New day New Year

Happy New Year!  Wishing everyone a very good year.

Thank you for all your kind words.  They mean a lot.  I will get a chance to reply soon.

Meanwhile Dad continues.  Yesterday was the first day I didn't go to the hospital.  As it happened being home allowed for phone calls and new arrangements that were able to be accomplished before the holiday weekend.  Today I will visit Dad at hospice.  It's located across the street from the hospital.

Rather than resolutions I decided on a word for 2016.  Mine is purpose.  Right now my life purpose is changing and me with it.

A couple of weeks ago Dad and I had a conversation with Dad saying "When I go visit Jackie....." and Dad suggested I could just put him in the car and take him....and yes, he was meaning his final trip.    He picks his moments for certain conversations.   This week our conversations have been silent thoughts.  Tuesday I believe he knew we were with him.  In the time since, he has moved further away.

Take time for each other.

Not an ordinary day.

Everything changed yesterday.  Dad had a stroke or a seizure and is in hospital.  We're hoping for the best.  

And to all ....

Merry Christmas

and

Happy New Year!

Raise a glass .....

Happy Birthday Mom!

Remembering you today and always.

the best gifts of all

Thank you Noah and Nate for this year's art projects that have been made into cards.

The best gifts ever!

Staying indoors, warm and dry

On the wet West Coast yet another storm system is hitting the coast.  Thankfully it is just rain and not snow!  Our outdoor lights that should run dusk to dawn are still on, so that implies it's gloomy....and it is.

Grocery shopping and errands were completed in short order this morning.  Anything else will wait for another day.  Soup is simmering on the stove.  Roast chicken is cooking in the oven as well as a cake.  After reading posts about  cassata cake I decided to give one a try.  The recipe I'm trying is one that can be made ahead and frozen, works for me.

I can finally post a picture of my first quilted posted as I know it's been received.  Definitely fun to do.  I'm already thinking of making another one.

Yesterday's mail included  a quilted postcard from my partner Sunny Schroeder.   I love the colors and the quilted design!

Also in the mail this week, from Lynda Ruth, a lovely card, crocheted tree ornaments and chocolate goodies.  Thank you so much!  The ornaments are already hung on our tree.  They look so delicate. And the chocolates might not last past this evening!

This profile of the hummer sort of sums up the day.  Even this little guy looks wet and rumpled.

A good weekend to all.

Christmas is coming ....

Well I don't know how so much time has passed since I posted on my blog.  It has been a busy, productive few weeks.

Here's what I've been doing.....

  fingerless gloves and hat

 more gloves.  Knitted flat and sewn together.  Nice pattern to knit.

Crochet neck warmer.

And  a stitching/finishing marathon.  Some have already headed to their new homes.

 

 

 
 

There are other items completed that I can't post pictures of just yet.  It's been a pleasure participating in exchanges.

We finally have a tree up and decorated.  This year it's a smaller tree that is safely (we hope) displayed atop a round table.  To a puppy everything is fair game and the larger tree would have provided far too much entertainment for Sully.  There is always next year.   

We added more outdoor lights this morning.  Still, the display of lights is simple.  It is one of the pleasures of the season that I enjoy the most.  It's 4:06 pm and yes, the lights all work!

Christmas will bring  a little something for everyone in our family.  Thankfully items ordered have all been delivered so next up will be now wrapping.

And this post is a wrap too.

it's all about the numbers......

Sunday brought the end of daylight savings time.  Getting that hour back, ha, it sure didn't feel like we did. And sunset comes so much earlier.   The temperatures dipped to 3 (36 F) last night and tonight is to provide more of the same.

Sunday marked an important day, my daughter's 40th birthday!  We had a family lunch, cake, gifts and birthday wishes/singing Happy Birthday.  Photos to come.  Just where has the time gone?  I know that Mom was watching.  Among things that I had become guardian of was a Happy 40th Birthday card that Mom and Dad had picked out.  I returned it to Dad the other day so he could sign it.

This post is also my 175th.   Thank you to my followers and thank you even more for the comments that you leave.  They are appreciated.

I still can't post any pictures of the projects underway for exchanges, it would spoil the surprise.  DH works late this evening so I plan to put the finishing touches on one more item.

Dad stops by every afternoon to visit.  Actually I think it's more the time that he and Sully get to spend together.  Every now and then Sully forgets himself and tries to chew my Dad's fingers.  Not a popular move....overall they have  mutual admiration.  I keep trying to sneak a picture but no luck thus far.

Outdoors critters continue to visit, some more liked than others.  Chickadees, sparrows, junko's, even a Northern flicker visit along with the hummers that seem to have moved in.  Not seen but around the skunk, a rabbit and least favored a small mouse.  Even if there wasn't seed in the feeder (and the drop tray attached) I think the patio is the shortcut to greater pastures for the mouse.  I guess it's all part of the great outdoors!  And I don't feel any different about spiders, they do not belong in the house!!

Did you ever have something that you've always wanted, never hand?  For me it's been a spinning wheel.  I've wanted one always.   It's self contained compared to  pottery and the need/space for a kiln.  Working with clay has always been a passion.  Recent years haven't provided the opportunity so it was time to shift focus and consider a spinning wheel.  I guess it came down to timing.  I found a wheel in my price range and the seller was ok with shipping.   As of last Tuesday I have an Ashford wheel. I'm excited to get started.  That said, I must finish the current projects that are due to be mailed soon. After that, the adventure begins.  Hindsight was it is, I should have bought the one I saw in NZ back in 1989.

Stay warm!

Happy Friday

It's Friday, sunny, blue skies and promises of a warm afternoon so it doesn't get much better than that!   So here's what has been happening.....

First up, the Halloween mailart I received from Connie.  Her stitching is beautiful!

And here's what I stitched for her. The front has pumpkins and addresses (no photo)

On the home front, it's all about the critters .....

outdoors ....  a small feeder with a catch bowl.  It actually works pretty good for catching seed.   The chickadee doesn't seem to mind the lower level.

 

The hummers are back.  Now that it's cooler they seem to spend a lot of time either at the feeders or in the nearby trees.

The patio plant groupings are getting smaller.  I cut back the grape vine and have made a wreath with the cut portion.  The hardy fuschia continue blooming.


and the indoor critter....

Sully  looks so innocent doesn't he.....there seems to be untold amounts of mischief he manages to get in!  Mind you for him each day is a new one, new discoveries and finding his toys again.  It is a dog's life.

Sully and one of his gifts, named Aflac.


And then there are the little boys.......

Nate at 5, a selfie with my camera!

Noah at 7, very handsome!

I waited all summer for the pineapple sage to bloom  lol    finally brought the plant in and now it blooms.  

Here's a recent find at a thrift store.  It's a miniature painting by an Australian artist Terrence John Hadler titled Dusk at Euston Station.  I looked online and was able to read more about the artist. This painting was in a bag behind a small frame.  I was happy with my find.

Last evening I finally managed an outdoor (not through glass) photo of this guy.   Shortly after we watched as a pair of hummers played in and around the trees.  So nice to watch and enjoy.  

till next time......

October bliss

Since my last post somehow September slipped on by.  The best news of the month, DH interviewed for and started a new job.   It was a long five months for him without work.  The hours are pretty good and it's not too far away (10 minutes by car).  We seem to be back in the work groove again. Darn that alarm clock!

September seemed to be my time to dwell, stuck in thoughts of things that I cannot change and questions that will never be answered.  And finally I came to realize that by being 'stuck' I'm giving up time and energy ...and there is so much more I can and should be doing for my family, myself and friends.

I really do appreciate the comments left on my blog.  I'm catching up to acknowledge everyone, sorry for my tardiness.

The Halloween mailart is done and mailed out last week.  As soon as I know it's been received I'll post a picture. I'm working on projects for another exchange.  A couple of crochet projects underway. I've started knitting myself a fall wrap.  Cross stitch ornaments are being worked on as well.

As for Sully, he is growing.  Every day to him is a new one and as much as there is routine he does change up things.  This morning from 6 am it's been' I'm awake so what should we do?'  Most mornings as it's been cooler he likes to burrow in under his blankets and nap.  And that's usually when I can get some work done.  Ha, not so much this morning.  He is a delight and we all seem to be surviving puppy days (and nights).

The early morning sky was quite dramatic with clouds ranging from bright white to very grey/black.  It's now gone dark and looks like rain is coming.   Definitely fall.  After dropping DH to work I did manage a quick stop off to take a couple of pictures of trees in full fall reds and oranges.  I only had my phone with me but it was still better than no picture.

Having just said how dark it was now the sky has brightened up and the sun is peaking through. There is no explaining the weather.

Have a good one!