Click...click

 The sound you do not want to hear when starting trying to start the car is click. that is what happened yesterday when Lisa was going to work. there was some hesitation the day before but it did start. Not Wednesday.  So a text to The Brother Alan. He came home a little early so we could take the car to the dealership. Yes, as it turned out the battery needed to be replaced. Early this morning before going to work he and Lisa went to pick it up....al is good. 

Finally sat and used the Singer.... a  beautiful pillowcase for my bed. The fabric just caught my eye and then I had to change a few things. The body of the case is the purple pansy print and the cuff is the large rose print. Actually the cuff is a border print so I had to change the size. It is 10 inches wide. When cutting the cuff it is 9 inches folded in half to be 4 inches. 

Problem solved by trimming the cuff and then lining the inside with the trim piece....the fabric for the trim and cuff lining is actually in the cuff border. Very pleased with it and of course the sewing machine. There are so many attachments that Alan helped me figure a good way to store them so I am not rummaging through loose pieces.

We found this at Jo-Ann's and had a coupon. I labelled each section and as you can see, this works perfectly. I like things to be organized. some feet came with the machine and then Alan ordered a Singer special box with feet and then there was another group that were special additions with the machine. I do not think there is any that I need!

Swishing is happening in the laundry room and in between that I hope to get some sewing done. It is a warm sunny but I will keep the slider open for Murphy to go in and out...for now. It has been nice having you visit. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

So many days ago

Well now...finally a real Monsoon day

This is outside my bedroom window...flooding. The driveway is a river and the rain gutters cannot handle the downpour

 

the one nice thing besides the sounds of rain are the temperature is so nice at 73. With ground being hard and compacted in most of Arizona we have areas prone to flooding

We have 4 cell phones and this alert has buzzed several times this morning. Our area in Sun City usually only has superficial flooding; the main roads might have water reaching the curbing and the canals will have running water and here in our garden we do have a little flooding. 

But we remain safe compared to others. Murphy went out just before the downpour and ran in quickly. So far he is not really afraid of the storm. Alan and Lisa were watching from the garage around 1am as the storm was right overhead. this is expected to last most of the day.

Last week Lisa made this pretty morning glory pillowcase for their bed. I discovered that I cannot use my left foot to use the foot pedal on the sewing machine. The boot definitely does not let me even feel the pedal. Following doctor's orders to wear the boot. I have a follow-up appointment tomorrow to get the MRI results and what will be next. For most of the time, the boot is helping but then there are those painful moments. Sorry to sound like I am complaining vent, tough getting older...er.

Sounds like the rain is slowing. Time for chores...still waiting for the housekeeping fairy to arrive. Time also to put "The Boot" on. I will try not to stay away to long...again. Need some motivation! Glad you had time to visit. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

The sounds of water

Hello my friends. The temperature cooled a day or two .  It was only in the mid 100s. There was rain but not here in The Valley, it was East of us. Murphy goes out to deposit then usually right back in and tries to remain in the shade out in the garden. The bricks are very hot.

  I ordered some salve for his feet...Musher... which was developed for the Alaskan dogs to soothe their feet. So far we have only been able to put it on Murphy's front paws...he detests having his back feet touched! He is still  a work in progress.

Alan has made another change to the garden and front area....

A new fountain for the garden. The sound is wonderful. Each of the 3 bottom bowls have a light and nighttime is a soft glow. The top bowl needs a rock for the hummers to sit on to bathe. the fountain from here has been moved

To the front of our porch area. The hummers have already returned to drink from the top bubble. Now when sitting on the porch we have the sounds of gurgling water. Very relaxing.

 

Soon Daisy the heating pad Llama and her pillowcase will be flying to her new home. I have been slow to get this all together. This time the box will be registered and signed for.

I enjoy baking and have for years baked at least once a week. This is a lemon cake...Alan likes lemon cake...me, not so much. I use box mixes for cakes and from scratch other baked goods. It is quick and easy. Later today I will be making Prosciutto Bread and Italian stuffed artichokes for our dinner tonight. 

Swishing is ready for fluffing in the laundry area. Happy to have you visit with me. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

Happy Canada Day to my Canadian friends....Debbie Burke and Lynda Ruth Bowers.

Going on a diet~~~~~

 Another beautiful morning here in The Valley of the Sun. Yesterday it almost hit 90 and today more of the same. Speaking of yesterday, Murphy went to the vet for his yearly check up and shots..... $$$ later and what we know. His teeth are in great condition (must be from the gnawing on butcher bones) and his heart is beating just fine.  BUT, yes he is going on a diet... he weighed in at 28 pounds and we are both going to loose 5 pounds. That is correct, he needs to loose 5 pounds.  We will not discuss what I should loose so let's leave it at 5 pounds too.

My cardio testing is moving along.... gotta love The Brother Alan. I told him my last test was today and so he got up and ready as did I and Lisa commented that my appointment was not today...it is next Monday! My mind is someplace~~~ Lisa and I went to the quilt shop 

4 new fabrics....for 2 projects. We also stopped top get a bin for her to organize her sewing and embellishment stuff. Proud of how well she is doing. 

I also found fabric perfect for a Travel Pillowcase... will be flying to RI soon. Today I will get it made.... since I do not have to go for my cardio test! 

I may even bake.... but not with this Pyrex measuring cup!

Slipped right out of my hands. My hands just do not always work well.... and that affects my crafting as well as other activities. Looks like when it hit the ceramic tile it stayed in a bunch. Not so! It was all over the place and we have a large kitchen. Seems that I managed to get it all... lots of slivers and yes I did get a tiny cut. Importantly, Murphy did not get hurt as I put him behind closed door in the bedroom. 

Alan and Lisa brought me something from their honeymoon...

These are out in our front area which we are re-doing. It is a shade area ( the bit of sun is what it gets) so not much grows well there.  Aren't they nice. We will be adding metal flowers to the blue pot next which is moving to the corner of the gravel area (opposite where it is). 

Off I must go to do a few chores before I can get to sew. So nice to chat with you. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

Two more days

 Goodness another month flying by. Maybe it is just me loosing the days! I have had a few off days. Thanksgiving was Denny's favorite holiday so each year reminds me of his preparing dinner wearing a Santa hat. Good memories remain forever.

This is a Spirit Doll that I made for my niece Tonya. It is made from Dennis' jeans and all the embellishments have a significance.

Here is the back side. My lovely niece is having a health issue and I wanted her to have something from Dennis and me.... Something to remind her how much we care about her.  I also sent her a hugging pillow

This I posted before.  They were quite the pair when she was young. He had a special nic-name for her. I requested prayers and good thoughts for someone special, this is who they are for. It is difficult to face any issue around the holidays. 

Two more snowman...these with a top hat and snowflake. They are so cute. I love Christmas creating. It was always fun for me to send Reindeer food and a letter to children.... no requests this year. 

Sock yarn...yes... I will be knitting a pair of toeless and heelless socks for Lisa. She chose the yarn and as soon as take a few measurements I will start them.  I only have a few Christmas gifts to get .and then mail it all out. How about you? I just mail a couple of just because gifts out and they have not arrived at their destination. Should have been Monday and Tuesday, but who knows where they are.

With that, time to fluff on was and swish another. Glad you stopped by. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

Not lost!

 Goodness, time has just passed me by. I have not been idle, no not at all. First, I hope all is well in your home. We are doing fine. Our weather has finally cooled. Murphy is enjoying having the sliders open and pushes through the Magic Screen to go in and out. His favorite place after patrolling the garden is on the glider.

Did you miss me? The days just seem to fly...most of the time. Still wearing a mask when out, still keeping distance actually only out with a purpose. Are you ready for Thanksgiving dinner? We are going unconventional this year. No turkey! Instead we are having an Italian antipasti, fresh fruit, and Lasagna. I will bake a fresh French Country loaf which will go perfectly with the dinner. 

With all the negativity and sheltering in and masks, I said to Alan I can not wait to put out the Christmas cheer around here. "Go ahead"...so Lisa and I started and all is cheerful around here. Lights everywhere....and gifts on the mantel. The mantel you ask? Where else so that Murphy does not attack the gifts! Will take pictures to post. I have also been at the craft table.

I needed a felt Murphy for the tree.  Simple but cute. I also made a Christmas pillowcase finally...

I was not crazy about the fabric but once sewn I do like it. The fabric was a pre-cut package from the quilt shop. The other sewing I can not show until they are received....today and tomorrow they should be delivered. 

I saw these on Pinterest....

They are just tea lights. I put earmuffs and will try a top hat also. Even when not lit they are cute.  There is one more ornament that will be finished today....another Pinterest idea.

Guess I should take care of a few chores. Finish my  food shopping list and craft list. I spent hours looking for my hole punch....it is MIA! 

Nice to have you visit today. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

Sparkling ribbon....

 Hard to believe it has been cool these past few nights and days. Happy to have the 100s in the past. The high country is getting snow and they are very happy. So what is new around here?

We bought a new printer.... the other still works but we needed an upgrade. As soon as I get familiar with the settings things will be great. Alan seems to be back to a regular schedule which means we have dinner together.  Guess there really is nothing new!

Put these ornaments together but need to get beads. I know, you would think with a cupboard full of beads I would have some. Problem is they are all too small. This Thursday Lisa is off and we will be off...to Hobby Lobby or Michaels for beads. 

Next up is a Christmas pillowcase for my bed. All fabric is ready just need to sew. 

I posted this picture before, but this is the fabric. I will swap out one of the pillowcases for this one. There is one I am not overly fond of. Since I have different fabrics on the bed I will only make for the holidays now. The other thought is to make the small travel size...decisions!

Guess that about covers it. Glad to have you stop by. I am still try to catch up reading the blog list. Thank you for your kind words and thank you for your friendship.
Murphy is in an uproar...the landscapers are here and they are right outside my bedroom window....it is a ceiling to floor window... and he is going nuts. Must rescue the guy outside so he can finish his raking.......

Before I go....there is someone dear to me who could use a prayer or two...good thoughts please. 🙏

Sewing

Finally Arizona is cooling down...no more 100s I hope.  Yesterday was a day of winds...the chimes were singing all day and Murphy was happy to chase leaves around the garden.

We have been busy, This pair of pillowcases are the latest that Lisa made. She has come a long way. Lisa completely assembled and sewed these on her own. She is still leery of cutting to measurement...I think it is the rotary cutter! but that is just fine. Alan does not want any cut fingers.

I have also been at the machine...

This is a gift that will soon be on it's way. The fabric flower is on a pin so it can be removed if washing the travel pillowcase.  I tried to make it soft in color. 

This is a special item going with the gift but I will show it after it is received. It was fun to make and embellish with each item having a purpose.

Have you seen the Dammit Dolls?????

I decided to make a few...this is the only one so far... and the poem is attached. If Dammit is not a word you use....Darn it will do! Today is make ornament day...I found one to try so this hopefully will work out. If so, you will see it soon. I guess you have noticed a creative slow down for me recently. What I can say is that I finally feel that I can get back to creating, slowly but getting there. Why you ask...who knows. Feeling down some days and preoccupied on others. 

Sis Lyn called to say the the nursing facility where mom, EvaP was for some years is holding a memorial service for her this week on the 11th for the staff and patients who knew her. Unfortunately no outsides due to Covid restrictions. She received good care there. Her name will be added to a special plaque they have for any patient who passed because of  the Coronavirus. Again Alan, Lyn Lisa and I appreciate your kind notes regarding her passing. 

Nice to chat with you today. Thank you for your kind words and thank you for your friendship. Time to join Alan to watch football.

Keeping busy

 Even Murphy is keeping busy

While I was swishing and fluffing in the laundry corner he was carefully grabbing a box from the recycle bin.

Once retrieved, he nonchalantly walks past me into the house. He loves boxes of kinds and sizes. Every delivery or purchase with a box is HIS.

We bought a couple of pumpkins for outside and a small one for the mantle display. Lisa though Murphy needed it because last year he played everyday with them outside. So.....

immediately took it into the house and  immediately chewed a hole into it. Eventually Alan retrieved it from his grasp. Yes we indulge him....okay maybe me more than them.

Had an appointment with my pain management doctor yesterday. I am having arthritis pain from my thigh right though the right leg. It was decided to give me an Epidural steroid injection into my spinal area. Rest for 24 hours and slowly return to normal activity. Lisa suggested that I rest and it was around 3ish. I was watching Wilson Bickford paint and next I knew it was 6pm and The Brother was just arriving from work!

 Today will be embroidery day for the SAL Lisa and I are doing. We stopped at the quilt store for fabric.

The polka dot will be the table runner backing and the white on white squares are for the embroidery and the dark green (hard to see but it is 2 shades) the other fabric will be the pieces to trim the embroidery.

Of course once there...

This will be a full size Christmas pillowcase. The check is the body, the white is the trim and the cuff is the candy cane.

This selection will be for travel pillowcases. The floral print will be the body, the red the trim and the green the cuff...I will also make one changing the cuff and trim fabrics with one another. 

Murphy and I went for our quarter mile jaunt around the neighborhood. The temps are a bit cooler at 80. It has been too hot to walk at all.

Well, it is good to chat with you. Thank you for your kind words and thank you for your friendship. Time for laundry check and ice cold water. 

It is hot, very hot.

We are still in a "heat advisory" as the temps remain around 110+. We do cool down a bit, at 108! The overnight lows are usually in the high 80s to low 90s. Needless to say, Murphy and I stay indoors. He ventures out only to do perimeter inspections and to take care of business. Ambition to create is pretty low.

I have made 2 new pillowcases. Love the butterfly cuff on this one....

just love the black and white check trim and the bee body on this one. These make 9 pillows on my daybed. What can I say, I like pillows.  Lisa and I keep busy with these and now her new project which I can only show one picture as it will be a gift.

Yes Shabby Roses...... they will be on the lovely silver fabric and the backing is the grey print. Lisa is doing really well with sewing, minimal help from me. Proud of her! Our quilt shop is only open for small classes and by appointment only. We found these fabrics rather quickly and were the only ones in the store at the time. 

Must tell you about The Brother Alan. He not only is an excellent landscaper, a good carpenter,  my personal driver, cooking partner, we now add plumber and electrician to his name! I asked him if we could add a light above my sewing area.  

TA DA!!!! a new bright swag light which is just perfect.   The clear glass shade allows for plenty of light spread.  

I have not been a good blogger lately. Some of it is me feeling out of sorts and the other is blogger recently made some changes and it drives me crazy. They did not ask my opinion or get my permission.  Oh well. It is ever so nice to know people care about me. Yes I am well and Alan and Lisa are careful (they work out of the house), I wear my mask when out. My out time is limited to once a week Alan takes me to the market. He tells me "no talking to anyone and do not touch everything". In and out we go. The other time is Lisa and I may go out on her day off to run an errand. They are taking good care of me. It is so nice to chat with you. I must return to more blogging. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship. 

Hand in Hand.....

Oh these hot days …. Murphy and I stay indoors and relax

He enjoys being on the bed while I do this or that. Just look at those eyes and big black nose!
Got the CT result on Monday. I have terrible discs, bone spurs on my vertebrae all in the C1 to C7 area. Not sure about the rest of my spine as the test was only for this area. So, not heavy lifting and that means Murphy too. He goes completely dead weight when we pick him up like a sack of potatoes! I will not be climbing step ladders and Murphy cannot sit on my shoulder anymore while watching TV.

This is the chair I sit in and he rests his bum on my right shoulder. I really think he thinks he is just a little boy. So when we walk I need to hold the lead differently as he does pull sometimes and probably started this shoulder injury. Next I will see my pain management doctor.
Lisa is still making her pillowcases....

These are not gifts and will remain in our home. 

I also have been creating....

I love these cross back aprons and finally made one.

This is one side....yes, it is reversible....

This is the other side. Nice and sturdy and not flimsy at all. Very comfortable as I already wore it to cook last night. Alan and I made Chicken Cacciatore... oh so good. I see a few more aprons …. seasonal styles maybe.

Guess you are wondering about the title Han in Hand. I left it for last so the tears would wait. 

Many years ago Dennis made this for our garden back in RI and he also made one with Elyssa (Alan's daughter). Our niece was always at our house and loved playing in the garden. They did not make one for me! When we moved to Arizona we gave Elyssa her stone and asked if she wanted Uncle Dennis' and she said yes. Sunday marked 3 years since I am without My Denny, this arrived yesterday. It weighs a ton and I am surprise it arrived in one piece. 

This means so much for me to have this. I thank Elyssa and her mom Colleen for thinking about me enough to return it to me. 

And yes Colleen, I did as you suggested and put my hand into his and we sill still hold hands. For now it is my bedroom but will find a place is this garden which he loved so very much. Thank you both for sending this to me..... I will cherish it.

Wiping the tears away....glad you found some time to visit with me today. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.