it's Monday...again

Today feels like we are drifting towards fall.  There is a light breeze coming through the windows and even with sunshine streaming in, there is a coolness.  Ya for fall!!  I've not been a fan of the extreme heat this summer so I really am looking forward to fall this year.  The downside is that our days are getting shorter but it means time for knitting and crochet work., along with cross stitch of course.

There are still close to 200 forest fires burning in this province.  Smoke from fires in Washington State is heading north causing air quality advisories yet again.  I know we're not alone in this problem as so many places are having a tough fire season.

Sully had his vet visit last week and another round of puppy shots.  The only one that has caused him any notice has been the kennel cough one and now the resulting dough hack.  I've checked with the vet and so long as everything else is ok (eating, drinking, sleeping) then there is no concern and we weather it through.  Otherwise it will be a road trip to the vet again.

It is tough being a puppy!

Mondays are for  chores  and home time.  Currently the laundry is chugging away and a batch of bread has been started.  We much prefer home made bread but during the hot spells it hasn't been an option to put the oven on.   Yesterday I finally tried making tortillas.  I found a very easy recipe and was please with the results.  I will be making these again.

Recently is what I sent for a Christmas in July exchange.  It was fun stitching/making items for this exchange.   I checked the tracking and it shows as being received.

The item sent to me is somewhere in the post.   There is no explaining why some things are delivered/received promptly and others go on a scenic route!  It is a mystery.

The Halloween mailart project is coming along nicely.  Likewise items for the Santa Sack Swap.  I've even managed a bit of stitching while holding a sleeping puppy, definitely not my favorite way to stitch.

Looks like the bread is ready for the next step.

Have a good week!

Happy August

Another lovely day and it's hot again, still.....our portable ac unit has been going full tilt but it's not managing to get lower that 26 C indoors during the day and down to 23 overnight.   So after morning grocery shopping with my Dad, I headed off to Home Depot to see if there was any chance the had anything left in stock.  Low and behold two portable units were available and one came home with me.  An added bonus,  as the product code had to be entered manually it came up less than the known price but they honored what the computer said.  It all helps.  The new unit is up and running and along with the old one should be a vast improvement to our home.   Who knows, maybe I will get to stitch today!  Mind you that depends on how long the puppy naps.

wrapping up July

Here we are, mid summer already and still it continues hot and dry.

The brief rainy spell was a welcome relief but it didn't ease the water shortage nor the restrictions. DH collected rainwater from the roof gutter drains and filled two large Rubbermaid bins.  We've been using this water for the trees outside our unit.   It's still in the plan to put in a rain barrel or large watering bags  for the trees.  We can use a hose and nozzle to water the veggies/other plants on the patio but no lawns nor car washing.  Thank goodness the lingering haze from the forest fires has been blown away.  There wasn't much difference in the morning sun or evening moon.

The orange air lasted many days.  I guess we can be thankful that we weren't any closer to the fires. It continues to be a big problem in this province.

Noah turned 7 earlier this month.  Of course there is nothing better than cake

and a party ......

and testing the icing!

July 1st we (perhaps some of us more than others) enjoyed a patio party.  Hey, isn't it all about keeping cool?? And all water dispersed did drain to the adjacent hedge.

 

Those lucky enough to be at the other end of the patio were spared splashes.  But for Grandad  here's what happened....

And with that, this part of the party was done!  Nate, not to miss out (note, he had already more than splashed around water).   He went from semi wet  (yuck) to bare bottomed  and then declared he was done with water.

Here's what I stitched/made for my birthday draw that I sent to Meari.

This is the lovely gift I received from Nadine of //jocindine.blogspot.ca">Jocondine

Earlier this year Nadine shared a wonder mystery tour through France.  It was so much fun to explore France.  Her drawings and clues were amazing.  Along the way she gave prizes and I was a lucky recipient  Pop over to her blog and take a look.  

Nadine is stitching a Goose Game.   Here's my attempt at one, definitely a work in progress. Basically I'm winging it with my stitching.

It's always nice to try new recipes.  On Kathleen of Four Miles North of No Where shared this Tomato Pie recipe.   For the life of me, I couldn't find my glass pie plate so opted for a small rectangle glass dish.  The recipe  is definitely a keeper.  Take a moment and visit Kathleen's blog.

 



For another easy recipe, check out the Mennonite Girls can Cook blog.   The basil cheese biscuits are so quick to make, even on these hot days.

Yesterday, another milestone, DH turned 60!!  He's still waiting for his cake...it's coming....

but we've been a bit busy the last few days as we welcomed Sully to our family.  Meet Sullivan Peabody Burke.

It is a tough life being a puppy but I think he's managing just fine.

I've been working on other stitching projects (well until Tuesday afternoon that is ...before Sully) but no photos just yet.  

OK, it's a wrap on July.  I can't wait to see what's in store for August! 

Raindrops.....

Finally we have rain, heavy actually today after lighter showers yesterday.  It's a very welcome change to our area.  This morning DH set up a catch bag on the gutter drain outside the front door and in a very short time we have  several inches in a large Rubbermaid bin.   Actually there are a couple of bins lined up and ready to use.   We've discussed having a rain barrel outside our patio (it's a pricey purchase) but with the current water restrictions and the long term forecasts it might be a worthwhile investment.   Otherwise the excess water flows out the storm drains and that seems a loss especially in the current conditions.  Current water restrictions are expected to last through September.

Another Sunday and the younger types and grandsons will be here soon.  Lunch is ready.  We're ready....with added door security.  #2 grandson loves to 'be on the run' and is very able to open doors/locks and he proved this last weekend and pulled a runner.  Luckily no harm was done except he's done the same at home and headed for the street.  We've had the locksmith in and a deadbolt has been added to our front door as well as lock pins for each of the patio slider doors.  Both are good for security  but are they Natey proof?   The keeper of the keys will have them well out of sight range.  Update to follow.

Pictures I'd planned to share are still in the camera.  Maybe tomorrow.  Stitching projects continue and being able to stitch from stash is really a bonus.  Perhaps this says I have too much stuff!

Happy Sunday!

Sunshine and the RNG draw winner

There is sunshine streaming in and even before making coffee I've used the RNG to select a number  and the winner is #2  ......Meari!  Thanks to all who stopped by and left a comment.

Enjoy the rest of the week!

mid July....already

Normal temperatures have resumed (low to mid 20's) and the smoky haze has cleared, now this is summer.   It's still very dry and much of the province is still dealing with forest fire situations.  We've had some rain but not enough to do much good.  I'm sure come September there will be complaints about "all the rain".   Until then, here's the place I enjoy most....

The blinds are a new addition this year.  We purchased inexpensive indoor blinds and mounted them on lengths of wood, added cup hooks and hung on existing outdoor hooks  .....done.    To angle them out and attach to the hedge I used lengths of synthetic raffia.  The outdoor lights are on a timer so they provide evening sparkle.

 

Next up, completed mailarts.  On the left the back of the stitched envelope and on the right the whole envelope before being stitched together (sent to Amy).  Below, centre is the lovely mailart received from Amy along with goodies.  Definitely a fun exchange!

And not to forget, blooms from the garden ......

Last chance to enter my birthday giveaway.  Be sure to read the previous post.

Happy July!

Sunday morning and it's overcast.  This should be a good thing except  the cloud cover is from wildfire smoke.  It's blanketing all the Lower Mainland area.  Hot times and bad conditions...and still this hot weather continues.  The long range forecast shows another week of heat to come.

The past few days I've found myself remembering the dates....last July  1st en route to Venice, by the 4th to Rome and then the ship at the cruise port heading for other destinations.   It was a journey to celebrate many things, birthdays, anniversary, my leaving work and family all ok.   How things have changed.   July 4th marked three months since Mom passed away.  No, there will not be monthly reminders but this one hit with a thud and I don't know why, just a reality check I guess.  Time passes, adjustments are made.  July 2nd marked three months since DH has been out of work (no fault of his, store closed)  It's been a wild ride.  There are still bumps along the way but we're doing fine.  We've been served two scoops of life.  And the cherry on top, family and friends.

For now, pictures from my garden.

 


The flowers on the left are a Peruvian daffodil.  And the berries, it's the first year for fruit.   One of our figs trees has figs.  Small fruit coming, so long as the birds don't discover them, it will be a treat to have fresh figs!

FIFA finals today.  It has been a pleasure to watch the games.   Next time the games come to Vancouver we will definitely try to get tickets.

Upcoming....birthdays.....three this month...grandson turns 7 on the 7th, me on the 10th (alright, let's leave it at over 60) and DH turns 60 on the 30th.  So to mark the occasions I'm going to put together a giveaway.  To use  one of Noah's favorite words   'Surprise'   ....my gift to you will be stitching and crafty.  Stay tuned.  I will do the draw on the 15th.

Summer Wishes

Sunshine....check.....unlimited actually for days to come.

Warm temperatures   ....check.... 28 in the shade, lovely but maybe just a bit cooler would be nice.

Cool drinks ...check ....iced tea made and in the fridge.  It's too warm for a glass of wine, maybe tonight though.

Freezer stocked...check ....we've become fans of Chapman's Gelato....yummy flavours!  No, that's not the only thing in the freezer!

Stitching to do...check....there are unlimited options here ....

With the a/c unit going in the living room, ceiling fan  in the family room and a large turbo fan the other end of the place overall it's comfortable indoors staying in the 24 degree range.

We've been following the Women's FIFA games to date.  Tonight is Canada and England, playing in Vancouver.  We're content to watch the game on TV.

No pictures today but next post I'll be able to show you what I've been working on and what I've received in the mail.

So, what are your summer wishes??

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.