A beautiful day today...sun is shining and Mocking bird and House Wrens are singing, water fountain is a lovely sound too. Slider open so Murphy is in and out yelling at anything. Flowers are blooming here and there
Salvia for the hummingbirds
Lavender smells wonderful 
Yellow rose, one of 3 that are blooming. It is time to get a tomato plant and replace the Basil and see what else we would like to add to the garden.
Last evening we had a lightening show with thunder but sparse rain in my area...some Arizona spots has real rain. The wind was whisking around lots of dried stuff...Alan now cleaning it up so Murphy does not take any of it inside. He collects debris.
Murder did I say.... while getting fabric for a baby quilt...the pink roses and green fabric....
Healthy? when it refers to me...well I am healthy just recently having this and that. Tomorrow I will be having an injection with sedation...fun times. The pain in my back is caused from a disc that is pinching a nerve. Not sure how my rest of the day will go, so keep me in the easy time thoughts. Glad to catch up with you. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.
What a lovely day....until later when the afternoon winds arrive. But really, no complaints. On Monday I saw th surgeon. He is very pleased with my progress and I can start to wear shoes. Of course they must be open back/slip on type but basically that is what I own anyway. The aches are getting better as is the pressure in my heel. It will still take months more to feel really good. I am exercising and doing my own PT with the approval of the doctor.
Last week was fix it or replace it week. The Garden umbrella (2 yrs old) broke.... the garbage disposal (21 yrs 0ld) broke and of course my new phone which I somehow locked and could not open. Alan and Lisa got 2 new umbrellas, Alan replaced the disposal and the Verizon guys fixed my phone. Never a dull moment around here. Once again, I am very lucky to have Alan and Lisa here to look after things.
Always a pleasure to have you stop by. Thank you for your kind words and for the encouragement. Thank you for your friendship.
A nice day so far....
This is the beauty of the Firecracker Bush in the winter. the leaves turn a beautiful bronze. The berries are gone as the birds came for them. Soon Alan will cut this back and in Spring it will begin all over again. It does not have to be cut back but it is easier to control the height and width this way. the garden is still with some bloom...
Mr. Lincoln is a rose for all time! It is still blooming and just look at the center of this rose..... like 3 roses in one! The fragrance is wonderful. I prefer not to have any bloom die on the bush instead I prefer to have them in a vase to be enjoyed. Somehow I can not seem to cut this one.
Today will be do very little day...not a good sleep and my aches are really painful today. Napping just may happen today. I wish you could smell this rose but at least you can admire it in all it's glory. Glad you stopped by to chat. Time for a second cup of coffee.
Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship. Be kind to all today and share a smile. some of us have off days and need this.
This is a modified Zig Zag cut. My thumb is still very sore and a bit black and blue and of course the stitched area is very sore. Still on schedule to remove stitches on Tuesday. I have been trying to use the hand and keep the fingers loose. I cannot wait to put it into nice warm water and properly wash my hand!
Yesterday Alan worked in the garden. We now have the start of a wonderful Rose Garden....4 roses.
This climbing rose is the Lady Banks and is a creamy white small rose. this trellis is over by the fountain. Yet to see any blooms but it is looking healthy.
Do you see it? There is a bloom...on the Snail Vine! The plan is to train it on a trellis. Alan removed the arbor which was over by the rose garden. He is redesigning the garden. He is doing a great job and has learned a lot.
I will leave you with a picture of our little boy..
This a favorite activity...pushing his nose through the gate sniffing the air. Always on the lookout for a passing Quail....who seem to stay clear of the area since Murphy moved in. Glad you visited today. thank you for the kind words and emails. thank you for your friendship.
Can it finally be that the temperatures are finally cooling down? Will we be sitting out on the lanai enjoying the under 100 temps....I sure hope so. The mornings have been comfortable before climbing to the mid 90s. Alan and Lisa have been enjoying sitting outside in the garden evenings listening to the fountain and chatting usually with Murphy joining them.
The surgery for my right hand will be Monday afternoon.....Alan will be home to take me and then be sure that I behave. Should be easy for him as I tend to hold anesthesia for awhile longer. Lisa will be home Tuesday and Wednesday. I will be well taken care of. Today is making a list of this and that and then getting it done by Sunday. Sometime today I will find out the time/ What will be difficult for me is not being able to have my morning coffee...or two. Since the doctor only does afternoon surgery on Mondays, it would be great if I am first or second. In and out and less time for fasting!
Lisa and I have been working on projects.
This pretty bundle of coordinated fat quarters made into
This Hexi Mug Rug. It just needs to have the top stitching done. It was done piecing on a foundation of muslin. I may do the next one stitching directly on the paper. Can not show Lisa's project as it is a Christmas gift. I have yet to work on Christmas gifts and with hand surgery it may not happen.
Since I woke at 4am and have a full day ahead of me.... off I go. So glad to chat with you today. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.
💔A special favor. A family member is going through serious medical issues. Please keep him and his family in your prayers.
What a week. Moving on, Lisa and I decided to get a Henna tattoo...
Lisa chose this and in navy blue. It was fun and we are already thinking of the next time! I did not look at others once I found this one. We had much laughter after we got them.. trying to not bend our wrists, not to touch them or let anything touch them.... Finally after 3 hours we washed off the hardened ink and voilà...we were happy.
Finally saw the podiatrist on Monday...
this is how I walked out. Alan of course just laughed as did Lisa when she saw it. Surprisingly, Murphy just sniffed and licked it once and now ignores it. I am not sure how long it will be on. Monday I will have an MRI to see where the damage is then we can decide if surgery and which surgery. I never do it easy. In the meantime I am to stay off my feet as much as possible and keep it up. the good news is that it comes off at bedtime. Then Voltaren gel. Tonight I may try a Lidocane patch. At least I am not boring to have around!!!! I need to find something to wear on the left foot to balance when walking. Maybe my Sketchers will work. Sewing...ahhh, I will try to use my left foot on the presser foot... will be interesting.
The Monsoon struck south east of us...quite a mess and damage. Still, it would be good to get some rain. The garden is not looking too happy even with the irrigation on. The days and sun are very hot. Alan has been doing his best to keep it looking nice.
I have spent time reading...a real book. I still enjoy holding a book and flipping pages. The book is Trejo by Danny Trejo. I like him as an actor so when I saw an interview about the book I ordered it right away. It is hard to put down. It may not be for everyone, but it is how his life has been.
Time for the foot to go up and back to reading...almost finished with the book! Glad you stopped by today. When my foot is really hurting, the blog takes a backseat. thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.
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.
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
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.
Last week while at work, it was reported to Alan that a hedgehog was found walking in the mall. Off he went to find...a baby hedgehog!
Around the same time 2 young guys were coming into the mall and told Alan that they have a couple of them at home and told him all about them. Alan took the little ball into his office and then proceeded to wait to see if anyone claimed a lost hedgehog. After 5 hours he called the number the guys gave him and asked if they wanted the critter...they appeared shortly after to take it home.
Having never held one before, Alan enjoyed taking care of it in his office. the Brother Alan is a caring soul. Although he is eleven years younger than me, he has stepped up to big brother status. Four years ago on June 6th he flew out here after returning home from here 2 weeks before on vacation, to spend time with Denny. He was there for the transfer to Hospice and there to make financial and end of life arrangements for me. Dennis always referred to Alan as brother.I know it wasn't easy for Alan but he stepped right up and made it easy for me.
On this Father's Day, it is important to acknowledge him as The Brother Alan, my big brother. Since moving out here to Arizona he has relieved me of many tasks. Dennis would be proud of how he manages the garden even though the pond is no longer here.
So, Happy Father's Day dear Alan.Thank you for taking care of me.Thank you for taking care of us.!
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.
the weekend is here...again. ..this week flew by. The temps have been starting to climb. Days of 90s and even low 100s. Indoor time for me. The 9 foot umbrella in the garden is not working...the pull rope broke. the Arizona heat dries out cording really quick. Lucky to get a couple of years with umbrellas. New one coming soon. I have been living here in Arizona 17 years this summer. In all this time I have mailed many..many packages to sis Lyn back in Rhode Island. This time, last week, the package was sent and was delivered on Monday. It is very unusual that I do not get a happy call from Lyn ... she always likes what I send. Anyway, she did not get the gifts/package. Someone in her complex has it.... or it got delivered elsewhere. I am very unhappy as besides her bought birthday gift, I included a couple of homemade gifts as well as a family photo and Honey Bear! Yes there is insurance on lost packages but now I will go to the post office here on Monday and start a process to find the package. Insurance does not replace items made with care. Poor Honey Bear and Lilli are living with someone but not Lyn!
I will update soon. Thank you for visiting today and thank you for your kind words and friendship.
Goodness..... I just went out to the garden to take these pictures and what a windy mess. the clouds have rolled in too. Alan hung the other sculptures we bought....
Alan chose the cactus with its bright colors and I fell in love with the lizard also bright and they add cheer to the side of the house.
While nearby Mr Lincoln has opened its first rose of the season. I never pick the first one but I am anxiously waiting for the next one. I mentioned before that this was Dennis' favorite rose. The bush is full of buds!
Alan and I just had to have this once we spotted it. ... and we knew just where she would go. Is it not just.... wonderful. She and her 4 birds are rust treated metal.
Alan and I have a quick errand then it will be back home with my foot elevated. Yes, the pain in my right heel/ankle is going to be checked tomorrow morning. I was glad to find a podiatrist close by and get an appointment so quickly.
There might be some activity around the craft/sewing table later. So nice to have a visit with you. thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.
It is so nice having the days become longer. Oh it will not mean that I get more done, no. Just having more time to enjoy the garden.
Look what Alan and I found in our travels on Monday.... could not leave him there. We went to check out a new to us Pottery garden place. a few other things made it to the car trunk....
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Yes another sculpture flower. Bright blue and a yellow hummingbird hovering at the center. the other friends are not hung yet. then there is a special lady but she also is waiting to grace her spot. Our Mr. Lincoln rose bush has many buds just waiting to open. Still have to get our Kitchen Garden started. Soon....
On the crafting table...
The weather has been wonderful, well it is Arizona. A cool down for a few days; temps will be in the 80s. so nice to have the sliders open. Murphy loves dashing in and out of the Magic screens. the afternoons usually have a strong breeze which at times becomes windy but he still enjoys sitting on the glider in the sun.
At the moment Murphy is requesting demanding attention. So it would be easier to rub his belly than to keep stopping typing. Yes, he is indeed spoiled. Glad that you had some time to spend with me today. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.
A beautiful day in the neighborhood.... it is Arizona so everyday is just about perfect. May reach 80s today then they say may a day of 90?! Alan and I added a new "plant" to the garden
Good Morning...I think it is still morning. So easy for me to not know the time of day...heck sometimes I am not sure of the day! We are having such wonderful weather. the temps are in the low 80s and the air comfy enough to sit out in the garden. Murphy especially likes it because the sliders are left open and he can push through the magic screens to go in and out.
The weather has been delightful. We have enjoyed sitting out in the garden often.
