Earthquake!

 Another hot day and it would seem these triple digits are here to stay. It was 101 yesterday and today? maybe 105. In the Indeed, it was meantime, Alan is still in Alaska until Sunday and his temps are in the 50s during the day. It was raining yesterday there. Sunday night while looking out the hotel window and talking to Lisa, the curtains moved and the window too and so did he feel movement. He hung up and call down to the desk...they said not to worry it was only an earthquake. Alan dressed and left the 14th floor and went downstairs. It really was an earthquake that was about 130 miles north and it was a 6.1 magnitude. Earlier there were a few smaller ones that did not register in Anchorage. Alan said he would put hazard pay on his expense report!

This is the new egg cooker...small like a toy! It works just fine. Well, I do have to try the poached eggs again. The hard cooked ones are great.

It has accessories...a scramble egg bowl, an egg poacher dived dish and of course it  also has it"s own special measuring cup. It will musically start and when finished plays another tune. It is all automatically timed and as you can see in the first picture, it all stores under the cover. I just love gadgets and things to make anything easier.

Lisa and I did some crafting yesterday..

these are several Heating pad Llamas waiting for me.

Once Lisa cuts them out and all their pieces, I embroider the faces. She will then sew them into Llamas. I love doing the hand sewing. I must say, Lisa is gaining more confidence with her cutting out and sewing. 

A few months ago Alan decided to spread some flower seeds. Just as he began a bit of wind arrived and the seeds went ... well who knows. Nothing seemed to be growing until this Blanket Flower appeared.  I found another tomato  growing but it is as small as a pin head. The plant itself is growing so tall. The basil and oregano are doing great. I still need to replace the Rosemary and parsley as well as chives. That will be when Alan returns. 

Did I mention that there is a special door at my bedroom doorway?

Hope this means they will be moving in and help around here. In the meantime, glad to visit with you today. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship. 

Must say thank you for all the good thoughts and prayers for my niece Tonya. She is doing so well.

New project

 Oh goodness the winds yesterday afternoon brought leaves from all over the neighborhood into the garden! One benefit was the music from the many chimes in our garden. Yesterday Lisa became a Privilege Card Holder so that she can use the Rec centers. We came back home and began the sorting and organizing for the upcoming project...

This is the flannel we bought so far to begin. I love when you enter a good quilt shop and everything in a collection is set up for  easy coordinating. At this point all of Lisa's items are cut and now she will coordinate trimmings. It is fun teaching her sewing and she is doing really well.

Alan received his 2nd vaccine yesterday and today does not feel well. Lisa did well after her 2nd shot. the good news is that by the end of April we three will be protected. I should say as protected as we can be. Still wearing our masks and being careful when out.

Our temps are still in the 90s and it is no longer easy to walk barefoot in the garden which is laid with brick pavers...they get very hot. Murphy knows enough to walk along the house which has some shade and not hot on his feets. Today I have stopped giving him the Benedryl. He is not gnawing or licking constantly. We shall see what happens. The large curio in the living room is still empty...need a good push... just being lazy. So far I am learning more on using my laptop. I know, it is just a portable computer, but when you are years used to a desk top and the keyboard and stuff, but Alan is a good teacher and patient with me. I have learned to upload pictures! This HP has bells and whistles to learn. 

I want to update you on my lovely niece Tonya. Yesterday was a surgery day and she did very well. All your good thoughts and prayers have definitely helped. thank you from the bottom of my heart. I should be swishing and fluffing in the laundry area, should be doing this and that. I think I would rather organize my bookcase  storage area so I can find things when needed. Glad you had some time to share with me. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

Note to self: try to remember where delete and back space keys are.

My turn~

 Spring in Arizona is lovely.... temps are nice and sliders are open. Today is a windy day so they may close soon just to keep the pollen and dust at bay. Lots of music in the garden with the chimes swaying. On Monday I tried again to schedule a Covid shot and voilà, I got one for Tuesday morning! Only reaction is that my arm is sore and I have a light headache today which may or may not be part of it. In 28 days I will get #2 and then I should be set. Lisa and I went to Sprouts so I could buy the supplement that my Cardiologist wants me to try...Horse Chestnut! Now I can not say for sure, but I took the first one with my meal as directed then shortly after I was very nauseas. Combine that with the fact I had gotten the vaccine, I had  a large bagel loaded with cream cheese.... who knows. I rested on my bed for a short time and felt better. If not familiar with this pill, it is for leg vein health and inflammation. Today will be an easy day. Swishing and fluffing in the laundry area and then to clean up.....

yes, after the mess Murphy made. He follows me into the garage and takes things out of the recycle bin. His favorite of course are boxes. 

Lisa and I went to the quilt shop...of course we found lovely fabric for her projects and mine. She is doing great with sewing and building her confidence. Her current projects require embellishments so we went to Michaels and found some. We are building her stash!

This beautifully stitched and finished pillow arrived for Alan and Lisa, a wedding gift from Lynda Ruth all the way from Canada. How thoughtful of her. Alan and Lisa love it and send special thanks to her. Be sure to click on the picture to enlarge it to see the detail. 

I have been very lax with not only posting to my blog, but to visiting others also. I must get back to doing so. I am not the only one with pain/discomfort, but those of you who are know how easy it is to let things go.  

I would like to give you an update. 

I asked for special thoughts for my lovely niece Tonya...she is doing well. Now I need to ask the same for my nephew (her son) pictured here with her. I thought it would be nice to put faces to the request. This is a special young woman and was so for My Denny. Nico is a great young man. I know that special thoughts do help. Thank you.

Now, time to visit the laundry area and attempt to collect the torn box form Murphy. Happy to chat with you as always. 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.

Coyote and Quail

A lovely morning with the front door open... for now. the temps are going to rise this week back to the 100s. Did the weather gal just say 107 for next Sunday?!
Yesterday I commented that I have not seen the coyotes

well, into the courtyard he came. The sighting was interesting... there were several Quail families pecking about and they actually were going after this coyote because of the babies all around. Of course he ignored them and just leisurely sniffed and looked around.

The large Prickly Pear Cacti behind him is home to a huge Rabbit village beneath it. Luckily they were all safe on this visit. Shortly after the coyote left I heard chatting and looked out to see

This Quail couple taking the kids to the birdbath. There were 4 more on the ground not sure of the jump up but these little ones watched and learned. Eventually they all took drinks then scattered to scratch the dirt.
Today will be with Dianna and Bobby...and they will be here for dinner. The lasagna is made and last minute details to be done.  Just finished my coffee and a peanut butter sandwich ...just felt like having peanut butter. Time to make the donuts bed and get things done around here. Glad we chatted and I thank you for the kind words and for your caring friendship.
****Update on EvaP...AKA mother... she is doing well and we are hoping that she continues. Although we are almost 3,00 miles away, The Brother Alan, sis Lynowl, niece Tonya and nephew Nico have all in hand. I add some input from afar. Job well done to my family.

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

Problems with a mouse

Oh not the run around cause problems kind, although this mouse is causing me frustration at every move! I still have  this issue and tried everything . The setting are the same, the battery replaced and still it disappears and is not right.
Last evening the sis Lynowl called and we talked about my Skype fun with The Brother Alan...she said...I have Skype ----I said good we must try it...3 hours later.....yes we did Skype. Lot of fun and thank goodness we are sisters because neither of us was photo ready! Speaking of photos....

A package arrived yesterday.....it was from my niece Tonya..."just because" and this beautiful angel was broken. Tonya did bubble wrap and mark the box fragile, but remember it is the postal service we are dealing with. I sat and cried....fro her, not me.  I emailed her this picture. The angel is about 12 inches high and so pretty. I love her for the thought.
Laundry finished...only one today...the bedding. Already in/out of the shower and hope to sit and tat. The tree is lit and I will soon have Christmas music playing. I stepped into the garden...

The Snail Vine has become an Alien! It is rapidly reaching out everywhere...spreading now on the ground and has no desire to climb the arbor. I must get the step ladder later and convince it that it is in the best interest to follow the rules.
The Heirloom Beans are doing well

I probably should attach some garden twine and try to have them climb but...they are probably as defiant at the Alien Snail Vine. All in all the garden is holding it's own with little help from me. I did loose the Parsley and the Basil plants...but that is okay. One of these seasons I will get an herb garden to grow.
That about covers my day so far. I do need to have some breakfast soon.....maybe tea, toast and peanut butter. So nice to chat with you today. Thank you for the kind words and most of all your friendship. Just got to get this mouse to cooperate!

And the day went well

Everyday seems to be starting out as a cloudy cool day...then the sun makes an appearance and we are off to a warm day even setting or matching records. I love this year round weather of Arizona. Did you see the Super Moon last night? I gazed at it from my backyard....
Lots to share today...
Love getting mail more specifically packages....don't you?

Sis Lyn knew I was out of my favorite Rhode Island Pepper sticks so  my supply is replenished....but she also sent me the seasoning for the best hot wiener sauce made ... now it is not the same as going the NY System but it will do. Besides food...

look... 3 more yellow ducks swimming in the pond!  Thank you sis....now everything is ducky in the pond.
My telephone was busy yesterday. There was the call from my niece Tonya "Pafazzo"..long loving chat. There was the weekly call form sis Lyn ...always a long chat. Amazing the things we find to talk about! Oh and a call from The Brother Alan and Lisa. They called to chat while they decorated their tree

It looks lovely and so don't they! there is even one of my tatted ornaments hanging there somewhere. My day was pretty complete thanks to my family.

I finished my ornament.....but only a sneak peek. It will be mailed this week and then I can show you 

what it really looks like.  Lots of mailing to do this week. I was hoping to tat a few snowflakes, but have not started yet. It is the only snow around here for me.

I have been awake since 2 AM....and since I could not fall back to sleep I thought wee, get up, blog and make coffee. So before I head to the coffee grinder I will leave you with this

The Brother Alan......watching me from afar. Oh there is the Angel I made with sheet music paper!
I am lucky to have my family caring...there is no distance with love.
Thank you my friends for your kind words and friendship.  

A special gift

Up early today and already had my morning coffee. I saw my pain management doctor yesterday afternoon and the leg is a little better but the muscle and tendons are still painful and swollen. So, continue with the gel medication. I managed to work on Alice yesterday but not enough to take a picture yet. The motif that I am working on seems to stitch up slowly, but then again it could be me!
When my Denny passed away our niece Tonya asked me to make her something of her uncle Dennis...

This is what I made for her, a memory pillow. She loves turtles and Denny like the Kokopelli. So when I saw that my friend Keith had the embroidery pattern for this I just knew it was perfect. Two symbols that represent two special people. I used a piece from a pair of Denny's favorite shorts taking advantage of the back pocket for a place to tuck in a photo and special note to Tonya. She was very pleased with this gift. As a little girl Tonya spent many weekends and other times with us. He had a special nickname for her  and when he was in hospital he talked of his Tonya Pafazzo and some of the special times with her. He enjoyed looking through our many pictures of her.

Sadly this is one he never got to see. Tonya and her husband Tony taken this June when they celebrated their marriage. A lovely picture don't you think? Tonya is the reason that I met and married Dennis. Special story and special young lady to us always.
I guess that about covers it. Off to get some laundry done and later to Walmart for odds and ends. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind words and most of all for your friendship. Let's have a good day.

The turtle box

Not too long ago, I posted about a project that I could not show....well it arrived so I can show you. But first, about the young lady who received it. Her name is Tonya and she is my niece. She is the one person who is responsible for my meeting and falling instantly in love with my Mr H, Dennis! That would be another story..... anyway, Tonya saw my bee box and mentioned she would love me to make her something and she loves turtles...

using some felt and the DMC sew able cork, I made this guy. He is sitting on gravel and inside

is a little clay turtle whistle and a note about the meaning of turtles in Indian folklore. There is also a turtle charm. Now, in a surprise move, this holiday weekend, Tonya got married! She and Tony have been dating for some time.

This picture was taken a time ago, but she never ages! Tonya is and always will be a special person in my life....I will take pictures from her baby time and growing up time and look at them with loving memories. Recalling the time with love in my heart. I hope she will always think of me in that way. This is how she announced her surprise to all...

Look at the happiness that beams from her....I am proud of the lady she is and feel so happy that she is happy in love. I wish I could just grab her and squeeze her.
This post today was going to be about the Village...so maybe I will get to it.
I keep finagling with it....there is "snow " and glitter constantly on the rug. You know it will never be just right. Since we are on the subject of love, and not to sound mushy.......here is a piece that I call The Graz and Denny

Sitting on a park bench in a snuggle! My favorite piece in the village.  Last year I added the street corner lamp post...

It is just at the far right of the village. There is a horse draw wagon to the right of it with a tree in the back and children playing in the snow in front of it. I have just a couple more to share but it will have to be next post. So happy to have you visit and hear about my Tonya! *****she will always be my Tonya ***** Thank you for your friendship and kind words...Have a wonderful day.

A Happy Birthday....a baby shower and a headache

Today is my lovely niece Tonya's birthday...

Isn't she pretty. She is the daughter of sis Lyn. I miss seeing her and love when we get to chat on the phone. There will be a family cook-out back in RI today...wish I could be there to give her a hug. Speaking of being back in RI....my son Eric and DIL Andrea are there and Andrea's baby shower is on Tuesday. I was unable to be off and fly back for these festivities and I am feeling down about it. I would so have liked to be part of the baby shower. I will gather up my gifts and one of my co-workers is getting her something and then will send them to their home soon. Such is life. As for the headache....I will take it easy today and hopefuly it will vanish. Whatever your plans for the holiday are, keep safe and enjoy. So glad you could stop by and visit.