Russell Mitchell (on the left) passed away March 24th in Auckland, NZ.
He was my husband's best friend. He was the Best Man for our wedding.
Russell, you will be missed.
This is my journal, of Family, Home, stitching, knitting and Things that Inspire.......
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Sunday, February 22, 2015
Simply Sunday
Another day, peaceful in silence (unless you take into account the washer churning away and a rice cooker bubbling). DH is already at work. This week ahead has less late shifts, thank goodness. There is no time line yet regarding when the store closes. For now we will remain on our present course.
Also on the go is a batch of Amish white bread. This recipe is handy as it makes two large loaves. As much as I enjoy the convenience of the bread machine, the by hand recipe seems to yield better results.
The mild weather continues here and plants in the garden are sprouting up. There were 'a few' planters/plants in my parents garage and as my Dad has limited time to tend to them I said we could get them ready for spring. Well those few amount to twenty some tubs.....it won't take long to get them ready for a new year.
Of recent we haven't been seeing as many birds around. Visits by the hummingbirds are fleeting. Hopefully they are all safe with nests/families on the way. The hawk visit of a few weeks ago seems to have been short lived. As beautiful as it was I'd rather it stay away from my patio.
Stitching progress has been slow. I've been working on pieces to cover a box. The top has hibiscus flowers and a Hawaiian motif. The side panels, one almost done has flowers and leaves, along with the same border as the top. It's been bright and cheerful to stitch on the many grey days we've had.
We enjoyed our visit with our grandsons yesterday. Even though there is two years difference, our younger grandson is almost as tall as his brother. It's always a good day seeing them!
As for my parents, a new routine seems to be falling in place. And not unlike anyone else, some days are better than others. Still, we enjoy every day.
DH and I are looking forward to a quiet dinner at home tonight and watching the Oscars. I've made a batch of turkey noodle vegetable soup along with some fresh bread, a glass of wine and something for dessert, that should be pretty good.
till next time .....
Also on the go is a batch of Amish white bread. This recipe is handy as it makes two large loaves. As much as I enjoy the convenience of the bread machine, the by hand recipe seems to yield better results.
The mild weather continues here and plants in the garden are sprouting up. There were 'a few' planters/plants in my parents garage and as my Dad has limited time to tend to them I said we could get them ready for spring. Well those few amount to twenty some tubs.....it won't take long to get them ready for a new year.
Of recent we haven't been seeing as many birds around. Visits by the hummingbirds are fleeting. Hopefully they are all safe with nests/families on the way. The hawk visit of a few weeks ago seems to have been short lived. As beautiful as it was I'd rather it stay away from my patio.
Stitching progress has been slow. I've been working on pieces to cover a box. The top has hibiscus flowers and a Hawaiian motif. The side panels, one almost done has flowers and leaves, along with the same border as the top. It's been bright and cheerful to stitch on the many grey days we've had.
We enjoyed our visit with our grandsons yesterday. Even though there is two years difference, our younger grandson is almost as tall as his brother. It's always a good day seeing them!
As for my parents, a new routine seems to be falling in place. And not unlike anyone else, some days are better than others. Still, we enjoy every day.
DH and I are looking forward to a quiet dinner at home tonight and watching the Oscars. I've made a batch of turkey noodle vegetable soup along with some fresh bread, a glass of wine and something for dessert, that should be pretty good.
till next time .....
Sunday, February 15, 2015
and the giveaway winners are ...
Thanks again to everyone who stopped by my blog and left a comment. It's wonderful to get to know you.
Special thanks to Vicki of 2BagsFull for hosting this event!!
And the winners are:
Blessings in the Country and A Fistful of Lemons
Please let me know your snail mail info so I get your package in the mail the beginning of the week.
Thursday, February 12, 2015
getting ready for February 14th
I just wanted to thank everyone for their comments. I'm so pleased that you have visited my blog. The giveaway results will be posted on the 15th.
Happily my Mom was released from hospital on Monday. Things are still busy on the home front. It's going to take a few more days for things to fall in place. With home care visits every morning, it is a new routine to adjust to, for everyone.
The weekend is approaching so here's wishing everyone a Happy Valentine's Day!
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Thankful Thursday
Here we are many days in to our 'alternate programming' .....up in the morning and take my Dad to the hospital for 9 am, back home, get a meal ready for DH to take to work, drop him at work, home for a bit then back to the hospital to visit with my Mom and bring Dad home, make dinner, pick up DH .... Overall there are improvements for my Mom. For this we are truly thankful. It's been a hard week for both my parents.
I haven't kept track of the steps taken but the daily walks from the parking lot (far side of the building) to the room have been good exercise. And yes I do feel better for it. and will keep it up once there is a bit less commuting going on. So there are positives to all situations.....darn, these feet of mine are walking!
I haven't kept track of the steps taken but the daily walks from the parking lot (far side of the building) to the room have been good exercise. And yes I do feel better for it. and will keep it up once there is a bit less commuting going on. So there are positives to all situations.....darn, these feet of mine are walking!
Saturday, January 31, 2015
End of January
I thought we would get through January without any illness in our household......not so much. DH has had a cough/cold since earlier in the week. He's on the mend but shared it with me. Thus far I've only the head cold, nothing too major. Anyways all of this has derailed my blogging plans. So I do apologize for comments not yet responded to.
Today's plans changed completely, from a morning doctor appointment for my Mom ended up with a trip to the ER. In between a lot of hurry up and wait. DH and I stayed in a corner of the outer waiting area and I prayed that neither of us would cough or sneeze. As the hours passed it was decided that DH should head home via bus as he was due to work a late shift. I kept busy with a stitching project. And thank heavens for having this with me.
We arrived at 9:30 this morning and we left this afternoon around 3 pm. The "we" being my Dad and I as they are keeping my Mom in a few days. So fingers crossed that they can get things on track and see her feeling better.
Perspective is realizing that there are many folks dealing with a lot more than us. A few hours hanging out in the ER waiting room reconfirms this.
A good weekend to all!
Today's plans changed completely, from a morning doctor appointment for my Mom ended up with a trip to the ER. In between a lot of hurry up and wait. DH and I stayed in a corner of the outer waiting area and I prayed that neither of us would cough or sneeze. As the hours passed it was decided that DH should head home via bus as he was due to work a late shift. I kept busy with a stitching project. And thank heavens for having this with me.
We arrived at 9:30 this morning and we left this afternoon around 3 pm. The "we" being my Dad and I as they are keeping my Mom in a few days. So fingers crossed that they can get things on track and see her feeling better.
Perspective is realizing that there are many folks dealing with a lot more than us. A few hours hanging out in the ER waiting room reconfirms this.
A good weekend to all!
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
The party continues
Many, many thanks to Vicki of 2 Bags Full for hosting this Grow Your Blog party!
And to all my blog visitors( new and returning) and new followers, welcome and thank you. Actually, I'm gob smacked. I never imagined that my blog followers would surpass 100! I am truly humbled. I look forward to getting to know you.
As promised, here are the giveaways. I decided to make two small packages of hand knit washers and a crochet coin purse.
The drawing will take place February 15th.
I'm still working my way through the GYB list. Wow, so many creative folks and great ideas! It has been fun.
Anyways, it's back to the party!
And to all my blog visitors( new and returning) and new followers, welcome and thank you. Actually, I'm gob smacked. I never imagined that my blog followers would surpass 100! I am truly humbled. I look forward to getting to know you.
As promised, here are the giveaways. I decided to make two small packages of hand knit washers and a crochet coin purse.The drawing will take place February 15th.
I'm still working my way through the GYB list. Wow, so many creative folks and great ideas! It has been fun.
Anyways, it's back to the party!
Saturday, January 24, 2015
Grow your blog 2015
Welcome to the Grow Your Blog Party hosted by Vicki of 2 Bags Full. Check out Vicki's blog for the listing of this year's bloggers. 2BagsFull
Have fun with the blog hop!
And thank you for stopping by my blog.
My name is Debbie. I live on the West Coast of BC. Married to DH, now 25 years together. We have one adult daughter and two grandsons.
I love stitching, knitting and crochet. I'm sure I have many lifetimes of projects yet to be done! There is something special about items made by hand. One can never have too much stash be it patterns, fabric or wool!
Add to this a passion for cooking and baking. All things fresh. I've also rediscovered making bread.
Once the weather improves I'll be busy in the garden. This will be my first year post retirement and the plans that I have will more than fill my patio space.
We travel as time permits, usually every 2nd year or so. In a heart beat, my favorite place is Venice Italy. To me, it's like stepping back in time. Perhaps a slower pace ,,,, the colors, the water, the food.
From this tiny balcony (white building), it was our vantage point to watch ...... take pictures, drink a glass of wine and dream............
I leave you with these, sunflowers to brighten your day!
and this
Thanks for visiting!
p.s. I will be putting together a small giveaway.
It's almost time for ....
this year's Grow Your Blog Party hosted by Vicki of Two Bags Full. It's a wonderful opportunity to visit many new blogs, meet new friends and grow your blog. Click on the link to 2 Bags Full and join the fun! 2bagsfull
Thursday, January 22, 2015
a week later
And life carries on.
In between some very grey days there has been sunshine and beautiful skies. Overnight temperatures still stay in the single digits, heck sometimes the daytime temperatures are not much higher.
It's one way or the other....either beautiful sunrises like this.
Or dark southern skies like this.
A recent stitching finish, front and back of a small pillow.
And a stitched exchange gift received from Angela in Italy. Beautiful stitching!
My Valentine's stitched mailart is completed and is enroute the recipient. As soon as I know it's been received I'll post pictures.
Making bread has fallen off the radar during the past week or so. This afternoon I have a 2 loaf recipe of Amish white bread underway. It's a hand mix recipe. The results have been very good.
And I leave you with this, a taste of spring to come.
In between some very grey days there has been sunshine and beautiful skies. Overnight temperatures still stay in the single digits, heck sometimes the daytime temperatures are not much higher.
Or dark southern skies like this.
A recent stitching finish, front and back of a small pillow.
And a stitched exchange gift received from Angela in Italy. Beautiful stitching!
I'm not sure when the postage stamps left the parcel but thank goodness the parcel was delivered.
This is the mango seed. It took up most of the width of the small pot. The seedling below took about two weeks to sprout.
The hummers still visit daily. Of recent, it's more so morning/afternoon visits. So picture taking opportunities are slim.
Making bread has fallen off the radar during the past week or so. This afternoon I have a 2 loaf recipe of Amish white bread underway. It's a hand mix recipe. The results have been very good.
And I leave you with this, a taste of spring to come.
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