God must have other plans for me...

My plan was to leave on the 6 a.m. flight out of Bathurst this morning. However if you could see what kind of weather we are having you would understand why Air Canada is having nothing to do with that idea.

This is quite a mild example compared to what the weather has deteriorated to in just the last hour. It is a horizontal snowstorm indeed!

The flight from Montreal did not even arrive last night and because of the backlog of passengers now I will not be able to leave until Friday morning. Funny thing though, when we originally booked these tickets Mr. O. and I had wanted to leave on Friday. We were booking using our air miles and only so many seats are available. We found 2 seats for Thursday and agreed to that.

Mr. O. booked his for Thursday, and when he went back in to book mine there were no places left, so I had to travel on Wednesday. Not what we wanted, but it would get us there so we went for it. When asked when we were leaving we joking said we were taking separate vacations together...OK back to the storm and re-booking.

Long story short, we are both leaving Friday morning and travelling together with no penalty to be paid.

Got to love Air Canada!

Now the way I look at it; I have 2 days to do what I want...I mean I am not even supposed to be here, so these are bonus days to spend exactly how I choose. I think I will go make myself a new bag to travel with.

Speaking of bags...I finished the diaper bag with the scraps from the baby quilt. I even used the charm squares pieced together to make the straps. It took a little more time because I had a lot of piecing to do but I feel great knowing I used it all up and can now go on to another project. It is a pattern for a purse that several of us Tuesday girls have made. The Bow Tucks bag. One of the girls changed the measurements and turned it into a diaper bag and I loved it, so I did the same. What do you think?

It has loads of pockets inside so it is a real organizer bag. I will put a few things(baby wipes, cream, thermometer etc.) in the pockets before delivering it to "mother and child".

No baby yet, but the pains have started again...I'll keep you posted.

I went for a weigh in last night and am now showing 2.8 pounds less. Whoo Hoo!!!

I am off to enjoy my 2 bonus days.

Focused; I have got to get and stay focused

I am leaving in just 2 days and I am not done the diaper bag, my packing is not started, I need to clean out the refrigerator, and on and on it goes. When we booked our tickets to Regina, it seemed like I had so much time to get every thing done, and now all of a sudden it is time to leave and the list of "TO DO" things is not all crossed off. Confession time folks! I am sure it is not because there was not enough time...it is because I am such a procratinator... or maybe I just don't focus on the order that things that need doing.

I have been busy, but just not with the right things obviously. Actually Mr. O. would say it is because I am just not realistic and try to do too many things in the amount of time I have available to me. Whatever the reason; there are still things to be done, so I will concentrate on them today.

This may seem a little dark, but it is so me.

On a lighter note. I did get Sister # 2's shawl finished this weekend. It looks lovely and I am so tempted to keep it for me. I love the chocholatey brown tweed. So pretty. Even though she will not receive it on time for her birthday which is today, I can say it was ready on time. Happy Birthday Sis..see you in a couple days.

And on a really light note...(warning!!..this may get sappy.)

 Just look at what Mr. O brought home to me on Friday after work. He said he was thinking about "us" and thought how lucky he is to have me for his wife. I mean really! Who is the lucky one here?  I am so blessed.

I love you Mr. O.

Egads!!!

National Quilting Day is the third Saturday of March! That's today! ...and I almost forgot. Our guild has a UFO day every first and third Saturday of the month at our local Civic Center and I can't be there...darn! I really wish I had been more on the ball with this and planned better. Just think how much fun we could have had ... Could have almost been like a mini retreat. I will however manage to fit in something "quilty" today. I have to make and sew a label on the baby quilt I just finished and hopefully be working on the diaper bag later today. In honor of national Quilt Day http://nqaquilts.org/ has offered a free pattern in honor of the troops. It is kind of nice and could be used in other ways. Threads magazine http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/12847/national-quilting-day also has an online article.
Pat Sloan is giving away fabric http://patsloan.typepad.com/pat_sloans_corner/2010/03/xxxx.html
One more thing https://www.thequiltshow.com/os/create_account_quilt_day.php/sponsor/bernina
free quilters television , but just for today!
I am sure by now you get the idea. So be a part of the celebrations. Buy yourself a new quilting magazine, go fondle some fabric at your local quilt shop (or your own stash), start a new project, or maybe just share your love of quilting with a friend.

Happy National Quilt Day!

I am off to pay this holiday the respect it is due.

                         

Done! Now on to the next project.

Baby quilt is done and now on to the diaper bag. Had a wonderful "quilty" day yesterday with the "Tuesday Girls" (I know it was Wednesday, but we originally met every Tuesday and somehow that name stuck to our little group.)One of the girls hosted a wonderful supper and we all sat and chatted and worked on various projects. I hand stitched the binding of the baby quilt and worked some more on my shawl for sister #2. Hope to get the shawl finished up this weekend. Did my 5k. this morning...sure was a chilly morning and since then we have had a few lazy snowflakes falling. Must be a last ditch effort to prove we are still in the clutches of Old Man Winter.
Happy Thursday!

Not your typical color combo for a baby quilt, but I rather like it.

I like the random prairie points. If I had my time back I might place them a little differently, but HEY! done is better than perfect and it will still keep the baby toasy warm.

Lined with a warm and cozy flannel.

Counting backwards and a St. Paddy's Day chuckle

I got weighed in last night and gained 1.2 pounds! Disappointing to say the least. I thought I did so well this week...pretty well stuck to the program, walked 6 out of seven days...where did I go wrong? It is hard to fix something when you don't know where you made the mistake...sigh.
However on a lighter note...it is March 17th, and the sun is shining! No St. Patricks Day storm; and none in sight! Now that is someting to celebrate! Want to hear a good one?

Two Irish men, Kearney and O'Riordan were looking at a Mail order catalogue and admiring the models. Kearney remarks to O'Riordan, 'Have you seen the beautiful girls in this catalogue?'

O'Riordan replies, 'Yes, they are very beautiful. And look at the price.'
Kearney says, with wide eyes, 'Wow, they aren't very expensive. At this price, I'm buying one.'
O'Riordan, smiles and pats him on the back. 'Good idea. Order one and if she's as beautiful as she is in the catalogue, I will get one too.'
Three weeks later, Kearney, the youngest of the two asks his friend, O'Rordan, 'Did you ever receive the girl you ordered from that catalogue?'
O'Riordan replies with a glint in his eye, 'No, but it shouldn't be long now. She sent all her clothes yesterday.'

and if that didn't make you smile how about these potato jokes?

What do you say to an angry 300-pound baked potato?


Anything, just butter him up!

**************

How do you describe an angry potato?


Boiling Mad.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

May your fingers be nimble,

your threads seldom tangle,

and

your love be apparent

in all you create.

a little Celtic Thunder
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vjwIDelIWg

Babys, Birthdays and Blog give aways...

One baby is here..I have a new great nephew! Kohen Cameron did not fool around; mommy was in hospital just 15 minutes when Kohen made his appearance! Mother and baby are doing well and are anxious to go home already! Grand baby is apparently quite content where she is, and is in no hurry to make an appearance. Maybe she is waiting for me to finish her quilt; after all it is still quite chilly out. I hope to finish quilting it today,and possibly getting the binding cut, then tomorrow the plan is to sew the binding on and get started on the diaper bag...that's the plan...

The shawl I was knitting for my youngest sister is done and guess what? I have started another for my other sister...she dropped a subtle hint that she might like one too, so I took the bait. Hope she likes the color I chose.

I was reading a blog I have bookmarked and found out that this blogger has a wonderful give away to celebrate a blog anniversary. She is giving away a lovely lap quilt!

http://banaghaisge.blogspot.com/2010/03/blogaversary-give-away.html

Go check it out...tell her I sent you.

Anticipation...

Anticipating babys ( a new great neice/nephew, and our first great grandchild)

Anticipating upcoming trips ( to Saskatchewan in March, to Ottawa in May, and the British Isles in Sept.)

Anticipating the next weigh in...oh dear!

While in the midst of writing my entry today I thought I would "google" the word anticipation.


Wikipedia says Anticipation or being enthusiastic, is an emotion involving pleasure (and sometimes anxiety) in considering some expected or longed-for good event, ...

Seneca says

"Expecting is the greatest impediment to living. In anticipation of tomorrow we lose today." Seneca Roman philosopher, mid-1st century AD)

“True happiness is... to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future.” Seneca

Of course while searching one thing led to another and I happened upon the above quotes from the Roman Philosphopher Seneca. I continued to read his thoughts on other aspects of life and come to the conclusion he was a pretty wise man. (Not a startling discovery to some of you, but I  like to draw my own conclusions; not just say it because someone before has said so.)

So...I guess I just got "told"...enjoy today !

Here's to a glorious sunrise and to having a good day, whatever comes my way!

Just 177 more sleeps!

NEW BUSINESS:
We did it! We booked our anniversary trip for the fall. On Sept. 5th we are doing a 20 day tour of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Something I have always wanted to do...
Just 177 more sleeps til we leave. I know that seems like a long time, but I also know that before I get turned around I will be back home and reminiscing about it. I think part of the enjoyment of travel is the anticipation of it, the planning, the shopping for new clothes, the wondering of what surprises will greet you each day. and the pleasant, sweet aftertaste of so many new memories to share. So although we will only be gone for 20 days this is holiday will actually be so much longer.

Fair warning...you may be hearing more about this in future posts, so bear with me...this is my first trip overseas and I am just a little excited.

Now on to old business...(no pun intended, because Molly is the youngest senior citizen I know)
I finished the table topper. We met for a birthday lunch yesterday and I think the recipient was very pleased. We had a nice time chatting and I have to say this is a very inspirational lady. To be so active and healthy at 92 is not something you see every day. They sure don't make 'em like they used to!

Happy Birthday Molly!

Oh! Incidentally Molly is from England and when I told her Georges and I were going to the UK this fall she gave me a list of places I really must see. I hope the tour bus driver knows his way around for all the detours I have listed; and the tour director doesn't mind making changes to the itinerary. [Note to self; don't forget to pack the GPS]

By the way, I would not ordinarilly have used the blue backing for this selection of fabrics, but Molly is a real bird lover and this fabric has lots of cardinals and chick-a-dees, so I knew she would enjoy the back as well as the front.

Want to see a close up?

See ya; I have to go pack!

Just kidding!

walking, stitching, knitting and making mistakes

Let's start with the mistakes...no, let's start with the date. How in the world did it get to be March 10th already. I knew it had been a few days since I blogged, but NINE days! Wow! Where does the time go?
Okay...back to the mistakes thing. On Saturday I decided to trim all my stitched redwork blocks and piece them together to get them ready for the feather stitching that has to be done on all the block joining seams. I trimmed them all up and placed them on "a design wall over my design wall". As I assembled the pieces I was feeling pretty pleased with myself. That, however didn't last very long.

Can you see why? See that gaping hole on the middle right hand side? I was missing a block!!! Not sure how I did that, but I got right down to business and traced it on some fabric and proceeded to stitch. I am pleased to say it is done and ready to be trimmed and put in place.

OK the next mistake is not mine, but it still has to be dealt with. Did you notice the long thin strip of a block that has a garland of holly on it? Did you notice that the holly cluster is not centered? Well neither did I until a day or so ago. It really bugs me. I traced it the way it was on the pattern, but I don't like it like that. I started to pick it out, but that is not going to work, because then you can see the holes and traced pattern' so I am scrapping that piece and making another one...at this rate it may be awhile before I get this quilt finished. I washed all my reds and checked them for "bleeding dyes" and I am happy to report  that all is well in that department, so I am at least ready to start my star blocks.

Okay! On to my next project mistake. sometime last fall I mentioned that I was knitting myself a shawl. I finished it in December and actually wore it quite a few times. One day while looking at it I noticed that I had dropped a stitch very near the beginning. ( that is very easy to do when travelling, because it gets taken in and out of my knitting bag so often) Because of the distance and type of stitch I really could not pick up the dropped stitch all the way to the top of the shawl. The only thing to do was unravel it...I was advised very strongly not to do that because it would be a nightmare unravelling mohair, but I did it anyway.(we won't go there!) I am happy to report I have finished knitting my shawl AGAIN! There is something to be said for this you know...I kept my hands busy and made 2 shawls for the cost of 1. Now, I know I only have one shawl to show for it, but I'm just saying....

 

Isn't it pretty? It is so soft and cosy, and light as a feather. I love it!

That's it for the mistakes. Well for this week anyway...

 

 While I was at Mom's during Christmas, my sister said "Oh Wen, I love your shawl...(she obviously didn't notice the dropped stitch) ...my birthday is coming up you know, hint hint."

 This one is for her. It is a lovely mohair blend yarn in a blonde color, almost the same as her hair. I should be able to get it done by the end of the week.

On Tuesday past at our monthly guild meeting a wonderful thing happened; I won a Dandielion Girl charm pack! Exciting eh? Yeah I thought so too; so I put it together in a disappearing nine patch pattern and made a table topper for a friend who will be celebrating her 92nd birthday tomorrow. It is almost finished being quilted and then I hope to bind it today. It will look lovely on her table, and I know she will be so pleased to receive something hand made.

I also took a drive to Campbellton last week, to the Janome dealer and bought a new needle threader for my machine. It's amazing how attached we get to the little extras on our machine eh? On the way back home I stopped at Chaleur Quilting (our very own Local Quilt Shop)

Treated myself to a few new tools, some lovely threads, a new hoop, and some cuddly soft flannel to back the baby quilt I hope to finish next week.

Below you can see my new hoop. I have a large wooden oval hoop, and some Q snap rectangular ones and a floor model Q Snap frame, but this lovely little number is by far the most comfortable one to use. Just for the record Cynthia, I love it!

OK, let's see...what else have I been doing? Oh yeah! Walking...I have printed myself a walking journal/calendar. So far since the beginning of March I have only missed one day. Yesterday I walked 6.8 km.

 I think I mentioned that I am registered to walk the 10km race in the Ottawa race weekend at the end of May. I was/am not in very good walking shape and thought I better do someting about it; after all I don't want to be dragged across the finish line. That would be embarrassing...

My legs and back are stiff and achey, but it is so encouraging to see the numbers add up (30km so far), and to know I am taking a step ( no pun intended) in the right direction to making myself a little healthier. Oh yeah; I weighed in last night and lost another pound, which brings my total up to 10.2. Yay me!

Looking for gold...daffodills that is.

Did you watch the closing ceremonies? Better yet did you watch the men"s hockey game? If Hollywood had written this story it could not have ben scripted any better. Home team gets beat, comes from behind to get a chance at the gold medal. Winning with a 2 goal lead; opposition ties up the game in the last 24 seconds. Overtime and Syd scores the winning goal.That means a gold medal for Canada and also means we set the bar a little higher for the next Olympic games. A new record to break for most gold medals. I mean does it get any better than that? And the really good news...I finished my last embroidered block in my Winter Wonderland project! Let's hear it for the Red and White! Canada and moi!

I have a quilting friend and fellow blogger who lives in the same province but about 3 hours away from me. On her blog the other day she mentioned something about seeing "daffodils poking through the ground".

Do you see any daffodills here? ...are you sure? Click on the pics and look close, cause that's where I planted them...over there on the other side of the driveway, sort of between those 2 vehicles.

What about here? No? Didn't think so...

Oh wait! There is something..darn..it's a shovel.

 

I got up on the steps to look a little further, but still no luck. I'll keep looking though....