Summer's here...

Summer at last, long days and nights.... great light for stitching (many projects underway), knitting (yet to get going on anything) and time outdoors on the patio.

Our weather continues mild and dry.  It rained Friday night and as heavy a downpour that it was, it was a drop in the bucket of what is needed to return brown lawns to green.   There is another mini heat wave predicted for later this week through the weekend.   Summer water restrictions are in place as well.

One recent visit to the thrift store finally yielded a doughnut cutter.  They used to be a common but locally no success in finding a new one.  Gone are the days of a real department store (Woodward's and Eaton's are long gone) and the remaining larger stores carry limited product selections.  Another visit resulted in a hard cover Readers Digest cross stitch book.  It's nice to find a few treats without spending much.

In recent weeks hummingbirds visits are still infrequent.  At least one little fellow does drop in.  I've managed a couple of photos, definitely camera shy so needless to say photo quality isn't very good.

Meanwhile,enjoy your week!

A new day, a new month.

Welcome June .......sunshine is streaming in the kitchen windows.  There is plenty of blue sky with layers of white clouds and light breeze.  According to the weather report last evening, we will squeak another nice day before the rain returns.    Actually some rain will be nice as May was extremely dry and now the outdoor watering restrictions come in to effect as of today.

Yesterday was busy and very productive.   It was so nice to make inroads in the ironing....yes it does mount up.  I was most happy to finish my mailart and take it to the sub post office.  There were a couple of other small parcels posted as well including one for an exchange.  It's a good feeling to have projects done and mailed with time to spare.

My batch of stuffed peppers (mini peppers) go bigger and bigger....it's what happens when you keep adding items to the cooked rice......lots of filling equals lots of peppers.   We'll enjoy some this week and I'll freeze the rest.

Friday we took my Dad for a drive and went to a veggie market.  This market is about 20 minutes away by car.  It's a lovely location half way between Surrey and White Rock.  The open fields all around and with views of the local mountains well you feel 100 miles away from anywhere.  Fresh veggies are just a bonus.   Bit by bit we try to include 'a road trip' for Dad.   It can't be too long but we try to find something different for him to enjoy.

Now that the other projects are on their way, I can got full ahead on my Christmas in July exchange. This will be fun to do.

DH made the coffee this morning.  A second cup  poured and it's time to take it outdoors ....and water the garden.

Sunflowers in my garden.

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.

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.