The chill is in the air

For the past few days we have had lovely sunny days.  The temps up close to 20* C  which is nice, however, the nights are cool, due to the cloudless sky.  No frost yet, but it always comes when it is least expected.  This coming week, my summer clothes closet should be changed to my colder weather clothes, as one never knows when those cool nights turn into cool days too.   

Since my last post I have attended my yoga classes, completed another application to get a new Dr. the previous one was misplaced, (the application not the Dr.)  Went to a birthday party for a neighbour,  Had a full day of sewing, with seven guild members, lots of laughter and fun.  Met up with two friends and had a lovely lunch and conversation.  Had my passport photo taken, completed and sent all of the necessary forms for it to be renewed.   Visited my ex to see how he is coping with his surgery etc.  Went to coffee and chat get togethers, where we put the world to right.  Made date squares for a pot luck dinner which was last evening.  Plus grocery shopping, housework and all of the other necessary daily chores during the week.  

I  received a call to advise I had been accepted by a new Dr. and had an appointment the following day for a meet and greet, the appointment went well.  No more travelling for an hour to see a Dr. it can be done in less than ten minutes.

All is good in my world, and hope the same for you.

Have a great day

Cheers

 

Between Seasons

It is summer during the day, with lovely sunshine and warm temps, however, nights now seem so much cooler and taking longer in the morning to warm up.  

So what have I been up to this week!

Andre Reiu concerts in his home town square are filmed and shown in cinemas all over the world. A matinee film presentation was being shown in a local city, so decided to go and see it.  As always I was not disappointed.

As this day is also my DD2 birthday, how did she get that old!!   I visited her in the later afternoon and as SIN was preparing her birthday dinner, I was asked to join them.  Lovely dinner "J"

The next couple of days were at home days, time for some housework.  My ex had surgery and is doing well, however, it will mean some health issues will not be resolved.

Thursday, I had lunch with a couple of friends.  As it was such a lovely day, we picked up a delicious sandwich and made our way to a local park for a picnic.  Lots of lovely conversations, put the world to right and also had a discussion for another get together.

Friday another home day, however, did go for a walk to get limbered up for the following day. 

Saturday.

The management of the complex I live in arranged for the residents, who wanted to, to do a walk to raise fund for the hospice in the city.  I decided to take part and was able to raise an okay amount of money from friends and family who had sponsored me.  The walk was almost 5 km's to a local park and back home again.  Once at the park everyone was treated to a BBQ and a drink.  Those who walked to the park but did not want to do the walk back were given a ride in a shuttle bus.  The weather was perfect, sunny with a few clouds, not hot and a nice breeze, so it was a pleasant walk. 

That evening DD1 was having an early birthday dinner, I was invited to join, so drove to another city and had a nice dinner with her and some family members.

Glad to get home and get to bed that night.

As you can probably guess Sunday was a lazy day for me.  Did s little hand sewing and not much else.

Have a great day

Cheers

 

 

Labour Day Holiday Weekend

 This weekend is often seen as the last day of summer, however, we still have some very nice sunny warms days in September.  This weekend is lovely, as the heat, humidity, rain and storms we have had  recently are now gone.  Skies are blue and the air is warm and clear.

Most of the children will be returning to school on September 8th. depending on the school district, some have already started, others  will be a few days.  Back into a regular routine, which I know parents will be grateful for.

My quilt guild meeting was held on Wednesday last week, it was nice to see everyone.  Not many quilts for show and tell were shown, everyone must have had a very busy summer.  We decided to continue making quilts for the organizations as we have done in the past.  One member suggested we have demonstrations at our meetings to re acquaint the members of different methods of making blocks.  Everyone agreed that it was a good idea.

Yesterday, I went to a Pioneer Village, where a textile fair was being held.  I had not been to the village before so thought it was something interesting to see, especially the textile fair too.  I had an enjoyable day.  Interesting demonstrations showing the process of making linen from flax, and yarn from wool,  Also, the dying and bleaching of both.  I worked on a loom and saw tatted lace being made.  So glad I went.

Tomorrow I will be going to a local cinema to watch Andre Rieu's concert which was filmed in Maastricht earlier in the summer.  His Johann Strauss orchestra tours world wide, but every summer he returns to his home town to play in the Vrijthof, where it is filmed and presented in cinemas.

Later in the day I will be visiting DD2 as it is her birthday.  The years have just flown by since she was a premature baby, weighing 4 lbs. 10 oz.  I won't tell you how old she is now, as it makes me feel old, it's only a number anyway, isn't it.

As I was out all day yesterday, some things need to be done here at home, so better get to it.

Have a great day

Cheers.

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