Pinch, Punch the First of the Month

The air has changed, and just like magic it feels like autumn has begun.  The days do not have the blistering heat and the nights are cooler and drawing in faster.  I love this time of the year, however, we all know it brings in the cold days of winter. Winter is not my favorite season.

One of the flowering plants on my balcony is looking a little worse for ware, even it knows its life will be soon coming to an end.  It is an annual so it is expected.  In the spring I bought a small potted rose, the flowers are a lovely orange colour, sorry don't know it's name.  I did not expect it to produce any more flowers that it had, however, it has given me lovely blooms throughout the summer and still more buds are showing every day.  Later, I will give to DD2 to put in her garden.

University and college students are moving into their dorms or other accommodations, some of them a little scared of  leaving familiar friends and of course family.  But, also looking forward to be starting a new chapter of their life.

The younger students looking forward to next week, when they will be meeting a new teacher and being with their friends.  A daily routine which I am sure is welcomed by parents.

A slower week for me.  I did see the movie "Tony" with a friend.  It was a story of Anthony Bourdain when he was nineteen years old.  It was an okay movie, the "F" word was used far too much for me, as it did nothing to help the story line.  In his later life he was a chef, and also had a show on TV which I enjoyed watching.   Unfortunately his life ended much too soon.

Tomorrow the monthly meetings for my guild start up again after a two month summer break.  I have done very little sewing during July and August, however, now will be doing some finishing work of two quilts that are in the process of being made.  I also want to start on another fabric picture, this one will be flowering cherry trees.  That's my plan anyway, it usually changes as I work on something like this.

Have a great day

Cheers

IT'S IN THE AIR

 Good morning, it is a little cooler today, so as I noted in my title,  summer is fading and autumn is not very far away.  The sun is rising later and going down earlier, when it is shining the heat is not so intense as it has been.  I like this time of the year, however, not fond of the season that follows.  

So what have I been up to this past week.

On Monday, lunch with two friends P and D, it wasn't actually lunch in a restaurant, we went to Timmies, I chose a chicken sandwich and a drink.  The other ladies did something similar.  Back in the car we found a nice picnic table in a local park.  P had recently returned from a quilt show in the UK so the conversation included all she had seen during her trip.

Later in the day, a visit to my DD2 as we were going to book our flights for an upcoming vacation.   I am "old school" when it comes to booking vacations, usually having someone else do all of the bookings etc, so not very familiar with the "do it yourself" on the web, thus the need for the visit with her.  

The following day, morning housework.   Most shops at this time of the year are having sales of their summer stock, so as my vacation is going to be someplace warm, a girl needs a new dress, doesn't she!  So off I went, a dress and a pair of shorts came home with me.  Usually, clothing for me is purchased if it is on sale, as I cannot justify the price of some things, and the quality leaves a lot to be desired. 

Wednesday, was a lazy day.  I did some stitching on a quilt that is currently being made.

Thursday, the management of the building I live in  provided the residents with another "Parking lot Picnic".  This time, we lunched on burgers and corn on the cob and a canned or bottled drink.  Corn is not my favorite vegetable, however, I do like it when it is served on the cob.

Friday, lunch again, this time with two co-workers J and V, from a long time ago.  We usually go out once a month for lunch and a good natter.   Both of them have health issues, so the time we spend together is precious. Later in the day, I needed to pick up a few things at the grocery store,  Got home and everything put away, just in time for happy hour.

Yesterday, Saturday was cloudy and damp.  During the evening we had a strong wind, some thunder and lightening and lots of rain.  To dampen the day even more, I received a call from a person who was close to me, who now has a serious health problem.

Sunday, Oh it was cool this morning, we are forecast more unsettled weather, however, at the moment the sun is trying very hard to shine.  Nothing on a agenda today, so a quiet day, reading and more stitching, this time making a block for our first quilt guild meeting which is being held early in September.  

Have a great day

Cheers.

Whirlwind

My last post advised I was going to a "Cousin" reunion.  My son and D I L hosted the get together, so that meant we all had a 2 1/2 hour car ride to get to their house, so an early start to the day.  Everyone who indicated they were coming arrived, so we had a party of thirteen people.  One of my nephews is not well, so he and his wife were the only ones who did not come.  No games or quizzes, but loads of conversations and laughs as this group had not been together like this before.  Usually everyone would be bringing, children and their grandchildren.  A nice afternoon, with delicious food to complete a "lovely time was had by all".   My niece and her husband offered to host the reunion next year, so it was a success.  We then had the 2 1/2 hour ride home, so it was a long day, but a happy one. 

On Wednesday I went to a small town theatre to see "Piano Legends".  This performance featured three piano's, base instruments and drums, which showcased songs from great piano entertainers.  It started with Bach, Mozart and Beethoven all through the years to Elton John and John Legend.  Thoroughly enjoyed this show. 

Friday, I shopped and made my contributions to yet another get together.  Enjoyed conversations and laughter at the happy hour late afternoon/early evening.  I don't know why it's said to be an hour as it never is.

Yesterday, Saturday, my family had our reunion, hosted by my grandson and wife.   C & J have a pool, so that was  popular throughout the afternoon.  Again a nice time, with lots of laughs and delicious food.  Several of my grand daughters were not able to come due to do living too far away to travel for the weekend. 

During the other days of the week, kept busy with the daily chores and of course, making more stiches on my quilt. 

A quite day today, so that I can get geared up for another busy week.

It is forecast to be a wet day, so  good reason to open a book and take it easy.

Have a great day.

Cheers,

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.