Post 275 Confirmation and planning, with a little stitching

I made it to the church on time this morning for Niamh and Veronica's confirmation. It was interesting to note the technology mix - an icon of St Margaret of Scotland, below an electronic screed, not to mention the different cultural mix. That's Anglicanism for you!

The service, which included an adult baptism, had a strong community feel to it - a far cry from the dominant images I have from the past, which sadly was very much groups of men inducting young people into their world.

It was good to catch up with Godparents and family friends at morning tea - though I ate too many cupcakes. 

                              The weather had improved remarkably since yesterday's heat. There was a strong breeze, blue skies and a very pleasant 24C. Every mild day is a bonus at this time of the year. 

I spent a couple of hours at Jennifer's place late this afternoon with a small group helping to plan a wake for Susan in late January. 

In between and after these activities I worked on the prototype of a small pouch from the Sashiko square I began yesterday. I liked the bag Lori made last week so much I thought I'd have a go at making something useful out of the Sashiko squares I have. 

Most of the sashiko squares are more interesting than this one, which is why I used it as the first one. it's about 5" square. I think it will make quite a nice little gift with some small thing inside.

The twisted cord didn't work very well. I think perhaps I was a bit distracted while making it.

And finally, tonight I finished the Oak Apple Tree panel for my chair. I am inordinately pleased with this. I think it is the best piece of crewel I have done. As it is to go on the skirt of the chair, you will need to lie on the floor to see it clearly, but the benefit will be seen, I'm sure, in the three pieces I have to do to finish my crewel chair. Two of these are winging their way from Appleby and the last one, the Aesop Frame, will be sent soon. That's the one that will test my needle-working mettle.

It's been a very full and productive day. 

Post 273 just stitching

It was hot from the beginning of the day. I had a phone call from my friend Lorraine, who I visited in August and wrote about in Post 170. She is much better, although not fully recovered. She is driving and doing her own shopping. She has been suffering for months from dramatic drops in blood pressure that lead to her briefly losing consciousness and falling down. She can now water the garden without that happening. She was bright and cheerful. Quite strong.

I managed to complete the star flower before I left to pick up Jennifer for our Sit'n Stitch. The paler pink flower and leaves was worked at our Sit'n Stitch.

I think I need to make explicit, that it is Jennifer's  partner, Susan Monks, who died last week. Jennifer and I stitch most Friday's at the home of another friend, also called Susan. I have tried to differentiate as I write, but have been reluctant to use full names for privacy reasons. This blog is, after all, in the public domain. While I write about my own life, I have no right to identify friends nor to share details of their lives. 

Today Jennifer's dog came with us in the car. She was very relaxed in her harness on her bed. I didn't think to take a photo. In fact, I didn't much think of photos all day.  Our stitching host also has a dog. The two spent a bit of time checking each other out and exploring territory, but settled down to co-exist. 

An announcement of Susan Monk's death will be in Saturday's Advertiser. There will be a private informal farewell next Tuesday and a wake at a later time.

Following Lori's magnificent Shashiko bag, I worked out what I wanted to do with the panels I dug out yesterday. I've been experimenting with colours. I just wanted some idea of what my options looked like. I like both colours on the fabric. I think, however, I need to line the fabric to get the best effect and quilted look.  A job for tomorrow

I did manage to work two of five Oak Apples after assembling the Aida and threads for tomorrow's Certificate Workshop. There won't be much time given the cleaner will be here at 8.30 am.

I'd better get organised

Post 269 Dinner

Pasta bake was the best option tonight. With Year 12 exams over, study day for  Year 10 and working from home rosters still in effect there was some uncertainty as to how many there would be here for dinner. As it happened it was a full quota and there were no left-overs tonight.

I usually make the ragu for this dish a day in advance. Today, however, I did it all in one go after going to Frewville Foodland for some bread and other bakery.

It was only forecast to be 24C today, and only got to 23C but Niamh and Veronica agreed with me that it seemed much hotter.  I got a good breeze through the apartment late in the afternoon. The  plants were in need of water. They respond quite quickly once they have it.

I love the reds of these begonia (left) and also the variation in the poinsettia leaves (right). This one is the one I bought for the Christmas before last. Last year's one is also still going.  It's a reminder that I need to visit Barrow and Bench and get one for this year.

The Crown of Thorns centre (right) is growing nicely. It looks like leaves developing, not flowers. It may not be mature enough yet for flowers, but there's a lot of growth there.

Both Frangipani have their first leaves. I enjoy the patterns in the leaves when the sun shines through them late in the afternoon on the front balcony. 

The sunset was not as spectacular tonight, but still interesting silhouettes and colours.

Tomorrow morning I'm going to spend a couple of hours with Jennifer, talking, in particular, about a wake for Susan. Nothing can be firmed up until the Coroner has finished. There may be delays following our lockdown.

I made progress on the Oak Apple Tree. Tomorrow I shall work on the branch to the left, then the hillock, leaving the apples till last. 

I'm still really enjoying this.

Tomorrow is also Alison's birthday. I hope she has a really happy one