Puttery day

Lots of small errands to run.  Started of going out to Selkirk to take some of my smaller purses, as they are getting low in the gift shop, out there. Then to the tea store in River eights.  Dropped a couple of bags off at the thrift store.  Yesterday, I attended the annual Christmas luncheon with my Tuesday Stitchery group.  there were just four of us.  One lady is quite ill with the very nasty flu that we have this year, and another won't come unless she can ride with the  first lady.  A third lady travels a lot, and prioritizes most other things, so we don't usually count on her at the best of times.  Then I went to the hairdresser, as I needed to renew my highlights.  They are supposed to be subtle, but still mask the grey.  This  was the first time this woman had dyed my hair, although she has cut it in the past.  Well, they aren't subtle, but they are still stylish.  I wish they were more subtle.  'Nuff said.

This evening, I was off to my fibre art support group.  This meeting is always a mixed blessing.  The main event is a 'show and Tell of projects we're working on.  right ow I seem to be stuck in a very traditional groove, and am finding it difficult to progress into arty stuff.  The work I saw tonight was wonderful, and left me feeling inadequate.  But I did get my utility quilt back from the long armer.
I am well pleased, and David seems happy with it too.  An acquaintance had expressed concern when she heard who was quilting it for me, and had advised that I might not be pleased.  She was wrong.

Tomorrow, there are a couple more errands, but I should be able to spend some time int he studio as well, and then in the evening, is the meeting of the local quilt guild.  This is the meeting when I deliver the stockings I made last fall.  I admit I'll be glad to get them out of the house.

Let it Snow, let it Snow.......

So much snow - keeps me busy shoveling. And of course as a result, this old back of mine has decided to act up again.  I just keep quiet, share it with no one and carry on.
Thanks for the recipe Cathy.  We did not go shopping yesterday but I have looked at the tubs of McLarens Cheese lately and the price has really gone up hasn't it?  The Cheese tarts I made was from a container I already had in the fridge and just enough left in it to make the tarts.
We visited our friends in Sprucedale on Monday afternoon to take a little gift basket to them and pick up one they had ready for us.  Nice visit, beautiful home and decorated for the season.  They were planning to come to our house on Thursday to deliver their basket to us so we had to quickly make plans to avoid that. Driving by the cemetery going into Sprucedale, we remembered that we had not taken the arrangement off the tombstone as we do every late Fall. So there it was as seen from the highway (can't get into the cemetery now) covered with snow and listing to the front. Too bad - next Spring I'll have to make an entire new arrangement I guess.
That morning I had also gone over to the neighbours with a book for Ruth to read that I had just finished.  Her Surgery for hip has been put on hold until the cardiovascular specialist sees her = the anaesthetist wants her checked because of a constriction in her aorta (she is vague on details) So Bailey and I went in and had a coffee at their insistence. Nice home, decorated with Christmas tree and other ornaments. So in one day I was out and about having visits and coffee in other peoples homes haha!  It was fun!
I have been playing with a little toy Harry picked up at the dump. It looks like a toy sewing machine but I went on line to see and it is actually a toy needle felter. I have been using it with a few pieces of felt I had although you are supposed to only use the purchased kits. The machine came with nothing of course - therefore that is why it was in the dump store. Just for fun go onto the net and look up SEW COOL from SpinMaster. and see what I am talking about. 
My Mammo has been scheduled for Dec 21 in Huntsville so I have that to look forward to for next week. 
Coffee time now and a little peaceful sit on the chesterfield gazing at my little fibre optic lit tree and red cardinal lights. Then the day begins.  Take care

Crackers

this recipe is the result of my phone call with Beth.  I left the recipe at home, but I searched "McLaren Cheese" on line and this one is pretty much the same as mine  (in fact most of the ones I found were similar)  Sorry I couldn't seem to format it better.  It was all single spaced in my word document but when I pasted it came out like this. Definitely check at the earliest time because my first batch was overcooked.  I still ate them all though. 

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter
• 8 oz. pkg. McLarens Imperial cheese
• dash of salt
• 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper or tabasco
• 1/4 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 4 cups crispy rice cereal

Instructions

•  Preheat oven to 350F.
•  Cream butter and cheese together.
•  Add seasonings.
• Beat in flour.
•  Add Rice Krispies. Mix well.
•  Shape into balls.
•  Press down with a fork which has been dipped in cold water.
• Bake for 12-15 minutes, until lightly browned. I baked mine for no more than 12 minutes.

Driving in snow squalls today

Up to North Bay early today to have a day to myself and do some shopping, and then go over to visit with Willie.
I was fooled by the hours of the Mall. I shopped in WalMart first which is open early and was done by about 9:45 and ready to hit the Mall which is usually open at 9:30. Jokes on me - today is Sunday and the Mall opens at 11 am.  I thought being Christmas and all that it would be open regular hours. No. So I drove across town to No Frills and Giant Tiger and put in some time there and then back to the Mall by 11:15. All this time it is snowing and getting worse. I had a visit with Willie as planned and hit the road by 1 pm - slow going to get home but that was fine with me. Only a few snow plows on the highway and only the one lane was suitable for driving although there were a few yahoos who chose to zoom along and pass leaving a snow screen of zero visibility.  But all is well and I made it home safe and sound.   A little disappointed with my shopping as I couldn't find what I had written down as possible gifts for Harry, and that always puts a bit of a damper on things.
Pati I love your jewelry. The best gifts are the ones you buy for yourself haha! And doesn't it feel nice to be able to wear something new and in fashion. Since I don't go out much that requires dressing up, when I do it is usually Mom's pearls that I put on. They feel fancy and comfortable so I wear them with pride.
So I am a bit bushed now - I will have to go out early in the morning to do the shoveling and by then there should be lots more snow to make it worthwhile. I cannot believe the amount of snow that has fallen this past week and apparently not over yet!  My back aches just thinking about it.  And you should see the little dog Bailey run and jump in the snow - he loves it. I wish I could let him run faster but I cannot keep up to him without fear of slipping and falling and no way I want that to happen. So he wants to go faster and I am holding him back and it reminds me of the vision we all have of the reindeer prancing and prancing to take off with Santas sleigh. I just laugh at the poor little guy as he prances along and so tiny he is!!
I better get going. I have to put the birds to bed. We have one new chick hatched the other day, and several eggs left to hatch but maybe they won't. I feel sorry for the poor mother budgie - what a life.  I would love to separate the birds and put all the females in one cage and all the males in another and see what happens.  At least I wouldn't have to worry about chicks hatching haha!
Nighty night. Take care

A little extra pleasure

Friday, I saw some lovely jewelry, at one of the booths.  David and I talked about it, and Saturday morning, I bought three pendants.  (not to worry, I still came home with a small profit, unless you count the gas David burned driving back and forth) With my change in dressing styles, I've started wearing some simple jewelry, again, and the pieces that I wore 20-30 years ago don't quite cut it. These are all one of a kind, and hand made ( I watched her doing it)  The middle one has a chain, but the other two are on cord.  The other two are made of copper wire, and the stones are minor semi-precious.  She told me the names but they really meant nothing to me.  The lilac-coloured stone in the middle one is a new semi-precious stone that originates in Russia, and the tiny bead on the bottom is actually a good-size Swarovski Chrystal.
Merry Christmas to me.

Not sure how to describe the last two days

Yes, we had a sale.  It was in my friend Gail's home--a beautiful open concept home on an acreage just north of Landmark.  Friday we setup in the morning.  By opening, at noon, there were four of us, all of who were to be demonstrating some aspect of our craft, all day.  Since there were  no customers until after 5:00, we had a wonderful afternoon getting to know each other, networking, and sharing our philosophies, and skills within our craft. Later in the afternoon, we were joined by a woodburner, but until then, there were two jewelry makers ( with very different types of jewelry on display), two fibre artists, ( again, each with different types of goods) and a lady with very diverse fibre/mixed media interests.

Shortly after 5:00 we had five customers arrive in two different groups.  That was it for the day.  But what a wonderful day-- making new friends, exploring different crafts, and enjoying a wonderful homemade soup lunch with way too many dainties ( supposedly for customers).

Today there were many more customers, and many more sales.  Everyone made at least one sale, and the jewelry makers both appeared to do very well.  I did a land office business in book marks, but, otherwise not well.  Although David later pointed out that it was actually the best craft sale I've had this year--and he's right.  I also got a good start on two new projects, via the demonstrations.  I also ate far too many dainties, and will have to go back onto Phase one tomorrow, using my new scale.

On a down note, David knocked the passenger side mirror off the car backing it out of the garage, Thursday evening.  He took it in Friday, while I was in Landmark, and parts have been ordered. No, I didn't take in enough to pay for the repairs.

I was exhausted last evening, and I'm exhausted tonight.  I have come to realize that I'm just not used to so many hours of continuous socialization, no matter how much pleasure I actually experience with it.  Not sure how to deal with that.

So, off to my bed time cup of Sleepytime tea, count my money, and, hopefully, a good night's sleep.

A quickie greeting

As we head into another weekend here is a quick Hi to you both.  Pati, thinking of you at your weekend Show. I checked the weather on the Free Press and it should be OK for driving, so take care and have some fun. And Cathy you take care as well, I need to know my sisters are fine.
I baked yesterday and have cheese tarts, mince tarts and refrig cookies to eat! What more do I need? Certainly not a head cold which is what is brewing right now. I felt punk yesterday and this morning I am a bit stuffy. Oh no.....So I shall try to lay low today - I am planning to go up to North Bay on Sunday on my own to shop and drop into see Willie. So don't want to be feeling sick. Harry went to North Bay yesterday on his own and there are a few gifts under the tree now with my name on. 
So time for a coffee and then get on with the day.  Have a very pleasant weekend. XX