The Journey Continues ... New Life from Old

So, YES.  About a week ago I said I would not post again until I had ventured out to check out some local gyms and began the long journey to getting in shape.  I am really happy to say I accomplished the venturing out part.  I checked out two gyms very close to my home, and I agreed to a one-week free trial membership at one of them.  I want to go tomorrow, my last free day, to spend some time on the treadmill and stationary bicycles.  The young manager was very friendly, assuring me that questions were always welcome, and that there were lots of women my age that work out at this gym. I went one evening to a yoga-stretch class that was more stretching than actual yoga.  There were only four others in the class, and 3 of them were my age and roughly in the same shape as me.  it was the first class for one of the other women too. It was not intimidating at all, the instructor was welcoming and friendly, encouraging but not pushy.  In short, yes...

Blog link party Here's to all of us, wishing us all happiness, health, and all good things in this new year. We celebrated the end of 2018 and the beginning of 2019 much like we do every new year with family.  Supper at my grandchildren's home, then back to our house where we watched the new year ushered in around the continent, until finally it arrived in our city.  January 1st was spent, as is our longstanding tradition, gathering with many relatives for dinner and an evening of visiting and games.  Impossible to start a diet on January 1 in our family, as it is the first feast of the year. I did not make resolutions, unless you count the "I should's" dancing in my head.  If I wrote them all down, it would be overwhelming. Health is high on my priority list as I get older.  I am feeling my bones and muscles age, and worry about falling.  I even worry about getting up again, when I am kneeling on the floor, digging for a misplaced pot or pan in...

Cleaning was number one on my to-do list today.  I promised myself I would tackle a long list of things I had procrastinated to do during May.  I was going to have the house to myself for several hours and that is perfect for me when I want to get things done! The first thing I tackled was cleaning the fridge.  It doesn't instantly brighten up the kitchen because, let's face it, you don't notice anything unless you (a) actually open the fridge, and (b) you knew what it looked like previously. Nonetheless, emptying out all the refrigerator shelves and bins meant filling the kitchen counters with oddments of spices, leftovers, relishes, and so on; also, the kitchen sink had to host each of the shelves I took out and washed.  Yes!  This was a total full-on cleanup; I stripped out the entire contents and shelves, and cleaned everything! I quickly realized there was an abundance of almost empty containers which would make an excellent smoothie.  I ...

I am the first to admit that I have some form of attention deficit.  I am easily distracted.  I know I will finish this post today, but right now I need to throw in a load of laundry and my dog wants to be let outside ....  And then I saw someone had left dishes on the counter so I loaded the dishwasher .... And finally, I am back at my computer.  That is how I function.  And in a world that praises multi-tasking while also saying to focus and complete your task, I struggle with my preferred working style.   The fact is that my "preferred working style" is to have the house to myself, preferably for a weekend.  If my husband decides to go out to the cabin and fish for a couple of days, I am actually excited about having the house to myself and getting some projects started .... and a few finished.  My work-style of working on several tasks simultaneously resonates with my cousins and sister, so it is at the very least a family trait ...

With this post, I have officially re-named my blog, after much thinking and indecision. I thought I should make some comments about this "re-branding" and the direction I want to take. Coincidentally, I celebrated my birthday recently. I am retired and have the freedom to do what I want on my birthday.  The best way to celebrate that I could think of was to invite my two grandchildren over for the afternoon and evening.  One of them even decided to sleep over with us.  Their parents were able to have the evening to themselves and go out for supper.  Not that I didn't want to see the parents, but this worked out well for everyone, and we enjoyed focussing on the children. Birthdays are the sign-posts on our life's journey.  As they add up, we are thankful to still be here and more aware of the blessings in our lives.  But while we can look ahead to the next one, the choice of which roads to take in the coming year are our decision. I am trying ...

A couple years ago I purchased an entire box of patterns at our annual church "garage sale".  It's actually held in the church basement, not a garage!)  I knew the lady who donated them had been a hat maker and excellent seamstress in her day, but now she was clearing out a lifetime of possessions and downsizing. I never really took the time to go through the box until recently.  It has been fun to check out the vintage styles.  It just seems like it was such a glamorous time, and I love the look, but I don't think I"ll be creating any of these for myself any time soon. So so Fifties!  The tiny wasp waist and the huge full skirt are amazing.  The halter dress is demurely covered up with the cute short sleeve jacket. This is labelled a half size Slenderette pattern.  I love the square neckline on the dress.  Unfortunately the hat is not part of this pattern.  This has never been cut out. Another full skirted dress, belted at the ...

The Apple Butter Project I have been meaning to write about some of my fall canning projects.  I haven't finished ... more about that later ...  When I was out walking in the early autumn, I was dismayed at the number of people who were wasting the apples growing in their yard.  I saw countless apples rotting on the back alleys.  Such a waste.  I considered asking if I could pick some of the apples, but before I got up my nerve, my aunt asked if I'd like some apples from their tree. There was no saying "no" after I had been visualising getting some apples for some home preserving projects.  My only momentary hesitation was when I saw how small the apples were -- more like crap apples really.  Not that there's anything wrong with crap apples; I got some of them to work with later.  The thing was, I intended to peel the apples to make apple butter, which as far as I could tell is more or less "apple jam".  And peeling those apples was go...

The days are getting colder and shorter where I live, serving as a daily reminder that winter is coming very soon.  And every year I hope for just a few more nice days as I put off doing some of the fall gardening and yardwork that is calling to me. Part of my procrastination is due to the projects that beckon indoors.  I've never been a real "outdoorsy" person, although I do love my garden plus camping and campfires.  But the sewing and crocheting and baking and reading ... ah, that's what I am more apt to be doing, even as the thought of winter's cold days should inspire me to spend more time outside now. A check-up with my doctor, that indicated cholesterol levels were becoming a problem, convinced me to see if I could bring down those levels with a vastly improved diet.  My thinking is that if a really strict healthy diet doesn't decrease the cholesterol levels, then I will need to take medication.  But if I can avoid any extra meds, that is my prefere...

What do you wear in the summer when the air conditioning in stores and restaurants is just too much, but outside the heat is sweltering? I like to carry a lightweight sweater or shawl when I go out.  Often leaving the house involves a last-minute decision on what I can take that will offer a little protection from the icy breeze while light enough to carry while outside .... and also that goes with whatever outfit I am wearing.   My sister has been busy this summer making lightweight kimono cover-ups from lightweight fabric and large scarves.  I like to think of them as shawls with sleeves.  Easier to wear than a shawl because you don't need to knot it or hold it in place.  Lightweight enough to carry inside your purse.  Quick and easy to sew.  Perfect at a bbq or at the beach, when you want to keep the sun off your shoulders and prevent sunburn. She has made these kimono-like shawls for almost every cousin and aunt in our family. ...

The stores have all their spring and summer stock in place by now, and some of it is adorable.  But it's also pricey.  I admire all the pretty things, especially the little girl dresses, and sigh when I see the price tags.  But at least it inspires me to go home and check my ever-growing stash of pattern and fabric. I "acquire" fabric and patterns at yard sales and thrift shops.  I love sewing, and use up quite a bit of my purchases when I get my sewing machine set up.  But I also sell lots of adorable pattern in my Etsy shop.   It didn't start out that way.  My intention, when I set up the shop, was to sew tote bags and crochet floor rugs and sell them online.  I still do some of that, but somehow I have evolved into focusing on patterns.  I love the hunt for new patterns, and I love sharing them.  I enjoy the listing process, including googling to find the right terms to describe collars and trims and styles in general. ...

A few weeks have passed since I last posted anything on this blog.  At the time, I was perplexed at being unable to rotate photos that I was trying to post.   No one was able to offer any advice on how to correct this issue.  I have spent hours googling the problem, and discovered it's related to Google switching from Picassa albums to Google ones ... yes, that is an over-simplification.  But it reassured me to know that things really had changed out there in cyber-space.  I had previously been able to use Picassa to rotate photos after posting to my blog, and all ended up looking just fine.  Now, it has changed. I cannot seem to get my blog photos on Picassa to show up on my Google photos.  That means I can't correct and edit the photos on my last post.  For someone who doesn't like to leave things without fixing the problems, this has taken way too much of my time and no "fix" is in sight. I am wondering if it would just be easier to ...

Sewing with Vintage Patterns My sister and I went thrifting today.  We both have booked winter vacations and wanted a few new-to-us items to round out our holiday wardrobes.  Since it's the middle of winter, and since we live in a cold climate, the retail stores haven't got very much summer stock out right now.  That is, the retail stores that sell brand new clothing.  There's always a good assortment of all-season wardrobe items in the thrift stores. I found so many great tops to try on but, as I expected, I only liked about a third of them once I tried them on.  Nonetheless I managed to get 7 nice tops for about $35.  Had my favourite thrift store been open today, I'm sure I would have paid less, but I'm really happy with the items I purchased so it's all good. I really should take some photos of what I bought but right now they are all in the wash.  I am pretty careful with the clothes I own, washing many items by hand, but for their int...

We are experiencing extreme cold weather this week.  The temperature this afternoon is MINUS 26 Celsius or minus 14 Fahrenheit.  Even worse, the wind chill is listed at minus 34 Celsius and that is a big improvement from this morning.  So I am staying indoors! I actually enjoy quiet days at home spent, well, puttering, for want of a better word.  I am the opposite of a minimalist.  In fact, if I don't have a bunch of projects that I could, at the drop of a hat, decide to start working on, I feel agitated and nervous.  I like to know when I wake up that I could, potentially, decide to make beet pickles, organize my fabric stash, begin (or finish) a crochet project, read a book, or whatever strikes my fancy.  I'm all about the process and not the finished project! But these chilly days inspire me to mostly just cuddle up with a book and a blanket.  Or possibly you could say I am not feeling inspired to undertake any substantive work or projects,...

Today, on millions of computers in many, many countries and homes, people are sending out New Year's Day greetings to family and friends.  And here in the world of blogs, many of us are taking a few moments out of the first day of 2017 to send greetings to their readers as well.  There is a certain comfort in having this commonality and knowing that we share so many dreams for happiness mixed with goals and new projects for the coming months. Happy New Year to you all. My resolutions this year are not written out.  At this stage in my life, I know by heart the things that I wish for and the projects I need to work on.  I know the goals and where I have fallen short before.  I know that good health, family, and friends is more important than the pursuit of monetary goals.  I know that I have a strong faith in God and that I believe He provides the nudges, reminders, and opportunities I need when I am ready for them.  Sometimes i fall short in recogn...

The end of the year is fast approaching, and I am looking for a theme for my 2017 New Year's resolutions. .... something short that I can repeat to myself when I am tempted to disregard those resolutions.  I want a new mantra or slogan that will make me feel sort of like I have rebranded myself for the new year. Advertising slogans are good examples of the sort of thing I am looking for.  "Just Do It" has been the catch phrase for Nike for years, and those three little words can inspire action whenever they are reflected upon.  Others that I like are "Think Different" from Apple and L'Oreal's "You're worth it".   Once I choose a slogan, I think I'll fit a few resolutions around it.  Not too many resolutions are neede, as I have lots of unfulfilled ones from past years to work on, but while I review those, I'm sure I can come up with a few new projects and goals for 2017. And of course I need to tie up a few loose ends before J...

The weather here is trying to be spring-like, but the odd snowflake still wants to fall.  Thankfully, they melt as quickly as they fall.  Most day though are lovely, and my winter coat has long since been put away! The promise of spring has me going through my wardrobe and wondering just what I actually wore last summer.  The cost of shopping for new clothes versus sewing a few outfits is definitely tilted in favour of sewing.   This project is going to take a few afternoons and evenings, but other than time, I'll have some new things for almost free.  I have a fine stash of fabric waiting to become something new .... and since I sell patterns on Etsy, I also have a stash of those I can choose from.  I wish I had more time to sew, but there are lots of patterns that don't take too much time. While I'm at it, I plan to make some outfits for the grandchildren too.  My sister bought some adorable cotton prints to make into dresses and we...