Cacti in the garden and rocks too!

 The weather has been delightful. We have enjoyed sitting out in the garden often. 

Lisa and I got this lovely piece last week. The colors are so pretty. We also got another...

The little barrel cactus fits just right in the clay pot.  We are very happy with out cacti garden.  Lisa told Alan she wanted rocks for the area. Alan always accommodates us (remember he found me my tumbleweed!). 

Not only did he find the right stones, he was able to make the stacks too. All balanced just right. 

Today was a busy day. First it is Fiesta San Giuseppe...Feast of St. Joseph. After we left the Cardiologist we drove straight to the bakery to buy them and immediately sat to enjoy. Not to worry, I bought extra for later! I know my diet....I will skip the ice cream tonight.

About the Cardiologist..... I have a leaky Mitral Valve but nothing to worry about---yet. Something to monitor. My blood pressure was actually perfect today.

This is Lisa's latest project. She chose a lovely batik and solid pink to accent. The embellishments are a work in progress.  Did I mention that she is learning to sew  some by hand? After lots of ouches and "I can't find the needle" she did rather well. I think they are getting used to us at the Quilt Shop.

Speaking of a work in progress.....It is not ready for a full debut.... can you guess what it will be? It has been a finicky project. I will be happy to have it completed. Time to put something comfy on and relax. Tomorrow is swishing and fluffing day. Always so nice top have you stop by for a visit. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

Going on a diet~~~~~

 Another beautiful morning here in The Valley of the Sun. Yesterday it almost hit 90 and today more of the same. Speaking of yesterday, Murphy went to the vet for his yearly check up and shots..... $$$ later and what we know. His teeth are in great condition (must be from the gnawing on butcher bones) and his heart is beating just fine.  BUT, yes he is going on a diet... he weighed in at 28 pounds and we are both going to loose 5 pounds. That is correct, he needs to loose 5 pounds.  We will not discuss what I should loose so let's leave it at 5 pounds too.

My cardio testing is moving along.... gotta love The Brother Alan. I told him my last test was today and so he got up and ready as did I and Lisa commented that my appointment was not today...it is next Monday! My mind is someplace~~~ Lisa and I went to the quilt shop 

4 new fabrics....for 2 projects. We also stopped top get a bin for her to organize her sewing and embellishment stuff. Proud of how well she is doing. 

I also found fabric perfect for a Travel Pillowcase... will be flying to RI soon. Today I will get it made.... since I do not have to go for my cardio test! 

I may even bake.... but not with this Pyrex measuring cup!

Slipped right out of my hands. My hands just do not always work well.... and that affects my crafting as well as other activities. Looks like when it hit the ceramic tile it stayed in a bunch. Not so! It was all over the place and we have a large kitchen. Seems that I managed to get it all... lots of slivers and yes I did get a tiny cut. Importantly, Murphy did not get hurt as I put him behind closed door in the bedroom. 

Alan and Lisa brought me something from their honeymoon...

These are out in our front area which we are re-doing. It is a shade area ( the bit of sun is what it gets) so not much grows well there.  Aren't they nice. We will be adding metal flowers to the blue pot next which is moving to the corner of the gravel area (opposite where it is). 

Off I must go to do a few chores before I can get to sew. So nice to chat with you. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

My turn~

 Spring in Arizona is lovely.... temps are nice and sliders are open. Today is a windy day so they may close soon just to keep the pollen and dust at bay. Lots of music in the garden with the chimes swaying. On Monday I tried again to schedule a Covid shot and voilà, I got one for Tuesday morning! Only reaction is that my arm is sore and I have a light headache today which may or may not be part of it. In 28 days I will get #2 and then I should be set. Lisa and I went to Sprouts so I could buy the supplement that my Cardiologist wants me to try...Horse Chestnut! Now I can not say for sure, but I took the first one with my meal as directed then shortly after I was very nauseas. Combine that with the fact I had gotten the vaccine, I had  a large bagel loaded with cream cheese.... who knows. I rested on my bed for a short time and felt better. If not familiar with this pill, it is for leg vein health and inflammation. Today will be an easy day. Swishing and fluffing in the laundry area and then to clean up.....

yes, after the mess Murphy made. He follows me into the garage and takes things out of the recycle bin. His favorite of course are boxes. 

Lisa and I went to the quilt shop...of course we found lovely fabric for her projects and mine. She is doing great with sewing and building her confidence. Her current projects require embellishments so we went to Michaels and found some. We are building her stash!

This beautifully stitched and finished pillow arrived for Alan and Lisa, a wedding gift from Lynda Ruth all the way from Canada. How thoughtful of her. Alan and Lisa love it and send special thanks to her. Be sure to click on the picture to enlarge it to see the detail. 

I have been very lax with not only posting to my blog, but to visiting others also. I must get back to doing so. I am not the only one with pain/discomfort, but those of you who are know how easy it is to let things go.  

I would like to give you an update. 

I asked for special thoughts for my lovely niece Tonya...she is doing well. Now I need to ask the same for my nephew (her son) pictured here with her. I thought it would be nice to put faces to the request. This is a special young woman and was so for My Denny. Nico is a great young man. I know that special thoughts do help. Thank you.

Now, time to visit the laundry area and attempt to collect the torn box form Murphy. Happy to chat with you as always. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

This...that and the other

 Hello out there! Goodness I have neglected my blog. So many things going on around here and with me. The newly weds are doing just fine and want to say thank you for the emails and comments and good wishes for them. 

I started with the first testing with the Cardiologist. Two more then the follow-up. He plans to change my blood pressure meds slowly. He wants me to drink a small glass of tonic water every night at bedtime. So, I am and I think it is helping the pain in my legs. I will update when....

The Brother Alan is enjoying cooking outside on the new grill. The hamburgers were so delicious. So far he has grilled sausages, this and chicken..... tonight is steak. Yum.... 

Lisa has been busy sewing.

Lisa loves horses and riding. She made this wall hanging for their room. She is doing great with the sewing. She found a Messenger Bag pattern on line....so ....

The Batik was enough, 1 yard and it was in the fabric bin. A simple bag and now she is beginning to embellish it.

She made the yo-yo flower from another Batik and it is sewn on with a button. The colors of this fabric are great.

This vibrant pink cord was in the trim bin...picks up on the fuchsia splash on the fabric. I have been playing around with paper beads...

This is just a few of them...round, oblong and bar.... fun to do. 

I just made a wreath for my bedroom door.... into Spring for me.

Love supplies from the Dollar store. I even re-arranged both curios. I will have to try to get decent pictures...both are mirrored backed making lots of reflections. 

I will close with a picture of Murphy. The scroungy mutt loves sleeping on my bed. He is due for his vet appointment next week and then his grooming.

Thank you so very much for the emails and concern for me. Thank you for the lovely wishes for Alan and Lisa. Your kind words and thoughts mean so much. Thank you for your friendship.

Breaking News!

Did you miss my posts? Just had a doctor visit (new PCP) and for the last 2 weeks (since seeing her) my blood pressure is high again but my pulse is too low.... of course it is! Now another BP med is added to make it 3. My lab work shows a couple of concerns . I will be seeing a cardiologist soon. I have been experiencing lightheadedness and dull headaches.... tough getting old. Truth to be told, I have been feeling tired and lack of energy and ambition. Hard for me to believe, but soon I will be 74.... 

Oh wait...that is not the Breaking News. NO. 

Isn't this kitchen towel cute? Lisa bought it for me. We are in love with Gnomes! I keep a towel on display with my mixer for the season/holidays. Love is in the air. Alan and Lisa will be getting married February 9th. They will take a couple of days to stay and wander about in a town just North of us. Murphy and I will hold the home front.. I am happy to say I will be their witness. Wedding bands are bought, dress is bought, shoes and other things to be packed. Dinner reservations are made at one of our favorite restaurants. Tomorrow we will order flowers. We are excited.  Of course there will be pictures to share of the big day.

New craft to practice...paper beads. I know, why? my answer is because. Pictures soon.

Have you seen these...mask guards. They are great. It keeps the mask away from your mouth so you can breathe easier and talk to be understood.  Lisa and I have been wearing one for about a week. It stays in place once you put the mask over it. Looks like a turtle! 

So, I will try more to keep up my blog. Sometimes my feeling down gets control of me. Just the other day I learned that My cousin Ann is in hospital with Covid-19 in the ICU for the past few days. Please keep her in your thoughts. The virus was everyone's concern but then it hit my family with the passing of mom, EvaP and then we began to hear of friends and acquaintances having contracted it and passing.  No longer just strangers or famous people...but our family and friends. Masks and social distancing...please help. Get the vaccine when it is available to you. I will be trying to sign up this coming week. The country has been a crazy place and we must work together.

As always it is so nice to chat with you. Thank you for your kind words and thank you for your friendship. 

Edit/update

I was asked to list info so a card could be sent to Alan and Lisa. 

Last name.....Piccirilli

17002 N Pinion Lane

Sun City, AZ 85373

He is so handsome!

 Arizona is still in a heat advisory and the local electric company wants everyone to conserve by turning up the AC, not to use washers/dryers and things like pool filters until after 9pm. Mind you, the temps have been record setting and remain around 115 daily and 90 overnight. APS also is saying they may have to do rotating outages which will last around 1/2 hour and there will be no prior notice. I speak from experience when I say going without AC even a short time is difficult in these temps. When Dennis was in hospital and suppose to return home, that weekend the AC quit. The triple digits during the day and the temp in this house was around 97 at nighttime and stifling. Complaining finished. 

Murphy has a new groomer, Mary who did a perfect trim upon our specifications. Isn't he looking good! He is trimmed short and feels like velvet. I thought I would show you how Murphy "hides"... when he has something he should not have.

Look at that butt. He thinks we do not see him. Other hiding places are  under the ottoman, along side the chair in my room or under my bed which he does disappear. Once under the sofa, he really has to pull himself out...just fits. He is our delight. 

Baked a banana bread yesterday...almost gone. It is such a pleasure to have someone (The Brother Alan) who enjoys cakes and Pizzelles and scones etc. Lisa does also! 

I hope everyone is healthy and safe. I know many do not wear masks...we do. I know that many do not care about social distance...we do. We are doing our best to remain healthy. Glad you could stop by to visit. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

Three months

A beautiful day today, sunny and cool temps so Murphy and I enjoyed our walk. Well, almost, he still gets barky when he sees people and heaven forbid a dog! We are working on it.
These last 3 months have brought such changes. The Brother Alan and Lisa moving in. Lisa  added some things to the house décor and our tree was lovely with their additions. Then 1 month ago Murphy came to live with us. We all agree that he is the best thing to complete our new family.  I have lost some weight with the 3 to 4 walks daily, each about a quarter mile and I feel good.

Murphy is a big part of our lives. We share tasks.... I feed and walk and have him as a room mate at night. Lisa loves to play ball in the garden and snuggle with him. Alan is in charge of brushing as well as playing. We all love the playing and snuggling part.

It starts with one groomer then requires two!

We will be getting his first professional grooming soon...just a puppy cut as we love the mangy mutt look for now. He has plenty of time to look like a proper schnauzer. Lots of love in our house.

Lisa and I worked on the French Roses runner....

We did make a change before the sewing... the first in line ... we made the center petal a rose color.

The final order after the sewing! We washed it twice and dried it both times. It will need a pressing and a trip to the quilt shop for the backing. We are very happy with it and look forward to making others and variations; placemats and "doily" types. Lisa will begin one soon. She has not sewn in some time but we know she can do it!

So nice to chat with you...thank you for the kind words and for the encouragement. Each day is easier and I feel better. Thank you for your friendship.

Not yet a horse

Very little stitching yesterday....

The star is complete and the left border also. As  much as I enjoy these kits, they ae a challenge sometimes. There a so many blank spaces for the beads that counting twice does not always work. I have had to re-do a few times. Hope to stitch more today as tomorrow there will most likely not be any stitching; I have an appointment for my eye exam at noon. Vickie, who has 2 blogs: here  and here, emailed me and offered to take me rather that to wait any longer. Totally out of her way, but a friend indeed.
today. . The garden chores are complete; fountain water added and With the household chores completed I plan to make Pizzelles later.

With each recent visit, The Brother Alan and Lisa have brought and left clothing and items and leaving with empty suit cases. This time Alan also brought these. They are awards, back row:
 the Massachusetts Police Commissioner, Nassau County Police Department 4th Squad, Adjunct General  Rhode Island National Guard for Excellence in Standards and Discipline, Federal Law Enforcement US Department of Homeland Security. The front row: Department of State Diplomatic Security Service, Signature Costumer Service, and Federal Law Enforcement Training Center of Homeland Security. These are not the last of awards I am sure. Eventually we will find a more fitting place to display them. Yes, I am proud of him and what he has accomplished.
Wonderful having time to chat with you. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

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.