Waiting for news

Today the weather isn't very nice, still snowy and damp and slippery under foot.  I stayed home today, partly because of the weather and also because I have the sniffles.  My dear friend Laurie from http://laurie-whentheboughbreaks.blogspot.com/  and I have been waiting anxiously to hear news about a dear neighbour of ours.  This lovely lady is over 90 years young but lately her health has been deteriorating and Laurie, bless her heart, has been keeping a very watchful eye on her and doing as much for her as she can.  Quite often Laurie would ask me to join her in visiting with her and we have had lots of interesting conversations, she being an ex-librarian.  That lady has a memory that would put me to shame.  Well, last Saturday Laurie and I were visiting her and she looked terrible (she had fallen a couple of weeks ago and it seems that every day she is in more pain), so we tried to talk her into going to Emergency and getting checked out.  Of course she resisted and said she would think about it, perhaps she would call her doctor on Monday, and so on and so on.  Fortunately her grandson was in town, specifically to check on her situation and he ended up taking her to the hospital.  Well, you can imagine our surprise when we heard that she was sent home, having been told that the awful pain she was in was due to arthritis and scoliosis and was told to take Tylenol every few hours.


Okay, if that's what it was then perhaps in a few days she would be bouncing back, not that she was ever going to be fit, but lately she could hardly walk.  I had borrowed a walker for her to use but she resisted it and then when her grandson came, he rented a wheelchair for her (which was great but needed someone to push it, duh).  To cut a long story short, Laurie found out this morning that an ambulance had taken this darling lady to the hospital and we don't know why or who called it, so hence the title "Waiting for news".  We just hope that she is going to be okay, but we are also prepared for the worst.  Please pray that the Lord's will be done in this because Laurie and I know that this sweet lady is ready to meet her Maker and she has no-one here, other than some dear friends and wonderful neighbours who check on her.


On a happier note, here is a picture of beautiful flowers I received for my birthday from my two sons, daughter-in-law and adorable grandson who all live in Kitchener...................

 I am so spoilt!!!! Thanks guys.

Can't resist putting another picture of darling grandson in here...

The last little while I have been attracted to anything Parisian, don't ask me why because I have never been there nor do I have a desire to do so, but I find them romantic and perhaps a little dramatic, if I can use that word.  I found a few nice graphics at http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/ a very nice place where you can find all sorts of fabulous graphics and are allowed to use them for free.  Because I am also into this "cream" kick, I have painted my frames that colour and also tampered with them a little to make them look a little "antiquey" and here are a few examples that I have been working on.............................

I'll probably rough them up a little to make them look "shabby chic"

This little dish I purchased at a new store in the Mall specifically catering to the kitchen enthusiast,  http://www.thinkkitchen.ca/.  I wish I had found a place like this years ago when I entertained.  Alas, I have no need for fancy dishes and such.

This piece underneath was given to me by Pat from "The Queen's Cupboard" and was originally painted in a horrible purple messy colour.  Quick change...............

This is one of the frames I'm working on for a larger coloured print of the Eiffel Tower, not sure if I'm going to rough it up or not at the moment, time will tell, or if I need something to do because I am bored, LOL......................

Hey, just received some news about our friend.  Laurie called and thank God, she is alive, but what's going to happen to her is still up in the air.  She definitely shouldn't be living alone in her state of health but is she willing to go into a home for the elderly or a nursing home?  She has resisted so far and she is a stubborn little lady.  Laurie and I have many times told her that she should put her name down on the list whilst she is still able to make choices for herself, rather than someone come along and make them for her, which might not be what she wants.  I just hope and pray that whatever the outcome, she will be happy.  Laurie said that she is on morphine for the pain and they will assess her at the hospital tomorrow, so at least tonight she is in good hands.  If she does come home, then she is going to need home care, which in itself is wonderful, but will it be enough.  Hope next post will be on a happier note.  TTFN

Just over a week until Christmas

Last evening, my friend Laurie, a wonderful artist,  who lives down the hall from me, (from http://laurie-whentheboughbreaks.blogspot.com/), and I sneaked downstairs (I say sneaked, because I was in my housecoat and didn't want anyone to see me) to take some photographs of the Lobby which had been decorated so prettily by the supers of our building, mostly by Ruth, her hubby Ron did the heavy work.  Every year they go out of their way to make the entranceway so cheerful for us and our visitors, but then they are very dedicated and work very hard all year round so it's not surprising that they put a little extra effort in at Christmas time.  Thought you might like to see how welcoming our apartment building is....................

Yesterday I went for lunch with a new friend, Dawn.  Very nice and most interesting lady.  We ate at a reasonably new restaurant called "Embers" and I must say, the lunch was delightful.

Talking about friends, another lovely lady I know, Gloria, who lives in my apartment building, offered to make some cookies for me.  I have given up doing anything finicky like that because of my arthritic fingers (my excuse, LOL) so she whipped me up a batch, love her heart.  Thanks so much dear friend.  They really are good.  There are called "The Breakfast Club Cookie" (my darling daughter-in-law gave me the recipe when I was visiting this summer, and she's a good little baker) and here's the recipe just in case you want to make them for yourself.  Gloria said that the mix was a little dry, so perhaps add another egg and the almonds perhaps should be chopped up a little...............

THE BREAKFAST CLUB COOKIE

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup large flake rolled oats
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
½ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
6 tbsp. butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 ½ tbsp. liquid honey
1 large egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
½ cup whole almonds
1/3 cup sunflower seeds
2 tbsp. flax seeds
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup dried cranberriesPreheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together both flours, oats, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder and salt until evenly blended. Set aside.
In a large bowl, beat together butter, sugar and honey until smooth and creamy using an electric hand mixer on high speed, about 1 minute. Beat in egg and vanilla extract until smooth. Add flour mixture and beat on medium low speed until just blended, about 15 seconds.
Gently fold in almonds, sunflower seeds, flax seeds, raisins and cranberries.
Use a 1.5 oz. ice cream scoop to drop mounds of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them 3 inches apart. Flatten each cookie using the bottom of a glass and bake until lightly golden, about 10 minutes. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. These stay soft and chewy for days in an airtight container.

Later today a group of ladies from the Library and myself are picking up Chinese food and going to visit a colleague who recently has had surgery.  She's doing very well and we thought it would be a nice treat for her.  I haven't had Chinese food for ages so I'm really looking forward to it.  Talking about the Library ladies, I just took them a little something for Christmas. When I worked there, each department used to get a gift basket from the Board of Directors/Management and we all looked forward to them so much but the last year or so it has been downsized to a gift card for about $8 per person for a local coffee joint.  Personally, I would rather have had the gift basket so, I made one up for my department and took it over..................

I'm looking forward so much to one of my out-of-town sons coming to visit.  He should be here on the weekend and plans on staying for around ten days, at least until after Christmas.  We are going to have so much fun with my son who lives here and his girlfriend.  I would so love to be with my little grandson and his mum and dad, but I will be with them in spirit and will chat with them on the phone.  Nothing says Christmas like a little child opening a gift, the expressions, the oohs and aahs, so precious.

Here are a couple more of my little decorations, just to fill in some space, LOL

And my lovely white Christmas cactus coming along just fine.

'Til the next time, have a wonderful week and don't get too frazzled with all the shopping, baking, partying, etc.  Remember the real reason for Christmas and take time to reflect on that.  Without that, it would be just another day.

Everthing has come to a HALT

For a couple of weeks, it was go, go, go with Craft Shows, out to dinner with friends and now it has come to a halt, nothing much happening now and no plans for anything either, except for a couple of lunch dates this week, to which I am looking forward, so I will have to fill you in regarding what I have been doing lately.

I found this little beauty in one of my favourite stores, "The Queen's Cupboard", but it was ucky looking, painted in pinks and blues and didn't seem to belong anywhere.  I painted it, yes, you guessed, cream and put it above my doorway.  I think it looks so posh there.............

This one without the flash

I bought a lovely white Christmas cactus from our local Florist, "My Maries" - I have always wanted a white one.  My pink one is flourishing and must be in it's fourth bloom this year.  Here's a peek at the white one......................

Just imagine what this is going to look like when it is in full bloom.

Remember I told you about my footstool reno?  Well, here are a few pictures from beginning to end.

I was going to re-upholster the seat of it but decided that it looked rather nice as it was, so for now it will stay like this.

My dear friend Laurie, who lives down the hall, not down the lane like Mary Jane, surpised me the other day with a delightful snowman.  She knows how much I love anything "cream" coloured and she spotted this in one of our local gift stores and bought it for me......................

He/she is adorable and is made out of cream felt and adorned with some bling - looks just like me all dollied up for a night on the town, LOL  Thanks again buddy.

After running around this afternoon picking up a few things, like stamps to mail some cards, which I should have done a week or so ago, I settled down to make some delicious home-made chicken/vegetable soup.  My soup is more like a stew.  It has everything in it except for the kitchen sink, and I'm not too sure about that either sometimes.  I get so carried away and half the time I couldn't tell you what I put in it, but it sure tastes great...................

Laurie, the genteel one, said "Put it in a pretty bowl and set the table with your best napkins and tableware" and I said, "Phooey, I'll just take a picture of it in the pot" and so I did and here it is, LOL

Well, to finish off for this evening I thought you might like to see a few photos of my place all ready for Christmas, remembering that it is just an apartment and I am kind of restricted when it comes to space and I wouldn't want to overdo it and have the place look Tinseltown, so here goes...................

Last but not least, I am sure looking forward to one of my sons coming home for Christmas.  He hasn't been home in a couple of years and this visit I have a spare room all set up ready and waiting.  Safe trip home son.

A Crafting We Will Go

Phew, the last few days have been so busy with Craft Shows that today I decided to have a very quiet day and not do a thing, but it was such a nice day out there, cool but sunny, that I couldn't stay home so I walked to the Mall and picked up a few things, some more bits and pieces to make Christmas earrings as the ones I made the other day were disposed of very quickly, LOL  I should have taken a photo of the last ones I made because they were very pretty, with red and green pointsettias.  The new ones I made today were more like Christmas tree decorations.

I also picked up a few things to make a small Christmas table centre, nothing fancy, just something to brighten the place up.



Here are a few pictures from the last three craft shows ............

The Community Business Centre

The Nursing Home

The School

Fortunately I have a break from Craft Shows until the weekend when I have one on Saturday at a Nursing Home and the second one at the Moose Lodge.  Just two more after that and I am finished for this year.  My Etsy account so far is doing zip so I may just have to keep doing the Craft Shows until everything is sold.  If Etsy doesn't pick up over the Christmas season then I might consider closing it in the New Year, afterall it isn't exactly free.

One more picture of my darling grandson, just because I am so proud, LOL...................

Have a wonderful week, until we meet again, God bless.



My First Fall & Christmas Craft Sale

The days are coming to a close much faster now that the clocks were turned back a week ago and the evenings are dark by 5.30 p.m.  This change brings with it all the beautiful Christmas Bazaars, Bake Sales, Craft Shows and Teas and I took part in my first of the season this past Sunday.  Each one is different and you never know how you will do.  You hope to sell lots but understand if you don't because you cannot anticipate what the "people" of the day are looking for.  I have known people to turn up because they have heard that a certain home baker is going to be there and they love all their delicious Italian baking, or for another's truly heavenly Christmas wreaths and table centres.  You just don't know.  Here are a couple of pictures of my table..................

I didn't make a lot of money this time around (last year at the same show I made at least twice as much).

I hope the next one will be better, it's this coming Thursday and is part of our downtown's Midnight Magic.  Midnight Magic is where all the local stores on the main "strip" stay open late and all the lights are on and music playing and it really does have a lovely atmosphere and is great for people looking for that individual Christmas gift, things you don't find in the big stores.

I make bracelets, necklaces, earrings, handknitted scarves, handpainted brooches, handcrafted greeting cards, to name a few items.  I have met many interesting people with many unusual and beautiful crafts.  This time last year I bought a whole slew of wooden toys which I sent to my grandson out of town for Christmas.  Another lady sews receiving blankets in gorgeous patterns to please any eye, so when I heard that I was going to be a grandmother for the first time and it was going to be a boy, I bought a pile of these blankets and my daughter-in-law just loves them.  There is another baby on the way, so maybe it will be a girl and I will have to buy some lovely girly ones!!

Today I also went to see my Lupus/Arthritis specialist and was told that my haemoglobin levels are continuing to increase, that's good news because six months ago they were dangerously low, but I have to continue taking all the meds, including a new one for osteoporosis because my bones are very "thin" as she said and have to be careful that I don't fall.  I think I will be okay, I have lots of fat to cushion any fall, LOL  The pain is worse than a year ago but as long as the meds don't affect my eyesight I have to continue taking them, hence have to have my eyes tested once a year.  I also bought a nice little something (shabby chic) at Winners, but that is for another day.

I'll throw this in here also, I made this flower arrangement the other day, just for something to do......................

Well, back to work (I should say "play" because I don't work anymore, LOL) - I'm working on some picture frames and wondering what to put inside them when they are finished.  Have a great week.

Summer's End

Well, it really isn't the end of summer, not officially anyway, but the weather here today was absolutely, downright cold.  The temperature was 10 degrees celcius and that's pretty cool for around here at this time of year.  I notice from the weather forecast that it will get warmer for the rest of the week and for that I am grateful because this week I am heading down south to see my darling grandson and his mummy and daddy on the Greyhound bus and nice weather would be a blessing.  The evenings are drawing in and it gets darker much earlier now.  In some ways I like this as it is cozy indoors but not good if you still want to be out and about.  Living downtown I always make sure that I am home before sunset, unless of course I am with a friend with a vehicle.

I was not very happy today, well, actually it was yesterday that it started, but the bus that I have been catching home for years is not going to make it's usual stop at the Mall.  It was so handy, especially if one had made lots of purchases, to catch the bus just there, where it is also protected from any bad weather.  From inside the mall entrance one could watch the bus approaching from the Main Street.  I was so upset by this that I wrote a letter to the local Transport Manager and I said that I was writing on behalf of myself and others who are not familiar with voicing their opinions.  I don't suppose it will change anything but at least I think they should be told, afterall, it is the general public who keep the wheels turning, right? 

Well, that is off my chest, now what next?......................

As I said earlier, the evenings are drawing to a close much sooner.  It's dark now by 8.00 p.m. whereas just a short while ago it was at least 9.30-10.00 p.m. before it was dark.  I don't really mind, I certainly make sure that I am home before it starts to get dusky.  Living downtown it's not a good idea to be out alone when it is like that, so I make sure that whatever I do, I'm home when the sun starts to go down.  Here are a couple of pictures of what it is like around at 8.30 p.m..................

Okay, now onto something else.  I had just typed in a whole load of stuff and the blog said it was saving it, but.............it all disappeared.  Don't you hate it when that happens?  I have to try and think of what I wrote now.  So, if I have repeated anything, you'll understand why.  Darn.

Recently I told you that I had sunburned my face whilst doing a craft show last weekend in the "country".  The burn on my face is okay now but my lips are still sore and swollen.  They are better than they were, the pain was something awful, can't believe that such a small area could cause so much pain.  Here's a pic of how much better they are, still somewhat swollen but healing.  Who needs Botox?...............

"I feel pretty, oh so pretty" - do you ladies remember me singing that to you at work and how much you used to hate it?  I miss those days when we had so much fun with Jane, Doreen, Marlene, Joan, Gloria, Nancy, Helena, Beth, just to name a few.  We would get into some mischief, but all in good fun and we ALWAYS got our work done.

Last evening one of my sons, Gareth, came over for supper and brought his lovely girlfriend, Chelsie, with him.  Supper was delish, at least everyone thought.  I served: porketta, new baby potatoes boiled in their skins, broccoli, mashed turnip (Gareth's favourite), gravy, Italian style tomatoes and cucumbers and of course the regular garden salad and garlic bread.  We finished it off with walnut pie and cream.    Gareth's girlfriend is of Italian background so is not used to my cooking, but then again, who is? LOL  She really did enjoy the new potatoes and gravy and couldn't get enough of them.  How sweet and to think I was worried.  I know what to feed her next time she visits!!!  I've already been told what to serve the next two times they come over.  Gareth told me that he would like ham and scalloped potatoes and then another time, roast beef, roast potatoes and Yorkshire pudding.  Of course I will oblige.  Oh, I made this little arrangement for a centerpiece for the table...................

After their visit, I moved the arrangement to the living room.

Something special I have to mention.  A dear friend and neighbour Laurie has just opened an online Etsy shop where she will be selling her beautiful art.  I think it would be a great idea if you popped on over there to check it out.  Here is the link...........

LauriesPaintbox

All the very best and much success Laurie.  I'm sure that you will do very, very well.

Oh, three friends, myself and two others, made it to the September issue of SNAP which is a local magazine depicting many interesting events in the community.   http://www.snapsoo.com/  We had been at a musical evening where a very talented young man (Joseph Kargi) played the piano and sang, very well I might add.  Anyway, here we are......................

One last thing, I sold another of my "Chats" to a lovely lady who volunteers at the library where I worked.  I hope you have fun with it Sandra.



Well, that's it for today - I sure have waffled on and on.  I hope you find something of interest here, or at least have a chuckle.  Until I talk to you again, be safe and God bless.