Day 32 and Counting

Well, that was Easter 2020!

Today on this dreary Easter Monday - reality is really starting to sink in.

My heart literally aches when I think of

how much I miss my little loves and the rest of our family.

However, so much to be thankful for.

Ash Tree Clean-up almost complete

Easter Bunnies made ... '80's pattern

(the farmer's old jeans being used)

Working from home ...

(the farmer with our son-in-law,

 business partner)

Junior Business Partner at work!

And me sewing teeny tiny 1 1/2 inch pieces of fabric together for a 

mini quilt - quilt along. 

I think I need to find a new hobby!!!!

Finally, after a helpful free webinar by Sourdough Schoolhouse,

better success with my latest 2 loaves.

(thanks for the link from Marg B. and Lovella S.)

Not perfect but getting better

No butter lamb made this year,

but Paska served with Ontario Maple Syrup

was a must.

Oh yes, and some yummy "HopCorn" was devoured.

The best part of this Spring 2020 are the sweet pictures and FaceTimes shared

Apparently the word quarantine from Italian means "a period of forty days".

There are so many biblical references to the number 40.

Plus, the year 2020 (20 + 20 = 40) might be significant?

This makes me hopeful that soon this global pause will resume.

I have to confess to having some very "blue" days and finding it hard to

even get meals made and on the table - so many meals to be made it seems.

A fair number of hotdogs and hamburgers have been consumed lately!

Hang in there everyone.

We are all in this together!

Keep your stick on the ice.

Hug the ones you're with.

Stay home!

Till next time ... hoping that your Easter was meaningful and healthy.

                         Trusting in the Lord for better days ahead.

The Quilting Chair

This is an old chair with much meaning. It holds the 

history of many generations who sat on it and quilted!

Recently our church was cleaning up the storage area and these chairs were needing to be removed.

The sewing circle of many generations used them to sit around the many

quilts and comforters that were made for Mennonite Central Committee (MCC)

and for the annual MCC Relief Sale.

The quilts are the highlight of these sales, raising thousands of dollars for relief

programs around the world.

These chairs were preferred by the ladies (many of them my aunts) because of their

slim and petite build.

They fit perfectly around the quilts.

When I had a chance to take one home as a memory - I was happy to oblige.

Thankfully a few do remain at the church, as requested by some of our senior sewers

who still like to use them.

Who knew that one day I would become interested in quilts and quilting?

I'm certainly old enough - that's for sure.

These past 2 weeks of self isolation have given me the chance to

finish up some of my quilt projects.

The chair gave me a perfect prop to photograph some these efforts.

I am by no means an expert quilter but do love to do the piecing on my sewing machine.

The tulip banner was made from fabric scraps left over from 

Noa's big girl bed and I took the challenge to quilt it free motion on my little machine.

Hope she'll love this wee touch of Spring!

The "Tree of Life" patches are sewn to the quilt backs as my signature label.

This one is currently at the quilters and will be finished soon
Bear Claw #2

Have added quite a few empty spools to this collection!

I am pleased to own this old chair and hope it keeps the quilt inspiration going.

  

This is certainly a stay where I am kind of Spring to remember!

So much has transpired these last few weeks.
We are currently on day 14 of social distancing and self isolation.
Only two very careful times out for groceries and fabrics at small local shops!
Alas, the fabric shops are now closed indefinitely as well.

Let's bind together and be reminded that God is in control and keeping us

covered in warmth and love during these days of uncertainty.

Can't wait to snuggle with these two loves again!

Till next time ... Stay Safe, Be Smart, and Stay At Home!

Lions, Lambs, and Snowy Owls

The end of February suddenly became very Wintery

with a huge stormy and snowy blast,

and I was sure that March would come in like a Lion!

However, it actually came in like a lamb with a warm sunny day.

Does this mean that March will also go out like a Lion?

I SO long for Spring ... just saying.

This beautiful snowy owl

doesn't seem to mind the Winter.

These beautiful birds have been sighted

quite frequently recently in our area.

So glad I was able to get this shot!

Speaking of snowy owls,

I've let my hair go "snowy" and am actually starting to get used to it.

I know that it makes me look older but I am, after all, older!

It still gives me a start on occasion when I look in the mirror and see all that silver!

I've been sewing with a bit of urgency as my Winter projects

are starting to come to an end.

This huge quilt is for our bed - I hope.

I have four more blocks to sew together and then need to assemble the quilt.

It might be another year by the time it actually get's totally finished.

It's been a fun project but now I'm not even sure I still like the fabric - eek!

The pattern is "Antique Lace" by Jenny Doan at Missouri Star Quilt Company.

16 of 20 blocks have been assembled so far.

4 more to go!

Meanwhile:

Our little lambs are growing up so fast.

They bring us so much joy!

A sure sign of Spring - Ontario's Maple Syruping has begun!

Till next time ... With the World's grim news these days, stay calm and healthy!

                          Perhaps our earth and climate crisis is in need of this "shut down" rest? 

All You Need is Love ...

All you need is Love ...

... and some sweet grandchildren!

... and cousins to celebrate 68 years!

Us - Circa 1953 or 1954?

Us now. Me, Doreen, and Jean - Circa 2020

Their mom's were my dad's sisters.

So many wonderful memories over these many, many years.

Born within 12 weeks of each other.

Was a bridesmaid for each of their weddings!

We should get together more often.

A cake to mark the occasion.

... and good neighbours who help fell some dead Ash trees!

... and a husband who cares for the land and loves me unconditionally

Every other tree came down. We will have lots of fire wood in the future!

... and most importantly, a loving Lord who hears and answers our prayers.

Recent Super Moon

Till next time ............. Happy Valentines Day with much love to you all my dear readers! Hugs.

Will you?

To Sourdough or Not to Sourdough

That is the Question!!!

When my girl mentioned that she would like to change

the way she eats bread

and

that sourdough bread would be better for her,

I took it as a challenge!

I have been making "Tuesday" white bread almost weekly.

This started when my Tuesdays with Noa days began!

We baked bread each week.

When I began to explore the method of developing sourdough starter

I almost gave up - there is just SO much information and

SO many youtube videos to navigate through!

OK - starter is simply flour and water, left to ferment for about 7 days

till it gets bubbly and yeasty.

My first attempt - after 7 days it had done absolutely nothing and

never started bubbling!!!

I threw it out (a quart jar full) and doubted my ability to make this.

Finally, after more reading, I found a starter recipe that used

a wee bit of instant yeast to get it going - it worked - too well!!!

Thankfully, I was able to salvage enough of this starter

which has become the "mother" starter so far.

I named her Levina!

The farmer felt like someone had moved in with us ...

This mixture needs tending. 

Daily or weekly feeding.

Lots of clean jars.

A baking schedule.

eek!

There was one particular youtube video that helped give me

some confidence. 

1st attempt:

I used all purpose flour and the bread turned out pretty good.

January 11, 2020

I don't have all the equipment

recommended but I used

my craft exacto knife to slash

the bread.

(You would be surprised at how many

videos I watched in order to know how 

to do this).

2nd attempt:

I mixed some dark rye flour into some of the starter to get a new 

variety going - still haven't found a good name for this one.

Perhaps I'll name it Grapes (for sour grapes).

I also, stocked up with some bread flour which is supposed to be better.

It seemed to take forever to rise and the dough had sort of dried and formed a skin.

I baked it anyway and gave it to my daughter to try.

She said it was good and no lumps in the loaf which I was afraid had happened.

It sure did look pretty though ...

January 12, 2020

3rd attempt:

Disaster - I made the Rye version but forgot to add salt.

Then I forgot to preheat the dutch oven.

And, forgot to slash the top.

Needless to say, it did not taste very good nor did it look good!

We used it for french toast and left some outside for the birds.

Today, I made another Rye variety loaf and I think it's a success.

January 25, 2020

Unfortunately, my daughter has declared no bread at all for the time being.

This means less bread baking and lots of "feedings" to keep these starters alive.

I think I'm too impatient, quick bread this is not!

**Taste note update - strong sour flavour but nice "crumb".  Not sure I like the rye bread one.

In the meantime, in the beginning of this new decade, I've been

keeping busy with a bit of quilting.

I truly am in my happy place when in my messy sewing corner!

One Bear Claw Quilt done, another started (blue and white), and a mystery quilt on the go.

How has your January/New Year been going?

It's been a strange Winter so far in 2020 ... mostly quite mild.

However, we did have a cold snap last week with some beautiful lacy frost.

Till next time ..... recouping from a lingering cold, sewing to my hearts content, and contemplating whether to pursue sourdough or not to.

Wishing you a Healthy and Happy New Year!

2020 has arrived!

As we roar into this new decade, staying healthy is on my mind!

It's not a New Year's resolution - it's something I want to be intentional about.

Today was Christmas turkey bone broth day - the turkey's gold!

I'm hoping this healthy broth will give me the boost I need

to kick this 3 week old cold and cough!

This is the recipe I use to make it:  

https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/turkey-bone-broth

It's not difficult to make. It just takes time ...

While the bones brothed, I worked on my Bear Claw Quilt.

The fabric was cut and ready to go before Christmas.

The sewing machine is out of storage and it makes me "sew" happy.

Here's a peek:

How was your Christmas?

It slipped by so quickly but not without some wonderful family times

and delicious food.

Sadly, very few pictures were taken over here!

It was all about these little loves ...

Our hearts are full!

Our little Angel in the church

children's program.

A wee reindeer arrived at our 

door on Christmas Day.

Home made play dough - the best! It had to be pink.

A great message for January 2020

Days are slowly getting longer and oh, those beautiful sunsets!!

Till next time ... stay healthy and happy.

Tomorrow - another year older - eek! How did I get so old?