The sun's shining today but solar flares???

 Okay, remember when the dishwasher didn't work just recently and then the keyboard, and then the printer?  Well, they're all fixed but last night the t.v. started going wonky.  Then this morning I got an email from Netflix,  who I canceled last month, welcoming me back! What?  So, I have been in contact with Netflix (waiting on a chat for 45 minutes) and then emailing back and forth with t.v. support and getting  no where.  I finally got the Netflix issue straightened out after a 45 minute wait and a resetting of my password.  The T.V. still isn't working.  I keep asking them to call me so we can wrap this up.  The t.v. works but can't get the stations to come on and all of a sudden it's in French!  So, needless to say I've gotten nothing done.  I cleaned up the  kitchen and cleaned out the frig and then I was plopped in front of the p.c. trying to get things "fixed" all afternoon. 

I did get a picture of the bookcase but I didn't finish up the first coat like I'd hoped nor was there any piano or Spanish so far.   It's definitely going to need another coat....cream over black is not easy but I'm so glad I'm doing this.  It's been bugging me for awhile.......

I also unearthed some liquid embroidery pictures I made for my Mom probably 40 years ago.....liquid embroidery is painting from tubes on pictures that are printed on a material.  They still sell it in Hershner's Craft Catalog.  My Mother loved birds.  I was going to get rid of them but I decided they would look nice in the dining room...plus I really like birds also............

  
 

Please send good thoughts for my T.V.  I don't watch it during the day but when you live alone it is nice to watch it in the evening.  I look forward to it.

I hope you are all well and having a wonderful week which is almost over already!

Happy Trails!!!

Stormin' Norman today!!!

 It's been raining since last night and now it's thundering and lightening.  A great cozy day.  We have flood warnings and there are lots of puddles and the ditch is flowing with water.  We have a lot of clay in the soil so it doesn't take much to flood.  But we have no sidewalks or cement so it just runs down the street to the lake.  There is a little bridge that sometimes becomes impassable but then you can drive around the lake.  But it takes awhile as it is a big lake.  It rarely happens though.

I did more bookcase painting today and I can do about 2 shelves/day.  I have one more shelf to go and then the outside but it will need 2 coats at least.  I took a picture but it didn't show up when I downloaded them so maybe tomorrow.  The room already looks brighter.

On breaks I've been working on a free Valentine XS from The Colorado Cross Stitcher.......hopefully it will be ready by Valentine's Day..........

I'm having a hard time keeping up with piano, Spanish, and cleaning, cooking, and painting!  But as long as there is some progress somewhere I guess that's what counts.  

I hope the weather is good where you are.  I love a cozy, stormy day...now that I'm retired and don't have to go out in it.

Happy Trails!!!
       

Archaeological dig taking place in my craft's room!

 I am going to be cleaning and organizing my craft's room which is a giant  mess!  I'd show you but I would be too embarrassed.  One of the many problems in that room are the black bookcases.  I can't see what's on them very well so I've decided to paint them a cream color to lighten them up.  My paint arrived last night.  Rustoleum chalk paint.  So, I cleaned off the shelves yesterday and this morning.  I just have to wash them and get painting!  Here is a BEFORE picture.........

 

In clearing off the shelves look what I found!  A sweater I made that I have never worn!  I need to weave in the ends and since it has no buttons I think I'll get one of those sweater clips if I can find one.  I love this sweater and it was a joy to knit.  I think the pattern was from Mary Maxim.

I also found my English Paper Piecing diamond hexies!!!  I'll be working on these when I watch T.V. at night.  I think that's when I made most of the other ones.  It's so relaxing.....

My AA batteries arrived too so I was able to light the tree!  If I did it again I would buy electric lights as I have a plug beneath the tree behind the bookcase.  The battery operated took 4 sets of lights and you have to unscrew the holder and screw it back in and it took 8 AA batteries.  They were cheap at the Dollar  25 store but a real pain to set up.  Just an F.Y.I.

I only have 2 decorations to put on the tree.  I guess I need to get busy making some more!  But it's a start.

I was up early this morning and brought the garbage can in, unloaded and loaded the dishwasher, and put some clean clothes away.  I  dumped the ashes from burning yesterday and brought the fire pit in to the garage as I don't want it to rust in the rain.  I also went uptown and got softener salt.  Did you know they now sell 25 lb bags of salt along with 40 lb bags?  The 40 lb bags I just couldn't lift anymore so I would leave it in my car and dish so much into a bucket to bring in the house until finally I could lift the last of it.  The 25 lb bags are  more expensive but it's worth the convenience.  I have no trouble lifting 25 lbs.  So, my water softener is all happy and so am I.  

Well, I'm off to do some painting of the bookcase (I have 3 of them to do) and then I will be making supper which will be chicken parmesan and sweet potatoes.....maybe green beans if I feel brave.  The doc said it would be fine but they have seeds inside them and that worries me.  I feel so healthy now that I don't want to take any chances.

I hope you are making all your hopes and dreams come true!

Happy Trails!!!  
 

Time to get outdoors!!!

 It was a beautiful day here with just a few spots of ice and snow left but they will be gone by today as it is 63 F.  Today I had to call Geek Buddies as I couldn't get my DVD player on my pc to work.  I need it to take my Spanish lessons.  Finally got that fixed and I was also able to install a new print driver for my printer.  I hope all the technical and electrical issues are solved now.

I got the garbage out and got lots of burning of paper done outside with my new fire pit.  It is so much cheaper than a burn barrel and you can use it to cook on too or just to keep warm when you're outside.  

This morning there was a coyote in my backyard.  I didn't have time to get a picture.  I knew it was a coyote though as we had them around when I had my little farm but my dogs kept them away.  I did some cleaning and some laundry and I called Mary Englebreit store again.  Last time I emailed them but they never got back to me.  This time I had to email them a picture so they could send it to the guy who makes the cottages.  Hopefully, that will solve the issue and they will send me the roof.

I also got 2 new books in the mail!  Yay! The second book in the Wolves Chronicles....

and the 5th book in the Phryne Fisher mystery series.....

I've had a little issue with Miss Peeps where she sometimes attacks me and her nails have cut my ankles and made them bleed.  I thought she was growing out of it as I would spray her with a water bottle.  But last night I had both hands full of a glass of juice and my plate of supper and she attacked me not just once but 3 times before I could put my stuff down and get her to stop.  I think I'll have to make a vet appointment and see if there is something that can be done.  It's not enough that she has ruined every piece of upholstery in the house but she has made me bleed every time and I don't want to get cat fever!

I did think of a temporary solution as it only happens at the end of the day.  I have a pair of UG look-a-likes and I'm pretty sure her nails can't penetrate them so I will be putting those on shortly.  If any of you have ever experienced this with a cat please let me know and how you solved it.  During the day when she's not napping she is very affectionate but then she turns into a monster at night.  I have to sleep with my door closed because one night she attacked my head and made it bleed.  Maybe she's bi-polar or something.  I imagine there is mental illness in animals just like humans.  But whoa Nellie.....when she's bad she is really bad!

BTW, I did identify the bird as a purple finch and so did several of you.  I also have goldfinches too....I get more and more varieties....they really like my backyard, birdbath, and feeders evidently.

I hope you had nice weather where you are today.  It's supposed to be nice tomorrow and then rain on Tuesday night and into Wednesday.

Happy Trails!!!
 

 

YOP Week #32 Year 12

 It's a beautiful day here and I plan on going outside after this as it is 60 F!!!  Oh baby, oh baby!  I've already been to Walmart and picked up groceries and it is just a gorgeous day.  It was a rough week but nothing terrible and yesterday I managed to get some creating done.

I have another final finish......Valentine Chickens from a free pattern by The Real Housewives of Cross Stitch............

 

This week I worked on the Mini Quaker XS............

I also trimmed my quilt, and measured and cut the binding.......

I was going to decorate the tree for Valentine's Day but I didn't have any batteries....they're on their way now.....

My Spanish Course arrived so I'll be starting that this coming week....

I also meant to tell you I have been practicing piano 30 minutes per day except on the weekends.  The only problem is, one should really learn piano before you get arthritis in your hands! LOL!  I guess my dreams of being a concert pianist are now thwarted.....oh well.  I can play Ode to Joy though....with one hand.

I got quite a bit of treasures this week....I got a book I already finished.......it was so good!  I'll be reading more of her books!

The other treasures are these........floss bags.........

fabric...........

and floss and rings..................

I also got the patterns to make the Keepsakes calendar...the house is on the top and the other patterns make up the 12 months under neath the house.....it will be gorgeous!  The house is like the one I remember from my childhood that I loved.  I've seen this calendar partially done by Pam of Just Keep Stitchin' podcast and it is so pretty!

these are the other patterns........oops....book 1 is missing.....

This is the  project bag pattern I want to make.........

Here's a cute little free pattern from Temecula Quilt Co. for Valentine's Day

I did work on my sock and finished the heel and the gusset and I am ready to start the foot.

This week I hope to finish the quilt, finish a little Valentine XS from last year, do another final finish, do some outside burning and some window washing plus I am going to clear off my black bookcases in my crafts room and get ready to paint them a cream color.  The paint is supposed to arrive this coming week.  It is Rustoleum chalk paint.  The black prevents me from seeing things on the book case and it makes the room darker too.  I should get back to work on Baby Jesus also.

I hope you are doing well and are having good weather whatever you feel that is.

Happy Trails!!!  

Holy Cannoli Molie!!!

 What a week this has been!  Not counting the weather, a power outage,  and not being able to get out and get groceries....I think Mercury is in retrograde and/or there are solar flares!  First the dishwasher conked out, then the printer, then my keyboard!  The dishwasher guy came in between storms and although he had to order a part it is usable.  I was able to fix my printer and my keyboard....whew!  But the vacuum cleaner took a dive and I need to try and fix it.  

Today made up for the whole week of storms and mishaps.  The sun is shining, the ice is melting, and I got treasures in the mail!

I got a beautiful card from my BFF (suitable for framing, I might add!)...........I think I will string some twine and use clothespins to clip my favorite cards.....and this will be the first one!  Thank you BFF.....so fun to get mail and she wrote a long note inside too........

I also got this book I ordered from Thrift Books........I'm on chapter 4 already......this is another children's book but it's like 230 pages and I am already enjoying  it.....I love children's books!

Plus, I got the pattern for the Valentine's Day SAL with Helen D.......can't wait, but I need to dye some fabric for it....a pale pink.........

Yesterday, I made potato soup and today I made cinnamon twists.  I am now in the process of making snickerdoodle cookies and then I need to make some jello.  Tomorrow I will order groceries to pick up Sunday as it will be sunny and 53 F!  Yay!  

I'm so glad I have YakTracs for my shoes so I can walk on ice.  I feed the birds every day and give them water as it freezes over at night.  They have 2 suets and they have been all over that bird feeder!  The most birds I've ever seen....I think they spread the word!  I got the locking suet holders which have definitely foiled the crows attempts!  I don't mind the crows having some but they were taking the whole block of suet!

There's a new bird too...the little red one sitting on the clothes pole...I need to find my bird book...........

The snow and ice is pretty much gone in the back  yard but not the front and the street is still ice covered except where the sun hits it.  Things are melting today!  How is the weather where you are?  Fine I hope.

Happy Trails!!!

 

YOP Week #31 Year 12

 Well, another week of trial and error!  We had the snow storm but it started at night and by morning there was no power.  It was a heavy wet snow and brought a lot of branches down along with power lines.  I got the fireplace going but no coffee!  I need to buy some instant coffee as I am able to heat things up on top of the fireplace insert.  We didn't get power back on until Wednesday night.  The next day was catch up plus the dishwasher repair guy didn't show but I figured it was because of the storm and it was.  He came Friday and has to order a part but he fixed it enough so I can use it! PTL!  But now my printer isn't working!  

As for crafts.......I finished the word Winter on my cross stitch piece in the light pink but then I realized it would be surrounded by ecru snowflakes which would not look right so..........I tore it all out and went back to the green.   That took a lot of time so not much progress......the fabric is a dark bluish gray but it's not showing up in this photo.  It is dark and cloudy here so I have to have lights on..............

I decided I would work on most of my projects for a week before rotating another in....so this past week was Winter.......this coming week will be the mini-quaker............again I had to start over with this one as I couldn't tell where I was....now I can tell it is the deer with it's legs.........

I did get a final finish in yesterday...a Christmas ornament......

the back of it........

I went to work on Mary Engelbreit's Sweet Cherry Cottage...all I had left was the chimney when I realized they had not sent me a roof.  I called and left a message.  I also was able to find the painted version so I could use it as a guide when I get to that point.  I think it would have been better to paint it before putting it together but too late now!  I'll just have to take my time. 

I tried another Taste of Home recipe using crescent rolls...Apple Dumpling Bake and it uses a can of Mountain Dew which I didn't have but Grayson left a can of Squirt here so I used that and it came out delicious!  Of course, I had to have ice cream with it.  Easy Peasy recipe!

I finished This Is Happiness book....I was not impressed.  Now I'm reading Death at Victoria Dock.  The 4th book in the Phryne Fisher series by Kelly Greenwood.  I am ahead on my Good Reads Challenge...so far anyway.

I also got 1/2 my quilt quilted on my machine.  The walking foot is wonderful.  It is my first time quilting myself  using my sewing machine.  The design is just going diagonally from corner to corner.  At some point the lines crossed and I didn't count on that but at least the lines are straight.  It will be fine,  I think.  I'm sure I'll get better as I go along.  I'll show you when the quilt is all finished, bound, and washed.

This next week I am hoping to finish quilting the quilt, work on the Mini-Quaker, and my Sabbath Stitch today.  I pulled out my granny squares again as I can't work on the  mosaic crochet while watching t.v. and there are 2 football games to watch today!  I also need to order groceries as there are more storms coming Tuesday and Wednesday.....snow, ice, and rain.  I don't think I need much but I know I need instant coffee in case we lose power as I can heat things up on my wood burner insert.  I hope we don't lose power again but I'll be ready.   I brought lots of wood into the garage so it will be there if I need it without having to go outside especially if it gets icy.

I hope you have a great week!

Happy Trails!!!