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 

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 

Progress

I realize that I am no different than anyone else.  I tend to underestimate the time it takes to do something, whether it be cleaning the kitchen or piecing a quilt, so when I manage to get done what I've set out to do I call it PROGRESS!

Friday was Jonathan's day off and I had a very full day on Thursday working on my Bricks & Mortar and enjoying Liz's company so when I ended up in bed all afternoon I thought I would really get nothing done, however, I surprised myself.  Around 6:00 P.M. after having a quick snack, I decided to treat the day as I normally would.  I made coffee and settled down with my hand piecing....

I didn't expect to get a whole lot done but I was excited because I was now working from the left hand corner bottom up and I knew I would be able to get some rows done because a lot of the blocks that are going into those rows are already pieced....

The first thing I had to do was a lone block for my Row # 14....

Block # 85 - Square Dance - 17 pieces

Luckily it was a block with only 17 pieces so it went together pretty quickly.  Once it was done I was able to start work on Row #14.

            One  block ready                                      Two blocks ready

The row is ready to go on

Row 14 is now attached to Row 15

I was on a roll and I literally couldn't stop.  My mind was racing ahead to the next row and the balance of the blocks I still had to piece.  I had to sit back and take a breath here, I am almost there....with these two rows together I have 5 rows to go, of course because the quilt is on point, they get bigger as you go.  The next row is 5 blocks, then 7, then 9, then 11 and finally 13.  Of those 45 blocks I still have to piece about 20 so I really needed to rethink my strategy.  I decided to start piecing Row #13 and then do a random block.

 First block in Row #13

Block # 73 - Rainbow Flowers - 10 pieces

I probably would have kept going but I couldn't see anymore!  I definitely got far more done than I had anticipated for one evening's work.  Gee, if I had done this when I started this quilt, nearly 4 years ago, it would have been done in a month....never look back!

I started this quilt January 19th, 2010.  Honestly, I am pleased as to my progress, there was a time when I thought I would never be able to finish it.  During my first chemotherapy I had developed neuropathy in both my feet and my hands and was unable to do any hand piecing at all.  My feet have really never come back to normal but luckily my hands did not betray me.....

I went to bed Friday night quite pleased with myself and hoping that Saturday would be as productive.  Unfortunately, I was so pleased with myself that I couldn't sleep so I started reading and read until around 5:00 A.M..  Of course I did sleep most of the day on Friday so that was definitely a factor.  I was woken at 6:00 A.M. by what I call the - CAA RANT!!!  

When Jonathan works, he is on call from 6:00 A.M. until 11:00 P.M..  He doesn't usually get his first call until 7:00 or 8:00 A.M. and on weekends it's sometimes later.  He wakes at 5:57 A.M., signs in, then rolls over and goes back to sleep until he gets his first call. Needless to say, he got his first call at exactly 6:00 A.M.!!!  Hence the CAA RANT - for about 15 minutes, until he left the house, all I could hear was the banging and swearing and carrying on about "the idiot" who had the nerve to call at 6:00 A.M. to have his/her battery recharged....etc.... and how he's quitting this job and getting a real job, etc....

I have learned over the past 9 months to just lay quietly pretending to be asleep during these rants.  They don't happen often but it definitely sets his tone for the day.  Basically, stay the hell out of his way....

I rolled over and went back to sleep when he left.  I heard him come back around 8:00 A.M. and decided to continue my feigned sleep rather than try to interact.  Once he left again - I got busy.

This was going to be a math day!  I have to say I really hate math days!  I needed to figure out if I had enough fabric to do the outside border on my Bricks & Mortar.  This is the fabric I had left over after I made the quilt top and the first border.  Remember, I only had one block - 2-1/2" x 2-1/2" left of the beige fabric once I finished my first border.

 Fabrics left after the quilt top was completed.

I had made some cutting mistakes when I made the top so I had a number of strips which were a little too short for a 4-1/2" keyboard border.  My first decision after measuring the mis-cuts was to cut the border pieces at 4".  Having said that I had to now make sure I had enough fabric to make the 4" x 2-1/2" blocks.  Luckily I had the large piece of blue flannel which would probably stretch but I really wanted to use that for the binding so I really wasn't sure.  After about an hour of figuring, I began to cut.....this is what was left over....

Left over fabric after cutting my strips

For those of you who save scraps, forget it, look in my garbage!!!!  I was thrilled to just be able to get enough strips to do the border....

My strips cut and ready to go (I had to cut 4 more blue because I miscalculated - so much for my math skills!)

Then came the fun part - seriously!  I had to lay each side out so that the same colour did not butt up against the same colour and that the ends were not blue because I was using the blue for the cornerstones of the border.  That took forever and ever!  Jonathan came home in the middle of this process for a break.  When I work, I take over the living room and dining room and there's barely a place to sit down.  In his state of mind, having had such a "good" start to his day, I was very surprised when his only comment was - "at least you are being productive!"  The "creative" process took quite awhile as I had to have many breaks, but, I was determined to get this quilt top done....  

I love it - the outside border really makes the quilt!

I wish I had that fabulous design wall to hang the quilt on so you could really see it but suffice it to say, even without the design wall I LOVE THIS QUILT!!!!  All the mistakes, all the hours to figure out the borders, all of it was worth the final product.  I even have the binding strips cut and ready to go.  Not only that, I've already decided on the quilting design so I'm set.  All I need now is backing and batting.  I have chosen the quilting thread and used a Zip-Loc bag to store the thread, extra fabric (blue only) and binding strips and it is all now in my "shopping bag".

My "shopping bag"

What is my "shopping bag"?  It's where I store the projects which require something to move from UFO to complete.  Currently it holds Bricks & Mortar for which I need batting and backing and it also holds Island Chain which needs batting.  Once I have these items then the quilts can be completed.  Looking forward to a shopping spree some time soon.

Since I'm writing this blog on Sunday - today I can start completing my next project which has been waiting quietly in my project bag.  I also have a "secret project" which I need to start working on using those fabulous Kaffe Fassett fabrics and Shot Cottons I have so I may even start on that today....we'll see how things go...

My current plan is to have another "productive" day, the only problem is that if I don't clean the kitchen it is going to implode.  Oh well - I will somehow work it out.....

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

Falling!!!

Thought it would work if I "publicized" my Things To Do list on my blog and to be honest, it has partially, but I also have to take into account the kinda day it's going to be and that is truly unpredictable.

I woke up this morning in pain and the meds just refused to kick in so the energy level is not the best.  With good intentions I wandered into the kitchen and since I have a self-cleaning oven, I turned it on.  (NOT)  It's been awhile since I used a self-cleaning oven, what can I say.... About two hours after I turned it on (I had gone to lie down) I came into the kitchen and found the oven was still cold.  Okay, so maybe there's something new here - it doesn't heat up!  Well everything was set so I sat down at the computer (I can see the stove from the computer) and just kept glancing over every now and then - until I had a EUREKA MOMENT!!!!  - duh, did you set the timer dummy!!!!  Nope!  Needless to say - 4 hours later, the oven is now clean.  It dawned on me that there are buttons on the stove that I know nothing about.....

Have not gotten to that freezer yet (there's still time) and the dishes are hidden behind a wall so I'm ignoring them for now but I may get a BURST of energy later...I'm saving my real energy for tomorrow's Sit & Bitch, so there!

I can, however report, that with Jonathan hogging the TV yesterday I settled down to some serious stitching.

 There are now 10 blocks done on Row 8.

 Block #76 - Sawtooth - 22 pieces

 Block #111 - Wrench - 17 pieces

Plus I have completed 2 more blocks.  These two blocks plus Block #58 completed previously make up the balance of Row 8.  I wish I could say I will get those attached tonight but the plan is to watch Blue Bloods and head for bed.  Need to conserve my energy for tomorrow.  Tomorrow I will be doing machine piecing for a long awaited change.  Don't even have to pack because I never unpacked from my last trip to Neilson Park where Etobicoke Quilter's Guild has their weekly Sit & Sew.  I'm working on two flannel quilts - may be able to take some pictures tomorrow.  I am really looking forward to seeing the girls and getting some sewing done as well....

Thought I'd share my last "read" with you all.  This book was a surprise for me.  It's been hanging around the house for awhile and I did try to read it at one time but got bored and put it down.  I usually don't pick a book up again if I can't read it the first time but I was desperate for something so....the story line is pretty good and once you get past all the technical jargon, the writer was in the Air Force, it's a pretty good book.  It is a great read for anyone (mostly men) who are into war toys and stuff like that....in the end I enjoyed it but I don't think I will go hunting for his other books.

 Dale Brown - Plan of Attack

This is getting scary - I've managed to blog 3 days in a row!!!  Like "Dear Diary"!  I've already picked up a book off the shelf at home to read but not sure how that's going to go.  I find when I have the need to be in bed, whether for pain reasons, to rest or it's just bedtime, I like to have a book close at hand even if I just get a couple of pages read.  I tried quilting books but that would perk me right up and motivate me to the extent I would jump out of bed and check my stash for fabrics, so it has to be serious reading material.  If this one gets good - I'll share it!!!!

Have a great day everyone!

Jo-Ann

I made it!

Reached the top of Everest last night!!!  The dishes are done and the fridge is clean.  I am very pleased with myself.  It must be the "New Year" energizer!  You know the one...it's the little voice in your head that tells you to "get 'er done"!  I stopped making resolutions years ago but I still have this urge to want to complete things that are on my mental lists (of which I have many).

 My load of dishes done - trust me there are more already!

My immaculately clean fridge (I think it's cleaner than when we moved in!)

I made the mistake of opening the freezer today and found that the door was stuck - ugh! There was a pint of sorbet on the door and it has leaked all along the bottom edge of the freezer and is now working like glue!  That is on my mental list for tomorrow - clean the freezer!  I like to do these jobs when Jonathan is off at work so I can work at my own pace with no interruptions.  I may even clean the oven and stove top tomorrow too.  My next Mount Everest, as it were!

Jonathan was off today so I try to make myself scarce!  In a two bedroom apartment we can really get on top of each other.  When he is home, I like to give him his space.  When he's working, he is on call from 6:00 A.M. to 11:00 P.M. and then he has to drive to the depot to restock his truck.  It's an extremely long day!  Sometimes he will go out on his days off but mostly, since everyone else is usually working, he hangs at home, playing video games and watching TV.  He deserves his space - so I try to oblige....

That left me with only one thing to do!  Sleep or stitch - I chose to do both!  First I slept and then I stitched.  Progression on my Farmer's Wife commences again.  After completing the block below I have only 24 more blocks - it's so exciting!

 Block #101 - Wedding Ring - 41 pieces

Added 2 more blocks to Row 8 - 6 more to add and the row is done

I will add this row to my growing quilt top and then I will begin the second half of the quilt.  Originally I was going to just keep adding rows but today I realized that it will be much easier to make two large halves and then sew them together - duh!  It really was a "eureka" moment.  It suddenly dawned on me that when I am machine piecing I usually make two large halves and then  sew them together.  It definitely makes it less bulky to do it that way so why, oh why, would I try to do the hand piecing differently.....

I'm actually beginning to wonder what I will do once I complete The Farmer's Wife piecing.  What will be my next "hand piecing" project.  After working on this for so long I can't imagine being without a hand project.  I have a couple of UFO's to choose from and Sandy basted my flannel quilt so that I could "big stitch" it so there is no lack of stuff to do. Okay, let's not get ahead of ourselves here - slow down, you still have 24 blocks to complete and the sashings, etc. to do.......

I am inspired - off to do some more hand piecing.....

Have a great day everyone!

Jo-Ann

Happy New Year!

2014 has arrived!  At our house it arrived very quietly.  Jonathan was working last night and also today so he was home for the countdown.  Although he was invited to a number of parties and celebrations, he chose to do the responsible thing and stay home where we were both busy playing computer games.....boring, quiet but nice!

The past two weeks have been very trying for both of us.  The power outage was, for us, a tough situation.  Jonathan was working so had the opportunity to warm up in the truck while he was out. I, on the other hand spent 66 hours layering clothing and hiding under my quilts to keep warm.  All I wanted for Christmas was heat and light and at around 8:00 P.M. on Christmas eve my prayers were answered.....Jonathan happened to be home as he had brought me some dinner and to say he was thrilled would be an understatement.  It took about 4 hours before I was willing to take my hat off - thanks Barb for that great knitted hat, it really kept me warm.  Liz, was also my life saver bringing over hot foods and coffee.  They were out 64 hours but were able to snag a generator.  I am still cleaning out the fridge and freezer - so sad to have lost so much food, etc.  Luckily we had not really done a big shopping for the holidays yet so the real loss was what was in the freezer.

I did manage to get some hand piecing done on my Farmer's Wife -

 Block # 99 - W.C.T.U. - 31 pieces

I also managed to get started on row 8 which has 13 blocks.  I am now working on finished row 8 which once attached to the quilt top will put me over half way done.  I only have 25 more blocks to complete.  I started this quilt in January 2010 so it's been 4 years in the making but honestly, I am thrilled that I have come this far.

Unfortunately I am still battling pain and so my schedule has been turned upside down in the sense that I find myself resting/sleeping a large amount of the time.  In addition, my TV in the bedroom gave out (the on button is broken) and when we moved Jonathan's TV into the bedroom we lost a key piece to hooking up the antennae.  Since I usually sit and watch TV and stitch, this has really put a crimp in my progress.  I am not thrilled by this and it means I have to adapt to the circumstances.

Gillian and I were trying to plan an evening - dinner at her place but I just couldn't make myself move last Friday so we put it off until Monday and I literally forced myself to leave the house (I hadn't been out since the 17th when I went for my CT scan).  What a great decision!  It was a wonderful evening with leftovers and Turkey soup that was absolutely delicious.  Then we sat and talked quilting and went through some of her stash to choose some patterns for her "scraps" as well as some absolutely gorgeous fabrics she had stashed away.  I can't wait to see those quilts finished.  I know she was busy working on something last night.  

I am looking forward to a "Stitch'n'Bitch" on Saturday with friends and really can't wait to get out of the house again.  I have to monitor the pain and keep the "pills" close at hand but otherwise it should be a great day!

At this point I honestly have to push myself to get things done.  It's not just the pain, it's the energy.  In my mind I make a list and if I get anything done I feel I've accomplished something.  My goal today is to get the fridge shelves cleaned, as well as the drawers and inside of the fridge.  That and a load of dishes washed and I will feel like I've climbed Mount Everest.  Amazing how the little things become so big!!!!

I am still trying to get a locker for storage so that I can make the house look habitable again.  It really does look like a warehouse in here with all the boxes.  It is very depressing to try to work around the clutter.  Hopefully this will come to pass in the New Year.

I want to wish you all a Happy, Healthy, Prosperous New Year and hope that everything you wish for this year comes to pass!

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

Made It!

Thursday was amazing!  Linda and Gillian scooped me up at about 11:00 A.M. as promised and we were on the road.  Missy came with us all snuggled up in the back seat with Linda. We were off to Guelph first and our first stop was Greenwood Quiltery.

I was on a mission to find Kaffe Fassett Shot Cottons and this was definitely the right choice.  As a matter of fact, they were waiting for me right there at the front door along with some very tempting KF prints.

However, I was on a mission and I behaved myself.  Out came those gorgeous prints I bought from Hygelitt at Black Creek Village this summer and I matched up the two shot cottons I had in mind for my project.....

My mission for the day was done.  Linda did well too, she chose a number of fabrics for her new project.  Gillian, unfortunately, did not find what she was looking for.  We didn't break the bank but we did some damage.....

Next stop was St. Jacobs and lunch.  We were all starving and getting lost on the way to St. Jacobs was truly not part of the plan but once we got back on track we had no problem finding our way to the Stone Crock Restaurant for lunch.  It's definitely my go to place for St. Jacobs....that, however may change and you'll see why later on....

Linda and I headed inside to get seated while Gillian took Missy for a much needed outing.

I had to reminisce about the next photo, this place has been around forever.  When I bought my house back in 2004 I came here to buy my mailbox, which I hung onto for years.  They've got some great little items which I why I stayed away.....

We had a lovely lunch - Gillian had French Onion Soup while Linda and I had the lunch buffet which was delicious.  Real down home fare!  Of course we had to go to the Stone Crock Bakery and pick up a few goodies to take home.  The ladies continued their shopping at the Silo while Missy and I took a nap.

Then we were off to find the other quilt store which is just north of St. Jacob's on Hwy 85.  It's at a little complex called The Crossroads which boasts a lovely restaurant, gift shop and Quilters Nine Patch, a wonderful quilt store.  We actually drove right by it because we didn't know what we were looking for but once we found it we were happily impressed.

The Crossroads Restaurant is something like the Stone Crock and boasts a lovely buffet as well.  Once we finished at the quilt store we stopped for a cup of tea for Gillian, Ginger Ale for Linda and a hot Peppermint Chocolate for me.....

Just so you can see why it's worth the drive (on the way to Elmira)...I took a few pictures of the gorgeous fabrics and quilts at Quilters Nine Patch....

She's  got a great variety of fabrics and a really welcoming store.  Loads of kits and samples which are so much fun to look at.  Linda did some major damage while Gillian bought a bit as well.  I, unfortunately, did not bring my current project with me so I couldn't get the additional fabric to complete it.  But I will definitely be coming back.

We left Elmira at about 5:00 P.M., a little later then we had anticipated but Gillian really needed that tea to get moving.....That was when we heard the news about Nelson Mandella, so on the long drive home we tuned in to CBC.  It did take a little longer than anticipated to get home but we made it by 7:00 P.M..

Of course, I paid for it!  It was an extremely long and wonderful day for me, however I spent most of Friday and Saturday in bed recuperating.  Sunday was a little better and today I did three more loads of laundry....

I have managed to get back to The Farmer's Wife (stitching) and will update all of that in my next blog....in the meantime, the plan for tomorrow is to work on organizing and cleaning....

Have a great day everyone!

Jo-Ann