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

Getting things done....

That's really what it's all about these days,getting things done in spite of all the physical setbacks.  I managed to get two loads of laundry done yesterday and trust me this was no easy feat.

First of all, I found out that I am phobic!  I have this "laundry room phobia"!  I absolutely hate laundry rooms....which is why it has taken me so long to get something so simple and mundane done.  When you run out of clothes, I mean it's been at least 6 weeks since I did a proper laundry run, you have to just buck up!  So I picked yesterday.  Dumb choice - it appears Wednesday is a very popular day to do the laundry.  When I got down to the laundry room there wasn't a machine to be had - so I waited and managed to snag two of the three machines I needed.  When I came down again, half an hour later there were carts and bags of all kinds of laundry just waiting to snag machines.  Luckily I made it in time to snag two dryers just before someone else came in looking for a dryer.  It was survival of the fittest so I figured that third load can wait a few more days.....

I also managed to finish prepping the next ten blocks pictured below.  You will only see 9 on my little work tray (a much used gift from Liz) as the tenth one is underneath one of the pages as it is pictured on the other side.....

 Once I have these stitched I will only have 22 blocks to go before all 111 will be done.

Today is a "red letter" day.  I am just waiting for Gillian and Linda to come and pick me up and we are off to Greenwood Quiltery in Guelph and then to St. Jacobs and Elmira.  We planned this outing pretty much last minute but I can now see if I can get some "Shot Cotton" to go with those scrumptious Kaffe Fasset's I bought in the summer at Black Creek.

Should be a great day!  The weather looks promising so that too is a bonus!

Have a great day everyone!

Jo-Ann

Inspiration!!!!

It really is about time I got some inspiration!  I guess you could say that I have been a little out of sorts for the past two months.  This morning started off well for a change although I did wake up in pain and had to take my OXY again.  However, I managed to get in a few phone calls from friends and after coffee and a muffin, I was feeling almost motivated.  

The T.V. seems to be on 24/7 in my room, I even fall asleep to it and there are certain programs I actually enjoy watching.  I usually watch The Chew at 1:00 P.M. and then at 3:00 P.M. Best Recipes Ever and In the Kitchen With Stefano (both on CBC).  Well, this afternoon Stefano prepared this really awesome looking (sounding) pasta dish and that's what inspired me.....

Jonathan was off today so I made out my grocery list and off he went to Metro to get all the fixin's.  Here's the picture of tonight's dinner and even my son was impressed (not an easy feat).  I haven't been doing alot of cooking lately so this was a real treat.....

My Recipe (from Stefano's Recipe)

In a large saucepan, some olive oil, 1-2 cloves garlic finely chopped, about 6 slices pancetta (or bacon, but I prefer the pancetta) finely sliced or shredded.  Season with Italian Seasoning (he used sage, so up to you) Saute until cooked, add 2 chicken breasts sliced thinly and brown on both sides.  Add about 5 finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes.  In the meantime, while chicken is cooking, prepare linguini to package directions and add a full head of broccoli florets cut into fork size pieces. (I did the pasta and broccoli in one pot, as did he - why waste pots!).  Back to the chicken - once the chicken is cooked add a little chicken broth (or wine) to deglaze the pan, scraping all the little brown bits (the good stuff) off the bottom and sides. Then add a small container of whipping cream and bring to a boil.  This is your sauce.  Once the pasta and broccoli are done, drain (do not wash, the starch helps the sauce to thicken) and add to the saucepan, mix all together and let simmer about 5-10 minutes.  Serve in bowls and add grated parmesan to your liking.  Absolutely delicious and a great dish to serve to guests too!  Enjoy...... 

So, you ask what I have been up to the past month (it appears to be almost that long since I blogged).  I've been sleeping, taking pain killers, sleeping, taking pain killers, etc.....  I am really sick of this schedule and am ready to push on with my life.  

I have been able to get a few blocks done on The Farmer's Wife and tonight I worked on prepping the next 10 blocks to be stitched.  Here are the ones I've completed... 

 Block # 83 - Spider Web - 20 pieces

 Block #108 - Windmill - 8 Pieces

Block #97 - Waste Not - 12 pieces

I believe I already mentioned that I had finished another full row but nothing has been done with that yet.  Hopefully in the next few weeks I will get my act together and start doing some stitching.  In the meantime I am prepping blocks to be stitched so that's progress too.  I was suffering from a mental block for a couple of weeks with the prospect of having to choose fabrics for the next 10 blocks but I finally got over it, so off we go again!

Hopefully tomorrow will be another productive day and I will be up to continuing with this sudden spurt of inspiration.....

In the meantime, I'm off to bed again,

Have a great day everyone!

Jo-Ann

I have a way!

Sabotage!  Should be my middle name!

I got absolutely nothing done yesterday and at the end of the day when I usually sit watching TV and stitching, I played one of my Hidden Object games (I can really get obsessed).  I know, some days you just have to give in and do nothing.  

I've found myself falling into a rut.  I have my daytime TV and my night time TV and it's really getting out of hand.  I need to break out and take my life back.

I am planning to go to the new members tea at the Etobicoke Quilters Guild on Sunday so that will be an outing for me.  For the past 4 months, the only places I end up going out to are doctors appointments and hospitals.   The odd time I have gone somewhere else.  I went to a fabulous Stitch'n'Bitch with some great friends in September and I managed to get to the quilt shows at Black Creek Village and Halton Hills (thanks Gillian), and I did get to Studio C (Etobicoke Quilters Guild) once in September (thanks Liz).

Hopefully things will begin to change and I will definitely start making plans to go places and do things but I'm still taking it one day at a time.

I need to get my day kick-started so I am off to put the coffee on and get ready to do a huge amount of laundry (it's been weeks, ugh!).  Also, I am planning on working on that disaster kitchen......

Have a great day everyone!

Jo-Ann

Finally!

The past few weeks have definitely been the worst so far.  I can safely say that I am feeling very close to "human" again.  To be brutally honest, there were many days where I felt that I couldn't take anymore.  In August I was told by one of the residents at the Odette Cancer Centre (Sunnybrook) that I was terminal.  At that point I chose to start taking pain killers, Oxicodin to be exact and so I found myself in a drugged stupor for a good portion of September.  My primary Oncologist, Dr. Osborne, then suggested that I go for radiation treatment to help the pain.  He made arrangements for me to see the head Radiologist, Dr. Ackerman.  After being examined and set up for the radiation tatoos, she told me that the cancer could very possibly be lymphoma which, not only is curable but is usually eradicated by radiation.  Virtually a new lease on life!  I immediately stopped taking the Oxicodin (I hate pills!) and soon began the radiation treatments - 10 treatments over 10 days.  When they tell you there are no side effects, remember, "they" don't get side effects, you do!  I found myself in excrutiating pain, nauseous all the time and extremely weak.  I was tired all the time and was bed-ridden for most of the last 6 weeks. In addition, I developed a bladder infection.  For the first time since I was originally diagnosed in February 2011, I felt defeated!  However, the worst appears to be over and I am beginning to feel almost normal again.  I am still having a few stomach issues but after being flat on my back for weeks, this is nothing!!!  My "get up and go" is beginning to come back and I can actually sit in front of the computer and even get some cleaning and other important things done.....Glad to be back in the fight!

To bring everyone up to date - before I fell prey to the side effects of this illness, I had one of the best and truly productive days at Studio C with all the wonderful ladies from the Etobicoke Quilters Guild at the Neilson Park Creative Centre.  I managed to get quite a bit done on one of my flannel projects with the help of Sylvia who was kind enough to be my "pressing princess" as well as helping me do a fair bit of "unstitching".  Thank you ladies for a lovely day.  I hope to take advantage of Studio C in the near future, now that I am feeling quite a bit better.

Since the last time I blogged (September 23rd) I have managed to complete, although I'm not sure how, 10 of my Farmer's Wife Blocks.  Most were done before I fell ill and then in the last few days I have finally gotten back to them.  I have 76 of 111 blocks done which is more than two-thirds of the blocks.  Only 35 blocks to go!  Here are the blocks I've completed......

 Block #103 - Whirlwind - 21 pieces

Block #90 - Single Wedding Ring - 29 pieces 

Block #91 - Strawberry Basket - 28 pieces 

 Block #87 - Star Gardener - 57 pieces

After these 4 blocks were completed I began working on Row #7 which consists of 13 blocks.  I have been working on these blocks with an alternating method.  I choose them in groups of 5.  I choose my fabrics for the 5 blocks and them mark and cut and stitch. One group is chosen in order as they appear in the rows that I am working on and then the next group is chosen in numerical order and stored in my Farmer's Wife binder.  I'm finding this method is really working for me.  I also have been marking and cutting sashing strips in between each set of 5 blocks and have now completed the 252 sashing strips required for the Queen Size quilt.

 Block #61 - Northern Light - 12 pieces

 Block #60 - Noon & Light - 28 pieces

 Block #59 - Night & Day - 24 pieces

 Block #58 - Mother's Dream - 17 pieces

There are only 4 blocks in the above group and there is a perfectly good explanation for that.  I made a mistake!  I actually needed one of the 5 blocks to complete Row 6 and I didn't want to wait until I got to this group to complete the row.  They are now stored in my binder.

 Block #65 - Peaceful Hours - 37 pieces

Block #20 - Storm Signal - 20 pieces

The last two blocks will go to completing Row #7 and once I complete the 5 blocks in this group, Row #7 will be completed along with some of the stored blocks in my binder. Once I complete Row #7 I will have 8 more rows to complete, 2 more rows of 13 blocks, 1 of 11 blocks, 1 of 9 blocks, 1 of 7 blocks, 1 of 5 blocks, 1 of 3 blocks and the last row of 1 block.

I'm glad I chose to begin assembling the quilt as I was stitching the blocks, this seems to be going faster.  It is encouraging to see the quilt top coming together and since I am stitching the whole quilt top by hand it is nice to work on different parts of the project as I go.

Hopefully I will also get back to doing some machine work as well.  I really do miss that but unfortunately I have not really been able to get back to it since my wonderful day at Studio C.  As a matter of fact, I haven't even unpacked my machine since that day.

The house is a complete disaster!  Although Jonathan tries (not extremely hard), he does work very hard and very long hours.  Now that I'm feeling better, I am slowly tackling one room at a time.  So far - the bathroom is done!!!!  I have started on the kitchen but it's no where near done....slow and steady wins the race!  Off to get stuff done......

Have a great day everyone!

Jo-Ann