Finally ......

Very little sleep last night but woke at 7 AM to see a beautiful sunrise. A lovely way to end the year. Yes, we have finally arrived at the last day of 2018. Tomorrow a new page starts in the year 2019. I will celebrate with my traditional late night shrimp and maybe a sip of sparkling wine. If tonight was last night it would be perfect as I did not fall asleep until 4 AM...but of course I probably will nod off before 10 tonight.
Guess what I learned yesterday. Everyday something new pops up around here. You may remember that I got my new car this past September. So for all these past 3 months I am still learning things. I figured out how to put the radio on rear speakers.... I finally drove one evening and had to find the correct headlight setting.... how to maneuver the drivers seat.... and that brings us to the steering wheel. Yes, the steering wheel. All this time I have been having trouble seeing properly over  the darn thing. I kept adjusting the seat and still was not 100% comfortable. Finally while out to get milk at the market...which I forgot and had to return for.... I discovered that the steering wheel adjusts! Who knew! Finally I am now able to clearly see better and have it adjusted to me. Of course all of this ends when The Brother Alan arrives this Spring...it will all be adjusted back for his comfort. He will be the designated driver while in town.

It is official...today I begin the pack up of decorations. Now to figure what will go where and how it will go and then to get it back onto the shelving unit....I think I will be busy all day! If you are looking for me you certainly know where I will be.
A note.... I wish I had a way to contact some of you … when you leave me a comment and you are new to my blog, and there is no email attached to you that means I cannot respond. I am not with Google+ … please be sure to leave your email if you want a response. You can also email me directly...on the right sidebar.
Okay, I must get a start here or I will be in a turmoil for days to come. Glad we chatted. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship. If you will be celebrating this New Years Eve at home like me, I hope you are able to remain awake to usher in the New Year 2019. I will try but make no promises.

I wish you all a very happy New Year ….. 2019

Decorations and fabrics

I thought I would just stay curled up to keep warm yesterday..... did not happen. It was cold... darn right cold. The temp was in the mid 30s when I woke up and socks went on immediately and remained on all day. The temp only went to high 50s. Normally it is in the mid to high 60s. so many people are not well...colds, coughs and the like. The Brother Alan has a terrible cold.
I made one of the origami fabric stars...

using 2 pink prints. Then I thought, there goes my thinking again.... how about if I make one a month in a fabric selection that I think (that word again) is of that month.

here is my 12 month selection. Some will be 2 fabrics and a few will be 4. I am looking forward to this project. Has anyone else besides me and Vickie made these? Anyone planning on making them? Let me know if you will be. So, all my selections are in the shoe box waiting for the first week in January. Now, since I went into the garage cupboard to get the 2 bins of fabric to make my choices from I thought (there it is again) why not take in some of the decoration storage boxes....and begin that project.....

this is as far as I got...picking fabric was more fun!  There is always tomorrow to pack stuff. Anyway, my hand was hurting. Speaking of that, I call the surgeon on Friday and the soonest I could get an appointment to have it x-rayed is January 25th. I am on a cancellation call list. I rest it when I can and often. I am lucky that I can take it easy and do nothing at all if I wish.  So I just may get to start the decoration packing with the tree left to be last.
Just a few more days left to 2018. I plan on a quiet NY eve and probably will not be awake to see the first minutes of 2019.
 Glad you visited with me today. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

One more delivery

Still trying to put it all in my head...one more week and a new year  will be here. Where did the time go..... oh, if I sit it will all come rushing back to me so I think for now I will not. Yesterday the mail brought 2 more gifts!

Lynda Ruth sent me these lovely crocheted stars for my tree. I love the color, so deep and rich red. They look pretty on my tree.
then the other was from dear Vickie....

a beautiful origami fabric star. She chose lovely fabrics for this one....a bit of sparkle and some print. I had wanted to try this pattern but seemed to run out of time. Thank you both for gifting me this year.
I just had to try my Quesadilla maker.... of course I did. I love gadgets and tools of the kitchen.

Yum.... lunch was very good. Going to love the many different possibilities with this. Quick and simple. I had to get romaine at the market so why not get the fixings and enjoy a quesadilla. The real purpose of my errand was to go to Lowes where they had storage bins on sale... for the Christmas stuff to be packed away next week. I always dread this part of the celebration. Getting all the empty boxes down and organizing them then putting them back. This year should be easier since they will not be going into the high cupboard. Instead they will be on the shelving unit. Anyone who really knows me knows that I am an organized person so having the garage in disarray is driving me crazy. Usually it is New Years Day or the day after that it all begins. Why does it take longer to put away than it did to get it all out!?  Oh well.
So, coffee is finished and it is not yet 5am. Maybe I can just curl up and watch the news something cheerful on the TV. Glad we had time to chat today. Thank you for the kind words and for your friendship.

One more to go.....

Hope everyone enjoyed the Christmas Day festivities. I am thankful to dear friends Dianna and Bobby for including me with their family for the day. They made my difficult day easier.

This gift from them was inspired by my post about The Carol of the Bells. I jingled all the way home form their house! It is out on the lanai and waiting for a good wind to come along.
It is nice when people know what you like when they get you a gift....

This was from Glenda.... I am sure you notice the turquoise hanger...it is from one of my favorite artists. And a lovely plaque that is already on the fridge for me to see and read each day.

Sis Lynowl was paying attention many months ago... while during one of our phone conversations I mentioned that I would like to get a Quesadilla maker. It was delivered in that beautiful green sheer bag! Can not wait to get the supplies to make lunch! I once worked with someone who used to make us lunch  with the same one and the possibilities are endless.
It was a very nice Christmas under my tree...🎅
I was treated to a four bloom for Christmas...

Yes indeed...4..... f o u r   blooms bringing the total to 7 flowers on this amazing plant. There is another lower shoot but I do not think it will amount to much but who knows.
We are on the count down to the end of another year and one more day to note, New Years Day. This means almost time for me to get ready to pack up all the decorations and store them away. Do you make New Year resolutions? I never make resolutions. This year I plan to make a list.... a list of what I hope to do during the coming year. I will have a craft box with patterns and some supplies so that I can just open it and choose a project. The Brother Alan gets a To Do List each time he comes out but this is not for him...he will be happy to know. His fun stuff is the garden, the house and other things. Time to get a move on around here. Coffee is almost finished and the Housework Fairies have not arrived. They seem to be on an extended vacation. Happy to have you visit with me today. thank you for the kind words and for your friendship.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all of you!

 Thank you from the depths of my heart for all the love and caring messages this past year. 

Your friendship has been a treasure. I am truly lucky to have you all in my life. 

Here's to our continued friendship for New Year 2019

Seven blooms!

Did you see the bright full moon last night? As I walked into the kitchen at 12:30 am it looked like the back light was on! Then I saw the bunny running for cover as I stood in the window.

Then this morning the sun rise out the same window with no bunny in sight. Chilly start again to the day with temps reaching maybe 72 later...no complaints from me. I baked almond biscotti and almond shortbread cookies yesterday afternoon. How I got so ambitious is beyond me. I may make Pizzelles later...not sure what is going on today. Maybe another Snow Globe Snowman. Need to take it easy today...a slight fall yesterday has my back sore. Not to worry, I did not get hurt just missed the desk chair which began to roll away without me.

Surprise! The Amaryllis will give me 7...seven blooms! I have never had such a fantastic Amaryllis. My RI sidekick LuLu sent me an email telling how to store this plant and hopefully in October it will be back to bloom again. I definitely will try it.
I have a new project/experiment in the kitchen …

My green onions are growing....the one with the bright green sprout is several days old and the others are only a few days... soon they will be potted.  My herb seeds are waiting to be planted also.
The Housekeeping Fairy has not arrived so I guess I will need to do a few chores.  I enjoyed chatting with you today. Thank you for the kind words and most of all your friendship.  🎄🎅

A snow globe, a squirrel and a dove

A late day post! The day is very cloudy. We may have some raindrops for Christmas. Having computer issues, well keyboard issues again. Next up for me is a laptop!
Today I went to the bank...and noticed that their decorations have been disappearing! They have a large tree of course and a simple wreath behind the counter and they originally had lots of white doves around the lobby...

I thought how nice they looked, simple yet festive. Then I began to notice each time I went to the bank that they were slowly disappearing! Yes, people were taking them.... now before you think I took this one, the gal who I usually see gave it to me. They started with about 40 of these doves and since they have "flown away", they now numbered 10, well now that I have this one 9 are left. Made from heavy pure white poster board, they measure about 6 1/2 inches from beak to tail and the wing span is almost 12 inches. I remarked that these people took them while on cameras mounted at the counter....guess it is the only withdrawal that will not get you jailed.
Then I made my last trip to the post office for the season....hard to believe but they said it would arrive on Monday. Speaking of deliveries, the package to Debbie in Canada already arrived! I came home and to keep my mind calm I finished the beaded snowglobe snowman...

He is so cute, measuring 2 inches square. My tension could be better. Working with clear Delicas was a bit straining....the next one will be looser.  I changed the red bird on his arm to a blue bird, the next one will be a red bird.
The mail brought me a new critter...

The note is from Aunt Rose Marie... she said she saw it on a shelf and it said it wanted to come to visit it's cousin in Arizona! I think it is a he... and here in the Valley I do not see squirrels. They were all over my yard back in Rhode Island and I kind of miss seeing them and their antics. Thank you aunti…. it will be a reminder of RI and you!
I am feeling my age today...back aching, hand swollen.... and all the other arthritic spots are awake. Time to sit back, find a movie to watch and relax. Glad you had some time to visit with me. Thank you for the kind words and thoughts and for your friendship.

On my beading tray

It was a good day yesterday and a good night sleeping. Every once in awhile it happens. I went out for milk and bread yesterday and I thought the market was having a free day...busy does not cover the store activity. It looks like many are having ham for Christmas dinner this year. Still have no idea what will be on my table.

Catherine...look....the Amaryllis is going to have 6 blooms! This plant has been unbelievable. I am going to try to plant it after Christmas. The first three are finished with their blooms but I look forward to having these open.
Yesterday I began a new beading project...

I know it does not look like much but it will be finished today.... that is after my hair appointment this morning. It is a Snow Globe Snowman. I am discovering that working with clear Delica beads is not easy nor are the black beads. A test for my eyes and hand for sure. I say this every year....I will work on Christmas ornaments during the year for next year... maybe this is the year I do just that.
An update from Bobby is that Moochie is already doing better with the prescription medication. She really is a sweet kitty.
We are going to have another lovely weather day...temps near the mid 70s. Normal for this time is mid 60s. Love the weather but hate that the sun does not rise and shine until almost 7:30am.
Today is the last day for mailing in time for Christmas delivery... hope you all made it in time. My tracking tells me all my USA packages arrived, can not check on delivery to Canada…. Debbie, it is on the way. Hope it clears Canadian customs soon. Well, I best get a few things done before going out later this morning. Glad to chat with you. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

Busy days.....

Oh I am chilly! It is around 49 out  with expectations of the temp rising to 75 today. Waiting for my coffee to brew and think Eggos will be on my plate soon. I generally have quiet slow days but recently I have been busy. On Friday an Saturday I was with Glenda helping to set up a dinner and then helping with the clean-up...she worked me to the bone ( I told Glenda I was going to tell everyone!!!) Totally enjoyed the time spent.
Then Sunday was my quiet day..... On Monday a call from Dianna set me in motion. Bobby's cat Moochie was sick and he was at work and Dianna needed help getting Moochie to the vet.

The poor kitty was definitely ill, she was a perfect patient never giving the doc any trouble. She has beautiful markings. I will be checking to see how Mooch is doing today...and Bobby. Yesterday was a planned outing with Glenda. We had a nice time galivanting and lunch too. Then a phone call from sis Lynowl to tell me she received a package...of course since I tracked it I already knew. The surprise was that she was trying not to open it! That did not last long and she opened it while we chatted on the phone.  I never sat at the computer at all yesterday and did not answer my emails until last evening. Debbie was worried and she sent out "Car 54 where are you" email.... we are in touch every day. Sorry to worry her but I finally responded so we are back on track today. Definitely no plans for today...I did say that for Monday didn't I? I hope to make a beaded snow globe ornament that was featured in one of the Facebook groups. I will plan my baking for the weekend... not a fan of baking too far ahead. Christmas dinner will be a simple one. 
The fourth flower on the Amaryllis is getting ready to bloom...any day now.

Look at the color of them! Actually looks like popcorn shooting out of the center! Really pleased with this plant and hope they will be available next year again. I have a new lavender plant but have not put it in the ground yet. Yes, here in Arizona winter is still planting and blooming time. Well I can smell the wonderful fresh brewed scent of coffee and I am a bit hungry so off I go. Glad you visited today. Thank you for your kind words and thank you for your friendship.

A Reindeer and a truck....

I thought I would never sleep last night...it was midnight and I was so awake! But, all of a sudden I guess I did and the next thing I knew it was 7 AM. A chilly start to the day but if it just may turn out to be like yesterday in the low 70s and sitting outside on the lanai may be in the plans.
Oh my friend LuLu in Rhode Island sent me an Ana Lee ornament...

Isn't he handsome.....standing about 10 inches to his antlers and nose to tail almost 7.  Lu and I worked together for a few years before I moved out here...sidekicks were and still are. I needed a bit of joy yesterday so this was delightful to open. The doorbell rang later and Robyn and Dave from "Across the courtyard" appeared

and this truck is now on the tree... and a box of chocolates! How did they know I was down to the last few pieces of my chocolates? I love this lovely ornament. First Denny liked pickup trucks. When I met him 49 years ago that was what he was driving...a rather old beat up truck. It was parked more than on the road. I was driving a new car and told him that is why we got married, so he could have my car! This simple wooden truck brightened my day.
The last of my mailed packages will arrive at their destination today so I guess that means I made it for the Christmas preparations. Hard to think it is just about a week away.
Well, coffee is finished and the day waits..... actually there are no plans for today. It was so nice to chat with you and I thank you for the kind words and for your friendship. 

I light a candle

Every day I think of you and wonder what if.... 

today I light a candle remembering your birthday.

My heart is empty without you.

We are apart too soon 💔

I love you My Denny and miss you so.

I miss your voice

I miss your touch 

I miss your smile

Sadness fill my heart  today.

My love is yours forever.

An Angel and a nut

Getting to be my new normal...getting going later than what was usual. I really do not mind...I no longer think I must get up and going. The day seems to be starting as cloudy again but I am hearing the weather report that it will reach 72 later today. Speaking of later today, Glenda and Don are hosting a Pot Luck lunch, Yesterday I went over to help get it all set up and I brought a little something for Glenda..

an angel made from a doily...one of the many that Glenda recently gave to me.

this angel has wings of feathers....love using feathers. Simple but one of a kind. Adding to the uniqueness is that there is a little bit of tatter with the doily. Next is to make one for me with one of the other doilies.
The other day while out for errands, every time I made a turn I would hear this rolling sound.... like a marble rolling across the window. As soon as I landed at my destination I began to run my hand across the window and will admit it was not easy...short reach! I could not find anything so I though maybe I imagined it. On the return drive it began again. I pulled into a parking lot and once again began to find this noise. I again found nothing. A couple of days later it happened again. I was going nuts trying to find this noise thing. This was going to dive me nuts and I thought I will go to the dealership to have them help me. Once home I grabbed a flash light and a mirror to try to see into the vent area. All of a sudden there it was...

I have no idea where this came from. There are not many trees in our the various parking lots and I do not recall parking under any. I tend to avoid them so the birds can not leave a deposit on my car. But this little nut drove me nuts for many days. Where was it you ask? Not on the inside of the car where I kept looking... no; it was in the well where the windshield wipers are. I am so glad I did not foolishly go to the dealership where I am sure they would think I was the nut.
All my packages are now out for delivery some arriving today and the rest on Monday. I have never been so late with it all. Just could not get it going. It is not that I do not have the Christmas spirit, I just needed a push. Finally the "me" gave "myself and I" a push.
There were places Denny and I would go during this time to enjoy the decorations and at night where "snow" would fall while we drank a cup of coffee sitting on a bench. I find it difficult to be taking off by myself. I may go off this week and see where I land. I really do not like driving distances or at night but it is what it is. Right now I should be going off to swish some laundry and walk the Bissell. Making the bed is a good idea too. Glad to have you visit. Thank you for the kind words and for your friendship.

Santa's back...found

Well I am certainly getting a late start to my day. I guess I was tired when I woke at 4am and fell back to sleep…. awake and first cup of coffee down. I do have a few errands to take care of then it is off to Glenda's this afternoon. Although it is very cloudy they say no rain...we shall see.
On Tuesday when Dianna and Bobby were I noticed that one of the Santa earrings was missing. Disappeared…. vanished under the tree.

I had the card with them on one of the branches and now there was only one. We looked and moved packages not once but a few times. This morning I glanced down and there it was...dangling from a lower branch. Amazing how three of us could miss it.

All is ready now, he can deliver his packages in just 11 days...oh my! 11 days.... glad I am finally ready. Actually I will be when I go to mail the last 2 boxes.
I made a lovely...well I can not say yet because it has not yet been received but I really like it and can't wait to show you. Tomorrow a few people should receive their packages and sis if you are reading this you are not getting it yet!
Time to get a move on...things to do.....so nice to have you stop by. Thank you for your kind words and thank you for your friendship.

3 Blooms and Two Friends

My day has started much too early... 2:30 am. I have a few errands and then I will settle for a movie or 2 and a cat nap. The Amaryllis has really bloomed!

Three bright red flowers and another could bloom by Christmas. This is one of the nicest I have had in years. … And no care! There is a shoot lower on the stem and that may also grow... I would not be surprised.
The Christmas cactus is giving one or two flowers a day which is nice. I know, they look so pretty in fluffy bloom but then once the flowers are finished then nothing. this way I have a flower each day or two with lots of buds in wait.
Yesterday was such a lovely day...Dianna and Bobby came for Christmas lunch.... at Bobby's request it was lasagna. Bobby always travels here with his full tool bag and so off to the garage he went while dinner was in the oven to fix that cupboard door. I will be safe now that it is secured again. Two dear friends who show up to lend a hand when needed and not even asked.  Dianna supervises! Christmas packages have arrived....

This lovely knitted Mobius and stitched piece is from DebbieB...Canada has a postal strike, but Debbie says this arrived quickly. We are in touch daily...through emails. Hope my package is not to arrive to her. This year she began to spin her own yarns.
A surprise from England.... from June arrived....

a lovely angel key fob and slim calendar of angels. I have never seen such a sweet calendar.....thank you both so much for thinking of me. Be sure to stop by their blogs (click on the name) to see what they are up to.
Not much needlework or  beading has been done as my thumb and ring finger are "locking" more. Thank goodness the Voltarin Gel helps a little for the pain and a few god books to read. Of course Hallmark Christmas movies are generally good to fill the time. Speaking of time, I need to get a move on as the exterminator will be here before I know it for the monthly spraying of the garden and not meeting him in pajamas is preferred. Laundry needs to swish and the bed needs to be made....off I go to finish my coffee so I can get it all done. Thank you for visiting and for your kind words. Thank you for you friendship.

Jo's Advent Calendar

We are so lucky to have a blogging friend who keeps us busy throughout the year with Blog Hops. Of course I am talking about Jo and the 2018 advent Calendar Blog Hop. I am day #8

Meet Angel Noell from Brooks Books. I love the patterns...they are on perforated paper and fun to do. I made a few changes: I added beads to the wreath and omitted the hair decoration. I used feathers for her wings. I also added specialty fiber to fluff up her stole. When Christmastime is over she hangs around in my bedroom. 

Each blog hop Jo has a question for us to answer. This year she wants to know what our favorite Christmas Carol is. This for me is a hard question, let me explain. Through the years my favorite carol have changed. When I was a child of course it was those Jingle Bells and Frosty songs. Then as a young girl "in love" with her soldier boyfriends (during the 60s and before Mr Horton) it was I'll Be Home for Christmas type. Then one day after leaving a hospital in Boston where my dad was for end stage cancer, Dennis and I stopped at the Chestnut Hill Mall to spend some time after a trying few hours. As we entered it happened to be the Christmas department of a store and ( for your listening pleasure click here)The Carol of the Bells was playing by George Winston. My heart immediately responded with a calm and soothing feeling. I had heard it before but this time it felt like it was playing just for me. 

The original folk story related in the song was associated with the coming New Year, which, in pre-Christian Ukraine, was celebrated with the coming of spring in April. The original Ukrainian title translates to "the generous one"^[4] or is perhaps derived from the Ukrainian word for bountiful (shchedryj),^[3] and tells a tale of a swallow flying into a household to proclaim the bountiful year that the family will have.

My dad passed on December 18, 1985 a few weeks after hearing this amazing carol as played by George Winston. So, although I love all Christmas music and play it all during the season, this is my uplifting song and yes it reminds me of the coming year and the promises new things to come.

Merry Christmas my friends and look forward to a New Year.

Rainy day bloom

Another day with rain... that started late the other evening and seems to be staying around. For the most time it is just lightly falling but the plants are sure loving it.

Remember that the Firecracker Bush was cut back....look at the blooms starting to appear. It may be December but that is what happens here in Arizona. It should fill out quite nicely this Spring now that it is thinned and dead branches have been removed. The Sweet Memory still has flowers but that will need a good trim in the Spring. In the meantime...

The Amaryllis has revealed that it is red and starting to open. There is another shoot lower on the stem that will hopefully grow to bloom around Christmas. The simple dowel support seems to be keeping it straight. This new idea of having the bulb in thick wax and not watering seems to be really working. I plan to try to plant it after it finishes flowering. Not that it has worked in the past, but who knows.
Earlier this morning I received a text with pictures from my friend Pam back in RI. She wanted me to see that she still puts the ornaments that I had made for her in the past on her tree..... including the two that Dennis had painted of the Grinch and one of Santa. It really warms my heart to know that she still hangs them on her tree and remembers our friendship.
Today will be a nice remain indoors out of the rain and nippy air and do.... not sure what but whatever I do or do not do,  it will be okay. I may do some tatting.... I am out of Denny's Angel's. The last one left here this past week.
Today is Pearl Harbor Day...77 years ago the phrase "A day of infamy" was started. As I have posted in the past, my dad was there on that fateful morning and was lucky to survive and return home at the end of the war.
Glad to have you stop by today. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship. Tomorrow Reindeer Food will be also flying to the special children on my list...still time of you need some with notes included. Just email me with child's name and address.

Christmas decorating and a gift arrived

Sometimes I sit and think and sometimes I wish I had just moseyed along. I miss having my Denny around and try to remember his words to me...… anyway, the phone rang the other evening and it was sis Lynowl worried about a package that was suppose to arrive for me around the 13th but now it was coming early!...it was arriving Tuesday by 9PM.  You see, sis can not have a package around and not open it immediately. I on the other hand can wait until the "time" …

Yesterday morning a phone call from Across the Courtyard from Robyn to tell me she could see a package left at the front door. There was no ringing of the door bell and this was early. I brought it in and texted sis to let her know it arrived. I opened the big box and this beautiful green silky bag appeared. No, I have not opened or peeked inside. Curious, yes, but I am patient.it sits prettily by the tree.
 I got to decorate again for someone else yesterday afternoon...Glenda. She asked me to add the ribbon (like my tree) to her tree. I was delighted. It was the first time since moving out here that I got to do this. I think I mentioned that I used to help decorate several homes each Christmas back in RI.

Wearing my Beaded Santa earrings, and juggling wire  was telling her that and  in RI I had a nice cobbler style apron to hold all my tools and before I knew it she appeared with this pretty apron...the very style I used to have and gave it to me. Not the I am doing more home decorating, but I will enjoy having it the next time I am juggling this and that while decorating. Her tree is pretty (already was) and some lights put around the other décor. It felt so nice to spread my decorating cheer once again. Today will be a quiet day. I have gathered all the ingredients to make Banana Nut bread and my crochet project will be finished.
Coffee has finished brewing and I think Eggo waffles would be good. Nice chatting with you today. Thank you for visiting and for your kind words. Thank you for your friendship.

A happy memory of Aunt Lucy

Brrr… another chilly morning here in Arizona. Our normal temps for this time of year are around 68 but it is only to be in the low 60s today. Guess I will have to wear long sleeves! I managed to wrap one gift to be mailed yesterday...I am really behind the schedule this year.  It is not for lack of spirit, just that I feel lazy this year. The cheerful spirit is all around me here.

Beside having a lovely violet and cactus in bloom, the Amaryllis is growing quickly....already is 6 inches higher than when I first posted. I will be looking for something to help support the shoot from toppling over. I think I have a solution …. at least I will try it later.
I have been busy crocheting a Christmas gift and rather enjoying it too. It has been a long time since I have had a hook in hand. It brings such fond memories to my mind which is a part of Christmas isn't it. Did I ever tell you about my learning to crochet? If not here it is; if so I still will share.
My Aunt Lucy (dad's aunt) taught me during the summer when I was just 8 years old. One morning she handed me a steel hook and a ball of kitchen twine. Aunt Lucy showed me how to make a chain stitch and told me to practice during the day. I loved it and by the end of the day that ball of twine became a very long chain. I handed it to her later that evening and she was impressed and I felt so proud. The very next day she handed me the hook and twine and during the day I would practice my chain . This went on every day. At the end of summer I asked her what was I going to make with all the chains. Aunt Lucy looked at me and said that there was nothing to make. I was puzzled as I had made a chain every day. Aunti then explained that I had learned well and my stitches were nearly perfect. Then she told me that each evening she would re-roll the ball of twine and hand it back to me the next day. I felt disappointed and she hugged me and said..... feel happy and proud that you learned to crochet and next year I could learn to make something. I went on to edging around handkerchiefs the next year and still have a few that I made all those years ago. Practice makes perfect for a happy childhood memory that is flooding me today. Happy too that you took time to visit. Thank you for the kind words and for your friendship.

Christmas bloom in white

We had that rain I mentioned the other day...good thing I had my supply of Gelato. Yesterday was very chilly; I had to wear a long sleeve top! But in my kitchen, the Amaryllis is needing to be turned daily as it is reaching for the window and....

just in time for December 1st, my white African Violet has a bloom and right behind it my Schulumbergera or Christmas Cactus has an open bloom with more to follow. I have an older one that usually blooms pink between Thanksgiving and Christmas but so far seems tired and may surprise me.
Had a nice visit yesterday afternoon with friend Robyn....from Across the Courtyard. We enjoyed a cup of coffee and chatted. We can actually have a conversation from our front doors yet we email frequently! She and her husband Dave have been good friends since Denny died...that is when we got to know one another.
Today is my quick run to Michael's for yarn and a crochet hook. I was totally shocked that the particular hook is not in the jar with my many other hooks!  I must admit that it has been some time since crocheting anything. I also need to finish making a few ornaments this weekend. Right now I need my first cup of coffee and some toast. It was nice to chat with you. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind words. Thank you for your friendship.

A different Amaryllis

A chilly morning...but still very nice. My appointment for noon just showed up (8am)....I really do not mind because then it is over with. It is the electrician for the HOA....who knew there were reset buttons on the lamp post electrical outlets!?
Yesterday when I went to Lowes to construct a simple birdbath for the garden, I remembered to buy my Christmas Amaryllis...

 have you seen this kind yet? It is encased in handmade wax and needs no water! I was told that it is true and will bloom without needing to be cared for...just put it on the counter and leave it alone. While there I also bought a lovely red Poinsettia; both of these are a Christmas must.  I did buy 2 small bushes for the front area... Eremophia maculata Cupid known also as the "emu bush". Where do these names come from. As soon as there are blooms I will share a picture. It will add a bit of color to the porch area. These may be mauve in color and will be good for the hummers.
Today needs to be ---organize the Christmas boxes to the shelves in the garage....should not take too long. After that I plan on doing...if you guessed nothing you guessed correctly. I have dough thawing in the fridge for doughboys...also known as fry bread for later. Time to finish my coffee....before the electrician returns from getting part for the lights. Always nice to chat with you. Thank you for your kind words and for caring. Thank you for your friendship.

I thought the tree was finished!

The  mornings are starting chilly but by afternoon the doors are open and the weather is just fine....low to mid 70s this week. The garden although quite bare compared to early season, it still giving me yellow daisies and Sweet Memory and Fairy Duster blooms. Nice to look out the kitchen window to see this. Speaking of looking out the window... someone has been looking in! Since the tree went up and lit this past weekend I have a hummingbird who stops by the window about 4 feet off the ground and hovers . He glides from side to side (the window is almost floor to ceiling and slider width wide) and then he darts off quickly. It is a sight to see but so far I have been unable to capture him on camera.

A quick stop by visit from Glenda yesterday and this beautiful ornament is now on my tree. Thank you for this blown glass double ornament...it looks pretty with the lights shining through. The red inside is perfect with the sheer red ribbon. I really think I will stop rearranging the tree.... so I say.
I did manage to continue beading the snowflake then realized as I started the send half that I did not finish the first side! So that is a must today. Still have not ventured out to finish my shopping, but will do so soon. Canada's postal strike is upsetting my mailing plans there. Seems like Christmas packages will be arriving late.
An update on Eva P, mom. She did not break any bones with this latest fall but is badly bruised and will be quite sore for awhile yet. The leg is very swollen and will probably require he to be back in a wheelchair for the time being. Thank you for your kind thoughts for her. Just finished my coffee so it will be on to the chores next. Glad to chat with you today. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

More Christmas here

Waiting for my coffee to finish brewing.... cup #1 was at 2 am. Did manage to fall back to sleep so that is a good start for the day.
If you stopped by last Christmas you may remember the Angel....

She tops my tree with lots of glitz and glitter. Since she has a direction, I am sure to keep her pointing into the room... don't want any special blessings leaving the house! The year I wrapped the tree with red sheer ribbon...in a continuous bow...

The ribbon is so pretty in the light of day and when the tree lights glow. A hummer came to the window the other day and hovered close to the window to peek!
Mr & Mrs. Fox are still on their bench...

They are in front of the desk with a gift box and an ornament waiting for Santa. And my Rudolph is perched high on the curio...

sis Lynowl gave him to me … he is with me about 25 years now. He is from a shop in Wickford RI.... a place we spent a lot of time visiting. Not sure if the place is still there but we sure did enjoy being there. It was a restaurant and gift shop.
Christmas is just about everywhere in my house...

Frosty and his gal will light your way in the main bathroom!
My coffee  aroma tells me it is ready for me to drink, so I will dash off for now. I may have some special ornaments that are on the tree to show you next visit.....
Glad to chat with you today. Thank you for your kind words and friendship.
**special note...the mom, Eva P fell the other evening...nothing broken but very sore so please keep her in your thoughts.