Busy weekend

I thought I was going to sit back, but there was still shelves to move

First they had to be painted, then a lesson from Don on drilling, how to put in a molley and then attaching to the wall. Glenda directed from the chair with coffee in hand. Poor Don a wife, a friend and tools. The people on the shelves are not exactly where they will be but it was time to get them out of the basket in the closet. I needed to stop as my hand is once again swollen and sore. So besides the right leg not the right hand! Did I mention the needle in the foot?

As I strolled through the living room a sharp pain in you guessed it , my right foot. This needle is what I pulled out. The problem with carpets is that sometimes when you drop something you do not know you did until... Not to worry, it did not require any tools to pull out. It will be added to my Festival of Needles.
A surprise package arrived on Friday and a new mailperson.

Cousin Janice in Rhode Island sent me these delicious cookies...oh my goodness.

Each cookie is individually wrapped and just perfect; not sweet but flavored just right. These are Sweet Olive Oil Tortas with anise. Their name is Ines Rosales. Thank you sweet Janice for thinking of me with this treat.

 I have been slowly stitching on Alice. I am not fond of this motif so it is taking forever. Not much more to finish it so I will push on today with it as much as my hand will allow. This represents the tea party.
I think I may have found the fabric to redo the footstool. Just deciding between two that I had in my stash.  Oh before I forget, did I mention The Brother will be here next week?
On Saturday morning around 10 am I thought I saw someone looking at me through the large living room window...I did ...it was a young coyote! I could not grab my camera quickly. The window is to the floor so he had an easy view in. The lanai hummer is busy already this morning patrolling the back yard. I had a restless night so I did not get out there early enough to sweep so it will wait until tomorrow. In the meantime, I will make the bed wash my coffee cup and cereal bowl then settle to stitch. Thank you for visiting today. Than you for the kind words and friendship.
Happy to report the friends I have in Florida are all safe. 

Catching up

It has been a busy week....I guess because I have not posted since Tuesday. Let's see, first I should tell you about February 8th which is Hari Kuyo, the Festival of Broken Needles in Japan. It is a time to pay tribute to your old and broken needles that have served you well through the year. Time to show respect for these tools and to pray for better skills in the upcoming year.

The tradition is to stick the needles into tofu which is believed to sooth the used needles and the points will do no harm. They are taken to the temple and the priest  offers a blessing and it is passed on to the users of the needles. It teaches us to think before being wasteful. As you can see I use a cotton ball and then I will wrap them gently abut well before disposing them. I do not take my needles for granted for with them I can create. There is no sewing on this day.
Have you been paying attention to the amazing moon?

I took this last evening at 7:08 PM surrounded by clouds but still so beautiful. I am always fascinated by a full moon, well, the entire sky and planets; Jupiter and Venus shine so brightly. Once the distraction was over I settled in for a DVD and tea. Earlier in the afternoon I began to prepare for my Felt Fir Tree. The pattern is available from Donna Bayliss' etsy shop.

The wire is cut, felt strips are cut and now being "fringed". This is going to take me some time...cutting the felt with a bad hand....but it will get done today so I can assemble this weekend. Mr H asked "why are you making this tree?" When I said because, he just looked at me. He was sweet enough to assist me as I cut the dowel. Really, I think he was afraid I would injure myself (knife accident recently) then he gave me his good wire cutter as mine is getting dull. So, that is that. It was great to see my friends at Jo Anns yesterday when I picked up the felt. Hugs are always good and LaTonya and Linda feel so good! Today will be on/off  cutting fringe and maybe a bit more tatting.

I just finished this Sun Catcher and soon it will be mailed to a dear cousin. I wanted to make a couple more but Jo Anns is out of the brass 3 inch rings. I may just order them on line. I woke with  slight headache so I think it is time for my coffee and to relax. I have been up since 3 and puttered around the sewing room. I always enjoy our visits. Thank you for your kind words and most of all for your friendship. Have a great day.