Thursday, February 1, 2024

Wintry Country Life and Runner

 Last weekend we had a marvellous potluck night at our nearby community centre. Twenty came and hubby and I enjoyed meeting new people. I made a walnut cake and cheese grits! The brave New Brunswickers dive right in to those grits !!

Right after this, a woman in the area was hosting her annual moonlight snowshoe to nearby waterfalls followed by her famous seafood chowder. The icy crust on the snow was more conducive to boots with spikes so that is what we wore.

Hubby took this photo. A group is standing on the area of river that was frozen. New this year was the fireworks. A gorgeous memorable time! Back at her log cabin we ate the best seafood chowder I’ve ever had from a school cafeteria sized pot on her old cookstove. Some of us were guessing at the cost of all the lobster, scallops, etc etc. 

Recently, I dug out my hooked runner project. The size is daunting and I find it hard to transport so I hadn’t worked on it in a while. It’s 21” by 7 feet.


I cobbled together three pieces of linen for this. Yes the overlap is hard to hook but there’s not much of it thank goodness!
I’m planning to organize a hook-in and swap meet at our community centre. I’d supply lunch and book a vendor and then let people sell their hooking supplies after lunch. There is no real venue for making money on your own stuff. I think it would be fun. Anyone out there been to one? If so I’d appreciate any suggestions!

Daughter Kate moved her precious self to NYC. Now both our kids live there. They’ve deserted Canada. Boo hoo!!! But she got a good archival job with a company that also has offices in Europe. When you travel abroad with young kids they may well become world adventurers in the future- which is bittersweet.
Our son is thrilled to have her in NYC though! 

I put my name in the substitute teaching list for the school down my road. In Canada they call this “supply teaching.”
I had my first “gig” last week but was not given lesson plans. Happily, the class was small, it was a half day and the kids were great. 
I love working with my seniors and the young. 

The snow is starting up, gently falling on the Nashwaak River just feet from our cottage. Reggie cat is hunkered down on my lap. Seven inches is supposed to come between today and tomorrow.
We’ve had an opportunity to buy this place and are working on it. 
❤❤




21 comments:

Saundra said...

What a humongous amount of hooking you've done on that gigantic runner. And it is stunning looking.

Julia said...

I agree with Saundra. That's a gigantic runner. It looks great and I can understand how difficult it would be to carry around.

I'm glad that you're thinking of buying the place and that you are feeling a part of the community.

Take care, hugs.
Julia

TheCrankyCrow said...

The hike to the falls with chowder afterwards sounds amazing! And that runner of yours...wow...just wow!! I can't imagine ever hooking something that large. You've really gotten a lot done on it. Yay on the decision on the house purchase. It sounds like an idyllic place to live. ~Robin~

Peggy said...

Hook on Kimm!!
That runner is amazing - Jennifer Manuel from Ontario hooked an "extremely" large piece a number of years ago she affectionately named "Jumbo"....it is lovely.
Your community events sound like they were so much fun - especially the night walk complete with fireworks, food and fellowship.
There is something to be said for small communities - that is for sure.

Cheers!

Anonymous said...

Thanks Julia! Yes it’s hard to lug to EM but I will do it in February. Hope to see you! Sheepunderfeet

Anonymous said...

Ha! I’m already having nightmares about the finishing method! Eeks
Sheepunderfeet

Anonymous said...

Thank you Robin. I hope you’re doing well. Yes, it’s a good community; I just hate house prices these days. Eeks. The mat is keeping me busy in the spare
moments. Sheepunderfeet

Anonymous said...

I think I’ll call mine “Dumbo” then! Ha! I like that there are winter time activities. It can be hard on many. Thanks Peggy. Sheepunderfeet

Rugs and Pugs said...

Great pic taken by hubby.
Oh that runner must weigh a ton. I can't imagine hooking something that large, but hopefully the cottage purchase will work out and you will have the perfect spot for it. The cottage sounds absolutely charming in a wonderful setting.

acorn hollow said...

What fun this winter you have been having. When there is crust I know when broke through it would catch my snowshoe and make me stumble so spikes were probably a good choice
Cathy

Prims By The Water said...

How fun to have a potluck in the Winter and fireworks. Such a great sight to see. Your rug is something I would never attempt to try. Kudos to you for doing this one. Not sure if I could live in NYC right now or ever. Too big for me. Janice

Peggy said...

....just had a thought!
We could have a "whipping" bee - just like they do for quilting.
Wouldn't that be fun to have friends and acquaintances come and get that large runner whipped...

Anonymous said...

Yes it’s a charming spot with 3/4 acre in the river. Being in the Canadian countryside there are things like generators and snowblowers that everyone but us has. You can’t take the Southerner out of me 😊 sheepunderfeet

Anonymous said...

Peggy I really think you’re on to something. Except I’m sloppier than most I’m afraid. Come visit and help! Sheepunderfeet

Anonymous said...

I can only visit NYC but only cuz my family is there. Otherwise I’m not interested. I’m a small town person. Yes this rug is a challenge for me too! Sheepunderfeet

Anonymous said...

I’ve got the best spikes- easy to put on and they look like tire chains. Alas, I need some new boots to match. But yes, I do enjoy the snowshoeing! Sheepunderfeet

NMK said...

Your runner is just amazing !!! Beautiful !!! Fun to snowshoe at night , especially under a full moon & then chowder afterwards , sounds great !

WoolenSails said...

That walk to the falls looks wonderful and to have fireworks and seafood chowder, sounds like the perfect day. That is a large rug. I have done a large runner but it got ruined, so haven't hooked in ages, since I can't use them.

Debbie

Anonymous said...

Thank you! And the walk and togetherness was a much needed shot in the arm for winter blahs
Sheepunderfeet

Anonymous said...

I’m curious as to how it got ruined and why you can’t use rugs? Is it allergies? I’ve got too many to set out so many of mine are in storage. You do many creative projects: photography, sea glass, stitching etc. Yes the outing was great!!

Anonymous said...

Sheepunderfeet