Tea, anyone?

 A beautiful day today...sun is shining and Mocking bird and House Wrens are singing, water fountain is a lovely sound too. Slider open so Murphy is in and out yelling at anything. Flowers are blooming here and there

Salvia for the hummingbirds

Lavender smells wonderful 

Yellow rose, one of 3 that are blooming. It is time to get a tomato plant and replace the Basil and see what else we would like to add to the garden.

I am enjoying my Tea Pot table topper project. Of course my mind is already thinking of what project next! I have few in mind.....Dianna started a Sun Bonnet Sue project and it is coming along. Will get permission to show you. We enjoy working on same type if not the same applique project. together. I wanted to make a runner for the top of my sewing table....but....it it always busy with a project! Glad to chat with you today. I think I will take my project out to the lanai to stitch a while. I have a tray that holds all necessities and a quick pick up and off I go. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

New sewing tool....

 there is nothing more dangerous than a dull blade on the rotary cutter. Finally my blade was starting to skip. While in the quilt shop to buy a new blade I noticed . . .

an ergonomically Olfa cutter. Wow, it certainly is smooth and easy on my hand. Still cutting and will be cutting squares for some time so this will be great. 

It is growing... I sat outside on the lanai this morning sewing. Starting to warm up more so back instead.  The wind is pretty steady today. Also I wanted to cut a few more squares. I switch from doing one thing to another on the quilt so my hand gets a rest and my foot is propped up. 

 Sweet Lisa brought me tulips for Mother's Day. She is most thoughtful and I am lucky to have her around. We certainly have a lot of laughs.

I was asked if I still need  window squares....YES. I will be making at least 600 muslin squares. A block is 4 of them and in that block is 4 windows. Once connected to the next muslin square another window is added. Alan has  informed me I will need at least 2400.....and that is the low side! I think I will be in the fabric bin gathering some more fabric to cut.

Our rose garden is still blooming. We have 4 bushes and they are doing really well. The garden is looking so nice. A few things are in bloom and soon more will be. The bees will be very happy!

Okay, think I will rummage through the bin....

Glad you stopped to visit. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship....and the window squares!

                      Hello from Murphy!

Earthquake!

 Another hot day and it would seem these triple digits are here to stay. It was 101 yesterday and today? maybe 105. In the Indeed, it was meantime, Alan is still in Alaska until Sunday and his temps are in the 50s during the day. It was raining yesterday there. Sunday night while looking out the hotel window and talking to Lisa, the curtains moved and the window too and so did he feel movement. He hung up and call down to the desk...they said not to worry it was only an earthquake. Alan dressed and left the 14th floor and went downstairs. It really was an earthquake that was about 130 miles north and it was a 6.1 magnitude. Earlier there were a few smaller ones that did not register in Anchorage. Alan said he would put hazard pay on his expense report!

This is the new egg cooker...small like a toy! It works just fine. Well, I do have to try the poached eggs again. The hard cooked ones are great.

It has accessories...a scramble egg bowl, an egg poacher dived dish and of course it  also has it"s own special measuring cup. It will musically start and when finished plays another tune. It is all automatically timed and as you can see in the first picture, it all stores under the cover. I just love gadgets and things to make anything easier.

Lisa and I did some crafting yesterday..

these are several Heating pad Llamas waiting for me.

Once Lisa cuts them out and all their pieces, I embroider the faces. She will then sew them into Llamas. I love doing the hand sewing. I must say, Lisa is gaining more confidence with her cutting out and sewing. 

A few months ago Alan decided to spread some flower seeds. Just as he began a bit of wind arrived and the seeds went ... well who knows. Nothing seemed to be growing until this Blanket Flower appeared.  I found another tomato  growing but it is as small as a pin head. The plant itself is growing so tall. The basil and oregano are doing great. I still need to replace the Rosemary and parsley as well as chives. That will be when Alan returns. 

Did I mention that there is a special door at my bedroom doorway?

Hope this means they will be moving in and help around here. In the meantime, glad to visit with you today. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship. 

Must say thank you for all the good thoughts and prayers for my niece Tonya. She is doing so well.

Sneak peek

Oh goodness, another week has gone who knows where.  The weather has turned to winter. Yes, we had a couple days/nights of rain. One day with lightening and thunder and hail. All is gone but the cooler temps remain. Still, better than ice and snow and bitter cold.

A couple of weeks ago I picked up this glass container with tulip bulbs and they have bloomed! So nice to see the soft pink  color.  I will have Alan plant them in the garden later. They bloomed the day I found out that our cousin Ann (who I asked for prayers) passed away for the Covid virus. 

Lisa and I want to give you a little peek at what she will be wearing for the wedding. We found the perfect Pashmina shawl to keep away the chill. The top right is the hem of her cream colored dress and look at her shoes...a smooth suede and short heel. We ordered our flowers so we are set to get married.... well, the date is coming up  soon!

I received a surprise birthday gift from sis Lynowl.... a glass cheese paddle...... and specially imprinted too. Then yesterday a gift card arrived from her. My day is February 3rd, but after the Christmas mailing and my gift from her arriving late, she wanted to be prepared! 

Someone furry has just emptied the basket of paper from under the desk! Mind you there was only 2 pieces of paper but he must tear it up. Soon I will check for the mail...and yes he must have an envelope to "read". 

Just made a cup of tea, so off I go. Wish we could have a tea together! Thank you for the kind words and for your friendship. 

Yoo-hoo

… no, not the drink, you out there. Well how is everyone holding up? These are days of questioning...when will this be over? Days of worrying each time out if someone is near who might spread it. I must admit that I am not obsessed, but I am being more careful. The times out are for meds or food. Speaking of food.... I am not a food hoarder. If you are, please stop so the rest of us who are just buying food for the week can get what we need. I went to bake shortbread cookies last week and do not have enough flour. I usually buy as I need.... I have some just not what the recipe needs. The stores are out of flour and sugar and salt.... and do not get me started on toilet paper. There are 3 adults here.... need I say more.  Okay my rant is over for now.
The garden project is coming along nicely. We did have rain last week.

We have a pot of assorted pansy's for a real splash of color.
Alan is doing a great job. Today he will need to repair a control valve and then the irrigation is fixed. Top soil is next to be added to the garden and then fencing. The kitchen garden is all set except for adding basil and a summer tomato plant. Yesterday Alan painted the wall and of course as soon as he was finished, Murphy got into the area and of course there was paint on his side, tail and leg and not all on one side. No, no time for a picture as I had to get him to the sink to wash it off! Never a dull moment around here.
Today will be another lazy day as my hip is bothering me and a light headache. Maybe I will make a banana bread and tapioca pudding later. I will be trying to keep Murphy out Alan's way...key word is try. Glad you stopped by today. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship. Stay safe....

A cousin, gladiolas and cooking~~~~

I cannot believe that I actually have the front door and kitchen slider open! I better enjoy because in a few hours it will be back to the AC. Just to let you know, the recent quakes in California have not affected me here in the Arizona Valley.... but, to the West of me some have felt the shaking. We are however in the mist of several wildfires none of which are in my direct area. Thank you for caring enough  to ask.

I am half way through my 2nd Pod taco. I was sooooo busy cooking yesterday that this was put aside. Yes, I was cooking for hours. Initially I did not think that I would do much of anything but all of a sudden I found myself in the kitchen. There was bread in the machine, beef stew cooking and pasta and beef in tomato and Black Cherry Jell-O setting up, hard cooked eggs in the steamer followed by rice in the steamer..... all the same time.  There was no time for beading~! I will finish the pod today.

I love the gentle shade of these apricot gladiolas. I bought them this weekend to add brightness to the abode. As much as they did and still do, the brightness came with a phone call.

This is cousin Maria. She is the daughter of my late uncle John, dad's older brother. It has been some time since we were together..... back in Rhode Island.  No matter how much time passes we pick up as if it was just yesterday. Most of our time is laughing. So many memories we share from our childhood. She probably does not remember  (she freely admits to not remembering some things!) to some of my memories.... like the first time I had French toast her mom (auntie Lena) made it for me. Going to dances at LaSalle Academy with her late brother Rocco. This sweet gal always has a smile and gentleness in her voice. Whether it is a handwritten letter or a phone call, her name and voice bring happiness. I love you dearest Maria.

Glad you stopped  by today to chat. Thank you for your caring and kind words and for your friendship.

Time is not measured by clocks, but by moments.... and memories.

Just muddling along~~~

muddling

[ˈməd(ə)liNG]

NOUN

1. the action or process of bringing something into a disordered or confusing state.

   "the muddling of fact and fiction is a tried-and-true tactic of totalitarian regimes" ·
   

   [more]
2. the action or process of mixing a drink or stirring an ingredient into a drink.

   "the muddling helps ensure that all the flavors are well blended"

ADJECTIVE

1. confusing.

   "the map is a muddling haze, with place names in German, Russian, Polish, and Lithuanian"

Yup, just one of those weeks. However, let's think the second noun definition..... sounds more fun. I do love a Mojito and have a nice muddler..... anyway, my week has been a bit off. Feeling lazy is one description. Do not misunderstand....the Shark swam around the abode, the Swiffer flew about and there was swishing in the laundry area. I enjoyed the Fountain antics of the hummer bathing and how busy the area remains... very distracting but a good distraction. It had been hot so being outdoors was not an option so enjoying the entertainment from my comfy chair was nice. I read a little.... and then picked up my Mill Hill project...

I stitched most of the corner and all of the pink in the sky. Many of the blank areas will be covered with beads...love adding beads to a project. Remember the view? Well that was not the only issue to distract me. I began watching a movie while stitching... not the best idea. When the movie ended I decided to have a second cup of coffee.... as I sat to stitch again I noticed some of the Xs were not where they should be. So, snip and pull out... that is when I noticed I was having another issue.

Notice anything? Let me tell you then.... the tip is broken on one side! So when I tied to use it to pull threads it was not working! Since the floor in my room is carpeted I have not a clue as to how the tip broke. But....

these fine ladies have volunteered to assist me. They are so cute... I have a "blonde" gal too but she must be with a project. I am sure one of these days she will appear as I am clearing my stash. The DM floss is done. Now onto the next area. When it is hot outside the garage is just a bit cooler, even with the large floor fan on. So it is slow going.
I so appreciate the concern when I have not posted. Thank you for your caring emails.... I admit to not having a good month, but as some of you noted, I will be okay. Just need to get through these days.
On a cheery note, how about the colors in my garden...

The orange Firecracker bush, the Purple Ruellia and the Yellow Bells Honeysuckle.... all in one area. Love my garden! Planting anything else right now is on hold with the heat. Still, it is all very pretty out there. The birds love it and the occasionally butterfly visits. Right now the attraction for all is the fountain and the moving water. It is time to wash out the breakfast dish and mug and to get some swishing going. My plan is to sit and stitch today. It has been nice chatting with you. Thank you for your kind and caring words and emails. Thank you for your friendship.

Finally Friday

What a week. Monday was the day for my RFA procedure.... all in all it was not too bad and I am still waiting for it to take full effect. I am not in the pain I was in. At this point I am very achy...which is a lot better than I was. I am also having headaches (some all day) which I am not sure if it is connected to the procedure. Time will tell if this is going to work for me. So, I have not done any of my garden work or heavy household cleaning... instead I have been beading. I started an ornament called a Peyote Pod….

One side of 3 completed and almost the second one. I have been easily distracted while beading.....

My chair (in my bedroom) faces the lanai which looks out to the garden.... the occasional bird, the disco ball "parkles" and just the serene look calls to me and before I know it I stop beading. Happiness and memories. Sometimes the frustration of not being able to get out there and clean.... then I remind myself that it will wait.
Yesterday I took a walk to stretch my back muscles and this is what I saw in my community...

the soft pink of the Oleander bush

the purple blooms on the Jacaranda tree

a tiny bloom on the cactus

the bright glow from the Red Bird of Paradise bush

the lemon yellow of the Lantana bush

then back in my own garden my Plumeria …..

I am so happy that it is finally showing signs of growing and it is growing quickly. Not sure if I will get blooms this summer but I can certainly hope for that. Wonderful distractions.

Today will be hopefully to finish this beaded ornament. I would like to make several. While cross stitch is on hiatus, beading is filling my creative time. Morning coffee finished and no shores that need me today. I have checked on the Dove kids and they are well.  I think something may have happened to one of the parents.... just a feeling and not seeing them both around at the same time. Lucky for the kids they are old enough for the one parent to go off for short periods. Such is nature. 

So glad you had time to visit. Thank you for the kind words and encouragement and concern for me. Thank you for you friendship. Do you know the count? We are down to 11...11 days and The Brother Alan and Lisa will be here.

There was a storm

Monday night I had to secure myself in the bedroom...verticals closed tightly... why? There was a storm. Did I tell you that I hate nighttime storms? Did I tell you that I am afraid of lightening? Now you know. The wind began to really toss my chimes. Then I heard it...thunder in the distance. Then I heard it again this time closer. When it was just above the house I rattled.Then the rain started to get everything wet. Then it was over. Whew.... I really hate nighttime storms.
I am fully recovered. Yesterday I began to make a Russian Leaves earring....key word began. I changed my mind so many time...like 3.

First there were the blue and clear beads.... then blue with dark blue beads... and finally I chose bronze and copper. Of course this has not been stiffened yet. I will do that after the mate is made. I will surely get a better picture when they are both done. So, if you think I am doing nothing here.....For those who wonder about my not stitching. This year I just lost interest but found other ways to be creative. So far I have mailed away many patterns and linens. I have donated to a local school many patterns and threads and linen and aida cloth. I also donated fabric. I also donated my old sewing machine.When school starts back up in August I will have more for them. I most likely will cross stitch again and still have many patterns, threads and linen still in my stash for then. Thank you for saying you miss seeing that part of my creative juices. I hope you can like what I do now too, and still can enjoy my blog.
I caught a glimpse of the baby doves. I did not want to startle the parent by running back into the house for my camera so I will be sure to have it in hand tomorrow when I go into the garden. I was on my way out to get groceries. Do you shop with a list? I do. I also have the Safeway app on so I can remember to get the sale and free items. Just once I would like to go in and come out with only what is on the lists. While there I spotted Gladiolas...I love Gladiolas. Dennis bought specific vase for when we buy them...

A tall clear vase that will support the long stems. Just look at this color! Everywhere I was in the market someone admired them. Today is May 1st...May Day. Don't have a May Pole but I could organize the courtyard neighbors to circle one of the lamp posts. Anyway, I plan to finish the earrings today. All is ready for the May Origami Star....
Thank you for stopping by and thank you for the kind words.... and for the encouragement. I really think of all of you as friends. Thank you for your friendship.
By the way...… the count down has started. For what? Do you really need to ask! Alan and Lisa will be here May 21st! 

Flowers, beading and needles

I can not believe it is almost May. These months seem to be disappearing so quickly. It is not that I am so busy...although at times lately I have been busy. I just went out to the garden to check on the Dove...still no sightings of babies. What I did see was another mess of debris. Last night the winds rang my chimes.... haha.

The Prickly Pear Cactus is in bloom...in our courtyard. Actually this is in front of Robyn and Dave's home. Living beneath this large cactus is a bunny warren...that is what it is called. Soon there will be Prickly Pear fruit appearing.

My Guara plant is so pretty... love this shade of pink.... and delicate looking. It is a very overcast day with 50% chance of rain today and looking out to the garden makes up for the lack of sunshine.
Yesterday I decided to sort through beads to make a pair of Russian leaves earrings...

The one on the left (green) is the one made with the Delica beads as recommended and the other is made with regular seed beads. The difference is about 1/2 inch in length and once stiffened will be about the same width. At this size it makes a good pendant as well as an earing. I like big earrings. So now I have to decide if I will make it as an earing. While I am deciding I will go ahead and make the pair I was going to make. I plan to make a bumble bee bead but must get the beads...I now, but I do not have what I need in the cupboard of beads.

These are some of the recent beading needles that I have put to rest. I save them for the February 8th Hari-Kuyo… Festival of Broken Needles:
Hari-kuyo （針供養）is a traditional Japanese festival where people pay tribute to the old and broken needles that have served them the past year, and at the same time pray for better sewing skills. 'Hari' means needle and '-kuyou' means memorial. Most needle-workers are women. The reasons for sewing and praying were given deep thought.
I keep a lot of needles on hand. Either they bend by the end of a project if not sooner or the eyes break. It does not matter what brand or the cost I am very tough on needles.

This is my Plumeria from Hawaii that Dianna and Bobby brought me back this year. I think it just may be growing! The last one died. The very tip is showing "leaf" growth. Dianna checks it when she visits…. hope she is reading and seeing this! It is getting lots of sun and water and misting.
I had a fairly good night sleep and late start (for me)  this morning. I do remind myself that I have no commitments for anything earlier than 10 on any day. This week is clear except for Wednesday when I go for more injections. Now about that...I feel very lucky to receive all your kind words and encouragement. Understand that I do know that many others have more issues than I...   and also that I am not the only one that is working through a loss. I truly am lucky to have a place to speak my mind and heart without judgement. This is my place to record not only my crafts but my thoughts. I do keep a daily diary where I can really put words down to express my heartfelt thoughts. Once someone ( along time back) asked why I do not just write about my crating. She no longer follows me once I told her that this is my blog and I can write as I wish. Oh well. For those of you who visit regularly and comment here or in email, thank you for your kind words and encouragement. Thank you for your valued friendship. 

Because you asked....

Well, I thought I would answer the questions about my upcoming procedure in one place rather than individually. Thank you for the concern and interest. If you go to this link:
 https://www.spine-health.com/treatment/injections/radiofrequency-ablation-rfa-procedure-and-recovery you will learn all about it and maybe some you do not want to know!
Before this procedure, I need one more visit with injections to the lower back on May 1st. The RFA procedure will be done on May 6th. In the meantime, I will continue to carefully do what I can when I can and how I can... a bit of pampering.
The garden, although needing some TLC is looking pretty good here and there:

The Sweet Memory tree is blooming.... I love the delicate purple flowers.
It will need trimming by wintertime.

The Hops Bush has tripled since last year. This will need a good sturdy trellis (according to Don when he and Glenda stopped by the other day) and as soon as I can I will install one. Obviously it will not be until the procedure has been done.

Look at the bright red of the Fairy Duster bush! I love these fluffy little blossoms. The bush right next to it is the Firecracker bush. That was cut back severely and is coming back so full and loads of flowers getting ready to pop open.
It is so nice looking into the garden and seeing is all colorful. The bees love it and the hummingbird does too. I should let you know that we do not have baby doves yet... soon I think. As good as the garden is doing my house plants are not. My African Violets are going to be leaving if they do not cooperate really soon. No patience for them. And how about the Christmas Cactus … both of them? They are pushing for early vacation also. The Pond Garden will get a load of flower seeds tossed in and I will hand water for now. I am disappointed that the irrigation is not yet ready...thanks to my issues. I will go with the garden hose and all will be taken care of.
So that about covers the happenings to me and the garden. Thank you for your kind words and for your caring encouragement. Thank you for you friendship.... I am so lucky to have you as friends.

Oh the drama!

The days are starting to really warm up. We are heading for our first 90s day this weekend.
My pain management doctor did indeed give me injections on Monday along my lower back. I lost count at 5 as he chats with me to get my mind off it. A few hours after being home the numbing wore off and a different pain. But, that was almost gone yesterday... then I made the mistake of starting to open the soil and pour into the pond. I should have done it differently but lesson learned and it will be a few days before I touch the bags again.

If it  is not me causing an issue, now one of the young Doves decided to hop out of the nest and did not know what to do...of course. So he sat here for a short time and then finally tried to gain flight...

Finally he made it to the chair.... and cried a bit. While I was working at the pond I chatted to him and he was calmer. When I came into the house his parent came back and after a few minutes of convincing, the young Dove went back to the nest. Hopefully he will not do that again. So I will rest my back for a day or two as it is bothering me.  My hand which also is still healing but doing great is now a little sore. Need patience in my life.

Look how pink my geranium is..... this plant is from last year and sits at my front porch. I just read that I can root my Rosemary from cuttings...it needs to be cut back drastically. So I will offer it to my neighbors and dry some more for my kitchen. I also should cut the Oregano and dry that. Another plant from last year that is growing like a weed.
Today I will be going to lunch with a friend, Vickie, that I met on blogger. We commented on one another's blog and discovered that she lives not to far from me. After Denny passed she called me and we met for lunch and still keep in touch with our blogs. Small world.
That is  about it for now. So happy to have you visit with me. Thank you for your kind words and friendship.

Lemons and Daffodils

Some days you need to bring the sunshine indoors.... and when I bought these daffodils they are just perfect on this cloudy morning. Then along came Robyn and more sunshine! These lemons are huge....

There are 10 of them and each weighs a pound...I did weigh them! I will be slicing them and then freezing them for use in my iced water drinks. I will also cut a few into wedges for cooking and for jesting.

Thank you Manda for sharing with your mom who shared with me.

These Daffies are so full....but I must admit that as much as I love them I hate their fragrance. So in the kitchen they will stay. So many flowers blooming around me outside...

Bottle Brush tree in front of my house

Bougainvillea at the courtyard entrance

Slow moving this morning. These morning headaches are becoming almost daily. I keep telling myself that it is the weather.... I do not need an additional issue to deal with right now. 

Rabbit Rabbit....today is April 1st.... and it is my cousin Freddie's birthday. March certainly got lost. Days are flying and I feel rushed. Not that I want time to stand still but I would like time to be at a slower pace for now. For today it will be kept slow... new month, new plans to make. Glad we had time to chat. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.