Yard stick electrician

The end of the week already. Days are disappearing. Each year I subscribe to Jacquie Lawson's Advent Calendar. Denny and I would click on the ornament for the day together each evening after dinner. It was strange sitting here at the computer clicking it myself. Just another one of those days. I did get the village down and on display....

 When I rearranged the living room area I also lost the usual table for the display. It was just a few adjustments but it looks just fine. It is a small village but one that each item meant something to us through the years. Once, a long time ago we had a larger set up but that changed when we moved here.

There are only 3 buildings....in front is the Knit Shop...for me and in the back is the Sweet Shoppe for us. Various people just because.  The tree in the center is one of the oldest pieces, about 30 years old and standing about 14 inches. The lights on it are the original and still all working.

This building in the back is the nursery .. of course for Denny. We each had our favorite pieces so there are wonderful memories of each item. Of course once the snow was added to the scene it was everywhere and the Bissell handled it for me.
Don re-set the irrigation for me yesterday and showed me how to change it when I am ready the next time. Remember the kitchen light issue...

This neon yard stick was used by me, myself and I several times to strike the light box which cause the light to come on. Who knew? So far I have had to whack it a few times but it is working. Eventually I will have to climb up and check it out. My expert opinion is that it is a loose connection up there.
Thank you for the emails regarding my doctor appointment. It was because a week ago Sunday , in the wee morning hours I woke with terrible pain in my calf area. By days end it was swollen and the veins looked like they would pop. On Monday I had a bruise along the side of the knee and it was painful to walk. Glenda thought I should phone the surgeon on Wednesday so I did. The gal who answered the phone did not think it was necessary that I should be seen as the insurance would not cover it. After I firmly insisted to be seen she gave me an appointment for this past Thursday. When I was seen by the doctor I told him about that and he was not too pleased. He assured me that I should have been seen that day or as soon as possible as I could have had a blood clot. I did say I mentioned that to that gal who told me she did not think so! He ordered an Ultra sound right then and there. As it turns out I have Superficial Thrombophlebitis...." an inflammatory condition of the veins due to a blood clot just below the surface of the skin".  As it turns out, I did rest the leg up and applied ice and took care not to rub it at all...all the right things....but it could have been more serious is what the doctor told me. Not to worry, I am doing okay. It is painful and still swollen and black and blue even after a week of doing the right thing. So, let's not tell him that I did lift a large plant to move it, and did climb the step ladder and ... and... I am now following orders of rest and ice and Naproxen as needed. Today is my day off!
Plans are to do only the essentials and do some crafting....found an adorable ornament to make and what else I find in the craft bin to work on.  Thank you for your kind words and emails and caring friendship. Let's have a restful weekend.

Did I hear thunder ?

A nippy morning as has been the morning normal recently. Yesterday it lasted most of the day with lots of clouds. I actually think I heard thunder during the night.
I spent time yesterday with the Shutterfly book...finding pictures and navigating around their site. I think I have the front and back cover ready...very time consuming. It is also slow going as the memories get in the way.
The other day while I was out and about I bought something I have wanted..

Just like the real cooks ... on TV anyway. A salt and pepper cellar. I found a nice spoon for it also in case I do not want to use my fingers to grab a pinch.

It does not say what type of wood but it is very nice and solidly made. The attached lid has the magnetic closure.  It would really be nice if it came with a chef.

 Look, a tomato almost ready. The interesting thing is that this one is not the first one to appear on the plant. As for the beans

Nice and bushy and yet I do not see beans! I read the packet which says they are Heirloom Beans..... all well and good but where are they!?

 Lisa Adams from The Tatting Corner offered a Black Friday Sale and I ordered these and they arrived so quickly...yesterday. They are for measuring the little loops (Picots) on the tatting. I am pretty  good at eyeing them but this will ensure they are perfect.  The products offered and the service are great. Now to make a fob for them.
 Tomorrow is December! The days seem to be a flash. Still have not fetched any decorations from the garage or fixed the kitchen light yet. I think it will be a weekend thing. Later today when I return form the doctor appointment, I will be decorating the courtyard lamp posts. They are newly replaced this year and have electric outlets so I will be adding lights. Another Post Office visit is necessary.... think it will be a busy weekend. I need to finish my coffee and so I will say thank you for stopping by and thank you for the kind words and friendship. 

It's still dark outside

Here I am not only awake but up and out of bed at 5 AM and the washing machine is swishing . My coffee began with an issue...I should say that there would not have been half ground beans all over the counter if I had not lifted the grinder lid while the beans were still whirling. So it was start over and now I am enjoying my first cup of the day. I think my love of coffee comes from my dad who loved his coffee. He had a wood burning stove in the basement and would pour water and coffee (already ground) into the pot and bring it to the boil. Not my kind of coffee, but I do enjoy fresh brewed coffee. I tried tatting yesterday afternoon but I have a small cut on the index finger that got caught few times and do that ended. Instead it was back to the computer to ...well, let me start from the beginning. Friend Dianna makes beautiful picture books with Shutterfly. She offered me a coupon for a free 8x8 20 page book. Yes, I want to make a book. So yesterday she brought the coupon and gave me a crash course on how to navigate the site. We took a break and went for a hamburger and then I returned to ...let me just say it took quite a time to upload and scan photos. Guess what I will be doing for the next week.
The Sweet Memory is in bloom

Do you see him hidden in the blooms? Lots of blooms to enjoy right now out there. I think there is a tomato getting ready for me. Those beans...they are growing but yet to see beans.  Remember the fluorescent light issue? Late yesterday it was working just fine. Last night and this morning...back to only half a light. Just when I thought I would not be playing with it...I think (she says with a note of know-it-all) it is a loose connection. We shall see later today when I attempt to check it out. The residents in the aquarium are having a spa day...adding water and a shot of water treatment so it will be a later breakfast for them. Amazingly they are doing well.
Still have not gotten into the Christmas storage cupboard to find the village...right now it is take one wash out and put another in. So, hate to leave you but today is the maids day off. Thank you for chatting with me and for your kind words and for your friendship. 

Early start today

It has been awhile since I have been up and out of bed at 3 or 4 AM. I woke hungry so I have had toast  ( the Black Olive bread) and tea and now ready to go...actually no where to go at this time especially but ready to do laundry and vacuum.
Yesterday I headed out to get a few items for gifts and then I decided to go to the mall and to Macy's for a special ornament.

I wanted a special ornament in  remembrance of Denny. Isn't this lovely? It is simple yet elegant. When I put it on the tree and the light came through, it was delightful. The back is brushed with silver and that gives it that soft glow. If you shake it, the "snow" falls down over the reindeer. Yes the tree is up but not decorated ...

well except for a few ornaments that are special this time. It looks so pretty from outside...and indoors also. Not sure about putting the usual lights out front this year. I did put the tree from the kitchen, a thin style tree out there

The addition of a few boxes and red poinsettias brighten up the porch. I have the wreaths to hang on the house and that may be all.  Getting all the boxes from the top garage storage was always the both of us. Oh I can do it by myself but I had a little fall in the yard this past week. My fault for using a chair to stand on instead of getting the step ladder, so I am being extra cautious.
Speaking of the step ladder, last evening when I put the overhead lights on in the kitchen,

one of the them is not working. So, I guess the step ladder will be used soon to check on the light. I have the replacement fluorescent lights so let's hope this is easy. Did I ever tell you that I hate ladders?
I began some tatting yesterday but just could not get it going. I was sitting outside enjoying the mild temps when it began to get cooler and very overcast. I actually thought it would rain a few drops but of course not. We have not had any measurable rain her in The Valley since October. A couple of drops did fall one day last week.
Since I am awake I should get the laundry in and because it is only 4:30 AM I will wait to vacuum...it seems a bit early to clean house don't you think? I could try the tatting again or maybe read for awhile. Big decisions! I am glad to have you to chat with. Thank you for visiting with me and for your kind words and most of all your friendship. Maybe I could hold off on the laundry and reading and just take a short nap.....

Feeling lazy today

I woke very early but then dozed back to sleep for a short time then just did not feel like want to get out of bed...lazy. Finally here I am up and having toast with the bread I made yesterday...

it is Olive Bread. I used regular black olives and Bertolli Extra Virgin Olive Oil. the recipe tells you that the olive oils used as well as the olives will change the taste. The texture of this bread is nice and not dry. The only thing I would do differently is add the sliced olives a bit later to the mix than I did which will result in larger pieces. Just had it toasted with butter and not bad. I think this would also make good rolls.
I began to tat, well actually on/off tatting. I paid partial attention to the Patriots football game and then a Christmas movie on Hallmark. I did skim the pond. So much easier caring for the pond. Oh I know, Denny never minded all the work when the fish lived here. For me it was torture trying to keep it clean. I am feeling happy about the plants...

If you remember this plant, it is the one that I have killed 3 times and now it is nice and green and blooming. It the plant that Denny planted just before going to hospital and the one he asked me to really take care of....I have named it Denny's Lantana. I did move it from where it was and it is now on the irrigation line so I do not forget to give it water or I should say enough water. It is so nice to have blooms around the garden and out front in November.
I did put up the tree late yesterday and one outside on the porch area. I will take pictures when I finish them.
I need to get out for a few things  for this or that but need to get the ambition first. It may be better now that the big sales weekend is over. Need the Post Office too. I really think I should do some of this today. So, I think then that I should say thank you for stopping by and thank you for the kind words and for your friendship and then get going!

Are the crowds gone yet?

Nippy in the morning and then...boom! hot in the afternoon. I guess we will wait until December (which is just days away) for the normal temps. We certainly have missed Fall temperatures this year. I do not mind because I still get to sit outside and enjoy the nature around me. While sitting on the front porch I had the woodpecker screaming from the palm tree because he would not come to the hummingbird feeder while I say there. Then this cutie....

do you see him in the shadow of the palm tree? He played hide and seek around the tree. With the weather so warm the Prickly Pear cactus is still having occasional blooms...

The massive plant is outside my driveway. All the plants are being fooled by the weather. We have not had any measurable rain in The Valley since October and that was not enough to remember!
Last week our HOA re-did the front of the property in Xeriscaping.

All the what remained grass was removed and the rocks brought in. This was a few days work as it was all done with manual labor.

 There were at least 6 guys and wheelbarrows and shovels and the job was done. Final landscaping will be later. We have the 2 courtyards to also transition and that will start next year.
I did not enter the sale crowds at all this weekend. Instead I remained comfortable in my home/yard tatting.

This is a Tiny Tatted ornament (1 inch) and is a pattern by Linda Gravois. I plan to make more. Before I settle to tat today it will be skim the pond morning before the heat of the day. I also will be making a Black Olive Bread today. Sounds good so let's hope it tastes good.  Time to get outside....so glad you stopped by to chat. Thank you for your kind words and your friendship.
If you are out with the crowds shopping, please be careful. There are crazies out there!