Such a gloomy morning

Rain, that is what I said. It has been raining here in The Valley of the Sun Arizona! Not often do we get rain, but today looks to be one of those gloomy days. So what's a gal to do? First on with the Christmas tree lights... that certainly brightens things up a bit. Next sit down and stitch of course. I am working on my RR piece and I think I may do some tatting later today. This is my last injection day and a talk with the surgeon. Mr H and I both had PCP appointments yesterday and our doctor is not happy with my current treatment with this surgeon. She want s to refer me to another who will fix the problem. While there I also got my pneumonia shot..... today the shoulder is a bit red and swollen. I keep telling people just how delicate I really am! While out yesterday we found ourselves stopping in Cave Creek...

there was a little drizzle in the air and when I looked to the mountains... well I just had to take a picture. The clouds were low and drifting in between them.  I think it is time for a cup of tea and stitching so I will say thank you for visiting and thank you for your kind words. Have a good day.
PS: today is the last day for our Card Exchange sign up... this month... please email me if you want to join in. I will be sending the list to those who did sign up this weekend.

Oh so tired today

I think I need a nap. I know, it is 5:44 am but I was awake at 2 am.... maybe a cup of coffee and toast will help. I have not stitched one cross...not one...since, I can not remember! I think it has been a week. I guess getting all the Christmas stuff out and up had taken me away from the needle in hand. If I can stop yawning long enough I will start my RR piece. On Monday afternoon Mr H and I went out on a couple of errands. Just down around where we live, at one of the golf course.....

at 3 PM we came across these 3 coyotes...You can just see the top of one of the golfers heads...and the one relaxing under a bush. I got out of the car to take the picture but did not linger. I have no real fear of them, however, just after I snapped the picture of the one walking across the rocks, he turned and thought about walking my way. Many times I have been sitting on my front porch and they walk into the courtyard and just look at me and keep moving. Once I even walked up the street with 3 of them only a few feet in front of me. Somehow, the way this one looked at me, I thought it best to get back into the car with Mr H. I never get tired of seeing them. I really do need that cup of coffee, so off I must go. Glad you stopped by today and I appreciate the kind words and your friendship.
PS Tomorrow is the last day to sign up for the Card exchange....you can read about it here. Have a wonderful day...

Tis the season

Spent yesterday putting up the tree

lots of help from Mr H. One more tree to put up...the one in our bedroom. I will get to it today. I still have some tidying up to do. This year it seems like I made more of a mess than usual. I finished Dear Santa.

Mr H cut the wood for me then I added a few colors, a little sanding and done. The pattern is The Primitive Hare, the linen was white until I dye it with coffee and put it in the microwave. I used DMC threads and added the large snowflake instead of stitching it. I am pleased with it. The angels are up and a few wreaths to go.... the outside lights are also on the schedule for today. Oh and today is just a beautiful sunny comfortable day. Would love to find someplace to go later. I kited up my next Round Robin piece so it is ready to stitch.
Once again I am participating in Jo's Advent Blog Hop  2014   ....Today is Bruna so be sure to pop over and visit. I will be day 9. Always a fun time and a new theme this year...best present received.  In the meantime, I will finish my tea and try real hard to get things put in order around here. Glad you were here to share time with me. Hope you have a great day.

Trees, Father Christmas, and a Ballerina and more

Mr H surprised me this week. His favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. Christmas has never ever been a holiday he likes. Oh he has never spoiled it for anyone; it is just not the holiday he enjoys. Except..... recently he and I have some nice new memories and I think he is beginning to enjoy it more. For example: Christmas has never arrived at our home before the first week of December. He has begun to put the CD's in and will be helping me get the living room ready today...today! and it is not December. The first to be put up is...

Father Christmas has finally arrived. I picked it up yesterday. Simple is what I envisioned and this is what it is. The stitched area measures 10 x 11 so it is not very large. I love the frame...

very simple but just right. Of course museum glass is always a must. I am very pleased indeed. If you are reading about him for the first time, you can read here.   He has a story to tell. This is the first year that Mr H and I were able to go to The Heard Christmas Marketplace sale. I set up my tree in the kitchen and this year it is Southwest. These 2 ladies just had to come home to sit in the tree...

and then I found Hilda...she just had to come to live at my house

For Christmas I added a red check bow. There were so many nice ornaments at The Heard this year. While there we had a delicious  lunch at their cafe...and sat outside on the patio. Not ready to return home, we stopped at Old Town Scottsdale so I could pick up more Prickly Pear Cactus jelly and I found a new ballerina to joi8n the first one....

I love these darling ladies. I am told that there are several more...oh dear, that means , yes, there will be more to hang in the window! Now it is time to start getting Christmas to The Horton House. I think I will start with the fireplace mantle. Whatever yur plans for the day, hope you have a wonderful time. Thank you for visiting and all the kind words.

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PS there is still time to sign up for the Card Exchange...you can read about it here.