I said yesterday can we really keep doing this. This being just the two of us here day in, day out with only a far wave or a shouted hello very occasionally to other people. Of course, we can and I know we can; after all we have no alternative even though it is feeling like this pandemic is dragging on far too long. Almost a year now we remind each other and we've made it this far, still safe and healthy which is the main thing. So good then. Then we go about our activities, watch our shows, eat our good food, stoke the fire and feel badly for feeling even the tiniest bit of sorrow for ourselves. We can't imagine how rough and worrisome all this must be for some folks, never mind the deaths; my heart goes out to them all. Funny how you can feel so grateful yet have dispirited thoughts all at the same time.
Can you spy what they call the fingernail of the moon in this photo? The skies have been pretty lately especially later in the afternoon. This is the little skating shack down by the pond.
Natter here when not talking vaccines, covid numbers and can we make it...
Do you think large eggs are as large as they used to be? We both agree they seem smaller. For many years, I bought medium because I'd read medium eggs had exactly the same amount of nutrients as the large. Seems to me the large I'm buying today are the old medium size. What's the natter in your house?
Happy to have a little sewing done. A sawtooth star start...I liked this simple design enough to want to sew more of them and they provide the perfect chance to highlight extra pretty fabric in the center. Tula Pink's pretty pink chipmunk gets to be framed in this one. The sawtooth star is simple yet offers variations that can add extra interest. A great star block for scraps too.
I have this Erica Michaels cross stitch piece almost finished. Such an enjoyable project. It's resting on a woolen shawl that was a gift from daughter Christmas, 2019 and a colour I'm struggling to describe. It's kind of salmon pink leaning towards the browns. Whatever it is, I'm thinking it would work well in a quilt.
Can you spot the chickadee here? It was foraging in front of the kitchen window (amongst that ugly gardening) a couple of months ago. I have a healthy number of chickadees visiting the feeders and do enjoy watching them flitting about in what I think is a bouncy, joyful manner.
 |
48 comments :
I agree with your COVID thoughts! We keep on because we must! Like you, we have been well, just doing our everyday stuff! I really like your Erica Michael’s piece! The colors are so pretty!
It does feel like the pandemic is going on and on, Jocelyn. And we have the same thinking at our house - thankful to be doing fine ourselves, and yet underlying worries at the same time. I love sawtooth stars - they are perfect for showcasing a pretty fabric in the center. The pink chipmunk is wonderful! Lots of chickadees in our yard, too I love the different sounds they make - easy to identify them. Hope you're having a lovely day!
Lockdown is so hard, and for so long, but health, and staying safe is the most important factor in all of this.We are so fortunate to be a small island, isolated from the rest of the world, able to contain an virus with incoming people going into isolation, however we do have cases that have turned out to be positive after that 14 day stay. Keep fabric and threads in good supply, I have lots, and plenty of books in case we go into lockdown again.It seems that summer has gone, a cool morning heee, further south the " Real Feel" was 3 Celsius.
Hi Jocelyn! It always brightens my day to read your posts! Your photo of the moon was spectacular! You have such a "big sky" there compared to what we can view in the city. Awesome color of blue too! Regarding eggs--I just got a package of medium eggs (ordered online) and I have to say that in fact they ARE the same size of large eggs. It was one of those things I noticed but didn't talk about because it's just me and Scout home now. Are those the only pieces of the toile you have? They would make lovely centers for a block. I adore your cross stitching! Such a good message and that shawl looks nice and warm. We haven't seen many birds here except the awful crows that have invaded our neighborhood :( Yuck. Have a wonderful day and stay safe! We are all awaiting the vaccines here too! Hugs and cheers!
I'm going through a little pitty me stage I'm so tired of being home, I'm finding it hard to stay interested in things, slowing down this week - but know I will be busy again next week - I just know me - I won't slow down for long but I am getting a little bored -
Eggs, cant live without them, can we. Ours are purchased from a local free range farm and we buy double yokers when we can. Seems these are produced by young hans at the start of the playing season, when the girls are full of raging hormones, we were told. When they are no longer produced we by jumbo eggs.
Pretty pink star block, I have a bit of a thing for stars, always liked them.
As for this Covid thing, the pair of you have been doing so well staying home and keeping safe. Now the vaccines are happening hopefully all these terrible numbers will drop right down. Guess we all just want it to be over and get back to normal. Here in NZ we also now have a couple of cases of the new variants, such a worry.
There is no answer of course, just have to keep on doing our best to stay safe, stay warm, and keep on cooking stitching, and blogging. Thank goodness for our hobbies and the internet.
Seeing your beautiful toile pieces made me think of a quilt I saw years ago by Gail Pan. I just went to her site (that has a lot of fun stuff to look at) and this pattern is the closest I could find to what I remember.
https://gailpandesigns.com/patterns/elf/
You could use your toile pieces in place of the embroidered ones.
Gotta love that chipmunk block!
We are grateful here for staying healthy also no matter what. I love that pink chipmunk block. I have a soft spot for toile also, but I prefer blue. Not much nattering here right now as I am home alone, while my husband is in another state taking care of my son post-surgery. I am enjoying the quiet as my husband likes the TV on all day for background noise. I do agree that large egg seem smaller lately though. Enjoy your day!
You are the one constant in this crazy world right now. Your gentle way of living and creating and the beauty all around you that you share with us. I believe those of us who have our homes, our husbands and our crafts have had the easiest times during this pandemic that seems to be going on forever. I certainly would not want to be going through this all alone. I am so thankful.
Oh, and I wish I could send you some of my chickens' eggs. They are huge. I don't know why because usually in the Winter our egg supply goes down, but this Winter our girls have been working overtime.
I really like that red tablecloth design, it sure is pretty. Covid is awful and I think we'll be living with it, one way or another, for a very long time.
I just saw a post earlier this week (but didn't read it) about eggs and how the size matters when a recipe calls for a particular size. So it's interesting that you two were discussing a similar topic. I love to watch chickadees; they are such feisty little birds!
I, too, love toiles ... and chickadees ... and sawtooth stars. The Covid dip has hit me hard the last couple of weeks. Hoping the chance of getting vaccinated (on the waiting list) will pick me up.
Although I'm glad for a safe comfortable spot to wait out this pandemic, I hear you. I don't know if I'll know what to do with people when we finally get out of this!!
Lots of pretty likes - fabric, cross stitch and the chickadee!
Hi. I agree with you that eggs have changed in the past 50 years that I've been married.
I have started buying "jumbo" eggs at Wal-Mart. They have been selling for $1.19 - cheaper than the extra large eggs. Is weird. Was purchasing extra large eggs from a farmer. The eggs were so large that they overflowed our egg poacher. He is no longer selling the eggs.
Sure miss the double yolks!
Your comments about the size of the large eggs is very interesting . I just recently stood there and looked at the large eggs in the carton, and actually checked to see if i mistake had picked up the medium ones. i do agree, the covid restrictions are getting a tad wearisome , but I know it is what we need to do.
That’s exactly how we feel. Still waiting for more vaccines so we can schedule an appointment. Glad for keeping busy but it’s been a year since a family gathering.
Covid is getting us all down and all are going a bit stir crazy. I know we can defeat this if we all work together.
God bless.
I agree with you about the eggs. We have talked about his lately. I generally buy my eggs at the local Co-op. I bought some a while back at Costco and they seemed much larger. I guess it depends on where we buy them!
We are also tired of this covid thing. I keep note of the days and this is our 320 day in mostly self isolation. We are just thsnkful that we are still in our house with lots of space and a yard to enjoy.
I appreciate your insights on the day in and day out of this pandemic. We have Finches and Chicadees coming to our kitchen window bird feeders. We are focusing on plans for the garden and how many vegetables we will try to grow and preserve this year. My husband has become my quilting consultant and is very supportive. But every morning after breakfast there is the conversation about Covid, the possibility of a vaccine, politics, the people we know who are sick and the friends who have died. Then we get up from the breakfast table and watch the birds and do the next important thing which for me is the next quilt!
You describe it well. My husband and I have never been together so much as we have the last year. No more things we do separate with friends and such, it is just the two of us. Trying to make our place a happy place and enjoying the little things like a good walk or meal. Sometimes the whole thing overwhelmes us too but thinking about everyone who is in destress, lost their job, became ill....or worse.
, make us count our blessings.
I agree about the engs, they do look smaller here in the Netherlands too. Maybe they use less hormons now as they used to?
What a pretty sawtooth star! The little chipmunk most certainly deserves to be spotlighted right there in the center! Love Xstitch you're working on too.
We are also getting weary with little human contact outside our home. We are thankful for zoom and FaceTime but it’s not the same as seeing people in person. I’m glad I have hobbies so that I can keep myself occupied.
What a cute little chickadee! We have some birds around too as well as squirrels, chipmunks and rabbits.
Love your squirrel star. So cute!
Take care and stay safe
Thanks for visiting my blog
Your Covid comments were spot on. I think as we approach the year anniversary of going into lockdown, more people will be lamenting the tedium. And it doesn't help to be stuck inside with cold temps, snow and gloomy skies. And, of course, the reality here in the US, that the election didn't really change anything. So we keep trying to show gratitude for the positives. Four of my orchids have buds, the daylight is lasting longer, even as the temps go lower, each day brings spring a little closer. One day at a time. We will get through this.
Pat
Nice post. - Your little chickadee is very sweet looking. I agree the Covid thing is getting tiresome for sure.
Great post on the Chinese Virus.
The bird is so cute and I like your Cross Stitch project - still need to start mine, but I am emptying out small projects fast on to the bigger ones!
I really like your projects. What came to my mind was a log cabin around the ones that are square and you could applique the other one. Not sure what size the cuts are...
Eggs! With my Celiac I have been eating 4 to 5 eggs a day for about 8 years - cholesterol went down and I thought I was doing good. BUT I have realized now that I have developed an intolerance for them - miss them - but they were not doing me any favors - even with the vitamins I need. I did research and found that eggs can attribute to arthritis - and I was having some stiff days - Can you believe that they are gone?
Just a little info! Have a wonderful day - I am just forgetting the news for 4 years, and sewing. I am dying to get to a Casino for some loud noise, but that may be awhile which right now is fine since life has really been calm this month!
Hugs
I think dealing with COVID and the social distancing is all a matter of perspective. I always think about the pioneers that sometimes would go months without seeing anyone. I figure I have food, entertainment, more than enough to keep me busy, heat, and I have been pretty healthy so I have wealth beyond measure compared to many. Oh the red toile is gorgeous. And your star with the Tula fabric is very cute, love the colors you used for your star points.
I’m a regular reader of your blog Jocelyn and your little stories cheer me up. So I’m sending hugs your way to help cheer you up. I’m spending a lot more time with my husband too and, much as I love him, it can be a little wearing. But we are lucky in our neck of the woods as I can go back to tennis one the foot is healed more and I’m able to meet up with friends for coffee (outdoors of course). My family in UK are really suffering and 8m so sad for them. Anyway, keeping my head down on my current obsession which is a butterfly quilt. Hugs again. You’re doing so well to keep cheerful and busy.
Hi Jocelyn! I totally agree with you about the eggs. Large is the old medium - I'm convinced that is a fact. I wanted to comment on your fitbit - 1,200 steps before coffee is a half-mile! That's a lot, I think. ~smile~ Roseanne
We will carry on with it because we have no choice, and as you point out it is not so terrible really. We are warm, well fed, safe in our homes. There are many around the world who can only dream of such comfort.
The lockdown is getting a bit stale for me as well. I catch myself being just a bit too chatty at the grocery checkouts. My cat is good company but not much of a conversationalist. I seem to have more chickadees here this winter. I'm impressed by their speedy little ways. I guess when you are that small it's a survival tactic.
Jocelyn I feel much the same: we call out to neighbours as we walk the 'hood, hi how ya doin' kind of thing and that's about it. FaceTime with our daughters and grandson helps. Once a day we seem to natter on about the state of things and I feel anxiety tighten around my ribs, and then we come to the inevitable conclusion that we will simply do what we have been doing, and look out for our little bubble of two, and be grateful we have such a pleasant bubble. I want them to have the mandatory testing and quarantining that they're now having at the four airports at the land borders like in Windsor, the busiest in North America, half an hour from me now. We actually know former neighbours who went to Florida for the winter despite being told not to. Looking at Nature, whether its wildlife or landscapes helps keep me grounded, along with sewing of course, as I think we are in this for a long time yet. I love that star! Stars are my favourite blocks.
I rather wonder if, after the covid crisis is over, we will ever go back to the way we were. Maybe people will have discovered a love of home and won't want to go out overly much. I suspect that will be true of me because I truly don't miss shopping and socializing. I miss my coffee-date friends and of course my kids and grandkids but beyond that I have no need to reengage with a lot of my old life. I think having hobbies makes a huge difference to the sense of contentment I feel.
As for the egg question - I agree, large is now medium (as it is for so many things these days).
And...such a sweet little chickadee!!
Yes eggs are smaller! Now we have to buy "extra large" to get large. I love that pink squirrel and those pretty pieces of toile. Let me know if lightning strikes - I need some of that in my sewing room. :D
It has gone on for so long, but I hope that there is an end in sight with the vaccines coming out and the numbers finally starting to turn down again. Having a busy and productive day is such a nice way to pass the time and not feel that it has all been wasted. Your toile fabrics are so lovely. They would be great as an applique or framed out with a light colored border to highlight the design. I'm sure that an idea will come to you at the perfect time!
I catch your posts occasionally but haven't replied before. But..your messy garden look is EXACTLY what we see out our front window! I could have taken that photo! But it's next to all the feeders and the birds really do love landing there. We always have chickadees! Hubby and i recently discussed egg sizes too. Does this mean we are REALLY bored???!!!!
I'm so glad you have each other and also, a little bit of land to be interested in and take your walks. How awful for people in the city! Our family has done well with our fairly large bubble so though we get annoyed, it hasn't been as lonely as it could be. The little sawtooth star is so cute. Have always loved the simplicity of that particular block.:)
You are doing great keeping busy. We are finding our chickens lay different size eggs - they skipped a day and the next day the eggs were huge! Hubby got a double yolk in one the other day as well. Our governor does not believe in lock down or requiring masks (Florida). My household is living a more 'safe' life despite hubby going to work and the kids attending school with masks required on campus. We only go out for groceries and needed things, with masks and stay away from those without masks on in the stores. Thank goodness for hobbies. Enjoy the birdies- I am hearing some chickadees outside right now singing.
Love your needlework. I've been keeping busy with crafts and crochet and knitting too. In my part of Ontario we are down to 2 active cases of covid, but everyone is still vigilant. Thank goodness for the birds in the garden and the crafts in my craft room. We will all get through this, it is just when will we get through this.
I am of two minds about continuing to stay home. I should be eligible for the vaccine in my state soon. I do miss my quilt guild and my bell choir and being able to take communion (online church just isn't the same though I am glad for it).
I've liked working from home - not having two and a half hours of commuting every other day has certainly helped both time and money wise. I won't mind if that continues until I retire!
Since I've never been one for a lot of going out or 'recreational shopping', it hasn't been a trial for me, but as a household of one, it HAS gotten a bit lonely at times.
Re eggs. I think you are right. I get large eggs now.
Sharing those Covid thoughts with you to a tee.
You have lots of pretty projects keeping you busy. Your pink sawtooth star is adorable with the Tula squirrel in the centre, I feel like making some now!
I love your Patchwork star ! Covid ...sigh ...I am so tired of it .I try not to watch the news now and await my vaccine . I have a few little sewing projects on the go , to keep me calm . All shall be well . Thinking of you . love Debbie :) x
Find the good (in all situation) says it all . Beautiful stitching, Jocelyn!
Hello Jocelyn,
I am grateful that hubby and I are staying healthy! I try to look at the bright side, things could be bad. Good Health is important. Your cross stitch is pretty. I love your photo of the sky and moon! The cute Chickadee photo is adorable! Take care and stay safe! Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. PS, thank for leaving me a comment.
As I live on a small island and people for the most part have been sensible with the following of proper COVID safe practices; we have done fairly well. I am saddened that people all over the world are not so fortunate. The new mutant strands are disturbing. I suppose there will always be people who will take the selfish route and carry on as if life is normal, as it once was. I don't suppose life will ever be as it once was. Your lovely place would be a peaceful place in which to bunker down. It is filled with beauty, delicious cooking, gorgeous stitching etc. Hopefully before not too long you and your husband will be able able to meet with your friends and others in your community once again. Love the Tula Pink little squirrel and your toile pieces are lovely.
I love that chipmunk fabric! The Covid mess is disturbing. We did have our daughters visit this weekend, who live locally. I told my daughter it was lovely to see them, instead of her dad and I just talking among ourselves. I told her it got a little boring. He responded "I'm never bored". Love your projects and lovely pictures! Hope you have a great week, and happy stitching!
We feel the same way about eggs nowadays and I totally agree with your Covid thoughts. I love chickadees and always find their sounds so comforting - makes me think that all is well when I hear and see them. I really like your x-stitch piece.
Jocelyn - my husband and I are luckier than most that we can get out into nature, go skiing and the like without much concern. We wear masks and keep our distance as needed, but I don't feel too constrained. I can't imagine what it must be like for people in large cities! Chickadees are by far the largest group of visitors I get to my feeders, and they are always perky and full of personality. I could watch them for hours! Stay warm and well! P.S. I do think eggs have gotten smaller.
Post a Comment