My Irish Roots

Seeing as it's March I decided to look at my Irish families. One of them I know a lot about, a second I know nothing about, the third I have a family tree made up by an old fellow (my dad's cousin) now deceased. My problem is I was never much interested in that family. I loved my dad but I just didn't click with his mother. Maybe it had something to do with the "switch" she kept on top of her refrigerator. But starting to look at this family I've become fascinated. They arrived in Ontario early.. probably early 1830's. I know they came from Enskillen in Northern Ireland (near Belfast). I also knew from a Will I had found that they were very poor... although, ashamed to say it I saw my grandmother as a miserly penny pincher. Now I see her differently. Her family had a difficult time and money was not easy to come by.

I thought perhaps they'd come with the Peter Robinson immigrants but they didn't. I found them listed as living here but not in the groups of immigrants. Then I learned that Peter Robinson was looking for Irish Catholics, my family was Methodist so wouldn't have qualified. I also thought, like everyone else, that the potato famine was in 1848/1849. It wasn't. The first crop failures due to the blight were in 1821. Also linen had been a large industry in Ireland but with the coming of the Industrial Revolution in England Irish linen was no longer needed and left many families without a livlihood. Also the British wanted the landowners in Ireland to have x number of British tennants which pushed the Irish off the land they were working. It's really all very sad. The British saw the Irish as little more than uncivilized barbarians - the same way they viewed the Scottish. Makes me ashamed of the British parts of me.

The photo above is what a log cabin would have been like at the time this family arrived although there would have been no second floor or window. The cabins were one room with a dirt floor. There would be windows if they could afford glass, otherwise there was only the door. This family actually started off in a shanty which was even rougher. There were no windows and only canvas to cover the door which didn't keep out the weather or the wild animals. I can't even begin to imagine what it would be like. It looks from the census that perhaps by the 1850's they did have a log house.

Our weather has been wonderful here. Nice and sunny... but I keep thinking about the "In like a Lamb, Out like a Lion" thing. We may suffer for this. When the sun shines I can see all the dust and streaks inside the house so have been spending a good amount of time cleaning... well since the Olympics ended anyway. 

Quilt wise I'm still slugging away at my daughter's quilt. I just realized, though, that if I used stablizer on the back of the appliqued rings that means when I pulled the stabilizer off I weakend or even broke some of the stitches. So I'm going back and doing a second row of stitching.  It's a pain but better safe than having to be constantly mending it.

I'm also working on the first Catalicious embroidery from Red Brolly. She has the second one out now so I better get busy. I'm almost done but I know it will take another couple of nights to finish completely. I'll post a photo when I'm done.

Where has the time gone?

I can't believe it's been so long since I posted. First of all this is our new boat, Caileag (wee lass in Scottish Gaelic). My husband's airplane is done but he can't fly it for awhile so I suggested we get a small boat just for something for him to do. Well, it's not exactly small but it's not large either. It's 17 feet. It's an older boat (1976) but has an overhauled motor and is in good condition. We live on the Ocean, which I don't want to boat on, and there are a bunch of arms of the Fraser River to explore plus some nice lakes so I think we can have a good time with it for a couple of years. Thirty-six years living here and we haven't taken full advantage of the beauty.

We haven't gone into downtown Vancouver to visit the Olympic venues. We had every intention and then saw the crowds. We were hoping the novelty would wear off and we could go during this second week but nothing's changed. There's up to a 60 min line up to just get on the skytrain to go there, and apparently the line up is longer coming back this way. Then there are line ups of 1 - 4 hours to get into the venues depending on popularity. The Heiniken House closed it's doors to admittance at 3pm on Sunday. My husband has a friend who waited 4 hours to get into the Irish venue (a pub) and then paid $9 for a glass of beer. It would almost be faster and cheaper to go to Ireland *LOL* So we've decided that if we were young, like our daughter, it would be an exciting thing to do, but I get tired easily and my husband's health hasn't been the best so we're going to stick to enjoying the Olympics on TV.

I haven't been quilting much. I did a few more blocks on the wedding ring quilt. Then I realized when I'm pulling off the stablizer I'm also weakening the stitches holding the curves in place. I may have to double stitch all of them.

My daughter wants me to make her husband a Boston Red Sox quilt. I've been searching and searching for fabric. Then I did a search for a quilt top and came across Susan Freeberry's blog and there it is! It's exactly what my daughter wants. I looked to see where she got the panel... she made it. Ugh. I know I could do it but Angela had the brilliant idea of using a T Shirt instead. How smart is that? So I went looking for one. Couldn't find what I wanted but I found a throw pillow that's 17" with the exact same official logo that Susan used, It's appliqued onto the pillow so I ordered it and will use it for my center.

Not much else happening here. While watching the Olympics I'm working a bit each evening on my cross stitch. I love it but it will be awhile before it's finished.

On Tuesday the Olympic Flame arrived in South Delta. It went right past my daughter's house so we headed down to watch the excitement. I did take video with my new camera. Unfortunately I didn't know I couldn't film holding the camera sideways so to watch the video everyone would have to tip their heads to the left *LOL* So I still captured these photos from the film... the first is the Olympic Flame passing by and, luckily, we were standing on the corner where the flame switched from one runner to another so I got that too.

This is a bit shaky but I was holding the camera the right way when the trucks leading the runner passed by. You can hear the excitement. I don't know how to post a video on here but you can see it on You Tube here:

Olympic Torch Parade

Over the next couple of weeks we're hoping to take the sky train into Vancovuer to see the various venues put on by the different countries. We're paying for all this in our taxes.. if we can't afford tickets to events we may as well enjoy the rest of the excitment.

I'm Grace Kelly

I got this in an email but thought it would be fun to post here. I'm Grace Kelly... who are you? Leave your answer in my comments section. Sorry Lane it only works for women.... discrimitory huh?

1. Which describes your perfect date?
A) Candlelight dinner for two
B) Amusement Park
C) Roller blading in the park
D) Rock Concert
E) Have dinner & see a movie
F) Dinner at home with a loved one

2. What is your favorite type of music?
A) Rock and Roll
B) Alternative
C) Soft Rock
D) Classical
E) Christian
F) Jazz

3. What is your favorite type of movie?
A) Comedy
B) Horror
C) Musical
D) Romance
E) Documentary
F ) Mystery

4. Which of the following jobs would you choose if you were given only these c hoices?
A) Waiter/Waitress
B) Sports Player
C) Teacher
D) Policeman
E) Bartender
F) Business person

5. Which would you rather do if you had an hour to waste?
A) Work out
B) Make out
C) Watch TV
D) Listen to the radio
E) Sleep
F) Read

6. Of the following colors, which do you like best?
A) Yellow
B) White
C) Sky blue
D) Teal
E) Gold
F) Red

7. Which one of the following would you like to eat right now?
A) Ice cream
B) Pizza
C ) Sushi
D) Pasta
E) Salad
F) Lobster Tail

8. Which is your favorite holiday?
A) Halloween
B) Christmas
C) New Year's
D) Valentine's Day
E) Thanksgiving
F) Fourth of July

9 If you could go to any of the following places, which would it be?
A) Reno
B) Spain
C) Las Vegas
D) Hawaii
E) Hollywood
F) British Columbia

10. Of the following, who would you rather spend time with?
A) Someone who is smart
B) Someone with good looks
C) Someone who is a party animal
D) Someone who has fun all the time
E) Someone who is very emotional
F) Someone who is fun to be with

Now total up your points on each question:

1 a-4; b-2; c-5; d-1; e-3; f-6
2. A-2; b-1; c-4; d-5; e-3; f-6
3. A-2; b-1; c-3; d-4; e-5; f-6
4. A-4; b-5; c-3; d-2; e-1; f-6
5. A-5; b-4; c-2; d-1; e-3; f-6
6. A-1; b-5; c-3; d-2; e-4; f-6
7. A-3; b-2; c-1; d-4; e-5; f-6
8. A-1; b-3; c-2; d-4; e-5; f -6
9. A-4; b-5; c-1; d-4; e-3; f-6
10. A-5; b-2; c-1; d-3; e-4; f-6


NOW . Take your total and find out which Movie Star you are:

(10-17 points) You are MADONNA:
You are wild and crazy and you know it. You know how to have fun, but you may take it to extremes. You know what you are doing though, and are much in control of your own life . People don't al ways see things your way, but that doesn't mean t hat you should do away with your beliefs. Try to remember that your wild spirit can lead to hurting yourself and others.

(18-26 points) You are DORIS DAY:
You are fun, friendly, and popular! You are a real crowd pleaser. You have probably been out on the town your share of times, yet you come home with the values that your mother taught you. Marriage and children are very important to you, but only after you have fun. Don't let the people you please influence you to stray.

(27-34 points) You are DEBBIE REYNOLDS :
You are cute, and everyone loves you. You are a best friend that no one takes the chance of losing. You never hurt feelings and seldom have your own feelings hurt. Life is a breeze. You are witty, and calm most of the time. Just keep clear of back stabbers, and you are worry-free.

(35-42 points) You are GRACE KELLY:
You are a lover. Romance, flowers, and wine are all you need to enjoy yourself. You are serious about all commitments and are a family person. You call your Mom every Sunday, and never forget a Birthday.. Don't let your passion for romance get confused with the real thing.

(43-50 points) You are KATHERINE HEPBURN:
You are smart, a real thinker. Every situation is approached with a plan. You are very healthy in mind and body. You don't take crap from anyone. You have only a couple of individuals that you consider 'real friends'. You teach strong family values. Keep your feet planted in them, but don't overlook a bad situation when it does happen.

(51-60 points) You are ELI ZABETH TAYLOR:
Everyone is in awe of you. You know what you want and how to get it. You have more friends than you know what to do with. Your word is your bond.. Everyone knows when you say something it is money in the bank. You attract the opposite sex. Your intelligence overwhelms most. Your memory is the next thing to photographic. Everyone admires you because you are so considerate and lovable. You know how to enjoy life and treat people right.

I'm aspiring to be Debbie Reynolds *LOL*

Fantastic new embroidery designs

If you do embroidery you simply CAN'T miss out on this one! Bronwyn of Red Brolly  is posting a free block each month. Her designs are gorgeous! She's the one who published the Polka Dot Girls quilt that was so popular a couple of years ago. Her designs are sometimes in Homespun Magazine and you can buy her patterns online. They are very expensive but very very good. That's why I'm so excited by this. Every month she is offering a new block from previous designs that she's had in magazines.

I made a wheel!

Okay, so I didn't invent the wheel but I'm pretty darn proud of this bicycle wheel that I cross stitched. I haven't cross stitched in many years. I've loving this! The brown is a basket on the front of the bicycle and the white/gold are the pants of the french chef. I'm very impressed at how I can make the shading!

I was finding the counting hard but then I realized that it has lots of black backstitch lines so I decided to do those and then I only have to count from those. It makes it a lot easier. So this is what I've been doing with my evenings while I watch TV. It will take months to finish but it's just so neat. My husband attached a humungous crafters magnifying glass that I can swing out to use cause I can't see those little holes. I'd be lost without it. Makes the pattern easier to read too.

I'm liking the treadmill. I did another 20 mins yesterday at my brisk walking speed and today I tried the weight loss program. I got through 12 minutes of that one but it's going to take awhile before I can do the full 30 mins. Boy it gets going fast! And it keeps raising the incline. So I shut that part off, removed the incline and did a slow walk to cool down. I'm listening to Mary Queen of Scots by Jacob Abbot which I got free from the Librivox site. If I hadn't been focusing on waiting to have a heart attack I think it would have been as good as having a TV down there *LOL*

I couldn't figure out why my specialist wanted me to lose weight. Then I looked at my weight for height chart for my age and I've got 30lbs to lose. So I see what she was saying. My husband feels like he needs to lose 20 so this is good. I said no desserts, no cookies, no chocolate bars, and he's agreed to that. It's so much easier when we're both on the same wavelength.

 Gonna go sew some more arcs for my daughter's quilt. Have a good Wednesday everyone.

I'm Walkin

As Fat's Domino would say "I'm walkin"... but I'm not going right back to anywhere or anyone. Maybe this is what my recurring dream is about. I have these dreams where I walk and walk and never get to my destination. The treadmill has finally arrived and I actually used it without falling off and killing myself. We've put it in our daughter's somewhat empty ex-room. She still needs to pick up all her childhood plush toys but I don't see that happening soon so right now they're off to the side cheering me on.

Everyone keeps telling me we need a television down there. I didn't believe them cause look at the view I get while I'm walking. Problem is depending on the time of day there's not a heck of alot going on out there. The Magnolia in the middle of the lawn has buds on it though and will be blooming in 6 weeks or so.

So I did 15 minutes this morning. I wanted to do another 15 this afternoon but it warns you not to do too much to fast. I eventually want to get up to an hour a day... my blood pressure isn't budging. Some days it will be down at some point but aside from that it's still way too high. By the time I get to an hour I may want a TV down there. I can see it getting boring.

No sewing this past weekend cause I was working on my Mythology essay. It got marked really fast and I got 100% on it. It's been so long since I've done school type work I wasn't even sure of the format, but I did it!