H E L L O out there!

Goodness what happened? An entire week has passed me by. Things are pretty good around here. We three are well and no signs of virus. The weather has been hot, very hot....usual in the mid to upper 100s with one day at 111. This morning is very cloudy but no rain in sight. Are we going to have a Monsoon season or what!? We really need the rain.

Back on May 20th I showed you this bulletin board.... it was just hung in the garden. Since then it has my name (the one that Denny called me) and I added garden tools. Yes, I know. They are just plastic but since I no longer need to care for the garden ...... they add a burst of color! Oh the wine bottle.....always wine at the ready around here. Let me explain how special this peg board is to me. First the wood came from a potting work table that was Dennis'. We were no longer going to use it and it need some attention after 16 years of Arizona heat. Lisa and Alan figured a way to keep it around. The made this from the wood and then named it as Graz which is what Dennis called me (an Italian form of Grace). Each day I pass it and think of all the plants Dennis potted..... good thoughts.
I should tell you about The Brother Alan..... he has become a landscaper, a demolition dude, a gardener, an irrigation installer, an electrician and a plumber. Yes indeed, I am very proud of Alan for all that he has learned and accomplished since moving here 9 months ago. Before Alan coming out here you will remember that Don and Bobby were always here to help. To teach me the basics. Now I sit back and offer my opinion when asked (sometimes when not!). Alan learns what and how to get things done. Once again I am being spoiled by Alan and Lisa.

Are you wondering what I have been doing? Here is the large window (almost to the ceiling and down to the floor) at the end of my bedroom. It is a great source of light as my sewing table is here. For some time I have wanted to make a quilt with my many....over 100 handkerchiefs. Then along came Murphy who loves to relax and nap on my bed. No way would I want him on the quilt. Then I though about making it into a wall hanging for behind my bed. All of a sudden I though of the window. Still allows plenty of light while looking pretty.  Maybe a wall hanging is still in the future. 
I do hope all of you and your families are doing okay with this virus. We maintain masks at all times out. Alan and Lisa wear theirs all day at work. I hardly go any place but when I do, I wear a mask. I have made Lisa several so she is a fashion statement at Safeway. Alan and I are proud of Lisa...she has been training for more than the cashier job. This past week she has been a Front end Supervisor.
Happy to chat with you today especially since Murphy is ignoring me! Thank you for your good wishes and for your kind thoughts. Thank you for your friendship.

The days have Marched on

March...goodness where is the time going? I am not sure what exactly is the reason I have been absent from my blog. I have been working on my Handkerchief Quilt... a little.

Hasn't been easy with Murphy wanting to help. But it is a start. Speaking of the boy...

Excuse the view through the screen, I took this a few minutes ago.... compare to the first window picture...

goodness, this was at 4 months old and today at 7 months! He is a bit more than a Mini Schnauzer, and that is from the vet. He is now able to remove things from the counter edge or the table with little difficulty. He certainly keeps me hopping during the day. Murphy does not like the rain... but, when we first got him he did not mind walking in the pouring rain. His personality is really coming out! Definitely going to school.
We are in day 3 of rain....sometimes poring rain. At the moment it is just damp and cloudy. Swishing #2 is on as is Fluffing #1. I thought about just staying in my PJs and doing nothing, but the fairies are not here today.

One of Alan's officers brought in fresh picked Tangelos...they are so delicious. I picked fresh lemons the other day...

Isn't this the perfect bowl? It is one that Lisa had. So nice to be picking fresh fruit and veggies and herbs in February/March.
Soon the fragrance of orange blossoms will fill the air. In the meantime, I need to get back to the laundry area....
Thank you to those who reached out to me to check on me. I really am fine but there are days to deal with. Murphy just settled down to nap so I may join him with a cup of tea. Glad you stopped by. Thank you for your kind words and concern and thank you for your friendship.

Demolition underway

A beautiful day today...not to warm (in the 60s) so Alan began

to remove the pond foundation. He bought a power hammer...like a jack hammer to make the job easier. What he discovered is that  when the pond was built those many years ago it was built very well.... totally reinforced. The task is not complete... it will take a few more days of drilling. Murphy is right there to pick up stones, weeds and dirt. Before Alan began the pond he had to fix a leak in the irrigation line...

Murphy was front and center then too. So, they spent a good part of the day working while I sat around. We seem to be having trouble resetting the irrigation timer so I will need to call someone in.ir
So often I see pictures of cats helping at the computer....now Murphy sits on me lap with the occasional  paw or nose onssss the keyboeard as he  is   nm now. See what I mean!  
I am happy to report that my heel is almost healed and that the pooches incision is healed. I am trying to remember just where I stored my hankies forf my quilt... obviously they are in the garage craft area.... I am sure of it. At the moment Alan and Lisa are preparing dinner....so off I go.  
Always so nice to chat with you. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.        .

New tenants

While out on an errand yesterday I stopped at Petco and found these guys

the silver trio with a black mark...they are called Rasbora and are schooling fish. That means that they will swim in a group---together.... like you see them in the picture. Yesterday however, they were all over the place and never once together and I though oh no misfits! Today for the most part they stay in the group except for one who goes off on its own at times. I also picked up another Red Wag Platy to keep the other one company. Now we shall see if they like their accommodations.  A surprise ringing of the back door bell brought another beautiful Bromeliad...

Friend Joan from RI sent it...look at the vibrant yellow and orange. Now we  I have 2 and I will be so happy if they survive...although my record with house plants is far better than the garden as we know. I forgot to mention my Crying Hankie

When Dianna was here the other day she handed me this beautiful hankie and told me to tuck it into my handbag and when I need to cry to wipe the tears with this. It has embroidery, cutwork and a tatted edge....all of my loved needlework. Each of the 3 corners is also detailed. The other night when we lost electricity, it seems to have caused one of my telephones (a set of three) to no longer work. It keeps messaging out of range. I have tried almost everything...next step just may be into the trash. I am multi-tasking right now...yes, blogging, but also a laundry and deep cleaning the coffee maker...hate that smell of vinegar! I thought abut continuing the yard clean up but today is not the day and it may be a few more before I feel like getting out there early before the heat. Not too bad this morning,  in the high 80s but heading for 109 later today. The Dove family is doing fine....he will be leaving as soon as she arrives which should be anytime now. Which is my cue to leave the blogging world to finish the coffee maker and grab the laundry  mop the kitchen floor and make the bed.....sounds like I will be busy this morning. Thank you for visiting with me and for the kind words and most of all for your friendship. One day at a time......

A bear, a wreath and a dress

Finally finished the June SAL...

I had a "bear" of a time with it, seriously...I started the bear twice thinking I knew how to count and finally the third time it worked. See the bees...let's not go there. Then I worked up the crocheted with beads trim into a wreath...

This is the trim I made in the white with pearl beads. I thought since it is so flexible why not a wreath.... voila! I plan to make a few to send out... my first Christmas ornament. I really like the pattern for this trim and it is simple to do even on the go or in my case while waiting at the hospital on Friday for Mr H. This trim really has many possibilities. My books that I ordered have arrived, except for one of them...I bought one for Penny Rugs and Smocking and both are very good. In the meantime while waiting for the third one which is still in the PA facility... I decided to make this..

Using one of my vintage handkerchiefs and origami folds I have a lovely dress. I mounted it in a "floating" frame and this way the back can also be seen...

I added a bit of netting and covered that with lace so the back is as pretty as the front and besides, it covers the folds. I think pattern on the hanky was so perfect for the design. I tried a couple of others and they just did not look so pretty. Today I will gather some threads and kit up the Bee Happy project and get ready to start another crocheted wreath. The weather is expected to be even hotter this weekend..."excessive heat watch" is what they are saying...above 115. Soon we will be back into the Monsoon season with rains thunder and lightening storms. So, I will be staying indoors with the air on and my stitching on my lap. So nice to have you visit with me today. Thank you for you friendship and kind words...have a wonderful day.

Tree and Gloves

I may need a nap today....fell asleep around 4:30 AM woke at 8ish...but the sun is shining today. Not that I really minded the cloudy day yesterday with a little drizzle added in. Mr H had a nerve racking football game day yesterday...in the end the Patriots won the game and next week another day of  tension as we head to the Super Bowl hopefully which will be played right here in The Valley of The Sun Arizona! Have you seen the outrageous ticket prices?! Not that there are many to be had by the general public. I did get stitching into my day...

         the beginnings of the tree are in focus now. It slowly is revealing itself. Before I know it, Red will appear....... Even though the finish is a way off, I have been thinking of the completed project.... I may have seen just the right fabric for it. Speaking of fabric... I really need to go through what is in my bins. It is okay to buy and store, but I am forgetting what I have. I also added gloves to the Mistletoe Angel...

 I remember the days when all ladies, young and old alike wore gloves. I have saved so many and have a few that belonged to my dear Aunt Angie. Your ensemble was not complete until you added the hat, gloves and handbag. Oh and it was a must to have a handkerchief too. I have many of them that I hoped to someday make a coverlet with. I sometimes use hankies and gloves with my teapot/tea cup displays. Got off track here.... back to  Mistletoe, as soon as I added her gloves she is beginning to take shape. I can't wait to add the beads to her bodice.
As tired as I feel right now, I am looking forward to a go nowhere day so that I can stitch. It is always so nice to have you visit....thank you for the kind words and most of all your friendship. Have a wonderful day. I think it is time for some scrambled eggs....

Hot---Humid--Hankies

Another Monsoon hot humid morning. Inside for the day for sure.

Do you call them hankies? If not, you know them as handkerchief's. When I was a small girl of 7 my Aunti Lucie taught me to crochet....then my Aunti Angie taught me to crochet around a handkerchief.....Many years later and many crochet projects, I met an elderly woman who know my love for hankies and gave me this....

It is a glass box to keep them in. Look how tattered and faded the ribbon is. All of it hand sewn on. I will guess that since I was given this around 1982 and the lady was 90 years old and told me she had it for "many many years"....it is quite old.

The ribbon is glued around the frame then the hinged part is stitched. If you look real careful into he corner you will see a hint of peach color ribbon. I have some of my hankies in here.

The lavender lace trimmed one was a gift from a friend's (Carol M) grandmother when I graduated from middle school. She crocheted the lace on then crocheted around the edge.... the blue trimmed one is one of the first that I made and the yellow is as I progressed.

Just look at how worn the ribbon is....
This one is one that was given to me by my Aunti Angie....dated around thew 1950's...it is plastic.

 

It may be plain, but it is special. As a young girl it is where I kept my hankies. Growing up in the 1050's and 60's, a youn lady never left the house without her hankie!

Tomorrow will be stitch stuff....hope you enjoyed my glass box....hope your day is terrific. Thank you for all the kind comments and emails.