Beginning to look like Christmas....

 First I want to thank all of you that sent special thoughts to my great-nephew, Antonio. He is out of hospital and holding his own. Still has a way to go, but keeping good thoughts that he will continue to improve.

Every year I try to make a new ornament... for me and to give away. This year it is a star.... a take-off of Ann Wood's Jingle Star. I have added a tag that has room for a name and says, "My star in heaven"...that is the mine for my tree in the center. There is one with a name already on it that will be traveling to... my aunt Rose Marie for uncle Tony. That leaves 2 that will need a home. I have also started another quilt.... one that will be sewn by hand whenever I pick it up...

Squares and rectangles. I am using whatever scrap fabrics from my bin...no selecting just using. Same will be for when i start sewing them together.  that will be as soon as I decide on the layout.

Our sweet Murphy...2 weeks ago at 5am I noticed that his eyes were completely clouded over! He was not having trouble maneuvering around inside or outside. Did not seem to be hurting. I called the vet and Lisa and I took him in. Blood work drawn.... eyes examined. She ruled out glaucoma...a relief. Medication for his eyes and then wait for results. Valley Fever ruled out and the conclusion is that he has high cholesterol. Do not bother to ask how...the answer is that it is my fault. I give him almost everything. Now he is on a diet...prescribed kibble. No more home cooked food. He still gets veggies. Now, back to the eyes. From day one we saw an immediate improvement and by day 4 the eyes were clear! Back to his handsome self. He will return to the vet in a month. I will be on my best behavior. This past few weeks I have not been feeling well...a cold....my diagnosis. Alan and Lisa completely decorated the living room and kitchen trees. Wreaths are hung outside...thank you Alan. Still deciding on some decorations then the mess I made will get cleaned. Normally I would put away as I empty a bin...not allowed to climb....which is good because on Saturday while home alone, I did use the ladder in the garage and somehow missed the last one or two steps....of course we did not tell Alan. Luckily I did not break anything but have a nasty scrape on my elbow. When will I learn! Glad to chat with you but I must get a move on with the mess around here. Thank you for your kind words and thank you for your friendship.

Clucking at a yellow moon

 At 3am, I needed a drink of water. As I passed into the kitchen I looked out into the garden and there it was....a half moon that was so yellow

Wow.... just had to get the camera. The picture does not do it justice. As chilly as it was at 3am, I stood and stared for a few minutes.... completely forgot why I got out of bed! Back to full sunshine today.

More from Ann Wood Tiny Doll world.....
 Plaid sheep! Had to be plaid...

 

I love this chicken... fun to make too. I am thinking a few more.... anyway, I also finished Pin Doll

Isn't she cute. Almost hate to stick pins into her. Ann Wood patterns are great...my village is growing. Ann also has a few patterns that are bigger...

He is 9 and a half inches and the dolls are about 5-6 inches and the chicken is not quite an inch high. Pin Doll is just under 4 inches. The cat is almost 4 inches. All are hand sewn.  Not sure what is next from her patterns.  This morning will be re-organizing the sewing/craft table. 

Time to start the day...bed making and swishing and fluffing.

Once again I ask a special favor. My uncle Tony is not doing very well at all. He is with Hospice. Both he and aunt Rose Marie need your prayers.This is such a difficult time for them and daughter and grandsons.

 Thank you for stopping by today. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

It's murder!

 Definitely winter here in Arizona...chill in the air. Oh I know, compared to other areas we are not really bad. This is a welcome because when it is hot here it is Hot🔥. Hope everyone is doing well. We three are doing okay. Well I am still with the Achilles tendon issue. It is what it is. Soon (after Feb.10th) the surgeon will do a procedure to hopefully ease the pain. Went for blood work today and it was a fasting. I could not wait to get home to have coffee. Today is my day off....no swishing and fluffing, no anything chore related.

Now there are two crows and that is a murder...anytime there are more than one. I tried to add feet...still need practice. What is next on my craft table you ask...well, you will soon see. Lisa and I will be making table mats for the new table that will be arriving for the living room. We also have 3 new lamps coming. so in between my felt activity will be sewing machine work.

Murphy is currently outside yelling at something. Time to get him in for a nap.... might join him. It has been so nice to visit with you, Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

Please think about my Uncle Tony who is having a difficult time and also Aunt Rose Marie too. Illness affects the whole family.

I am stitching!

Goodness, I think Fall/Winter have arrived. The mornings are really chilly... temp at 50!  The sun is still nice and warm....Murphy enjoys a moment of sunbathing. Hope all is cheery where ever you are. Let us all take a moment to think about those who are not having a good time and say a little prayer. 

Remember the owl...he now has a friend. He almost lost his friend...to Murphy! Somehow it slipped off the sewing table and anything on the floor is automatically Murphy's. I heard a strange noise from his cave...aka under the bed... and there he was. Getting ready to chew it up.. I am so happy to be busy again. I do have to stop to rest the hand but I am getting there. There may be no cross stitch or tatting, but my first love of sewing and embroidery are fine with me.

I am sure you can figure out what is next....but you will need to visit again on December 16th to see, my day for Jo's Advent Calendar Blog Hop. They are all year long and so much fun... also a way to meet new friends.

An update on The Brother Alan... he is doing much better and the swelling has gone down . Eating is still modified but he is quickly improving. As for Murphy; no more glitter poop...so far. We have such an interesting home. Never a dull moment and lots of laughter. What more can we ask for. Time to check the swishing and get the blanket in to fluff. Another cup of coffee is also on the list. Glad to chat with you. Thank you for your kind words and for your encouragement. Thank you for your friendship.

Please keep Aunt Rose Marie and Uncle Tony in your thoughts. I found out that a cousin has passed away...a hard time of year.

Here I am

 Goodness..... I really have been here but yet not posting and not commenting. I think I am finally feeling myself again. My hand is so much improved, however, the finger is still not yet straight. Let's face it, it may never straighten out. I can deal with it. What is good is that I can sew and embroider and ..... well, I can do almost everything creative as before surgery. Endurance is still not back. I am doing okay!

This package arrived today...from Ann Wood Handmade. So you know her? If not check her out. Her patterns are lovely. I ordered 2 and they were packaged so nice.

These are Mr. Socks (cat) and Tiny Rag Doll. Yes, they are small but detailed and the directions are easy to follow and... she also offers free patterns.

I just made this today while keeping an eye on Alan...more on that... this is one of the freebies. I did construct it differently but all parts are the same. I already have another ready for tomorrow. 

Now about Alan.... a few weeks ago he had surgery for one of his teeth. Things seemed to be going well healing then not. Back to the surgeon for meds. On Wednesday he had to have more surgery. His left side of his face is very swollen and he has a black eye. Today he felt better so of course he attempted to do this and that. Each time I remind him to settle down. Lisa was home early so it became her job to watch him! Seriously, he is doing better but will be on house rest for the next few days. He really is a good patient.

This is what is left of a red glass ornament that had a beaded cover. No I did not break it. Murphy "found" it and decided to take it under my bed.... well there were many many other pieces that had to be vacuumed up. Not sure if ...most likely did... eat any. I now am back on poop watch to see if any shiny red pieces appear. I think maybe he did not eat any because he is acting his normal self. Fingers crossed. 🎄

Well my friends.... seems like my creative side is coming back. I am joyful for sure you have not gone away...glad you visited. Thank you for he kind words and for the friendship.

Special request 💔🙏

Once again I would like to ask for good thoughts for my Uncle Tony, he is not doing well and Aunt Rosemarie needs positive thoughts. As I have been in her place with Dennis, I really do understand what she is experiencing. I wish I was closer to offer support (they are in the Carolina s) but so is their daughter and her family.

A snow globe, a squirrel and a dove

A late day post! The day is very cloudy. We may have some raindrops for Christmas. Having computer issues, well keyboard issues again. Next up for me is a laptop!
Today I went to the bank...and noticed that their decorations have been disappearing! They have a large tree of course and a simple wreath behind the counter and they originally had lots of white doves around the lobby...

I thought how nice they looked, simple yet festive. Then I began to notice each time I went to the bank that they were slowly disappearing! Yes, people were taking them.... now before you think I took this one, the gal who I usually see gave it to me. They started with about 40 of these doves and since they have "flown away", they now numbered 10, well now that I have this one 9 are left. Made from heavy pure white poster board, they measure about 6 1/2 inches from beak to tail and the wing span is almost 12 inches. I remarked that these people took them while on cameras mounted at the counter....guess it is the only withdrawal that will not get you jailed.
Then I made my last trip to the post office for the season....hard to believe but they said it would arrive on Monday. Speaking of deliveries, the package to Debbie in Canada already arrived! I came home and to keep my mind calm I finished the beaded snowglobe snowman...

He is so cute, measuring 2 inches square. My tension could be better. Working with clear Delicas was a bit straining....the next one will be looser.  I changed the red bird on his arm to a blue bird, the next one will be a red bird.
The mail brought me a new critter...

The note is from Aunt Rose Marie... she said she saw it on a shelf and it said it wanted to come to visit it's cousin in Arizona! I think it is a he... and here in the Valley I do not see squirrels. They were all over my yard back in Rhode Island and I kind of miss seeing them and their antics. Thank you aunti…. it will be a reminder of RI and you!
I am feeling my age today...back aching, hand swollen.... and all the other arthritic spots are awake. Time to sit back, find a movie to watch and relax. Glad you had some time to visit with me. Thank you for the kind words and thoughts and for your friendship.

What a glorious sunrise.....

Is this not magnificent or what! The sky is glowing and breath-taking. There ae lots of clouds on the western side but this is too beautiful not to share with you. The temps have been very hot...107+ and today is expected to be 109/110. You know I will be remaining indoors. The little bit of cleaning in the garden and the lanai the other morning caused a moderate back pain but I am fine now....well as fine as I can be. The winds have brought such dust into the area and the dust is a fine as baby powder...gets in everywhere. I have stated another beaded star...this is part of a bead-along that took place last week.

I changed the suggested bead colors to more of my liking and so far I really like it. Each day a portion of the project was released and I am now just going along as are some others. It will be finished this weekend. 

Hard to believe when I received the itinerary for The Brother Alan and Lisa's trip out here in June that it would finally be arrival time...yes, Tuesday is the day! Just in time the temps are suppose to drop a little. It may be around 100! Hopefully not too hot on the day they go horseback riding. I was asked if I was leaving any time for them to  enjoy their vacation....of course. The Brother Alan also has a list of things he needs to do and wants to do. He and Lisa will have plenty of time for this and that.... and me. We are lucky to have one another. Now, I really need another cup of coffee as the first one I had was around 2:30 AM... maybe a piece of toast with this one. So nice to chat with you....thank you for your kind words and for your friendship. 

Now for a health report! I have not heard from Glenda as she and Don just moved but I think she is feeling much better. sis Lynowl is resuming most of her activities so she is also on the mend and Lisa is also feeling better. Thank you all for keeping them in your thoughts. Power in caring for one another! My aunt and uncle in NC are safe from the hurricane.....good news there too.

New star started

Finding time to visit with you...Several times yesterday morning I thought about coming to this page but then I would do something and then something else and did not make it here. Finally having my first cup of coffee so I though better do it now. A bit of an upset stomach to begin the day. I need to get to the lab this morning for some blood work , other than that I do not have plans. Well, I thought about going to the bead shop but we shall see.

I began a new beaded star yesterday afternoon....for my Christmas tree. I love making and giving away but I thought I better make one for  me first! The picture does not show just how sparkly the silver beads are... they do shine bright. I found another bauble that I want to try but need the beads of course. No matter how many are in my bead cabinet, I still need them for each new project. In this case it is the special stones and the size of the Delica and seed beads that I do not have. In other words I do not have any beads that can be used on the project!
The sun  rise is later and later and the sunset earlier now. This morning I have the kitchen window open and the front door;  the air is comfortable....for now. It will still be in the mid 100s later this morning and yesterday reached 107, so the heat is not gone yet. Just trying to enjoy the morning air while I can. I can hear the hummer chatting away.... announcing that he is here. The air is so still...not a leaf moving. I am tempted to go sit outside for awhile but we know that I will then want to play in the garden so today will not be the day.
Are you keeping up with the date? I know you did not forget...The Brother Alan and Lisa will be here in 6 days. Thankfully Lisa is feeling better. Glenda and sis Lynowl are better too. So all your special thoughts have helped. Now one for my Aunt Rose Marie and Uncle Tony who are in the Carolinas.... they will be moving inland while the hurricane is heading their way to a safer location.
Now I think I need to swish some  laundry and take the Bissell for a walk. I really need maid service! Glad to chat with you...thank you for stopping by. Thank you for your kind words and thoughts.
Some people come and go in our lives... then those who truly are friends are always there, always have the time and really do care...that describes all of you who visit and email and comment. Thank you for your friendship.