Advent Calendar Blog Hop

 Today is December 17th and my turn to post for this year's Advent Blog Hop hosted by Jo  from           Serendipitouss Stitching. (Click the link to visit the other bloggers). The topic for us this year is "Your Favourite Christmas Book". ....Murder for Christmas

This book was published in 1982....not sure when I got it or from where, but it is a mystery book of stories written by 26 authors...short stories.  I can tell you that I have had it for many years. What is nice about this book is that some of the writers I had not read. The pages have yellowed but the stories remain interesting. "Murder for Christmas contains something for every taste--lying, cheating, shoplifting, stealing, spying, kidnapping, and murder---in short, everything to make the holidays bright."

The other request is to post something we have made for the holiday.

This cross stitch angel is titled Magic. It was from a Christmas craft magazine from years ago. Since I gave away all my magazines, I apologize for not knowing who or where she is from. It was the first time that I finished an ornament with ruching. I had the star charm with a rhinestone. Sorry for lack of info, but is someone knows anything about who or where, let me know.

These blog hops for many different occasions are so much fun. Jo does a great job of organizing them. This is her 10th year for the Advent Blog Hop. The only year I missed was the first one in 2011! Be sure to visit Serendipitouss Stitching and see all the other bloggers.

Look at this adorable bird made by lovely Vickie.... and the needle minder. Thank you my friend. The bird is on happy in the tree and the minder on my sewing table.

Murphy is already for Christmas...went to the groomer on Monday. When we picked him up Lisa and I were told there was a handling fee added.... he was a little difficult and his ear got scraped (not very obvious at all) but all was okay. He does not like his ears or feet touched! Maria does a superb job, even with him pulling away. See his red/green collar? Lisa picked it out for him to wear for Christmas. The bell jingles and we can hear him coming...most of the time. Such a handsome boy. Today he has yelled at all the birds that stopped by to bath in the fountain or drink. Very protective of his garden.

We have remained healthy here... I do hope you are all doing well. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind words. Thank you for your friendship.

Yesterday would have been Dennis' 75th birthday.... hope the angels had balloons for him.

Garden and Dining projects

The weather has been so cooperative for us to work on the garden make-over....

There is no trace of a corner pond. The brick work has been extended and the wall painted and the fence looks great. We still have some planting to do but for now it is lovely.
Murphy is still enjoying sunbathing and he is getting used to the fence. One thing he does enjoy is sitting on the stool in the kitchen

where he can look out into the garden. Beside the garden work, we have finished the dining/kitchen area.

We have added a hutch. 

Behind the two glass doors we have Lisa's mother's china. The pale green pattern hand painted pattern is called Green Thistle Arabia. It was their first china when they married and was bought in Finland by Jerry, Lisa's dad who travelled the world.

The center cubby holds some of my tea cups and a tea pot which will change periodically

Lower bottom center hold wine and a few smaller tea pots.

The stainless steel counter top holds a Demitasse coffee set and in the corner a tea cup, a gift from Lisa that is from the "Grace" collection.

Across the room is the dining table and sidebar. Lisa brought with her a lovely cabinet...

 Lisa's dad Jerry made this cabinet and her mom Carol painted the design.
On the top we have started an "air head" collection.

That is what we have named them as they hold an air plant on top of their heads. We are quite happy with how it all looks.  We certainly have been very busy around here.  

I had a nice surprise yesterday. Lisa informed me before leaving for work that a Fed Ex package was arriving. When is did I sent her a text and she told me to open it to get a gift for me!

It is a heavy canvas tote, 21x23x11. Huge! It is stamped the Boston Public Library on the front and inside it says; "The Commonwealth require the education of the people as the safeguard of order and liberty." It can carry 27 pounds of books....or lots of crafts.... or Murphy! Some of the proceeds from purchase benefit the Boston Library. The library still uses these to ferry books from one branch to another.

So although creative hands have been idle, things have been on the move around here. So nice that you had some time to visit. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

Hooray for the weeks end

Hooray indeed.... with luck Murphy will be free of his decoration by Tuesday or Wednesday. He

walks around like poor me.... with his head held down! Doorways are a problem as is walking behind us all the while scraping our legs. When he wants, he can get up on the yard chairs or the bed but every so often he gives the woe is me look and waits for help. WE did remove the collar last night while we supervised him to prevent him from touching the incision. He played and was very happy. Today I will take it off for a short time. Alan and Lisa will be at work so it  will be quiet and he will be calm.

Murphy is not happy about the yard restrictions. Alan put up a temporary fence to keep him safe. What he does not know....yet... is that we are fencing it off permantely when the work is done.

I did mention that Alan was like a kid in mud...well, he was in mud. We are still waiting for the pants to dry to be washed!

I participated in Jo's Secret Valentine blog hop. We submitted a picture and she sent it to another then we visited and identified if it was from us. Always fun. These are made like the French Roses...fun to make.

 Speaking of Valentines.....Alan and Lisa brought me this from the Arabian Horse Show. It is a wonderful pouch that securely attaches to your waistband. One side has a opening perfect for my phone and the other has 3 zippered pockets great for license and money and keys. I love using it when Murphy and I go for our walks. Look at the sparkly angel...
Swishing in the laundry area sounds done so time for fluffing. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind words and friendship.
***update....my heel is healing nicely...still hurts to wear shoes... best to wear slip ins!

The day after......

The Brother Alan and I had a wonderful relaxing couple of days. For him it was back to work today. Just me and Murphy here. A package just arrived from Dear friend LuLu

He is tearing the box apart. The little reindeer is his newest toy and he loves whipping it around to hear the bell inside jingle. Right now the box is a better toy.

Thank you Lu for the Ana Lee Santa who stands 16 inches high!

Thank you Vickie for the pieced quilted tree ornament 

Thank you sis Lynowl for the Crockpot

Thank you Glenda for the beautiful glass window ornament.

Thank you Debbie for this cute Hummingbird swing and the delicious chocolates that Alan and I are enjoying and.....

and this wonderful sounding Dragonfly chime that Alan is looking for a spot to hang it.

All of my gifts have been sent or given with just one waiting to go to it's person. A nice Christmas. It was  the first time in 15 years that Alan and I spent together  for Christmas. Although we had rain for 2 days, Murphy did not mind walking at all. He did have an issue with my carrying an umbrella.

Thank you for taking time to stop by. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

From New York

Seems like rain is everywhere. Yesterday here in The Valley there were areas of pouring rain...at Bob and Dianna's house and even hail in the Phoenix area.  We just had lots of clouds. Today is sunny a and the temp is nice.
 Alan is in New York on business and sent this photo

NY police are using Smart cars! Maybe it will help when there are cars blocking their way. Traffic can be very congested there. As you can see, it was raining there too.
I ordered a quilt pattern today from my local quilt store. I should have it by the end of the month.... I told her no hurry and that would be fine.  Looking forward to making a runner for the table.  A friend made it and it was really so pretty.

This package arrived today. What was I thinking putting it under the tree! Murphy just dragged out and took it. Thank you Debbie.... I now have it out of reach. He is a collector of anything not his. Keeping me on my toes.
Thank you for visiting today....and for your kind words and friendship.

A cloudy day......

There is no sunshine … at least not at the moment. Clouds cover the sky and me too. We  have been in a cool down...temps lower than normal...what really is normal? Weather is what it is...changeable at a minutes notice. Winds are expected later today.... just means the chimes will make noise which is not a bad thing.

On Friday mail delivery brought me a package from Catherine at I Love to Stitch blog..... so many beads! Catherine tells me she wanted to share... and she did. She is encouraging me to make a beaded covered needle case...sending me the needle cases and a link to a video on how to do!

If the bead supplies were not enough, she included a bracelet that she created! Goodness on overload. Speaking of mail, I ordered some beads and the expected delivery was to be on Monday coming...I did not check the USPS tracking and it arrived yesterday...while I was out. So now I will need to go to the post office on Monday to pick it up. Oh well. That is okay because I was busy anyway...

I finished another Pod Ornament...this is Butterfly, design by Patti Lamb. I already started another one and know I will be making more. Love making these pods.
Yesterday morning when I opened the verticals in my bedroom I was surprised to se a Dove sleeping in the lanai.... I started him and when he panicked got caught in he net curtain across the front of the lanai. So instead of grabbing my camera I went out to rescue him. That is when I saw that there is already another Dove nesting.... this will be #3. Of course the Dove Kids from the last nesting are still are sitting around the garden..not ready to leave. I have become Dove Sanctuary! I thought about getting out there to sweep today but with winds expected it would be useless. Instead it will be a butterfly pod day.
Robyn and Dave gave me the approval on a new shrimp recipe that I tried. dessert to die for.... we  It was bacon wrapped hot pepper stuffed shrimp. This will definitely be on my frequent to make list. I love shrimp! Last week they sent over a dessert to die for. We share across the courtyard!
Can you believe there are only 2 more days before The Brother Alan and Lisa arrive.....2 days...Tuesday! Not sure what the week will hold but it will be a good week for sure. I only have about 4 or 5...at the moment...things on The Brother To Do List!  It is not too important at the moment for some of these things.... just as long as we enjoy the week.
I am off to do chores s once again the House Faeries  seem to be on vacation. Nice to chat with you today.Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.
Two years ago today my world came crashing down and never recovered. It has not gotten any easier….my heart is broken and cannot be fixed. 💔I am grateful to those who reached out then and still do now to be there for me.

One more delivery

Still trying to put it all in my head...one more week and a new year  will be here. Where did the time go..... oh, if I sit it will all come rushing back to me so I think for now I will not. Yesterday the mail brought 2 more gifts!

Lynda Ruth sent me these lovely crocheted stars for my tree. I love the color, so deep and rich red. They look pretty on my tree.
then the other was from dear Vickie....

a beautiful origami fabric star. She chose lovely fabrics for this one....a bit of sparkle and some print. I had wanted to try this pattern but seemed to run out of time. Thank you both for gifting me this year.
I just had to try my Quesadilla maker.... of course I did. I love gadgets and tools of the kitchen.

Yum.... lunch was very good. Going to love the many different possibilities with this. Quick and simple. I had to get romaine at the market so why not get the fixings and enjoy a quesadilla. The real purpose of my errand was to go to Lowes where they had storage bins on sale... for the Christmas stuff to be packed away next week. I always dread this part of the celebration. Getting all the empty boxes down and organizing them then putting them back. This year should be easier since they will not be going into the high cupboard. Instead they will be on the shelving unit. Anyone who really knows me knows that I am an organized person so having the garage in disarray is driving me crazy. Usually it is New Years Day or the day after that it all begins. Why does it take longer to put away than it did to get it all out!?  Oh well.
So, coffee is finished and it is not yet 5am. Maybe I can just curl up and watch the news something cheerful on the TV. Glad we had time to chat today. Thank you for the kind words and for your friendship.

One more to go.....

Hope everyone enjoyed the Christmas Day festivities. I am thankful to dear friends Dianna and Bobby for including me with their family for the day. They made my difficult day easier.

This gift from them was inspired by my post about The Carol of the Bells. I jingled all the way home form their house! It is out on the lanai and waiting for a good wind to come along.
It is nice when people know what you like when they get you a gift....

This was from Glenda.... I am sure you notice the turquoise hanger...it is from one of my favorite artists. And a lovely plaque that is already on the fridge for me to see and read each day.

Sis Lynowl was paying attention many months ago... while during one of our phone conversations I mentioned that I would like to get a Quesadilla maker. It was delivered in that beautiful green sheer bag! Can not wait to get the supplies to make lunch! I once worked with someone who used to make us lunch  with the same one and the possibilities are endless.
It was a very nice Christmas under my tree...🎅
I was treated to a four bloom for Christmas...

Yes indeed...4..... f o u r   blooms bringing the total to 7 flowers on this amazing plant. There is another lower shoot but I do not think it will amount to much but who knows.
We are on the count down to the end of another year and one more day to note, New Years Day. This means almost time for me to get ready to pack up all the decorations and store them away. Do you make New Year resolutions? I never make resolutions. This year I plan to make a list.... a list of what I hope to do during the coming year. I will have a craft box with patterns and some supplies so that I can just open it and choose a project. The Brother Alan gets a To Do List each time he comes out but this is not for him...he will be happy to know. His fun stuff is the garden, the house and other things. Time to get a move on around here. Coffee is almost finished and the Housework Fairies have not arrived. They seem to be on an extended vacation. Happy to have you visit with me today. thank you for the kind words and for your friendship.

A snow globe, a squirrel and a dove

A late day post! The day is very cloudy. We may have some raindrops for Christmas. Having computer issues, well keyboard issues again. Next up for me is a laptop!
Today I went to the bank...and noticed that their decorations have been disappearing! They have a large tree of course and a simple wreath behind the counter and they originally had lots of white doves around the lobby...

I thought how nice they looked, simple yet festive. Then I began to notice each time I went to the bank that they were slowly disappearing! Yes, people were taking them.... now before you think I took this one, the gal who I usually see gave it to me. They started with about 40 of these doves and since they have "flown away", they now numbered 10, well now that I have this one 9 are left. Made from heavy pure white poster board, they measure about 6 1/2 inches from beak to tail and the wing span is almost 12 inches. I remarked that these people took them while on cameras mounted at the counter....guess it is the only withdrawal that will not get you jailed.
Then I made my last trip to the post office for the season....hard to believe but they said it would arrive on Monday. Speaking of deliveries, the package to Debbie in Canada already arrived! I came home and to keep my mind calm I finished the beaded snowglobe snowman...

He is so cute, measuring 2 inches square. My tension could be better. Working with clear Delicas was a bit straining....the next one will be looser.  I changed the red bird on his arm to a blue bird, the next one will be a red bird.
The mail brought me a new critter...

The note is from Aunt Rose Marie... she said she saw it on a shelf and it said it wanted to come to visit it's cousin in Arizona! I think it is a he... and here in the Valley I do not see squirrels. They were all over my yard back in Rhode Island and I kind of miss seeing them and their antics. Thank you aunti…. it will be a reminder of RI and you!
I am feeling my age today...back aching, hand swollen.... and all the other arthritic spots are awake. Time to sit back, find a movie to watch and relax. Glad you had some time to visit with me. Thank you for the kind words and thoughts and for your friendship.

3 Blooms and Two Friends

My day has started much too early... 2:30 am. I have a few errands and then I will settle for a movie or 2 and a cat nap. The Amaryllis has really bloomed!

Three bright red flowers and another could bloom by Christmas. This is one of the nicest I have had in years. … And no care! There is a shoot lower on the stem and that may also grow... I would not be surprised.
The Christmas cactus is giving one or two flowers a day which is nice. I know, they look so pretty in fluffy bloom but then once the flowers are finished then nothing. this way I have a flower each day or two with lots of buds in wait.
Yesterday was such a lovely day...Dianna and Bobby came for Christmas lunch.... at Bobby's request it was lasagna. Bobby always travels here with his full tool bag and so off to the garage he went while dinner was in the oven to fix that cupboard door. I will be safe now that it is secured again. Two dear friends who show up to lend a hand when needed and not even asked.  Dianna supervises! Christmas packages have arrived....

This lovely knitted Mobius and stitched piece is from DebbieB...Canada has a postal strike, but Debbie says this arrived quickly. We are in touch daily...through emails. Hope my package is not to arrive to her. This year she began to spin her own yarns.
A surprise from England.... from June arrived....

a lovely angel key fob and slim calendar of angels. I have never seen such a sweet calendar.....thank you both so much for thinking of me. Be sure to stop by their blogs (click on the name) to see what they are up to.
Not much needlework or  beading has been done as my thumb and ring finger are "locking" more. Thank goodness the Voltarin Gel helps a little for the pain and a few god books to read. Of course Hallmark Christmas movies are generally good to fill the time. Speaking of time, I need to get a move on as the exterminator will be here before I know it for the monthly spraying of the garden and not meeting him in pajamas is preferred. Laundry needs to swish and the bed needs to be made....off I go to finish my coffee so I can get it all done. Thank you for visiting and for your kind words. Thank you for you friendship.

Christmas decorating and a gift arrived

Sometimes I sit and think and sometimes I wish I had just moseyed along. I miss having my Denny around and try to remember his words to me...… anyway, the phone rang the other evening and it was sis Lynowl worried about a package that was suppose to arrive for me around the 13th but now it was coming early!...it was arriving Tuesday by 9PM.  You see, sis can not have a package around and not open it immediately. I on the other hand can wait until the "time" …

Yesterday morning a phone call from Across the Courtyard from Robyn to tell me she could see a package left at the front door. There was no ringing of the door bell and this was early. I brought it in and texted sis to let her know it arrived. I opened the big box and this beautiful green silky bag appeared. No, I have not opened or peeked inside. Curious, yes, but I am patient.it sits prettily by the tree.
 I got to decorate again for someone else yesterday afternoon...Glenda. She asked me to add the ribbon (like my tree) to her tree. I was delighted. It was the first time since moving out here that I got to do this. I think I mentioned that I used to help decorate several homes each Christmas back in RI.

Wearing my Beaded Santa earrings, and juggling wire  was telling her that and  in RI I had a nice cobbler style apron to hold all my tools and before I knew it she appeared with this pretty apron...the very style I used to have and gave it to me. Not the I am doing more home decorating, but I will enjoy having it the next time I am juggling this and that while decorating. Her tree is pretty (already was) and some lights put around the other décor. It felt so nice to spread my decorating cheer once again. Today will be a quiet day. I have gathered all the ingredients to make Banana Nut bread and my crochet project will be finished.
Coffee has finished brewing and I think Eggo waffles would be good. Nice chatting with you today. Thank you for visiting and for your kind words. Thank you for your friendship.

Friends

A lovely day with cooler weather. The AC is off and the doors were open all day.

A pretty bouquet in a lavender mason jar....
My morning was one of my "off times", tears and feeling sad ( just one of those mornings) but that changed when Dianna and Bobby arrived. After some chatter Bobby got out his tools and removed the small counter top and then slid the refrigerator in better position. He also put a wood top on it for now as I still have not ordered the butcher block top for it. Then he began to remove the drinking water faucet from the kitchen sink. Did I mention that Bobby has a wonderful sense of humor….it was not long before I forget to feel sad. Finally he replaced the florescent light bulbs and let there be light in the kitchen! Now it was time for lunch. I had wanted to take them out for lunch but they said sandwiches would be fine. So, Sunday I went to Fry's and got a selection of Italian meats and rolls for what I call a grinder and he calls a hero.... and for desert...we had sorted Talenti Gelato. How do you say thank you to these two? The warmth of feelings I have for them and from them … no words can be said.

They brought me another Plumeria plant as the one from last year did not survive the heat. I will plant it by the weekend. This is a beautiful charm/necklace that Dianna bought for me. She also bought one for herself.... we match! Very pretty and delicate.

I did manage more beading on Sunday....half a face one hand and boot...getting there. Just 2 more sections and it will be complete.
When we bought the new dining set and server piece, we also bought a work counter which had to be delivered from the manufacturer. Well, I received an email telling me it will arrive on Friday afternoon...in piece! Yes, in 3 sections to be assembled. I better make sure the screwdriver is charged.... hopefully I will be able to assemble this cart. It is 111 pounds, 36x52x18....not a small item for sure. Stay tuned for the results or lack of.
That about covers what is happening around here. Thank you for taking the time to visit and thank you for your kind words and friendship.