Keeping busy

 Hello friends, here we are a new month, July. I have been busy finishing and learning. 

The Hawaiian quilt block is complete. The pattern is Anthurium. (The Hawaiian anthurium (commonly called the Heart of Hawaii or Flamingo Flower) symbolizes hospitality, warmth, and welcome. Because of its vibrant colors and heart shape, its English meaning centers on affection, abundance, and the spirit of giving.) 
 It may not be perfect, but I am pleased with it. I already have the next design picked out.

I am almost finished making an 18th century ladies tie pocket. I am making a few modifications. What am I learning you may ask (or not). I decided I want need to learn lace making.  Oh, not with bobbins! At the moment I have learned to make Romanian Cord which is used in lace making.  My plan is to use a simple motif. Also, I am planning to make a Japanese Pojagi window panel for my bathroom and try some Whitework embroidery. Yes, I feel ambitious. I am fortunate to have the luxury of time. The Brother Alan and Lisa have now assumed houses responsibilities. I want less to do so I can stay in my sewing corner. Did I tell you about my corner? That will be for another day. 

Sammy has been, well..... Sammy. Mostly he is a good boy. If only he did not like paper, like toilet paper, napkins and anything that can be shredded.   Loves taking Lisa and Alan's shoes. If we cannot find it we just look under my bed, his hiding place. We will not talk about today's adventure yet.

 

 Look at the full moon of May 11th taken with Alan's telescope at 11:21 am. Be sure to zoom in. His pictures are amazing. As for his new blog, technical difficulties are holding it up.

Glad you stopped by. Thank you for your friendship. 

Can it be 4 months

 Oh yes it has been. so many things have happened. The highlights for now; My craft area has been redone, I have started a Boro style jacket, I sewed a machine cover, a mug rug, a chair cushion and small curtain all matching, We grew a marvelous tomato plant from a half of a tomato and Sammy is now 1 year old. Today would have been my 56th wedding anniversary. I should mention that I had a few falls.

I should start somewhere so let's start with Sammy. What a year it has been with him. 

His ears are still standing up straight at 3 inches! He runs the house most of the time as we are wrapped around his paws. Sammy is a love bug and shares it all the time. Mention "car"  or  " bye bye car" and he runs to his harness. If you leave the car door open he jumps in waiting...mind you it is parked in the garage and we just got out.  He does not like going outside in the yard when it is dark. We have plant lights and a large spot light that switches on with motion detected. This means that at any time....1am, 3am.... I must accompany him.

Most people keep the toilet paper on the standard bathroom holder. Not in this house. Sammy loves taking the roll, even a full roll and running around with it. Actually any paper is fair game. Mail, delivered packages, they are all his. If something is missing, the first place to look is under my bed, then behind the recliner or sofa. Socks are another favorite item. The laundry basket is a treasure trove of wonderful things.

Sammy has a hobby, he collects rocks and plant material to bring into the house. As soon as he finds leaves or a pruned plant branch, that too becomes his property. He always helps Alan. 

Sammy is a people person ....loves to kiss and greet everyone. We love him beyond words. Our home is complete because of him. After Murphy passed we all said no more dogs....so glad we fell in love at first sight with this boy.

We will catch up on all the other happenings soon.

Thank you for stopping by and thank you for your friendship. 

A good month

 Can you believe but this is the last of August. The days have flown by. Arizona has been in a heat advisory and it does not look to end soon. Monsoon officially ends on September 15th. 

This little guy has kept me on my toes. He investigates gets into everything. Last night it was my craft cart.  Upset because he could not have the roll of toilet paper or the decorations on my tree....Sammy wants everything.
 He had a busy day the past Wednesday.  We, Sammy. Lisa and I, went to the pet store to buy him shoes as he lost one of his socks. He had no problems wearing or walking in the shoes. The guys in the store could not believe how cute he is and took a picture of him wearing his shoes.

Then it was to the vet. Sammy is now 10 pounds of energy. He made friends with all the techs and the doctors. You could hear them laughing and gushing over him. Of course Sammy was only to happy to be held and give kisses.

I do not like pets in the market but we had to stop for dinner items so off to Fry's. He was so well behaved. This is how he rode in the shopping cart....taking it all in. Now before you think all my time is spent loving this pooch....I am busy with other things. 

I am still crocheting the afghan for Natalia. The color is really a smoky lavender and white panels. This  is the first afghan pattern that I ever made. 

Also crocheted a bee and some mice

Not fond of the grey one...might need to find it a new home. Also still with crocheting, I mad a floral wreath.

On my working cart is a fat cat in the works. 

My dear friend Dianna has got me interested in baseball. We watch the Arizona Diamondbacks play from a distance, she at her home and me in mine....texting goes on. We live 10 miles apart (about 25 minute drive). I had stopped watching baseball years ago as I found it too long and boring. Now, the rules of play have changed and I don't mind following it again. Used to be the Yankees! After 20 years here in Arizona it is about time to follow the local teams....Diamondbacks/baseball and Cardinals/football. Guess that covers this past month. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind words.

Side note: if anyone has pet insurance please share with me. We are looking to get it for Sammy. 

Introducing......

 Oh friends, it has been a long month of adjustments. Thankfully I do keep busy. All of us miss Murphy in the same way but different. Alan and I sat and both told each other...no more pets. Lisa did not feel the same. We had not only lost our boy but so much money spent. The other day Lisa said I want a dog. I said, oh I don not know and that Alan said no more. I kept getting emails and texts for puppies/dogs.  We looked at rescues but, well nothing hit it. I looked into the site where we bought Murphy. Lisa and I started to look more. 

Alan sent us a text on Wednesday around 3pm. He sent this picture and told us to look into "him" and then face time him.

It was love at first sight and I said we are on our way, One hour later this little guy was in our car and headed home. Meet Sammy. He is a very affectionate mini schnauzer who is 3 months old and weighs  about 11 pounds. From the moment his little feet hit the floor  Sammy ran around the house and made himself at home. He is a cuddle bug....loves to be held and gives many kisses.

 

Look at that ear! It is 3 inches long. I was happy that his ears are not cropped. Sammy already knows how to get out of the screened lanai and comes when his name is called. He has gone outside for doing business but hasn't quite got to make it into the yard. He does not know about walking on a leash yet but it is so hot that that can wait. What is the expression?....Never say never.