MIA??

LOL, most of the time you can find me sitting on that couch cushion between these two furry friends. No, seriously!

Long time no post, right?  You die hard readers will have noticed the lack of content.  I have been hanging out on Facebook a bit but generally taking a little blogging break.

Thanksgiving came and went since I last updated.  I was invited to join my friend Bev and her husband for dinner but she and I had to promise to keep the tears at bay.  (Her son had passed away a couple months ago and she had lost another about 6 years ago.  Holidays are hard.)  I was asked to bring the pumpkin pies so I did my favorite No Bake kind. When I got there at the appointed arrival time, she said we were going over to their friend/neighbors around the corner from them.  I had heard about this bunch last year as the deep fried turkey was almost incinerated--there were pictures!  Fortunately, they had an oven baked one for back-up.  This year too!  As it turned out Chris, the host deep fried 3 turkeys (one his mom was taking home) and his wife April baked one as well.  So did Bev.  Lots of turkey for later meals!  Bev and April sent me home with leftovers as there was every possible classic holiday casserole/side to be had as well.  Some of the turkey breast I sliced up for the freezer as she sent half of the turkey breast with me.  I love having a sandwich with cranberry mayo when I have real turkey.

I've done a bit of baking while actual meal making has sort of taken a nose dive.  Mom's Zucchini Bread, a couple of loaves.  Another batch of Apricot Cheese Bread went in the freezer for a future Belles meeting.  I also made a batch of the Libby Pumpkin Muffins but halved the recipe in two bowls so I could put nuts and craisins in one part of it and chocolate chips in the other.  I have been thinking about making some cookies but have not quite gotten around to it as I WILL eat them especially if I make my all-time favorite White Chocolate with Macadamia Nuts.  I don't need to eat them!!  Still, it is hard not to be tempted by all the snacks, sweets and goodies I see on my facebook feed.  Like this stuff---White Trash from Chocolate, Chocolate and More.   OOH I want a handful, LOL.

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I have been laid low with an upper respiratory situation for over 10 days now.  It always seems to start with a scratchy throat and then spreads to runny nose, cough, etc.  I was thankful I had a doctor's appointment for those followup test results.  Actually the nurse said that a lot of the patients lately have been coming in for something else and saying "oh by the way, can he look at my throat etc while I'm here"  By the time I was seen my throat felt like I had swallowed glass and even my tongue and roof of my mouth were sore.  I could barely swallow nor could I get the secretions up or down.   I've done a week of antibiotics and several nights of Theraflu Max.    Walking fell by the wayside as I was having too much trouble breathing to exert and walk 2.5 miles when the couch sounded better.  I am back to walking Oscar 3 times a day.  I'm better but still blowing my nose, occasionally a cough but thankfully, I turned the corner earlier in the week.  I'm starting to get tired of sitting and laying around so I figure that is a good sign.  However, when changing the bed linens and quilts out or vacuuming the living room exhausts you maybe best not to push it??

I'm still not sure what is going on with those hinky lab tests and clinical picture.  I had a thyroid ultrasound after I saw the doctor last week and he is referring me to another physician in the practice for consultation.  However, I have to wait till mid January to see here.  I feel okay--well, other than the lingering URI--- but maybe there is something to it.  We'll see if it is anything to worry about.

Our quilt group cancelled for the week of Thanksgiving but we met for our usual 2nd Tuesday this week.  No one wanted to really fuss and go out to eat--we do that almost everytime we meet anyway--but we did have a little low key potluck lunch.  Lois had 3 quilts to pin all using the same pattern with varying sizes of strips.  Are you familiar with M'Liss Rae Hawley's More Fat Quarter Quilts? I found an image on pinterest for Island Star.  Lois sashed hers to break up the star points and the background on two of three were the same backgrounds.   You will see them down the line!   We resume meeting after the first of the year. 

No surprise here, but no sewing.  I think the last time I had the machine fired up was the Friendship quilters sew-in in mid November.   I have been considering a future project though.  I've been looking through books in my library and my files for patterns made with pre-cuts. I've been hanging around the Missouri Star videos.  I consulted with Norma who has some ideas from GE Designs perhaps--links flying back and forth.  I ordered a used book that had one I particularly liked from Strip Your Stash, the cover quilt.  

You see, at the retreat I attended this past October we all were invited to participate in a guild challenge and the resultant quilts will be hung/judged etc in October 2016.  To that end, Jennifer with the help of the Ashville House Quilt Shop picked out and ordered charm packs of Good Karma from Moda (we prepaid for one or two packs and some yardage) and we also were given 2 yards of a "Green Stitch" tone on tone from the line.  It is there at the top in the middle.   I love the brights and the colors in this collection!

There are some size limitations but I have been considering what I might like to do with this stuff.   The tone on tone is a directional print though.  I think we have to use a representational piece of every one of the fabrics in the charm pack and at least some of the tone and tone.  It's one of them.  I don't think we have to use it ALL up physically although the instructions are worded that way. Wwe can add two more fabrics to the mix.  I've got a list of ideas but I think I have it sort of narrowed down to two things I've been itching to try.  It has to be quilted, bound, finished, not just a top.  Of course, I'll keep changing my mind if I keep looking.  Today I drew something up in EQ which would be an alternative way of piecing an existing pattern.  No, I can't show you as it is supposed to be kept a secret.  I don't care so much about that though as I KNOW I won't get any sewing done if I don't drag me and my machine some place away from home and get some "work" done!!  Unless Oscar logs some outdoor time on the mild days, it is not happening.

I've got a few things planned with the girl friends in coming days.  A piano concert, a Christmas play, guild luncheon.  I put the Christmas decorations up--dialed back version minus setting up the tree--soon after Thanksgiving.  It looks festive anyway.  I may not feel like sending out cards or wishing everyone a Merry Christmas just yet but it will happen, LOL.  Trying not to get all mopey just because another holiday is rolling around and DJ is not here with me--still, always in my heart.  Does it ever get any easier?

I guess the overview is written.   Hope YOU are staying healthy and happy this holiday season.