Staying close to home

Why is it that when you don't have a lot to do, it seems you get even less done?  Our car has been on the fritz for a week so I have been sticking fairly close to home, driving only downtown when I absolutely need to.  I need to go farther afield to Joann Fabrics soon to get a few supplies, but I keep hoping the garage will call to say the part they're waiting for is in and it's time to deliver the car for repair.  I may get courageous over the weekend.

Instead of housecleaning, the latest "Maisie Dobbs" book by Jacqueline Winspear took a lot of my attention this week.  It was great, and I was sorry to have it end.  Now I'm slogging through a book about Alaskan homesteaders a neighbor thought I'd like after he saw me reading The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah.  That was a page-turner, but Alaska Homestead is not, AND it has tiny print.

I've also been working ahead on Splendid Sampler blocks for April and May because of our upcoming trip.  All twelve April blocks were sashed and sandwiched yesterday, and I started quilting this section.  I'll try and take a photo later today.  I also made three May blocks with a Dutch theme since that's where we'll be at the beginning of the month.    Paul's sister and her husband are coming up from Connecticut today for lunch and to deliver two folding bicycles for us to store for Paul's other sister who winters in Florida.  But I'll probably finish the April section this afternoon.

I've been doing things in preparation for our trip to the Netherlands (in just three weeks!) and had to laugh over the president's comments about windmills the other day.  Then my Dutch cousin Walt in Pennsylvania posted this photo giving me even more chuckles.  We will be visiting a very historic area with restored windmills while on the cruise - can't wait!

Lots of distractions

We started our Tuesday morning walks in the Town Forest this week.  It rained a little early but more held off until later in the day.  There were plenty of wet spots after Sunday's day-long rain, but we took a route that I know to be dry.  We had three newcomers who seemed to enjoy themselves.  One was confused by the map and wanted to follow along.  I forget the names of the trails over the winter, so I had to refresh my memory.  I hope they don't think I don't know where I'm going.  This is the fourth year of our walks, so I do know the 355 acres pretty well.  It was great to see some of our walking friends again.

When we got home, our cleaning ladies were busy across the street so we knew they were imminent.  Paul hates to be here when they come - our house immediately seems tiny with three people vaccuuming, dusting, cleaning, etc.  So it was a good time to look for a new-to-us car since our Honda CRV needs extreme repair or replacement.  It has served us well.  We test drove a Toyota RAV4 and liked it, but we weren't ready to commit.  After lunch, we stayed home, and I appliqued a few more Lafayette's Orange Peel blocks.  They are a great ongoing pick up project, and I need to prepare a few more.

Wednesday morning, I had a library board meeting followed by yoga, so in the afternoon I sewed the binding onto the quilt that came back from the quilter's.  If it ever stops raining, I'll set up the quilt rack (it's bed-sized) and take some photos.  Love it!  We got back to car shopping yesterday and tried a few Hondas, both the new HRV and a used CRV.  Now to make a decision...