A fresh start.

Each day is baby steps towards finding a balance in our lives. We are slowly picking up the pieces and reconnecting with everything that is familiar to us. After finishing the two weeks of quarantine, we realize how blessed we are to have the most amazing neighbours and friends. We appreciate the freedom of going for a walk and doing something as mundane as grocery shopping.  We changed winter tyres in July! The car needed a boost a few times. Then hubby took it for an extensive drive, it is happy now.

These two tops were waiting for the red borders, found this fabric while we were away. Had no idea if the red was the right one, it turned out to be perfect. The binding is partially made  from the remainder of the red fabric.

Started "Kringle's" stitched piece. 

Did some more hand quilting,  this quilt has been on the frame since February. 

Veggie seeds, bought these also in February and had good intentions of starting them off indoors at the end of April,  except we were caught up in a lockdown overseas and could not get home.  Have since planted some seeds in containers in the garage,  they have sprouted. The bean plants are now 9 inches tall and will be planted in the back garden tomorrow. With the extreme heat, planting the seeds in the garden, did not seem like the best way to germinate the seeds. 

It took five days to grow this super bean. (It is planted in the garden and doing well, the pots are now out doors as well).

Trimmed the lavender back yesterday,  watered the grass and did some weeding. All the fresh air made me sleep like a baby. 

Canada Day and Home.

Happy Birthday!  Ist of July is Canada Day, what a difference a  virus made to the whole world.  It all still seems so surreal.  This is not what any of us could have predicted at the start of the year. We are finally home! Thanks to KLM and the Dutch embassy,  who did not let red tape and many unmentionable roadblocks deter them to make it possible for many foreign nationals to go back to their home countries.  We Thank them for what they did for all of us, under very difficult circumstances. 

 The travel projects I packed to work on if time allowed for it, the next round of the Hertfordshire Quilt was on my to list for April, it got done in May. Still have to sew it to the centre piece, EPP the whole piece, so far it looks like it will fit?

Main Street Station,  it got done in June.

Finished the farm house before working on Main Street Station. 

Jack Frost tree farm, this one got lots of work in April. 

Christmas Garden was the only project which was not finished. 

This is how far it is now,  before we finally left to come home. The sense of relief when the plane took off and became airborne, was indescribable and it was the happiest we have ever been to be on an aeroplane and flying home! (Thre crazy part is, normally if I get anything done on said projects, it is a lot. They go with to while away time when waiting in transit. This helped me to cope under very trying and difficult conditions.)

These linens and pattern arrived at  Gitta's and Diane kindly picked them up for me. What a kind and thoughtful thing to do, thank you.

Diane surprised me with this pattern! It will definitely help in the next couple of months as we traverse the emotional impact on us, after what we went through the last 97 days. 

Our neighbours have gone beyond the call of duty, while we were stuck in lockdown overseas. They have kept an eye on our house, parked theirs cars on the drive way.  Cut the grass, even weeded it. Sent us pictures, so the family could see the house was still okay.  They even fetch our cat and dropped her off in the back garden.  They did not think twice to help out, knowing we could not leave to go and fetch her,  as we have to self quarantine for two weeks and are not allowed to leave the house and our yard. So to all of these amazing neighbours,  you are our heroes and we will never forget what you did for our family, so a simple word like "Thank you" seems just so inadequate.  The heartwarming welcome home will be treasured forever. 

Lockdown the world over, the lessons we have learned from them.

As Mothers we teach our children hygiene. It is something we pass on to them. This past couple of months, the world learnt the same uniform hygiene etiquette rules. All to keep us all safe and to protect people against the virus,  which has invaded every aspect of our lives. While we await a cure or vaccine, we cannot continue to live in a bubble. 

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How to wash our hands.

Wear masks.

Keeping social distancing from our fellow human beings. 

How to wait in line.

The correct way to cough.

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Our New normal has changed and we can now all move forward.  Permanent lockdown is not the answer.  We are now equipped with the tools to move forward, live our lives.

Governments needs to trust their citizens and realize that as adults,  we need the space to move forward,  both personally and professionally.  Allowing fear to cripple and destroy livelihoods, is not the answer.  Scientists are working hard to find a solution for the virus, in the interm we have to take precautions and carry on with our daily lives.  

Allowing citizens who was caught by the lockdowns across the globe everywhere in the world to travel again (not just on repatriation flights which many cannot afford, as they already hold vouchers for travel and cannot afford new tickets on those repatriation flights).  Many foreign nationals have lost their jobs, because they cannot get back home.  Borders need to be opened,  air travel resume, it is very important for everyone concerned.  International travel as we know it,  will become obsolete otherwise, setting the world back decades.

The time has arrived to restart the global economy and get everyone back to work, whilst applying the lessons we have been taught by this virus. The new normal, is different,  no doubt about it. We all have to practice and live by the new rules, no matter where you live or what you do. This is how we all contribute our little bit to keep each and  everyone safe. We are all in this together. 

We feel for each and everyone who has lost loved ones, they paid the ultimate price.  

Scientists across borders are working hard to find a solution for all of us, so that no-one need to lose another person they love to this virus, Covid-19. 

Happy Mother's Day!

Jack Frost Tree Farm.

It is great to have a finish for the year! So now hopefully with winter stitching done, we can get Spring to arrive and happiness with sunshine to return,  in abundance. 

Our kitty is missing us and we are missing her, here she was cuddling on the bed with me, in January.  Hoping for a lift to the lockdown and travel restrictions sooner rather than later. 

Spring is on its way. 

Learning to bake at 2000m above sea level in a stove, with the most unique oven temperature gage. It is turning to be quite an adventure. 

Making chutney...

This chutney is made with fresh red peppadew peppers.  

It required 5 cups fresh, chopped with the seeds removed. Unbeknownst to me, the seeds in these peppers are extraordinary hot. Many hours later, my fingers are still on fire. Tried lemon juice, it did not work. Discovered in the last half an hour, one should rub vegetable oil on,  then wash the affected area witn soap and water, as soon as possible.  Another trick,  place corn starch in a bowl with water and soak ones hands in this solution,  it helps as well.

Flowers in the garden, white.

Pink one's. 

Geranium almost five feet tall, next to the veggie garden wall.

Veggies growing in the garden.

Enjoy the sunset.

Keeping busy, with a lockdown.

Lots of time,  with limited supplies.  Amazing how the human brain adapts and come up with creative solutions to make and repurpose everyday items. 

Reverse engineering a disposable face masks for travel and making them with scraps of fabric, elastic from our hostess. Face Masks to buy is a hot commodity and is sold out here. 

The one below is the first attempt.  The nose bendy part,  came from the top of a bag of coffee. It is the piece of plastic coated metal at the top of the bag.

The piece removed from the bag, it will work for what we need it for.

With a borrowed ruler,  it turned out the mask template is a square.  Using the bag interfacing which was bought with the apron panels,  the scraps of poly cotton fabric was reinforced to add a bit more body and to create extra layers of protection.  Interfacing for bags has been used for masks, it came in very handy!

Two squares with interfacing is glued together,  to create one square for each mask.

At the top and bottom it was edged with blanket stitch.

At the top the edge is just turned over, no bias tape added, so this step was required.  Then the pleats was added.

Once they where folded and tacked in place,  the bottom bias tape was sewn in place.

The top was folded over, then the side bias tape was added.

The elastic was added and the metal nose piece was stitched in place. A bit crude,  but it will be functional and will do the job travel,  as required by the airlines. The new normal, to help keep us all protected and safe.

Keep calm and safe. 

Aprons for an emergency.

With the new normal, the world needs so many of these essential items and quilters have stepped up to put their resources to good use. Inventing essential items with what they have on hand, even when supplies run low or out.

Found these pre printed aprons just before the lockdown was announced.  With time on hand, hubby is dealing with the it,  in his own way. 

The kitchen has been taken over,  he is baking bread, growing yeast from grapes and cooking up a storm.

 He is waking up very early and doing experiments in the kitchen,  albeit with limited utensils and a few ingredients. 

The stove is gas and the oven only have one setting, warm, no temperature given. One just have to wait for the cooked smell to permeate the room,  that is how one know it is done.

They are very bright,  will do for extra protection.  Have been sewing these by hand. The first one has been gifted already and is in use. Three still to finish. Amazing what we can do without a sewing machine,  just a pair of scissors,  thread and a needle.

The ties are prepped, ready for slip stitching. The aprons still needs the edges to be turned over one more time.

An idea of where the ties will go.

Seating outside, under the African sun. Keep safe,  pray for everyone in the world we live in!