Hi everyone – somehow about two weeks have passed since I have posted. I am unsure if it is because I don’t have much to tell you or I have been busy or what? One would think with the shelter in place rules, I would have tons of time to write blog posts but it hasn’t happened.
Actually, lots has been going on – a few days ago we drove to Julia’s university to clean out her dorm room. They decided for sure the students will not return to campus until fall session opens. This was sad and is the case across the country. When we were cleaning out the dorm room, Julia was melancholy. She certainly didn’t get the dorm life experience she was hoping for with all of these changes.
Like all of you, we have been keeping busy with projects and cooking – so much baking!! Julia has made cookies, bagels and dinner rolls. Currently she is learning about sour dough starter. She started one batch but it didn’t work so she tossed it and has started again.I made pumpkin bread the other day with some pumpkin from the freezer (actually from out garden last summer). We are trying to cook all sorts of meals based on what is in the freezer – mainly because food tends to be shoved to the back of the freezer and forgotten. Now is the time to take stock of what is there and use it up.
As far as sewing goes, it has been hit and miss. At the time of my last post, I was really into it and then I sort of lost my motivation. But when the governor of California asked residents to begin wearing masks in public, I decided to make masks for the family. I have looked at a couple of patterns and mashed them up to get a result I am happy with. It is a work in progress for sure.
I mailed a few to my son and his wife in New York. Those two are the members of the family I worry about most. They have been very careful and stay in their apartment most of the time. They have a dog so do need to be outdoors to walk her. It is so awful in New York and they need to be extra diligent.
I spent a couple of evenings cutting lots of scraps into squares for future use. This was actually somewhat satisfying. At least I was able to close my blue bin after doing this. Now of course, I have a new bin with these squares and more on the way. Sigh. It is never ending.
Another day or two was spent making half square triangles with a pack of charm squares I got from who-knows-where? I thought they would be cute used in some fashion. Can you tell I am just mindlessly, aimlessly sewing? So HST’s are made and trimmed and in a bag. Someday they will be used. Making the HST’s is the worst chore – it will be more fun to stitch them up.
Another fun hour in the sewing room was spent hunting through scraps to find polka dot fabric. I am trying to stick with dotty prints for the 2020 Color Challenge. This month is purple but I have not yet started the block.
I am still enjoying lots of texts, photos and FaceTime with my two grand babies in Vermont. Not as good as real life visiting but this is all we have for now. Above is a picture of my grand daughter, AKA Princess Mirabelle, enjoying a pretend birthday party with her stuffed animals. She makes me smile every day.
This is such a random post but it well represents how things have been. These are strange times and it will be something to look back on 2020 and the Corona Virus pandemic. Hope we are are on the other side of this soon! Please do be careful, stay healthy and reach out to friends, family and neighbors.
I feel for Julia, having such a strange end to her college year. Looks like a nice dorm room, though! If she wants to try a fun bread recipe, have her go to Pinch of Yum and make the No Knead Miracle Bread. So good, and so easy. It’s very difficult to stay focused these days, so I’m just sewing things I want to. And I agree, making HSTs is definitely a chore!
It’s a nice post today showing all the bits of a family dealing cross country with the worry of this virus but still supporting each other with virtual pictures. Lots to be proud of when you see them all safe. I feel sorry for the young people in schools and colleges who will not have opportunities now so it’s up to us older folks to give them hope that their future will be bright again.
Hi Kathy – Everyone is dealing with this virus in one way or another. I keep seeing notices of all the cancelled commencement ceremonies at the different universities and that makes me so sad for the seniors in college (and high schools too!). My sister is hosting a little at home ceremony for her college senior daughter and the daughters roommates. That is so fun – she even ordered the mortar board hats for them. this will be something they certainly remember, right?
What a tough year for so many! I can’t imagine the loss of that time at college….it was so much fun. It is good that they are safe and home, but tough. Toughest on the seniors everywhere who are missing out on so much. There are many other things, but it is a little sad to mention. But, I cherish the time now with my loved ones in a very different way and wait to meet those new littles that have arrived! We have one in the family and I don’t know when I will see her. Anyway, I do think we move a little differently without the other schedules in our lives and time just morphs in strange ways and POOF a day is gone! Do take care of yourself, enjoy the precious ones with you and lets hope there are some reasonable ways to proceed in the not too distant future!
You are so right when you say “we move a little differently without the other schedules in our lives and time just morphs in strange ways and POOF a day is gone”. My husband and I keep saying what? It’s five o’clock already?? So odd. We are keeping busy but it doesn’t feel the same somehow. Anyway, we are healthy and in a rural area with a low count of ‘positive Covid tests’ so that is something we are thankful for. Take care. 🙂
It is indeed a strange time for all. Her dorm room is huge compared to the one I lived in many years ago, LOL!! We barely had five feet between the built in beds! I hope she can go next year, it is a fun experience not to be missed if possible. Hang in there and stay well.
Carole – Julia got so lucky with her dorm room – it was in an odd corner of the building and was absolutely huge compared to the standard rooms. Plus most rooms have three people and hers was only two. Something to do with the shape of the room and its placement. So that was really a surprise when she moved in. Next year will be much better (we hope!!)
It was a lovely newsy post. Do you want to share your favourite mask pattern?
I made a few for some friends and found they were fiddly, and I did modify the pattern.
A friend said she incorporated a pipe cleaner across the nose so it could be shaped and provide a better fit.
Strange times! Very discombobulating!
Hi Deb, I started with this tutorial:
https://sweetredpoppy.com/how-to-sew-a-bias-tape-surgical-face-mask-with-flexible-nose/
I am now using the same mask but wrapping a facing over both edges and looping elastic through that facing. I use coated floral wire for the bit over the bridge of the nose and that works great.
I wore a mask at the grocery store yesterday for the first time and didn’t like the feeling but such is life. This certainly cannot last forever! Hope you are well Deb.
Bernie, I believe most of us are in a funk right now. Unfortunately, I have shingles and sciatica and have been unable to do anything I wanted to do, but even though I’m feeling a little better, it’s like my get up and go has done got up and went!! LOL I did make my grandkids some in the hoop cute masks (a green and pink kitty and an orange doggy!!) on my embroidery machine. I still have to make us masks and my daughter and SIL as well. Hopefully today. I have so much in my head I want to do…it’s just getting it from there, down my arms and out my fingers! Oh well, each day I say, today has to be a better day. I miss our guild meetings and board meetings, and quilt and ruler clubs at my LQS. And I feel for all those small businesses that are really hurting right now and pray they will be able to bounce back once this is over and not go out of business completely. Oh well…today has to be a better day and this too shall pass…hopefully sooner than later! Thanks for sharing what’s been going on in your life.
Yes to all of your comment Brenda! Everyone is suffering – most especially those out of work or the owners of small businesses. I hope they are able to weather the storm and reopen as soon as allowed. Enjoy sewing and hopefully you will be back at guild meetings and classes soon!
It’s good to hear from you, Bernie, and I always enjoy seeing what you and your family are doing. This situation is so hard for so many people. I’m realizing how lucky I am to be retired, in a supportive community, alone but not lonely. In central Iowa trees and shrubs are beginning to leaf out, a welcome change from the grays of March. I’ve started sewing masks too and was glad to see what yours are like.
I think spring is such a pretty time of year – I love all of the fresh greens that come forward. Our trees are blossoming which is so nice. Wonderful to hear you have a nice community around you – it is important even with all of the social distancing. Good luck with the masks. Are you donating them to someone or making them for friends?
I am sad for Julia, too and all the kids in the same boat across the country. What a weird time for all of us! Will she raise a pig this summer? That would be something to look forward to! Sounds like you’re sewing like many of us! A little of this and a little of that, with some masks thrown in, too.
Hi Diann, no pig this year. She didn’t know this was to happen far enough in advance to get that arranged. She is hoping to intern with a large animal vet once the stay at home restrictions are lifted so that should keep her busy this summer if this ever ends. 😉
I hope you are well and safe. Take care.
Bernie, it’s so nice to see you! This has been very challenging for everyone. I really feel for Julia. We cancelled graduation yesterday, so I’m feeling bad for my seniors. I think we’re all feeling a little lost and a little at loose ends. The important thing is to stay healthy and get through it. Today I started sewing random things, and it helped. Whatever works. Hang in there, and be sure to check in once in a while. We’re all with you in spirit, and with those cute grandgirls, too.
I’ve been making face masks as well, but I’m using fabric ties rather than elastic. I need to ask if you’re adding a bit of wire or other adjustable material for the nose bridge? I’ve been using bread package ties and plastic bag ties (some are rather short). Some people recommend using pipe cleaners, but I’m concerned that they won’t hold up with repeated washings. (perhaps my bread wrapper wires won’t either!) What are you using??
Hi Carol, I am using wrapped floral wire. I had some already so I cam cutting six inches and then bending the ends inward so there isn’t a rough end poking out. I don’t know how it will wash up but it is what I had. I think if it is washed in cold water it should do ok? I am using elastic as long as I have it but then will go to ties. Take care. How are you feeling lately?
Thanks! I’m doing very good these days! Just keeping busy making face masks. I thought about floral wire but gave all of mine away ages ago. (Murphy’s Law!). I might get out a bit today just to see if I can find something at the dollar store (wearing a mask, of course!) Hugs and stay safe!
Really love your posts! You’re so dad gum down to earth! I love reading every one of them. This virus thing is definitely getting old! We all miss hugging our grandchildren 💕💕
Thank you – so nice to hear from you. I agree – Covid is becoming such an annoyance and I am ready for it to wane. Ugh – I have hardly seen mom and dad in over a month. Julia grocery shopped for them yesterday. I am sure they are experiencing cabin fever as they have had snow on multiple occasions. But…this too shall pass. 🙂
I really enjoyed your post Bernie. The “randomness” resonates with me. I’m sorry for Julia, but I love that photo of her peering into the oven. My grandson has been a tutor at TX A&M and is still able to do some online tutoring, but he just got word that his summer paid internship with an energy company in Houston has been canceled. 🙁 However I believe something better will happen for him! I love the photo of H sitting on her quilt. 🙂
Hi Linda – Nice to hear from you. What a shame about your grandson’s internship. Everything is upside down right now. I think that is one of the worst things (not minimizing all of the illness!) about this – the inability to plan because there isn’t a known end date. Certainly a lesson in patience, right? Take care.
Take care you and your family. I enjoyed reading your post and times like this, are very hard not knowing the unknown. A war that we can’t see. I’m from Long Beach Calif. and now live in Portland Oregon.
I will pray for your son and his wife in New York, I watch the news every day to see how New York is doing. It is so scary!
I love your blog and have followed you for a few years I’m not much at responding to blogs or you tubes I just like to read and see what I can learn or make.
Your blog today just touched my heart with you kids so far away I know it is so hard. Mine are close but still you worry and want to console them even if they are adults.
Again take care and your family close and afar stay well. God Bless and my prayers with you and yours
Yours Truly
Edie
Edie, Thank you for leaving such a sweet comment on this post. I appreciate your thoughts and also love hearing from you. I am glad your children are close by -that is wonderful. Two of mine are in California and two are on the East coast. Hopefully this whole Corona virus will soon calm down and life can get back on track. Stay healthy Edie.
I don’t know where the time goes. It’s definitely an interesting situation we find ourselves in…..but we will get through. Happy Easter.
We are all in a strange mood these days, I’m glad that our hobby can bring some peace of mind to friends and family. I’m sure you will enjoy your new hand quilting project. Thanks for linking to TGIFF.
I too have been meandering all over the place lately. That is just the way it is. Baking has become a big part of life as long as I can find flour. I live in NY also and yes it is extremely scary. I think all of us crafters have been making masks. I sent them to my son in PA and my daughter and SIL in MA. I am missing my kids. I hope your daughter’s university is at least conducting online classses. Hubby and I do so twice a week for our university students. It isn’t easy, but necessary. Keep sewing and stay safe.
Julia is still taking classes on-line. One of them is a Paleontology class and that is something my husband loves so they are doing that one together. It makes me happy to see them enjoying it and it is a tiny silver lining to all of this. I know the teachers have had such challenges with converting to on-line teaching – thank you for being up to the task!! What university are you working with? My DIL teaches at NYU and of course is teaching from their home.
I am hoping my son can get into his dorm soon to get some things–he and some others are moving into a house up there in late May for the rest of their college days so not too big of a move for him. I also spent some time figuring out the best mask pattern. After I used up all the elastic I could get my hands on, I moved to making the tie masks–had no idea they’d be easier but to me, they are. I’m also making surgical masks out of that Halyard fabric which required different measurements. All of that “start-up” took so much time. I find my feet dragging, not wanting to go back in my sewing room these days. l miss quilting!!! How’d the bagels turn out? Keep at that sour dough starter! It’s worth it once you get it going. It took me a couple tries.
Hi: Do you think the guys will be able to move in late May? California just extended the shelter in place through May 15th – starting to feel like this is going on forever!
The starter takes so much flour!! How long should it take until it is “done”? I feel so wasteful throwing out all the starter discards. Yesterday I made a pumpkin/banana bread with some of it and that is wonderful. Not super sweet and it has a little tang to it. Hope all is good for you Cheree.
Yeah, I kinda lost the will to sew for a while also. Still trying to get back on track. I have also sewn face masks for friends and myself. Cannot mail any to my daughter, as local post office is closed to public. Stay safe and well.