Sunday, January 2, 2022

Don't Linger, 2021

 

Here we are on the brink of another new year. 

Remember last year, when we were sure that the Covid protocols would soon be a think of the past and that 2021 would be a great year?  So do I.  Perhaps 2022 actually will be better.

Things that got accomplished this year:

     We had a fence built across the back property line.  I am enjoying the increased privacy it gives us, and still planning some sort of floral display for it.  The area gets a lot of shade during the summer because there is a maple tree and a linden tree between in and most of the sun.  I've been looking at shade-loving perennial ground covers that don't need to be mowed as well as flowers.

   I hired someone to pull the weeds from all the garden beds in the yard.  This is a project that has been weighing on me for two years.  I feel that I should be able to do it myself, but... I can't get on my hands and knees to pull weeds, I can't bend for long, weather that is too hot or too cold will trigger a fibro flare, and I'm highly allergic to poison ivy. Given all that, I gave in and hired someone.  The beds all look pretty good now, and are ready for me to poke some bulbs in here and there. 

    We installed two 4x8' galvanized metal raised beds.  Three square meters of soil was not enough to fill one, so between that and my health being somewhat iffy, not much got planted.  I'm already looking through the seed catalogs for delicious things to plant. 

   My husband gifted me with a Viking/Husqvarna Sapphire 85 in October.  I have named her Sofia (pronounce soFYEah) and installed her in the north sewing room. Unfortunately, most of the rest of the room is in disarray, so I've not done much with her than turn her on, hook her to the web and read through some information on the JoyOS that comes with her.    

   Of course, projects in the sewing room, otherwise known as The Pit of Despair, are mounting up like snow in Tahoe.  Besides masks, I've also got a couple more dresses and two quilts lined up.  Quilts.  I saw one I fell in love with on CatPatches, ordered the pattern, started collecting fabrics (it takes about a thousand yards) and promptly became overwhelmed when I read the instructions.  It has no deadline, so that's all right.  It's called Calendula Patterdrip's Cottage, and is available from Crabapple Hill designs.  The other quilt is also from Meg Hawkey at Crabapple Hill.  It's a block of the month in a halloween theme.  I've purchased the base fabric, several black and white prints for the paper piecing and the Black Cat block instructions.   I'm very good at collecting supplies.  This also doesn't have a deadline.