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.

moving forward

Here we are, Saturday, again....a week later and although I know it has happened, it is hard to believe that my Mom is gone.

Thank you for your kind words. I am grateful, they are truly appreciated.

At points this week I have sat and stitched. Be it stitching, knitting or crochet, hand work seems to be my release.

Yesterday in the afternoon  we moved plants on the patio.  The plants from my parent's garage that were moved over for a short stay (more sunlight) will be staying here.  Happily, everything is growing well. It's definitely a work in progress to do justice to them.  My fig trees managed their first winter and are growing well.   I'm pleased that the white lilac has many bud sets this year.

The birds still consider the patio their personal playground.  They have adjusted to the lack of sunflower seeds and a feeder.  We've had more than one mouse sighting and as "Murray" didn't seem to be too afraid of humans, it was time to call it a day and take in the feeder till the fall.  I'm sure one mouse would lead to two and then the whole darn family.........and thank you very much , not on the patio and not in the house!

Not many hummingbird around at the moment, it must be nesting time.  Last week we did have a large heron on the roof  across from us.  I managed a few pictures (coming soon).  We continue to enjoy the eagles.  Yesterday there were two pairs gliding the currents. Trying to get a decent photo...lol.

To the south there is a small patch of blue sky, maybe that is a sign of brighter days ahead........

when least expected ....

To explain my silence/absence from blogging, honestly I don't know where to begin.

Some time back I had posted a short note regarding changes with my Mom's health.  After week in hospital in early February she returned home and there seemed to be a level for her.   February became March, changes continued to happen.  My Mom seemed better with acceptance of this than the rest of us  (more so me).  Seeing bit by bit her daily routine being altered and including less ....it just seemed so unfair.  March ended and we moved on to April.  I even had some hope that the new 'level' would last/continue and we could look forward to May.

Every day shared with her, and my Dad was wonderful.  And I'm truly thankful for all the days.  Last week on Thursday I popped over for a visit.  Mom in her chair and Dad beside her in his,  both holding hands....both in a conversation.  I will treasure that moment seeing them together so connected.  Pretty good for a pair married 64 years!

Plans were in place to take them over a special Easter lunch.  I'd stitched an Easter bread cloth/table mat for the tray, along with the other goodies to make the day a bit more special for them.

Sadly, there were greater plans than ours and Mom passed away peacefully  at home Saturday morning.

Sunday plans continued with the rest of our family but it was much lower key.  Our grandsons had fun finding eggs.  It was Easter and Mom was with us in spirit.

My Dad is coping, some moments better than others.  We're all helping each other.

In the past few days there have been things to take care of that I never imagined doing.  Today has already been long one. With arrangements now taken care of (in what was hours to accomplish) in accordance with Mom's wishes and those of my Dad, now there is time to be still.  Listening to the sounds of birds, glancing at the flowers in bloom, it is my chance to regain some perspective of what has happened.

The week ahead will be busy and we will get through.

To Mom,

We love you and miss you.

Thank you for loving us.

I would like to acknowledge Julie, Kate and Wendy from the GYOB party.  I was so very fortunate to be the winner of not one blog giveaway  but three!!..   Ladies I haven't properly posted yet regarding the lovely gifts that I received along with the links to your blogs.   Please bear with me just a bit longer and accept my apologies for my tardiness.  I will do  proper thank you's in an upcoming blog.

Wishing everyone a good week.  Take time to say 'I love you" to those special people in your lives.

Throwback Thursday....Remembering Russell

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.  

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 .....

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.

          

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!

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!

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!

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!