last week of May

It's Monday, again, so soon.  

Recently I stitched a LK travelling pattern.  With a few changes I made this.   Framed and ready to go I took a picture with it in the box with the intention of getting another shot later.  The later shot happened but didn't come out as well.   The wedding was lovely.  The day was great.  And it was sunny!

Another recent finish as yet unframed.

My Patriotic mailart is ready to be sewn together.  Once mailed and received I'll post a picture. It's been fun to do.  

And from my garden.....

The poppies are a new addition this year.  One plant has orange and red blooms.   I'm still working on a vertical theme as there is only so much space on the patio.  Finally found a pineapple sage plant along with a thyme, cilantro, dill and chocolate mint to add to the herb garden.  It's so nice to be able to go snip some fresh parsley and dill from the garden.  The strawberry blooms are so pretty.

In the big picture I guess we're doing ok.  We seem to be adapting to life without Mom, yet I feel she's nearby, just to keep track of us! Our concern shifts to my Dad as his health is less than 100%.  It's a fine balance, respecting his space and privacy and yet being there too.  We leave within walking distance a building away so it's easy to find reasons to stop by.

Tomorrow is a carryover from Mother's Day, a high tea lunch with my daughter.  As we're meeting at the restaurant I plan to leave home a bit early and make a couple of stops along the way to White Rock.

Have a good week!

mid May grey's

Let's call it mild, not warm outdoors.  Although it's not raining at the moment the skies are bland, that greyish blah.  I can't complain really as everything on the patio is growing/blooming  and there is color....definitely makes me happy.

Mother's Day was nice but different.  Mom was with us in spirit.  She was missed.   Daughter, son in law and grandson's came for lunch.  As was his way, Dad came over after lunch and visited.

Nate helped open my gift bag. Taking out the tissue paper was the best part for him, then done. Noah's turn on the same (repacked) bag wasn't the tissue paper but the framed picture inside.  We 'reviewed' each photo.  In each card was a gift certificate, a mother-daughter lunch (we're going later this month) and a stitching gift certificate.

Sunday also brought special outdoor visitors.  First, the return of a hummingbird to the feeder. Several visits during the day/evening.  And not really so special, Murray the mouse.  Darn creature doesn't seem to run away too fast.  No, it's not going to become a pet!

Stitching projects update.  My mailart is stitched and ready to sew on the backing.  Wedding sampler framed and wrapped for the wedding this weekend.  Frogging again on a larger piece.  I've gone through patterns and have come up with a couple of small projects to work on next.

We're still going through and sorting/condensing stuff.  It's nice to have more space.  Taking stock of what we have... priceless.  The thing that I've missed the least is the old microwave.  The shelf now holds my cookbooks.

Wishing everyone a good week!

and the travelling pattern goes to .....

Meari!

I have contacted Meari and the pattern will be on it's way tomorrow.  Happy stitching!

sunny Friday

The forecast is for sunshine and warm temperatures right through the weekend....yeah....patio time!

And in the gardens outside our windows.......

 Blossoms, lots of them.  The colors are beautiful.  They didn't last long.







And on our patio....

My favorite, now in bloom.  This lilac started from a cutting and is now about 5 feet tall and growing well in a large tub.

New additions this year.   It's fun visiting the garden centres but  it has sure been an eye opener with the prices this year.  Thus far my purchases have been limited.  I'm good with that.  

Every now and then we have visitors to the complex.  It's amazing that a heron would be in a residential area.  This one stayed on the roof for a good hour or so.

And once in a while we are lucky enough to see this...  last week, early evening, looking east, one rainbow and the start of a second.   As for the pot of gold....

Stitching projects are well underway, a Patriotic mailart and a wedding sampler.   Photos of these will come later.  With  some warm sunny days ahead it must be time to bring out the knitting needles.  So many projects, so little time.

Wishing all the Mom's a very Happy Mothers's Day!

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend too!

LK Travelling pattern

I've just finished stitching the Lizzie Kate "Love is Best" pattern.  It's quite delightful and quick to stitch.

Thanks to Kim M Wisdom with needle and thread for drawing my name.

So who would like to stitch this pattern next???  I'll draw a name on Saturday evening and that way the travelling pattern can hit the road again soon.

Be sure to check out Kim's blog.  Sign up's are available till May 7th for a Christmas in July swap.

without further adieu

Earlier this year during the Grow Your Blog Party I was a winner of not one but three giveaways!

I do apologize that it has taken this long to properly acknowledge and thank each of the ladies.

Very heart felt thank you's to:

Julie of Julies life style  for the two books and bookmark, lovely crochet cowl and hand warmers and the L'Occitane hand cream.

Wendy of Duchess Declutter

 for the vintage  hankies and Australian tea towel.

Kate of  The Flying Needle

 for the $50 gift certificate.

If you don't already visit these blogs (click on the link), please take the time to stop by for a visit.