Yet another beginning

 I'll admit it.  When I'm working on other things (lately, of course, it's been baby things) my mind is sifting through ideas for another landscape and this one has been working it's way to the fore.  To put the fact that I want to do something as 'interesting' (or not, depending on your viewpoint) as an outhouse into some form of context, I'll tell you a little story.  I grew up on a farm where our family had very little money to spare and so we had no indoor bathroom.  We had an outhouse in the warm months and a porta-potty in the basement in the winter.  Baths were only on Saturday nights and were taken in a big round metal 'tub'.  The bath water was heated on the stove and poured in and in I would climb.  When I was done another kettle of hot water was added and Mom took her turn.  Lastly, another kettle of hot water and Dad had his bath.  The water (at least in the summer) was kept and the following day was poured onto the garden plants.  There were no daily showers to be had.  Water itself was in short supply and the farm animals got first dibs on what there was.  

When I was in grade 11 my paternal grandfather passed away and left a little bit of money which my parents turned into drilling a second well and they converted a bedroom into a 'real' bathroom.  It was heaven to know that trips to that outhouse were at an end.  Little did I know that by that time my parents were losing money on the farm and their putting in the bathroom meant the farm was about to be sold.  Having indoor plumbing was a good selling feature I suppose.  

All that to tell you the reasons/justification for the subject matter for the next landscape.  

Today's quote is from Dale Carnegie..."Remember, happiness doesn't depend upon who you are or what you have; it depends solely upon what you think.  So start each day by thinking of all the things you have to be thankful for.  Your future will depend very largely on the thoughts you think today.  So think thoughts of hope and confidence and love and success"

Just a wee bit of catch up

 Today I have a hodge-podge of things to show you, beginning with the title page for the quiet book that I promised to show you...

Not a great picture because the lighting was awful the day I took the photo.  The book, along with all the other 'goodies' I made for her, have arrived safely in BC.

Next, is a picture of the beautiful amaryllis my friend MEK gave me for Christmas.  Four massive blooms that brightened my life for awhile.  Thank you MEK!

Lastly, I needed a project to do throughout the 'computer withdrawal' phase so I picked up one of the UFO's I've been storing for far too long.  Some of you might remember that I took an online course from Rhonda Dort several years ago that utilized some of my stash of hankies, doilies and laces.  The poor project has languished in my sewing room needing to be quilted.  I am SO not a  quilter!!  But, being quite desperate for something to occupy myself (although I could have started the next landscape I guess) I hauled it out and unearthed my embroidery/quilting frame and set to work.  I thought hearts would be a good design choice.  

I managed two rows of quilting before my hands (and my neck!) decided enough was enough for the time being.  I simply cannot imagine how ladies can sit for hours in front of a quilting frame - most definitely a yawn-worthy enterprise if you ask me!  I would have coughed up the bucks and had this one done by a longarm quilter but there's too much lace and 'gee haws' that would most likely mire in their machines.  

A closeup to show the quilting design

Today, the quote is from Ralph Waldo Emerson...

Contrary to popular opinion!

 Yes, contrary to popular opinion I have NOT dropped off the face of the earth!  I know - how surprising!

As of half an hour ago, there's a brand spanking new Acer Aspire computer sitting on my desktop.  Even more exciting is the fact that I managed to plug cord A into spot A and cord B into spot B and it appears I held my tongue right and everything (touch wood!) is working.  

Regularly scheduled drivel  mumblings should return momentarily.  

And....another interruption I'm afraid!

 Most of you are aware that my computer has been limping along getting prepped for what I suspect might be a massive melt down any day.  So....new computer has been purchased and it and my old faithful will be spending some quality time together at an undetermined location in order for files to be transferred and all sorts of mysterious 'computer-y processes' that completely befuddle your author will hopefully be performed.  All of that simply means that I'm about to be gone for a few days.  Do try to play nicely amongst yourselves. I will try to use my tablet to keep up with you but comments are likely to be non-existent from here.

- I think THESE are fun!  Scrap buster but different than what you normally see.

- I really like THIS idea - another great use for scraps!

- I sometimes come across novel ideas and THIS is one of them.  Even if you don't join in the challenge at least it should give you food for thought.

- Like many of you I'm sure, I'm seeing all sorts of quilted coats around the internet, so if you're contemplating making one, perhaps THESE tips might come in handy.

- There are some great exercises HERE that are supposed to be for knitters, but I think all of us could benefit, no matter what our area of art might be.

- Karen Ruane is taking registrations for her latest wonderful online class and you can find more details HERE.  

We interrupt this blog......

 Announcing.....

Our new family member!!!

Isla - Jan. 20, 2022
8 lb., 19 3/4" long

Isla surprised us all by making an
arrival just a little bit ahead of
her scheduled birth date.

Big brother Evan got a pretty
amazing 2nd birthday present!

Mother, baby, Daddy 
AND grandparents are all doing well.

Some WIP's

 Today I don't have any finishes to show you but there are several projects that are being worked on somewhat simultaneously. 

First up, is a crocheted basket using the pattern/formula I linked to about a couple of posts ago. I'm working with three different yarns and it's already gobbled up one partial ball - woo hoo!  

Next up is a knitting project that has been lurking in my stash basket for nearly ten years.  When our #2 son and daughter-in-love moved out to BC they stopped at a yarn shop along the way and bought me a VERY expensive ball of muskox yarn (very very expensive yarn!) and I haven't been able to bring myself to actually USE it.  Fondling, yes....mustering the courage to knit with it was a whole 'nother story.  I would have the best of intentions but I never could quite find THE perfect pattern that would a) do it justice and b) suited my plain Jane knitting skills.  It's taken me ten years to decide that the pattern that came with the ball of yarn was perfect.  It's lace weight and isn't a fast knit by any means but oh how luxurious!  I first thought a scarf would be ideal but I would be so afraid I'd lose it so a cowl is a much better choice I think.  

The third project is, of course, the quiet book and here is the back cover.  I will save the front cover to show you until after Monday because I'm not supposed to reveal her name until she's born.  

Today's quote..."To be kind is more important than to be right.  Many times what people need is not a brilliant mind that speaks but a special heart that listens"

More of the quiet book

 I spent much of the weekend working on the quiet book and finished a couple more pages....

First was the train which has several finger puppets to play with.  There's a zipper across the top of the page for storing the puppets.

Second was the fish bowl.  There's really not an aspect of 'play' with this one although I had originally thought there would be.  I had planned to make sort of a 'snow globe' but once I got the little fish sewn on (buttons) I realized that any sort of glitter would just get caught on the fish and the sandpaper I used for the sand.  So, it evolved into more of a peek through the 'glass' to see what's behind sort of thing.  

Now I just have to finish the cover and decide what method I will use to put it all together.  

Today's quote is from Nanea Hoffman..."If today gets difficult, remember the smell of coffee, the way sunlight bounces off a window, the sound of your favourite person's laugh, the feeling when a song you love comes on, the colour of the sky at dusk, and that we are here to take care of each other"

Another page

Took me two days to make this page but I had fun anyway.  The doors and windows lift up and there are family pictures behind...her mommy and daddy are behind the doors and her brothers are 'in' the windows on either side - the three grandparents are in the top windows.  You can't tell from the picture but the roof on the house is heavily textured upholstery fabric - gives a realistic 'shingles' effect I think.   

Today's quote is from Robert Swan..."The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it"

Is it possible to have too much fun?

 Yes, this Grandma is certainly having fun creating pages for the latest quiet book!  I wonder if I'm having even more fun than the intended recipient will.  At any rate, here are the pages I've just completed...

This page is a jigsaw puzzle - the pieces are held together with velcro.

This page features a picnic basket filled with different fruits and vegetables.  The basket is woven felt strips and of course the produce is also made from felt.  The handle is held shut with a dome fastener.

You will be happy to know (!!) that I finally managed, with the help of a friend, to get the vaccine codes onto the New Phone.  Now I just have to remember how to access them when I need them.

In other news here at Chez Magpie, the decision has been made...due to the huge uptick in covid cases here....that we won't be flying out to visit our #2 son and his family next month.  We had so hoped to be able to get some baby cuddles but decided that, even though we're both triple vaccinated, we could still be carriers of the disease and simply couldn't run the risk of taking it to our little ones.  Two little boys (5 & 2) and a brand new baby are just too precious to take any kind of chances with, just because we are selfish enough to want to see our family.  

I have never had an amaryllis do what this one did.  You can see the tall beautiful flower in the photo above, but do you see what's starting at the bottom?  The flowers on the top gave way to three massive blooms that are just peeking above the pot.  Strange, but wonderful!

Today, instead of a quote, I thought I'd pass this along.  It's supposed to be a joke....but.....if you're into a frugal lifestyle, or simply don't want to create a lot of 'stuff' for the person that has everything, wouldn't this be a fun exercise?  Just pick out books you think someone would like, wrap them up, and perhaps also offer to return them when they're done.  You would have the fun of 'shopping', they could enjoy reading, and there would be nothing to have to store, dust, or display.  

A story - with several chapters

 A DISCOURSE ON BOAT ANCHORS

by Frustrated

Chapter One (or is it Chapter Seven?)

The scene opens upon your invaluable Correspondent standing inside the apartment door with new cell phone in hand.  She turns...and spies old cell phone sitting dejectedly upon the bench inside the door.  Your Correspondent feels sorry for the poor thing and scoops it up, putting it in her pocket, saying to herself that maybe, just maybe, the new cell phone might not work when she arrives at the grocery store for her curb-side pickup.

Chapter Two

The scene then changes to the parking lot of a nameless grocery store.  It's cold.  Your ever-optimistic Correspondent opens New Cell Phone and, after a rather lengthy amount of fumbling, managed to call the store.  

Chapter Three

"Oh, oh' said your Correspondent as she peered hopefully at New Cell Phone in complete mystification over how to manage to dial the '6' the store required to get from the main phone to the curb-side pick up option.  'Hmmm'....said Correspondent.  'Nah, nah, nah' said New Cell Phone, accompanied by noises much resembling 'P on you'.  Back to the beginning, while simultaneously turning on Old Cell Phone, and Correspondent began the process again, only to be thwarted once more.  Accompanied by words from said Correspondent that were entirely unbecoming to a lady. And a sincere wish for a copy of the lengthy tome - 'Cell Phones For Dummies'.  

Chapter Four

Said Correspondent, in a complete fit of pique, throws down New Cell Phone in complete disgust and uses Old Cell Phone (nice cell phone, good cell phone....) to arrive at proper area of Grocery Store list of options.

Chapter Five

Groceries appear, get loaded into car, and off goes your Correspondent and her Resident Chef towards home where New Cell Phone is in yet another time out - and might never be used to collect groceries ever again.  In the meantime, please just call me 'Two Phone McGraw'.  

THE END

HEAD's UP!!!!

JUST LETTING YOU KNOW MY COMPUTER IS ACTING LIKE IT'S ABOUT TO JUMP OFF THE PIER.  IF I DISAPPEAR FOR A BIT, DON'T WORRY.  I'LL BE BACK AFTER I MANAGE TO LOCATE A NEW ONE, UNLESS I CAN FIGURE OUT HOW TO FIX IT.  

More pages

 I've been spending lots of hours playing  making more pages for the quiet book.  These take more time than what you'd think!

This will be the centre spread.  The dresser has a zipper at the top which allows the clothing (shown below) to be stored.  

This page features shapes and colours that are held together with velcro.  

I don't know if you're aware that our #1 son is a chef and so I hear firsthand about the struggles that restaurants are going through since Covid became a scourge.  Right now, here in Ontario, they are back to only being allowed to do take outs and deliveries and most of the staff has been laid off.  Fortunately our son still has a job but he's stressed, just like so many people are these days.  I came across this and thought it was worth sharing, if only to spread knowledge about some of the challenges restaurant owners are facing and to explain why so many of them are being forced to close their doors.....

Shhhhhhh........

 BEFORE I BEGIN, JUST A HEAD's UP....MY COMPUTER IS MAKING A STRANGE NOISE SO IF I HAPPEN TO DISAPPEAR FOR A BIT, DON'T BE CONCERNED!!!!  METHINKS IT'S ON THE WAY TO THE GREAT COMPUTER GRAVEYARD.  

Long-time readers of my mumblings will perhaps remember that I created a quiet book for each of our older grandies and this baby will be no exception, only this version can be a little more feminine than the other three.  Here are the first pages I've worked on...

This page is textures - things to touch!

Do kids even learn to tell time with real clocks anymore?  Oh well.....

A peek-a-boo page

Hard to believe just how time-consuming these can be!  But....oh such fun to do!! (If you want to see the other quiet book pages I created, just go to that category in my sidebar, click on it, and scroll through the posts)

Instead of a quote, I thought I'd share something that made me smile....

Another finish for the wee one

 Over the past few days I finished off a little blanket I had on my list for the new baby.  The center is knit and then I added a crocheted border around the outside because I wanted it a bit larger.  There's only one more thing on my Grandma-Make list for her and it will take awhile.  I'll show you the start of that in my next post.

Pattern is the 'Sunny Baby Blanket' and can be found HERE.  The edging is simply a pretty simple crocheted shell pattern.  Yarn is 'Baby Coordinates' by Bernat.

Happy New Year wishes

 Today I have a little something different to share with you.  I came across this and thought it would be something that you would enjoy - and it is my wish for you, and for all of us, as we enter into a new year that I hope will be a happy, healthy and safe one for all.

By Jack Levine 

Here’s my 20-item Emotional Gift Guide which I hope will be meaningful for you in this season of celebration. 

To yourself....respect, confidence, faith and fortitude. 

To a family member....communication and understanding, even if there have been relationship challenges. 

To a friend....a heartfelt, caring spirit and appreciation. 

To our natural world, animal and plant life....admiration, protection, and preservation. 

To a good cause....generosity of time and treasure and ardent advocacy.

 To a traveler....an open door of hospitality. 

To our military forces, first responders and their loved ones....honor, admiration, and support to heal the wounds.

 To the ill and hurting....conscientious concern and comfort. 

To the hungry and homeless....compassion, emergency services, and creative community solutions. 

To the abused, neglected and abandoned....representation, security, and hope.

 To someone with a special challenge....recognition, acceptance, and a path to independence. 

To the addicted and troubled....open arms, forgiveness, and a positive path to recovery.

 To an infant and toddler....attention, attachment, safety, and learning opportunities.

 To a child or teen....patience, guidance, and a positive example through mentoring.

 To a parent in need....a helping hand and guidance. 

To an elder....reverence, gratitude, and dignified care. 

To a customer or client....excellent service and lasting value. 

To everyone you see, friends and strangers alike....a warm smile, acts of kindness, and positive energy. 

To people of every age....unconditional love and sincere gratitude. 

To all the peoples of the world....justice, and peace.

written by Jack Levine

and found via 'Grand Magazine' online

Mystery solved?

 Remember that pile of 'mystery' I showed you before Christmas?  Well, I had a special request from Daughter-In-Love #2 for some Asian-themed felt foods for our grandies to play with.  How could I refuse?  Here's the results (there's at least 5 pieces of each food, sometimes 10, but I'm not showing you the entire lot).  

and some closeups....

Today's quote is from A.A. Milne..."Piglet noticed that even though he had a very small heart, it could hold a rather large amount of gratitude"

Post-Christmas Post

 I hope your Christmas celebrations, in whatever form they took, were happy ones.  Here at Chez Magpie it was just the two of us so very low key.  We were able to enjoy a video chat session with #2 son and his family in BC and watch the grandies opening their gifts Christmas morning.  Yesterday we did another short video session with #1 son and his family.  We're still hoping to be able to get together with them for a short visit when he has a day off (he's the chef so therefore has to work on Christmas).  Resident Chef and I gave each other that 'blasted' new phone for Christmas so now I guess I have the huge learning curve in store figuring out how to use it.  He won't touch it because he knows absolutely nothing about technology.  I'm not much better but I'm stubborn so I will figure it out.  Maybe.

Over the break I did complete a couple of projects for the baby....

The sweater pattern is THIS one,  the hat came from HERE, and the toy is the one I make for all new babies and is THIS one.  

This morning there are big snowflakes coming down outside and we rather wish we weren't booked for our booster shots this afternoon. At least we don't have to go too far to get them.  

Today the quote is from Bob Hope..."When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things, not the great occasions, give off the greatest glow of happiness"

Happy Christmas Wishes!

 

Resident Chef and I would like to

wish all of you - and those you love -

a very happy and blessed Christmas.

Be safe, be well, and enjoy your

celebration in whatever form it

may take

A Grandma's pride

 Today, in lieu of something by me, I thought I'd like to share a piece of art created by one of the youngest members  of our family - our 5 year old grandson....

Today the quote is from Billy Graham..."The very purpose of Christ's coming into the world was that He might offer up His life as a sacrifice for the sins of men.  He came to die.  This is the heart of Christmas"

And just what do you suppose......

 ......this might turn into?