Embroidery

 Embroidery is sometimes challenging, but I have managed to get a few more towels done.

#6 of 10 projects

The funny little bird that makes me smile.

I decided it was a Bluebird:)

I had an eye Doctor appointment yesterday which resulted in just one more appointment.

So it goes.

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Cute designs

 Some of the dish towels have cute designs. 

Finishes # 4 and # 5. 

I had a procedure yesterday and must take it easy for a little bit. I had injections into my back that were not without pain.   Far Guy and Jen are taking good care of me. 

We got about 6 inches of snow after a hard rain. 

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Threads

 Embroidery threads are part of my recent days.  

I brought ten dish towels with me to be embroidered over the Winter.  Five are done...so I am making progress.  Slow but sure.  

Far Guy is doing good...he is back on the treadmill and doing at least 5,000 steps a day.  He has his sense of humor back and that is a relief.  We are waiting for the genetic testing to come back on his Thyroid Nodule biopsy.  He has two nodules inside his Thyroid...one is benign and the other is questionable hence the extra testing that takes weeks.  

We had breakfast for supper..we all cooked!  

Minnesota weather: High 42F or 6C  Low was 32F or 0C eh!

Winter Storm for Wednesday and Thursday

Description

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO MIDNIGHT CST WEDNESDAY NIGHT... * WHAT...Heavy mixed precipitation and areas of blowing snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 5 and 10 inches with locally higher amounts. Ice accumulations of a glaze. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. * WHERE...Portions of north central and northwest Minnesota and northeast North Dakota. * WHEN...From 6 PM this evening to midnight CST Wednesday Night. * IMPACTS...Travel will be very difficult. Falling and blowing snow will lead to areas of quick and sudden reductions to visibility, making travel difficult, especially in rural areas that are prone to blowing snow. The hazardous conditions will impact the Wednesday morning and evening commutes.

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The eyes have it

 Cats...or Cataracts, Far Guy has them and surgeries have been scheduled.  He is a bit bummed out that one appointment yielded five more appointments.  Can't say I blame him but I know he will be happier when he can see clearly again!

We had lunch with my other baby brother and she who sees robins first as they were passing through town to visit Katie for her upcoming 44th birthday in Western North Dakota. Happy Birthday Katie!

Minnesota weather: High 30F or -1C Low was 21F or -6C. Partly cloudy day. 

3D print of a cat for Cee Cee's Valentine box. I painted the eyes and put a bit of color on the nose and the inside of the ears.  Andy will put it all together..the cat will be peeking out of a cardboard box. It is amazing what that 3D printer can do!

Here is the completed Valentine box. The heart is also a 3 D print.

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Quiet Day

 Tuesdays are usually quiet days as Sadie is in Doggie Daycare.  She was happy to see us when she came home. 

Far Guy drove me to the grocery store, we picked up a prescription, got gas and a car wash.  The car looks blue again instead of a grey blue.

We made pork chops, rice and green beans for supper.  We made the green beans with bacon and a bit of vinegar just the way the guys will eat them.

Far Guy was a bit hoarse yesterday from the biopsy on Monday.  He says it hurts a bit too.

This is Great Granddaughter Peach's Valentine box. She is going to love it...probably she will jump up and down many times in her excitement!

Minnesota weather: Partly sunny High was 32F or 0C  low was 16F or -9C. 

Relaxing moment yesterday...waiting for a train and admiring the art work on the boxcars.

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a taco

 Creativity is alive and well this Valentine's week!  Jen helps the Great grandchildren with Valentine boxes every year.   They choose their own design and help with some of the design pieces. 

There was lots of paper crimping going on the night they visited here.  I helped to put Hey Mikey's Valentine box together. 

Interesting what can be made out of a cardboard box, tissue paper and crimped paper.  There is slot at the top amongst the dollops of sour cream!

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Little Things

 My Physical Therapist was ever so kind yesterday and I got an ultrasound treatment, scraping and tape.  So good to feel so much better.  The flare I have been is has been horrid.  In the afternoon I tried to watch a movie but fell asleep.

Jen made me a bookmark...cute as it can be!

I smile every time I use it!  Jen is making some awesome things with her 3 D printer. 

Supper was spaghetti, meatballs and french bread.  I had cheese on my noodles as I am not fond of spaghetti sauce.

Minnesota weather: It was a nice above zero day and the sun was shinning!

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Goodbye January

 I saw my Rheumatologist on Friday.  He said " I can do nothing for you, I think you have Chronic Pain Syndrome."  He is tapering me off of the daily prednisone dose and I should be seen at the Pain Clinic.  Alrighty then.   

Far Guy had his infusion appointment...while he was there I picked up groceries at Wally World and then stopped by Aldi to get fruit.  I had a very long nap in the afternoon. 

Not much progress on my various projects.

Today we say goodbye to January...perhaps February will be better! 

Far Guy will have his Thyroid Biopsy in February...nothing heard about his other appointments...stress test and echocardiogram.

Supper was leftovers...all good. 

Minnesota weather: High 4F or -16C  Low was -14F or -26C.  We have a Winter weather advisory until noon Sunday.

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WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON SATURDAY TO NOON CST SUNDAY... * WHAT...Mixed precipitation and areas of blowing snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 1 and 3 inches and locally up to 4 inches. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. * WHERE...Portions of northwest and west central Minnesota and northeast and southeast North Dakota. * WHEN...From noon Saturday to noon CST Sunday. * IMPACTS...Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. Plan on slippery road conditions. Falling and blowing snow will lead to areas of quick and sudden reductions to visibility, making travel difficult, especially in rural areas that are prone to blowing snow.

Little stitches

 I finished water color cards for now and started some stitching around the outside of a dish towel.  Had to retrain my brain it has been a while since I have done hand stitching. 

I was struggling with it so much it exhausted me so I had a little nap and when I woke up I remembered how to do it.  Perhaps I dreamt about it. Will wonders never cease. 

I went to PT on Monday then we went to the grocery store.  

Andy made supper...ribs, potatoes and corn...delicious.

Minnesota Weather: High was 10F or -12C  Low was -8F or -22C eh!   The snow was blowing and drifting some inside town so I imagine it was much worse outside of town.  By the weekend we should have nice Winter weather again. 

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Watercoloring and more

I finished up a bunch of water colorings for cards.   I only have a few more stamped...however I do know where a bunch of stamps are in the craft room.  Possibly I will call this project good and move onto something else. 

We had a very quiet day, I cleaned two bathrooms except for the floors...I am still not getting down on my hands and knees to scrub. Maybe one day soon.  I did some laundry and worked on a baby blanket while watching The Closer on Netflix. 

Sadie keeps one eye on us all the time.  When she sleeps she lays in front of the front door so we cannot escape.

Her people will return late Sunday night.  Last we heard they were boarding their flight in Cincinnati and that 90% of the flights had been cancelled due to weather.  Jen was visiting a friend in Ohio and Andy was Master of Ceremonies at a Vex Tournament.

We made homemade pizza using a Pillsbury Pizza Dough for supper...just as good as a Pizza Shop.

Only six medical appointments this week. Sure hope it warms up for the appointments on Thursday and Friday!

Another cold day in Minnesota: High -10F or -23C  Low was -20F or -29C eh! 

Extreme Cold Warning in effect until Monday, 9:00 AM CST. Source: U.S. National Weather Service

* WHEN...Until 9 AM CST Monday. * IMPACTS...The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 45 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes.

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Sunflowery

 Jen and I teamed up to paint a porch sitter.  A porch sitter/leaner is a piece of wood that usually has a design or says something like welcome, home etc...it sits on your porch leaning up against the wall. 

I did the blue/green and then Jen painted a sunflower on one end and I painted on the other end.

It was a fun project! I think it turned out great!  

The sunflowers in all the sunflower fields were turning their heads downward from the weight of the seed heads.  

Grain harvest has begun and some of the bean fields are starting to turn color.  

Minnesota weather: High of 82F or 28C Low was 60F or 16C eh!

Long time friends Mike and Ginny from Iowa stopped by today and then my other baby brother and she who sees robins first, then nephew Josh came by with his new puppy who is really cute!

Supper was steak and a baked potato along with the first yellow pear tomatoes of the season.

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Old Craft: Potholders

 Yes several readers guessed correctly.   I am revisiting the old craft of making potholders that I enjoyed as a much younger person child.

Where the witchcraft comes in...there are several websites out there that have wizards where you can put in two colors and it will show you many patterns...one site has many potholder weaving charts in black and white so you can pick and choose your colors. 

 What fun!   At least I think so.  It gives my arthritic fingers and wrists a good workout!

I like the larger finished product of the Pro loom kit.  The potholders finish at 8 inches by 8 inches...a very nice size for potholders or for a spot to sit a warm pot on your table.

As I recall from the "olden days" the potholders were very small and if you bought some of the inferior loops they would melt if they got too hot.  I also recall that the loom was plastic and if you broke off any of the teeth your loom became useless.

I am using only cotton loops and the loom is metal.   So far so good.   I hope to make a few gifts.

I went to the Dentist...no cavities!  Yeah me!  

Far Guy sat outside for a short time, the air was less smoky.

Supper was pork chops and wild rice. 

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Old Craft

 Before I had surgery Sara at Punkin's Patch sent me an email...are you aware of the witchcraft!  I was and I ordered a kit. 

Can you guess what old craft it is?

It brought back some great old memories for me. 

We had another quiet day at home. Far Guy is just not feeling well. 

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Hanging in there

Far Guy is doing his best to do everything he should to get better. It all takes time.  He is tired.  I am tired. 

IF we were sloths we could just hang around in trees upside down eating the most tender shoots....they leave the trees to poop once a week on the forest floor...who knew?

 

The cloth sloth is now framed and at the consignment shop...I wonder how long it will be there? 

My other baby brother and she who sees robins first stopped by and had lunch with us yesterday, good to see them again!  They were out in Western North Dakota visiting Katie, Hunter, Gavin, Jordan and Aubrey. 

I made chicken wild rice soup...it was whats for supper yesterday.  Chicken soup makes everything better!

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Fabric finish

 Jen finished the Cloth Sloth.  It is a fabric collage.

A work of art! Lots of different designs and shapes in this one. 

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Cloth Sloth

 Jen has been working on a cloth Sloth. 

It will eventually end up on a canvas and go over to flippin happy home decor and more

It is very very cold here.  We ventured out for a quick trip to Hobby Lobby yesterday when it was just 2F or -16C.  I needed a skein of yarn to finish a project! 

I laid down in between loads of laundry and watched Peanut Butter Falcon on Netflix.  It  was a good movie I give it a 8 out of 10. 

We made lasagna for supper.  

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Valentine Boxes

 When I was a kid we usually got a shoe box or a paper bag to decorate to collect Valentines from classmates at school.  What fun it was to read all those Valentines!

This week in the craft room Valentine boxes were made.  Paper, boxes and feathers. 

A flamingo and a pikachu for Cee Cee and Hey Mikey. 

Valentine boxes have come a long way:)

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Dreaming of flowers

 Well... flowers and warmer weather for sure!  

I started a new puzzle, worked on my crochet projects...one is out for a trial by a little girl and the other needs a bit of an adjustment...so I will work on that.  

One of Jen's small stone creations. 

Far Guy gets to visit the NEW hospital today for his infusion.  He has heard from the nurses that the infusion rooms are all individual with private bathrooms and big screen tv's...parking is already a nightmare over there.  Good thing I just drop him off and pick him up. 

Still cold...our high yesterday was 10F or -12C   our low was -13F or -25C  with a real feel of -30 most of the day yesterday.  We might bust out of the deep freeze on Friday..maybe.

How cold is it?  Squirrels are throwing themselves at the electric fence to warm up:)

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Creating Fun Stuff

Jen had a couple of projects happening.  These are wall decorations.

Far Guy helped Jen by dipping the individual pieces of wood in food coloring.  I love the way it turned out...so vibrant!

This is one I helped paint, in this photo you can see how the wood pieces stick out at different levels. 

Jen took both pieces plus a few other creations over to the shop in Grand Forks. 

Fun Stuff! 

Still very cold here.  

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Stones

 Making art...

with polished stones...artwork by Jen.

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