Two Stitchy Project Updates, Back to Basic Recipes, New Small Appliance

 Walking has been a challenge here lately because of the heat. I experienced something I've never felt before while down at the pond the other day. One of those breezes that wells from the ground came up and it blew hot air at my face. So hot! The poor dogs were panting so we three just hightailed it back to the house where I'm so thankful our AC is working again...only were able to use it once last summer. The thermometer told me it was 35C which I think is like 94 F or close- you have to agree with me that is hot! Kudos to those of you who live in hot climates especially ones with humidity. Tony says I'd adjust if I had to but I'm not sure as humidity especially just makes me melt..one day last week we had 100% which doesn't sound possible. My hair has been such a mess. But that's all small stuff, every single bit of what I just wrote... enough whining, it is summer with glorious sunshine and massive beautiful growth in the gardens.

Here is something I've discovered loves the heat...the Coleus. This is one of my indoor houseplants and was in sorry shape after a long winter with little or low sun. Wish I'd taken a before photo. Here it is on summer holidays out on the back veranda and loving it. The light intensity has turned the leaves gorgeous purples. 

I've been doing some pinching to make it fill in as it has a tendency to become spindly. And thank you for the plant tips...I learn so much from you all, please keep them coming. 

In the sewing room...

I've been busy machine stitching more blue strings blocks. As I've said, my scraps appear to be unending...silly me, I'd thought that would be why I would have to end this project. Now I'm wondering how many blocks to make. This is 20 and I think 20 more would create a good overall design. What do you think?

I'll have to do more checking around the net to see other arrangements.

And I've been matching handles to basket bottoms too and have made 15 3/4 so far for the appliqued Basket Loves project. These have been fun to hand stitch using a blanket stitch edging on the handles. Must realign that handle on the far right bottom which is unsewn. I'm now at the stage of thinking of whether or not to end the basket making part of this project. I have the appliqued border finished too for one side and have to think about the others. 

Norma said not to fret about getting the handles perfect, after all this is a primitive style project, but I noticed hers were all identical and perfection, of course. Her site is Timeless Traditions Quilting if you'd like to take a look at her sweet patterns. 

So here is my new small appliance. The Kitchenarm Smart Bread Maker...

I'd given up on bread machines as the last two broke and Tony couldn't fix them and they were not worth paying someone to find out what was wrong. I hate the idea of more waste in the landfill. But I

really missed the convenience of having a machine that made a perfect loaf now and then. This one popped up in my feed one day and I saw it had the most 4.8 to 5 star ratings of any other machine on the market and it's a company that makes only bread machines. I broke down and ordered it. I received an email immediately from their webpage inviting me to explore their recipe site...Kitchen Arm Breads where I noted there is a recipe for sourdough starter.  Tony loves bread so much so very soon I'll let you know how it fares. 

I enjoyed this video below and not just because the featured cook, Christine, is a fellow Newfoundlander which was fun. It is about money saving hacks regarding food and included recession proof recipes to make the kind of meals our grandparents and, for me, my mother, would have made. Simple ingredients all and so healthy too. And it reminded me I need to make Oatcakes.

Married to a Nova Scotian for 34 years in my first marriage, these were almost always in the house. I remember being able to bake them even on Baffin Island because they don't require eggs.  I'm sharing Kelly Neil's recipe and, little tip, she says you'll need an empty Spam can, of all things, to cut the perfectly rounded corners. That bit was new to me.

Kelly Neil's Nova Scotia Oatcake recipe is there.

Our kitchen sink blocked up again and made a mess. But on the upside, we got to clean out the pipes like they'd never been cleaned before so maybe that will prevent this almost usual thing from happening any time soon. And an additional up side, I got to use a tip I saw on YouTube that old black tea is good for cleaning wooden floors. I made a large pot of it and used it on the floors after the spills were all cleaned up. It made the floor look very clean with a nice matte kind of finish. It's definitely so much cheaper than bought cleaners...I used 4 well steeped teabags and you would think this would be better for the environment too. 

This has been a very busy appointment filled week for us with still two more to go, one with the dermatologist this afternoon to check on Tony's skin cancers, then back to the imagery clinic tomorrow for part two of his chemical nuclear stress test. Tony has a good tolerance for all this and it never affects his mood, which is a blessing. 

I hope you are staying cool or warm wherever you are in this big world of ours!

Do check out Not Afraid of Color where folks are also sharing their likes this week. Sharing this post with wonderful linky parties at  The Inquiring Quilter, Alycia Quilts, Quilt Schmilt, The Quiltery, Small Quilts and Doll Quilts and Creations Art Whatever.

Autumn's Beauty, Tasty Treats, Susie's Scrappy Basket Block

The beautiful mother tree to the left side of the house...taken at dusk when the leaves had a brilliant orange glow and the blue sky turned an interesting turquoise colour. It reminded me of the strange colours old polaroid photos sometimes had. 

An angle taken from the laneway, a sunny one, of this tree when the leaves have yellowed and started to fall.

It is a surprise how many people say Autumn is their favourite time of year. Living here where humidity is part of summer, I can understand it now. We'll also be happy to have the panicky feeling of violent thunder and lightening storms behind us. There were a few too many of those this last summer. And the ticks- our count was 7 between the two of us, mostly on me, luckily none attached.

Our last vegetable box had the cutest little pumpkin in it.

Going through my saved feed, I came across a neat scrappy block and surprised myself by giving it a try right away. A variation on a 9 patch block. Susie calls it Little Beauty Scrappy Baskets. You'll have to pop over to Susie's Scraps post and see her cute quilt. It's got a dainty look to it especially with using the whites. Will I make more? Yes especially because this doesn't have to be precise to keep true the look.

Beth dropped off a box of Halloween gingerbread cookies she had made with Robbie's help. They were delicious with a cup of tea. Recipe for My Favorite Gingerbread Cookies found here at Sally's Baking Recipes.

Speaking of Robbie, his hockey league is sorted and the games have begun. We have enjoyed attending two so far. Here he spots us in the crowd and gives a quick wave.

This week I kept very busy. Besides time in the sewing room, I spent time in the library, roaming a thrift store and, while parked in front of my favourite Flosstubers, slow stitching too. It is Halloween here in Canada. We don't get trick or treaters down our long laneway so other than making a loot bag for Robbie, this occasion will pass us by. 

I hope you are all feeling satisfied with how your days are going, whether moving into winter or summer where you are. I especially hope for steadiness and calm south of our border for my wonderful American friends as they face their presidential election. 

Project Updates, Jodi's Seedlings Book, No Bake Mini Muffins, Summer Drinks

There are certain weeds I won't cut down right away. The wild Thistles are one of them and it is for this reason. Goldfinches depend on thistles for food and use thistledown for their nests. This one was checking out the Purple Globe Thistle plant that won't bloom till late July. 

The spiritual meaning of Goldfinches is to encourage resilience and embrace changes gracefully. So many of us have been tried and tested in both those regards, right?

Mid week progress on two of my quilty projects...the extra scrappy EPP 3 inch 9 patches and more Tilda Peels. I was pleased to note fabric from four men's shirts in my 9 patches. Can you spot it?

I love Tales of Cloth where Jodi Godfrey shares her amazing slow stitching journey through life. And  when she made this book available, I had to buy it. I got my copy from Amazon. EPP is a favourite pastime of mine as you know, and I also love how Jodi's designs are uncomplicated. BTW, I found Jodi while researching the famous and beautiful Kingwell EPP Smitten quilt that so many folks stitched. Here is Beth de Maille's Smitten Pinterest page if you'd like to have a gander at that. 

One design of Jodi's in particular has been in my file for a long time. I bought a number of large pieces of soft florals when I first started fabric shopping many years ago. That was back when I thought the only way to buy fabric was by the yard. They would suit that pattern well I think. More about that later.

Jodi also has a bank of free patterns to check out. I downloaded this one called the Orbit Quilt. 

  I happened to be out front pulling weeds when my latest OddBunch box got delivered. The driver, whose name was Sarmad- I get text notifications- stood there looking around and saying beautiful, beautiful. He was so nice but had to run off quickly keeping to a schedule. I really hope his time in Canada is going well. 

I'm enjoying the challenge of using whatever appears in the box. 

To date I have had a number of items that I never buy and a few that are new to me..blackberries and radishes that I know of but never buy, tiny cucumbers called Poppers, limes, apricots, butter beans, beets, various squashes, a huge crispy living lettuce head with the roots attached and when I looked it up, had been grown with hydroponics. There are always a number of organic items, which I never buy at the grocery store. Beth and I think these are available because of how expensive groceries are esp. the organic these days.

And speaking of food, I showed you my mini muffin pan last time. That's melted chocolate there and my special vanilla older daughter brought me back from Cuba.

I made these no bake 2 bite treats and I'm loving them. I used milk chocolate for my top layer instead of the dark. They have to be kept in the fridge because the mixture gets soft quickly. I added a couple of sprinkles of sea salt.

I got my recipe-very simple ingredients- from The Roasted Root but there are many versions on the net. Instead of peanut butter you could use mashed banana. Though I love bananas, I'm not crazy about the flavour in baked things ... odd I know.

 LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color's Prompt this week is if we have a favourite summertime drink. I wish I could say I did enjoy a special or fun exotic drink- I could show it with one of those mini muffins. But I do drink more of my favourite sparkling water during summer time...San Pellegrino, in particular.  Here are other drinks I keep cool in the fridge...Mango juice, Kombucha, and Cranberry Ginger Ale. And I squirt lemon and lime into everything. What about you? Iced coffees maybe?

Rain falling in sheets there outside. Day 2 of that. Thank you, Beryl. 

Otherwise, all is rosy in our garden here at the Wooden House. Hope all is equally going well for you as this summer moves right along at a very snappy pace. 

So happy to link with Kathy's Quilts, Creations Quilts Art, Small Quilts and Doll Quilts and Quilting is More Fun Than Housework.

Quilting and Cross Stitch Projects, Thrift Find and Bonita's Raisin Buns

 It is always a treat to open the kitchen curtain in the morning. I never know what I might see. One morning recently -back when the sun was shining- this fellow was sleeping in the driveway. I watched him idly glance about, yawn and tuck his head back down for a few more zees. I wondered how long he'd been there; overnight would be unlikely as I know foxes have dens. I'm always surprised by how long and thin their snouts are and their bodies too. And what colour! Note: taken from a great distance and this is not the first time a fox has chosen the big garage driveway for a nap.

This week's treat with a cup of tea...Bonita's Kitchen Raisin Tea Buns. 

Two things... #1, I didn't brush them with egg or milk and they were very pale on top but golden on the bottom. If I could just serve them upside down...

#2, I used the amount of sugar as called for in the recipe and these were too sweet for me. But you know who loved them. I will use this recipe again but I will cut the sugar by a third. 

That plate is a thrift find. I love it when I spy pink plates which are rare and especially ones with the pretty dense double edge of leaves like this one had. Unique. It is Mason's "Vista" featuring a typical English scene. And what shade would you call that deep red?

I haven't yet shared my hand stitching on this colourful quilt below. This is the scrappy blocks project I'd layered and readied for quilting back in ???

I decided to use a star design for the middle of each of the black blocks. I cut out a cardboard template and used my erasable pencil to outline a wonky star.

I used different colours of Perle cotton to outline each one.

Though I have the stars all stitched now, I quickly realized summer time is maybe not the best time to be working on a quilt in your lap. But I do hope to add more quilting lines outlining the blocks and finish it this summer to have as my very own lap quilt for the fall. 

It was too wet to do much in the garden work or sit outside stitching this weekend but the best excuse ever to sit and stitch inside. 

In particular, enjoyable cross stitching moved along my Pileated Woodpecker. I had a stitchy dilemma about that grey. Somehow the called for DMC 646 had been swapped for a Simply Shaker Aged Pewter. Because it wasn't quite as dark grey as the photo showed, I worried about it. As more stitches got laid I realized it shades darker depending how you look at it. It is more closely resembling the picture than can be seen here so I'm okay with it.

 I have had to dress like a mariner to venture outside. Rainfall warnings every single day. Huge downpours, the kind that bring down weak branches and bend over my tall plants. Photos of the mariner and her brown dog next time.

Hope there is something sweet and wonderful in your week!

Also wonderful to share this post with The Inquiring Quilter, A Quiltery, My Quilt Infatuation, Alycia Quilts, It's A Small Town Life and Melva Loves Scraps.

Hourglass Blocks, Free Patterns, Berry Scones

The garden and land is getting a summer look with so much green grass and sprouting leaves everywhere. No matter the season or weather my morning routine is exactly the same... get up and get out.

 I take Ned out for a big walkabout first thing. How tall our trees are!

Then back home where he gets fed and I get a coffee. Then I usually get my laptop out and work a little on my blog or photos or emails. What about you? Do you have a morning routine? This was our latest Prompt from LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color.

 On Tuesday we had a late afternoon violent thunder and lightening storm that lasted a couple of hours. It got dark enough to need the lights turned on and the wild wind bent the tree tops which worried us. And it rained so heavily our gutters couldn't handle it.

But it all cleared up without a power outage and none of the hail that some places got. Phew!

I baked a little treat for us this week. I'd torn this recipe from one of the Costco magazines and since we both love scones/biscuits, I gave it a try.

 I used whole wheat flour and added cranberries and chopped strawberries and didn't cut back the sugar which I usually do. Not as pretty as the picture but tasty with a mug of tea. 

I put all my appliqued scrappy Hourglass blocks together and realized I need more colours especially blues. Seems I have just one sad and lonely blue block there. Thank you those who suggested more darks to form contrast. I have no shortage of dark scraps. 

So back to the scrap bins I go! 

Speaking of which, I continue to cut scraps into more appropriate sizes rather than blobs. I'm using my Marti Michell's template set and the pieces will be stored in marked bags from now on -rather than left in a bin able to mill about and get totally jumbled up.

 I never mind doing this chore; seeing the pretty fabrics up close is enjoyable and reminding me of the projects sewn with them too. I get in a fit of doing this from time to time when I feel overwhelmed by the yardage on hand...which seems to be bothering me more lately. However, I'm happy to say I've stayed true to my fabric diet so far this year.  

This is a wonderful block I found at Free Patterns web site. It is called Bountiful Blessings. They have covered all the hobbies with free patterns to sew, crochet, knit, quilt, cross stitch, etc. so lots for you to check out. What a pretty table topper this would make!

Since I've been researching how to use my Tiny 9 Patches in an interesting arrangement, I've found many different patterns. Below is one such...Sweet Menagerie, a free pattern from the folks at Moda Fabrics.

 I've been watching Peter Santenello videos for a few years...think I started during the Pandemic. Peter visits different areas of the US- mostly out of the way spots, doesn't do anything political, just speaks to local people to learn about their lives. It seems everyone has a story and some are so fascinating.  He also tries out whatever is the local food which I enjoy. This is the one where we learned so much about West Virginia and the coal industry which is doing quite well just now.  

Our house guest, Petey, has gone home and Ned has been catching up on his rest. Similar to human house guests, he found Petey amusing but the busyness very tiring. Interesting how two dog brothers can be so different. 

Hope you all have a good weekend doing something you love!

Sharing this post with It's a Small Town Life, Quilting is More Fun Than Housework, So Scrappy, Small Quilts and Doll Quilts and Kathy's Quilts.

Tempestry Project, Confetti Scraps, Woodpecker Slow Stitching, Friday Nights

 "Into your hands and out of your head"- Kate, The Last Homely House.

She was referring to the comfort and special calm that stitching can bring us. 

Kate was recently a guest lecturer on a Norwegian stitching cruise where she met the lady who is one of the leaders of the Tempestry Project. This is a project where you stitch a temperature chart of the year you were born and one of this year. An easy way to track if the climate has changed much in that area. It would be interesting, wouldn't it?  You can see more about the project, purchase kits, etc. at this link -Tempestry Project. I've seen so many of you making temperature quilts and cross stitch projects that I figured you would be interested.

In between admiring the fjords and villages, Kate taught English Paper Piecing hexagons. It is a lovely video with lots of sights to enjoy. And the food, oh my. 

Last week was a productive one for a retiree. I worked at my fitness, helped Tony with the income taxes which always involves a call to the help line these days, and got in a big shop at the huge Walmart where there is a fascinating international isle. I also finished an online photography course and learned more about the workings of my camera. (I so wish I had taken up this hobby back when much younger!) 

.And of course, stitched. In between the bigger projects I continue to stitch the scraps into Confetti blocks. Info found at Stitched in Color. I try to have them set up ready to go as leaders and enders. More about that yarn later.

Friday nights we've been enjoying going to the arena to watch Robbie play spring hockey. 

It's reminding me of the series Friday Night Lights which we both enjoyed so much. And it helped us understand more about football's place in small town American society. It is still streaming on Crave.

And Robbie has been giving football a try himself. I should say that it is not all about sports with him; he did a pottery course with his mom recently and enjoyed it very much. 

Mystery Meat turned out to be chicken thighs. So YES to those of you who guessed Chicken. I baked them with a butter chicken curry sauce and served with rice. And following so many of you who suggested I bake the Butternut Squash- I did just that. It softened beautifully and was easy to scoop out. Mixed with a tiny bit of brown sugar and butter, it was delicious. We both loved it! 

It's time to get out of my head and into my hands here. Picking this up right now as soon as I leave you.  The Woodpecker, Year in the Woods #9 by Cottage Garden Samplings.

Stitching this one's head. What a beak!

Hope your Monday is going well and your week will be even better!

Happily sharing with Songbird Designs, Quilting is More Fun Than Housework and Kathy's Quilts .

Quilting Updates, Rucking, This Weeks' This and That

A frozen mystery meat is thawing on the counter. It must be meat as it's really heavy. Time will reveal what it is and what I can make for supper with it. Any frozen mystery gems at your house?

LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color's prompt this week is bed and breakfast or luxury hotel? I don't have a preference but I don't think I've ever stayed in a luxury hotel. I'll stay anywhere that looks nice and safe. I spent two March holidays in a condo on a Florida beach and found that to be wonderful. All the amenities, beach almost at the door, surrounded by fellow Canadians also in a holiday mood, but didn't have to talk to anyone unless you wanted to, of course.  When I get my blood pressure checked, I visualize the pelicans (which I'd never seen before and was fascinated with) diving and rising from the sea that I watched while knitting on the beach. The word Bliss comes to mind. Probably some of the most relaxed holiday moments for me ever. What about you? 

I've slow stitched more scrappy Applique Pieced Hourglass blocks. So easy with the 5 inch squares pack all ready to go. This is the first time I've used such precuts. Just realized this is a great RSC super scrappy project too. 

In the sewing room, more work on the Bramble Blooms with three sides sewn on. And two more rows of the Panama Pyramids have been added. One row gave me such grief but I managed to get it done. 

I was disappointed to read that Quiltmania has suddenly, it seems, closed down. As you know I took part in several of their free SAL's and had subscriptions to their magazines at various times over the years. I have a lovely stack of them. They brought a unique world wide perspective to the quilting world that will be missed. 

You are going to shake your head when you hear the latest thing I'm trying out exercise wise. I didn't know it had a name but of course it does. It's called rucking and you can read about it HERE. I've put clothes in the bottom of my backpack and then bar bells to wear on my walks. I'd started light with just 10 pounds which really I hardly feel so I'm going to add more weight. The overall goal is to get back into the shape I achieved during my 69-70 year. That was when I wanted to face age 70 in the best physical shape I could muster. Since then I've experienced stress which can certainly side track personal goals. All is calm presently- well calm-ish- and also, knowing my heart is in good shape means there won't be a better time to resume this goal- fingers crossed. 

I heard from many of you about the Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls recipe I shared in the last post. They are called Buckeyes-such a fun name, in some states and there are slight variations in the ingredients. 

And wow to the news that many folks already knew about that use for castor oil! Thank you, J, for pointing me to THIS SITE that has 6 pages of moisturizing products that contain castor oil! 

Meanwhile, I'm on the hunt for a chocolate bar that is low in gluten. I'm sure some of you will have ideas about this. I've tried several health bar types but they don't taste all that great to me.  I wonder how Kit Kats fare in that department because I like them for a treat now and then. I just found out Cheerios are gluten free (mostly), something I never knew. I guess if you live long enough, you know it all. The tricky part would be what gets remembered. 

Hope your weekend is wonderful and your stitching fingers will be flying!

Happily linking with A Quiltery, Quilting is More Fun Than Housework, Small Quilts and Doll Quilts and Kathy's Quilts.

Free Patterns, Surprising Beauty Product, Tiny 9 Patches, Peanut Butter Balls

Tony's breakfast...Beth's homemade bread, one slice with peanut butter and the other with marmalade. 

He gets a subscription to Down Home, a Newfoundland magazine, every year for his birthday. He enjoys reading it and doing the puzzle pages. I like to check the recipes. Here's one recently that brought back memories...a very popular sweet back home, Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls. Simple ingredients. Would these be popular where you are??

My Sunday slow stitching was finishing these EPP tiny 3 inch 9 patch blocks. I'd put aside a few yellowish scraps when I was sorting to use for these. I included the ruler this time so you could see the scale which is impossible to gauge in photos. A truly addictive scrappy project.

In my last post I made a promise to share a couple of things....

#1 The first is a common item that folks are using on their skin in general and recently their faces! and claiming good results. Back in the day there was a bottle of this in everyone's home as it was a remedy for a common problem. The item is Castor Oil and I'm sure you older folks would definitely know of its use. I've done some reading and yes, it apparently is packed full of good things. The woman who caught my attention with this-below- used it on her knee replacement scar and it definitely improved the skin texture and overall look. She decided to use it on her face and after several months is very happy with how it seems to be plumping her skin. Even though castor oil is an ingredient in many beauty products- I did not know that!, there is very little science to back it up its claims. There needs to be more testing for sure. Here at WebMB you can read more about it. And here is the fun lady who got me thinking about it. She also shares lots of other interesting things.

And #2 is  two free lovely quilt patterns for you...

The first is from Jera at Quilting in the Rain. A gorgeous Cosy Cabins and Trees design. This is  versatile and can be made for Christmas or any season depending on the fabric choice. Jera also offers different variations to change it up. While there, take a good look around as Jera generously offers free patterns with each of her pretty fabric lines.

And the second called Tiny Beasts is from the folks at Quilting Mayhem. Bear Claw in rainbow colours. How sweet is this. I love it and wonder if I have the sewing skills to make it.

This week I'm hoping to get out shoe shopping. I need a new pair of sneakers/running shoes and I have to try them on so can't order online. Speaking of shoes...did you see this photo of Queen Letizia of Spain sitting instead of standing for the official greeting line with their Netherland guests.  Apparently she has done damage to her feet with wearing high heels so much. Podiatrists must shudder when they see the height of the heels being worn these days. 

Are you still awake?  I've rambled on enough for todays' post. Hope you are taking care of your feet and all the other bodily bits and bobs! And Happy Stitching too!

Happy to share this post with The Inquiring Quilter, It's a Small Town Life, Quilting Patchwork Applique, Sew Can Do and Alycia Quilts.