A Wondeful Time

Hello, it has been a wonderful time, sorry for neglecting the blog. With the extended time here in Arizona we have enjoyed every moment. Happy to have missed the storm, glad for the sunshine. We have once again traveled the Tonto National Forest on horseback, visited the Botanical garden (with  a bonus trip to the Butterfly Exhibit), shopped at Scottsdale, enjoyed some fine dining as well as great company. We hosted a small gathering for our new friends here in Sun City. We went out for Ribs at a Saloon in West Gate and there was a car show there. We laughed. Grace and I cleaned the pond in the backyard and extended our automatic watering system for the beautiful backyard, while Lisa supervised. Grace and Lisa worked on a shadow box for our room.

Always amazes me how the Cacti bloom the most vibrant flowers.

Did I mentioned we laughed? The extra days were relaxed, dividing our time home and exploring always finding a nice place for lunch. We were invited to friends houses and enjoyed everyone's company. Many pictures and did I mentioned we laughed? This visit was more spending time at a second home rather than running around, and I liked it. Perhaps that is why I have neglected the Blog. It has been a while since I have taken two weeks away from work, but  have a great Assistant Director and besides a few phone calls to check in I have not had to work from here. Our daily travels were spur of the moment deciding in the morning which way to go and where to stop. We were visited multiple times a day by "Buddy" our resident Humming Bird.

"Buddy"

My mount was "Colonel and Lisa's was "Woody"

 A Shelby Cobra, the real deal not a replica, a car I have seen at the Barret Jackson Auction which sells for over 1 Million Dollars,

View from Dinner

 The yard at night casting a spell on the wall

Botanical Garden 

The Pond with resident Ducks

Has it been a week???

Goodness me, where has this week gone and where was I while it was on it's way? Thank you for emails of concern, but I am okay. I know I was with Glenda one day and dinner one night (made a delicious chili), I know there was a doctor appointment and I know that I was with Dianna yesterday for breakfast and lessons...and I do not have any needlework to show for the week....I did no yardwork but the house has been cleaned.
The replacement Shutterfly book arrived on the 23rd --finally--- and it was not corrected, in fact they changed the cover color. This first project has been off to a bad start. Dianna (who is very experienced with them) helped me yesterday and she spoke with them for me. So now I will await their email then re-submit the book and it will cost me nothing. I also have extra pages and it may be that I have another free book coming, not sure so I will once again contact them to clarify. Dianna really gave me lessons yesterday and I am confident that I will make better books in the future.
The mail arrived yesterday with this....

A birthday gift from Debbie. Knowing the mail delivery service and customs, she sent it a week early but I had to open it now! The cheerful butterflies called out to me....

The back round you see is a perfectly fit for my table, table topper of Sugar Skulls! There is a color yourself notepad, and some labels in a sheer pouch and a beautifully made pouch with tea bags.

Debbie and I still email everyday. She mentioned that she was sewing and that she was doing this or that....and it was for me! Thank you so much Debbie and Laurie for my surprise package! I love my gifts. I would never have believed that I could feel close to someone who lives so far away, who I have never met in person, ...in another country even! I am very grateful for her friendship.
Today I must...... repeat must work in the garden. I have a few plants that need extra attention and the pond for sure.  I also have tomatoes to pick and beans. Forget the "alien" Snail Vine...it is still crawling everywhere.  The Doves are still under construction.... very slow to accomplish anything out there. I really have a job to do out in the garden.
My tatting has been an issue. Lesson: if feeling distracted, do not tat. Simple as that. Nothing more to say on that subject.
The doctor visit on Tuesday went well. The first vein procedure will be February 1st and then at least 2 more after that. Still trying to keep my blood pressure in check, so far it is good.
Well, here it is almost 4:30 and I definitely need a cup of tea and I think some toast. Having you visit is always so nice. Thank you for your kind words and your caring friendship. 

Trouble in Paradise

Yes, just when I think I have it all settled and all is well in my little paradise, my backyard... Don fixed a bad sprinkler head and now there is another leaking. But, I am not too concerned --- yet. I had to cut down the remaining Yucca plant. It is okay because there is lots of new shoots growing. These plants are original to the property. The new issue is a bug problem with the Yellow Bells and Honeysuckle. I will call Robert (the landscaper) on Monday to see what he thinks. Most likely the Honeysuckle which is a beautiful bush will have to be removed. The Yellow Bells I will cut back if that is what he suggests.
I have  yet to tat or stitch...my mind just is not going in that direction. I really miss that creative side of my days. I did bake bread yesterday...

This is French Country bread. The texture is so nice and tasty. My house was filled with such aroma last night. So far this is my favorite to make. I do want to get a bread machine recipe book for more variety. I know I can go on line, but baking from a book is so old fashion and nice.
I went to Hobby Lobby to get the suggested supplies for my on line art class. I have other supplies already. Debbie and I are ready! I plan to sit outside this morning to work on my writing class. This is a very casual class...no grades, basically no rules. You will get what you put into it. I have been trying to use my tablet for the writing but I am having trouble getting it to save to my computer. I did manage to figure out how to add my printer and can print from the tablet. My honey friend Keith who helps me with my computer is away on vacation...I know how dare he when I need him! All will be okay because when he returns there will be Pizzelles for him when he helps me...I know the way to win him over! I am sure he will figure out how to write, how to save so I can edit and then send to the desk top. I sure do not understand the instructions.
I found this cute little chair at the thrift shop

It is perfect condition. I passed up on a nice little table and when I went back it was gone...of course. Let that be a lesson to me!
The laundry is finished, my coffee mug is empty so it is time to grab my writing and sit outside until it gets too warm. The temps are still high. Today is expected to be in the upper 90s. Right now it is comfortable to sit out on the front porch so that is where I will head. Glad you stopped by today. Thank you so much for the kind words and for your friendship.

This and that

Went out shopping yesterday and for lunch with Dianna

found this cute wood bench...it has the words Boyds Bears burnt into the back and is about 14x12x15 and has the Fox couple sitting on it

So far it has moved to several locations..... These are the Foxes that we bought last Christmas and they have been cuddling ever since. At least moving this furniture is less painful than my regular furniture. Let's hope I am finally finished with that.
Today I really get to enjoy my new front porch.

That is if by the time I finish in the yard the temps are comfortable. One of these days these 2 Adirondack will be replaced. For now, they are comfortable and will do nicely. I will be adding a few pots of annuals soon.
Now about my writing class...

As you can see, my writing will be in long-hand in class as I do not have a lap top. Then I will put into the computer for editing and or corrections. On the hand out is a quote: "Whenever and old person dies, a small library burns."--Alex Haley. We will start with a life list.....and to wrote a food memory. As I had to leave early this is it for now. During the week I will work on this. Also thanks to or curse friend Debbi Burke for letting me know of an online class, "Into the light" an art workshop, I will have something else to occupy my time. Maybe this will eliminate the furniture moving business. I should mention something here about Debbie. Everyday since the first posting about Dennis' diagnosis and continuing now, she emails me everyday. At first it was total encouragement to deal with the day to day dealing of the eminent prognosis for Denny. Now, our emails share the day to day happenings of what we are doing. Debbie has been a caring friends and a life line for me. Yes, there are others who have encouraged and offered the virtual hugs and I am grateful to them also.
Today I will dig up the grass plant to investigate the leak with the irrigation system. I am not sure if I can fix it myself, but the landscaper has not gotten back to me and this is something I do not want  to let linger. I will get out there early as once the sun rises above my wall it will be very warm. Yesterday the temp reached 100 and today they predict high 90s. I am hoping to pick up Alice today or even my tatting.
Bet you are surprised to see an early post...well, I have been up since 2:30 and I am sure the irrigation issue has something to do with it. I hate to not have a fix to a problem-- right now. So, glad you visited and thank you for your kind words and most of all your friendship. Let's have a good day.

Up and ready waiting....

Today is the day the Rain Gutters will be installed. As a matter of fact, I am up, ready and waiting for them to arrive at any minute so I may have to stop chatting any minute. Just because I am always awake so early does not mean I want to be dressed and ready to go nowhere. I have moved a few yard pieces as requested but there are some plants that can not be moved so I will be anxiously watching that they are not damaged.
Okay the truck is arriving...gotta go.....
I am back. That was not too bad. Arrived at 8:30 and truck is pilling away at 9 AM.  I swept the yard and rearranged a few things. I enjoy moving this and that as the mood strikes. I like things scattered and not even and row by row. I have favorite places for little additions and love the free flow of some of my plants. Denny (and I did help) work hard to accomplish the type of yard we enjoy. All the plants and bits of this or that are part of what we created. It is getting a little warm already so sitting outside is not going to happen today.  The House finches and the hummers are happy Ray has left. The temp is 73 but should rise to 99 by afternoon. I think sitting and reading is on my schedule.
Sorry for the visit interruption. I will have some pictures tomorrow for sure. Thank you for the kind words and of course your caring friendship. For those of you who follow my Facebook page, thank you for the caring response to my recent post. It certainly helped the hurt feel better.

I think I need Ray's tool belt. It has plenty of pockets and the holster toward the front is for the drill!

What have we been up to?

We have been busy....enjoying one another's company and getting around. Alan and Lisa have their places to go and things to do. Thursday was one of those days. We did have the contractor come to measure the front porch area so it will be refinished to a flagstone finish. We began to chat and he is from Rhode Island, grew up in the same area as Dennis and of course frequented the same haunts as we did. What are the odds of that. The work will be done the first week in October.
Yesterday it was off to Carefree for lunch and shopping.

Meet Beulah. Oh my how Denny hated the "skull people" and he always said when I die you can have one in the house.....so here she now lives sitting in her chair and holding an empty pot. Alan and Lisa also found a cactus that we will plant today. Yesterday when I moved one pot in the garden I found

yes, a Praying Mantas and he is still in the same pot this morning. I wonder if I can convince him to move into another pot as I did have plans for this one.  In our yard the critters always have preference.  For now I will not bother him.
When Alan arrived he mentioned he wanted me to make some fresh baked bread. Okay I said, my recipe takes 18 hours to proof...he was not impressed and on Friday this arrived

and last evening we made a delicious bread and as you can see only a little is left. Today we make a French loaf. Tonight Alan will make a shrimp recipe and we will enjoy dipping the bread in the sauce. Plans for today...I am not really sure. We do have some planting to do. I just go along and enjoy the ride and the company.
Right now it is coffee time.......so, I will say how nice it is to chat with you and thank you for your kind words and most of all your friendship.

Happy Anniversary to my dearest friends Lu and Stan back in Rhode Island.....

A special day

Let me start this by saying, thank you for all the crossed fingers that Alan and Lisa's flight would take off on Tuesday. They even arrived on time. here in Arizona.
We did some catch up on Tuesday afternoon and they settled in after a long morning. Alan decided he just had to move the disco ball that has been in our yard for 12 years...

What a surprise he had when he tried to hammer the hook into the ground. The ground here is rock hard and you literally need a pic-axe to dig a hole.
Alan now knows and things moved smoothly after this.

It is now in it's new spot across the yard. You might ask why did it need to move? When sitting by the waterfall it now can be seen and also from the lanai. Whatever makes him happy.






Yesterday we went to Scottsdale which is a tradition that Alan and I have been doing for years now. Our first stop is always the Rusty Spur Saloon

for a drink to start the wandering and shopping. This year the journey had another purpose. I  told Alan in July that he, Lisa and I needed to find the perfect container for Denny and I knew we would in Scottsdale. I absolutely knew exactly what I wanted. We walked in and out of many places then we went into The Grey Wolf Gallery. Alan spotted it

Unbelievable!~ It was exactly what I had described to Alan in July and just what he pictured it would be! I can not tell you the feeling I had at that moment. So emotional that I had to leave the gallery and let Alan handle the purchase. It is amazing. The wood is Ironwood and it is so smooth and quite heavy. The carving of the buffalo is perfect. Denny loved the buffalo and he loved Ironwood. He is now in the perfect place. The Grey Wolf gallery sells beautiful Native American designs. When the store manager knew why I was crying and what the purpose of the box was for, they treated Alan like family. They were so respectful and offered a discount. My heart is joyful today on this the 3 month mark of Denny's passing. We stopped at our favorite restaurant for lunch and to raise a glass of wine in honor of Dennis. We completed our mission and it is a wonderful feeling.

This morning we have a contractor coming to give us an estimate to have the front porch area refinished. The day will hold some adventure I am sure. Tonight we go out to dinner with friends. Alan has been the chef and I am enjoying being spoiled. I must have my coffee and a bite to eat so I will say thank you for stopping by and for the kind words and thank you for your friendship. Thank you Debbie Burke for the special email this morning. Stay tuned for today's news tomorrow!

Change in habits

I am noticing that I have slowed down...you heard it here first. I actually do not rush to get out of bed now just because I am awake. I dilly dally. I am trying to settle in to this new normal finally instead of out do it. Either that or I am as old as I feel most days!
Look what I "found"

Pinocchio plastic glass from Burger King 1994 and it has the box. A difference from the glass collectibles from 1970s to plastic in the 90s. I have several of the Disney movie mugs too.
While in the cupboard

these were from Maxell House coffee. They were $1.00 each with the paper seal from the instant coffee jars. When we were first married Denny drank only instant coffee and it was Maxwell House. They date to the early 1970s. Maxwell House coffee dates to 1892 and the name is from a hotel in Tennessee. Good to the last drop!
Now about yesterday. I was unable to pick up and knit the shawl that was started so long ago. Fist, there seems to be yarn missing...and secondly I could not get the pattern to work out! Frustrated, I put it away. But, I pulled out another project...no... no, not for me to do. When I bought it some time ago at a knitting show I wanted to make it as it is lovely. Now, not interested and want to find it a good pair of hands to knit it.

shades of blue lace yarn.
So, if you are a lace knitter and would like to have this, please leave me a message and it may be yours. If more than one is interested, I will draw a name....1 week from today.
Swept the yard earlier this morning and decided it is still too hot to be out there so I will be inside with iced water and cucumbers with lemon slices today. Alice and I will watch a movie and stitch. Poor neglected Alice....I am taking a tatting break.
14 days to The Brother Alan. My email from him this morning is that he is planning meals!
thank you for stopping by and for the kind words. Thank you most of all for your friendship.

Monsoon really has arrived

Well, 2 nights of storms...last evening there was lots of thunder and lightening as well as some rain. With the strong winds (around 40 mph+) there had to be debris

This 39 gallon trash barrel filled quickly with stuff from the yard as well as out along the garage. Today there is more accumulating but with the sky first dropping rain then the sun popping out and then back in again, I will just hold off for now.  We seem to have these storms at night which really is eerie with the howling of the winds and crashing of thunder. Denny would love it...
Speaking of my Denny, yesterday I finally made the move to set him on the bookshelf as he always said he wanted. It really took a lot for me to do this, but I am happy that I finally did. Now when I look there, he is there. Of course that then led to rearranging this and that and out with the Pledge....kept me busy and little time to be teary.
Today my word is Compassionate.

As I stitched this word, he was unable to continue to chat with me due to the pain meds. I hope he could feel my compassion for what he was going through. He deserved so much better than what he endured. Denny always liked my tatting and this was another that we wanted to include . He did love nature. I added the pearl beads because they seem so gentle. The buttons of course are from my button jar.....he would tease me about all the buttons I collected.
A new friend who visited my blog sent me a lovely email and offered me some advice...thank you Melinda for your kindness. Thank all of you for the kind words and most of all for your friendship. Let's have a good day.

Being Kind

Well, it seems that things around Horton House are getting taken care of. Don was here yesterday to finish the sprinkler system drip lines. The only plants I need to water are those in the large pots and with the exception of one or two, they are not watered everyday. I talked  to a pond company and to our landscapers asking if they could find a home for the pond fish. I will be sorry that they will go, but I am trying to make it easier for me. Denny I know understands he himself some months back said that if anything happened to them we would not replace them. The little hummer continues to visit the lanai each day and stays for a few hours.  The new feeder remains popular with a couple of them. Yesterday was a bit of tatting

 5 of Denny's Angels got their dresses now to finish with the bottom row of tatting. These will each have colored beads....red, blue, southwest, green and gold. When I first made these in March, Denny thought they would make nice gifts to send at Christmas. Then while in hospital he reminded me to be sure to make them and send them; hence they are called Denny's Angels. I enjoy the process of tatting them and think of him with each one.
Today the word Kind....

The dictionary describes kind as being gentle. My Denny was a gentle man.  He was kind to me, sharing all responsibilities and spoiling me.  He loved his garden and was kind to all the creatures. If he lifted a pot and scared a lizard, he would actually feel bad. He especially wanted the hummer feeders to be full at all times and the birdbath kept clean for the other birds. He worried about the bunnies even though he loved the coyotes. So the word kind has a hummingbird and bunny charm. He was a very kind man. 
Today will be a tatting day and I still want to start a teddy bear. I want to do so many things but then my thoughts get in the way. So, I will sit and enjoy my coffee and waffles (no, I did not make them, they are frozen...although we do have a waffle maker). Thank you for visiting with me today and for the kind words and emails. Most of all thank you for your friendship. Let's have a good and be kind to someone.

Stitching but no flushing

The master bath toilet is not in use at the present time. Dianna and Bob came by and Bob will pick up the necessary part and return this week to install...not to fret, there is the main bathroom and all is working there. I had the landscapers look at the back yard water system. All is working but the main turn on valve thing has a leak...of course. You did not think this was going to be simple did you. Dennis had not used this system in years preferring to water all by hand. Not me, simple is what I want  need. He will return one morning this week to remove and then get the proper part. The good news is that the watering system can still be used and will turn on at 7 AM each morning. All I will need to do is water the pots which do not have to be watered daily. Denny I hope is smiling down on my progress. In the meantime, I have been working on/off of the Words banner....

a little peek at how it is coming along. I am pleased with my choices and relaxing in the progress of it. There is a reason for each embellishment and my thoughts for the words. I plan to have a letter on the reverse side to explain it all.  Remember the new hummingbird feeder...

I know, but I had to sneak up to the window to catch him....he is there on the left on the top section. The bottom is almost empty. I still plan to hang it higher and out of the sun...just need to get the mental note to climb a ladder to so. I fear falling from the ladder, always hated climbing ladders. I think I can use the smaller ladder...now there is a thought. We are back in a "heat wave"...I did not realize it really had passed! Now there is mention of some Monsoon weather approaching. The yard is finally all raked ...hold on a second. I just ran out and the system did come on....now to redirect the watering....that will be next task. Off to Lowes this weekend for parts. I have been enjoying listening to music...remembered how to use the sound system that we have. Today the air conditioner gets a check and I even managed to check the filter the other day. Outwardly I am moving along, Inside is a different story. Thanks to all the support I know I will be fine and have to remind myself that it will take time. Thank you for the caring and kind words. Thank you for your friendship. Let's have a good day.

Looking ahead but looking back

I look at this rose from the flowers Lu and Stan sent...I see such beauty but also deep thought. The lavender of this rose is more beautiful than this picture shows.....A new month today and I am trying to look ahead and move forward. Not yet my mind tells me....looking back is preferred. So many wonderful memories of times long ago and also in the not too past. Forgetting the most recent memories because they are too painful. I know that they are also important but I must file them away for now so that I can move forward because I must move forward. All that I could take care of has been done and now it is a waiting game of sorts for things to fall into place and until they are all in place I remain in this limbo. This morning I looked out to the yard and thought ---- oh my, Denny would have a conniption if he looked out here. The trash barrel is in view, debris not yet swept up and disarray everywhere. then I remind myself that it is just too hot to deal with it.  I could go out at 6 am to clean but not enough ambition yet to do this. No, instead I will lazily putt about the house stopping in between the straightening up and my needlework. I remembered how to use the stereo system so maybe some music for company. I guess I did pay attention when he showed me. Still have one phone receiver not working...someone suggested it may need a battery. I thought we had an extra battery someplace. So many things I still have to figure out or find. A bright note, yesterday a hummingbird came to the new feeder....and he has been there a few times this morning again.

It is just outside the kitchen window so I can easily see it. The other 2 are still in place, one in the Sweet Memory tree in the backyard and the other out the front living room window. I do have to move the new one and hang it higher and out of the mid-day sun. That will require the ladder, a drill and a hook as well as "s'' hook extensions which will be a ride to Ace or Home Depot and that is not today. Time for my coffee and corn muffins just out of the oven. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind words, emails and cards. Most of all thank you for the caring friendship that you share with me.

Garden of flowers

It arrived! It is wonderful to order something and it arrives promptly...great service from The Tatting Corner....thank you Lisa. Of course without Carolyn's fine designs.....thank you Carolyn! I guess you know what I will be doing with my basket of threads this weekend. Both groups; Ice Drop Addicts and Tatters of Lace have given me much inspiration to do what I enjoy, tatting and making new friends. I mentioned yesterday that I was seeing the doctor for my knee. It was our pain management doctor...a wonderful young man who always finds the right painful spot to treat. In my case yesterday, there was no fluid to drain (grateful for that) but he did find that my meniscus is again an issue. We will treat with gel injections again to hopefully avoid surgery. In the meantime I will apply topical gel 4 times a day and use my leg brace as needed until we start the injections.

Tough getting old I tell ya.....we are like the walking wounded around here, Me and Dennis...Mr H. Now we trade off which task we cannot do to the other! Not easy to admit but true.  More so for my Dennis who is slowly coming around to these truths.  Even with these issues we are luckier than some who have more serious problems to deal with. I have a sweet friend who will be starting cancer treatments soon and I admire her outward strength. We do what we have to do to make it everyday. So, I guess the yard work will move a little slower now, but I did find cushions for my chairs under the gazebo so that is a plus. Will make for a softer sit!

The temps have been in the high 80s to 90 so being outdoors is limited, even in the shade for Mr H as the heat is affecting him somewhat this year.....going to be a long summer when it reaches the triple digits. Must get to Jo Ann's today...need supplies..... we always need something right? Today is clean the computer desk (never got to it yesterday). There are so many notes to me that I bet some are useless now. I have the "I'll get to it" syndrome lately. Time to get the newspaper and a cup of coffee and put up the feet the leg/knee. Thank you for your kind words and for stopping by and most of all thank you for your friendship. Enjoy the day.

Umbrellas up.....

My task each morning is to open the three umbrellas in the yard
These are not ordinary umbrellas... these are for the plants.... yes, to keep the hot Arizona sun off the plants during the hottest part of the day. Our back yard is in sun all day. We do not sit under these colorful sun blockers.... we could, just have to set up a chair and relax. Purple, red and turquoise are this years colors. They do not last for more than a yer or so. The winds that sweep across our corner lot can be very strong and occasionally have toppled the umbrellas only to damage them. Mr H moves them around according to which plants need the shade and of course the small pond and the fish get last shade. You might ask why we do not have a permanent solution to the sun... because some plants need it and this way Mr H has something to do everyday!
I enjoyed stitching yesterday on Clematis but do not want to bore you with an update picture yet. While looking for one thing in the "warehouse" ( as Mr H calls the craft closet) I cam across a very long overdue project that calls to be finished. More about that later, but I must either locate and finish these hiders or keep out of the warehouse. That being said, I will thank you for visiting and and pour myself another cup of tea and stitch for awhile. Today is a work day for me...hope whatever your plans are that you have a wonderful day.