Month: November 2024
Happy American Thanksgiving…
My dishcloths for this week are shaped like the American Flag. This weekend is the American Thanksgiving and then a dive into the Christmas Season. A new year is ahead, I feel that no matter what side of the aisle you sit, there is always some apprehension when change is on the horizon. I will
The Mason Jar Pin Cushion
This is the “no sew” gift for your favourite sewer. Here is one link to instructions for creating your own Pin Cushion Jar…but there are many on line…https://www.seasonedhomemaker.com/mason-jar-pin-cushion-tutorial/A couple of hints…I used a puff ball (like you would use on the top of a toque) that I found at Fabricland to wrap the cloth and
Dishcloths for a Homemade Christmas
Our house is decorated, inside and out and we are continuing to plan for ways to celebrate the people in our circle, with both time and gifts. We want to celebrate our lives, feel gratitude and settle into the aspects of life that are most important. There are many things to worry about – there
Oil and Vanilla
Every year at about this time, I make some homemade vanilla. I order vanilla beans from Amazon, find some sealable bottles at the Dollar Store and buy a big bottle of vodka. That is literally it, you put 5 vanilla beans in the jar, fill it up with vodka and leave it for at least
It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas…
Every year, I put my Christmas Cactus outside for the summer. It stays green and looks happy for the season – sitting around the pool. I bring it in on Labour Day weekend and put it in my front window (a north facing window) and it happily acclimatizes back to it indoor life. Every year,
Better Than Take-Out Cashew Chicken
This dinner takes 20 minutes to prepare. It is great for a busy day and you can use thighs or breasts. You can serve it with rice or just in a bowl. It is REALLY delicious! Cut up 4 boneless chicken thighs or 2 boneless chicken breasts. Put them in a large ziploc bag with
The Granny Square Chicken
Are you looking for a simple little project with Granny Squares? This is such a fun project and would be great to use with young children who want to learn to crochet and have a fun project to work on. As you might know if you follow my blog, I am a big fan of
Re-Visiting the Past – A Visit to Gimli and Springstein and Winnipeg
How important is to understand our roots? It is important to understand your heritage and it will allow you to reconnect with your relatives. You will preserve your family’s unique stories and you might even understand your own medical history and it might improve your own well-being. Understanding your roots helps you develop your sense
Air Travel
We have flown several times – Air Canada, Air Transat, WestJet, Porter. I think all of us have seen, over the years, that the “old days” of air travel are over. We do not pay for “First or Business Class” and so, we have experienced “regular” airplane travel. I think the two main things that
Ishi by Akiko Yabuki
This year for my birthday, my very thoughtful husband found this book (through a colleague) and, he knows how I feel about connection and moving forward and doing my best to be the best version of myself (and help others do the same). This little picture book promotes every aspect of living your best life.
Beautiful November and Cycling
This November has been amazing for a great ride. Before the time change, you could slip a ride in during the late afternoon. So why do we still “fall back” every Autumn? Advocates in support of Daylight Saving Time suggest that in addition to reducing crime and automobile accidents, extended daylight hours also improve energy
Butterflies for the Baby
When I found out that my friend was going to be a grandma, I immediately started searching through my fabric for something to inspire me to create a quilt. I came across several different butterfly prints and I was immediately in “creative” mode. I used my “classic” baby quilt pattern and I embroidered a heart
The Granny Square becomes a Dishcloth
There are 8 basic crochet stitches and these can combine to create many more stitches. Over 150 crochet stitches or “stitch patterns” more accurately have been designed since crochet came to be. The treble crochet is probably the hardest working stitch of the crochet world. Whether you’re making a ripple blanket, a granny square or fancier stitch pattern,
The “30 Minutes a Day” Sock
What do you spend 30 minutes doing each day? What are 30 things you can do in 30 minutes? Write snail mail or a card to send to a friendFold laundry and put it awayRead a few chapters of a bookDo a spot clean of your house and put things away out of placeDo a
October 2024 Reading List
I am down to my last 35 books this year to reach my goal of 175 books by December 31st. Why do I read so much? The main reason that I read so much is because I want to listen to different perspectives. Whether I am reading fiction or non-fiction, I am reading someone’s perspective