Busy hands

During the hot muggy days of this past week I have been reading and doing some hand quilting.  

Four books were loaned to me by one of my D-I-L's friends, The Thursday Murder Club Mystery, written by Richard Osman.  It took me a little while to get into the first book, as I found the names just a bit confusing.  Now, into the second book, The Man Who Died Twice, and I know all of the characters names so it is a better read.  I just had to get use to them all. 

Recently I was tidying up my sewing room, again, as it always seems to be a bit messy as a result of looking for a certain fabric or pattern.  During the process, I found a UFO of 2 1/2inch pieces of fabric which I had started to sew into blocks and then something must have been more important, and it did not get finished.  So I made some more blocks and then sewed them all together.  Random colours and patterns in no particular order of any kind.  Because it is so different than any of the more organized quilts I have made I decided to hand quilt it.  That is what I am working on currently.  When that is  finished I am going to applique a stylized flower on it, for which I have a pattern.

I received some good news, my Autumn fabric picture that I did some time ago is now framed.  When the piece was finished I framed it myself and was never happy with it.  As I had put a lot of time into making this picture, it deserved to be given a professionally installed frame.  It will be picked up on Tuesday, next week.

Tomorrow, my three children, my niece and three nephews and everyone's spouse are all getting together for a reunion.  Oh! and me.  I am now the matriarch of the family, as none of the people I have just mentioned have a parent still living.  Since my sister is no longer with us, my son decided that the cousins should all get together now while they can, because if they don't it may never happen,   If everyone agrees, next year he is hoping to include everyone's family, for a reunion.

Next weekend, my grandson and his wife are hosting a family reunion for everyone in our family of the "O's"  Only writing down the initial of our surname.  Not everyone will be able to attend due to distance and other commitments, but it should be a good crowed just the same.  

During the week I have done three walks in the evening when it has been cooler, rain put a halt to more.   We have had some torrential rains this past week also, flooding in some places where it has never flooded before due to so much coming down in such a short period of time.  Here we are with too much moisture and other places with not enough.

I should now get into the kitchen and make a batch or corn flour muffins and a lemon drizzle cake for tomorrow.  

Have a great day

Cheers

Slowed down somewhat

The recent weather has cooled down, less humidity and quite comfortable for a change.  Several thunder storms with torrential rains have helped the farmers crops, local gardens and the grass is now a better looking green.

During the past few days, this social butterfly has taken it easy.  Just doing the basic housework, laundry and food prep.

Wednesday, July 22 

I did several errands that needed to be taken care off, which included buying a birthday gift for my turning three year old great granddaughter.  A book, dress, a pair of shorts and a top to match, which is my usual go to gift for most of my little ones birthdays.  I leave the toys and the more expensive items for the Mums and Dads to give.

Thursday, July 23rd, 

The sun and fluffy white clouds and no humidity made it perfect for s nice long walk, followed by some reading on the balcony when I returned home.

Friday, July 24

Lunch with two friends who I worked with many years ago.  We had been trying to get together for several weeks, however, other commitments always got in the way.  We had a nice meal with lots of conversation and laughs.  We made another date for lunch in August.  

Happy hour, it is never an hour as there is so much to talk about and we put the world to right.

Saturday, July 25

Attended said birthday party.  My grandson has a swimming pool, so that was enjoyed by all the children and some of the younger adults.  I stayed dry.   Pizza, salads and of course, birthday cake and candles were on the menu.   

Sunday, July 26

A lazy morning.  Mid afternoon we had a another thunderstorm with torrential rain.  It blew over within the hour and then sunshine, which heated up the air and produced some humid conditions.

My ex and I went out for dinner and later strolled through a local park.   This park has several small bridges that take you over ponds which contain waterlilies, unfortunately they had finished blooming.  Frogs, toads and turtles were in abundance, then we spotted an animal in the water.  It was difficult to determine what it was at first, however, it's tail was the deciding factor.  It was a beaver, which we thought was quite  unusual to see in the park.  We saw it chew off a branch of a small tree and continue to eat as we and other walkers stood by.

Have a great day

Cheers

It's Free

 Today, Sunday,  we can see the sunshine and blue skies.  We are fortunate, people closer to the forest fires are still suffering from the smoke and everything it carries.

A storm came through where I live yesterday afternoon, the rain came down so heavy I needed to pull over because I could not see where I was going.  The wind was so strong so I tried to find a spot which was not near any trees as some I saw were whipping around and bending over.  I did see some branches which had broken off when I began to drive again and also a transformer on a hydro pole which blew up.  Such a bright light.  The power was off for about two hours.

The change of wind direction and the rain yesterday has made the air quality acceptable today.  For two days everyone was advised to close their windows and doors and stay inside because the air was so full of smoke and the contaminates it contained.

They, who ever "they" are, say the air is free, it's only free if you can breath it without thinking every breath could make you ill.

Today, be thankful if you can breath fresh clean air. 

Have a great day

Cheers,

 

Everything is so quiet

 Yesterday, Wednesday July 15th the wind blew wild fire smoke to the area of S. W. Ontario.  

The sun disappeared, blocked by the smoke which was laden with partials containing chemicals etc. from  everything burning in Northern Ontario.   It actually looked like a yellow pea soup fog had descended on us. 

People were advised to close windows and doors and stay inside, if it was necessary to go out, make it short.   No one was taking an afternoon stroll, dog walkers made the trip outside just long enough for the animal to do what it needed to do.

The smoke was so thick by evening, we saw nothing which would indicate the sun was setting.

This morning, July 16th the air quality has improved somewhat, however, I don't hear or see any birds,

Such an eerie felling, 

If it this bad several hundreds of miles from the fires I cannot imagine what it is like to be closer to all the destruction.  

It's back again

 After a couple of days of cooler, cloudy and damp weather we are back to the sunshine, heat and humidity.

Monday, July 6th  

Yoga in the morning and coffee and chat in the afternoon.  The rest of the day was spent working on the blocks of a quilt I am making for myself.

Tuesday July 7th.

Blue skies are back again and so is the humidity, temperature 28*C but feeling like 34*C.  Did some more sewing in the afternoon then did my usual walk later in the day.  My next door neighbour is visiting her family for two weeks, so I am plant sitting again,  she brings her two pots of flowers to my balcony just to make it easier.  In this weather they need watering twice a day. 

Wednesday, July 8th.

As I have mentioned before my ex and I go out together once in a while, today we went to the theatre.  It is an hour and a half more or less from where I live,  the weather was sunny but hotter than the day before.  We stopped for a sandwich and salad for lunch which gave us plenty of time to sit under a very welcomed shade tree before going into the theatre.  The performance was all about the 60's and 70's music, and we both enjoyed it very much.  Songs that brought back a lot of memories for me.  As ex's sister lives close to the town where the theatre is we had a visit with her before heading back home.

Thursday, July 9th.

Quiet day inside as it was blistering hot outside.  Rain in the evening which did not last very long so did not do much good watering the crops etc. all it did do was increase the humidity level.  DD1 called as she usually does and DD2 called and filled me in on the trip her eldest daughter is doing.  K at the present time is in Spain at a conference her prof sent her to.  After her presentation at the conference, she is taking some time to be a tourist and the photo's she has sent look as if she is enjoying her time there.

Friday, July 10th.

Some much needed housework and laundry was done.  Then I needed to water those flowers on the balcony.  Here in Canada we have screens on all of our windows and doors to keep the insects out when the windows and doors are open.  So I open the screen door, go out and close it behind me,  It locked and I could not open it to come inside.  What to do?  No phone with me, so I sit and look at all the other balconies to see if anyone is out so that I could get them to call the manager.  Eventually, I see someone shout my predicament to her and after a short wait I am inside again. The building manager used a master key to open my apartment door, come in and unlock my screen door.  Now, I have decided not to close the screen door, as it is easier to swat flies that go through all of that again.   At happy hour, I told this story which brought some laughter to the crowd.

Saturday, July 11th.

I was invited out to dinner with some friends, I had made them a table runner some time ago, so this was perfect timing for me to give it to them.  Had a lovely meal and watched England win their game.

Today, Sunday, July 12th

I am going to a music festival in a local park, 

Have a great day

Cheers 

A new month --July

It is a new month, however, I will fill you in on the last couple of days of June and my July days so far.

My last post indicated a flight in a Harvard plane for my son.  The weather was perfect and he was able to fly, which he did for half an hour.  Everyone who indicated they would come on watch him, did so.  A lovely dinner was held at a restaurant not too far from the small airport.  A great day was had by all.

June 29th, I had a two hour appointment with my dentist, for a crown and two small fillings.  It is amazing what can be done these days with all of the new equipment available to Dr's and dentists,  My crown was made by some kind of laser printer.  I had a crown many years ago and had to wait a couple of weeks for it to be made, so this was quite impressive.  A wand took a scan of the tooth to be fixed, the picture was displayed on a screen and the dentist removed parts of my gum and cheek and just left the picture of my original tooth.  Pressed OK and went to the printer, within a little while a ceramic crown was attached to the tooth needing repair.  My bank account took a hit after the work was done,  having said that it would have been more $'s if I did not have dental insurance.  

June 30th.  I had a much needed hair cut, and asked that it be cut just a little bit shorter this time.  It was, and I liked it more than the previous way I had my hair done.  

July 1st.  Being Canada Day, the complex I live in had a celebration.  Those of us who decided to attend all wore the colours of red and white, or were decorated with our maple leaf flag.  We had a few outside games to play, I decided to play Corn Hole.  If you have never heard of it, I suggest you Google it, as I tried to describe it however, my description was very confusing.  After a few games, I was declared the woman champion.  Having never played it before, it must have been beginners luck.  A pot luck dinner followed with the meat each person brought to BBQ for themselves and pot luck salads and desserts were presented for everyone to pick and choose from.  Even though it was very hot the stiff breeze and the shade made it a pleasant day, I decided to be outside, however, people who did not like the heat were able to choose either be outside or inside where it was cooler.  When it was dark I went up to the top floor deck to watch all of the fireworks being set off all over the city.  I had a very nice day.

July 2nd.  I went out for lunch with two of my quilting friends, we then visited the mother of one of them.  Mother lives in a care facility and loves playing Quiddler, again Google it.   I had never played it before, and it is a fun game for all ages.

July 3rd.  Being very hot and humid again, I made the errands I had to do very brief, and came home and sewed where it was cooler.  Being Friday I went to happy hour in the evening,  the hour ended up being three, however, we put the world to right and had great conversations and a lot a laughs 

July 4th.   I went out for dinner with a friend and then we watched the U. S. fireworks on TV.

Today July 5th.  I will be going to a surprise 80th birthday gathering for one of the residents here in the complex.

The oppressive heat and humidity has broken and we have a cloudy day with the forecast of some showers.  Next week the weather will be sunny and not so hot or humid, very pleasant summer weather.

Have a great day.

Cheers

    

Slowed down

 After a hectic first few days of June, I was a home body for a few days, which was just fine, as I could get the never ending housework, laundry etc. done.  However, late last week my outings ramped up again.

Last Thursday, June 18th I attended the graduation of my eldest great grand daughter.  She is now all finished grade school and in September will be attending high school.  She also received recognition for her art work, she does beautiful drawings, and another for her sports.  

Friday was happy hour, but that hour usually runs into four or five.  We all put the world to right and have some good conversation and laughs.

Saturday, the community I live in had a potluck strawberry social.  Bring your own beverage and either strawberries, cake or whipped cream to add to the table.  This year the strawberries are delicious, big, red and full of sweetness.  I over indulged by going back for more of those delicious berries.  The season is quite short, so will also go and buy some more for just me.

Sunday, was Fathers Day and the city where I live always has a car show in a local park.  The organization who runs it have been doing it for as many years and I can remember, as my late hubby would take his old car there.  It was a lovely sunny warm day, so the old cars came out in droves.  So did the spectators, cars were lined up for  a mile in each direction.  My daughter and SIL and my eldest granddaughter took a long time to get into the park, then finding a parking spot was time consuming too.  Me, the park is only a 20 minute walk from where I live, so two feet were my mode of transportation and so glad I used them, got there before they did and racked up some steps too. After a good walk around, we then went for a late lunch and a good time was had by all.  

Today, Monday is yoga, coffee and chat this afternoon and in the evening having dinner with some of the women I worked with years ago.

Tomorrow or Wednesday depending on the weather I will be giving my car a much needed clean inside and out. Wednesday is also yoga day too.

Thursday, going with two quilting friends to visit another who lives out of town.

Friday and we are back to yoga and happy hour.

Saturday, June 27th, if the weather is cooperating my son will be able to fill one of the things from his bucket list.   Back in May he had a milestone birthday, and his wife gave him the opportunity to fly in a Harvard airplane, the weather was terrible that day, so the flight was cancelled.  Keeping fingers crossed for him to do it this day.  His two sisters and hubbies, his son and family plus myself will all be going out for dinner afterwards to celebrate.

Sunday should be a rest day, don't you think.

We have showers today, come on Mother Nature, it is now Summer, send in some more sunshine.

Have a great day

Cheers