It's Saturday????

I woke this morning and thought it was Sunday. I woke and saw a very dreary sky. The sun has decided not to come out and shine but the garden is still busy with the Hummer sitting by the pond and the White-Crowned Sparrow bathing in the pond and of course the Residents lounging around.

It appears they, the Dove couple, are working...... very slowly I might add....on their home. The temp is around 54 this morning and the forecast is 40% rain...which means a couple of drops may fall.
The package I sent last week, was suppose to arrive at it's destination yesterday... of course did not. Today is the day tracking says it will. My replacement book form Shutterfly was suppose to arrive yesterday not they say next week. Snafus everywhere.
So glad I went to market yesterday so I do not need to go out into this windy day. I plan to make my individual pot pies, Denny's Beef stew and Breakfast Egg cups this weekend and that will be some meals this coming week.  Along the way the bread machine will make some bread....just a plain loaf to enjoy with these meals will do.

In between these projects I will sew on the doll and maybe fit in another snowflake.  I am most relaxed when my hands are creating something. I learned to sew when I was just a girl of maybe 8 or 9 years old. Still enjoy the process of cutting and putting together pieces of cloth. Sounds ambitious right? Now if you paid attention, I said plan.
With all that I  plan to do I think I should get a move on. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind words. Most of all thank you for your friendship. 

Friday and the Doves

Here it is Friday...another week passing by. This weekend I will be joining many gals with the
International Hermit and Stitch Weekend  -- takes place every 3rd full weekend of each month, from Friday till Sunday. In our very busy and hectic lives, IHSW is a chance for us to squirrel some time away for ourselves and "Hermit and Stitch." It is a time set aside to take care of us and our love for stitching.
Hosted by Jo  http://serendipitousstitching.blogspot.com/. You can see the emblem on the side bar that we will display. For me I will work on

a Tilda doll yet unnamed. She will be about 16 inches tall and so far I am still not sure about clothing fabric. This is the first time I will be participating in this event and hope to join in each month. All types of needlework are included which is nice.
Yesterday my footstool

I noticed it when I took it from my bedroom to use with the rocker in the living room. It will need some care very soon. I guess I am not the only thing in the house with a leg problem! I think I will be on the look-out for another one...footstool that is.
I was asked where do I keep my snowflakes and Icicles....

They are hanging on a tree branch that Denny cut for me a few years ago so that I could display whatever. Right now it is the snowflakes. I do have my felt tree that has my other tatting. I think I will make "nodules" here and there to hold them in place better.
News to share...The Doves have settled into a place to live...back to the clock...I prefer them there as it is a better sheltered spot from the hot sun and we can avoid walking by them. So for now while they are settling in I will block off the path in front of the construction zone.
Yesterday was my PCP appointment...she is not pleased, sort of. My blood pressure is high again. So, I will begin to keep a record and upon my next visit ( with lab work) we shall see. I really like her and her staff. Where else does a doctor hug you upon entering the room and tells you to call the office at any time there may be an issue and where the office manager Debbie greets you with a hug and cares about you and misses Denny. We have been going there for almost 14 years. When Denny was ill they both called me frequently to check on us both. I am lucky to have them for a care team.
Well, I should get the bed made, take the Bissell for a walk around the place and invite Swiffer to join us then I can relax. Thank you for your kind words and your friendship.
Today a package is suppose to arrive someplace....!

Lovely Mary Snowflake

Just a quick post...the morning has passed me by! I have a doctor appointment and will be leaving shortly but I wanted to show off Mary

the newest snowflake (from Jennifer Williams book).  A little tricky at first, but once I got the pattern established it was not bad. I would like to make one with gold beads. it still needs starching to add the stiffness that it needs.
The Doves are starting to spend the nights in the garden and as of today they have switched where they will construct their home. First one planter then the other and this morning back to the clock. Don't know what the issue is because the lease amount is the dame for all the garden. I hate to disturb them when they are here busy, so I will go out to check on things later this afternoon. The temps are cool this morning and are going to jump back to the mid 70s.
The A/C unit is still making the humming (loudly) noise....guess that will be a call to make....again. I do not seem to be getting anywhere with this problem.
Well, hate to shoo you off,   cut this short, but I have to drive about half an hour to the appointment so best get a move on. Thank you for your kind words and your friendship.

A box of Wheaties found!

Laundry done, coffee drank and now I am tatting a new snowflake

This is from my newly purchased book and I hope to make them all! I love using beads in all my needlework so this is a plus that there are a few in the book. I enjoy a challenge and tatting with beads can be just that.
I am still in the re-arranging of the craft closet. So, yesterday I decided to find a new place for all my photo boxes to a place I had not moved items on a closet shelf that essential was Dennis' storage area.

This was behind a binder....an unopened box of cereal with the NE Patriots on the box from Super Bowl #36 in 2002. I had forgotten all about this box. When he bought it I thought I would get to eat the cereal and (he does  did not like wheat products) his response was ---  I am saving this box as is and maybe one day Tom will sign it for me ----. Well, now what? Guess it will sit on a shelf someplace else --- unsigned. Still discovering things.....
I have given up on controlling the Alien Snail Vine...

It is everywhere...and even stepping on it does it no harm! It is almost impossible to walk under the arbor s it is almost 2 feet deep and reaches out everywhere! Truth be told, I love it's wild look. The blooms are delicate and pop out here and there.

Yesterday I also cut out the body for a Tilda doll which I will work on this weekend. Now to pick out fabric for clothing....as difficult as it can be to go out and buy new clothes.
Finally made it to the post office yesterday. The package will arrive (hopefully) on Friday at it's destination.
Time  to get more than tatting done around here. Another cup of coffee and a bagel too. Thank you for your kind words and your friendship. It is so nice to have you stop by.

They really are bagals!

Just poking around today. Yesterday I made bagels....taste okay but let me tell you, they could never make the "nice looking" part of the bake-off.

Entirely my fault as I did not form the dough smoothly. Next time...if I do this again, they will look better. Some with sesame seed and others with poppy seed topping.
I also finally understand and think I can manage Cluny tatting.

The first one on the left is perfect, the one on the right, let's just say it is almost right....by that I will say I did not count the wraps just the process so in that case it is acceptable as a learning piece. Practice will get me there. I also need to practice Josephine Knots. When I learned to make them some years ago they wee good but when I do not do them they now need practice. So in between tatting I will practice both of these.

My latest snowflake is complete and just needs starching. It is the same as the last only doing the first half this time. I like some different looks. The next one I try will have beads. I love tatting. Before you ask, I have not given up on my other needle work, just need to change for a time. For now, it is tatting and sewing. Today is definitely cut out doll morning. Also a trip to the post office to get my package mailed.
The Doves were here earlier, resting on the wall at the gate. Until the nest is complete they will come and go as they please. Dennis loved having the nesting birds here.
Today will be a salad with tomato and beans form my garden along with Romaine and cucumbers from the market for lunch. Think I will add a bit of Provolone cheese. I like to try to plan ahead so I am not hungry and trying to find something to eat. With that said and laundry ready to hang, I think I will plan dinner too. So nice to chat with you. Thank you for your kind words and most of all your friendship. 

Cluny tatting at 3:30 AM

A partly cloudy morning but still very nice. I listened to the soulful sound of a train whistle at 2:30 this morning..... since it is freight trans that travel on the line I wondered what was it carrying and where was it going. Then I sat up and got my tatting. That rolling cart that I bought is working out just great. It is really simple to get it to any place even into the bedroom at 2:30 AM.

I decided to learn/practice to tat a Cluny leaf. I think it was not the right time. I have the gist of it all but not perfected yet. Later today I will try and get it right.

Yesterday I finished this snowflake. It is just the first part of the design of the last one I made. I like them to be different. I need to stiffen this today. Then I will try the new book of snowflakes.
I am almost....so close.... to re-arranging g all the crafts from one place to the other. Instead of tatting I should have finished that project but at the time I needed a break.
I was asked if I try to tame the Alien Snail Vine, no I have given up trying It gets stepped on, brushed aside and still travels where it please. I love the loose look of it. That is how the garden is, loose and fluffy! I am not a fan of manicured gardens.  Speaking of the garden.... it is official that the Doves are mating and since it is on my wall that this is taking place it probably means that any day they will begin to build a nest. If not I think they should go courting elsewhere.
Had fun  on Skype with The Brother Alan yesterday using my tablet. I took him and Lisa for a walk in the garden so he could see his cacti area. I just have to learn to keep my finger off the camera part! and which is my left not his left etc. But is was fun and of course good to see them. It will almost be time for them to come back out. In the meantime, I will get to the crafts and the garage. Made chicken soup with rice and egg yesterday and it was delicious. Right now I best get the bed made and take the Bissell for a walk around the house.... it still will not go by itself.  Thank you for stopping by and for your kind words. Most of all thank you for your friendship.
EDIT: Just saw The Dove couple building their abode in the wall planter.....they must have read this post!

Guess who has returned

Another beautiful day. Wishing that family and friends along the East Coast could have some warmer weather about now...drive safely and dress warm.
Had a busy morning; laundry, re-arranging the craft stuff (almost finished), made a chicken soup with egg drop and now plan to tat. All is well outside in the garden. The hummer has been here and gone several times, other little birds stopping by for berries from the Firecracker bush.

This female White-Crowned Sparrow found several berries to munch on. The sound of the pond is soothing today.
Just around sunrise,  I spotted a familiar sight atop the backyard wall

The Doves are back and from the sounds of their cooing to one another it is apparent they are going to build a nest. The garden is a busy place.

The Brother Alan hung a disco ball (we love them and have 2 in the garden) by the pond and the sun is reflecting "parkles" on the wall. You may call them sparkles, but they have been know to me and Denny as parkles because niece Elyssa pronounced them as such.  I am planning to sit and tat this afternoon to finish the snowflake so I can make some from a new book that arrived yesterday.

I love new books! and this one has some lovely snowflakes to make. I am hoping to get enough made to send some out by Valentines day. Chances are that I may yet cut out a Tilda doll. There is nothing on my calendar until Thursday, so I should be able to at least get it started. The problem is that I have been easily distracted this past week. Brain Flittering is what it is. Even as I sit here at the computer, my mind wanders out to the garden. Well, guess I best say adios for now. Glad to chat with you. Thank you for the kind words and friendship.