A chilly morning....

Oh my I am chilly this morning..... but as it did yesterday it will warm up. My cup of hot coffee is just what I need.

Yesterday my Shutterfly book …."Mostly About Me" arrived...it is just as I wanted...not problems. Although they can be a lot of work, they are so nice to create. I will just share some of the pages....
That is me at 5 months old on the cover...

The first page is a short intro

                                  The back cover is just 2 dried sunflowers

My Maternal grandparents

Paternal grandparents

sis and me

The Brother Alan and me

Me and me

Me and Denny...our wedding

I did forget to include a few things that I wanted...maybe another book? If you have the opportunity to create one... you should. I nice way to document things and pictures for yourself or as a gift. This book has 20 pages and these are only a few.....I am already thinking of another as I type this!

Today will be another stash look and remove day. I managed to do a fair amount yesterday, so I can only think today will be another good day. Some items I had already passed the last time. It is a good idea to rethink and realize that they should go.  I think some of the magazines will go to the library re-sale section. With this nice weather I may even get out to the garden to do a little cleaning today...or tomorrow. What is another day right. Still have not seen the resident bunny...will think that he just moved to a different home.

Very happy that the elections are over and maybe just a few more days of listening to it all. Happy not to have 9 commercials in a row. Glad you stopped by and hope you enjoyed this peek into my book. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

Santa and Reindeer food

This is the morning sky.... looks stormy to me! The hurricane off Mexico is going to affect our weather for sure. We go almost all year without any measurable rain and get zapped in October. Glad I have no place to be except right here today. Yesterday I visited with Dianna and we reviewed (for me) the how to for Shutterfly. I have started another book and seem to have forgotten a lot of the ways. Dianna makes so many she can do them in her sleep.

Another Santa beaded star is almost finished. Love making these cute guys. Just 2 more sections for him. It is getting near the time for Reindeer food packets to be ready and sent out to all he boys and girls who need them. Eli from Rhode Island actually reminded me that he needs a packet! So I will be sending one to his aunti Lisa (my niece) for him in time for Christmas. One is going to Natalia also in Rhode Island too. Do you know someone who needs one? If so, email me with the child's name and address to be sent. I will mail out in time for feeding.
Well, I know a few of you wondered where I have been... thank you for the emails . .. . I am fine, just having one of those days that lasted a few days. Thank you for caring. So nice to hear from you and nice that you take the time to visit. Thank you for your kind words and friendship. The aroma of fresh ground beans fills my kitchen … coffee is brewed and waiting...off I must go.

Thank you

Thank you for the many birthday wishes.  It made a difficult day easier.  The day started with a birthday post form The Brother Alan.  Glenda and I went out for lunch and the restaurant served a special dessert, a warm blueberry muffin split with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and lots of whipped cream......we came home to find a mystery balloon from the "Birthday Fairy" on the front porch, later to find that Robin (across the courtyard) had placed it there and then brought over the warm brownie with a candle..... the door bell rang and I was handed

this beautiful vase packed with blooms from sister Lynowl. All in all it was a lovely day. Then as evening arrived so did the phone call from Dianna singing me Happy Birthday! On Friday the mystery package was a special birthday gift from my niece Tonya. I was finally able to reach someone from the company who told me they forgot to include the greeting ...Happy Birthday Auntie, Love Tonya. Tonya remembered that Dennis loved cardinals and so she chose this indoor water feature with that in mind. Also on Friday the Shutterfly corrected book "My Denny and me" arrived and I could not be more pleased with how it looks....so all in all it has been a lovely birthday.
Now about my leg....I have been awake since 1:30 AM with aching discomfort. The ice pack has helped a little. Finally I will be able to sleep without the compression stocking tonight. That may help to ease the ache. Glenda and I will return on Wednesday for procedure #2 and then we start again. I am so lucky to have her helping with this. I keep telling myself that when this is over I will feel better.....I will feel better.
Needless to say I have not tatted or done much of anything else. Today I hope to load a shuttle and tat while sitting outside in this fantastic weather. The Doves have been here but not to either of their half built homes. Not a clue as to what is going on with them. I think I may try to close my eyes for a few more hours....thank you for your kind words (and birthday wishes) and for your caring friendship.

"Life is hard as it is. Too many rough roads to travel. Too many chains to untangle. But no matter how cruel the world may be, life becomes less hard when you got a good friend."......unknown

Has it been a week???

Goodness me, where has this week gone and where was I while it was on it's way? Thank you for emails of concern, but I am okay. I know I was with Glenda one day and dinner one night (made a delicious chili), I know there was a doctor appointment and I know that I was with Dianna yesterday for breakfast and lessons...and I do not have any needlework to show for the week....I did no yardwork but the house has been cleaned.
The replacement Shutterfly book arrived on the 23rd --finally--- and it was not corrected, in fact they changed the cover color. This first project has been off to a bad start. Dianna (who is very experienced with them) helped me yesterday and she spoke with them for me. So now I will await their email then re-submit the book and it will cost me nothing. I also have extra pages and it may be that I have another free book coming, not sure so I will once again contact them to clarify. Dianna really gave me lessons yesterday and I am confident that I will make better books in the future.
The mail arrived yesterday with this....

A birthday gift from Debbie. Knowing the mail delivery service and customs, she sent it a week early but I had to open it now! The cheerful butterflies called out to me....

The back round you see is a perfectly fit for my table, table topper of Sugar Skulls! There is a color yourself notepad, and some labels in a sheer pouch and a beautifully made pouch with tea bags.

Debbie and I still email everyday. She mentioned that she was sewing and that she was doing this or that....and it was for me! Thank you so much Debbie and Laurie for my surprise package! I love my gifts. I would never have believed that I could feel close to someone who lives so far away, who I have never met in person, ...in another country even! I am very grateful for her friendship.
Today I must...... repeat must work in the garden. I have a few plants that need extra attention and the pond for sure.  I also have tomatoes to pick and beans. Forget the "alien" Snail Vine...it is still crawling everywhere.  The Doves are still under construction.... very slow to accomplish anything out there. I really have a job to do out in the garden.
My tatting has been an issue. Lesson: if feeling distracted, do not tat. Simple as that. Nothing more to say on that subject.
The doctor visit on Tuesday went well. The first vein procedure will be February 1st and then at least 2 more after that. Still trying to keep my blood pressure in check, so far it is good.
Well, here it is almost 4:30 and I definitely need a cup of tea and I think some toast. Having you visit is always so nice. Thank you for your kind words and your caring friendship. 

Beans and Pansies

A nip in the air this morning but if it is anything like yesterday it will be in the low 70s by afternoon. The coffee and Cream of Wheat are finished and the second laundry is swishing in the washer. the sun is still rising ever so slowly. But in the garden

there are beans sprouting! Yes indeed. Here and there they at appearing. I may get a salad from them. And new and waiting for a pot are these pansies

I bought them yesterday and have not decided where they will go. Probably by the pond as there is a pot that is lonely for color. I love pansies...they are the Ladies of the Garden. I am still amazed that here it is almost January and I have flowers in bloom. Vegetables growing. Fruit to pick.
I am still working on an tatted icicle pattern and think I just may try to create my own pattern. A break today while I think about it on paper. In the meantime there is a doll waiting to meet me so I will cut out the pattern and find some suitable fabric from the fabric bin and see who appears.
One of the packages that was mailed in early December finally found it's way through Canadian customs. Who thought I should have mailed them in November!
Yesterday I spent time completing my Shutterfly book. I should have it by January 13th. This is the first time creating one and it will not be my last. Using the coupon from Dianna saved me $30.00.....you just pay a minimal fee of around $14.00 S & H and tax. This is a special book for me. Ideas for others already forming in my head. I did complete another snowflake yesterday, this one without a gem in the center. Still want to make more so they can travel here and there --- wherever they may be wanted.
Time to make the bed and check on the laundry. So nice to chat with you today. Thank you for your kind words and your caring friendship. Hope you have a relaxing day.

Chestnuts for Christmas!....

It is a chilly morning but oh so beautiful.  I have been awake since 1:30 AM not able to fall back to sleep so I tatted and finally got the snowflake finished...now to start the next one. But first, I need coffee, toast and a fresh orange to start my day. 

On Monday I found out that the Stitching Retreat that I was going to attend in January down in Tucson has been cancelled. So disappointed. Seems they said they wanted one close to home here in Arizona then they did not commit. I may find something else to do and go to in January or maybe February.

Yesterday I worked on my Shutterfly book...long way to go but all the pictures I want are in just need to finish up the pages with comments. Very time consuming but I am sure I will love it when I have it in hand. I also decided to make a special wine bottle

The bottle was a favorite of Denny's....from the Frances Ford Coppola winery. Just battery lights in the bottle with the cork to hold them in place and a cluster of grapes. Looks nice without so much light except it would not photograph well because it is a green bottle.
........and look what I found in the market....

I did not get to have them for Thanksgiving but I will have them for Christmas. They were $6.99 a pound.....so surprised to find them in the market. Now I will hope that they are good.
I really must get that coffee ground and brewing and the toast in the toaster......so off I go. Thank you for coming by and for your kind words and most of all your friendship.
*****Il mio cuore e pieno d'amore****** (my heart is full of love)

Did I hear thunder ?

A nippy morning as has been the morning normal recently. Yesterday it lasted most of the day with lots of clouds. I actually think I heard thunder during the night.
I spent time yesterday with the Shutterfly book...finding pictures and navigating around their site. I think I have the front and back cover ready...very time consuming. It is also slow going as the memories get in the way.
The other day while I was out and about I bought something I have wanted..

Just like the real cooks ... on TV anyway. A salt and pepper cellar. I found a nice spoon for it also in case I do not want to use my fingers to grab a pinch.

It does not say what type of wood but it is very nice and solidly made. The attached lid has the magnetic closure.  It would really be nice if it came with a chef.

 Look, a tomato almost ready. The interesting thing is that this one is not the first one to appear on the plant. As for the beans

Nice and bushy and yet I do not see beans! I read the packet which says they are Heirloom Beans..... all well and good but where are they!?

 Lisa Adams from The Tatting Corner offered a Black Friday Sale and I ordered these and they arrived so quickly...yesterday. They are for measuring the little loops (Picots) on the tatting. I am pretty  good at eyeing them but this will ensure they are perfect.  The products offered and the service are great. Now to make a fob for them.
 Tomorrow is December! The days seem to be a flash. Still have not fetched any decorations from the garage or fixed the kitchen light yet. I think it will be a weekend thing. Later today when I return form the doctor appointment, I will be decorating the courtyard lamp posts. They are newly replaced this year and have electric outlets so I will be adding lights. Another Post Office visit is necessary.... think it will be a busy weekend. I need to finish my coffee and so I will say thank you for stopping by and thank you for the kind words and friendship.