A new start

 Happy New Year my dear friends. I have never been so happy to kick the old year to the curb. It really had been a difficult year. There was a personal issue to deal with and once I admitted that I was not responsible or in control of, well it was much better. Not easier but better and filed away. Then I guess I should mention the medical stuff****. This year will be different. No running in the garden with Murphy...that injury was the only one I could have prevented. I contributed to many doctors/surgeons bank accounts  in 2022. I need to set limits for myself.

I ended 2022 with this sweet mamma doll and her baby. Lisa calls her Kim. The baby sling is Velcro so it can be removed. Then I started this year with

this quilt called French Roses but I call it Shabby Roses. I fell in love with the jewel tones in this Moda line and am using all 5 fabrics. Before you ask, yes I am stitching it all by hand. 

We had a wonderful gift filled Christmas and Murphy enjoyed tearing all the paper he could grab.  One of my favorite gifts is

Alan and Lisa wanted to get me something for my sewing and suggested a new table. I love this table! It is Sullivan's Quilt Design Table. It closes up to a nice size and fits perfectly in my sewing corner. Of course It has only been closed a few times since getting it...it has been helping me with my projects.

Christmas is still on display here but will slowly over the next week begin to disappear to the garage. I hope you all had a good holiday. I wish for all a healthy and peaceful 2023. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind words. Thank you for your friendship. 

****right hand surgery, right Achilles tendon surgery, fractured right shoulder and spinal fusion

Catching up

 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.

This is the width of the friendship quilt ....now I will add to the sides until it fits how I would like it. I love the look. It is just a coverlet....not a bedspread size for my daybed. I smile when I look at it! some of the windows are favorite project memories, and then there are those that some of you have sent. My goodness it is getting quite heavy. I now have it on the sewing table to work on as my shoulder is still not completely healed. Dianna was here this past week. Her wall hanging Cathedral quilt is just about finished. She is deciding on what next. We enjoy our weekly sew and lunch. Dianna found us a couple of Plumeria plants. There is no indication of which color but we do not mind. My plant is currently hiding in the lanai because of the storm and winds. I also read that they can be indoors with some care. For now it will be moved out for sun and back for shade. This afternoon Arizona heat is murder.

Murder did I say.... while getting fabric for a baby quilt...the pink roses and green fabric....

I spotted the crow print. It is fantastic! Had to get a yard for I do not know what...but I love crows and with chandeliers! Also spotted the needles. They are just what I have been looking for. Always fun to come home with goodies. The baby quilt ...as you may have guessed...is for a little girl. Her dad works for Alan. The pregnancy has been labelled high risk with a few scares along the way. Please keep this family in your thoughts for a healthy birth.

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 week!

Today I hope is the last day injury to me myself and I! There was the fall tripping over the carpet edge in the lanai while dodging Murphy.

Then while slicing radishes on the mandolin... a small chunk of my finger went and so did the radish! Lisa was quick to wrap it for me...good nurse.
Then  while walking Murphy he crossed in front of me and in a tangle...let's just say matching scraped knees. This morning as I was attempting to rescue Lisa's belt to her robe I now have matching elbows. There is a pattern here.... but I won't mention any dogs name! Lisa told me to just sit this afternoon while she is working.

I just can not stay angry with this lover boy. This is the view looking down while sitting in my rocking chair.... love him, to pieces ❤Some of the fault is with me not being more attentive. We will have a solution...just spoke with Jolie at PetSmart to enroll Murphy in classes to start in February...goodness, that is just about a week away….He knows "sit, out, walk and treat" now we need stay stop and no barking at the other dog. I told him that is no way to make friends and have play dates!
Since my finger has healed enough to sew....

 Had to take the picture in 2 parts....There are 6  center flowers and then the edge flowers...my own idea to finish the runner. It measures just 14 1/2 x 60 inches. 

Loved making this. I definitely will be making more with this pattern. The back is the same as the sides. Next week on one of Lisa's days off we will make the Burrito Pillowcase from the kit we bought.

In a day or so, we will be enjoying our first tomato from the kitchen garden. Several others are already yellow. Keeping a certain pooch out of this garden has been a challenge. Did I mention we will be putting fencing around the planted areas? He spends time daily pruning anything growing....

Well, I figured while things are quiet around here it would be a good time to post. Mornings seem to get away from me. I am still walking with Murphy 3 times a day and have lost some weight  and my blood pressure is down. It has been so nice to chat with you today. I must try to return to more frequent posting. Thank you for the kind words and for your friendship.

Change in plans....and a win!

First, I won a drawing over at Tammy's place...

so creative! I just love when someone has an idea and goes with it. This is wonderful. Tammy's blog is so nice be sure to pop over and say hello. I like that I can change the inside when new ink is needed....not just a decoration, but a usable pen for my sewing room.
Now for the other news...if you follow me on Facebook, you saw the picture of my right hand....

The first real issue with this was this past June. X-rays showed that I have arthritis in the first finger and first and second knuckle with inflammation between those knuckles. Well, it is blooming again so back to the surgeon for an injection yesterday...actually 2 injections into the area. I actually left work a little early on Thursday because it was swollen and very painful. Today, it is the same with a little more pain. What to do! Obviously, my stitching plans for the next few days are not to be. Work today will be interesting trying to measure and cut fabric for 5 hours..... it will certainly be slow going. I guess there will be more relaxing in the yard this weekend..... Vickie had asked about predators with having fish in the little pond.... the solution is that we have a cover that would hide them from the hawks that frequent the area.Rather than try to disguise it, Mr H painted it to be obvious and the orange is a nice color.

Simple but effective. The water sounds are not so loud as to attract hawks but pleasant enough when we are outside. Some of the "regular" birds  stop by for a drink. When Mr H drains some of the algae water off, he uses it to water the garden plants. Mind you, we have a Rain-bird system in the yard that he does not use because he prefers to water the plants himself. It keeps him busy. Typing this morning has been slow and uncomfortable, so off I go now to look at my Red Riding Hood instead of stitching on it! Time to ice the hand also...thanks for stopping by and I do hope you have a wonderful day.
PS**** sign up for the March Card exchange ends on Saturday February 28th.  Email me you mailing address if you plan to join in. I may already have your address if you joined in before.

Wednesday Woe

I think today might be better than yesterday...
First while holding my early morning cup of coffee ( 3ish) I felt discomfort in my finger...so, in the dim light (little sewing room lamp) I looked and thought, Now how did I get my finger so dirty at this hour? Off to the bathroom for a wash and better light...well I do declare it is all black/blue/swollen and hurts!

Now as this happened from the time I went to bed and now, it is a mystery...I have no clue. Problem, is that I stitch two hands and am right handed.... so, there would be no stitching. Moving along.... my left knee has been swollen and really painful over the holiday weekend. Day off (Wednesday) and Pain doctor in, so I called when the office opened and by 1 PM I was there. His opinion which has always been correct, fluid in the knee and we could see it when he did the ultra sound..... so, 50 cc of fluid removed with Mr H  watching giving moral support. He did mention that football players get this and it is very painful to see them hurt on the field!  MRI scheduled for very likely a meniscus tear....At least I am even on the bruising; right middle finger and left other knee! I am hoping to be able to do some stitching Friday (day off). I will be at work today with some restrictions.... I think I will be sore tonight. Did I mention I am right handed and will be cutting fabric with said hand for 5 hours? That is my tale of Wednesday Woe.......thanks for listening and I do hope you have a good day!