and walk and generally enjoyed eating and sunshine.  Can't wait for actual spring although I did find some snowdrops hiding in the snow!

And here we are--proof of the promise of spring!