A new machine on the table

The morning is already too warm for me to be outside pruning.... too late as I did go out to check on things and of course picked up the shears and now I am feeling it. I will leave it all to dry out so it will be easier to bag in a day. The pond is topped off and all is well but no more garden work. It is 8am and the temp is 80. The temp is expected to get into the 100s this week.
A lovely day spent yesterday with Dianna and Bobby...all day. They picked me up around 10:30 and off we went to bargain hunt….

I found this adorable little sewing machine. It is both battery and AC.... but.... there is no info with it nor is there a name on it. So if anyone knows what the manufacturer is I would love to know. It does work but I have not yet tried to thread it. After wandering around we came back here so I could get dinner ready. Lasagna.... and both enjoyed my cooking! I never said I did not know how to cook only that I did not cook! They both have been (along with others) so helpful and supportive this past year. True friends are wonderful. They brought me a chime....

It is hanging in the kitchen with my other indoor chimes. It may get to be out in the lanai, just not yet. It has a nice sound and I love a galloping horse!.
As for the Dove family.... it looks like one of the babies has already left the nest.... according to Bobby who peeked in on them. So I will be watching to see what happens next. The parents are still around the garden and in the past they have just gone on to start a new family after the babies leave. Yesterday the Woodpecker came a few times to the hummer feeder out front and the black bird is still stopping by the pond for his daily drink. Lots of nature to enjoy. I will be mindful when I rake the garden not to disturb any lizards who are lurking under the plants and pots.
Plans for today are to remain indoors and relax and tat. Possibly some reading later. I was asked if I would show my garden in pictures…. and yes, I will. So this week I will make a post or two with my Garden of Eden. When I look at pictures of what we started with 13 years ago I am amazed. Right now however, I need a cup of coffee, actually cup #2 and maybe some toast and scrambled egg. The bed is made and I am dressed for the day. It is now me time. So, it really has been nice to chat with you and I am glad you took the time to stop by. Thank you for the kind words and for you friendship.

It's official....

A beautiful cool morning here, yes we are in a "cool down" from the mid to high 90s to the high70s. The afternoons have been quite windy but I do not mind because the buoy bell and the many chimes just sound lovely. Not happy about the debris that lands here. The garden is a corner property so everything lands here.

Not only is the garden in bloom, one of my violets is too! Look how bright white and sparkly the petals are. After Denny passed it seems my violets did too. Once there were 6 here in my kitchen window now only 2.  The crow just announced his arrival to the pond for a drink. He swoops in and out. The sliders and front door are open to let in the breeze. I thought I was doing laundry...but forgot to add the clothes into the washer....so now I have a very clean washing machine. Repeat process: click on, add Tide, add clothes close machine lid.

Do you see what is on the clock? It's official, there is a nest with a Dove couple! I actually considered taking this clock down but guess it is still prime housing. It does offer good protection with the front as it is and it is under the overhang. The male is sitting on the wall waiting for his turn on the nest. She is there all evening and they will switch shortly. Amazing how they are. Unfortunately they have been using my Plumeria as the jump-up to the nest. That will end today when I move it from under the nest.
The hand has been too sore to stitch... still. I hope to try today even if only for a few minutes at a time. The bite however is much better. The antibiotic is working but of course I am having a few of the side effects.... tiredness when I first take it which is not bad at night as it has helped with sleeping, mild headache and stomach issues but  I am dealing with it. Today the A/C is due for the Spring check-up so at home I will be. I do have a few things to do around here to keep me busy. With that, I think I will have breakfast so I can do the chores. So nice that you stopped by today. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

Sunday morning

 Here it is Sunday, the sun is bright and there is a definite cool breeze out there. Today will be an errand to Lowes, and also to Walmart for paper supplies and not much else. Grocery shopping will have to be another day. My hand is swollen again and very painful so I will of course wear my brace and use topical medication. Are you asking why the hand .....well I knew I could do something yesterday so I did it and now I pay the consequences. I still have that I can do this and I am independent thing going on....sadly I then pay for it one way or another. Believe me, I am not trying to prove to anyone but myself. I finally do not think about what others may think. Living alone is still new and hard to adjust to. I broke a promise that I made to my friends....

the Buoy Bell arrived last night and when I opened it this morning I just had to hang it.....up high of course so that meant the ----step ladder!. I was slow and very careful. Now that it is up it needs to be adjusted !...not today though. While on the ladder I found that there is a Dove egg on the clock! I shall watch it and let you know if we have a nesting pair.
You all know that The Brother Alan and Lisa left yesterday morning after being here two weeks. The house is once again just me. Before leaving The Brother Alan filled the car with gas and even went through a car wash. An email confirmed that it was cold back in Rhode Island. I do believe this will be a long week for them! It was a good visit and we kept busy but also made time to relax and we did laugh ... we did laugh.  Lisa and I made a memory box for their room.

It was my pleasure to make this for her. She choose the items and I assembled.  I love using shadow boxes.
Right now I need the brace on my hand, medication on it and a cup of fresh brewed coffee. Thank you for visiting with me and for your kind words and for you valued friendship. Over the next week I will share some pictures and stories of The Brother Alan's visit. We did have a good time.

New garden additions

The breeze is refreshing this morning.....the chimes are singing. Hummer feeders filled. Why is it when the feeders are clean and just filled the hummers act like I am trying to poison them? They will not drink from it for a few hours!
Remember I mentioned that I bought a few plants when I went to Lowe's...

Golden Shrub Daisy...Margarita.....so sunny this morning. I love all the daisy family plants. This is an annual but sometimes here in Arizona they will grow as an almost perennial.... lasting a very long time.

This lovely lavender cluster is the Society Garlic. Just the touch of the leaves and garlic is in the air. The hummer seems to like it. Right now it is still in the pot, but may go into the ground as it is a perennial and can grow large.

 This is Dodonaea Viscos, Green or Hopbush. This specimen can grow tall and wide. Presently it is about 3 feet wide and 5 feet at it's tallest. Where it is planted it has the room and it will be a divider in the garden. The "fruit" as it is called or flowers are papery and light green/tan and look like butterflies. This is perfect out here as once it is established it will only need monthly watering. There is a story with this one but since The Brother Alan checks the blog I will wait until another time to talk about it. I will say thank you to Don and Glenda.... two of the dearest people in the world. Last evening Glenda sent over a stuffed pepper and bread along with a piece of pie for me. A good end to the day for me.
Today will be a few chores this morning to get ready for tomorrow but very little as I am in need of a restful day. Glad you stopped by and hope you like my new plants. With luck I will get tatting started today. Thank you for your kind words and for you friendship.

******Tomorrow Tomorrow...is the day!******

Time to relax

I took advantage of the early morning comfortable temps and sweep the yard and planted a couple of new plants

   

 This is Sedge Evergold Grass which is planted by the pond. It will grow to about 12 inches and needs only once a week watering. I like that. I also planted a Geranium which we always have in the yard but until it blooms I have no picture.

this is my herb garden just outside the kitchen window. Italian parsley, English Thyme, Onion Chives and Sweet Basil. Everything is looking pretty good but it is time to come in and relax. The sun is getting quite warm. There is a breeze that will pick up every so often and the chimes sing out. Love the sound of the different chimes. I really need a few more; never have enough.
I have been trying to start my art project...takes a bit of thinking on my part. It has been so long since I have done any real art work.  I have watched the videos and feel inspired but yet to start my own.
The doctor visit went well. The tests showed no blockage but now on to a Vascular Surgeon as she has requested. She is a delightful doctor and even though I have to travel a bit to go to her, (I have been seeing her for 13 years) I just can not think of changing...at least not yet. When the drive
is too much of a chore then I will find someone closer. The staff is easy to work with and so caring.
Time for a cup of tea and a review of the art video. Alice is out and hoping that we visit today. It has been so nice that you stopped by. Thank you for your kind words and most of all your friendship.