The camera and computer are speaking again

The winds of March are still hanging about. I looked out to the garden and things are here and there. I thought I secured everything. The chimes are sounding lovely. I can tell how windy it is when the buoy bell begins to sound off.... then it really is gusty. So far just gentle sounds.
The other day I discovered that I was out of dried Rosemary. So on the list it went. Like most crafters I hated to toss out the container... we all know how many uses we can find to use them.  It was washed and left to dry which reminded me of my garden.

This is my Rosemary bush in the garden... it is about 3 feet wide and as high. So I decided to pick, wash and dry some.

This morning I removed the Rosemary from the stems and now the kitchen smells of Rosemary. My hands still smell also even after several hand washings. Tonight my garden Rosemary will be added to my pork chop. Next will be to dry some of my Oregano.
Usually when I have a computer problem I call The Geek Squad, they remotely fix the problem and all is well. Wednesday,  the guy at the other end of the phone did not know what to fix... could not fix it. Off to Best Buy yesterday afternoon. It took Ethan just 5 minutes and he figured it all out

Finally after  7 years of daily use, the cable is worn out. This is a Memory Card Reader … this eliminates the cable ad now voilà, all is good again. Well, with the camera and computer that is.

This is the start of my embroidered towel for the kitchen. Plans are to continue this weekend. In the meantime, Spring has arrived at the hacienda...

The Sisters and the Angel are on the mantel. Dianna gave them to me and has a matching set! When a candle is lit in the Angel it casts a lovely light. Normally these are atop my bedroom curio. I like to change decorations around the house. Everything looks new again from a different spot. The frog family also has a new place...

They moved to the Sidebar in the dining area. These are very special to me. They belonged to my Grandma Piccirilli. When I was a child they sat in her kitchen above the stove. I always wanted them and when she passed my dad got them for me. A sugar, creamer and tea/coffee pot. They probably are around 90 years or more old.
So, that is what is happening around here. No plans for today or the weekend. Hope the days are less windy so I can enjoy sitting outside. This wind causes lots of sneezing for me. I do have to fill the birdbaths so the Doves have a supply for drinking in the garden and the Mockingbird has a place to bathe out front. Always so nice to have you visit with me. Thank you for the kind words and for your friendship.

Always something....

Yesterday there were clouds then rain fell. Clouds arrived and the sun was out briefly. Thunder was heard then the rains started again. This morning clouds and wind... and I do mean wind. Of course wind does mean the chimes sing nicely. So far I have not seen much sunshine or rain drops but I am not counting either out just yet. I checked on The Doves and the tail feathers are really flickering in the wind. Glad they decided on having their home in a safe area of the garden.
Although I had some issues to attend to yesterday morning by the afternoon I was sitting and started my embroidery. Not wanting to push my hand I did not sit in my comfy chair too long though. What was that? A picture of my embroidery start? That is the "Always something" part of my post. It would seem the camera and computer are not speaking to one another. Pictures currently prefer to remain hidden in the camera. So, that means a call to my buddies at the Geek Squad.

I can introduce you to the newest baby bunny...yes, I have been seeing him wandering out from the same bush as Oliver. Baby bunnies are so cute! Tiny and fluffy and seem fearless. I am always amazed that unlike puppies and kittens who stay close by the parents, bunnies automatically come out and move around by themselves. I was able to upload this picture just the other morning.
Anyway, one errand today and back to the embroidery hopefully later.  In the meantime, there is a bed waiting to be made and those House Faeries have not arrived and there are a few other chores, so off I go. Glad you visited today. Thank you for your kind words and encouragement and most of all your friendship. 

Feeling frustrated~~~

It certainly has been the week. The weekend was okay.... just okay. Monday is best put aside. Tuesday was get out to the garden. Spent an hour cleaning the lanai and the garden and then bagged up yard debris. I discovered that my wet vac is also a fairly good blower. That means that I do not have to use the blower which has not been one of my better experiences.

My Lavender plant is in bloom. I am so pleased with it. This replaces the one that did not make it last year. However, the pot for that one just may have a plant starting to re-grow. Worth caring for and watching.

The Doves have finally made a decision to settle down. Happily it is not where they were first planning to set up home. This is a much safer and ideal place for them. Not sure if eggs are there yet but it seems so. Anyone passing outside my wall would thing that I am a crazy lady. I chat with them to reassure them that my moving about is not a danger. Once they get used to my voice and movements they will be relaxed. It was warm and I thought things were going well until I finally stopped. My hand ached so bad. Once out of the shower I iced and massaged my hand but it was going to be a lost do anything more kind of day. Wednesday was take the car for oil change and tire rotation. That went well. I met up with Dianna for lunch after and a good catching up time.

Oh my micro Romaine made for a very delicate salad...all 15 tiny leaves! More than anything it is just a fun and interesting item to have in the kitchen. there is another one started and just because, I started a celery one also. Not counting on having anything to eat from that one!
Up next was yesterday, Thursday. I had to deal with an electrician for the HOA and that put my attention span to nil for anything else. Yesterday in the garden I spotted a Robin! Yes a Robin who stopped at the birdbath for freshen up. Sat for a few minutes preening then once he left a Goldfinch took a drink. So nice to watch them.

This was finally prepared for embroidery but so many interruptions have left it in the basket. This may be the day it gets attention. The temps have been in the low 80s the past few days and it was perfect for sitting on the front porch reading. The next few days we are back to the high 60s/70s. I did find new fabric for my March origami star so that is on the work table waiting for me. So, it is not lack of what to do; more of when to do it and if my hand cooperates. I am frustrated that I can not just be able to do any of my crafts. Even simple tasks for chores are difficult still. The hand is slow to heeling. Yes, I know it has only been 2 weeks since the stitches have been removed..... I am just impatient. Plans are on hold for this and that which frustrates me. You don't realize how things like using eating utensils, writing, mopping and cleaning are effected. Enough feeling sorry for myself.... today will be a better day. It already is. You stopped by and that is a good thing. Thank you for the kind words and the encouraging emails and comments. Thank you for your friendship.

Pink for Spring....

March has arrived and for us here in The Valley of the Sun the temps are wonderful...in the low 70s. It has been wonderful sitting outside with my coffee and a book. I have attempted to get back to doing something crafty.... but I see now that I will have to take it easy still.

It felt wonderful lathering up my hand with my Dragonfly soap. I love pretty soaps. Finally my hand feels clean again….It is looking good, still swollen and a little stiff, but I am massaging the fingers as well as stretching them. I am also applying the Mederma oil on the scar and soon my hand will feel soft.

Just the day before surgery I made this Spring wreath to hang at the front door. So far a few birds have checked it out and if they know what is good for them they will leave it alone. I also have taken my cotton thread and Hairpin Lace tool

and added an embroidery pattern that I found on Jacquelynne Steve's blog and voilà...I have a couple of projects. I thought I would start with the tatting project... or at least get part of a few ready but my hand began to really ache. Holding the crochet hook (size 2) caused my fingers to cramp up. So, only 2 are made. Do you know what they are for??? The embroidery pattern is adorable. When you print it, it has 2 sides...each gal is facing opposite/reverse.

She will be stitched on this towel for my kitchen. Originally the pattern is for St. Patrick's Day, but as Jaqueline suggested, you can simply make the clovers into flowers ad that is what I plan to do. I will grab my DMC color chart and decide on which colors to use. Usually when I make one of these towels I cut it in half as this is only for display ad I need only one side to show. I just may make one at one end facing one way and the other end facing opposite. I am having second thoughts about the fabric I chose for my March Origami Star so it is on hold just now. I am not a big fan of St. Pat's designs.... but still it is March. For me it is all about March 19th, Fiesta San Giuseppe, the feast of Saint Joseph.  In my Italian family it was to celebrate my dad's saint day...he was baptized Giuseppe but everyone knew him as Joe. We always had Zeppolas... a delicious pastry filled with cooked cream.
An update on the Doves.... there is now a pair but they are not nesting. They appear every morning in the garden and chat then disappear. I am asking for special thoughts for my friend LuLu back in Rhode Island. Her niece is under going a double mastectomy.... please keep her and the family in your thoughts. Glad you stopped by today. Thank you for all your kind words and for your friendship.