Oh happy day....

Yesterday was a good day.... I met Debra.... a very talented tatter who has managed to teach me to use a shuttle! Now you may remember how I was so frustrated at this task, but I am feeling more confident that I will tat with a shuttle!!!!

the first piece at the top is what we began with...move on down to the next sample. On this one, while Debra was here I did the first 4 rings from the left to right and completed one before running iinto a knot...so I then began this morning with the bottom sample...very pleased with myself. Thank you Debra. Lesson 2 is next Friday... she seems to think believe I can do this!
I have started a project to fit into a candle screen ...why? you do know how it is, right? It is just  while I am waiting for the threads to arrive from Nordic Needle for

look what arrived in the mail the other day.... this is what I ordered from the On Line Needlework store. Oh my...free standing dolls! My first one will be the lady with the  C on her...without the C however. Remember the gift certificate I found on my computer desk?, well I used that for the Weeks Dye Works and they will be on their way any day. My head is just spinning with all these things. The phone just rang...Jo Ann's offering me the day off...well you know I said yes. More time to practice and work on a few things and sit outside before the temps get too high. The weather for next week is suggesting temps around 100 for a few days....
I hinted that Mr H is having a few issues again... I won't bore you but I know we can handle them... we have come too far not to. A bright spot for him is always his garden and here is what he found this week...

this beautiful lone flower on one of the small cacti in the yard. Who even knew this was a flowering one. Unfortunately, cactus blooms only last a day and a night...and that is it. So we really did enjoy seeing this one. This plant is one of the ones that is in a nursery pot and just sitting amid the other plants. A bright spot this week.
A little update on Eva P...mom... she is doing well, using the "fancy" walker that I sent to her. he is still having some in house aid and I think she will soon be doing much more for herself.
I welcome new friends and thank you all for the lovely anniversary wishes and kind words and emails.... you certainly add to my life. Have a wonderful weekend....
Quail report....what a noisy couple they are! No babies yet.... but the Geranium out front has babies and I will try to get a picture this weekend.

Our special day

On April 25, 1970 Dennis and I shared vows and 43 years later we still share them.  I married a man who is my best friend. I love him more today than yesterday and look forward to tomorrow. He is my strength when I need it and my laughter at the unexpected times. We are two people with one heart. I still feel special when he smiles at me.... sometimes when he laughs at me! I am lucky to have a man who cares about what I do even if he is not sure what it is that I am doing... and always has praise for me. I enjoy the beauty he puts into our yard so that I can see it everyday. And he is a good cook too!
I could share some stitch stuff today, I could share what arrived in the mail yesterday, or the first flower from his small cactus,  I could tell you about a new issue he is facing, but I would rather share this with you....

My guy Dennis... I love him so. I never want to be without him.......

Friday at 1:30 pm

Let's start from the start.......
Yesterday was our monthly stitch group meeting. Always so nice to meet up with these ladies and see what the others are doing. Just before I was leaving, Dear Ziz, who is the newly installed Pres Lady, told me she had something to drop off to me.We live as you know a stones throw from each other. Look what she sent via Mr Z

I love boxes and this one is designed by one of my favorite people Susan Winget. But the reason behind giving the box to me is not that I love boxes, not a special day but ....

My name is on the box. Flowers and birds make it just right. The soft colors make it just right. But, it is just right because of my friend, Dear Ziz. I am ever grateful for having her for a friend. We can tell one another anything and we can laugh and cry together.... it is a good thing. It all got me to thinking about another important friend.... My Lu...my forever sidekick back in Rhode Island. I just had to call her and hear her voice. We too share those special laughs, tears and conversation.... I miss her. Okay, time to move on....I am sure you don't want to listen to me blubber on.
Here is my practice sampler piece ... Embroidery on Net...

excuse the loose thread ends, as I said it is just practice. I want to perfect the stitches then I will try a motif. This is all Nicola's fault... she sent me the book! I am glad though as it is another learning thing and I am all for learning.
So what about the heading? Well, thanks to Shirlee for putting me in touch with a Tatter who lives about a mile from me! I will be having a tatting lesson with the shuttle on Friday afternoon. Isn't it wonderful that we are all so supportive to one another? How we share all that we know and cheer each other and comfort each other. I picture a special place where we will all meet someday among the stars of night and clouds of day...won't we have lots to talk about. In the meantime  while we still are grounded, I am off to work today and hope that your day is nice. Thank you for chatting with me and for the kind words and emails.....hugs to all of you from me.
Quail report....nothing to report, but the other nest...I will tell you more about that tomorrow.

On the table

I have completed my Roses Hardanger table piece.....

I am so very pleased with how it looks. Just to let you know: there are approx. 944 Woven Bars and 364 Dove's eyes! I picked up lovely pink Gerba daisies and they look very cheerful. What next asked Mr H? I am not sure but I have plenty to choose from. Yesterday I visited the on-line Needlework Show and immediately bought a couple of patterns. As I was doing so, my mind told me that I still had so many in house to choose from.... but my fingers did the walking and hopefully I will have them in hand. I bought another bundle of fabric yesterday to make the patch bag again. This time I will enlarge the squares from 5" to 6". It does not seem like much, but the clerk at the quilt store told me it will make a difference.
I have just put in my second laundry load one more to go and I have visited the backyard for my morning check on the quails. Mr H must be so disappointed....

this is not how this 7year old plant should look! Usually when the quails lay their eggs, it thrives. Never has it looked like this. We can not water it from the top and it is so high off the ground that watering it from the base is not ideal. I do hope it bounces back. Even after the babies hatch, it will be at least 10 to12 days before they leave.
Last night I experimented with the embroidery on the netting and will show you my sampler of stitches soon.  I think my fingers and mind need a rest today. A good relaxing day to read is my plan. In just 22 days The Brother (Alan) will be out for his annual visit. We are so looking forward to having him here and he is making plans as to what and where for his week. Thanks for spending some of your time with me today and for all the kind words and emails. Whatever your plans....have a wonderful day.