It's the weekend....

No, I still have not been stitching...but I am keeping busy. Working in the garden filling in the area next to the pond

I had cut back the Yucca (to the far left) next to the pond and new growth is doing well. I added my Lavender plant (from Glenda and Don), Petunias and Potato vine. The Mexican Post Cacti has been in the same spot for the last 10 years and it likes it's place so it stays. It grew from a small one piece to several now and The Brother Alan cut a piece and potted it when he was here last.
 Dianna brought me a Plumeria plant from her recent vacation in Hawaii.

I hope it does root and grows to be like the ones she and Bobby have in their yard. They have several that do quite well. This is today's project, to plant it. The package says to place in water to activate the roots, but Dianna just plants into the soil like you would a cactus. It takes one year for the leaves to appear and then blooms in the second year. It is actually a tree.
I found the perfect frame while out with Glenda the other day for a project that I had in mind....here is what I made...

The backing paper is all phrases which apply nicely to the sentiment that I added. Now in my bedroom is this phrase that I used to say to my Denny all the time.
Today is laundry and the Swiffer and vac will make an appearance this morning. Then it will be sitting outside with some needlework. I do have several options but will see which calls out to me the loudest. Maybe jus to take a few out with me and play around with all of them! Hopefully I do not get too sidetracked...

Buddy here kept busy with the Sweet Memory flowers but managed to buzz me a few times.  So territorial!  He will have to share the area today because sitting on the glider in the shade of the Memory bush is just my plan.  My stomach is growling for food so I think it is time to start the day. Get the laundry on and make some toast and tea. Glad we had time to chat. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship. Whatever your plans are for the weekend, make it a good day.

Baking and the garden

Wow, it is Thursday...what have I been doing? For one thing I have not been stitching. That is okay. I have been reading and working in the yard and

yesterday Don came over to hang the shelf. I was so uncertain of me doing it and in the end, He even had to adjust how.

Finally it is on the wall. Not sure of what will be on it and I know that it will change until I like what I put there. Don also was able to fix the irrigation leak...we think it is. So after he left (to go home to relax) I did the yard clean up.

This is the corner near the pond where the puddle has been. Ready for some pots and plants.  I like using pots so that it can be changed easily without digging in the hard packed earth that we have here. This weekend will be more arranging of pots and getting a few plants to add.
My zinnias are finally growing...okay, they are only 1 inch high, but most of the seeds are growing. They were one of Denny's favorite flowers for the garden.

Look, my beans are also sprouting! I had thought this would be a lost cause but no, they are growing and nice and strong. Once they are better established I will thin them out. My thumb is greener than I thought. Actually, it is just my Denny making sure the garden is up to his standards.

I began the task of sorting through my patterns and stuff. Someone on Facebook mentioned that they were interested in having the patterns for the on-line publication of Gift of Stitching. I have from 1009 to 2011 and no longer want to keep them. Do you know who would like the set? I did post on my Facebook page.
I made another bread...

This Zucchini Bread does  not have any particular taste. It has nice texture and is okay but not what I expected. Will I make this one again...no. I will look for a better recipe like the one I used to make. This will be toasted and I think croutons sounds like a plan. There are plenty more recipes to try!
The dentist appointment was good. It was the first that the doctor knew of Dennis' passing and said he would miss "a very nice man". We have been patients there for about 10 years. Now if my back would ache less. It at help if I choose either housework or yard work and not both in the same day! My right leg is doing really well so the injections have really helped.
Okay, it is time for the coffee and some zucchini toast. It has been so nice chatting with you. Thank you for taking the time to stop by and for the kind words. Thank you most of all for your friendship. 

What part of relax do I not understand

re·lax.....

VERB

make or become less tense or anxious----rest or engage in an enjoyable activity so as to become less tired or anxious------ to spend time resting or doing something enjoyable especially after you have been doing work.

It all started when I decided to put something into the bedroom closet. It all started when I had to move one thing to make room for another thing. It seems my life is still in the re-arrange stage. Trying to make things easier. But it first started when I went out to the yard to put yard trash out. Then I finally potted the petunias and found a spot for the pot. I realized the hummer feeder needed refilling. I also put the original back out front as the hummer was not happy with this new feeder. The new feeder is now in the back with the other feeder. Well I remembered I had a few things to toss out so back into the house and then it started....So now that my back feels like I have been kicked, and everything is where it out to be... it will be for at least now, I will sit and try to figure out what I am not doing right.

I have made Tenerife before using an older model of Gina's form. This new one....well I am not doing something right. So, I will cut off the threads and start over. Could be that I began this at 9 PM last evening and was a bit tired. The weather is still in the lovely phase...comfortable to sit out and relax...there is that words again. It is overcast which is a nice change from the hot beating sun.  My dental appointment is not until this afternoon so there is time to get this right. I really should try to get this shelf off the floor and on the wall. I think I will make a cup of tea and go sit outside and relax.

Glad you stopped by today. Thank you for the kind words and for your friendship. Let's try to relax shall we?

Oh so good bread

What a lovely day yesterday. The front door remained open until 7 PM...yes, all day. The air conditioner has been off and I actually felt chilly this morning. I sat outside with my new cookbook in the morning and decided to make Tomato Bread. Of course a quick run to the market was necessary to get a few ingredients.

I must tell you that this book is full of great sounding recipes and this was a good one. The key ingredients are tomato paste and sun dried tomatoes. I made the 1 1/2 pound loaf which is plenty for me. The aroma and looks are terrific.

While the bread cooled I made a small chicken soup with egg drop. Yum....this bread was delicious with it. This morning I put a slice into the toaster oven just to lightly toast it and made a cup of tea....very good. The sweetness of the sun dried tomato really comes through with the warmth. The texture is really good too. The recipes with the machine does not include using gluten...this book does and it makes a world of difference in the texture and that this morning the bread is as fresh as yesterday. The book suggests storing the bread in a brown paper bag cut side down which I did. I did not get any needlework done yesterday because I was too busy reading the cookbook!
I must get to the post office today and go to JoAnn's to get a frame for the print.  While there I need to pick up some fabric to make a special Swaddled Baby for a friend. I bought plant markers and hope to get the various plants marked in the garden. Tatting is on the list of to do also. So, I think I have enough plans for the day and if even one or two are accomplished, that will be good.
Thank you for visiting and for the kind words and encouragement. Thank you most of all for your friendship. Let's have a good day. 

A good day

Did you remember to change your clocks? We do not here in Arizona....but now it means that family and friends on the East Coast are 2 hours ahead of me. Not that that is settled....
Yesterday I finally decided to go to the Litchfield Faire. The weather was perfect. I knew that if I did not go this year, the likelihood of going anytime in the future would be out. I have to do these first time alone things or I will be doomed. I must say that I was disappointed that some of the usual artists were absent. I did make my purchases from a few favorites.
From Curliosity Metalworks I bought Spinning Wind Sculptures....

This spinner hangs in the archway to the living room along with another from last year. Pounded copper and verdigris metal along with lovely semi-precious stones, these are favorites of mine.
Walking around I looked for Greg Kyle, an artist from Tucson who we have been visiting these last few years. He remembered me and looked around for Dennis.

I chose this of the Pueblo with lovely bright colors.
As we talked and I explained why I was alone this year he hugged me and told me to pick a print in memory of Dennis. He even remembered which I bought last year....Hopi Roots....so this is what I chose

Starry Night. It is a 9x12 print that I will frame this week. How thoughtful this artist was and caring.
Of course I had to buy a bag of kettle corn and then as I continued to walk....I stopped to chat with James Bell of Knotworks. He carves wonderful walking sticks and Forest Spirits. This particular one wanted to come home with me...

These are carved from the knot of a tree limb of Ponderosa Pine  and will "brings the spirit of the forest into your home...to ward off evil and reward good deeds with luck"...I love him! I am glad that I did go and have another first completed.


Did I mention that I am trying a new hummingbird feeder?

Well, here It is and the hummers are not too happy. It is suppose to be bee proof and ant proof. They are so fussy! I will see how long it takes them to drink form it.
I have a few petunias to plant today and then it will be to tat for awhile as I sit outside and enjoy this beautiful weather. I hope to try a new bread recipe later today from the new cookbook.  So many to choose from! It was nice to have you visit with me. Thank you for the kind words and your friendship. Have a great day.