Should have listened to you all!

Yep, did way too much on Monday.  I was pooped and coughing up a storm.  Figured I could get a lot done.  Baby steps right?

In answer to your questions about this cross stitch project.  Once I have finished stitching it, I will back it with interfacing and fabric.  It will then roll up and be tied with a ribbon.  The markers will also be cross stitched.  All should be washable, albeit by hand.

I actually think February has gone by quite fast for a change.  What do you think?

We had a storm arrive on Monday night, and with that my poor head was just thumping.  I got a tea subscription for my birthday last year and among the last package was this Headache Halo tea from David's tea. Not sure if it does much good but thought it was better than taking a pill.

I am making a couple more goals for myself, starting tomorrow, so will post about them, then.

What a week.........

 Last week started out yucky, but by the end of the week, it was looking a bit better.  

By the end of the week the antibiotics had kicked in and I felt a whole lot better.  Still got a runny nose, still coughing and still tired, but a whole lot better.  Didn't take Liam swimming as I figured the chlorine in the pool would set me off coughing.  However he has started jumping in the pool without help and he even dunked his head under water, so he is improving in leaps and bounds.

Winter is far from over and on Wednesday/Thursday we ended up with over a foot of snow.  The good news is, we are close to the end of February, so the worst is over with (I hope!)  We are not having to put on the lights in the house now until 6 pm-ish, as it is still light out.  Add in, we have seen a bit of sun this week, Spring feels as though it is heading our way........well after the latest Winter storm tonight, maybe!!

By the end of the week I was back to cooking meals.  Even got some grocery shopping done.  Maybe things are starting to get back to normal.  

I started a new project and here is where I am at with it as of Sunday afternoon:

I am starting to get the feel of this project and have discovered that doing the background work needs to be done when the light is good.

As promised a little peek at my next project

As my order from Bothy Threads won't be here for a few more weeks, I thought I'd start another cross stitch project.  I was going through some of my old cross stitch magazines and found a project I would like to try in this one.

It's a snakes and ladders set; except this one is vines and ladders.  Also as I can sew, I can make this up quite easily after I have done the cross stitch.

I looked up Debbie Harding whose pattern this is, and she has a website here.

It's going to be quite a large piece, my piece of Aida, is 20 inches square.  I bought Michaels own brand "Loops and Thread," Aida cloth and will say it's quite rough, but will work perfectly fine for this project.

This was taken after working on it on Friday.

The # 55 & 66 squares are totally finished, back stitch and all.  This is also my first time doing blackwork, which is the background stitching (orange and yellow stitching)

I keep all my threads I am using in that metal tin.

It's an old Crabtree and Evelyn tin.

This is the back of my work (later on Saturday).  It's not perfect but it's reasonably tidy.  I was always taught the back was as important as the front.  You won't see the back of it when finished as it will be covered in fabric.

I am hoping to have this project finished by mid April, as my goal is to sew a couple of squares per day.  Realistically though doing one a day is something I can achieve.

All it cost out of pocket was $1.93

Like everyone I love a good deal  Puts me in a good mood for the rest of the day.  On Friday I popped to our local Zehrs grocery store.  I find grocery shopping a chore, as every week the prices just increase.  I had a deal where if I spent $75 I got back 7,500 points which is worth $7.50.  I thought I would take a look at the store and see if I could find some deals.  I struck the mother load of deals in my humble opinion!!

I ended up spending $81.93, but after I cashed in $80 worth of points, I paid $1.93 out of pocket.  There was a pile of meat reduced.  Got a chicken pot pie 50% off and some English muffins and hot dog buns also 50% off

I got 1,800 points when I spent a certain amount on margarine, so stocked up on Becel, which was on sale.

Eggs were on sale for $2.99 per dozen, best price I have seen in a while.

I like to have a couple of cans of tomato and mushroom soup in the pantry to add into recipes.  Had no rice, so bought a package which will last us a few months.

I ended up cashing in 80k in points, but received 10,100 points from shopping today.

Everything I bought was things we needed.

I ended up with 5 meals of sausages, 2 meals worth of ground beef.  One meal of chicken and two meals with the chicken pot pie.

Zehrs is an expensive store normally, but I did super good this shopping trip.  We'll be eating the chicken pie over the weekend, with salad and potato salad that needs using up.

Do you enjoy grocery shopping?

Lunch box

Got dh one of the compartmentalized lunch boxes.  He loves it as he can have a varied selection of bits and bobs.  He loves those Lunchables, but they are $9 for 3.  I make my own version for a heck of a lot cheaper.  Here is what he took for his breakfast and lunch on Monday.

Tomatoes and dip, two granola bars, a hard boiled egg, 2 cheese slices, 2 slices of deli meat cut up, some spicy crackers, a banana pudding and a fat free yogurt.  He has a large container of water and has coffee as well.  I bought the silicone holders from Amazon and the deli meat holder from Lakeland Plastics.

All out of sorts

Prior to me getting sick I had quite a routine going.  I knew what I was doing and when I was doing it.  These past couple of weeks my routine has been blown to bits.  Only now am I starting to get back to normal.

I am writing this on Thursday night for publication on Friday morning.  Today was the first time I have "made" a proper evening meal; cabbage roll casserole. I am making that as I had cabbage that needed using up.  For the past couple of weeks we have been eating, sandwiches, soup, bagels, things that are super simple, as hubby cannot cook. I have got lots of veggies to use up from this month's produce box. 

I need to get caught up with grocery shopping, as I have only been doing the very basics.  

In fact for the last two weeks, everything has been the bare basics.

I have started a new cross stitch project and will give you a little peek into it over the weekend.

I now need to get back into the routine of cleaning as well....BOO!!!!

Do you have a routine you like sticking too?

Jeremy Clarkson + Kaleb Cooper - Behind the Scenes on Diddly Squat Farm ...

Although this is a long video it is a well worth watch........

Update

 I got into the walk-in clinic on Tuesday afternoon.  

"Luckily," I have diabetes and high blood pressure otherwise I would be *hit out of luck getting any antibiotics, as I have a viral thing that's going around and there is really nothing much wrong with me.  My throat is fine, my ears are fine, my nose is fine and my chest is clear; as per the doctor.

Now I beg to differ on all of this,  and believe me when I say I have never felt as sick as I have been these past 10 days.  It's been a long while since I have been this sick.

All I can think is that I am on my way to getting better; thank goodness.  I left the clinic thinking this is why I do not like going to the doctors.  I have waited 10 days to make sure I was "good and sick," before I bothered them.

Anyway, I have antibiotics for the next 10 days; so hoping by the weekend I will be feeling a bit better and can get back into the swing of things.

Daughter ordered me some pink eye meds from Amazon, so I have got that under control, so that's positive.

Thanks to everyone for your good wishes.

This past week

has gone by in a blur, a dopey blur!!!!

Very little has been done by me all week.

I didn't get to see a doctor over the weekend.  As today is a holiday here in Ontario, they won't be open today either.  It's got to the stage I have to see a doctor as I am not well.  Now add into the fact I have pink eye 🤩(me minus the smiling face!!) things are only going from bad to worse............then add into the fact that all pink eye medication is on back order (((SIGH)))  I spoke to the pharmacist and as I luckily had some stye med's in the house I could use that until I get to the doctor.

I swear I am ready to run away.  It's been a long time since I have been this sick.

Oh well onwards and upwards I guess.

Clarkson's Farm Series 2

Been busy watching this.  Some folk don't like Jeremy Clarkson, me too, but I really do enjoy this series.  Had a good laugh at multiple things, although I am no farmer some of the stuff he does makes you shake your head.  Gerald is such a character, never know what on earth he is saying.  Caleb is also a star, and overall they all make a great team.

However, it's not all laughs, there is a very serious side to farming and this is one platform in making these issues more public.

What a week

 I still feel like death warmed over.  It's been a long while since I have been this sick.  However speaking with various people there is a lot of this about.  As I write this post on Friday night, my plan of action is to try and get an appointment in a walk-in clinic on Saturday, as I have had this a week now.

I am no longer in tears every time I swallow as it hurt so much, so that's positive.  My throat still feels red raw, as does my ears.  When I start coughing it is never ending.  I have slept more in my reclining chair than in bed this past week, as I can't seem to sleep elevated in bed.

I have tried warm water and honey; the smell of honey makes me gag.  I don't think that does much good.  Tried the warm water and salt; gargling to try and ease my throat.  Had vicks spread on my chest and even the bottom of the feet; to no avail.  I swear the smell of vicks has changed over the years, have you noticed that?

I have been taking Buckley's, which as the advert says, "tastes awful, but is good for you."  However taking/doing all these things has resulted in me having a very upset stomach.

So that's why I have decided to try and get an appointment at a walk-in clinic.

If anyone else has had this head cold/flu thing, how long does it last and did you go to the doctors?

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Favourite Things #7

I love my Swiffer products.  I have both the duster's and the floor cleaner.  I have been using these products for years.  I have both the short and long handled dusters.  The long handled one is so handy for getting up into high and low places; saves me bending over!!

To clean the floors I use the regular wet mopping cloths, and for my hardwood floors use the wood ones.  I never buy any other than the Swiffer brand, but the dry sweeping cloths I use Walmart's own brand.  It's cheaper and does as good a job as the name brand.

I dry swiffer every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  Below is what I picked up on one of those days.  I have no idea where all the dust comes from in our house.  There is only the two of us living here?

Do you use the swiffer brand products?

Happy Birthday

It's my mother's birthday today; so Happy Birthday Mam!  We're from the north of England where we call our mother's Mam.

I made her this card:

I got it as a freebie in this magazine.

It said it should only take 5 hours to sew.  It took me a lot longer😕

I got my mam a subscription to Prima Magazine

I wanted to get myself a subscription as well, but they are not shipping international at the moment?  Honestly I nearly gave up the will to live trying to order my mam her subscription, as my Canadian address proved to be a problem; again????  Finally got it ordered.  I will get her something else when I see her later in the year, as she is coming for a visit.

No words needed........

 

Which one is it?

 

(image credit)

After looking at that picture, I have the cold/flu, I think?  It's been a while since I have been ill, so this has caught me off guard.  We had nothing in the house, so on Monday I went to Wal Mart to stock up on supplies. Then came home and collapsed into my chair.  Mind you plenty of fluid and gargling with warm salt water is as good as anything I think.

I firmly put the blame on my youngest grandchild though (😁) as he is in daycare and has always got a green and snotty nose.  You would have thought though I would have built up plenty immunity after all this time!!

I had the flu vaccination, so that's a blessing I guess.  I have tested for covid and I'm negative, so I guess I just have to wait until it all passes?

Have you had a cold/flu this season?

Catch up from the prior week...

This past week went by super fast in my opinion.  In fact most weeks just scoot on by.

Monday I do a clean through, plus I had grocery shopping to do.  Not a fan of grocery shopping.

Tuesday got everything taken to the charity shop, but as it was raining so didn't get any other errands ran.

Tuesday night hubby got called out for a breakdown at work, so he took Wednesday off.  As it was dry we were out and about on Wednesday.  Got a few things done, including picking up my auction wins.  Got a Sail for the back patio, like this one for $55 (incl taxes), and four books this week.  Spent around $85 total.  

We used a $25 gift card we had for Panara Bread.  Hubby got a toasted baguette, bag of chips/crisps and coffee.  I got a bowl of soup, piece of baguette and a coffee; it came to $32, which in my humble opinion was very over priced.  Also I find their menu very confusing.

A member of our family had another health related incident on Wednesday.  Unfortunately this is a regular thing, which due to various reasons I won't go into.  Suffice to say it drains us all.

Thursday went by in a flash and honestly don't think I got much done.

Same for Friday, didn't seem to accomplish much.  Did take grandson to swimming lessons and he made super progress this week, by jumping into the pool twice by himself.  Believe me that is HUGE for someone who doesn't like getting his face wet.  It flipping well snowed again, though no where near as bad as the week before!

Saturday I was sick and felt terrible.  Did finish off some projects though so that was positive.

Sunday got up and felt like death warmed over again.  So once again never left the house.

As I said a super fast week, and not a lot accomplished as far as I was concerned.

Did you have a good week, last week?

A couple of finishes

As I was decluttering my magazines, I found a kit in a magazine for three mini cards.  Pretty quick sew; though please forgive the size of my french knots:

I love how they look.  They are mini cards, so will put them in my card box ready to use.

I completed another puzzle this week, I find doing puzzles very relaxing.

I also finished off another dishcloth.  Love this colour combo.

Not feeling too good at the moment.  Started coughing at the swimming pool, so thought it was the chlorine, but just generally feel under the weather.  It's the time of year I think?

Links, links and more links

Over on Magpie's blog she always posts the best links about various things.  So for this post, I thought I'd post some links to things you may or may not know about.

Asda in the UK has brought out a new thing called "All this, all in, under 20 pounds GBP", I don't have a pound sterling symbol on my keyboard!!  Here on this link is a list of ingredients used and a list of recipes.  Thought they were worth looking at, and maybe give you some ideas.  Love fish pie; need to buy some fish.

I LOVE fabric, it's one of those things I could buy and just hoard.  However that is both expensive and very impractical.  So I just admire a friend of mine's work.  Carla over at Carla's Creations work is gorgeous and her fabric choices are spot on.  So click on her Facebook link and drool over her creations.

Although not even the middle of February I am already thinking that Spring will be here soon.........maybe I am praying that Spring will be here soon.  With that I am thinking it will be time to get into the garden?  Meanwhile here is a link to some tips on preparing ahead of time for the gardening season.

This next one is something I am very guilty of doing and that is not exercising, being a couch potato.  I know I have packed on a few pounds over winter and I really need to think about getting rid of them.  This year just shaving my legs will not cut it; I mean that only drops my weight a couple of pounds 😉 This link tells us some ideas on how to stay active in cold weather.  There is something in there for everyone, including me!!

Lindt has brought out a limited edition Floral Bunny, it's stinking cute. You can see it here.  Love their chocolate.

I was reading here that Death In Paradise is getting a spin off series.  It's set in Devon.  One of the regular's will be Dylan Llewellyn from Derry Girls.

WagJag had a great deal on the Zoomer Magazine.  I was able to get a 2 year subscription for only $17, as I found a discount code as well to apply.  You can find the deal here.

Favourite Things #6

So this week it's my stove.  Not the whole stove, just my upper oven.  Let me explain.  Generally here in Canada this is what a stove looks like. This is just a random one I picked from Canadian Appliance.  It has a large oven and underneath it there is a drawer which is either a warming drawer to keep things warm, or a drawer to store pans/baking sheets etc. in.

(credit image)

Now mine looks like this; it's a KitchenAid one, which matches my fridge.  Instead of having just the one oven, mine has a double oven.

The top oven is half the size of the bottom one; top one has one shelf, bottom can have two or three shelves in it.

I use the bottom one if I am baking cookies or need the multiple shelves.

The upper one I use many times a week.  As there is only the two of us at home, we don't bake huge quantities.  This size is perfect for us.  I had thought about getting one of those air fryers, but would prefer to just use my upper oven.  I had one of these type stoves in the UK, but they are not as common over here.

The one thing I hate about this stove and one of the reasons I wouldn't buy one again is the cook top.  Here it looks just fine.

Turn on the light of the fan and this is what it looks like.  However hard I try I cannot get or keep it clean.

I would never buy KitchenAid appliances as you are paying for the name.  If I had to buy another stove again, I would make sure I bought one with a double oven, I love that and couldn't live without it.

Monthly Produce Bag and Organizing

 I picked up my February monthly produce bag on Wednesday.

In this bag was:

10lbs Potatoes, Leaf Lettuce, 3lbs Red Apples, 4 Roma Tomatoes, 4 Naval Oranges, 1 Red Onion, 2lbs Cooking Onions, 2lbs Carrots, Blackberries, 2 Red Peppers.  All looked at peak freshness and I will make use of everything.

I also was busy sorting out my DMC threads that I use for cross stitching.  I have had the cardboard box (left hand side of photo) for a long time, and the handles were torn.  I have a LOT of thread, all numbered and sorted; and it was getting too squished in my cardboard container.

I went to Canadian Tire while I was out and picked up this plastic container for just over $9 with taxes.  It has more room for everything.

It has a lid so will keep everything safe.  Plus I was able to sort out another large bag of cross stitch stuff that I had been hanging onto, so more things removed from the house!!

Such a shame

I am on decluttering at the moment.  Took this little lot to the charity store yesterday:

Now where the title of this post comes in, is that I have also been getting rid of stuff on our local free site.  So basically giving stuff away.  I don't have a problem doing that and was getting along with everything fine.  I then put up some handbags to give away for free.  Now granted they are not the best but they did have a lot of life still left in a couple of them.  One looked new and was this Matt and Natt bag, it looks perfect doesn't it?

Until you turn it around and there is a huge scratch on the back. 

I am fortunate enough that I have other handbags I use and love, so giving it away for free for someone else to restore is fine with me.

So a couple of women want this and another bag and to cut a long annoying story short they mucked me around so much, that in the end I said I was taking them to the charity shop and told them which one so if they wanted the bags they could go and get them from there.

One woman turned around and said, "I live right by that store I could meet you there?"

I ignored her message, which I would normally never do, but I was so fed up with the whole situation.  So from now on, unless it is a high value item, everything is going to the charity shop!  People are going to lose out of getting free things, but I am done with the whole situation.

Have you had this happen to you?

Another project finished.

Back in December I mentioned in this post I had some cross stitch bookmarks to complete for the grandkids.  All the older ones are huge fans of Harry Potter.  So I picked up a couple of patterns on Etsy from here and made them all bookmarks.  Mine are backed with interfacing and felt, then sewn together.

These are for the three in Brampton:

I love them, and hope the grands will love them too.  Each one is slightly different, as I mixed up the patterns. It's their dad's birthday this month, so will pop them in the envelope with his card.

Now I did say back in the WIP post, that I wasn't going to buy any other supplies, but caved in when I discovered Bothy Threads.  They were having their semi or possibly annual sale back in January, and after checking prices here in Canada and the States, it was cheaper to buy things from them; plus I got free shipping!!

The only snag I hit was that after I ordered everything I got an email from them to say that the Royal Mail wasn't picking up parcels that had to be shipped out internationally.  It all had to do with the strikes they were having.  Anyhow I got another email at the end of January to say it had been shipped out.  So I will be on the lookout for my parcel.  I am super excited about what I ordered.

So another project done, now onto something else!!  Trying to get a few things made before gardening season starts in a couple of months.

Made a start on this on Monday, just the back stitch to do on this daffodil:

I was looking through some old magazines and found this free kit in one for some mini cards, that I hadn't completed.