Pumpkins and an angel

 We are having having a cool down. Can not believe the temp today (Thursday) is under 110! Murphy and I actually got to take a short walk today.  At the moment he is napping on the sofa. Yesterday I made wine biscuits...they are sooooo good.  Tonight I will be making chicken pot pies.... yum.

Just made this towel to display with my mixer. It is from a design by Jacquelynne Steves. The original is to embroider which I may still do another. This just called to me as an applique. I also signed up...including Lisa to the next sew along. Pictures as we go. 

This is the other angel that I made.  I like it so there will be a few more made. Did you think when I typed angel that it was Murphy????

Well he is an angel. We are lucky to have him in our home. Today he took to growling (all of a sudden) at the curio. I recently, days ago, changed out the Southwest items and now it is Autumn. So, it is not like he has not seen it before.

Finally after letting him put his head inside on both sides and all the sniffing, he stopped. A real character. If you click on the picture you can enlarge it....the gold colored plate on the top shelf  is from Italy and belonged to my maternal grandma for whom I am named. One of my treasures.

Did I mention that Lisa and I will be going to the quilt shop to get the fabrics for the project next week? I am very much enjoying sewing with Lisa.  She is off tomorrow...what will we do? Wait until you see what The Brother Alan is going to make for me.....

So nice to chat with you. Time for me to watch Women's tennis. Glad you stopped by. Thank you for your kind words and thank you for your friendship.

Hello out there!

 Hello out there, I did not get lost. Maybe a bit or more sidetracked. You may ask with what. I ask too! I am not making excuses, but my arthritis in my hip and hands have been an issue. I started taking CBD gummy bears and when I take them daily they do help. The doctor also gave me a muscle relaxer that really helps at night so that the discomfort does keep me awake. Have you noticed the changes with Facebook and Blogger? They did not ask me and I am not sure I like the changes. 

The weather here in Arizona has been hot. I know it usually is. This year July, August and now September have been the hottest on record. We have had over 50 days over 110. The Monsoon is not delivering much in the way of rain around here.... just East and South of us. The winds have been  crazy. The other night it was very windy and The Brother did secure the garden...except a wild wind came out and over went a few pots filled with soil crashing to the floor of the lanai. Not knowing what the crash was, Alan rushed out with me behind him followed up with Murphy barking at Alan ... confusion. While Alan cleaned the mess, Murphy was jumping about and finally once he was given a broom he quieted except then he wanted the one Alan was using. Then there was some thunder and Murphy kept looking up at the ceiling  listening for the next one. A bit of rain and it was over. We run a circus around here sometimes. 

A nap with one of his favorite bones always makes things okay.

Lisa and I are still making pillowcases, this time for travel pillows.

This is the one I just finished and plans for a few more covers. It will be easier now that our quilt shop has reopened. 

Here is Lisa's.

Did I mention she loves lavender? Anyway she did a great job sewing this. She also made a  runner for Alan's bureau

Using the idea from the Shabby Chic Roses but made this more masculine. Really came out nice. We have ideas for a couple more. The one I made will be going someplace soon with another pillow covering for the Christmas holiday so it can be changed.  

I began to decorate for Autumn, but cannot find my decorations stored wherever I put them. I remember Lisa and I putting them...... still cannot find them.

Well my friends, a few of you worried about me with an email me to check if I am okay...Thank you Carolyn. Yes we are managing to stay healthy even with Alan and Lisa working and in contact with many people each day. Thank you for stopping by. Thank you for your kind words and emails and your friendship.

Count down.....

It is so nice to wake to temperatures that are so comfortable..... even though by mid day it will be in the mid 90s. Maybe Autumn is finally going to arrive. There are pumpkins out front and the mantel has the look. I have been waiting for October to get here because it means that The Brother Alan and Lisa will be here. As a matter of fact, they will start the drive a week from today.

In between preparing for the arrival I have managed to finish the latest dragonfly. The next one, which is the last one, is already on the beading tray.  I guess I should start thinking about the next Mill Hill kit to look for.  Also need to organize for the next monthly small project. There are only 2 more of the Origami Stars to complete.  While clearing out some of the crafts I found a few kits and patterns to toss out or find a home for. I also have my donation for the school box ready.  I have worked in the garage a couple of mornings before the heat of the day. Amazing what you can find.... and toss out with the trash.
Thanks for asking...the blood pressure has come down but slightly. I appreciate your caring. I also appreciate your continued prayers and good thoughts for Glenda and Don. Sometimes life can be an uphill trek but it can be easier knowing that friends care. Thank you for stopping by today and for your kind words. Most of all, thank you for your friendship.

"Friends are those rare people who ask how we are ad then wait to hear the answer."

-Ed Cunningham

Autumn is arriving....

Slowly the hot days are disappearing. The temps are lower and all officially the Monsoon is over. Soon all of you outside Arizona will change the time... putting your clocks forward giving us an hour difference. That also means it will get dark earlier and take longer for the daylight to begin. At the moment the front door is open as is the kitchen slider... until the landscapers arrive that is.

Change of décor in the living room has begun. Just look at the stem on the little pumpkin!

The opposite side of the mantle has color too. There is a big pumpkin out front too.  It is nice to have new colors around the abode....
It is October 1st...so, that means it is almost time for The Brother Alan and Lisa to begin the journey across from there to here! Goodness it really is getting closer!

Half of the Pink and Blue dragonfly is done. Today I will begin the opposite side. I have just one errand to do this morning then it will be stitch time.

Presenting the October Origami Star.... I managed to have a bit of a pumpkin visible too. Only 2 more to go then it will be time to start the next monthly project. Having small ones to complete has been nice. I think I know what will be next...
Glad to chat with you today. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.
Again, I ask you to keep Glenda and Don in your thoughts.  I ask that you give a little thought out to Ann from Beadlework blog who recently lost her husband Alan.

"Just knowing your are not alone is often enough….."

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.

keeping busy....

I have been alternating on the projects at hand...the scarf, the ornament and getting some fall into the house and of course my Hawaiian quilt piece.

I love hand sewing so this is a pleasure to work on. I am hoping that by the end my needle turning will be better, but for now it is okay. I have been reading up on the history and such and some of the quilt pieces use a small tack stitch and I was taught to use the invisible stitch. So we shall see and maybe the next one I will try the tack stitch. Oh and the scarf is growing...a bit slowly, but it will get there. My ornament is looking good...

now you did not think it would be in focus did you. I m not sure if my niece reads my blog so I want to keep it a surprise right now  how it looks. I will tell you it is cute! I would like to make a few other ornaments so I am trying to work ion this  a little more each day. This will be my 3rd ornament for Natalia. It really does not feel like Autumn here in Arizona but I started to get the look at least in the house....

I really looks nice at night on the mantel. I is not complete but then again we are still in the 90's most days so it is not easy feeling like Fall! the overnight temps are not too bad and the early morning is nice....then the sun rises higher and boom! it is in the 90's and hot. We have had a bit of rain these past few days but not enough to fill the draught here in the desert. I just finished a laundry and hope to sit outside for a short time. I went for lab work yesterday morning and my left arm/elbow is a bit sore today. The gal who did the drawing of 3 vials was really gentle and I do not have any bruising. Limited handiwork today I think. I am still waiting on Alice from The Attic. They have not placed the order yet...I may try one of the other shops out of Arizona. Not that I am in a hurry you understand to begin her, but I just want her in my house. I have realized that tomorrow is September...my goodness these months are just flying by. With that thought, I best get stitching. It was so nice to have you stop by and welcome to my new friends. Thank you for your friendship and kind words. Have a great day.