Keeping busy with help

Our Arizona weather is finally much cooler. I actually am wearing socks this morning! I know in comparison to other places I am lucky. Anyway, a couple of texts with The Brother Alan the other day and then he actually called me to emphasize his comments and the decision was made...hire a landscaper to take care of the garden … at least for now. So yesterday they arrived at 9:30 am and as Alan made it clear "you supervise" and I did.

The Firecracker that was in lovely bloom (at the top) had reached almost 10 feet high and was becoming top heavy...so it is now 6 feet high and I can actually see the lovely Fairy Duster bush..

love the fluffy blooms. It now has more light and room to spread a little. The Fairy bush is at the left and Firecracker in the center against the wall. To the far right is a Yucca plant that was completely hidden by the Purple Fountain grass...

Now the grass has been cut down so it will regrow and be stronger and more controlled. Even the disco ball can shine better! It all looks so drastic but very necessary to allow the plants to grow better. Dennis always cut down the grass by the pond as well as at the back door....

The nice bell was unable to sing and the area very messy. Of course when the grass here was cut, out ran a large lizard and he stood his ground for a brief second until the rake appeared and he scooted across the path to another plant. As soon as the movement ended he moved back to his home in the now sheared grass. I found myself looking out several times.... it will take a few more days to get used to it all. The hummer was also upset with all the garden activity. It won't be long before it all grows again and a bit more control this time. The garden is finally ready for winter.
Than you for the lovely comments on my book. It was made with loving memories of some wonderful years of my life.
Once all the garden stuff was completed I sat and began a new beading project...

I know...what is it? you ask. It will be a snowflake. The suggested beads were white and silver but I have no silver so this  will be gold/white until I get silver. This is new for me as I never did the brick stitch before and I had to start this one 3 times! It is worked from the center to the edge then picked up again and worked in the other direction. It will be around 2 inches.. Hopefully I can do this...it is going to be a long weekend trying.
Here it is 5:45 am and I have been awake since 2:30 am...the day is already feeling long. I think I will curl up on the sofa and find something to watch on TV. Glad you visited...thank you for the kind words and for your friendship. 

A chilly morning....

Oh my I am chilly this morning..... but as it did yesterday it will warm up. My cup of hot coffee is just what I need.

Yesterday my Shutterfly book …."Mostly About Me" arrived...it is just as I wanted...not problems. Although they can be a lot of work, they are so nice to create. I will just share some of the pages....
That is me at 5 months old on the cover...

The first page is a short intro

                                  The back cover is just 2 dried sunflowers

My Maternal grandparents

Paternal grandparents

sis and me

The Brother Alan and me

Me and me

Me and Denny...our wedding

I did forget to include a few things that I wanted...maybe another book? If you have the opportunity to create one... you should. I nice way to document things and pictures for yourself or as a gift. This book has 20 pages and these are only a few.....I am already thinking of another as I type this!

Today will be another stash look and remove day. I managed to do a fair amount yesterday, so I can only think today will be another good day. Some items I had already passed the last time. It is a good idea to rethink and realize that they should go.  I think some of the magazines will go to the library re-sale section. With this nice weather I may even get out to the garden to do a little cleaning today...or tomorrow. What is another day right. Still have not seen the resident bunny...will think that he just moved to a different home.

Very happy that the elections are over and maybe just a few more days of listening to it all. Happy not to have 9 commercials in a row. Glad you stopped by and hope you enjoyed this peek into my book. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

Autumn on the mantel

The weather still is lovely.... cooler in the morning and only in the 80s by afternoon. I just might get out into he garden this week.... not the pond just the garden. Need to do some bookcase re-arranging...not the bookcases just the shelves. Before I know it  Christmas decorating will be here.... seems the days are passing me by rather quickly. Yesterday I remembered that I have a nice mantel display and so out it came. Simple and just enough.

I do not normally do a lot for Autumn but a lot for Christmas. Here in The Valley it does not look like the New England tree colorful scenery... well, it does not look like Christmas snow either but anyway... this is the look right now in the living room. Pleasant to have and the kitchen sidebar still has the October look which is quick Autumn like. No plans today.... not exactly true. I need to meet with the HOA landscapers this morning around 9AM. Then it is pattern sorting later. It has been nice chatting but I really need to have my coffee and maybe some Eggos. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship... glad you stopped by.

Ho Ho and another Ho

Yesterday was another beautiful day here in The Valley of the Sun. The front door was still open at 8PM. I think we are finally in the Autumn weather. I was busy swishing laundry and baking.

This was a new recipe... I have so many I want to try. It is Honey White Bread. Nice crumb texture and very mellow in taste. Yes, there is honey added. This morning I had it tasted and it was still nice and fresh. The only issue with these homemade breads is that there are best on day one and acceptable on day 2 and so so on day 3. As there is only me here (right now) the bread does not get eaten quickly. But I will still bake even just for me.
The Santa Star is finally finished....2448 beads.

One is for me and the other will be riding the sleigh to sis Lyn. A break from beading for at least a week to rest the right hand from the process. I do love these stars though.
I have a day with no plans.... I will do whatever comes my way. Maybe a little reading. I should however begin to clean the garden during these cool mornings. I should but will I? I might continue going through my cross stitch patterns. Found a couple of Lavender & Lace.... never done and will not be kept.... and one that I made for my niece Elyssa when she was born, might hand on to it. I am serious about de-stashing. Then there is the linen...most are pieces good for smaller projects. I will hold on to some but definitely not most. I have 2 bins that will go down to one for sure. If I have not used it by now or stitched it I know it will not be. Crazy to hold on to when someone else can enjoy having it. Right Jo? She will be getting a particular pattern (more if interested). Well, onto making the bed and getting dressed. I want to get into the storage in the garage to find the next change of sheers for the living room. Then it will be ready for the winter/holidays. So off I go to try to accomplish something. Glad to chat with you and thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

Did you rememebr?

We do not change the clocks here in Arizona.... well, they do on the Navajo Nation which is the North East corner of the state.... then there is the Hopi Reservation within the Navajo area that does, confused? Just know that I do not change the time...hope all of you have remembered. There is now a 2 hour difference form my friends and family in Rhode Island. Now that we have that all settled.... yesterday was the Litchfield Faire and it is also today. Dianna was able to change her work schedule to a later time so she and I went and enjoyed a beautiful morning.

A new Woodland Man came home with me....now both entrances are protected. I love this artist's work. They are carved from one piece of tree branch; no two are alike because each piece of wood is different. I think I will be making a collection of these delightful men!

Of course I also had to bring another of Maryann's Twirling hangers home. Her metal work is really nice. This one had glass chili peppers. Then there was the dip sample...Cool as a Cucumber that was very good so I bought a package as well and some Kettle Corn freshly popped. I hope to attend the next Faire  and maybe get a few other things. Dianna bought a lovely Hummingbird feeder. A friend, beautiful weather and a Faire....a wonderful way to spend the morning.
My hand is feeling much better so the Santa Star will finally be finished. Did I mention that when I did finish the last section Santa's face did not line up?! I missed a row and I just took it apart and now will finish it today..? I hope. Then I need to swish some laundry and oh yes bake some bread...Honey White loaf. Sounds good so I will try it. Still leaving messages on machines with no one returning my calls. At this rate the pond will remain closed for some time. It is so frustrating as I know what has to be done but am not able to do it myself. I know, some of you are thinking I should just close it for good. However, I really enjoy the sound and how it looks in the garden. But…..the thought has crossed my mind. I could try returning it to a fountain instead of a waterfall...but … still thinking on it. I will try again with phone calls this week... not ready to give up yet. Okay, time to get to the  laundry and baking the bread. This may be a biscotti week too. Glad to chat with you. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship. Have a good day.
Reindeer Food..... still making packets of anyone needs some. Just email me ….