I'm Back - Mostly...

What did I miss? This was me for the past twelve days. I've been sick, sick sick! I haven't had so much as a sniffle for the past seven years, but this reminded us of when Handsome and I both had pneumonia at the same time nearly forty years ago. It's been ugly! I'm finally upright and coherent enough to write a few paragraphs to you.

We both stayed in bed for the first week, only getting up to let the dogs out and feed the animals. Handsome was actually better than I was. I didn't even eat for a week, losing ten pounds in the process. When I did get up, I ended up under a quilt on the sofa, sleeping again. I was guarded by Claudette or the dogs to make sure I hadn't expired. The deep chest cough has been the worst for both of us, and I think that's finally under control now.

I think I'll be cancelling my participation in the Winter Quilt Show coming up February 10th, as I just have no stamina yet. I also haven't been able to work in the studio at all, and have no new items to take with me.When I feel up to it, I'll get back in and create the wallets and handbags to list in my Etsy shop instead. 

I cant' tell you how disappointed I am that I won't be vending at this show. I really enjoy it, and love seeing all the beautiful quilts, but going this year would just be wildly unwise. I haven't been to my other job all this time either, and really want to get back there for Fridays, but I still have to stay home for now. 

In the meantime, Handsome and I'll continue with our vitamins, meds, lots of hot tea and soups, so we can completely heal. Thanks for waiting for me. I hope none of you have experienced this. It really stinks. Tomorrow will be better.

Sunday Scripture...

Matthew 28:20 web image

 

I'll Be Back Soon...

 

I'll be back as soon as I feel better. For now, I'm taking a few days off. Tag will be back next week. Thanks so much for your understanding.

Lost Weekend...

 

This was all I accomplished last weekend. I prepped all the flaps to make wallets, and then I went to bed where I stayed all weekend. Handsome and I both have some sort of creeping crud, and we both feel awful. 

He brought tea and a sweet roll up to me (I think on Saturday) and I couldn't even touch them. I drank a bit of the tea and then turned over and went back to sleep. I'm feeling a bit better today, but I have no energy whatsoever. I'll eat something a bit later, but we have to get the dogs out and give them their breakfast. I'll see what I feel like after that.

Tag and I are going to take a few days off until I'm back to normal. Sorry I'm not my usual productive self. I'll see you in a few.

Sunday Scripture...

Isaiah 41:10

 

It Finally Happened...

 

After seven years - illness-free -  I just came down with a cold. I forgot just how much I disliked being ill. Ugh!

So, today, I'm sharing three out-of-print items that I will be listing for sale in my Etsy shop. The first one is a leaflet by Barb Adams & Alma Allen (Blackbird Designs) called Summer Weekend. I looked online first and learned that the only other copy I could find was a "New" copy from Abe Books for $500. Yikes!

I'm offering this one for $95 here (free postage), and $125 on Etsy. It's gently used, but can go to someone else who will be able to sew up some of the designs for themselves. Here's a button if you'd like to purchase it...

HERE
 

Knits for Barbie Doll by Nicky Epstain is also out-of-print. This hardcover book is like NEW condition. You can purchase it HERE (free postage).

Finally, this is The Canvas Work Encyclopedia by Jane Zimmerman. It's also out-of-print, gently used (showing slight wear on the cover). It's available HERE for $35, which also includes free postage.

Sorry my post was late today. I'm going to make a fresh hot tea with honey, and head to my studio to concentrate on something other than how miserable I feel right now, and hoping Alka Seltzer Cold helps without putting me to sleep. See you again on Monday. Have a great weekend.

Royal Squirrel...

Today I thought I'd share a little peek of the project I'm working with right now. I'm calling Michelle Palmer's drawing "Royal Squirrel", and it will become a project bag with a Valentine's Day theme. 

I'm still pondering how much to stitch, though. Musical notes? Little Bird? Acorns? Oak Leaves? Crown? Collar? So many options, but I don't want to overdo embellishing Michelle's already perfect artwork. So, for now, I'm working around the edges.

What are you working on right now? Distract me a little, please. I know I should be busy in the studio, but work kept me out of my creative space yesterday, and will again today for the dinner hour. I'm planning to have my nose to the grindstone all weekend and at least the first half of next week. I should consider a "Help Wanted - Studio Elves" poster. lol

Happy Friday! I hope you have something fun planned for the weekend. The weather is supposed to be a little nicer, but if it's still crazy cold where you are, please stay warm and safe. I'll be back tomorrow.

Getting Busy...

Now that the pantry is nearly finished (Jeff will be here soon to install hardware), it's time for me to again turn my attention to the upcoming show. I've already started some new projects, but this year I'm going to have a larger selection of wallets and bags. 

I have some unique prints planned for wallets, featuring a nice range of Kaffe Fassett wallets. I'll list the available ones in my shop after the show. Of course, I'll show them to you first, in the event you'd like to purchase one early.

I'm also going to create more keychains, little zipper pouch keychains, and zippered pouches. Then, I'll have a few Nocturne Overnighter Bags, Ensemble Bags, Bella Totes, and large Kirby Crossbody Bags. 

On the needlework side, I'll be offering embroidered pendants, pinkeeps, and project bags. If I have time I'll add some new items created from vintage quilts, too. I'll wait to tell you more about those in case I don't get to them for this event.

My friend, Cindy has graciously agreed to help in my booth again this year, and I'm looking forward to working with her. We always have a great time together.

So, if you live anywhere in the West Bend, WI area, mark your calendar. I'd love to see you on February 10th at the Washington County Fairgrounds Pavillion.

I'm working at my other job from 10-4 today, but I'll show you another project bag I'm working on. It also features a Michelle Palmer drawing front and center. I think you'll like this one! (Think Valentine's Day!) I have to get going. I'll see you again tomorrow.

Almost Finished...

Pantry when we purchased the farmhouse in 2016

This is the pantry that caught my eye when we first came to see the farmhouse when it was listed for sale. I fell in love with all the storage space and the tip-out bins on the left side. Those cabinets were only 24" tall. My uncle came to paint the interior of the entire farmhouse before we ever moved in, so I ask him to paint all this woodwork white while he was at it.

Pantry sink cabinet in 2016

Self-explanatory. This is the cabinet that Shelly and her brothers crafted to hold the sink and cleaning supplies. This cabinet was 33" high.

Pantry in 2023

Over the seven years we've been here, our pantry evolved into this. The lower cabinets served to hold our coffeemaker, mixer, and more recently our (really) compact dishwasher.

Pantry in 2023 - Sink cabinet

While the sink was certainly functional, we were used to having larger sinks and taller cabinets in our previous homes, and there were days that doing the dishes at this sink was a backache waiting to happen (for either one of us). I drew a photo for Handsome with my vision for a "half remodel", because I still love all the storage space we have on the rest of the pantry. 

We contacted Jeff, shared my drawing and he soon came back with his more professional rendering and a price we could live with. We scheduled this job to commence after the holidays, and in spite of the recent weather, we're on track to finish up the job this week.

Pantry in January 2024

Even though it's not complete, I had to share updated photos with you. We still have to go and get the drawer and cabinet hardware, fashion a new window sill that's more suitable against the counter, and install the outlets, switches, and lighting fixtures. That's happening today.

Pantry sink cabinet in 2024

Our new sink is a full 7" wider than the original one, which means that even my biggest pots will fit flat in this one. Heck, it's large enough to bathe a Corgi (although I won't here)!

Our new counter is a beautiful white quartz with the lightest of beige and pale gray veining. The faucet is also new, and we now have a cold water line that is fed directly from the well, bypassing the water softener. The hot water line remains softened water. Now, cold water from the faucet will taste sweet and delicious, rather than having a "conditioned" taste, which I have always been able to taste. (I know. Princess and the Pea vibes.)

This gives you a glimpse of the new, next to the original. At some point we'll switch out the original cabinet doors for the kind that sit on top of the framework - like the new - rather than inset. No matter how we sand or adjust, as soon as the weather gets humid, the doors stick. Mounting new ones outside the framework will eliminate that. They're fine as is for now, though.

I cleaned and reset all the spice bottles (which I'd boxed up during construction). The mug rack also stayed on the wall, but the mugs had been removed to keep them from being broken, too. My baking and cooking aprons hang on hooks right now, but I'll probably move them elsewhere to keep a clean look in here.

I'm also going to get a quote for luxury vinyl plank floors throughout the kitchen, main entry, pantry. a back hall areas. Those will be next on the list to bring the floors up to par with this remodel. I'm hoping we can have that done by the end of the year. 

If you followed my blog when we lived in Florida, I actually laid a plank floor myself in a spare bedroom. My knees still twinge whenever I think about that job. I'll let someone else do it next time!

Oh, and the compact dishwasher will go down on the very end of the counter - to the right of the sink - as soon as the electrician leaves today. I wanted to keep it out of the way until after he did his work. 

Thanks to Jeff Voelker, our master carpenter (St. Cloud, WI) who worked his magic from my primitive drawings. Jeff was the lead carpenter when we built our home in Campbellsport, WI, which was our home for seventeen years before we moved to Florida. Thanks also to Paul Schneider, our plumber from Silica Plumbing and Heating, Silica, WI; Jim Reimer who owns All R Electric from Plymouth, WI; and Tim Twohig and his counter installers from Quest Interiors of Fond du Lac, WI.

So, what do you think? Feel free to ask any questions, and I'll do my best to answer them. I just keep walking into the pantry now, leaning on the counter in front of the sink and counting my blessings. I'm one truly lucky girl.

Tuesdays With Tag - Not Again...

Our view on Friday mornin' 03/12/24

Hi, Everybody! 

This is what we woke up to on Saturday mornin' last weekend. I was not impressed. It's hard enough bein' a little guy around here without havin' to deal with feet of the white wet stuff in our yard. It gives "dashin' through the snow" a whole new meanin', if you get my drift. (Pun intended)

I heard the plow truck long before anyone could see him. That's not fog in this picture. It's all the snow, comin' down so heavy in the wind that we had almost no visibility. Talk about ridiculous! This kept on and off for most of the weekend!

Of course, two fat cats managed to wiggle their way into the house. I don't mind because any time I was outside, I can tell you it was so cold my paws almost stuck to the pavement! The couple times we saw Claudette out of the barn, she kept holdin' her paws up. Crystal wouldn't leave the barn until Mom went out there to tell them they could come in the house. Then, she sprinted her big booty up to the house and fairly bounced in the front door!

I'm so tickled (not really) with our current weather situation that I decided to write a poem about it. Enjoy!

Deep Snow

by Brynwood's Taggart

 

I went to bed when it got dark. The grass was cold but green. 

When daybreak came I went outside to quite a difference scene.

 

 Instead of sun and room to run, the snow was fallin' down,

When I saw how deep it already was, all I could do was frown.

I had to go out in the yard to tend to my affairs, but 

there was so much snow on them, I got stuck on the stairs.

Mom came down and picked me up, she carried me to the door

and once I shook off all that snow, white sparkled on the floor.

It looks like Winter's in full force, but I just want to say

from this ol' Corgi with four short legs, it can buzz off any day.

The End.

I'll see you again in seven. 'til then... "Always make time for dog snuggles."(Especially when it's cold!)

Thank Heaven For Andy...

 

We purchased this property in the fall of 2016, and moved in the spring of 2017.  We brought our yard tractor from Florida, and then purchased a second larger tractor with a bucket and mower attachments once we got here. Most of the time, they serve us well, but in the winter, no one moves snow like Andy.

Every snow day, he gets out his truck with a snow plow attachment. He takes the first pass of his drive as he heads to our neighbor, Mary Jane's down near the south end of our road. She's the first drive he clears. Then he heads back north and clears Connie and her husband's drive. Once he finished there, he comes to our place, which is where his in-laws used to live. Thankfully, we're still on his route. He moves all the snow that accumulates on our drive, and when I'm here alone, he will frequently shovel the walk and garage approach, or help me to do it. After he leaves here, he finished his drive on the way home, before he puts his truck away until the next time.

This last big storm, we got a whopping twelve inches of snow in a twenty four hour period, with more that came in the following twenty four hours. Then the winds came up and moved all the snow into drifts across our drive and yard. In some places, it was thigh-high on me. Even though we had shoveled our walk so the dogs could air out when they needed to, there was absolutely no way Handsome and I would ever be able to move all that snow in one day, let alone a few hours. Andy to the rescue. Rather than bring his plow truck this time, he'd planned ahead, attaching a huge snow blower to his big tractor. Seeing him come down his driveway got me all teary-eyed.

 

 

He traveled his usual route, and then started blowing as he came up our driveway. The bad thing about a snow like this was that our ground wasn't fully frozen, so there were iced areas under the snow, where his wheels just turned with no traction against the snowbanks. He got frustrated that he "couldn't do a better job", but we were beyond grateful that he accomplished all he did.

At one point, as the guys were talking in this picture, I opened the front door and called out to Andy to tell him how much we appreciated his help. He responded with his usual, humble "No problem", but I said thanks again, and told him (with a choked, emotion-filled voice) that it meant the world to us. I went back inside before he saw me in tears. It really did mean the world to me.

When Handsome came in for a bit, he asked me if I was starting to cry when I said thanks to Andy. I said I had. I also told him how grateful I was that he was home instead of in Florida. I told him being snowed in for multiple cloudy days was bearable because I was with him. Alone would have been too lonely for me. I guess I just didn't realize how much it meant to me that he wasn't in another state until just then. 

I told him that when he goes, I just put on my big girl panties and do what needs to be done. I didn't come from "whiner stock", and I consider myself a strong, strong-willed woman. I do it so he can do what he loves...making music. I wanted him to know, though, just how much I appreciate the strong, protective men in my life, and in this instance it wasn't just my husband. It is also the man who lives with his kind and generous wife up the hill from us.

After Andy moved so much of the snow drifts and cleared our drive, Handsome got out our tractor and moved what was too close to the buildings for Andy to get to. We also have a blade on the back that Andy loaned us last year "just in case", and it's come in really handy. He helped my husband put it back on last week, anticipating the storm. Handsome can pull snow away from the buildings with the blade, and then scoop it up with our bucket on the front. After another hour or so, the yard was again passable. 

Of course, the wind blew snow around over night, but that was more easily dealt with. The ice underneath is another matter, so after being holed up for the weekend (we've been home since Thursday because the heavy snow started before daybreak on Friday), we'll need to get out this morning for sand and salt to cover and deal with the ice. We have a ten foot long slab of quartz arriving this afternoon to be installed, and I don't want a single thing to interfere with that!

As an aside, as the temperatures dropped in the minus category, the barn girls were allowed into the house. As soon as the temps rise above zero again, they can go back to their cozy accommodations in the barn, but for now, they're safe inside.

Poor Tag and his short legs will be here to chat with you tomorrow, but I'll have lots of photographs to share on Wednesday. By then, the counter will be installed, the plumber will have completed his work, and with the possible exception of the electrician, we should be wrapped up on the project.

I just wanted to be sure that I wrote a special tribute to a wonderful man, neighbor, and friend today. Thanks for indulging me - and a million thanks to Andy for his kind, generous, and gracious heart. If it weren't for him, I sometimes wonder just how we'd get along here at the end of the road. He really is a gift in our lives.

Sunday Scripture...

Exodus 33:14 NIV

 

Enough Already!...

 
The early morning trip to pick up the heating pad for the barn girls never happened. By first light, there was already fresh snow on the ground, and flurries so thick you couldn't see our neighbors' homes on the corner. The blizzard had already arrived.

Instead, Handsome and I aired the dogs (poor Tag couldn't negotiate the snow at all), put out feeders with birdseed, and took care of the barn ladies. Within two hours, this is the snow that had accumulated on the feeder and birdhouse in the sheltered section of our yard. You're looking at nearly 5" of snow on the feeder. By the end of the day the weather widget in my iPhone said that our area recorded 11.75" of snow, but, hey...let's just call it 12". What's a 1/4" at this point? Another 2" was forecast for overnight. I haven't checked that yet.

When the plow comes to clear out our road, the driver typically plows up our road to the farm lane. He pulls into the lane enough so he can turn around and put the plow down adjacent to our mailbox. From there, he plows back down the other side of the road on his way out.

Thursday, he overestimated the "safe zone" on the farmer's lane. He drove too far out and got stuck. Thankfully, he had a load of sand in the dump truck, so he moved further into the lane, dumped a bunch of sand, and created enough traction to extricate himself from the lane. Sadly, not before tearing up the gravel and part of the farmer's field. We just hoped he'd learned his lesson. Not so fast...

When he showed up today, guess what? Yep. He did it again. Due to the ruts from the previous situation - and the fact that he again went too far out onto the lane - we watched in disbelief when he got stuck yet again. I realized I was standing slack-jawed that he would have managed to get the plow in trouble the. very. next. day. 

Getting out this time took a bit longer, but he finally dumped more sand and after a lot of effort, hand shoveling, and rockin' that plow truck, he finally managed to again extricate himself. We walked away from the dining room windows shaking our heads. Let's hope he's learned his lesson.

Needless to say, the road conditions were slippery, snowy, and with little visibility. We stayed put all day. I'm hoping that the wind with lie down so we can run a few errands, most of them involving the barn cats. We shall see.

The counter company confirmed that they'll be here Monday between 1-3 pm to do the install. Right on schedule! Today, however, once we get home from running errands, you'll find me in my studio. I have work to do!

Last Sunday...

Last Sunday, we went to our elder son's home and found our younger son's family was also there. They all gathered to celebrate Handsome's Birthday, and for the last of our family Christmas gift exchange. Illness kept all of us from getting together for the actual holiday, but this was a perfect rain check.

As we drove into their driveway, we were greeted by the neighborhood wild turkeys. Our son and his family live right across from a marsh and wildlife area, so they have lots of visitors. We've been there in the past when a dozen turkeys just march through their yard. Quite a sight to behold when you consider they're within mere feet of the house. 

 

This trip, not only were we greeted by turkeys, but we were treated to a trio of deer that grazed their way through the backyard, too. In fact, they're quite tame for city deer. Our son's Golden retriever sat on their back deck as the deer sauntered past. We were told that the dog and deer are quite chummy. These deer weren't more than fifteen feet from the deck.

So, I have a little bit of news to share today, too. We have friends whose daughters we've known since they were teenagers. They're now grown with families of their own, and we are quite proud of the women they've become. The younger of the two ladies manages a gas station/restaurant/convenience store just three miles from our farmhouse. 

Handsome and I stopped for lunch one day about a month ago, and she was telling me how hard it is to find people who want to work, which started a whole discussion. At the end of our chat, I allowed as how I'd be happy to come up and help out for 10-20 hours a week, but that I didn't want weekend or late night hours. She handed me an application and we were off to the races.

I worked a week ago Friday answering the phones and taking orders for their delicious Friday night fish (fish fries are a big deal in Wisconsin, in case you haven't heard...second only to our supper club brandy old-fashioneds.) It was a fast-paced three hours of work, and I had fun.

Yesterday was my first day of actual training to use the register, as I took more food orders on the phone, and generally learned the ropes. I worked six hours on my feet, and because we had another snowfall the night before, I wore my boots. Next time I'll carry my Rockport™ shoes - meant for comfort - and change into them once I get there.

I sure don't intend to be there full-time - and I am still preparing for the show in February - but when Handsome goes to Florida for four months at a time, I can go weeks without leaving the farmhouse. The fact that he's staying home this year means that I don't have to fret about having the dogs crated the whole time I'm gone. They stay out with him, and I have a reason to get out at least once a week.

Anyway, it was fun to see new faces, earn a little mad money, and most of all, help a friend for a few hours a week. Plus, on the days I work, I place a food order before I leave and arrive home with a hot meal in hand. I don't have to put thought into what I'm going to make once I'm home. Bonus!

Today, we're running out so I can purchase a heated pad for the barn girls. If we're going to have a deep freeze, I'm going to do something extra for them to make sure they're toasty warm in the barn. They have an electric wax warmer (sans wax) in their insulated dresser up to now, along with a body heat-reflecting pad, but I'll lose sleep worrying if that would be sufficient in -13ºF weather. They'll be better off with the electric warming bed, so that's what I'm going to get for them. I'll have it all installed and ready for them later this morning. 

We're going early because we have another winter snowstorm warning (up to 6") today, and I've been told I probably won't have to go into work for three hours tonight either because of it. We'll be back home before it starts to really accumulate, and then hunker down until it passes. My cats have developed nice thick coats, so I'm sure this purchase is more for my peace of mind than their necessity, but I'm not taking any chances. Then I'll be sewing by this afternoon, as long as my girls are okay outside. 

I've read all your wonderful comments on yesterday's pantry update, but Blogger glitches on me from time to time, and I can't reply. I promise I'll leave comments during the day to answer all of them. Thanks so much for all your kind words. I'm glad you like what we're doing as much as we do. You're the best!!

I have to run now before the weather gets too crummy to be on the road. See you again tomorrow, and thanks again! 

Another Pantry Photograph...

 

Here we are so far. I painted the walls and ceiling on Monday, so Jeff hung the overhead cabinet yesterday. He trimmed and shaped the shelf cutoffs from the kitchen install near the range, too. We had enough of the board left to create two shelves for the pantry. That's what's sitting over the drawer cabinet. They'll go to the left of the window, hung off the side of the cabinet. I oiled them yesterday so he can hang them today. They look a little more red than they actually are. They'll work great with the cabinet.

I know that the wood uppers, green painted lowers, and white for the remainder gives it an ecclectic look, but I love it. So much so that some time over the course of the next year, I may strip down the paint I put on the range cabinets to take them back to match the doors I left unpainted. What do you think? Do you love this look or hate it? 

Jeff will hang the shelves today, and then I think we're on hold until Monday when the countertop comes. We'll have the electrician hold off until last, perhaps bringing him in on Wednesday. Then, it would all be finished and ready for me to "move in".

We still have to go out and get the cabinet hardware to match what's in the kitchen. The finish is the same as the existing cabinets in the pantry, but the shape is a bit different. At some point, we'll change the handles on the original cabinets to match, though, too. 

 

I'm also going to get the flooring guys in to give us an estimate to put down luxury vinyl plank throughout the kitchen, pantry, 1/2 bath and entry to cover the current linoleum. I'm over it, and I think it needs to be budgeted in so we can complete the whole reno in fine fashion.

The next update will be on Monday, and then the big reveal Wednesday. In the meantime, we'll get the last of the prep work accomplished. Then we wait. See you tomorrow!

New Beginnings...

I spent the day painting the walls and trim in the pantry yesterday. It snowed all day and dumped copious amounts of the white stuff everywhere, so it was a perfect day to be working indoors. Painting, however, kept me from this project.

I'm going to embroider flowers along the border to add a little color to this sweet Michelle Palmer image. Once I've done that, I'll use it to create a new zippered project bag. I'll begin sewing for the show this week, and will keep after it until I have what I want for show inventory for February 10th.

If you haven't noticed yet, I've added my show schedule for this year into my side bar. If you're somewhat local to me - or to these show locations - I'd love to see you at any of the shows!

The countertop was measured for installation next Monday, and now that the walls are painted, there is only the electrician to complete his work, and the plumber to come after the counter goes in. Did I tell you we chose a gorgeous quartz countertop? It's just over ten feet long! (The tech said it's going to be an interesting install because the space is "tight". We shall see.) Oh, and we have to get out to get more door and drawer hardware so Jeff can install that, too. I'll take more photos to share as the appearance changes.

Tuesdays With Tag - Time To Lighten Up...

 

Hi, Everybody!!! 

I was thinkin' about somethin' I wanted to start this year, so here goes. I always try to bring a smile to your faces each week, so I thought, "What better way to make 'em smile, than to share a joke or two each month?" A dog joke, that is. Nothin' off-color. Just cute stuff...like me!

So, startin' this week, I'm gonna share a couple jokes one week each month. That's assumin' Mom doesn't forget to let me use her computer as she has recently. So, if you're ready, let's begin with a double header...

Okay. I know those two cracked you up, so let's try one more for this week, and then you'll have to wait until next month for another knee-slapper. Are you ready? Here goes...

That one gets me every time! snort Feel free to share these with someone this month...even if it's a "little". I'm keepin' them clean so they're "kidlet friendly"! Kinda like Dad jokes. lol

 

Well, that's enough jocularity for one month, so I'm gonna go. Even though there won't be jokes, I'll be back next week with your weekly dose of ME!

 I'll see you again in seven. 'til then... "Always make time for dog snuggles."