Friday, 31 October 2025

Morning Routine, Quilt Finish, Embroidering Flowers, Wildlife

So it is Halloween here in Canada and a very wet, cold one in our corner of the country. Here is what I've done this morning before sitting down with a cup of half caf. 

Fed the dogs and let them out and back in. Put cream on Ned's little spot he's licked too much. Also had to chase him to get a tissue from him. Boy, does he love tissues and he has an insane ability to sus them out! 

Ran the swifter over the floor in the t.v.room and this main area. Dog hairs and threads, ugh! Btw, I saw a hack online to cut up an old sock and use on the swifter and it works really well.

Watered my plants...all have been given severe cuts and repotted since bringing them inside for the winter. The Geranium is actually reblooming since the cutting.

Nice to have so much green in the house again.
Moved the recycling to the outside back deck and tidied it. Something tipped it over in the night but couldn't get the lid off the big can I use out there- thankfully.

Remembered to get ground beef from the downstairs freezer to make spaghetti sauce for supper. Also brought up two sheets that dried on the line down there and folded them and put them away. 

And the best bit...watched two large deer make their way across the front and up the lane way. And took photos. First sighting through the window on the back stairs, while bringing up the sheets and meat.

Deer look alike; they rarely have a distinguishing feature other than size. Just look at the leaves...a true carpet.
What is your morning routine? I decided not to include any exercise first thing this morning as I was on my feet a lot yesterday and will be again later today. 

I read an article lately called Celebrating The Science of Quilts that I think you might enjoy. The link is found HERE at Hyperallergic online magazine. The article included this beauty below, Pot of Flowers Quilt With Birds, made in 1860. Photo is Julie Schneider's and she also wrote the article. 

I love how nature has played such a huge role in quilting for inspiration, colours, textures, ideas, etc. 

We are enjoying the new season of Slow Horses. I confess I don't always follow the story lines but I do enjoy Gary Oldman's performance and I absolutely love how Kristin Scott Thomas looks like her own lovely self. You know what I mean. She has not plumped up anything the ridiculous way so many are doing.  

My enjoyable embroidery piece, Floralies, is moving along. This is a great project for when I have those smaller time frames and want something in my hands. I hope the colours are showing as they are so pretty. 

My goal is to finish this before the new year.
 I'm happy that the Propeller quilt is all done. I put it through the washer and dryer; nothing shrank and it is quite snuggly just the way I wanted it to feel. 
Here is the bright blue apples fabric on the back which I brought around to the front for a narrow border.

It finished at a good lap size of 48in x 50in. 
So happy with it. Here it is on our bed with my faithful assistant assisting.
I also worked on the four pumpkin tablemat. And I'm thinking of making a Christmas quilt this year so having fun looking online for a pattern, one labeled advanced beginner which applies to me on a couple of levels. It's time I pieced something on the machine. I just realized this...I must check out my post over there on the right...it's got a bank of free Christmas patterns link. 

LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color's prompt this week is about handing out candy for Halloween Trick or Treaters. We don't get any kids here this far away from the cul de sac. In the old days, I used to dress up to hand out candy. I loved being a witch and I once really frightened two large boys (ones who were definitely too old to be trick or treating) who were not expecting a witch to jump out. They ran away screaming which I did not expect. BTW, I didn't jump scare any little kids, just for the record.

Hope nobody is jump scaring you...they're the worse, and everything is calm at your place. Take care all!




25 comments :

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

Happy Halloween, Jocelyn! I love your story about dressing up as a witch and scaring those kids. I'm guessing they got a big laugh out of it after the surprise was over! Your propeller quilt is a lovely finish!

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

I can just picture you jumping out as a witch and scaring the boys LOL what fun. I get no trick or treaters either out here - did back in the early days when we had kid and other kids in the neighbor but people all bring their kids to the "trunk or treat" events or church events and don't go door to door in the country any longer. I love that actress that you mentioned and yes so many that are in the 50-80 range in Hollywood/NYC do the surgeries and Botox or whatever I guess they really have trouble getting parts if they don't try to appear much younger than they are - people don't want to admit to aging although there are a handful of them that said to heck with it and have gone natural.

Melisa- pinkernpunkinquilting said...

LOL you gave those boys a Halloween to remember. I have started to move some of my plants indoors too. It is so lovely to see yours. They certainly add to the coziness. You always capture the best wildlife photos. I used to look outside my bathroom window in the mornings and watch a mama deer and her young. It has been awhile since I have seen them. Enjoy your day, Jocelyn and Happy Halloween. Hugs

Ute naeht und strickt said...

Liebe Jocelyn ich möchte mich einmal für Deinen tollen Bloc bedanken.Ich lese ihn gerne und
freue mich über die Bilder
Ich bin so oft Deiner Meinung
und bin glücklich über Deine Tipps
Ich mache auch Handarbeit wie Stricken Häkeln Sticken Patchwork usw.
Ich bin 80 Jahre und wohne in Norddeutschland.Also danke und paß gut auf euch auf Ute

Rosemary Dickinson said...

You had a very busy morning! Speaking of deer, I haven't seen ours in awhile. I hope they're okay and still out there somewhere. I love the Propeller quilt. Great finish! Your embroidery piece is beautiful! I can't see you scaring anyone but your story made me chuckle!! Happy Halloween!!!

Jenny said...

No Halloween happens here, it's not really a big thing here in New Zealand. Perhaps so with younger families and children. Living in our village at the end of a road, there is little through traffic, so we seldom get strangers walking by. Your embroidery is so lovely Jocelyn.

Jeanna said...

Your morning routine is quite active and productive. You got nice photos of the deer. Floralies is stunning! Love the colors. I really like the way you wrapped the backing around to make a small border on the propeller quilt.

Quilting Babcia said...

Morning routine around here involves letting the cat in, letting the cat out, rinse and repeat. Several times some days before getting breakfast ready. Coffee, spinach and feta omelet, toasted homemade sourdough bread, maybe a second cup of coffee, read my online devotionals, check out blog posts. Laundry, make beds, try to ignore the TV in the next room. Your routine sounds very busy, getting out to walk Ned is good exercise for both body and spirit. Love your current embroidery and the new propeller quilt finish!

Andrea H. said...

It’s pretty quiet here for Halloween. I live in Georgia and see lots of deer too. Beautiful creatures but so scary when you are driving! I love smocking and embroidery, but I’m afraid my style is pretty basic! I did finish this quilt a long and am in the process of getting the top ready for quilting. Thought you might be interested in the free pattern too.

https://my.modafabrics.com/tags/holiday-stitch-long

Linda at Texas Quilt Gal said...

What a perfect window for your pretty plants! Love the deer photo with the leaves carpet in the background. I just realized by your mention of stairs that you climb them regularly. We have been casually looking for a house and it has been drilled into our heads (by our son) not to get a 2-story house. I admit our balance isn't what it used to be, but we both love a 1.5 or 2-story house, they have more "character"! I honestly think it would do us some good to climb some steps daily.
Our subdivision hosts a big Halloween trick/trick the Saturday before Halloween, have done so for years. Some of the teens dress up and get candy, and someone fussed about it on our Facebook community page. Well one of their Moms responded that her sons were doing that instead of having their faces in their phones or out causing mischief, and what a good thing it was - so she is right, it is good clean fun!

Michele McLaughlin said...

LOL at scaring the big kids. We used to have teenagers come here. They hardly had a costume on (just a mask or something). Love the quilt but that embroidery is lovely! Loved seeing your deer. Have a lovely weekend!

Deb A said...

I love your morning routine - it keeps you moving and young! Great photo of the deer! Your propeller quilt is a lovely finish and your embroidery is beautiful! My normal weekday routine - is to get up at 6:30 so I can make sure the girl is up for school and wish her a good day as she leaves at 6:40. Let the dog out and feed him. Then watch the local news and check online a bit. If it's light outside - I take the dog for a walk a bit after 7 (after I see the boy is up who leaves by 7:20) so I can get home, quick shower and log on to work for 8. It's been dark lately, so he gets a walk mid morning or at lunch or after work - depending on how hot it is outside. Someone is glaring at me, so I'd better get dressed and walk him! Enjoy your weekend. Still can't picture you jumping out and scaring the boys! Too funny.

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Apartment life means we no longer have to shell out and I noted that they didn't even give out candy in our lobby which they've done in previous years.
Floralies is stunning! You are creating a masterpiece there.

Delighted Hands said...

What a pleasurable post! I love the Floralies piece; very similar to the quilt you admired!

Florida Farm Girl said...

I've been out and about and not checking in on blogs lately. Looks like you're pleasantly busy. No Halloween here on the top of the hill. Dead end street and we're the last house at the top of the hill, no kids in sight on our street either. I didn't grow up with trick or treat and don't miss it. Hope your pond is refilled and stays that way. Take care.

Anonymous said...

I love deer crossing the yard. Wish we had more deer around our house. But it is to crowded here where we live. Love your embroidery!

PaintedThread said...

Work morning routine: make tea and do some exercises while it brews. Then head to the work computer (and somewhere in there do my list of online games). :-) Slow Horses! It makes us laugh so much. Rob and I should go as Lamb and Standish. He just needs big glasses and a trenchcoat. LOL

I love your projects and your local flora and fauna.

Jackie said...

Our resident deer should be visiting very soon. They usually come out at night from down in the valley below. I only had one visitor last night. Now that there are very few children around our area we do not get many.

God bless.

Sylvia@Treadlestitches said...

I always love reading your posts, it's like visiting with a friend. Congrats on the Propeller quilt, I especially love those blue apples on the back. Floralies is amazing! Such lovely work.

Anonymous said...

I was away at a quilting retreat for Halloween this year. My husband told me he was going to give away fat quarters for Halloween. Good thing none of the kids wanted those! I blogged about the retreat last night.
Your propeller quilt looks fabulous! Your helper has a discerning eye…
We had a large raccoon wander across our patio this past week. It made the motion light come on.
Take care and have a good week.

Gail at the cozy quilter

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

Sounds like a good day!!Your spinning pinwheels is so cute, and the backing fabric is adorable!!!
Give Ned a hug and tell him to leave the tissues alone ( Bella loves them too.. WHy????)

TerryKnott.blogspot.com said...

I enjoyed your witch story! Your propeller quilt finish is terrific!

Jocelyn is Canadian Needle Nana said...

Hi Diann, you are right about the boys. One of them saw me the next day in school and called out "Good one, Mrs. Hayes". It isn't easy to impress teenaged boys. :)

Brenda @ Songbird Designs said...

Great story, Jocelyn! Your propeller quilt is so pretty...love it! I really love your Floralies piece. It is fabulous! We've had small herds of deer roaming through our yard and woods of late. Some of them will just look cautiously if we come out, and others bolt right away. I love seeing them. Thanks for sharing with us at Monday Musings. Have a great week.

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