Windows and squares

 Well now, it has been awhile...I am still here.  Still wearing this sling, still limping (right knee) and still not sleeping much. To be honest I don't sleep all that good anyway but turning on this shoulder can certainly wake me immediately. I am becoming quite good with some things using my left hand. I am trying to figure how this fracture will heal with only this sling. Did I mention it moves constantly? I know, stop complaining. There are others with more to deal with. 

We are currently having heat advisories in Arizona. Yesterday was 105 and the forecast says maybe 110 by the weekend. Back in Rhode Island it is much more comfortable...why am I telling you this?

Alan and Lisa are in Rhode Island visiting family. Here is The Brother with his daughter Elyssa and her daughter Natalia. Alan's smile says it all. They left on Monday and will be back on Tuesday. Murphy and I are on our best behavior. They made sure I had plenty of food and easy things to prepare. 

Of course in between chores and such I have been working on my quilt. It is now 144 windows and 81 squares big, There are no repeats  of fabric yet. Included are windows from friends....their names are listed on the sidebar. I still have pieces from them to add in with my additions. The quilt measures almost 40 inches square Once I reach 13 squares (in a row)wide then I will begin to add rows only to the top and bottom until I reach a length that I want. . I still have a way to go... many more windows. Thank you friends who have sent me windows! Your names are on the back side behind your window.

I love to visit with you all. Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. Thank you for your friendship.

Some assembly

 May.... how fast the time seems to be moving. However, I am finding my quilt project very relaxing.

I switch which part I work on and that keeps it all interesting. I began to assemble some of the squares and I love it. I grab from my small bin of windows and that is what I sew in.... no planning. It is all sewn by hand.  I find it very satisfying.

These windows are from Adele K. Thank you so very much...lovely selection. Thank you to those who have sent me squares. Dianna brought me fabric pieces the other day before we went for lunch...

Can you spot the cat? Dianna and Bobby have 3 beautiful cats so of course having a cat from her to sew into the quilt is a must. There is another piece of fabric with cat face outlines.

Oh, it is so nice not to be wearing the boot! Now to loose the limp. Still cannot wear a closed shoe....but I hardly do anyway. The heel and calf incision are still sore/sensitive to touch. The surgeon did prepare me for the months of healing and everyone heals differently. 

Hope you are enjoying the Cathedral Friendship Quilt project updates. It is interesting to see what fabrics are sent...love them all. Glad we had this visit and I hope you will return. Thank you for your kind words and thank your for your friendship. Thank you for sending the squares of fabric!

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.

Keeping busy

 Even Murphy is keeping busy

While I was swishing and fluffing in the laundry corner he was carefully grabbing a box from the recycle bin.

Once retrieved, he nonchalantly walks past me into the house. He loves boxes of kinds and sizes. Every delivery or purchase with a box is HIS.

We bought a couple of pumpkins for outside and a small one for the mantle display. Lisa though Murphy needed it because last year he played everyday with them outside. So.....

immediately took it into the house and  immediately chewed a hole into it. Eventually Alan retrieved it from his grasp. Yes we indulge him....okay maybe me more than them.

Had an appointment with my pain management doctor yesterday. I am having arthritis pain from my thigh right though the right leg. It was decided to give me an Epidural steroid injection into my spinal area. Rest for 24 hours and slowly return to normal activity. Lisa suggested that I rest and it was around 3ish. I was watching Wilson Bickford paint and next I knew it was 6pm and The Brother was just arriving from work!

 Today will be embroidery day for the SAL Lisa and I are doing. We stopped at the quilt store for fabric.

The polka dot will be the table runner backing and the white on white squares are for the embroidery and the dark green (hard to see but it is 2 shades) the other fabric will be the pieces to trim the embroidery.

Of course once there...

This will be a full size Christmas pillowcase. The check is the body, the white is the trim and the cuff is the candy cane.

This selection will be for travel pillowcases. The floral print will be the body, the red the trim and the green the cuff...I will also make one changing the cuff and trim fabrics with one another. 

Murphy and I went for our quarter mile jaunt around the neighborhood. The temps are a bit cooler at 80. It has been too hot to walk at all.

Well, it is good to chat with you. Thank you for your kind words and thank you for your friendship. Time for laundry check and ice cold water. 

I don't like John Wayne

Another hot day today expected -- low 100s. Murphy and I try to walk before 10am and although still very warm it is better than later when it is hot. We generally walk around 7pm when the sun has begun to set enough to give us shade along the walk. Right now he was trying to be with Alan and Lisa as both are getting ready to go to work but are in different areas... so he is under the desk while I am here.
Went for the CT Scan yesterday. I was in and out in 15 minutes. The doctor will have results by Tuesday. When we finished there, Lisa and I went to the quilt store where of course we found just the right fabric for her to make her last 2 pillowcase gifts and I found

I love the yellow print and as I said I never liked John Wayne but Alan does so I made this one for him. The cuff is really nicely printed with him. It is hard to see but the trim is a "wood" grain print. I also found just the right prints for my apron. Hope to work on that today.
You would think with all this heat the garden would have issues.... only a few plants are not happy. Just look at the Mr Lincoln Rose..

It keeps sending out roses and now is taller than Alan who reaches around 5"8" ! There are buds here and there waiting to show-off. I chose this rose in memory of Denny..it will be 3 years tomorrow that he is gone. So happy to have roses for that day.
Chores await me. That House Fairy  did not come today so I better get to the tasks at hand. Glad you stopped by today. Thank you for your kind words and thank you for your friendship.

Fabric and a sunset

The winter days have been so nice....

This recent sunrise... breath taking! The sky looked on fire. The temps have been in the 50s--60s during the day requiring a sweatshirt or sweater when I walk with Murphy. He loves being out for walks and the weather does not seem to bother him.
I asked Alan to fix one area where a plant was removed by adding a couple of bricks...

Alan did a fine job and even fixed more of the area. Of course his assistant was right there to investigate.

Murphy could not resist laying in the dirt! He loves digging and we are planning to fence around the flower beds and kitchen garden to stop the digging and also him chewing on twigs and stuff. It will be very interesting! I mentioned to Alan that we need an electronic door opener/closer for Murphy. He loves going in and out and I have become his doorman.
Lisa and I finally got to the Quilt shop.

 Could not resist another tiny scissor....

 This is  a kit to make a Burrito roll pillowcase that Lisa will be making....

This lovely print will be the backing and binding for my runner.

New prints for a bathroom valance.
I guess my post will need to be at night or mid morning/day. Murphy has kept me pretty busy. This is one week and all personal business he has done outside...no house accidents! Did I mention the vet mentioned that Murphy has a belly more than he, the vet, would like?! He gained 5 pounds in the month he has been with us.... cutting down on his food already. Anyway, I do not think there is an issue...love his belly!❤❤
Okay, time for my lunch. Alan and Lisa are both working so it is just the boy and me....glad you stopped by. Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. I am feeling so much better! Thank you for your friendship.

Message from Murphy!~

Good morning. It was bound to happen. She said it was my fault for sneaking up behind her but I say she needs to look. She fell in the kitchen. Now don't worry, she only has a bruise on her bad knee and a small mark on the other knee and her hand and wrist hurt a little. Actually I thought she was on the floor to play so I jumped on her and pulled on her robe...she was not amused.

Murphy sure is keeping me busy. I am sore but nothing broke so that is a plus. He is so quiet when he moves around that I really should look before moving! We are walking at least 3 times a day and it is about a quarter of a mile. The bunnies drive him crazy as does everything else. If a leaf blows we chase it, if a car drives by we stop to stare and the birds are an interruption. 

Glenda stopped by for tea the other morning. Murphy was delighted to have a visitor. She and Don are doing well.

The quilt shop called to let me know that my pattern arrived sooner than they thought. I plan to make a runner and maybe placemats. Who knows, someday maybe a quilt for my bed.

Even though I have plenty of fabric for the project, I bought this 5 inch charm pack by Moda called Painted Meadow to supplement. There are 42 squares with an assortment of prints. I plan to start after Christmas when Lisa returns. Lisa has been sick while away. Keep her in your thoughts that she starts to feel better. Nothing worse than having to fly while not feeling good.

Today is a cool and cloudy day. It is suppose to rain tomorrow and Christmas day. Not a problem as Alan and I have no outdoor plans. It will be the first for Murphy to walk in the rain however. Should be interesting. He loves when Alan uses the garden hose.

In case I do not get back here before, I wish all of you and your families a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah and Kwanza and what ever you do celebrate. Thank you for visiting and for your kind words and friendship. 

What a difference a day can make....

~~~~~24 little hours~~~~
Yesterday the temp reached 115, the hottest day of 2019---so far. Today we are I a cool down and it should only reach 109. Here it is 10:0 and it is already 11. I really did not care what the temp was yesterday as I spent most of the day in bed--- with a headache. Thankfully it was not a migraine; but I cannot remember when I last had one that held me down like that. Lots of dinking, unfortunately it was water not wine! Minimal food intake. Today I am out of bed and moving slowly but moving. Now before you ask, when it is this hot I stay in just as when I lived in Rhode Island and it was a frigid snowy winter day, I stayed in. However, then I was a working gal and now I am retired so staying put is easy.

Four Origami Star strips ready for pressing and folding.... tomorrow not today. There is plenty more fabric to choose from if I need to make more. My goal is to get my Christmas mailing stuff ready early.... especially packages that need to travel a distance, like out of the US. The goal is November 1st. Key word is goal.
Today I will still be taking it easy... no chores. Dinner tonight will be simply fixed chicken cutlet and mashed potato. The chef called out sick so me myself and I will handle it.
Okay friends, time for another tall glass of iced water ad my feet up. Glad to chat with you. Thank you for your kind and caring words. thank you most of all for your friendship.

Hot clouds

Clouds fill the sky and the heat is on. Effective tomorrow we are in a severe heat advisory...what? we have not been in heat? Well, this morning as I opened my eyes at 5am it was already 94 and tomorrow and Tuesday may reach 113. Let me just say that it really is not very different from 105 to 113...at least what I am feeling. Hot is hot is hot ---no two ways about it. Out for one errand at 10am when the pharmacy opens and that will be it. The comfort of my abode is necessary.

While looking for my Christmas fabric I came across these Disney prints…..Cinderella, Lady ad the Tramp and the Evil Disney ladies. I bought them with no plans except that I wanted them. I think I have 1-2 yards each.... just because. Anyway, I did finally reach the Christmas fabric in the bin......

More than I remembered having. Should be able to make a few stars! there is of course the other that cannot be used as the print is too large....

This scenery print has it all, coyotes, cacti chili peppers ad all thigs Southwest.

Shiny boots and holly trimmed hats.....

Not Christmas but just Southwest prints..... just because I liked them

Just love chili pepper print. I did think about making an apron or two … or a table topper. They are all back in the bin. Over the next few days I will cut the star strips and press the fabric. Having everything ready makes the project go smoothly. For today, I will read a little and relax.
Hope your plans for this day are relaxing, if not then hope they ae fun. Thank you for visiting and your kind words and for your friendship.

A star for February

Busy day yesterday but I did make my February Origami Star~~~

Having all the fabric cut and ready to press and fold is great. I hope to have each month's star made within the first few days of each month. This being a short month I would like to enjoy this on display for the entire month. After this it will be added to my metal display which coincidently has12 hooks.
Amazing how much more paperwork I filled out yesterday for the upcoming surgery. First  there was the paperwork to update my old file with the surgeon and now the pre-op stuff...yes I have the date...Monday the 11th but no time yet. So it was important to get this finished as well as the earrings because use of the right hand will be limited for a time. I do have a few books waiting to be read and friend Robyn has one for me to borrow. Not sure about the typing, so the blog will  maybe sporadic. I do not baby myself so we will see what happens day to day.
We are having a cloudy day today with rain possible in a few days. Temps are not too bad...around mid 60s. It is sad to read how the monsoon and flooding are hitting Australia and the Arctic cold is making it impossible for sections of the USA.
This week I will get the lanai cleaned and ready so I can sit out there weather permitting and read. The winds have brought in many leaves and lots of dust. One of these days I will eliminate the leaves with having it screened in! I will be going to friends house later  today...details to follow tomorrow! Glad that we had a chat today. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

Decorations and fabrics

I thought I would just stay curled up to keep warm yesterday..... did not happen. It was cold... darn right cold. The temp was in the mid 30s when I woke up and socks went on immediately and remained on all day. The temp only went to high 50s. Normally it is in the mid to high 60s. so many people are not well...colds, coughs and the like. The Brother Alan has a terrible cold.
I made one of the origami fabric stars...

using 2 pink prints. Then I thought, there goes my thinking again.... how about if I make one a month in a fabric selection that I think (that word again) is of that month.

here is my 12 month selection. Some will be 2 fabrics and a few will be 4. I am looking forward to this project. Has anyone else besides me and Vickie made these? Anyone planning on making them? Let me know if you will be. So, all my selections are in the shoe box waiting for the first week in January. Now, since I went into the garage cupboard to get the 2 bins of fabric to make my choices from I thought (there it is again) why not take in some of the decoration storage boxes....and begin that project.....

this is as far as I got...picking fabric was more fun!  There is always tomorrow to pack stuff. Anyway, my hand was hurting. Speaking of that, I call the surgeon on Friday and the soonest I could get an appointment to have it x-rayed is January 25th. I am on a cancellation call list. I rest it when I can and often. I am lucky that I can take it easy and do nothing at all if I wish.  So I just may get to start the decoration packing with the tree left to be last.
Just a few more days left to 2018. I plan on a quiet NY eve and probably will not be awake to see the first minutes of 2019.
 Glad you visited with me today. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

A more seasonal temperature finally

Well, today is really more "normal" for October finally and the month is over! There is a nip in this mornings air and today should be in the high 80s. I have doctor appointment this morning but I just may get to sit outside this afternoon.
Decided to try to make dinner rolls yesterday....

and it was easy and they were very good...okay, they were not uniform in size but hey, I did not divvy the dough evenly. In the end it was the taste that was good. Just as I had put them to rise and wondering what to enjoy for dinner with them, the back bell rang and special delivery from Keith and Al

a small casserole dish of lasagna. So, I had a great made from scratch dinner. Keith and Al live in the next courtyard over and I affectionately refer to them as Honey (Keith) who is my computer pal and Dear (Al). They have been very good friends before and since Denny's passing. When the roll were hot from the oven I delivered some to them as well as Glenda and Don to try.  We are a sharing group of friends!
Yesterday I dug into my fabric stash to look for some material to start the Swaddled Baby pattern. Mimi uses wool but I have some lovely cotton

Freshly washed and dried,  waiting to be pressed, these are the four I will start with.  I love how she made the dolls but I always like to put my own spin on things.  Still have to get to Joann's for some stuff but I am hoping to start them this week.  Easy enough to make 4 at once as it is to make one---right?
With the weather cooling now I will be able to dig out the area of the irrigation leak and see where the pipe is most likely broken. Then get it fixed...oh I understand how to do it but I know that I cannot myself fix it.  Never ending.
Now, off to finally have my first coffee of the day and then get things done around the house before my morning appointment. Always nice to chat with you and thank you for the kind words and for your friendship.

I do wish everyone who leaves a comment also leaves a way to contact for response. Note to Kris from yesterday.....I think you misread my wording. The Pizzelles are indeed made with a special maker. The are not bread. The bread  I was making was referring to the rolls. There are no bread Pizzelles.

An afternoon at the museum

Yesterday Mr H suggested a ride to the Arizona Museum of Natural History, so off we went. What a fun and interesting place. Many displays for children (of all ages) to explore and lots of exhibits asking you to touch them.

Mr H touching the Drusy Chrysocolla Boulder. Wonderful examples of rocks and minerals from ages gone by. The displays were wonderful.... we moved on through halls and rooms... always finding something to gaze at like this piece...

this was a huge cut of Amethyst which is my birth stone. There was a similar size in the gift shop that was only $400.00 but I settled for this smaller piece which was much more affordable

 and easier to carry. For now it sits here where I can admire it often. There were so many displays like this one

and this one

The beauty of each piece ...there was also some textiles to see and this wonderful piece

I wanted to reach into the case and caress the fiber. We wandered through the dinosaur bones and then there was a lightening and rain storm that added to the wonder of it. This piece was amazing

the detail was lovely and although it was behind glass, I was able to get really close to see it all.


Finally we went to the courtyard where there was a gold mine sluice set up so we could pan for gold! Of course we did...

 After a few tries we began to find "gold" and here is our treasure....
The museum was very much all ours as the morning crowds left, it was like having our private museum. We really enjoyed how well this museum is designed. Puzzled to put together, tunnels for children to explore, there was a mining camp to wander through and dinosaurs  to intrigue everyone.  All in all we had a wonderful afternoon.
Earlier in the morning I went to a nearby quilt shop for a couple of pieces of fabric .....

I cannot wait to get started. Beautiful Christmas prints. I went for 4 quarter yard pieces and ended up with more than enough for two projects that I have in mind. Guess that about covers it. So happy that you could spend time with me today. Thank you for your friendship and kind words. Have a great day.

Has it been a week?!

I seem to be getting a little lost lately. I do know what and where I have been.... I have been stitching and stitching. Finished my RR piece #6 and will get it to the Post Office later today. I also finished one of my Christmas ornaments.....

now you did not think I was going to show it to you did you? Here is a glimpse and what the backing will be. I am not sure who will be getting this one as I have 3 more to do. I did start another yesterday...

well of course you can not see this one either....I have not decided on what the backing fabric is yet. I usually pick it out after I finish the stitching. speaking of fabric....

I bought these two on Sunday while at Jo Ann's for the Tatting Class. Fell in love with the snowman print as well as the floral. They were remnants so the price was so right. Each is just shy of one yard. The Tatting class went well. It was the second for these ladies with one more to go. Then The Debra will soon be starting formal Jo Ann's Tatting Classes so the freebies will end. The Debra has been most generous with her time for the ladies. I have enjoyed helping with the teaching even though I am not very comfortable doing so. I have no problems with me tatting, but trying to teach is something else. I do not feel that I have been tatting long enough to teach it.
Just found out that I won a drawing from By The Bay....with Donna. I am so excited and will post when it arrives. I love her blog and her designs. I hope to post again before a week passes.... but believe me, I have been keeping busy. I also helped Mr H with some garden chores this past week. Trimming back on a few bushes and such. I have a couple of bug bites to prove it! I really must remember to pray myself before working in the yard. In the meantime, I will make a cup of coffee and toast an English Muffin.... how about you? Nice to visit with you today and thank you for the kind words. Have a wonderful day.