Monday, October 19, 2020

Before I left for Texada Taylor requested masks made from cow fabric. I didn’t have any cotton fabric so I checked at the fabric shop; they didn’t have anything either. What I had was some cow-like flannel fabric (white with black splotches all over it) and the sewing crew seemed to think this would be okay. I use batik as the backing for all my masks and since the mask was to be worn outside while trick or treating I felt it would be safe for Taylor and her friend.

After a week on Texada Taylor (through her Mum) wanted to know when the masks would be ready. Since she was so patient waiting for her blankie I thought I’d get the masks done right away. I had to wash the flannel but I still had time to make two masks and get them into the mail this afternoon.

I had an appointment for my flu shot today. I registered online and had an appointment set for 2:15. The day after I made my appointment the pharmacy called to see if I could come in at 2:00 instead. They certainly weren’t going to let you forget your appointment. I got reminders every day on my cell that it was coming up and then today I got an e-mail from them. And shortly before I headed out to the appointment I got a text reminding me that I was due for my shot in less than an hour. If only a Covid-19 vaccine was as quick and easy but maybe it will be when we eventually get to it.

I have some time this afternoon so I’ll cut out fabric and templates for the last clue of my Hex-Along. Someone in the group spotted a mistake in one of my photos so I fixed that last night. It doesn’t take long to do the prep work for these so I may have time left to put together a few more blocks from the quilt I worked on with Stacia and Deloise (they, of course, are long done theirs).

Sunday, October 18, 2020

I’m quite pleased with my accomplishments for my week on Texada. My big goals were accomplished. I still had a few things I could have worked on but I decided I’d done enough so I packed everything up and spent what extra time I had starting a new book.

Clockwise from the left:

• My October UFO – all the blocks are done but I wanted to wait until I was home to put them together. Unless I’m using steam and my wool pressing mat I don’t feel I’ve done a good job.
• Several bits done for my Christmas projects.
• The right side of my Thunderbird is done.
• Clue 4 of my Mystery Quilt is done. This puts me ahead to February of next year while the Guild participants won’t get Clue 2 until next month.

Thursday, October 15, 2020

I’m enjoying a day away from my sewing machine and surrounded by a few of my favourite things.

• Coffee in my new Grandma birthday cup.

• Some cross stitching (and a small plant pot from Diane for my clippings).

• My puzzle book (with pencil, eraser, sharpener and pen for the odd time I’m sure of an answer).

Sunday, October 11, 2020

I picked the right day to come over to Texada. Friday was an absolute gale and Saturday was supposed to be nasty as well. Pat and I looked at the weather forecasts and thought an earlier ferry on Saturday was my best bet. The crossing was glorious and I even stood out in the sun while I waited to load on the Powell River side. The rest of the day was nice but it is back to heavy rain today.

When I contemplated pumpkin pie for our Thanksgiving dinner I didn’t know how I would manage it – taking all the ingredients to Texada seemed like a better idea than trying to do a walk-on with a pie. Christy suggested I buy a pumpkin pie filling so that’s what I did. I thought the pie filling would just need to go into the shell but there was an egg and evaporated milk involved as well. So really, all the filling gained me was not having to have a bunch of spices.

I got the filling ready after breakfast this morning and pre-heated the oven. The pie filling fit nicely into the shell and into the oven it went. It needed to bake at a higher temperature for 15 minutes and then for 35-45 minutes at a lower temperature. I set the timer and when it went off I reset the oven and again set the timer. After the expected amount of time I tested the filling but it wasn’t ready. The pie went back in the oven for another 15 minutes, then another 10 minutes and finally I called in the expert (Pat) for help.

Turned out that when I turned the timer off the very first time what I actually did was turn the oven off. So from that point on the pie wasn’t cooking at all. We sorted out what my problem was, reset everything and Pat took over for the rest of the process.

I’m thankful today for many things, and this pumpkin pie is just one of them.