Some accomplishments this weekend

Yesterday was like a weather day from a movie. The morning was cloudy and extremely windy

This is just a peak into the Lanai. Leaves and dust from the winds and then it drizzled and then the sun and then it started all over again...a weird pattern of  craziness. the rain never amounted to much but the winds were like a hurricane. Of course with the winds came more dust...so the Lanai and the garden really need a good cleaning....but not today.
Considering the leg issues I did accomplish a few things this weekend.

I finished the Heart edged Ice Drop...not my best tatting but it passes. It is a lesson that when I have pain I should not tat.
Finally Dolly has her head and limbs!

She is resting while I decide on the fabric for her clothes. I also will be altering the pattern directions as I think it will be a waste of fabric to follow them. I at one time sewed most of my clothes so I know I can handle this. I am not changing the pattern just the cutting and sewing.
I think I have mentioned the keyboard issues and then the other evening the tablet after 2 years of use decided That I could not sign in for email. So Honey came by and after some messing around got it to work and then we had to change the password but the issue is no longer.

The new keyboard is really the same except a newer model of what I had and liked from 3 years ago. A very productive afternoon yesterday.
Remember the key issue? Well that is totally taken care of. While waiting for the keys to be cut I found.....

this magnetic Goldfinch for my screen on the sliding door from the kitchen to the Lanai. I bought a butterfly for the one coming from my bedroom. Now I have never walked into the screen door but you never know who might. A pretty reminder that it is there. If I should ever get locked out I have a way to rescue myself or I can call Glenda and Don to come to my rescue...like they do for so many things.
This afternoon I will have the Ultra sound on my legs and speak with the surgeon. How lucky I am to have you for a friend...and  that you have sent me encouragement and good wishes and concern for me.
"A friend is one of the nicest things you can have and one of the nicest things that you can be"...according to Pooh and me! So off now to do some chores. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind words and of course you wonderful friendship.

*******13 days until you know who arrives!*******

A garden walk and tatting

Well it did rain and is still drying out. Since it is still dark outside I can only tell you that the air is nippy. I have been watching the Olympics and did a bit of tatting

 The basic ice drop with a heart border.... but Olympic Curling got in the way....
I baked a basic bread late yesterday to have with my Penne and Shrimp bake dinner.... very good if I say so myself. I have enjoyed trying new recipes. I would like to show you the view out of my kitchen window....

This is what is left of my tomato plant and of course the "alien" Snail Vine.  It truly grows before my eyes!

If you really look closely in the center of the picture you will see that it is now growing toward each side! As soon as I can use the step ladder I will attempt to bundle it up to the top of the arbor....before you can not longer walk beneath it. And such delicate blooms...

They are unique in how they curl around itself and such pretty shades of lavender. Soon I will be showing you my lavender blooms that are getting ready.

this little bundle of cherry tomatoes may be the last that I get. I will just leave the plant which is right next to the "alien" and on the other side of this is

the Red Lips Salvia. The hummer visits it daily and it is a lovely bright spot to see out the kitchen window. It probably would do better in the ground but for now this is where it grows.
Across the garden is

Fairy Duster....which has doubled in size and doing well. These feathery blooms do not last long but are so bright and fluffy. I am enjoying taking care of this garden which my Denny established and loved so much. I know he would approve of my additions.
Thanks to Don for helping me to install all the drip lines, my watering is now self care and makes it much easier for me to enjoy what work I need to do out there.
Today the plan is to attach the doll's head so she can think and help me pick out clothing fabric! I think I will carefully bring the bin into the house so I do not have to stand in the garage choosing it all. My restrictions will probably be lifted once I see the doctor on Tuesday. Hopefully my right leg will start to feel better too. Hope you enjoyed the garden walk. Thank you for your caring emails and encouragement and kind words. You are wonderful friends...thank you for your friendship. You have helped me immensely these last 8 months. 

What a week....and it's only Thursday!

Rain.. yes indeed there was rain in The Valley of the Sun yesterday afternoon. The official measurement was about 1/4 of an inch and the first really measurable in 130 days. Well, it is a desert area!

There were bubbles in the birdbath! It did not rain heavily here but enough to be steady for a short time. It was nice and we do need it but at this rate the drought will continue.
Thank you for the lovely messages on Valentine's Day. Another one of my firsts to pass. The Brother Alan called to check on how I was feeling since the latest procedure which was Monday. To be honest, it is not as painful (but it is badly bruised) as the right leg which is still so sore. Those bruises are starting to fade. Tonight I get to sleep without bandages or compression stocking...that should feel good.

I stuffed and stuffed and began to put the Tilda doll together and I even tatted a little yesterday. Found an unfinished tatted Ice Drop started so I thought it was time to finish it...neither of the projects got finished! I did watch the Olympics. It is so hard to watch the figure skaters when they fall or fail to complete a technique. I know the count of medals is important but for me it is to see the accomplishments of all the athletes. Years of work to get to the competition is a reward in itself. The skiing is my favorite and the Curling. Still learning about the rules and stuff but I enjoy the how and why of the game. Today will be another good day to relax and watch more of the games.
Guess that about covers what I have been up to this week. The Bissell needs a walk but I am not suppose to do that yet...gee, I feel bad! Since the air still has some rain drops in it I can forget about cleaning the yard, oh wait, that is not on my okay to do list...gee....guess I will just sit and do some crafty thing and watch the Olympics. Glad you visited with me today. Thank you for the kind words and for your caring friendship.

***friends are kisses blown to us by Angels*** unknown author 

A bug in the house

Hope everyone is beginning the new year healthy..... so far I am. It really is almost impossible when out and about. I went to the market early in the day to avoid lots of people and late in the date to the pharmacy...so far so good. The weather has been above normal here in Arizona...in the low to mid 70s. How about that Super Moon...the Wolf Moon...

I love all phases of the moon but there definitely is something special about full moons. This was no exception.....It was huge and the halo around it, well, I just could not help wanting to pull up a chair and sit with it...I see the moon and the moon sees me!
I did get to tat on New Years Eve day.....

I had limited thread left on the two shuttles so I just tatted until the almost end and finished the icicle with a fringe of beads. Love tatting....find it relaxing. I also was busy on NYE day sewing

No, this is not the project but the inspiration to make the project. I have night lights on in a few areas of the house. Early in the morning on 12/31 as I entered the kitchen I stopped short thinking there was a creepy crawly thing on the floor....after I yelled out I discovered it was the shadow of the spider plant...but I then remembered that I wanted to sew

"Bug" from the Tilda Seasonal book. Isn't she adorable? Just the right ladybug fabric that I have had for ages and some lace wings and she is ready to fly away. Found just the right beads for her antennae  and also a frilly bit of lace for a collar. She is going on a journey ....I will miss her so she will hang out with me for a few more days.
Usually my tree and decorations remain up for the first week of January but this time I needed them to go back to the garage so that is how I spent the day yesterday. Once you move one thing to vacuum you then move this and then that and that snow and glitter! I will be vacuuming for days and it will still be here. Better than shoveling it.
I had plans to make a beef stew yesterday and fresh rolls...plans came apart as I was skyping with sis Lynowl and dictating the recipe to her. I realized I had one key ingredient missing! So I will be off to the market this morning before the crowds and today will be beef stew day. The recipe is at least 30 years old and Dennis used to make it, so I am hoping that mine will be as good as his was.
End of year and time to sort through files and paperwork in time for the accountant. Time also that I sort through patterns and find new homes for many of them. I will be focusing on more tatting for awhile so the cross stitch needs organizing. I will be posting some of them so if looking for something new (or old from my files) stay tuned. Still waiting to hear of a package mailed to Canada on December 8th....I hate customs! Hard to track them down.
Time for me to visit the laundry corner and change the bed and stuff. Glad to visit with you. Thank you for your kind words and friendship.

Going forward one step at a time.

Enough with the rain

Two full days of rain this past weekend. Now do not get me wrong, we do need the rain here in the Valley of the Sun desert, but 2 days? Finally it was a mostly sunny day yesterday and my visit with JeanneG was sitting outside in her yard. Lovely!  Alice is ready for another page hopefully today. I really need to get back to her. If only........

I did not look through the Handy Hands catalog last week .... these arrived this weekend and the colors are popping. Guess more tatting in in the days ahead. I re-did the Irish Penny for Maryann...

I felt the thread seemed to light weight for such a heavy coin and this suited it better. Hope she likes it when I see her on Thursday. I also made another Ice Drop, this one with a heart border...

Not perfect, but the next one will be better. Tricky with the hearts. I think I will make one in solid color. The gals who create these designs are driving us crazy, we want to make them all and probably will. Tomorrow is my EGA demonstrate tatting day. I have organized myself several times and still feel like I will forget something. My thought is to take too much and that way I will be sure to have all that I need to demonstrate. Hopefully someone will be able to have a good experience from this. Tatting is not that easy to learn but once you do it is enjoyable. Always room to learn more. It is just about time for me to have a cup of coffee and maybe some Eggo waffles...with honey and butter. Happy to have you stop by. Thank you for the kind words and your friendship which always make my day. Have a wonderful day.  ☕

Feeling lost

Just feeling like it will be one of those days. Mr H has a follow-up with his spine surgeon this morning. He had x-rays yesterday so we can be sure it is healing well. I must say Mr H has not had any problems with that surgery. Last evening he told me that he will tell the doctor that he does not want any further surgery. His spine is has many disc issues so it would be almost never ending to try to fix them all. Today just may be one of those days for me. I am feeling lost and really would like to be found. Have no reasons why. I did manage to make

a tatted heart on Monday with a very light pink tinged gem for the center. Not sure if I want to add a ribbon to the top so that is why you see the tatting threads still loose. It certainly has been fun making this small projects rather than tatting a large piece. Have you noticed that my list of followers is missing? Have no idea where it went or how to get it back. Speaking of friends....do any of you follow Coni over at The Spinster Stitcher ? Coni has not been feeling well and recently lost her beloved Master Stewey fur baby. I ask that you keep our fellow blogger in your thoughts. She is delightful and her posts are always fun as well as her stitching is beautiful. We all need someone to hold us in thought at one time or another if not daily. I think I will sit with Alice and begin her first motif after all it is the one she is using to stand on! Thank you for your kind words and for stopping by, but most of all thank you for your friendship. Have a good day.
PS if anyone finds me, please let me know...I do not like felling lost!

All gone....

All of the signs of Christmas are away...and somehow all went back into the cupboard better than they were? The outside decorations are also ready to put on the shelf. I like to let them sit for a day or so before packaging them in case they have any dampness on them. The sun is shining after a couple of days of clouds and rain. We are so not used to cloudy days and rain more than a few hours! I am hoping for some stitching time....I just have to settle down to do it cause there is nothing else to stop me. I managed to get a few more Ice Drops tatted..

This one is going to a friend in Texas....she and I love purples and lavenders.  I also had a request from my friend Glenda for a couple ...

lavender, one with silver beads and one with white pearls. She is gifting these to a friend. I really like making these gems.  My next one to tat will be the Lucky Penny one.
This morning while outside gathering the garland I noticed...

obviously there was a Coyote trying to catch a bunny. Since there are no signs of bunny fur anywhere, I want to think he did not catch this one. What a mess they make digging, trying to get them out from the bushes.  Today is day 3 for My Journal Jar and yes, I did write a note. Well guess that about covers what is happening here in Hortonville....thank you for your kind words and most of all I always appreciate your friendship. Have a good day.

Busy hands

I have indeed been busy. On Wednesday afternoon I had a few ladies over for late lunch and wine...just nice friendship and good conversation. We had Baked Ziti, Antipasti lettuce wraps, Shrimp with cocktail sauce and some Orange cranberry cake and of course Sparkling wine; Raspberry and a white. I think all enjoyed themselves.  Yesterday while out getting a few needed household supplies I bought another

small coffee maker. Mr H does not drink coffee, so this size is just right form me as I prefer to make one mug at a time. A few aisles away....this popped into the cart

they knew I had to have purple/lavender gems so I could make an Ice Drop for Becky....we worked together at Jo Ann's until my retirement and her moving to Texas. I did make another new one this morning...

The one on the right has LA Colors 3446 nail polish (glitter) painted on the front of the clear gem and purple beads and the one on the left is made with Recollections Rhinestone stickers that measure 3/4 inch. I stuck 2 back to back and voila, a pretty sparkly Ice Drop. These little tatted ice drops are very addictive. The possibilities are many. I have a couple of packages ready to go to the Post Office next week with ice drops ..... the fun is sharing them with others. Not everybody tats.  Another cloudy day here in The Valley of the Sun! Rain expected for the weekend. Mr H and I do not go out to celebrate but I do feel bad for those who do. Two last days before another year begins. I know many of you feel the same, this year has certainly passed quickly. For some of us there were ups and downs but we made it through. Most of all, I am so lucky to have your friendship and kind words, Thank You! I hope you have a wonderful day.....See you in the New Year☆

Tat tat tat

I am so happy that I am able to return to tatting! A year ago I stopped due to my hand issue, but as soon as I tried I surprised myself that I remembered all that I learned a short time ago. Problem is I am absolutely addicted to these

Ice Drops.....thank you very much to a fantastic gal, Diane Green Cadematori and her great tutorial. You just can not tat one! I am not sure where they are all going to go.

Here is one done with gold beads on the outside and I just started one with red beads and I have some blue beads and, well you can guess where this is going! Fun to make. they measure just over an inch from one picot to another.
Plain or fancy they look sweet on the tree. So far I have only use "clear" gems in the center....until I find some colored ones.
Now, some people have the Shelf Elf around Christmas...

I have The Grinch watching over me at the computer desk. He has been with me for maybe since 1999. I also have the larger one who is sitting in the living room and remember the bulb ornament? well I also have a gourd that Mr H painted...will have to show those to you another day soon. It is almost nine AM and since I have been awake since 2 AM, I figure it will be a long day. I do have plans to finish my Dresden wreath wall hanging this morning and of course those  multiplying Ice Drops. I have already had a friend ask for one so that my house will not have an avalanche of them! My pleasure to share them! Thank you for stopping by and for your friendship and kind words......enjoy your day.