First......

Let me say, Happy Valentine's Day (missed it), Happy St. Patrick's Day (missed it) and Happy Easter/Passover (just missed it!)....  Okay, now we're up to date.  I have been a bit "under the weather" the last couple of months and it's been extremely difficult for me to sit in front of the computer so I've pretty much been out of cyber touch.  I don't really go on the computer much at all so I'm behind with e-mail, facebook and of course, the blog. I couldn't, for some unknown reason, even use the laptop to blog.  I believe I may have figured that little problem out as I am using the laptop now.

After that amazing birthday party that Liz hosted I decided to start chemo again.  I managed to get through two treatments before I became so sick that I just couldn't keep it up, so, as of now I am no longer doing chemo.  Unfortunately, the treatments do not seem to be doing anything besides making me sick and after close to a year of constant treatments (three bouts of chemo and one bout of radiation) I decided I really needed a break.  Whether or not I will commence treatments at a later date has yet to be decided. At the moment I am just taking each day as it comes - enjoying the "good" ones and trying to ignore the bad ones.

What I am enjoying is being able to get back to doing a bit of quilting.  I am finally engrossed in my "Top Secret" project which hopefully I will complete in the next week or two.  I've also managed, with a great deal of help from Liz and Mucie, to start sorting through all the "stuff" I've been hoarding and we have cleaned out the hall closet. Jonathan arranged for us to get a storage locker in the building so we now have all the boxes out of the house - finally.....

He had a friend from Vancouver come to visit the end of March and I was so lucky to have Gail and Cathie come and help me (they did all the work) clean most of the apartment.  I cannot believe how lucky I am to have friends like I do.  You cannot imagine how grateful I am for everyone's help and support.  The visit was a complete success and we've managed to keep the house relatively clean since.  It's certainly easier without all those boxes.  Now, if I can only get all those quilts done that are waiting in the wings I will be laughing......

I am still working on my Scrappy Flannel which I am "big stitching" by hand and Sandy (Lindal) has basted The Farmer's Wife which is waiting patiently in the wings to be hand quilted.  Liz and I sorted through all my threads to choose the colours and I'm just about ready to go.  I work on Jonathan's schedule so that we don't get in each others way. When he's working I am able to use the machines in the dining room so that's when I can get my piecing and quilting done.  When he's off I am usually doing hand work which I manage to do in my sitting area in the bedroom.  I have to say, we really lucked out with this apartment.  The larger of the two bedrooms is large enough for a decent seating area so I can sit and watch TV and do my hand work.  That frees up the living room for Jonathan to have the larger TV and also not have me underfoot.  So far it's working out quite well.

I guess that brings you all up to date and I would like to get some stitching done tonight as I am actually feeling up to it....I will try not to leave it too long before I blog again for those of you who keep up with what I'm up to.

Have a great day everyone!

Jo-Ann 

Lists

Yes, I make lists!  I am one of those people who is guilty of making "To Do" lists.  I love lists.  No, I hate lists.  There are definitely pros and cons to lists.  The pro is - you know what needs to be done and when you want to do it.  The con is - if you don't get it done you have to leave it on the list and you feel like you've failed.  For a while I stopped the lists.  I was able to just go about my day, getting things done or not getting things done, but then my yearly calendar ended.  I do like to have a calendar to refer to so I went online and found a blank calendar page I liked and printed it out.  Well that did it - WOW - I thought - I could copy out two pages for each month, one for my quilting and one for my random day calendar.  I could make a list of all the stuff I wanted to get done and of course the calendar page came with a side bar for Things To Do.....I'm sunk now because I can actually set goals for each month - this is bad, really bad!  

In my case, one of the cons is I try to over-achieve, get more done on the list than is actually on the list....when I don't, I feel like I did nothing all day....What can I say, I have high expectations of myself.

So February started out with my list - based on Jonathan's work schedule I know which days I'm "hand" sewing or "machine" sewing.  

The Blitz!
I had 8 blocks to complete as of January 31st - so Saturday I started!  First, I chose all the fabrics for the 8 blocks and then I marked them with the templates and finally I cut them all.  In addition I managed to piece 3 blocks.....

 Block # 82 - Spider Legs - 37 pieces

 Block #110 - Wood Lily - 57 pieces

Block #96 - Tulip - 14 pieces

I also began piecing the last three rows, 11, 10 and 9.  As I completed the blocks needed for the rows I added it to the rows.

Rows 9, 10 and 11 started.

I probably would have kept going but enough was enough and I had Sunday to work on my hand piecing as well.  Sunday turned out to be pretty productive as well and I was way ahead on my list (over-achiever!).  Sunday I pieced another 2 blocks and managed to complete Row 9.

 Block #94 - Tall Pine Tree - 20 pieces

 Block # 104 - Wild Geese - 32 pieces

Row # 9 completed.

Yesterday was a whole other story.  Jonathan was working so I could machine piece.  I did start working on my backing for the panel quilt but really didn't get much done and today was the same - so much for lists!!!  Weird - I just couldn't get my heart into it - too much fiddling and measuring, etc....I guess, but I did get it started.

Last night I stopped early to watch TV in the bedroom so I could get back to my Farmer's Wife - now I am obsessed..... I got another block done and Row 10 is also completed....

 Block #77 - Seasons - 9 pieces

Row 10 completed.

I have one block left to piece - 1 row left to complete and 3 rows to add on to the rest of the quilt top, then the borders and backing and off to Sandy to be basted.  I am now completely obsessed with completing this project......

So much for lists - this was not supposed to be done until some time near the end of next week.  Now if I can only move this motivation onto those backings I have to do I will really be way ahead of the game!  We'll see what I get done tonight - the night is still young.....

Have a great day everyone!

Jo-Ann

Slow down.....

I appear to be experiencing an unintentional slow down.  Getting used to the new "doses" of meds is causing me to sleep quite a bit more and although I know I am doing what my body is telling me to do, I have to say, I am not particularly happy about it.

As I've mentioned before, now that I have my "Sonia" (Janome) set up and ready for sewing, I use the days that Jonathan is working to do my machine piecing and quilting. Since he was working on Thursday I should have been sewing away but instead I spent a good part of the day sleeping so it was a definite write off....

Friday was a day off for Jonathan so I was banished to my room (I actually enjoy the banishment) and was able to get some work done on The Farmer's Wife....another block -

Block #106 - Wild Rose & Square -37 pieces

This was great because I could now get Row #12 done -

Row #12 - completed

I decided to attach it to the other rows, leaving only three rows to complete.....

Only three rows left to complete and attach.....

New strategy now that there are only three rows to complete and 8 blocks to go.  I am going to start putting the three rows together as I make the necessary blocks in the order they are needed.  The excitement builds but the energy wanes.....

Rows 10 & 11 started

That's all I got done on Friday.  I did manage to get some piecing done on Saturday and Sunday and will bring you all up to date later in the week on that. Yesterday and today have been slow, very slow, as I am still trying to get used to the meds and we just upped the dosage again today.  I appear to need sleep constantly but I am managing to get a few things done....

In order to get pics of the quilt I am working on (machine) I have to get Jonathan to hold it up because it is huge.....humongeous!   I am now going back to work on The Farmer's Wife and tomorrow, Jonathan is working, so back to Cub Lake Lodge and hopefully a bunch of quilt backs.....which was the whole point in doing that quilt to begin with....

I am not complaining - anything that can alleviate the pain is worth the concession.  If that requires more sleep than so be it.....currently I am looking at all the cobwebs on my wall and am getting very tired, very, very tired!  (I can ignore them that way!)....I really should make some attempt to clean but honestly, the spiders have to live somewhere too and I don't want force them out into the cold.  Maybe I'll clean in the spring!!!  Ha, ha!

Okay back to my room....

Have a great day everyone and keep warm!!!!

Jo-Ann 

Update!!!

I've got to admit that when I update every few days it's a pleasant surprise for me to see what I've accomplished.  Although it really isn't much, it seems like I am beginning to see some rewards for my efforts.  Some days I feel like I'm getting nothing done but that is not really the case.  I can look back over the last few days and see that my projects are progressing.

I was supposed to start chemotherapy today but have cancelled.  Calm down - it's not forever!  While my friend Linda (V) was over on Friday visiting, (we had dinner from Mayfair Chinese on Royal York - delicious!) I had an epiphany!  I was reading through the pamphlet regarding the "medication" (Jonathan calls it poison) which Dr. O wants me to have and in going over the side effects and the risks involved, noted the high risk for patients with heart issues.  Since I had a heart attack in 2012 I became just a "wee bit" concerned and made the decision to have a few tests done by the cardiologist before I agree to undergo this chemo.  Just a precaution but personally I'm going with "better safe than dead!"  As much as I trust my oncologist, there are underlying factors that have to be addressed.

Unfortunately, due to this decision we are upping the pain meds in order to deal with that issue.  It seems to be a never ending game, but on the bright side, if the pain dulls it is worth it.  

Speaking of Friday - I managed to get the top done on my Yellow Brick Road and I am really happy the way it turned out.  First, I laid it out on the bed (while changing the sheets).....

Laid out and ready to piece

Then I marked it with small Post It notes.  Yes - I do make mistakes!  There was no way I was going to try to put this together without putting it in some semblance of order so I didn't mess it up.  After Bricks & Mortar I think I learned my lesson......

Marked with Post It notes - I even tried to use different colours for each row

It took most of Friday to get it pieced.  I take a lot of breaks!  In between piecing and pressing I'll sit for a few minutes and of course the TV was on so I admit I got distracted a few times and Linda was over for a few hours, and, and, and....excuses!!!!

Centre done and I'm pretty pleased with it - love the colours!

It was completed with everything put away by the time Jonathan came home from work about midnight.  Jonathan was off Saturday and Sunday so I retreated to my "hidey hole" in the bedroom to resume work on the "big" project!  The Farmer's Wife.  

I'm not sure if I've mentioned it, but The Farmer's Wife was started January 19th, 2010.  It is now officially 4 years in the making.  All things considered, 111 blocks with sashings and cornerstones, hand piecing which I was not always able to do, I'm pretty pleased with my progress.  Who am I kidding - I never really thought I'd get it done..... Okay, it's not exactly done yet but I have 10 blocks to go and 4 rows to complete - that's pretty close....

So - here are the additional blocks and rows that have been completed......

 Three of seven blocks on Row 12

 Block #95 - Temperance Tree - 42 pieces

 Four of seven Blocks on Row 12

 Block # 84 - Spool - 13 pieces

 Five of seven Blocks on Row 12

Block # 74 - Ribbon - 24 Pieces

  
It doesn't seem like much got done over two days but, there is the choosing of fabric for each block, the marking of the templates and the cutting along with the piecing.  (I have to keep telling myself that so that I realize it's good progress!)

Monday I had grand plans!  I had hoped to have the Yellow Brick Road completed including backing ready to take to Sandy.  Alas, this was not the case, however, Linda (H) and I had made plans to drop her quilts off to Sandy so I took some Show & Share and off we went. Linda had two quilts ready to be long armed, a gorgeous baby quilt, all bright colours with white background in a "coin" pattern and her Irish Chain beige on beige queen size quilt which I blogged a couple of weeks ago.  I brought along my Yellow Brick Road to show Sandy and we have chosen the pattern, leaves, and the thread, a variegated orange.  It's going to be gorgeous!  Sandy showed off a number of quilt tops she has ready to quilt as well - we had a great time and I even made it down the stairs to the studio this time.....

Back home and intentions to get the borders on the quilt and start working on that backing....then to head out with Liz to the Etobicoke Quilters Guild meeting.  Didn't happen....It appears I am only good for one outing a day....  I ended up resting (sleeping actually) the rest of the day....

Yesterday things were better and I had all kinds of doctors phone calls to make, etc. so I got myself moving and motivated.  I managed, although I think it took all day - to get the borders onto the Yellow Brick Road.....

 Borders on - ready to go - oops! wait - need to do a backing......

Houston, we have a problem!  I definitely do not have enough fabric to do a backing.  It is time to hit my stash......

 Fabric left after piecing the quilt - large piece will have to do for binding too!

I knew that I had in my stash yet one more flannel quilt - a panel quilt that I had purchased as a kit.  I found it quickly, on the bottom shelf of my "fabric" cabinet.  I also found yet another flannel kit I had purchased!  I'm not sure when I became so fond of flannel nor do I remember those days but they all have histories.....Luckily, in those days (B.C. - before Cock-A-Doodle) whenever I purchased fabrics for a project I tended to take into consideration the difficulty in finding backing down the line so I usually purchased fabric for backing as well.  It appears that in the case of panel, I purchased two backings?!?!  or close to it!  

 The Panel - Cub Lake Lodge by Holly Taylor for Moda

The fabrics for the Panel quilt - plus the two backing fabrics

One of the backing fabrics for the panel quilt is a "huge" piece of mottled green which will go nicely with the fabrics from the Yellow Brick Road.  That having been said, I will have to make up the panel quilt in order to determine if I have enough backing fabric left over to make the second backing.   I also found another "lone" piece of flannel that will go with the mottled green and if I'm really lucky, we can only hope, I may have enough to back Bricks & Mortar too!  I'm not sure if I'm progressing here or regressing!  At any rate - we all know what my next project is and it appears to be the panel quilt.....

A while back I gave my Scrappy Flannel to Sandy to baste so that I could start hand quilting it with a "big stitch".  Using Pearl Cotton #8 I am slowly progressing while watching TV in the living room when Jonathan is working....so many quilts, so little time!

For now I am going back to bed for awhile (been up since 4:30 when I had to take some pain meds) so I will up and at 'em to do my hand piecing later.  Jonathan is off today so I'm all ready to get some more Farmers Wife done.....

Have a great day everyone!

Jo-Ann 

Patience!

Yesterday was Jonathan's day off so I spent a little time playing computer games and then decided to get out of his way and headed for my private haven and my hand quilting.  Wasn't sure I'd get anything done but I surprised myself -

Block 72 - Railroad - 28 pieces

I also managed to complete Row # 15, the lower left hand corner of the quilt top.  I will now work up from that point - I'm getting excited here, I have 6 more rows to complete the quilt top and only about 20 blocks that haven't been pieced....getting there....

Bottom left hand corner - Row # 15

Today started out very early, around 5:55 A.M. when I had to wake Jonathan for work because he couldn't charge his phone last night.  Worked out well because it's about the time I need to take a pill.  Back to bed until around 10:30 and then realized today is the day I get to machine quilt!!!  YEAH!

As soon as I did my crossword and had my brunch I set everything up, including the big ironing board.  I pulled out Bricks and Mortar and saw another mistake.  No problem, I can fix it - so I start unsewing.  Well, I only managed to totally mess it up and spent the first hour just fixing what I messed up......patience, another new "buzz" word for 2014!  Don't think I didn't contemplate, yet again, giving up on this quilt but determination is the name of the game.....

By 2:00 P.M. I had put on two more rows -

2 rows on - up to 4 rows, only two more to go

Liz called to say she was going to come over with some hand sewing.  Now, I have to say I was more than excited.....  I know that's weird, but you have to understand - First, I am home alone most of the time and I really do love company, but more importantly, Second - When Liz and I get together it's usually to go to a doctor's appointment, or chemo or out to run errands, we don't often get to just sit & sew and enjoy each others company.  I was really looking forward to this visit.  She came around 3:15 P.M. and stayed for about 3 hours while I got the last two rows together and added them to the quilt....

 Quilt center done - now the borders......

Liz was all packed up and just getting ready to leave so I got a quick pic

Liz had just been so supportive the past 7 months (longer when you include the store hours she put in), always there to take me to appointments and sit with me through the tough stuff....good news, bad news, all of it.  It was so nice to sit like two normal girlfriends and just chat and sew....what a treat!  I hope we do it more often- I really enjoyed this afternoon.

Now, back to the quilt!  She left me at an extremely crucial (appropriate) moment.  Here's the problem.  This is what happens when you return to those U.F.O.'s, the "oops" moment. I know I am not the only one who has this problem.  

The first border is pieced in 2-1/2" squares of which I needed 114.  I wasn't sure I had enough fabric!?!?!  Sure didn't look like it!  Turns out, after I worked it out mathematically (took 20 minutes) I would be able to squeak out 115 squares.  Of course I had to do quite a bit of fudging the blocks to make it work properly and the darker squares met up at the corners but by 8:00 P.M. I had the top and bottom border on.

Top and bottom borders

It was the side borders I really had to fudge, that took awhile, a little unsewing and resewing and voila - sides were on......

All four borders on - Yahoo!

Tomorrow Jonathan is off so I can relax and forget the mathematics because the outside border is also pieced and I really think that I am going to be short for sure.  However, after all is said in done, I really love this quilt!  I really like the pattern and did not expect it to turn out this nicely.....I even have a quilting plan!  I love it when that happens.  This will all have to wait until Saturday when I go back to figuring out if I have enough fabric to do the outside border....we can only hope....I can't wait to complete this quilt because I have another one waiting in the wings (my project bag) that I am really antsy to get to.

Tomorrow I will get to work on the Farmer's Wife and hopefully get a few more blocks done as well as a couple of rows.  I am definitely on a roll here and am extremely excited about the progress.  It's been such a long time since I've been able to say that....

Have a great day everyone!

Jo-Ann

Determination....

I'm thinking that is going to be my "buzz" word for 2014!  Yesterday I was expecting my friend Linda to drop by so I persevered all morning getting the living room back into a living space.  Just clearing the top of the coffee table when Jonathan takes over the house on his days off is a challenge in itself.  I refuse to take photos of this as it is more than embarrassing, however I totally managed to do it.....

Linda called to say that a dental emergency had waylaid her and she wouldn't be coming but we made plans for another day.  Today my other friend Linda came by to raid the thread baskets - now I only have a few thousand spools left!  She also brought some Show & Share, her beige on beige quilt which is absolutely stunning.....

Linda's Beige on Beige

She also brought her picture album of all the quilts and other quilted stuff she's made and it was fabulous to see!  Sandy (Lindal - Scrappy Gal Quilt Company) will be more than happy to get this quilt to quilt.

We had a great visit and I was able to set up my little hand quilting station so I began stitching Row 8 to my Farmer's Wife.

Everything all there and ready to go

While we chatted, I stitched.  Linda is Dana's mom, Dana is one of Jonathan's best friends and that's initially how we met.  Dana and Fiona (his girlfriend) came by the store last spring and I showed them the quilt I was working on.  They really liked it and I decided that it would be theirs.  Today I gave it to Linda to take to them.  It's one of my favourites and Sandy Lindal quilted it for me so it's been on the Cock A Doodle blog for sure, but here it is again.  My basket of quilts seems to be receding.....

Urban Pods - with the Quick Curve Ruler

Dana is a talent on his own.  Linda had me check out his phenomenal Facebook Page - Dana TheJeweler. You really need to check this page out - it has all of his jewelry designs (well I'm sure not all, but a lot).  He is extremely talented and if you ever need a custom jewelry piece made, you need to see this guy.  At the very least you need to check out his Facebook Page.

   

After Linda left I made lunch, a real meal - tuna fish sandwich and pickles on the side.  Sat down at the computer, played some computer games and ate lunch.

Looking good enough to eat...and I did!

Then I really got down to it!  I finally set up my machine for stitching.  Had to change the light bulb in the dining room too!  That took a bit of energy but well worth it.

Sonia - ready and raring to go....

I have also lost my pressing space in the process of storing boxes (soon I hope to have my storage locker?!?!) so I set up a temporary cutting/pressing space - I knew I bought that
cutting/pressing mat for a reason.....

 Cutting space

Pressing space

Now I have resewn all of my blocks, found another mistake on the other set of blocks, fixed that one and we were on our way.  After all is said and done I got the first two rows together.....YEAH!!!!

 First two rows together and I love it....

This is the pattern so you can see why I couldn't compromise

Tomorrow will not be a sewing day (machine) as it's Jonathan's day off.  I may get something done in the morning before he gets up but that would require me getting up early so we'll see how that goes.

Jonathan worked both today and yesterday in this cold and actually came home at one point today to say - he was getting his paycheck and getting on a bus to Florida to live on the street!!!!  Should I remind him he has a cousin living down there who would be more than happy to give him shelter????  Maybe not, because that would leave me out in the cold - not at all what I really want.  I'm selfish that way.....Chances are he'll enjoy his day off and go back to work on Thursday.

Hope to get loads done tomorrow too - I appear to be on a roll!

Have a great day everyone!

Jo-Ann

A busy, busy week!

Suddenly my dance card was full!  I recuperated from my wonderful Thursday "Shop Hop"with Linda and Gillian and it only took two days.  Then I received  a Facebook message that made my day.  Cathie and Gail wanted to come for a visit on Wednesday night.....YEAH!!!!  I was thrilled!

So - now I need to make room to sit!!!  It's really not a joke!  Unfortunately I have yet to snag a much needed storage locker so the boxes are still strewn around the living room. Making room is no easy feat!  However, with a little ingenuity and some "elbow grease" I managed to make it work.  Cathie and Gail showed up with dinner from Mr. Greek and we had a wonderful visit.  We even managed to make room for Jonathan and his friend Frasier - yes they hung out with the "old ladies" for a short time!  Luckily they got fed up pretty quick and went into his room to watch the Leafs game.  I got to show off my progress on The Farmer's Wife and we just had a great catch-up evening! Can't wait until our next Stitch'n'Bitch (I missed the last one, wasn't feeling up to it)!  They managed to top up on some thread needs while they were here too!!!  I do not exaggerate when I say I have thousands of spools of thread here!!!

I have also managed to complete 6 more blocks -

 Block # 62 - Old Windmill (32 pieces)

Block #64 - Peace & Plenty (32 pieces)

Block # 66 - Periwinkle (12 pieces)

Block # 70 - Prairie Queen (25 pieces)

Block # 71 - Puss In The Corner (13 pieces)

These five blocks represented the "order" group.  I stitch up one group of 5 blocks in "numerical order" so that I am just stitching blocks and then I start working on the "row order" so that I am able to put the rows together.  The 6th block that I completed is the start of Row 8 - another row of 13 blocks of which I already have 8 completed.  I am just finishing the stitching of Row 7 to the quilt top now. 

Block # 81 - Snowball (13 pieces)

Now I will start adding the sashings and cornerstones to this block and stitching the completed blocks to make Row 8.  This is the second row of 3 rows of 13 blocks and then, because the quilt is on point, each row after that will be smaller by two blocks.  This marks the halfway point of the quilt top....I can't believe it!!!

My week did not end here!!!  I had another Facebook message that Linda was coming to visit with Bosley and Ainsley on Thursday!!!  I have not seen my "baby" Bosley since May 2011 when I did my first chemo.  Not only that, but Linda has been working in Ottawa for the past year and she was bringing me a present!!!  Egg rolls from the Golden Palace! Okay, I know, that sounds nuts - but you haven't tasted an egg roll if you haven't had one of theirs.  I salivate just thinking about these egg rolls.  A trip to Ottawa for Egg Rolls was on my bucket list!!!  The rest of their menu is also to die for but the egg rolls are by far the most outstanding item!  They sell them by the dozens - people come from all over to get them.  I remember as a kid, Saturday night was Golden Palace night and believe me the whole city was there - you always ran into someone you knew!!!

So, again I had to Bosley-fy the house - he still likes to gnaw on the odd sock!  I managed to get quite a bit of organizing done before Cathie and Gail came but I still needed to do a bit more for the Bosley visit.  I actually managed to clean off my desk (been a mess for six months) and organize the computer area.  If only I had a storage locker!!!!  One of these days!

They arrived around 2:00 P.M. and it was glorious!  There is nothing like a great big fat kiss from a chocolate Lab!!!  It'll cure everything!!!  It was great hugging Linda and Ainsley too!  I adore this dog!  I gave him up for all the right reasons and I happily gave him to a family who would love him as much as I do.  Matt, Linda, Morgan and Ainsley have given him a wonderful home and since I get visiting privileges I couldn't ask for anything more.

Jonathan and I just couldn't give him the exercise and attention that he needed.  He gets plenty now!!!  Of course I took a few pics while they were here!

 Finding his spot on the couch (his couch I might add)

 A rare face pic!  He does not pose for pictures - always on the go!

 Ainsley holding him just long enough to see that gorgeous mug!

 This is the norm - he wiggles into you on the couch so you can rub his belly....Linda is quietly raiding the thread baskets in the background.....

 Never sits still- pushing into Ainsley for a good rub.

He is just a big galoot with such a wonderful personality and just look at the love from his Mom (Linda) and sister (Ainsley) - I so miss having that around....

It was a wonderful visit, unfortunately Jonathan was working and didn't get a chance to see him but Bosley kept running back to Jonathan's bedroom to look for him and next time we'll schedule it on one of Jonathan's days off.  Of course, all good things come to an end and so the visit was over but not before I got some much needed hugs and some really great slobbery kisses.

Needless to say I had a good dose of Egg Rolls after they left and I even treated Liz to one so she can tell you how good they are!!!!  She was surprised I would share this delicacy but there isn't anyone I would rather share with!!!  She dropped by after her guild meeting with a Peppermint Hot Chocolate from Tim's and we ate our egg rolls and chatted for a bit - she's just back from Calgary visiting Brian (her son) and Sarah (his girlfriend).

Yesterday I spent the day cooking!  First there were the sweet and sour meatballs for the potluck at our guild meeting on Monday night.  Then I threw together a Shepherd's Pie and then Jonathan made steaks and baked potatoes for dinner.  

Today I am content to sit inside and watch the snow fall and worry about my son driving around out there boosting batteries.  He called a little while ago and says it's pretty bad out there, he can't do over 20 km/hr or he starts to fishtail.  So - I suggest you all get done what has to be done and get home.....

My plan is to possibly clear off that dining room table, set up my sewing machine and get some stitching done....we'll see if I can manage that....

Have a great day everyone! (I know this was a long one.....)

Jo-Ann