Sewing

​this morning I started in the craft room  I wanted to finish those hand towels 

The machine was giving me grief so I pulled out the new cheap one from Aldi. 

I got it organised on the dining room table and started to wind a bobbin for it 

I realised that the quilting machine wasn’t winding the bobbin properly. 

After finishing the towels I wound some bobbins on the new machine and I’ll see if that makes any difference. If it does I’ll buy one of those small bobbin winder thingies

That’s the technical word for it 

My machine all ready to go 

I need to find a name for her. 

My quilting queens name is Elly elna 

Yeah not really original. But I do like it 

Since I bought this at Aldi I think I need an old fashioned name starting with A 

Suggestions welcome 

The four hand towels are done 

The have chickens on them, not that you can see them right now  

They will match these 

I also have one long mat in the set 

Even though my chickens will be far away safe at home, I’ll still think them while I’m away 

After all that I vacuumed all the tiled floors and moped them. 

I still need to vacuum all the living areas. I’ve got the vacuum out and that’s where it’s staying right now 

I need a rest 

I’ve been cutting my expensive meds by half. The doctor was happy about that. Unfortunately the pain is now constantly breaking through the barrier 

It’s still way less than before the medication, but definitely can feel the difference 

I’m on 12 tablets a day!

So cutting two out has to be better for me. 

Included in that number are the vitamin D and melatonin tablets. I hope to only need those for a few months. 

I feel like I’m rattling as I walk around 

The situation will be monitored and if I have to up the meds I will. 

I guess we will see 

Home

Yesterday I wanted to make some kitchen hand towels that you can hang on your oven ​or anyplace really that has a handle 

I had made them before and I had made a pattern but I couldn’t find it. 

It’s wasn’t hard making another one 

I made this one out of cardboard. Hopefully it will be easier to find. 

As you can see I’ve got two tea towels with chickens on them  

They match the rugs I bought for the kitchen 

These are for the farm house 

I needed help choosing the fabrics 

So I took lots of photos and asked my friend, who lives in Queensland, 

To help. 

We both liked the greens. 

I wanted to use fat quarters that had some pieces cut out. 

I didn’t want to use large pieces of fabric. Those can be used for bigger projects 

The fabrics we chose came from the fabrics that I got from the lovely old lady. 

She had cut bits of them for whatever it was she was making 

I’m cutting the tea towels in half as they’re long. So o needed four topper’s 

In my head I knew each towel needed to pieces of fabric 

So I traced two pieces each. 

But my brain told me to fold the fabric 

So I ended up with eight toppers 

I did sew those as well. I’ll use them to make Christmas presents. 

I do like to start early. 

Hubby arrived home around five. 

He has taken control of the remote so we are currently watching a football show 

Yep. Back to normal. 

Family birthday

​today we had Annie’s family birthday. 

We of the  older generation just can’t do lots of children in a huge play centre 

It was lovely to catch up with daughter in laws family. They’re lovely and I always get hugs. 

Although I had given Ana her birthday gift. I didn’t want to go over empty handed. 

I had saved this from when wonder son was young and had a single bed doona cover 

I was thinking of making an ironing board cover, but then found those really cheap ones at the reject shop. 

They

 were priced cheap but they’re definitely not made cheap. They’re padded and have thick cotton. Lovely 

Ana had been talking football at daycare and has decided to follow Collingwood 

Makes grandma so proud 

So to continue with the indoctrination I made her this pillow 

She was so happy 

She had a cupcake with a number 5 candle. She had the big birthday cake last week. 

We all had. Cupcake each. Mummy had made them for her, and they were very yummy indeed 

Her she is with her nonno 

Bonding with balloons 

Soon the elders of the family, including me, headed off home 

I’ve given everyone their dinner, got firewood in for the night and Trixies indoors toilet too. 

When I’m home alone I don’t open the door or go out after dark 

Hubby texted and said he will be home sometime tomorrow. 

So that’s the weekend wrap up. 

It’s gone by so quick 

I’ve not had the time to miss him 

All alone

​this morning hubby went off on a motorbike ride with his mates. He won’t be home till Monday 

I love being home alone. I don’t have to cook if I don’t want too and I get to control the TV remote 

So I could enjoy my time I got  up

And got stuck into doing all I needed to do 

I planted the seedlings I bought on Thursday and covered them. 

I didn’t use the pipes and netting as I had ordered some covers that fit nicely in the wicking beds 

The black meshed cage was missing when I got out there. 

I looked all over the backyard thinking maybe it was removed for weeding 

Nope couldn’t find it. 

Then I remembered who I married 

I instantly knew where it was. I opened the back gate and found it. Just over the fence. We had those string winds the just picked it up and dumped it. 

He hadn’t tied it down. 

It’s now well and truly tied down with bailing twine 

The farmers go to for fixing anything around the farm 

I used two covers on this bed. You can see the zip ties I’ve used. I chose bright colours so that I can see them easily 

This cover is small but it had covered the broccoli I planted. 

I’ll plant some silver beet in the area that’s not covered. They’re hardy and usually pest free. 

I had to pull out these kale plants and two spindly chilli plants, before planting the broccoli. 

The girls appreciated them 

Now the demon rooster is gone, even the girls are happy. He would constantly mate with them. One poor girl was his favourite and was getting bald spots due to his constant jumping on her. 

Once I did all that I cleaned the kitchen and headed off to art. I also visited the pharmacy to get my prescription filled 

Once home I cleaned the fire place and got it ready to light tonight if needed 

Then I had to vacuum the mess 

I’m now waiting on a woolies shop to arrive. Once that’s all packed away my day is clear   

I plan to sit, watch movies and knit or sew. I’ve not decided yet. 

I like to surprise myself lol 

The weather forecast is for warm sunny days. At least for the next few days 

Hopefully my seedlings will settle in and start growing. 

I’ll wait a few weeks and plant out a second lot of seedlings 

That way I won’t have all crops ready at the same time. I’ll be able to harvest as I need rather than because I have too 

Another week gone

​Fridays seem to be coming round faster and faster. 

It doesn’t help seeing the girls growing so quickly either. 

I had to get different toys out for Georgia  

She loved pulling them all apart and banging them together. Grandma put some of those rings you can see in the largest box and rattled it  

It took about ten seconds for Georgia to try and do the same 

Ana decided to sit in the soft baby chair. 

She said it was very comfortable 

It’s still hard putting Georgia down once she’s asleep. Here she it literally hanging on to me 

I was able to put her down on my chair by gently rocking it   

She needed to be away from me as she was over heating. Her cheeks were very red. 

She did cool down and woke much happier than she was going down 

She still has a few teeth cutting though 

I love the way the girls interact. 

Georgia especially just watching Ana the whole day,  and will yell at her to get her attention.

Ana and daddy left early to get to swimming lessons, and  grandpa volunteered to give Georgie her bottle  

Once she had finished she fell asleep. 

It didn’t take long for grandpa to follow suit  

I have to say  I’ve frequently done the same over the years 

Eventually mummy arrived to collect Georgia and they headed off home 

Another full, and  fun day 

Day out

​this morning I had a doctors appointment. I needed to get a script for melatonin. 

Because I don’t go out much these days I save all my needs to do on that day 

After my appointment I needed to go to Bunnings. Which is right across the road 

I needed to get some plastic piping so I can set up the net on the wicking bed 

This was actually one long piece big no way could I fit that in my little car. So the nice man cut it in half for me 

I’ve now got all the bits and pieces I need. 

I also got some seedlings to plant before I put the netting on 

I then ventured over next door to a big warehouse called panda mart 

It’s kinda like Timu only you don’t have to order and wait. It’s all there 

It is huge. I spent over two hours in there and still didn’t get all the way round 

These were some oh the things you could buy. How fancy are the curtain rods 

I needed to get some bedding for teddys 

I got two new blankets and two cushioned ones for comfort 

The second lot all nicely made for him to snuggle in 

He did waste any time getting in 

The bedding that was in there is in the washing machine 

I also bought some kitchen items for the farm 

New feed bowls for the cats 

And new water bowls for trixie, Bella also uses the one inside the house. 

The second one is going to the farm 

I’ve got quite a bit to go down. 

Once we get some one to help with the heavy stuff I’ll be able to start organising it all 

By the time I got all that done I was exhausted. 

I thought I’d have a little rest and go plant out the seedlings 

Nope. It didn’t happen 

It suddenly got dark and the heavens opened up 

We even had thunder 

As soon as I saw the change I brought in firewood and filled the wheelbarrow leaving it under cover so that the wood stays dry 

I’m thinking dinner tonight will be something simple and quick 

I do not have the energy to do much else today 

Wordless Wednesday

​

Ants

​I woke yesterday morning. Fed the dogs and cats, then into the kitchen to make that magical brew. 

Coffee. 

I noticed a couple of ants. 

I move the pod machine and there was a cluster of them. 

I quickly wiped them away   Getting rid of the pheromones so that others would come looking for them 

With all the rain we have had. I think we are getting even more. 

The ants always know. 

And no. There were no crumbs or any food out to entice them in. 

I will be on the lookout for any other mischievous ants looking for a nice warm winter home 

https://youtu.be/2S__fbCGwOM?feature=shared

Here’s a little Ditty to get you singing along 

Winter, birthdays and babies

​

It’s cold,  wet and windy 

Definitely a stay inside near the fire day 

Hubby has gone to the farm to meet the solar power man. He will give him a quote to set the house up as a stand alone solar power home 

He said he will be back today. 

Way too cold to sleep overnight 

Today this little four year old is 35  

It only seems like yesterday  

The day she was born it was very cold  no wind but the foggiest I’d ever seen since that day or before! 

You couldn’t even see the front of the car  

And she was coming fast  

We did get to the hospital in time and she was born less about an hour after we got there 

Yesterday the girls were over, as usual 

Georgia was very happy as the antibiotics seem to have worked. She still won’t stay asleep when I put her in the cot though. 

He daddy says she’s got grandma well trained. 

Not that grandma cares lol 

Ana is now totally fine sharing me with her sister. She had become very mature and helpful 

I bought some storage boxes for their room 

I had to take her picture so I could send them to her mummy 

She, ever so nicely, asked if she could use the boxes to “ organise “ her craft stuff. 

Obviously I agreed and she spent ages doing that. 

Grandpa was here and was in the sewing room with her. She didn’t need help. He was just there to keep her company 

At one stage she came out and asked to use one of my little pink containers. 

I use them to put all the threads in to throw away. 

I guessed she was organising her pencils and needed it for the shavings. 

She emptied it and brought it back after she had finished. 

This little cutie slept quite a bit. 

This is how you know she’s tired. She starts to suck her thumb 

This is exactly the way her cousin Brianna used to sleep. Once she’s fast asleep her thumb comes out 

Watching Bluey. Georgia was also watching bluey but it was time for a bottle and sleep. 

You can see her face. Five minutes earlier she had been laughing at Ana dancing to a YouTube by someone named Danny Go 

So now your up to date 

Other than washing I intend to stay close to the fire and keep on working on my projects. I need to get more hexis made for the quilt top. It’s getting bigger. Im going through the hexis quite quickly 

I hope the weather is nice where you are and if not then I hope your having a lovely time inside. 

Sleepless in Devon Meadows

​night before last I thought the melatonin had started working 

I went to bed a reasonable time. Woke up after about eight hours sleep and I was able to get lots done. 

Next minute 

I take all meds, as usual, and wait for that relaxation sleepy feeling to hit. 

That didn’t happen. 

It didn’t happen the whole night!

I ended up going to bed the same time I woke that morning. 

5am!

I then slept until just past 6.30am

To make matters worse, the power was out. That means no coffee 

It was a perfect storm for a complete meltdown. 

Thankfully the power came back on about 45 minutes later and I was able to calm the beast within 

I’m going slowly but I am going. 

Last night I was just too tired to finish cleaning the kitchen. I know ironic, right. 

Everything that fitted in the dishwasher got washed. Anything that couldn’t or shouldn’t go into the dishwasher was left in the sink. 

I emptied the dishwasher 

I washed the remaining dishes

I wiped down all benches and all trays that live in the oven, I put them on the dining table while I use the oven, got put back away. 

The kitchen looks so much better. 

A clean kitchen is great for my mental health. 

Today my brain really isn’t in a state to concentrate on knitting cables. 

So I’m back to hand sewing 

I can do that asleep. And I probably will 

I’ve got myself organised and comfortable ready to start. 

I’ve turn the telly on. It’s on a news station. Currently the transport industry is complaining about the price of diesel. 

I feel their pain. When we first got married we had a transport business. 

The price of fuel hit a dollar a litre for the first time ever. We bought 1,000-3,000 litres a month depending on where the products had to be transported from and to where. 

It didn’t help we were in the middle of a recession we had to have 

Any Aussies old enough to remember the late 80’s will know exactly what that means 

It got so bad we were actually going further and further into debt 

That’s when I had that great idea that the only people who make money from trucks are those that repair them. 

Hubby was a diesel mechanic and to me it made sense to start a mechanical repair shop 

The rest they say is history 

Even though we have been out of the transport business for over thirty years, we still hurt for those still trying to make a living trucking 

I fear they are the canary in the coal mine. If transport stops. Pretty much all businesses stop. 

The future isn’t looking bright 

Maybe that’s why I’m not sleeping?

Too much is going on 

Lucky

​this morning I decided to find something interesting to watch. 

I went into my HBO MAX streaming channel and found a live feed of the Artemis 2 mission 

I love all things space. 

As it all began while I was sleeping I had to start from the start 

I got all the information 

I watched as the crew became the humans who had traveled furtherest, is that a word?. From earth 

I then watched as they saw an eclipse from outer space. 

I then had to turn off and get some work done 

Washing was put into the machine, and I folded the dry laundry and put that away 

I then placed the wet wash on the clothes horse to dry 

I ordered a ship from the supermarket and put that away when it was delivered half an hour later. 

I had a few jars that didn’t seal so I made some pasta sauce and some meatballs in a tomato sauce in the oven. 

I even made some banana bread 

Intermittently I worked on this 

I’m using 8 ply yarn. But the pattern is written for 16 ply. 

I didn’t have enough yarn in the same colour to double up so this will be for Ana. 

I’ve ordered the correct ply yarn from Bendigo Wool mills 

I received this in the mail. Saying they had no choice but to increase prices. 

They haven’t raised them since before Covid. The price rise isn’t a huge amount but it does add up when ordering a large quantity 

Since I only really needed the yarn for this pattern, I didn’t do a huge order. 

Thankfully I did order a large quantity a few months ago, so I’m good for yarn for a long time. 

In the late afternoon Bella walked up to the fireplace and stared at it. Then looked at me 

This is code for, I’m cold please light the fire. 

She was soon joined by Trixie. This is pretty much the only time they call a truce 

So what’s a for baby mama to do. 

I went outside, got some kindling 

And lit the fire for them. 

I’ve brought in enough firewood for the rest of the night. 

Tomorrow is going to be a cool one, so it was a good idea to have it going today 

I’m now going to go and take my meds get into my jammies and work on my knitting until I feel sleepy. 

I’m hoping the melatonin I’ve been taking for two weeks works k like it finally did last night. 

I hope you all get a good nights sleep too 

Unaware

​today I found out just how unaware I’ve been. Fibro fog and sleep deprivation is to blame. Well that’s what I’ll blame it on 

The criminally insane rooster, was dispatched a week or so ago. I hadn’t heard him crowing but I just put that down to sleeping in as most nights I’ve not slept until the early hours of the morning 

The second unknown to me was that daylight savings ended Saturday night 

As today is Monday it’s pretty obvious just how much I don’t care much about the time. 

I’ve been avoiding social media and the internet. Basically for my own mental health, so I missed any posts reminding us about the change. And I don’t watch the news 

I only noticed today because the clock in my room was different to my watch. I then checked my phone and yes. It was an hour earlier than I thought. 

Bonus hour sleep in 

Meanwhile I’ve just continued to do what I do everyday 

General housework 

And crafting 

The EPP as of this morning 

It’s a kind of a wonky rectangle. It’s got a name but I just can’t remember it. So if you know please enlighten me in the comments 

I have these two patterns. I’ve been wanting to make these for ages 

The red one has measurements up to age 15. So I’m going to make that one first for Melody 

I’ve got my plan of attack all written out. 

Which basically means its how I keep track of my rows 

Meanwhile hubby is outside cooking peppers on the BBQ. He kinda  blackens them and then takes off the skin. 

We freeze them in small plastic bags. The during winter. We just defrost bag and it’s like they were jusṯ cooked 

So now you’re up to date. 

Just like I am. Unless of course there is something else I’m oblivious too I guess