Chocolates from Rhode Island

I was quite productive yesterday. I set up my village.... but of course it is not really finished. One of the boxes has the "snow" and I think I may get to it today. The unpacked boxes are already in the new shelf storage area and fit nicely. As I do not have to get the house ready for company for Thanksgiving dinner, I can continue at my own pace to unpack. My stitched Santa moved to the living room and will greet anyone who enters at the front door. The felt tree also moved into the living room on Papa's smoking stand and has all tatted snowflakes and a set of star lights. Just a few more days before more decorations are brought out.

Look at this festive Autumn package. I was so curious when the postman handed it to me. The return address was from Rhode Island..... finally I opened it and this appeared. The package is from dear Debbie from Canada sent the package. I was surprised as Canada is having postal difficulties and strikes and she has told me to hold off my mailing to her as this problem is really holding up deliveries. Of course I just had to open it...

chocolates! and look, one is the shape of Rhode Island. They have been in business around 22 years and I have never had them. Thank you again Debbie for this wonderful treat in time for Thanksgiving day. I am hoping that the Canadian postal problems get fixed real soon...my packages for you sit here!
I am dealing with a headache of my own causing so I will take it easier today so it will not bloom into a full migraine. Just finishing my first cup of coffee and then I will attack the chores. Nice to chat with you today. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

Morning quiet----

Last night I got to sleep without the compression stocking.....so nice. Of course it will be back on today and then I will be right back to the sleeping with it again on Wednesday, the next procedure! I will be very glad when this is over. I have been walking as the doctor ordered.
Late yesterday I started a tatted heart....

so little tatted it is almost not worth showing! It is a small project so it will not take long...I hope. Heard the Doves last evening..... so maybe they are still thinking about moving in. This pair is very different than the several others who nested here. Last year there were 5 nests in the garden...all at different times of course....one at a time. The Firecracker bush needs trimming but I think it best not to attempt the step ladder at this time. the Sweet Memory also needs a trim...that too will need to wait.

A trip to the Post Office today and then maybe a haircut...then who knows what. Nice not to have too many plans then the day is easy. The magazine will be dropped off to Dr. Paul's office waiting room. I thought this subscription was about to expire....guess not yet.
I really should get the laundry in to swish and a few other chores done. Glad to have you stop by. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

The quiet surrounds me....it is welcome.

A Prince in my house

Crazy weather morning. The sky was very dark and clouds every which way, then the sun and now we are back to clouds. The forecast is suppose to be for rain today.....we shall wait and see.
My Shutterfly book which was suppose to arrive yesterday....well, it is finally in Arizona and took 6 days to get from NC by UPS to get to Tolleson AZ. So it is about 13 miles away form me....let's see how long this takes. Speaking of deliveries...the package to Lynda Ruth finally arrived in Canada...one month to the mail date!
Yesterday Dianna and Bobby picked me up and off we travelled to the thrift stores in the area.

This Prince followed me home. Could not beat the cost and he just looked at me and I knew he needed to come home with me. Not sure where he will spend his time but for now he is in the living room guarding the candy on  Glenda's my lavender pedestal plate. We stopped for lunch at a little place in my neighborhood that I have never been too and discovered a great menu and the food we had was quite good. You never know about these little places.
I managed to get just a little more done on my tatted motif and it will definitely get finished this morning. I am waiting for the A/C guy (Brent) to come and replace a part in the unit. This is suppose to stop the noises that we hear. I think they should just replace this "new" 7 month old unit. This is the last time and then I will insist that they replace it.
I picked 4 tomatoes yesterday and will enjoy them with cucumber slices later along with chicken tenders and rice. The yard needs a good sweeping and the pond needs to be skimmed but I would rather tat. So, that is where you will find me today. Nice to have you visit and thank you for your kind words. Thank you for your friendship....special thanks to Dianna for caring....

Slow start to my day

Not sure why, but lately as you will note from the late posts, I am just pokey in the mornings. There was a time when I posted at 3 or 4 AM! Just having such slow days. Not happy with this new me, but what to do. It is not that the weather is the cause. We are having a delightful winter start with temps daily in the 70s or mid 60s. The sun is bright and warm daily and flowers are still blooming for me to enjoy. Certain days do affect me and I am trying to get past them....eventually I am sure it will be easier for me.
Look at what can follow me around

It is a rolling metal cart that has wheels that can lock and is about 29 inches high and plenty of space between the generous deep shelves. The shelves are around 16 - 1/2 by 13- 1/2 inches. Found it at Michael's. I choose the soft "rose" metallic finish; there are 3 other colors. It actually moves nicely even on the carpet. Now I have the project all in one portable arrangement.

Currently it is all set for my tatting which is a new snowflake pattern. This is my second attempt to get it right. I prefer to tat from written directions not diagrams but I am too lazy to write it out. I hope to get it made today.

The sweet Lady Bug is already to visit the post office tomorrow and find a new home.....where...not saying just yet. I will say it has a bit of a distance to travel. Speaking of the post office and travel, I mailed 2 packages to Canada on December 8th. One finally arrived after Christmas! and the other ....it is still in Canadian customs! I have sent to the UK quicker than this.
Well, one laundry is swishing and one is drying. Almost like My Denny was here....there was a tissue caught in the wash! Don't you hate that? Not like me at all. He was famous for leaving one in a pocket and of course I would forget to check. Oh well.
Guess I will finish my coffee and then make the bed so I can tat. Hope you all have a great day. It has been nice having you stop by. Thank you for your kind words and your friendship.

Feb-roo-err-ee and a mouse

The love month.... the shortest month..... my month. Yes, my day is approaching and I add another number... but it really is only a number.
Finally, my pincushion exchange to Carolyn has arrived.... so now I will show you what I sent

A mouse on double pincushions on a mouse trap.
I loved making this and glad that Carolyn likes it. I love pincushions and this exchange was organized by Elena. I hope we have another!
The design for the basic pattern is from The Cheswick Co.. As always, I like to add my own touch to the design. I sat it upon a real mouse trap (like the one pictured behind it) and gave her some corn to take with her. A good thing I did too...she got a little lost on her way to Carolyn's place. Just mentioning the word lost makes me angry.... another wasted trip to the post office regarding my package from Gaynor. I made it clear I was not going to let this loss go easily and I will continually keep pushing for an investigation. I may never retrieve my items, but they will know me well. I can be very stubborn.
Getting ready for my birthday.... trying to decide what to give for my UN-Birthday celebration.... in the meantime, glad you could visit with me this day. Your friendship is very important to me. I also welcome a new friend... just one off from 300! I am amazed. Enjoy your day.

Year of The Horse

The Chinese New Year has begun.....The year of the horse....
 If you are born in The Year of The Horse...
 You are clever, kind and energetic.
You are perceptive and cheerful.
You are compatible with the Tiger, Sheep and Dog.
May all your wishes come true
心想事成 Xīnxiǎng shì chéng
 Rembrandt was born in the year of The Horse....
That is your lesson for the day.

The sky is so overcast today...our sun is in hiding. I once again have lost something.... and it is in this house someplace. I do truly believe that my fairies are mischief. First I lost misplaced the base to my Mighty Bright light. Not a clue where it is. Now the light is gone...poof...lost stolen by the fairies. It happened the week that I was sick and in bed...the week of no stitching of any kind...the week of not leaving the house. So I ask you, where is it? I have searched here there and even the garage. Mr H just shook his head and was of no help. I am not without light, I do have a very nice Ott light. So, before leaving work yesterday I bought another one. After all, the A/C adapter was lonely.  And I had a 50% coupon asking to be let out of my purse. My stitching has been next to nothing... the fairies have that too. I am off to the post office again today before going to work. This time to file complaint in writing for my lost package. I photo copied the pictures of my lovely items to attach to the complaint to help identify everything. Why do I feel that the lady whose paperwork was in my package somehow might have my things? The post office did say that when shipping the type of items that Gaynor was sending, it would have been better in a box rather than a paper envelope. Less chance of it ripping open and contents getting lost or stolen.  It is always so nice to have someone to chat with.... glad you visited with me and listened. Thank you for your kind words and friendship. Enjoy your day.

It is all Esther's fault

It is not my fault that I find things that I need desire. It is not my fault that I love books. It is not my fault that I want to learn so much more. If it is not my fault, then who do I blame. Well Esther of course! Now you ask who is she....well, she is one of the MODs-----Manager On Duty----at Jo Ann's. She is also in charge of receiving for our store. This means when the books arrive she checks them in and then when she sees something that is me (as she puts it) I am promptly shown. And she does know what I like...... unfortunately. Lucky for me there is usually a coupon, or sale and my added discount, so I cave in and home it rides with me... sitting on the passenger seat so I can glance at it at each red light I might catch. Then into the living room it goes waiting for after dinner so I can drool over the pictures. Mr H simply says, "New book"?

Here they are. The Beaded Edge was on my wish list for awhile. You know how I love to add beads to most everything. Since the patterns are crocheted, which I already know how to do, this is going to get plenty of use. The retail cost was $17.95 on sale for $10.77 and my discount brought it down to $8.62.  The Needle Lace Flowers is another thing. It is Oya Lace work..... this I will need plenty of learning and practice. The retail of this one is $19.95 and using a 50% coupon brought it to $9.97. Total for both books was $19.95. Now to fit practice time into my schedule.

I never made it to the Post Office yesterday...today will be my mission to question them. As for the Carolyn package, there should be delivery soon, we hope. It has been delivered to her former address. Okay, yes, I should have double checked the address, but I honestly thought I had the correct one. Lesson here is check then double check. Oh and remember, it was mailed while I was not feeling well and wanted it into the mail ASAP as we had set a delivery date. I posted that I am considering to not join exchanges..... it is not only that I want my recipient to get the package, but want their package to arrive to me. We all know the time, research and cost of not only the items but the postage. I can't expect someone to want to take the chance of it not arriving here. Admittedly, this is the first time this has happened to me. Thinking on it for the time being. Anyway, I am nursing a mild headache die to the asthma attack I had at work yesterday. As I was coughing and nearly choking, a little girl was telling anyone who would listen...."she is choking let's help her". When I returned to the counter she looked pleased. My voice has returned but the headache will be here for a few more hours. Never a dull moment with me. Now, aren't you glad you stopped by?! I hope so.... I really enjoy your visits and kind words. Hope your day is fantastic.