Let me introduce Vivian

I have been busy. To be truthful it is because I got out of bed late...never mind the time, let me just say that I fell back to sleep after waking at 2AM. Then it was on to the normal morning things and to baking . Before I tell you about that....meet Vivian

This is Vivian age 96. She lives about 10 house away...remember that. I have seen her ever since I have lived here. Almost every day she walks to the Safeway which is a distance with her rolling walker. I should say she walks quite fast. She "over dresses" but probably because she is chilly. Early yesterday my back bell rang and there she was. " Are you tossing this out"... referring to the butcher block cart in the picture. Yes I replied. "Can I take it because I can really use this". Of course I replied. I then told her that I would take it for her and off we walked..... a fair distance with me tryin to keep up with her. At one point she asked me if I was okay! Finally we arrived at her home and into the garage I wheeled the cart. We walked back and she asked me if there were any other items I might be getting rid of. I told her I would send her a note if so and she smiled and thanked me and off to Safeway she went.
Now back to the cookies. I had a craving for Almond Shortbread cookies and this is a simple and delicious recipe.

They are rich … lots of butter. I only put a few out or I would eat the entire 9x10 pan! If you are wondering if I worked on my new counter...of course. It moved easily to the electric outlet and clean up was a breeze. Having everything that I needed right there was great.
Well, Glenda is on her way for tea and chatting so off I go. I hope Vivian brought a smile to your face as she really made my day yesterday. Thank you for the kind words and for your friendship. Glad you stopped by to visit.

Ta-Da~~~

A text message from this guy and then Bobby came to the rescue. He travels with his own tool bag (even though I have lots of stuff  in the garage) and sets to work. We got all the pieces spread out.... yes I did help unlike someone else...

Once she poured a glass of iced tea, Dianna made herself comfy and found something to watch on TV. It took some  time to get it all together but in the end....

the man with the electric screwdriver had it all finished. Dianna did manage to help a few times.... love them both! Whether it is the 3 of us or just Dianna and I, there is always laughter. They are quick with a hug and a smile. I am so very lucky to have these two special people in my life....

Dianna and Bobby

 Kitchen work cart with a black granite top ready for work.

In the wee hours of Monday morning... at 1:14 AM a message from an Italian research professor in Italy, Matteo Pretelli, from the University of Naples (Italy), who is doing a study on WW II veterans specifically from Rhode Island and a particular neighborhood...Silver Lake, where I grew up... where my dad's family lived. I told him as soon as I could I would contact him later in the day...and at 2:25PM Arizona time, (there is a 9 hour difference  in Italy) we began our Skype conversation. For about one hour he asked questions and I shared what information I had about the neighborhood, the Italian families there and my family as well as what I knew of my dad Joseph's time in the Army during the Pearl Harbor attack.Thank goodness his English is excellent because my Italian has fallen far to the wayside. He is a delightful man and I hope to hear from him again. 

There you have what I have been up to in the last few days...and beading on another Santa Star too. The weather has been crazy, with a few days of rain, lots of rain and much cooler temps. I actually had to close the sliders as it was getting too cool in the house! Right now it is 60 degrees and will be around high 70s.... that is about 10 degrees cooler than normal. I guess I will trade my shorts for my capri length pants! Time for my coffee which just finished brewing....glad you visited with me today. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

I give up....

Yesterday was a full day of rain here in the West Valley. Every so often there was a flood warning issued which included my area. Of course I never set foot out of the house so I can only say that I had no flooding at mi casa. This morning began  with another splashing of rain but has since stopped and the sun is bright. Sliders open as is the front door....

I thought.... well rain again maybe I can try the work counter/cart..... so tell me why do they pack the very first pieces that you need at the bottom of the carton!?

After finding the 5 pieces needed I changed my mind. That is right. I am apprehensive that if I should begin this I will not be able to continue ( like with the lanai set----Don rescued me) and then have pieces laid out (like with the Library Bookcase---Bobby rescued me) and stepping over pieces of wood is not ideal... I could fall (like I have before when stepping over things--- Glenda and Don rescued me). The directions state to use a screwdriver.... not an electrical on.... and I am not very good at using one with all that has to be attached. Of course Bobby would ignore that and use his trusty electric one. Do you hear what I am getting at? So, tomorrow I will look for a handyperson who can assemble this furniture. it seems lately that when The Brother Alan is here we order stuff and it arrives after he leaves!
I started another Santa Star yesterday and that will take my mind off this project... I hope. I have a chicken soup on the stove  for later. I will make the pasta then. How about some garden rain pictures....

So many raindrops...…

Okay, time for my orange juice and southwest hash browns with egg.... thanks for listening and for your kind words and most of all your friendship.