Fast and Slow Stitching

There isn't much to report from yesterday's activities. I had PT in the morning...which I still hate, but I'll admit that it's helping. I'll keep at it. My shoulder is feeling less and less painful, and I can use it and move it most ways that I want to. I still can't raise my arm over my head though, and so I'm hoping I'll get there eventually. Also, I'm avoiding lifting anything heavy these days because that will flare it up.

So, when I got home, I went straight to work on the quilting. I've turned the fourth corner on this, and there are (combined) about six more Dresden and star blocks to quilt. I'm hoping I can finish this off today.

My purrsonal assistant, Smitty, is on the job making sure I don't spend too much time at the machine before taking a break.

Purrhaps you've had enough sewing for now. Pawsibly this would be a good time to dispense some treats.

You can see he's been working at getting his nose cleaned up. He still has a little ways to go. But when one is having to put all four feet into his efforts at limiting my machine time, there's never enough time for purrsonal hygiene.

On the other hand, both kitties have been stalking a mouse in the house ever since we got home from our winter trip. We never saw the mouse, but this morning we found its, um, “remains” at the foot of the stairs. Not posting a picture. You’re welcome.

So I worked yesterday and this morning on my slow stitching too. I finished the upper portion of the tree and leaves.

And now I've hooped the last of it. This should be finished tomorrow or the next day.

Today I'm canning some Spicy Dilled Carrot Spears from the carrots I picked up at the farmer's market last week. These shouldn't take too long. Here's a image from my last batch. These are highly addictive, and fortunately not difficult to make.

They're just peeled, cut to the right length for the jars, cut length-wise into spears, blanched, and then canned in a pickling solution, which is mainly vinegar, dill seeds, garlic, and a few crushed red pepper flakes. I like them just a little spicy. I'll work on that this morning, and then the afternoon will be reserved for quilting.

The weather is improving, windy and sunny, but still pretty darned chilly. As the warm air moves in, the wind should die down. Mike is wanting to spray weeds. I'm wanting to get out and plant the annuals. A trip into town at some point today or tomorrow to find the season's potted flowers is planned, but quilting and canning are taking the top priority spot for today.

Busy day ahead. How are you keeping busy today?