It's the weekend

I have no idea where this week went off to. I do know that I am enjoying the Spring weather because winter really is nothing to talk about. I just walked out to the garden to check on things as I do everyday. The water is still flowing down the rocks in the pond....the alien vine is still spreading all over the place.....there at blooms on the yellow bells bush and the sun is bright and warm.
I skyped with The Brother Alan yesterday. The poor guy just about got home yesterday with the train out of Boston.

Glad he left work early because they then cancelled all trains along the Eastern corridor. He and Lisa are ready...oh so ready for some Arizona sunshine. Wasn't he a cute kid? Even back then he wore a cowboy hat! Instead of riding trucks he now rides horses. I did mention that they would be here didn't I? We have tentative plans but we usually just do what comes along. One thing is certain they ...notice the word they....will be going horseback riding one of the days. We also never miss going into Scottsdale to the Rusty Spur for drinks and then it will be whatever.
I did absolutely nothing yesterday. My right leg is still sore and when it is I do not concentrate well. I puttered around the garden but then just sat and listened to the sounds of water. The hummer kept me company for a little while. Today will be a little more yard work after a trip to Home Depot. I just might get to tat later. By the way, The Brother Alan is coming to town....did I mention that?
Well off now waiting for Glenda and Don ...Don will be guiding me with my Home Depot stuff. So nice to chat with you today. Thank you for the kind words and for your friendship.

*****Arrival of The Brother Alan is March 6th*****

A very productive Thursday

What a beautiful morning...the sliders and front door are open and the air is perfect. Dust levels are still down due to the rain we had which I think amounted to about/if at all 1/4 inch!
I finished the tatted snowflake

This is Alison from Jennifer Williams book. Just need to tuck in the threads and starch it. I am really enjoying these snowflakes. My branch is getting quite full.
Yesterday I was determined to tackle the pond repair myself. I know I can always call Don and he will help me but I do not want to take advantage of him and Glenda. She and I enjoy sitting with a cup of tea or out to Mimi's for lunch...that is what we did on Wednesday....Dennis did not like going there and Don does not like going there so we enjoy going there! Anyway, I had already used the sump pump (which was found when I cleaned the garage) and that was easy enough. Now the task was to be able to reconnect the pump to the pipe in the bottom of the pond.

The pond is not a big pond.. thank goodness because I had to get into it to attach the pump. It is in the corner of the garden. Once I got it together (took about 10 minutes for my hands to work) I tested it with some added water and voilà!

the pump did not come apart and the water started to fall over the rocks! I did it but golly! The grass patches are floating and the ducks are swimming.
While the pond was filling I swept the garden and pulled up the string beans which stopped producing. I need to get a few annuals for added color and replace a plant or two. Then it was inside to toss out a couple of plants that were 14 years old and were not well at all. The tomato plant still has some green tomatoes so I will leave it for now.
All in all it was a very productive day. Today is a relax and tat day and since it is so beautiful out in the garden I may just sit out there. Not getting my hopes up, but I have been seeing Doves in the garden again....maybe...
So glad that you stopped by today. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

*****Can it be? Just 3 more days?????*****

There was rain in The Valley of the Sun

The sun is shining and there is a nip in the air...okay it is down right chilly out there. We had rain yesterday on and off but it was raining and I can prove it

The tomato has a drop still clinging....

the Snail vine has bubbles on the flowers

the Fire Cracker bush is holding on to a last drop
Everywhere I look there are rain drops still holding on and soon the sun will dry them all up. I love being in the garden after a rain. Everything looks bright and fresh and there are water diamonds everywhere you look. Soon it will be time to prune a few of the plants to get ready for summer. Now all my tools for the garden are sharp and ready. Later today...maybe...the pond will get some attention. I have the pump and will drain it so I can get it working again.
I did finish my snowflake yesterday...

This is Alison form Janet Williams book. I will wash it and then starch it and tuck in the threads and it will be ready to hang. I really enjoy the patterns in this book. Right now I prefer to tat than to stitch.
I know this is the shortest month but has it really come to the last day?! It seems like it just arrived and now it is time to write in March and start a new countdown. The winds of March ...
Well, enough of that. I need to get a move on and get the house in order. The House Faeries are on strike so it is up to me. Thank you for visiting and for your kind words. Thank you for your friendship too.

*****I think there are only 5...oh my...yes, 5 days left*****

Chilly in Arizona

The winter temperatures have finally arrived and I am not happy. No indeed. It is almost Spring and I do not like to put on socks and long sleeves now! It will soon be March and to me it means Spring. The garden is not happy either.....a few plants look unsure of what to do next. So far the "alien" Snail Vine is not slowing down but my lovely geranium is thinking about calling it quits. So spoiled I am with the usual Arizona warm temps.
I should begin by telling you that my legs are finally feeling better, still very tender in certain areas but a lot better. It is a longer process than I thought it would be. Still using all the prescribed medications so I still start my morning a bit scattered in the brain.....some would say not too  different for me! I did keep busy yesterday.....I started tatting another Snowflake

I would have been a littler farther along except I cut the wrong thread and voila! had to start over. So I took a break

moved to my sewing corner and cut out the clothing for Dolly. All set to sew...almost. Trying to decide on the dress part...so I took a break.....brought something into the garage and decided to start to paint my mail box. Our "mailboxes" are really a mail slot from the outside of our garage and the mail drops into the garage. In my case the former owner had built a box for the mail to drop into. The inside area is now painted and today I will do the outside which is still inside...right. The only time to do this is from Saturday afternoon to Sunday as there is no mail delivery. Just adding a bit of color to an all white garage interior...which is quite boring. So, as you can see I did start a few projects and took a few breaks and today will hopefully get back to all of them. Finishing just one of these projects would be nice.
I did enjoy the Olympics especially the Curling and the skiing. Not so much the skating this time. I am not a big baseball fan so sports for me will be on hold for awhile. Guess if it gets warmer I can turn to gardening. Finally found the number of the guy to sharpen the tools so I will be calling him today. He is a mobile van and will sometimes come to you. Getting organized is the goal. Well, I think I need to go sit for awhile until the sun rises and my light-headedness lifts. Thank you for taking the time to visit and for your kind words. Thank you for your friendship.

****there are 8 more days in the countdown****