BIT OF THIS 'N' THAT TODAY

 

First up for today, I am heading into the sewing room to make a start on a runner that only requires straight stitching right now.  A braid runner, which I would like to get done for the next market.

At lunch time we are heading out to Liam's Birthday lunch.  He is turning 13 today.  

After that we will drop in on Steve, Bex and the kids for a little while, before coming home again.

After some considerable thought, and ideas tossed around, Stew and I came up with a name for the new sewing machine.

ABOVE:  He got that name because he will be my SECOND machine in the INNOV-IS Quilt Club range.

Mc comes first because?  I dunno... it just happened with Mc Dreamy and has stuck.  So Mc 2'ie will be his name.

Next.  Steve won a 'beach trolley' in a Super Liquor competition.

ABOVE:  It is really neat, and folds up quite small and flat.  We are thinking of getting one, so I can use it to transport my sewing stuff down to the craft room, and even stuff from the car to our stall site at markets.

We do have a trolley already, but one like the above one would be much better to use, and store.

So, we will pop out to Mitre 10 and Bunnings later on this afternoon to look at options.

ONWARD...

Short run down of our day so far, minus photos cos my computer is being an arse.

Went and bought a trolley.  Got a 'good' one from a camping place.  It was on sale.

Then on to Liam's birthday lunch, which was just lovely.  Small family gathering, no extra kids... so not noisy.  Perfect! lol

Then home to start work on the next runner... I'm just cutting out right now... I might do some stitching later on, if it gets a bit cooler later on.

Lacy is calling in tomorrow morning to pick up the 'old trolley', that she had before I 'borrowed' it back again.  I'm a bit of an 'Indian giver'... though this time I am giving it back. 

The new trolley is going to be much easier to use, and will fit more in, having higher sides.  I'm really happy with it.  Photos will come eventually.

ABOVE: Stew doing what he does best, carrying my purchases.

ABOVE:  I was a bit worried it was going to be a bit big (folded up) due to the size of the box, but nah, it's OK.

ABOVE:  That's it, it came in a forest green or the blue.  Clearly I was never getting the green one.

I've very happy with it.

ABOVE:  Me and the birthday boy, who was having a lovely birthday.

ABOVE:  The new sewing table is working out PERFECTLY.  It's the perfect height and size.  I love working on it.

Now... back to it.

HOPING FOR A QUIET DAY TODAY

 

Yesterday was a bloody noisy day here in the village.  The cobblestone paths are being ripped up and replaced with concrete.  It's to avoid trip hazards.

ABOVE: That's one of the paths that winds around the side and back of our home.  I suppose the concrete will go down next week.

ABOVE: The tractor and truck that was working outside our home yesterday... very noisy.

Then to add insult to injury, the maintenance man mowed the lawns.  I swear I couldn't hear myself think for most of the day.   At least I have mown lawns I suppose.

ABOVE: Dear Anonymous, thank you for the water drops suggestion.  As you can see, we already have water drops.  And over the past 45 years I have tried 'doctoring' water in every manner known to man, to no avail.  I still HATE water.  

Did you know that Diet Coke is 99% WATER?  Yep, who would know that eh?  😂😅😖😂

So is Tea/Coffee/Alcohol etc.  NOT that I drink any of that shit... OK OK... I do have a sparkling wine once in a blue moon, and a hot chocolate about once a week too.  Gotta mix it up sometimes.

Anyway, enough about that... it's all been said before a gazillion times.

I'm feeling so happy since yesterday.  Making the hard decision about my sewing machine, and replacing him has taken a load off my mind.

My biggest 'thing' now is to name the new machine.  Obviously he can't be 'Mc Dreamy', cos he's not a Brother Dreamweaver.  

He's a BQ3100.  What to call him?  Any ideas?  He looks just like Mc Dreamy... but isn't.

ABOVE:  Isn't he gorgeous?  

I'm hoping Mc Dreamy can be fixed for a fair price too, so he can become my back up/use in the village craft room machine etc.

Now... today?  Stew is off to the supermarket for the weekend shop, and I'll stay home and get the housework done.  Not much to do today, as I got all the washing done yesterday.

Our plans for the day once Stew gets home... is to go on a day trip to Thames again.  This time we will check out the main street shops, grab a kebab and go sit on the beach.  Just a chill out day.

ONWARD...

ABOVE: There's a street market on every Saturday in Thames.  I'd thought of trying it out as a stall holder.  But seeing what's there, I won't be.  90% junk.  And not many people.

ABOVE:  Amusing sign.

ABOVE: Thornton Bay, the tide was out, but it was still very pretty.

ABOVE:  lunch was very nice... fresh snapper and chips.

ABOVE: The beached swimming platform... at high tide it's a good swim to it.

ABOVE: Totem? poles in a garden across from the beach.  

We spent a nice lunch time at the beach, then came home.  

Chilling out now until a bit later, when we will visit the kids for a little while.

Mc Dreamy got his name from the sewing machines name, which was Dreamweaver, so I won't be calling the new one that, or anything like that.

Stew thought of something on our drive today, so we might go with that.

I will share his idea tomorrow, once we see all options and make a firm decision, it can't be rushed!

ABOVE: That's the family ordering dinner... chinese takeaways.

We left before it arrived, as we had our main meal for the day already.

It was nice to spend some time with them, Stew hadn't seen the kids in about two weeks!

I'm now sitting in front of the telly, doing a jig saw and enjoying the fan on me.  It's been a hot, sticky day today... Summer is BACK!

SORRY... I forgot:  Hot and Sticky, not as hot and sticky as other people, sorry other people!

Time to sign off for the day, catch ya tomorrow.

NO WORD ON MC DREAMY

 

I thought I would have heard from Sewing Machine World yesterday with an update on my sewing machine.  But NO.

I'm feeling ever so slightly ANNOYED.  If I've not heard from them by lunchtime, I'll be ringing them.  It's just not good enough.

My plan was to go up to Auckland and buy a new machine today, IF McDreamy's repair is too expensive, or not a viable option, given his age etc.

I hate coming on here and MOANING... no one likes it I'm sure.  But I just need to VENT.  My machine has basically been up in Auckland since the 18th of December (six weeks).   Quite long enough for 'the best technician' in the bloody country to diagnose the problem right???

Last night I cooked up a single batch of the Caramelised Onion Relish.  Stew advised me not to make too much first go, in case it turned out YUK.

ABOVE:  Into the pan when 1 kilo of onions...

once they were cooked I added the balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, mustard seeds and seasoning.   Half way through I thought... hmmm... not enough sauce, so I doubled the vinegar and sugar.  That seemed to work better.

I washed six preserving jars, and heated them up in the oven.

I wanted to be sure I had enough on hand, and ready for the relish to go into.

ABOVE: The joke was on me, because one kilo of onions makes one jar and a small dish of onion relish!  IF it tastes good, and I'll find out later on today, I will make more.  If not good... well I only 'wasted' one batch, and 45 minutes of my life.

Fingers crossed it does taste lovely.

Back to today, I'm driving down to my Dr's rooms to make an appointment to see someone, hopefully today.

There is NO point ringing to make an appointment, you get some twat who hardly speaks English, and then the run around.  It's just so much quicker and easier to drive there to make the appointment!  Crazy eh?

ONWARD...

I couldn't wait.

ABOVE:  I just had to try my relish.  It tasted OK, but not quite a good as Whitlocks.

My onion was too chunky, too much onion, and not enough of the sauce.

So, I decided to adapt the recipe.

I used a quarter of the amount of onions for my 'experiment', and four times the amount of vinegar and sugar.

I also pre cooked the onions in the microwave, instead of a frying pan, that way no risk of burning them, and they came out just fine.

I added the onions to the sauce and reduced it down, stirring all the time.  It's now cooling off in the fridge.  I can't wait to see how it worked.

It is 9.45 and ummm... I'm still in me pjs!  I just HAD to do the onion thing.

Word of warning!  Balsamic vinegar steam, as it's cooking, stings ya eyes and nose.  Keep well back.

Probably time to get myself ready for the day... as in have a shower and get dressed.  Good idea?  Yep.

Let's call my 'experiment' a FAIL.  It's more like toffee!  NOT GOOD.  Back to the drawing board.  Or just don't cook it so long?  Less sugar?  I dunno.  Might just buy the damn stuff instead.  I'm not good at this shit.

12.30 pm.  Been to the Dr.  Got advised to add more fibre to my diet, drink more water (😂😅😂) and take the laxatives until things settle down.  Pfffft.  Yep, I also have haemorroids caused by being constipated.  Wonderful.      

Now... it's time to ring the sewing machine shop...

NO, MC DREAMY IS STILL NOT FIXED.  NO, THE TECHNICIAN DOES NOT KNOW (YET) WHAT THE PROBLEM IS.  No, they don't know how much a new 'mother board' will cost if that's what is needed.

So... I just said:  "I'm done.  I'm buying a new machine.  And it won't be at your shop, because I can get the machine I want for $5,226,  $1,373 LESS than you, at a dealer on the North Shore (Auckland)".  

And I told him where that was, who was selling it, etc, etc.  He said: "Chris, give me a minute, I will ring you back", and he hung up! 

So I waited... a full 2 minutes.  And he rang me back and he said: "We will beat that price", I said by how much?  And he said by $1.  LOL

That goodness I had done my homework on machines, where I can get it, prices and so on.

Knowledge saved me $1,373 !  I am rather happy about that, and I don't have to go up to Auckland to get it.  Neil is bringing it down next week, all going well.

AND Mc Dreamy?  If he can be fixed for a reasonable price, I will do it, and keep him as a back up.

NO, I am not looking at another model/brand of sewing machine either.  I want a Brother, a machine I am 100% conversant with, and will do exactly what I want.  I am too crabby (yes I am), to learn the ins and outs of a new machine.

The only machines that have the wide throat (work area) are always super expensive.  It is what it is, and I don't care what it costs.  

It's ONLY MONEY, and ya can't take it with you.

I want to die happy, not rich.  Probably not as happy as other people, sorry other people.

10.08 pm, and it's been a quiet evening here, just watching the telly and doing a jig saw on the side.

I'm ready for bed, so catch ya tomorrow.

LET MY FINGERS DO THE WALKING

 

'Sparklingmerlot'  left a very good comment last night, it echoed what I was already thinking.

sparklingmerlot6:19 PM

I have an amazing recipe for a slow cook using that relish. It is a go to winter favourite.
If you can afford it, I would buy the new machine - you use it enough to justify it. If McDreamy gets fixed you can keep him as your back up and ditch baby brother. You sew at an almost commercial volume so it's not surprising your machines have a shorter lifespan.

I have been researching sewing machines, their life spans, problems they can have, if they are fixable or terminal etc etc.   

I've also researched what machine is the equivalent to Mc Dreamy, bearing in mind he's no longer available.

The new version of my Brother Dreamweaver is the Brother BS3100. 

I have found it in three shops here in New Zealand so far:

ABOVE: As you can see, there is quite a difference in prices, depending where you go.  My only concern about the cheapest place is that company is based in Australia, with a 'dealer' in Auckland.  I wonder about back up, warranties, repairs etc?

If Sewing Machine World matches the cheaper price, I'd get it from there, but somehow I doubt they will... as it's a very large difference in price.

I'm going to ring the cheapest place today and find out about all that stuff.

IF it sounds OK, I can see a trip up to Auckland happening very soon.   I will also talk to Neil at Sewing Machine World, and ask him what his 'best price' is for the BQ3100.  

I'm off to Cambridge this morning, I have a project on the go at Mosaics that I want to finish.  

ONWARD...

12.25 pm.  Home from Cambridge.

ABOVE: The bird panel I've been working on... I think it's finished.  Not sure if I will grout the gaps between the bird pieces or not... I'll ask a mosaic person next week if I should or not.

I decided last night to have a go at making my own Caramelised Onion Relish.  

ABOVE:  I went back to the supermarket and got a few things for that.  I'll either make it this afternoon, or tomorrow.  Depends on how I feel after lunch.

I often crash after lunch, feel super tired and sleepy.  I know that's not uncommon, and not even related to age. It's just one of those things.

NOT the best afternoon.  I am constipated, even though I have 'been' very recently.  And I'm eating more fruit than EVER.... this afternoon was a nightmare.  BLOOD... so much blood.  Scary even.  And pain... yes, probably NOT as much as other people, sorry other people.

But I'm actually over it now... I feel terrible.  I am off to see my Dr tomorrow, if I can get in.  I can't live on laxatives for the rest of my life surely?  They make me feel ikkk.

Stew just got home, he's off to the pub.  I'll pick him up later on this evening.  I'm staying home and not moving.  Moving hurts.  Well... sitting on me butt hurts too...  😖😕😫 .

7.30 pm, and I'm about to head up to the pub to spend half an hour with Stew and our friends.  Then home to take some pain killers and then... bed early.  I'm wrung out.

COPYCATS

It makes me laugh ... how many of you peeps are starting to copy me!

The "not as hot/cold/bad as other people, sorry other people" thing has begun a life of its own.

I love it! 

I shall endeavour to keep it up.

Now, today?  I am going to do a grocery shop, we are a bit low on a few things.

Then once I get home, I shall go into the sewing room and get on with some work.  It's two weeks until our next market (Cambridge Trash 'n' Treasure).  I hope to have a few more of the Fat Bottomed Girls runners, and Blue Wave runners done by then.

I also have to fix another of the hanging straps for the gazebo... and I'm going to make some 'spare' straps as well.  Running repairs on the morning of a market isn't ideal.

ONWARD...

First job of the day is done.  I ordered a new lid for my 'old' Hydro Flask.  Now I will have a 'spare' flask on hand.  Excellent.  

Now... I'm just about to  head out to the supermaket.  Then Spotlight.  Then sew.

ABOVE: Question.  Is anyone else getting HAMMERED with spam/junk emails of late?  I swear, I am getting between 5-10, sometimes more of these emails EVERY DAY.  I have tried blocking them, but they all have different email addresses, and they don't even go to my JUNK box, they come into my INBOX.  It's doing my head in and it's so damn annoying.... probably not as annoying as for other people, sorry other people. 😖😏

12.26 pm... finally home!  I have had a really GREAT morning!

First stop was Spotlight, where I couldn't get any strapping/webbing for the gazebo, as they had none.  

So I went into town to Davids Emporium, and they had it.

ABOVE:  20 metres of strapping and three clips... for a total of $19.70.

IF I had bought the EXACT SAME strapping and clips at Spotlight, it would have cost me $170 !   The strapping was .80 cents a metre at Davids Emporium, and $8 a metre at Spotlight!  WTAF???  I am still shaking my head, having paid the $8 a metre for previous strapping I've bought at Spotlight.

NEVER again is my first stop Spotlight!  Davids Emporium all the way from now on.

After that, I went to MADE in Hamilton East, for a wander.  Nothing caught my eye, except this:

ABOVE: That is a light fitting in the stairwell.  It's so gorgeous.

Next stop was the supermarket... where I managed to get ten times more than I had on me list.

But... to be honest, the only thing on my 'LIST' was Whitlock's Caramelised Onion Relish!  😂😅😏  I got six bottles of that stuff, cos I love it.  

Now... making my lunch and having some down time.

I feel like crying.  I've been trying to sew for the past couple of hours, and BABY Brother just refuses to do the tight zig zag today.  Threads keep breaking, the automatic needle threader stopped working for a while... and I am about ready to throw the friggin thing on the concrete and smash it with a sledge hammer.   

BEYOND ANNOYED ... I rang the sewing machine shop to see how things are going with Mc Dreamy, same old story.  It's with the technician, he's trying to work out what's wrong with it.

HE'S HAD IT SINCE THE 18TH OF DECEMBER... sent it back twice ... STILL NOT WORKING!!!!  

I'm almost ready to go buy a new one.

Monday to Friday, if he's feeling up to it, Stew goes down to the Village gym after work,  and gets on the recumbent bike for 30 minutes.  I've decided to join him, only I will get on the treadmill.

ABOVE: So, after he got home from work tonight, we both did the 'gym thing'.  I took my portable fan, as the fan on the treadmill is USELESS.  Next time we will turn on the air conditioning in the room, don't know why we didn't think of it today.

I found 30 minutes quite enough ... it's different when walking for an hour with the FBG's, your pace is different, and you don't notice the time when walking with company.

It is now 7 pm, and I'm done here for the day.

Catch ya tomorrow.

I HOPE THIS HELPS OVER WINTER

 

Yesterday at market, I was talking to a fellow marketeer about how cold it was, NOT something I expected to be in JANUARY!

She said she had a portable gas heater, that she used for markets.  I asked her where she got it bla bla bla.

And she told me Trade Me, and showed me what it was.

I immediately got onto Trade Me and ...

ABOVE: That's the brand she bought... guess which one I bought?  LIKE, who the hell would pay $344.99 for one from overseas, and wait 3 weeks for it to arrive, when you can get one here for $56.99, and 1-2 days to arrive???

CRAZY.  I look forward to mine arriving in a day or two.  It runs off little canisters of gas, so handy.   I hope it helps keep me warm over the winter markets.  OH, and I can use it in the garage over winter as well... win/win.  I like that it runs on little gas cannisters... I won't get a big power bill using it in the house.  Kinda like, pay as ya go.  Love that idea.

Stew is back at work today, so it's just me and Coco.  

I am babysitting Lily and Dante this morning, while Bex and Archer are at school, sorting out his first year at his new school. 

Once I get home, I will be working in the sewing room, making more Fat Bottomed Girls Runners.

I also want to make more blue wave runners, having sold all of the bigger ones I made recently.   

Hopefully BABY Brother holds up, as there is no sign of Mc Dreamy yet.

ONWARD...

ABOVE: Incredible! Less than 24 hours after I ordered it, and it has arrived.

I will go out and get a gas canister for it after I leave the kids. 

ABOVE: This little madam knows how to take her own photo on Grandma's phone.

ABOVE:  Marley was less than impressed with a scary mask on.

After watching the kids, I went down to Mitre 10 and found the gas canisters.

ABOVE: They were like $7 for four, so it will be interesting to see how long they last.

ABOVE:  I also grabbed this cute little step stool, for Lacy and I to use when we do the markets in March, while Stew is laid up with his knee.  It folds down so small, it won't take up any room in the car.  *we won't be able to reach the top to place the hanging straps without a step stool*  We both had 'ducks disease'... before you ask, it means our arses are too close to the ground.

I've now got a nasty as headache, no idea why.  Not sleeping too well might be the cause?  Dunno.  Gunna take a pill and blob out for a while.  Housework etc can freakin' well wait.

So I had a nap this afternoon,  I even got under the duvet cos I was COLD,  not as cold as other people, sorry other people (and DOGSTARS)! 🤣😅🤣😂

I'm now at WW, where I have recorded a small loss of 200 grams. I had expected a gain!  I'll take that.

Home now, had me dinner (a wrap), and now I'm going to browse the 'net, and wait for Coronation Street to start.  Then I'll be off to bed.

Catch ya tomorrow.

CAMBRIDGE CHURCH MARKET... FINGERS CROSSED

 

Another early start for us.  We are heading off to Cambridge soon.

I'm not looking outside.  The weather is whatever it is.  We will set up with it being wet in mind, that way we don't have to haul things in out of the rain, when/if it does rain.

Because I anticipate wet weather, I'm taking some 'work' to do while we sit there.  I am making some little fabric strawberries.

Useless, dust catching little things, but fun, cute and quick to make.

ABOVE:  I made one last night, and have about a dozen cut out, side seam machine stitched, and ready for the hand stitching.  That should keep me occupied today, if there's hardly anyone at the market.

ONWARD...

8 am and we are finally set up.

The weather? Showers so far. There's been THIRTY cancellations of stalls holders!  Some simply couldn't get here due to road closures, others just didn't like the weather forecast. 

ABOVE: I had to make running repairs to more straps. Lucky I'd thought to bring needle and thread. 

ABOVE: It is still bedlam here, people still arriving to set up, car jams and frustrated, impatient people. 

The sun! I'm sure I saw it a moment ago ...

WEATHER IS HOLDING... FOR NOW.

My hair has been commented on.  My response is... I will never cut it short. I love it long, it gives me options. I HATE hair on my face, hence wearing it up more often than not.  Each to their own right? 

11.41 am, heading into lunch time, which is traditionally when a market quietens down. If it gets any quieter it will be DEAD. 

ABOVE: 1.45 PM, ALMOST time to pack up, thank god. The only thing moving out there (just about) ... is Stew.  It has been a SHIT market, the only good thing.... the weather hasn't been as bad as expected.  

I WANNA GO HOME.

3.20 pm, and we are home.  Thank goodness.  I am so tired all I want to do is have a sleep.  I woke this morning at 2 am, and didn't get back to sleep at all.  Hence, very tired.

And feeling a bit ill, cos seriously, all I did today was eat shit.  Had a pie for brunch, then a sandwich, then an ice cream.  Just too much food.  Ikkk.

And while we made some money today, I spent some of it already on a Trade Me purchase.  More on that tomorrow, cos right now, I'm off to lie down.

TWO.  HOURS.  LATER... and I woke up!  I must have been tired.

This evening was dinner/relax/go to bed.  And that's me done for the day.  

Catch ya tomorrow.