It isn't easy being green.....

.....having to spend each day the colour of the leaves......to quote Kermit the Frog.

Four border strips are being made, and the second piece from the top on the second strip from the right has - frogs!  Perhaps one of them is Kermit.  Pieces are cut three inches wide but different lengths as you can see, and they are not exclusively green; some have orange, purple, white, yellow....because gardens are never just one shade of green, are they?

Four more pairs are pinned ready to be sewn on my 1950 Singer Featherweight.  Each and every stitch on this quilt has been made on this machine, but the binding will have to be sewn on My Lovely New Bernina because the Featherweight doesn't have a walking foot.

 Pieces are being randomly picked from the mess on the sewing room table in no particular order as to length or colour, and two are joined; four of these sets are made.  Then a third piece is added to the four sets, then a fourth, so the four sets are four pieces long - but, of course, they are different lengths, because the pieces are selected at random.  However - the four strips hanging in front of the cupboard are almost exactly the same length, how about that!  There is only an inch difference between the shortest and longest strips.  The two side pieces need to be 79-1/2 inches long so there is a little way to go yet, and the top and bottom strips will be about five inches longer again.

That has been the highlight of my week.  How about everyone else?

Words have been read.  Stitches have been sewn by hand and by machine, and stitches have also been knitted because there were a couple of appointments.  Songs were sung, but I have been a bit lazy and not picked up uke or guitar because U3A groups are on holidays.  I decided that I would not continue as leader next year; sadly the response to trying more complex songs (rather than just songs with two or three easy chords) has been disappointingly underwhelming.  I would like to persist but have enough balls in the air at present, so that will be dropped.....but only that, and my friend will come here instead so we can play music together.  I plan to keep on with choir, and with my quilting group and sewing group, because I need those breaks from my duties as reluctant carer.

Yesterday afternoon we were out and about and I pointed out to Kevin that, as he knows that I dislike driving but am just trying to just get on with it to the best of my ability, a word or two of encouragement rather than criticism would go a long way.  All he said was "well, you're not driving as fast as you were".  Well - thank you for nothing.

My brain has pretty much adjusted to daylight saving.  The joy of being retired is not having to adhere to a strict morning timetable (although someone who shall be nameless has booked the car in for 8 a.m. next Friday, my gawd that's way heaps too early for me) but to ease into most days gradually.  I have said that if I have to be out and about at such an ungodly hour, I expect to have breakfast somewhere nice where I am seated and someone waits on me, to compensate for such an early start.  I am thinking eggs Benny might be suitable recompense.  Just.

When we retired we coped quite well with the change from two cars to one; Kevin had a car with his job so I used 'our' car.  However, going from two drivers to one has turned out to be much more challenging.  No more can he go to the fruit/vegie shop (which, by the way, sells very nice gelato) or take the car to its servicing, or take himself to his own appointments, leaving me at home in peace.  One benefit is, I suspect that we are now using less fuel than before because I refuse to go out for just one thing, whereas he used to go out at the drop of a hat.  Or a car key.

Now we can look forward to getting some bridal loot.

"Bridal presents.

When bridal presents are given, they are sent to the bride previous to the day of the marriage ceremony.  At the universal bridal present has fallen into disuse, this custom is not now considered obligatory, and if immediate friends and relatives desire to make presents, it should be spontaneous, and in no sense considered obligatory.  These presents are still put on exhibition as formerly, and are acknowledged by the bride in a private note to the donor.  It is not now, however, considered in good form to talk about these contributions."

Tamworth Historical Society has, in their museum, some of the wedding clothing worn by a woman who was married in the 1890s.  (Such tiny feets and narrow shoulders and teeny waists......)  The display also includes copies of pages from the local paper of the time describing the wedding - which includes a list of gifts, all laid out for anyone and everyone to read and compare.  Tactfully, the monetary amounts of cheques are not published, just the fact that 'Mr and Mrs So-and-So presented the bride and groom with a cheque'.

Enjoy your days!

Jennifer

Arboretum is - finally - a finished quilt!

Not the best pic in the world, but good enough to give the general idea.

The holder-upper had gone for a walk, so the fence had to stand in as substitute.

After all, trees grow outside.

Finished is a good feeling!

There still needs to be a cover made from leftover backing fabric tacked over the label for both quilts, and a hanging sleeve improvised with backing fabric and pins for Arboretum, before they are delivered on Wednesday.  The Cunning Plan is to attend the show on Friday and see them hanging, although I don't expect to see blue ribbons pinned on.  

While at the show I am hoping to see - jousting!  Something I have never seen live, but it looks interesting; two people on horseback galloping towards each other, lances at full tilt.  One could pretend that one was back in the middle ages in days of old when knights were bold and all that Stuff, couldn't one.

The weekly wattle.  It is starting to look a little scrappy compared to the past few years, but it still puts on a glorious show.

Of course the little breeze sprang up again.....

We had some good rain early in the week, and the green hill is a sight to see.  That's our (slightly boring) wire fence which visually disappears and doesn't interrupt our view, unlike a solid wood or metal fence.

Well, here we are again at the end (or the beginning, depending on which calendar you follow) of another week.  Kevin hasn't made a final decision as to handing his driving licence in but I think that will come sooner rather than later, so he won't have to do that assessment in a couple of months.  I am getting the feel of driving in a car that I don't like, that is too big for me, that wasn't my choice, but that I am stuck with because at this stage in our lives it doesn't make financial sense to get something different.

Ah, well.  It's quicker than walking, isn't it.

We have a bus stop across the road, and during the week Kevin took the bus into town to collect his watch which was having a new battery put in.  It's very convenient for us; no worries about finding a parking spot, or having to contend with traffic (for a country town we seem to have a lot of traffic, as several highways converge here), we are taken right to the centre of town, and dropped off again just over the road.  We have used it from time to time over the years, and I can see it being very useful in future too.

Stitches have been sewn, as you can see.  None have been knitted as there have been no appointments, for a change.  Words have been read.  Songs have been plinked and sung, and a decision has been made as to next year's Eisteddfod song - 'Ukulele lady', a song which celebrated its 100th anniversary two years ago; not just the chorus which is familiar to many people, but the verses as well.  A choice of poem is still pending.  Yesterday we betook ourselves to the 2nd hand book sale down the road, run by one of the Rotary Clubs, which is open twice a week, and a book of Aussie poems was purchased.  Perhaps there will be a gem inside that I won't be able to resist.....if not, then I will make a return visit.  

Being a service club the book sale is manned (personned?) by volunteers who do a wonderful job of sorting and shelving the thousands of donated books, CDs, DVDs, jigsaw puzzles, you name it.  While looking for the poetry section, I was tickled to see books on war adjacent to books on religion.  There were a lot of quilting books but I kept away from them, likewise music books, as my goal was poetry.....but I have more books to drop off, so there will be another visit in my future.  A CD of music from an Ozzie guitar quartet also came home with me, I am looking forward to hearing it.

Now that we have had our "at home" reception and dropped many of our former friends from our list, no doubt causing offence to many, we come to "Calls".  

"Calls.

All guests and friends who receive "at home" invitations, or who are invited to the church, are required by etiquette to call upon the family of the bride, or to leave their cards, within ten days after the wedding."

That would be if we have any friends left after offending so many, yes?

Enjoy your days!

Jennifer

Breezin' along with the breeze

Like the old song.  Over the past week we seem to have been chasing our tails with very little to show for it; waiting at appointments (don't you feel like sending a bill for wasting your time when your appointment is for a specific time and you still end up waiting?  I do), filling in time while the lenses on my reading glasses were changed for newer stronger ones - I can now thread a needle again, yay! - and other ways to use up time.

We even had a ukulele group gig, our first since mid-November last year.  Our token bloke Brian asked us to be the entertainment for the monthly meeting of his prostate cancer group.  The members and their support people said nice things to us and about us, and we (and hopefully they) had an enjoyable afternoon.  The yummy home-made treats for afternoon tea weren't bad either.....butterfly cakes, chocolate walnut brownie.....I would happily play for them again.....

Our world is getting busier; the coming week has a few 'firsts' again after so many activities were shut down for so long.  First day back volunteering at a gallery on Tuesday, first U3A meeting tomorrow, first U3A ukulele get-together on Thursday, sewing group on Wednesday.  I'm wondering if I should schedule a time just to sit and draw breath.

While waiting for Kevin to come out of his appointment I managed to get a few rows knitted on the jumper I haven't touched for *ahem* some months.  It's now only one centimetre (or half an inch in old money) from being long enough for the armhole decrease.

Yarn is 'Rustic' 8 ply from Bendigo Woollen Mills, colour Mustard.  That's about equivalent to DK for the non-Aussies.  I just lurve the colour.....haven't decided if it will be a jumper (sweater) or cardy, but am leaning towards a jumper.  The back and sleeves are the same in any case so they will be made first, and one of my knitting stitch dictionaries has come up trumps with an intricate cable design for the front.

The decision also hasn't been made about what size diamonds to cut for tumbling blocks.  The smaller of these makes a 3.5 inch hexagon while the larger is four inches; the previous template was in between the two of these.  I quite like the smaller....perhaps I should do what was done before, and make one of each to see which I prefer.

If a little fabric is wasted in the process....why then, it's only fabric, isn't it?  There's plenty more where that came from....

Trimming the house blocks continues, the pile of 'to be trimmmed' blocks is diminishing and the pile of 'done finished trimming' blocks is growing.  Had the week been less busy more would have been done, but never mind.  It will get done.   

The world seems to be in....not a good place lately, doesn't it?  Some days it makes you feel like staying in bed with the covers over your head wishing it would all go away and be magically transmogrified into lollipops and rainbows again, but we know that's not going to happen.  Sigh....

The reason for the medical stuff is because once we reach a Certain Age the state government has decreed that we have a medical assessment declaring us fit to drive a motor vehicle.  It includes an eye assessment (I have an annual eye check-up in any case, have done for a long time) and questions being ticked off by a doctor.  Sigh....at least it is now done for the year, so a 12 month respite before having to do it again.  And again.....I really don't like going to the doctor, I try to avoid medical Stuff wherever possible.  If only it would avoid me.

Recently my phone died and had to be replaced.  I am now the owner of a new phone, pastel green, a pretty thing indeed.  It needs a padded case and in my sewing stash is the Very Thing, a piece of quilted fabric left over from a bag made some years ago.  Green, of course....when the house blocks are all trimmed.

Continuing "Duties of guests":

"It is not binding upon any gentleman to remain one moment longer than he desires with any lady.  By constantly moving from one to another, when he feels so inclined, he gives an opportunity to others to circulate as freely; and this custom, generally introduced in our society, would go a long way toward conributing to the enjoyment of all.  The false notion generally entertained that a gentleman is expected to remain standing by the side of a lady, like a sentinel on duty, until relieved by some other person, is absurd, and deters many who would gladly give a few passing moments to lady acquaintances could they but know that they would be free to leave at any instant that conversation flagged, or that they desired to join another.  In a society where it is not considered a rudeness to leave after a few sentences with one, to exchange some words with another, there is a constant interchange of civilities, and the men circulate through the room with that charming freedom which ensures the enjoyment of all."

Indeed.  You are permitted to circulate - in fact, please do.

Enjoy your days!

Jennifer

Golden orange light

Last weekend the backing for a quilt was finally assembled, it was held up due to the Great Flood and associated packing up and unpacking of stuff.  A rather gorgeous orange batik fabric was chosen for binding and to feature on the back; strips were sitting on my sewing machine waiting to be joined for length when I noticed the sun and machine light shining onto the fabric, and couldn't resist taking a pic.

 Is that not scrumptious?  You could eat it, couldn't you?

These pics have been shown before but being too lazy to link back to the post, here they are again.  Backing uses the blue fabric with orange/yellow spots, the luscious orange, and a strip of 12 in blocks to bring it up to the correct size.

It has now gone off to be quilted and I forgot to take a photo of the back, work of genius as it is......but here is the front again, below.  Binding will also be orange.

Pattern is called "Gumballs" but I don't care for that name.  I am thinking along the lines of "There ain't no cure for the summertime blues" - because, let's face it, there ain't. 

Now I am trying to pick up enthusiasm to make a BOM, a very simple block.  I am promising myself that when it's done I can work on my own stuff, which is a great incentive.

The other day I was inspired by all things Canadian (because last Sunday was, after all, Canada Day) to bake something delicious using maple syrup, and chose to make Maple Butter Bars.  The pinging sound you heard was probably our arteries snapping but an occasional treat doesn't hurt, does it?  Should you feel inspired to try it yourself, we can definitely recommend it.  Yummy doesn't begin to describe it.

Our rainless state continues.  Nothing new to report there.

Tomorrow we plan to go for a Nice Sunday Drive on Saturday to Barraba, a small town an hour or so north for their annual art festival.  We haven't been out driving since our return from Canberra nigh on three months ago, so that will make a change from staying home and grinning at each other.

"Etiquette of the street.
The manners of a person are clearly shown by his treatment of the people he meets in the public streets of a city or village, in public conveyances and in travelling generally.  The true gentleman, at all times, in all places, and under all circumstances, is kind and courteous to all he meets, regards not only the rights, but the wishes and feelings of others, is deferential to women and to elderly men, and is ever ready to extend his aid to those who need it."

Words to keep in mind, yes?  Especially as, these days, civility seems to be dropping by the wayside.

Enjoy your days!

More autumn gorgeousness

Is there such a word as gorgeousness?  There should be.

 Fallen leaves, before they were walked into mush.

 Lovely red leaves.

Golden leaves.  I love taking pictures of fallen autumn leaves before they turn wet and slimy - the mix of colours is so pretty.  These were all taken at the open garden we attended a few weeks ago.

The current project on the sewing machine is a fiddly diddly applique owl block which will end up in a charity quilt.  It is very cutesy-poo.  I don't do cutesy-poo.  Fortunately it is nearly finished, just the coloured framing strips remain to be done.  It will be handed over at next month's quilt group meeting with a huge sigh of relief.  Hopefully whoever provides the block of the month in June doesn't go in for cutesy-poo applique, but I wouldn't bet on it.  When it's my turn they get a pieced block, with triangles.

Ah well.  The world would be a dull place if we all felt the same, wouldn't it?

Last week the newish car and I made each other's acquaintance, and so far the relationship is proceeding well.  I drive it to uke group on Tuesday evening and home again, and to choir on Thursday night and home again, and I am getting used to the controls being on the other sides because it is European.  Occasionally I turn on the windscreen washers instead of the indicators (probably much to the amusement of other drivers) but that is happening less and less.  So long as my right hand does most of the work and my left hand stays low, all is well......my shoulder is pretty much over its operation but still doesn't like sudden movements.  Any little twinges can probably now be put down to the fact that autumn is here, the weather is cooler, and things hurt more when it's cold.

Last Friday evening we had a lovely dinner at a (the) local French restaurant, and it was worth every penny.  It isn't the amount you pay, but the value you get for what you pay, isn't it?  The restaurant isn't open every night which is why we haven't been for a couple of years, as our 'occasions' - birthdays, anniversary - have been happening on their closed nights.  I had salmon and it was really yummy, Kevin had steak, and of course we had dessert, raspberry roulade for me and strawberry cream cake for him.

Another nine months until the next birthday in our household.......I'll be hanging out for that, you know.  I always enjoy a meal I haven't had to cook.  Not that I mind cooking, but as one has been cooking nearly every night for well over 40 years - the novelty of cooking wore off a very very long time ago.

"The table appointments.
A snow-white cloth of the finest damask, beautiful china, glistening or finely-engraved glass, and polished plate are considered essential to a grand dinner.  Choice flowers, ferns and mosses tastefully arranged, add much to the beauty of the table.  A salt-cellar should be within the reach of every guest.  Napkins should be folded square and placed with a roll of bread upon each plate.  The dessert is placed on the table amidst the flowers.  An epergne, or a low dish of flowers, graces the centre ; stands of bon-bons and confectionery are ranged on both sides of the table, which completes the decorations of the table.  The name of each guest, written upon a card and placed one on each plate, marks the seat assigned."

Does that sound like dinner at your house?  Because it certainly doesn't sound like mine.......

Enjoy your days!