Tea, anyone?

 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.

I am enjoying my Tea Pot table topper project. Of course my mind is already thinking of what project next! I have few in mind.....Dianna started a Sun Bonnet Sue project and it is coming along. Will get permission to show you. We enjoy working on same type if not the same applique project. together. I wanted to make a runner for the top of my sewing table....but....it it always busy with a project! Glad to chat with you today. I think I will take my project out to the lanai to stitch a while. I have a tray that holds all necessities and a quick pick up and off I go. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

End of month

 Where do the days go? Seems to me that the days fly by... but wait; there are a few days that seem to linger. Part of it is that I am still restricted and when I think of something I have to remind myself if it is okay to do. Soon, soon they should be lifted. I see the surgeon on November 15th for x-rays to make sure the cage and spine are still okay, All in all I am doing okay and feel good. Happily I have sewing that has kept me busy.

Since I reached 100 hexagons it is time to begin to get it together. I started to lay out the hexies.. using my trusty old cardboard mat...if you sew you may still have one. It is making it easy to plan and will make sewing this quilt easier for me. I will just pin in place and rearrange as I think I should. I must start to think of what project will be next.

Friday I planted my herb garden; Italian parsley, oregano, chives, creeping thyme and rosemary. The pot is a large high one so no need to bend or stoop down. There is already a pot with basil although it is beginning to become straggly. Possibly a cut back would help. Our Arizona weather has been wonderful...no more 100s. Having my bedroom slider open is so nice. Of course Murphy likes going in and out as he pleases.

Still have some blooms on the Fairy Duster bush...the hummers love it and soon there will be berries for the Goldfinches and House Wrens.  

Since it is almost Halloween, I will leave this post with a bag of Zapp's Voodoo potato chips...New Orleans style kettle chips. Nice to spend time with you. Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. It really means a lot. Thank you for your friendship.

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.

There is a cat in my room

 Goodness....time is certainly very occupied for me lately. I have (as mentioned before) started the various medical stuff. Still waiting for the surgeon to schedule my foot procedure. Murphy begins his training on Monday.... to be a fly on the wall is what my sis Lyn said! In the meantime I am keeping busy with Ann Wood's patterns. Totally enjoying the hand stitching.

Meet Mr. Socks...Ann's name for the pattern. I shall call him Tom!  Tom measures a mere 6 inches. It is a pleasure to use her patterns...really. Well drawn and well written with plenty of pictures. Her tutorials on her site are great too. Getting ready for another creation.Here is a hint....Baa Baa....

Another Tiny doll has moved in. Before you know it there will be a village here! They are about 6 inches tall. I had fun making the straw hat. I made my own top pattern for under the coveralls. It was simple enough. She is ready to help in the garden. Looking forward to making the next one. I do have one to make but not a Tiny Doll...maybe later today.

Our Arizona weather is still growing season. The Snail vine is flourishing and the Violas are so delicate. There are still many tomatoes  to pick and some to ripen. Nothing like picking a tomato and popping in your mouth....yum. 

Lisa and Alan brought me a gift from there get-away...

 It is a Wish/Dream jar. Made in the Raku finish, it is lovely. I have not added any notes to it yet, but soon. I love it.

Thank you for your good thoughts re: my tests. Nice to know I have them! We all need special thoughts now and again. 

Time to return to the Olympics..... are you watching them? It has been nice having you visit.  Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship. Hugs to all of you💓

Mr. Lincoln

 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.

Time...

 Hello day 2 of September. I have been here...but not. Just having lazy and quiet days. Last week, A;an and Lisa took he week....Sunday to Sunday... and took a trip up North. they visited Jerome, Sedona Cottonwood and a stop in Wickenburg on the ride home. All first for Lisa and she enjoyed the beauty and relaxing time. They also went horse back riding. Murphy and I were on our "stay home vacation" and we loved it. All back to normal now. Normal...really a crazy household...I would not have it any other way.

I did play with the new sewing machine.... hope to get a few projects done.

Alan is always saying "we should have gotten a cat" when Murphy is being Murphy. So, I found this nice easy pattern on Ann Wood Homemade website and made him a cat....the only cat he will have! Just before my roommates left town I went to the doctor for a follow-up. Do not have to use the boot unless my foot is really bothering me and return when needed. Also had blood work and all is stable. All in all I am okay. To be honest the foot is 90% better so that in itself is great. It is a long healing for an Achilles injury. Next will be a visit to the hand specialist. Never ending!

Once again, Dianna brought me back from Hawaii a Plumeria stick also known as Frangipani. 

this is the 3rd time at this trying to grow one. This time we decided to try the water method. So far so good. When she brought it to me the leaves at the tip were closed and now are opening. This plant will be yellow...Thank you Dianna for not giving up on me.

It is amazing what a week of no care that the garden gets messy. Alan with Murphy's help did yard work. However, once the broom appeared, Murphy quickly made a get away and took it in and under the bed.

He loves brooms. Of course Alan has a backup and while Murphy has "his" the work still continues. The possession did not last too long before Alan came in and took it away.

Did I mention Murphy also loves mops and dust cloths and mail and boxes chases the vacuum? No wonder the house keeping faeries do not stop by. At the moment he is howling at a passing siren from the firetruck. 

Nice to chat with you but...   Time to put the swishing in for fluffing and start the next swishing... out to the laundry area we go. Oh and socks....Murphy loves to eat socks!Thank you for  your kind words and for your friendship.

Meet Angela~~~~

 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

Fits perfectly in the corner. Bright raspberry color really adds to the area. A hummer actually checked it out. We really like these metal sculpture plants. Soon Alan will be on the look out for some annuals to pot up which will bring more color to the garden.

Here is Angela. She is a Tilda doll from the Toy Box Book...love the Tila collections. Said to Lisa, now for a name...she responded Angela so it is so.

The pattern calls for a headband...not fond of it, but I made it anyway. Tone, who is Tilda  creations, wear her hair with side buns, so off course her dolls have them also. Instead of a stuffed piece, I tore stirpes of cotton and stitched them in place to form buns. Just love making dolls and critters. Speaking of critters, just was speaking with sis Lyn and she love Honey Bear...so he will be moving to Rhode Island very soon. 

Happy you took time to 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.

Hot days are here

☀It would seem the triple digits are here to stay. Heat advisories daily...Murphy ignored them yesterday. He insisted on laying out in the lanai all morning. Today he is napping by my side.  It is 106 at the moment...so indoors we will stay. Alan and Lisa are at work so it is just the two of us. Me?, I am watching a movie. Lisa took me to Safeway this morning for a few things and I could not wait to get back home and remove the mask...

I made each of us 2 masks...one of Alan's was with him at work when I took this photo. So many are not wearing them in the market.
Our tomato plants are getting ready in the Kitchen Garden....

These are on the "old" plant and there are several. Glad I did not remove it when we picked the last tomato. We bought a new one

This is the new one which is Husky cherry  and already has several bunches. Since none are ready I had to buy some today.

This pepper plant is called Candy Cane...do you see the light creamy color stripe? The peppers will be stripped and sweet. The Poblano plant does not have anything yet. I need to replace the Italian flat leaf parsley when next I can get to a nursery. Lisa is tending to the Basil plant in a pot on the shelf.
Well, I am needing a good sit down. My injection area is sore today...an ache that will not quit. Swishing and fluffing in the laundry area is finished. The galley area of the kitchen floor needs a wash, but it can wait. So nice to chat with you all. I hope you are taking care and being as careful as possible. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship. 

Into the garden

It  is a lovely day outside. Just finished walking the shark around my bedroom, bed made and ready for the day. There are morning dishes in the sink so that is next. Murphy is napping across the room from me but watching me as he does.
Alan released the critters into the garden when he came in from work...

into the Mr. Lincoln Roses

into one of the coleus plants

Of course he put them in many plants but these were the ones I could find at the moment I took the pictures. Now to hope they stay around and grow and munch on mites and aphids. 

Yesterday I baked a chocolate Bundt cake and that was desert last night after Turkey soup. Tonight's meal is still in the thought file. Well, that is about my report today.
Another headache (light thank goodness) day so Advil and relaxing is in order. I have been remaining home except for walking Murphy or as Monday to the doctor. Stay home, wash your hands frequently and be safe. Good chatting with you. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

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.

New house schedule

What a week. My new schedule, well....it is what it is...Murphy.
Lisa is back in RI to spend Christmas with her mom and siblings... and she is sick! Most likely hanging around the airport in New Jersey for a flight delay and who knows who around her was sick. She is missing  us....
How about an update on Murphy? If not, best end your visit here......
We nopw have a routine, me and Murphy. We go out very early and then after breakfast we go for a walk. Alan put an app on my phone so now we know how many steps/how far we walk. This morning it w2as quarter mile and 658 steps.

He is adorable even when he is causing havoc.... he likes to sleep on the coffee table shelf. Everyone comments on how cute he is...the following pictures will show you the puppy side...

Why eat out of the bowl when you can just turn it over and spread it out.

He loves being in the garden...this is just what he has brought in last week … he is a collector! Loves to play with rocks, broken pots and of course twigs. I had to move my tea pots on the lower shelf of my bakers rack because he kept taking the lids off the pots.

The Penstemon is growing wonderfully... that is until Murphy decided to do some pruning... he loves to prune and help Alan keep the garden looking good.

He does a great job, right down to removing the roots. There was a plant by the back gate...key word is was. He still is drinking from the fountain.... how do I know? His beard is always dripping … and yes, there is plenty of water inside.

Do you see the twiggy branch in the tree? Murphy kept bringing it inside so I guess he wanted to help decorate so it is high up where he can not get it. As a matter of fact, he does not touch anything on the tree. So he did pull out the pretty red scarf that Lisa added to the tree skirt. It was not his fault. His tennis ball rolled under and.....

We love this adorable little devil.... he has given me so much at a time where I really needed him. He has lifted my spirits!

Thank you for visiting today. Thank you for the kind words and for your friendship. 

Where do the days go?

Good afternoon..... I know..... where have I been and what have I been up to. I am still right here and not doing too much. I have been out of sorts lately… actually for a few months. A visit to the doctor with Alan and things are getting back on track. I am touched with the emails from some of you checking on me.... I could feel the hugs wrapping around me. Thank you.

We had 3 days of rain storms last week and now they say we will get more this week. Just look at the first tomato! The kitchen garden is growing leaps! The Mr Lincoln roses have been wonderful to pick and have in the house. The fragrance is lovely. There are more buds on the bush. Here it is end of November and the Prickly Pear Cactus is blooming...

I love the feel of the flowers....they feel waxy. Of course taking a picture requires being very careful...

The pads, or Nopals are eatable... not that I have tried them. They should post a warning:
Spines and tufts of barbed bristles (glochids) can cause significant allergic skin  reactions... not to mention painful when pricked!

The red fruit appears once the flowers finish and they make the best jelly.

The Fairy Duster plant is also in bloom....the hummers love it as do the bees. So nice to have color in the garden at this time of year.

On Satrday, Lisa and I went to a faire in Scottsdale... not as good as the Litchfield one, but we had a nice day. While we were out, friends across the courtyard, Robyn and Dave, told me that a large healthy looking coyote walked up to the birdbath in the front and stood there drinking. He could each without difficulty. I would have loved to seen that!

Hopefully my desire to get back to creating will return soon. In the meantime, thank you for the lovely caring messages. I will make more of an effort to post as I always did... often. Thank you for your thoughts and kind words and most of all for your friendship.