The sounds of water

Hello my friends. The temperature cooled a day or two .  It was only in the mid 100s. There was rain but not here in The Valley, it was East of us. Murphy goes out to deposit then usually right back in and tries to remain in the shade out in the garden. The bricks are very hot.

  I ordered some salve for his feet...Musher... which was developed for the Alaskan dogs to soothe their feet. So far we have only been able to put it on Murphy's front paws...he detests having his back feet touched! He is still  a work in progress.

Alan has made another change to the garden and front area....

A new fountain for the garden. The sound is wonderful. Each of the 3 bottom bowls have a light and nighttime is a soft glow. The top bowl needs a rock for the hummers to sit on to bathe. the fountain from here has been moved

To the front of our porch area. The hummers have already returned to drink from the top bubble. Now when sitting on the porch we have the sounds of gurgling water. Very relaxing.

 

Soon Daisy the heating pad Llama and her pillowcase will be flying to her new home. I have been slow to get this all together. This time the box will be registered and signed for.

I enjoy baking and have for years baked at least once a week. This is a lemon cake...Alan likes lemon cake...me, not so much. I use box mixes for cakes and from scratch other baked goods. It is quick and easy. Later today I will be making Prosciutto Bread and Italian stuffed artichokes for our dinner tonight. 

Swishing is ready for fluffing in the laundry area. Happy to have you visit with me. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

Happy Canada Day to my Canadian friends....Debbie Burke and Lynda Ruth Bowers.

Fire Stick in bloom

Fiore Stick or Sticks on Fire plant is a succulent and when in bloom it is bright orange. I just found out it can be toxic.... the specimen I have is quite large and to contain it, it is in  large pot. I guess watching Murphy while outside to make sure he does not prune it is going to be a challenge.
Speaking of the little devil…. he has finally learned how to vocalize that he wants to go out and do some gardening.

He removed this hand shovel from the garden and thought he would take it inside...right! I did find one never used for him to garden with and he is delighted that he has it inside.

Put it in the basket...take it out. He keeps himself busy. There shall be toys strewn about forever. Like any little person he does prefer to play with a box of any size and any paper that he can shred.

I finally caught him on camera drinking out of the fountain. What a character Murphy is! He is just what I needed.
I just received a call from the quilt shop....the pattern I ordered is in and tomorrow I will run out to get it. I cannot wait to start this project. Obviously I will not be able to sit on the floor as I would to sort the fabric out.
The last of the Mr. Lincoln Roses has bloomed...

The color was deep and the fragrance wonderful.... and it opened fully. Does anyone else hate to toss out a rose when it is finished? I did save the first few... the petals. Dennis would love this.
I have baking to do this weekend. Lisa is feeling better.... but, Dianna's sister Debbie still needs your caring thoughts as does Dianna. It has been very stressful for her. Our blog friend Vickie could really use your special thoughts. Her furbaby Henry is not well. Hopefully the vet will be able to help. This is a hard time of year for many of us and when things go off kilter it becomes so difficult. I am wishing that all of you have a less stressful holiday. Let us keep one another in our thoughts. Since my mornings can be busy now, evening posts will do.
Glad you had some time to visit. Thank you for the kind words and for your friendship.

Mischief around the abode

Goodness... where have I been? I am doing okay... thank you for the emails checking on me. It is a great feeling to know that you care. Me, myself and I are getting back to normal... or close to it anyway.  Still no creative hands but I have been planning a few projects. Christmas is catching up to me as I am not ready. Still need to get a few gifts organized and my mailing has not been done yet. The decorations are all up around the place and the front porch has it's tree. This is the first year in awhile that I did not put up the tree in my bedroom.... might get to it this weekend. I am missing it and all my Ana Lee decorations from Lu (back in Rhode Island).
I want to introduce you to someone new in my life.... Murphy!

He is a 4 month old mini Schnauzer. All his fluffy puppy fur at the moment is black with a brindle patch on the back of his neck. He could have been named "piccolo diavolo" which is Italian for little devil... he can find more things to get into! Murphy loves to play in the garden. Specifically he enjoys playing in the fountain garden.... collecting rocks. Sometimes they have made it into the house...

Most of the time they are small rocks from the area but he thought he could save this large one. Sticks are great to chew on and bring into the living room too. If something seems missing it is a sure thing it is on his blanket. I have missed my dear Sherlock so very much. On Tuesday, Alan's day off, I asked if we could go to rescue a pooch. There were none at the shelter that were quit right. Off to a breeder supplied pet shop we went. There were a couple there that were a possibility...then this guy caught my eye. He had to come home with me.

A face to love! Yes, that is a leaf stuck to his nose and yes he is resting in the fountain garden on the crushed stone. Good thing the pond is gone! My heart is full when I look at this boy. House training is coming along. As usual, schnauzers have a mind of their own. So expect frequent updates on Murphy and maybe he will get my creative hands to work!
Thank you for caring and for your kind words. Thank you for your friendship.

Ready for a Home Depot apron

The rain fell this weekend.... I know, a shock, but it did not last too long. Some is better than none. Of course as usual it was in darkness which does not settle well with me. Who knows when it will happen again. I managed to get out to the garden early on Sunday and clean the fountain. This time it took a little longer to reassemble…. just could not get the threaded part to line up. Some choice words and finally back together and bubbling. All is good.
Think I am going to get myself a Home Depot apron...like Bobby wears! Fix-it gal at it again!

This small wing nut seems to be the answer. This weekend the air conditioner filter began to rattle at the end of a run cycle. I just knew that with all the "things" in the work cupboard in the garage, Denny would have just what I needed. I have learned to look there before running to buy. Indeed there was this wing nut and I replaced the one on the vent door and so far all is good. I did not mis-step on the step ladder either!  I even found time to begin a project.

Another Mill Hill kit.... a dragonfly. Some years ago I bought several of them and had made only 2.

When I went to gather them to choose one to make, one of the kits is missing a large bead for the eye and the pin back. I could care less about the pin back but now I need to buy 2 new beads for the eyes. I could contact Mill Hill to buy a match for the one I have but it would probably cost more for the shipping!
Mom, Eva P is not feeling very well so please keep her in your thoughts.  I thank you for all the good thoughts for her and for Don and Glenda. Glad you visited today. Thank you for your kind words and for you friendship.

A new day in the neighborhood

The Monsoon arrived last night and with some force. The wind was strong and the lightening lit up the sky and yes, the thunder was loud and rain fell sideways.

Diana had called ad the storm hit her side first...the East and slowly began to move toward me on the West side. Then...the phone just clicked off! I was getting ready to hibernate in the closet!
I just came in from cleaning some of the debris. The rest will need to dry out first. The hummer feeder was tossed about and finally found. Then, I was treated to a hummingbird bathing...

He was beautiful with the lavender/purple neck. He is a Black-chinned hummer.

Look closely...can you see him? he dipped into the bubbler

All wet!

~~fluttering wings....off to dry in the tree. With this heat and humidity and his size it will not take long. These were taken without zoom...I was standing just 4 feet away. Yesterday morning as I opened my bedroom verticals....

this Spiny Lizard was sunbathing on the wall just outside my window. Just another day in the neighborhood!

Plans for today?.... well only to be creative. I have the quilt ornament details all worked out so now to make it. A text a short time ago tells me that Glenda will be stopping by with  a goodie later today. We share what we bake. Since I do not want to have the oven on, I will probably just make Pizzelles this weekend. 

Glad you had time to visit. I am still having some email sending issues, so if you do not get a response to your comment, give it time! Thank you for you kind words and for your friendship.

Spam, mittens and a perch

Finally got out to the garden yesterday morning as the temp was only 87and the sun had not filled the garden yet. I managed to sweep most of the debris and rake back the rocks around the fountain. Since the leak  issued is solved it was time to do so. I even trimmed a little but all of that is on the ground drying out and this weekend I will try to finish. Meantime, the hummer has found a new place to perch....

This are the bells that Bobby and Dianna gave me last Christmas and it hangs in the lanai. A couple of times when the breeze caught it and it swayed, the little guy had to hang on! As hot as it is, the lanai is just a bit cooler than the garden but more importantly it is all shade.
The question I have.... how do I keep a regular email out of the Spam folder?! The last couple of days my emails from DebbieB have been going into that folder. We email everyday and this is the first time it is happening and I have no idea how to correct it. So, now some of my emails are going to outer space...unable to deliver…and some emails are coming in the Spam folder. Last week Dave came across the courtyard to re-boot the router and at least my tablet is running better, and now I will make it  monthly maintenance to do.

As you can see, I have worked on Santa and his burro. He now has mittens and I am adding the beads as I go along. I am loving this project! More on the burro today.
I have the star fabric strips ready to press and then weave also for today...keeping busy since outdoors is out of the question. Vicki and I were to meet this week for lunch but she is not feeling well so that is on hold. I am of now to create....
Glad to chat with you. Thank you for your kind words ad for your friendship.

Mystery solved?

Just stepped outside to check things and I will tell you that I feel like I stepped into a sauna and it is under 100 out there! Thank goodness August is almost a thought as this Monsoon heat/humidity ends in September. Here in The Valley we have not had the storms that were all around us. Definitely we could use the rain. While strolling the garden, a thought came to me. I think I found the "leak" around the fountain.... thee was a plant that has since died and the irrigation line was still in the open position. The water has been running into the pond garden area causing lots of wet ground! There is no leak in the water line or the fountain! Of course I will need to wait a few days to be sure. I am getting quite more accomplished around the abode.

Santa has his friend....well the start of a burro. I am enjoying this project. I always do when it is a Mill Hill kit. Combining both cross stitch and beads and I am a happy gal. There is an town  here in Arizona where donkeys roam freely through the town.... Oatman AZ. One day I will visit the former mining town. I the meantime, I will work on Santa and his burro.
Best Buy is having a sale... maybe time to visit and check out a new computer. Even my tablet is acting up. Today I will have the Geeks check out my computer remotely. Remember, if you are not getting an email response from me... sometimes my computer tells me they cannot be sent. I am trying to send from my tablet and maybe that will work.
Swishing is happening in the laundry area and that will be it for household duties. Still looking for the Fairies. First cup of coffee finished.... yesterday was a Gatorade day and so it will be today with iced water added in. Maybe a glass of iced coffee? Thank you for your visit and your kind words. Thank you for your friendship.

The fix-it morning

This morning is starting out "cooler"...only 90 but we are still in heat advisory mode. So they said do it early if you need to go out. I went to check the fountain and to top it off...it was empty. The heat yesterday was 114 so evaporate it did. I decided to finally do the cleaning it so needed. It really was quite simple. Only took about a half hour … okay a bit longer but still easy. Now it has clean parts and is full again and so is the front birdbath. So on to the shower...yes I did get a short one in the garden but this was the real one. Must get a bath rug for in front of the sink...powder on tile makes for a slippery floor. Time to turn the computer back on...no internet was the message! Now this was impossible because the tablet is working and the TV is also.  The quick earlier post is now happening a little later than planned. All is working now, inside and outside.

This is the star made yesterday. Robyn and I chose the fabric when she was here...good choice Robyn! I enjoyed our visit.
I finally put gas in the car...yes, the first time since The Brother Alan did so at the end of May! He already knows that I will not be doing this once he arrives..... he already figured this out I am sure. Then since I was already at Fry's for the gas I went in to get laundry detergent.... found out that I ran out when I attempted to do some swishing early yesterday morning...now swishing.

I plan to sit in my comfy chair and stitch on Santa....
Not very much to show but there will be the next time you see it. No red velvet hat for this cowboy! I think I will be adding beads as I go along instead of waiting till the end. In between working on this I will be making a few Christmas colored beaded bauble ornaments. Once I order beads I will get back to a couple of pods too.
Right now I must feed my growling stomach and start the fluffing in the laundry area. Happy to chat with you today. Thank you for the kind words and for your friendship.

Heartfelt thank you

My heart is full these past few days. The Brother Alan posted on Friday, the 2nd anniversary of My Denny's passing. The many emails and comments left on Facebook and of course here filled my heart with love and friendship. This will always be a hard time for me but made a little easier with all of your caring kind words. ❤
The Pond Garden and fountain is very busy this morning with so many different birds drinking and bathing. A quick walk out to the garden and all is well. We are still in a cool down, low100s and right now it is quite nice outside. There is swishing in the laundry area and the Shark is waiting to swim around the abode. First cup of coffee finished and my bowl of cereal too. Dishes washed and soon coffee beans will be ground for the 2nd cup.

I have been able to stitch On The Range..... really not too much more to do then I will add the beads. Coming along nicely. Stitching is slow due to my eyes..... yes, my eyes. First the issues were with the hand and as that healed my back and the procedure for that has been healing well and now my vision. I need to see an Ophthalmologist and will be looking to find one this week. I have been keeping all of my medical centers close to home, so as there are a few close by,  I will check them out. Right now I am using Sustane Complete and added Retaine MGD with hot compresses during the day. So, with  resting my hand and back and now my eyes, things go slowly for me. Right now nighttime driving is not happening.... not that I did much of it anyway. The doctor also changed my eye prescription but I will wait to fill it until after the Ophthalmologist appointment. Always something to deal with. I know there are others with so much more to deal with, but selfishly right now it is me I am dealing with.
 Friday and yesterday were the if you can drop it why not day. Friday evening I spilled freshly brewed cup of black tea all over the counter and everything that was there of course received a tea bath. Then the sugar bowl joined in. Saturday I knocked over the butter dish thankfully it did not break. It was given to me by Glenda and I love it. It is one of the ones that you fill the bottom half with water ( I pout ice cubes in) and you can leave it out and the butter is always soft and ready to use. Of course during the day, at least 2-3 times I toss the water and ad new ice cubes. Yes, when I scooped up ice there were far too many cubes and they went all over the floor. Normally I only pick up 3 cubes to fit the dish but why did I get a scoop full? So they could go all over the place! Today is so far promising to be a less clumsy day. The plan is to sit and stitch, as soon as my eyes clear up.
Always nice to chat with you. Again, thank you so much for caring and for your kind words. Thank you most of all for your friendship. I am so lucky to know you!

The moon .... and me

Sunday evening as I looked out to the sky there it was...another magnificent full moon. I have and probably always will be fascinated by the moon. Every night I look to see where it is and what it looks like and then wonder.... many thoughts.  Right now, however, I am wondering what the day will bring.
We are once again in a "cool down" as the temps will be in the low 100s this week. There are several wildfires already in full swing here in Arizona and the Monsoon season has begun. No matter where you live there are seasonal happenings. We learn to live and adjust to them.
Yesterday was spent with stitching....On The Range

The left edge is almost finished except for the beads of course. They are the last to be added. I had a bit of an issue with the red star in the lower corner... a few Xs were not correct so out they came and back in correctly they went. It was a quiet day around the abode. On the weekends the jets from Luke AF base do not fly and coincidently the birds seemed to take a quiet day also. Very little action at the Pond Garden and fountain. It was a quiet day around the abode.
I did pack up over 80 DVDs...some of them sets … and moved my photos boxes onto the top shelf. Next will be the CDs. I am probably still one of the few who play CDs. Although I watch Netflix, I still like my DVDs too. Just an old fashioned gal I guess.
Stitching and reading have been slow  recently as I am having blurred vison issues especially in my left eye. I know, get it checked. Along with the other this and that that needs attention.  A few issues will be taken care of when The Brother Alan is here as I will need a driver.... as in when they dilate the eyes! I actually dread that. It takes hours for my vision to return to normal. Always something... in "these golden years"!
Well, that is about it for me today. Off to finish the chores because those House Faeries still have not reported for duty; then back to my Mill Hill stitching. It will be a me day. Glad to have you visit with me. Thank you for your kind words and or your friendship. 

Just muddling along~~~

muddling

[ˈməd(ə)liNG]

NOUN

1. the action or process of bringing something into a disordered or confusing state.

   "the muddling of fact and fiction is a tried-and-true tactic of totalitarian regimes" ·
   

   [more]
2. the action or process of mixing a drink or stirring an ingredient into a drink.

   "the muddling helps ensure that all the flavors are well blended"

ADJECTIVE

1. confusing.

   "the map is a muddling haze, with place names in German, Russian, Polish, and Lithuanian"

Yup, just one of those weeks. However, let's think the second noun definition..... sounds more fun. I do love a Mojito and have a nice muddler..... anyway, my week has been a bit off. Feeling lazy is one description. Do not misunderstand....the Shark swam around the abode, the Swiffer flew about and there was swishing in the laundry area. I enjoyed the Fountain antics of the hummer bathing and how busy the area remains... very distracting but a good distraction. It had been hot so being outdoors was not an option so enjoying the entertainment from my comfy chair was nice. I read a little.... and then picked up my Mill Hill project...

I stitched most of the corner and all of the pink in the sky. Many of the blank areas will be covered with beads...love adding beads to a project. Remember the view? Well that was not the only issue to distract me. I began watching a movie while stitching... not the best idea. When the movie ended I decided to have a second cup of coffee.... as I sat to stitch again I noticed some of the Xs were not where they should be. So, snip and pull out... that is when I noticed I was having another issue.

Notice anything? Let me tell you then.... the tip is broken on one side! So when I tied to use it to pull threads it was not working! Since the floor in my room is carpeted I have not a clue as to how the tip broke. But....

these fine ladies have volunteered to assist me. They are so cute... I have a "blonde" gal too but she must be with a project. I am sure one of these days she will appear as I am clearing my stash. The DM floss is done. Now onto the next area. When it is hot outside the garage is just a bit cooler, even with the large floor fan on. So it is slow going.
I so appreciate the concern when I have not posted. Thank you for your caring emails.... I admit to not having a good month, but as some of you noted, I will be okay. Just need to get through these days.
On a cheery note, how about the colors in my garden...

The orange Firecracker bush, the Purple Ruellia and the Yellow Bells Honeysuckle.... all in one area. Love my garden! Planting anything else right now is on hold with the heat. Still, it is all very pretty out there. The birds love it and the occasionally butterfly visits. Right now the attraction for all is the fountain and the moving water. It is time to wash out the breakfast dish and mug and to get some swishing going. My plan is to sit and stitch today. It has been nice chatting with you. Thank you for your kind and caring words and emails. Thank you for your friendship.

The Heat is on...

Yes, there is a Glenn Fry song of that title...I am referring to the temps here in The Valley of the Sun, Arizona. We are in a heat advisory today. It was 109 yesterday and expected to be more of the same today and this week. then a cool down...to the low 100s! When I woke this morning around 5ish it was already 84.... so, the only trip out of the abode will be to check with the landscapers when they arrive; hopefully it will be early.
I attempted to bead the bumble bee bead … yesterday. Let me tell you, this is causing me anxiety. I usually can figure out a pattern but I am having difficulty making this look okay and work. So, it will be put aside again and I will bead something else. While sitting in my comfy chair and looking out to the garden...

several birds stopped by for a drink and to cool off...including the hummer. Watching him flutter in and out of the water was very distracting but so fun to watch.

The female Great-Tail Gackle made several appearances too. It was a busy day at the fountain. The Doves were also there and still no one returning to the nest. One of these cooler days I will take it down and clean it. there are a few thigs I have been lazy about and put off and now it is really too hot for me to be out there putzing around. Getting out there early is the key and lately I am not ready to do much early. I know, so not me!
Did I tell you? No I guess I did not. The Brother Alan and Lisa will be moving here (with me) permanently by the beginning of October. They will be sharing my home. The Brother is much younger than me and it will be good to have him here. So, yes, that is why I am getting the garage storage area and such ready for them. We have been getting the house ready for sometime now. Paint has been selected for their bedroom, other modifications are being thought out.  So a new countdown will begin.
Glad you visited today. Thank you for your kind words and caring emails. Thank you for your friendship. These coming days are difficult for me and knowing that I have friends who care enough is such a good feeling. Special thanks to you.