Family

I am still in hibernation..... temp yesterday reached 108 in The Valley..... almost no humidity which was good. Only another month to go then cool down to the 90s. Again this week we are in a heat advisory . I do not mind very much as I do keep busy. Tonight is the Sturgeon Full Moon. Started my Santa ornament.... pictures soon.
After my usual phone call from The Brother Alan...calls on Mondays with an Eva P update and talk in general. Yes the upcoming move here in October usually comes up! Anyway, the subject of the "Piccirilli family picture" came up. I mentioned I was not aware of the date it was taken. Alan remembered that in very faded red ink it was on the lower front of the picture and sure enough I found it.

On the last visit here The Brother Alan brought this out. Immediately it was hung in the living room. My heart swells when I look at it. It always hung in our parents home. It is large, the frame is 18x22. Love the aged frame! it was taken in 1928 making this 91 years old. My grandparents (dad's parents) were Antonio/43 and Celeste/40. Their children were John/16, Mary/12, Emma/11, Giuseppe (Joe, my dad)/10, Eugene/9 and Anthony (Sonny)/3. These ages are by what I know their birth date records and may vary just a little. They all look so old!!!! The house were this was taken is still standing. So many wonderful family gatherings there. All of these uncles, aunts as well as my dad are gone and of course my grandparents too. 

Here they all are again. This was taken 1959 at Mama and Papa's 50th wedding anniversary. Just love these memories.

Well my friends..... glad you stopped by today. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

A picture is worth a thousand words, but the memories are priceless.

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.

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.  

Jo's Christmas Blog Hop

Today is Day 12 of Jo's Blog Hop and it is my day  to post. I really enjoyed stitching my Canyon Santa this year

I love Mill Hill kits. Stitched on all the provided materials on perforated paper. Jo asked that we share Christmas traditions..... Since moving from Rhode Island to Arizona, 3,000 miles from family and traditions, Dennis and live a very quiet holiday life. We have a nice simple meal for Christmas Eve and usually a ham dinner for Christmas day. I bake cookies, although not like I did when the family would gather, but still we need our cookies too! It still seems strange to be dressed in shorts and sandals for Christmas, but I do love it after so many cold and snowy Christmases. Would you like to see a picture from my childhood Christmas Eve?

See the date in the left bottom...December 1950. I was 3 years old, and I am the little face that looks like I have a flower for a nose...that is my sis Linda reaching down to me with my mom and all my cousins (dad's family) All the ladies, mom aunt Easter and aunt Lena were all married to brothers and only my mom is still with us. Of the cousins, one has passed some years ago. This was the children's table in the kitchen of Grandma's house...the adult ate in the dining room. Such wonderful memories. I treasure this picture......Whatever your holiday plans and traditions are, I do hope you have a wonderful holiday. Thank you for visiting and I hope I have made a few new friends. Now remember to stop by Astrid's  tomorrow for day 13. Catch up on the other days at Jo's.

Father's Day

Now you are probably thinking I am going to post a picture of my dad. Wrong.....but I am posting a picture of 2 special men in my life.

This is my husband Mr H aka Dennis and my son Eric. It was taken a few years back when Eric and wife Andrea visited with us. This year, Eric is an expecting dad. These two may not have always seen eye to eye during the growing years but do in actual height. Eric may even be a bit taller! But through the years they have become friends and I eagerly wait to add the third special guy in life....Devin.
It has been in the triple digits here in Arizona and is expected to remain so....so not much time to sit outside. I may have to sit out in the wee hours of the morn! I plan to sit and stitch today so there will be an update tomorrow on that. I also want work on my Summer Exchange piece. We are waiting for The Geek Squad again---this time to hook up some electronic stuff for Mr H.
I am so please to have you visit and enjoy your comments and emails.....have a great day.