Easter has been and gone

Easter 2020 has been and gone, and it was quite a different experience for all of us in Lockdown.  A few Easter buns were eaten but there was a mild panic when I couldn’t find where I had put the peppermint marshmallow Easter Eggs.  After looking through the pantry a couple of times, they were finally tracked down.  What bliss, an Easter Egg to nibble on after dinner.  It doesn’t take much to make us happy these days, does it?

Easter Saturday was a different day, as we had to drive up to Palmerston North Hospital (50km each way so out of our local area)  for an MRI appointment.  The normally busy roads were practically empty, so everyone was heeding the advice to stay at home .  I made sure I had my hospital documents tucked safely away, as we were sure we would be stopped at a police checkpoint, which didn’t happen, as it turned out.  Robin had to remain in the car, and I answered health questions, sanitized my hands, and was sent on my way for my appointment.

Early morning and not another car in sight

Walking down the empty hospital corridors was a bit eerie, usually it is such a busy, bustling place.  Those who have had an MRI know what it’s all about – lie absolutely still  for half an hour, earmuffs on, face down and arms straight out over my head, in my case,  while the machine makes an absolute din, sounding rather like a jack hammer.  I did enquire why my appointment was going ahead at this time, as I had heard that some MRI procedures had been deferred.  The answer was that because I was a breast cancer patient, although my treatment was completed, it was considered essential to have these annual checks – I haven’t quite reached the 5 year stage yet.  So it’s good to know that I am being so well looked after.

MRI machine

So now its time to “roll the dice” again.  I did briefly consider working on my Under the Sea quilt again this week, shall I , shan’t I?  I’m the Queen of Procrastination and that's why I now do my regular roll the dice trick with six projects on my list at a time.  Robin had commented that he had never seen this rolling the dice business, well, he wouldn’t as it usually happens on a Monday morning after he has left for his day down at the local Menz Shed.  So I made him guest roll the dicer for the day and he brought up number 6, Tiny Tree project.  This was a free stitch-along offered by Temecula Quilt Co late last year.

Tiny Tree

I’ll be stitching my version a little differently and using two New Zealand inspired batiks I had tucked away.  The lighter one features kowhai tree, and the dark green is covered in ferns.  My first bit of stitching was a disaster, goodness knows what I was thinking!  While making a bunch of HSTs  I sewed merrily along the marked line, instead of either side of it - must have been having a senior moment I think. 

All stitched incorrectly

Out came my trusty quick-unpick to the rescue and they were finally done the correct way, cut in half, pressed, ready to go on with the next step.  Let’s hope I do better in my next stitching session.