I've Got Windows...And More Birds...And Pretty Flowers...

Good evening, peeps!

I've been able to get some stitching done.  If you look really, really closely, you can see the tiny windows on the left side.  They are just a little lighter than the fabric, but with the red of the house, will look fine.  The red I am using is an overdye, so I am going to move around when I stitch.  I really don't want stripes.

The birdies have vacated the front porch spider plant, but the eggs in the wreath have hatched. Here's a close-up.  When they move out, I see that I will have to do a little scrubbing on the house! LOL

My current iris blooms:

I love the delicate white/green with the purple.  The irises in the pot next to these are opposite:  

Purple tops with green bottoms.  I'll get a picture as soon as they bloom.

Now these irises, they live over at the neighbor's house.  I am in love!  Isn't the speckled purple just gorgeous?  I don't really know them well enough to go over with a shovel, LOL, but I think I will stop by and ask if they have the variety name.

Not much else to chat about...Dad is the same.  He has some seasonal allergies, so he is on eye drops.  Right now his eyes are red and weeping, can't be good.  He HATES when I put them in, but I've got to do it...at least he will be a bit more comfortable.

Off to finish my nightly chores.  Be kind to one another.

One Lovely Blog Award...Things You Want to Know...

Miss Nancy over at A Symphony of Stitches put my name down for One Lovely Blog Award.  What a very sweet thought!  I don't know if I'm particularly lovely, but I do like to chat and have a tendency to over-share!  LOL

Go over to visit Nancy at:

http://asymphonyofstitches.blogspot.com

Seven things about myself....

1.  I have been a Daddy's girl my entire life.  One of my favorite memories of childhood is walking across our cow pasture after changing pipes and my dad would hold my hand the whole way. I love my dad so much....

2.  I work in the food service department of a state prison.  I have 31 years of service and hope to retire in one year.

3.  I have a 27 year old son that is my pride and joy.  We home schooled through high school graduation.  I was worried that he would not be accepted to college.  Not to worry.  He is currently enrolled at his second university and will the first person in our family to receive a MFA.

4.  I love anything pumpkin.  Pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin butter, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin cheesecake, and more pumpkin and more pumpkin.  Oh, and I like to stitch pumpkins, too!  LOL

5.  The farthest I have ever walked at one time was nine miles.  It was kind of an accident, but would love to do it again!  I am walking a 10K next month...YAY!  It's a little over 6 miles, but this is my third year and I am ready.

6.  I married at age 20 and have been married for 35 years.  Some of it happy, some not so happy, but we are a team.  There is no way I could care for my dad without his help.  But, to keep him on his toes, I tell my DH that I watch a lot of CSI and Law and Order, so be careful...very careful...

7. I love Rod Stewart...I've seen him twice in concert and he is a showman!  On the other hand, I can sing most of the Carpenter songs.  La la la...Close to you....And Elton John.  Who doesn't love Elton John?  And Billy Joel.  Who doesn't love Billy Joel?  And...never mind, got carried away.  LOL

8.  (I know, one more than I'm supposed to list)  I really do stitch.  LOL  At one time, I was known to stitch for hours at a time.  Now, if I stay awake, I might get in 15 minutes a day.

On to my closing.  I'm afraid that most of the blogs I read have already been listed as a lovely blog, so I won't add any here.  Sorry if I'm being a rebel.  LOL

I do enjoy my blog and it is as much for me as it is for the reader.  I have found that as life becomes more difficult, it is very important that I take the time to keep in touch with others.  Because I think that  my friends and family are sometimes uncomfortable with my discussions of Hospice and death, it is much easier to put my thoughts to words and share with others that do not have to see me each day.  I am uncomfortable with being in the spot light and do not expect comments.  But I like to think that somewhere in the world, I may have given a little spot to visit that made them think or smile for a moment.

Be kind to one another.

Back To Reality...But I Had Fun!

Good evening, peeps and peepettes!  Back from my long weekend at a finishing retreat in Modesto. My not-so-local needlework store is Elegant Stitch in Modesto, California.  I love, love, love Lois and Annie.  Lois is one of the most talented people I know.  Annie's stitching is perfect and they both have a great eye for color.  Last year I went to the finishing weekend and had a great time. This year, I had even more fun!  I decided that I would try to be more social and met some wonderful ladies.  I invited myself to their table.  They were very gracious and said yes.  I did lunch and dinner (several times!) with the group and am very glad to have made some new friends.

Now, here are some pictures:

I finished this ornament as a box.  The box was painted and then waxed.  Cool technique!  This is a Little House Needlework design. The chenille is hand-dyed by Lois.  Gorgeous!  I picked up several different colors to use on other projects.

This is a punchneedle that I finished several months ago.  I painted and sealed the little crate, mounted the punchneedle, and added a cord.  I think I will put a little vine-type plant inside.  

This is a new project that I started, just because.  LOL  Stacy Nash, Cherry Hollow Farm Sampler. Aren't the colors beautiful?  It is the first time I've used stitched with just one thread instead of two.  I had to ask if it was supposed to look like it did!  I'm doing it on Week's Beige 36 count.  I like it! And of course, picked up another piece of this fabric, just because! 

I took this project to work on.  It would have helped if I had taken all the thread I needed, but at least I worked on it!  I finished the little brown house and the vine on the right.  Oh, and I found the missing  thread right where I left it...on the couch.  LOL

I will close by saying how wonderful it was to get away for a long weekend.  My DH was so sweet and took care of my Dad for four days.  I cannot tell him thank you enough.  I feel human again.  I slept eight hours a night, with no worry that I needed to be anywhere or to take care of anyone except myself.  I had almost forgot what it was like to NOT be a caregiver...

Off to get myself ready for bed.  It's back to work tomorrow.  It will be tough, but I know that I can do it!!

Be kind to one another.

Happy 100th Post with Birds, Flowers, and a Finish....

Clapping and shouting, please!  

This is my 100th post.  I started a little slow, but have done better this year with a couple of posts a week.  I've used this blog to share the good and the bad, but mostly used it to clear my mind.  It's been good....

I've got a finish to share!  I started this Pineberry Lane pattern a year ago.  Ironically, I started it at the stitching retreat I went to last April in Modesto and am leaving tomorrow for this year's retreat.  I will be dragging it along so I can get it finished, finished.  If you look carefully, once again it doesn't exactly match the pattern.  I miscounted (SURPRISE!) and had to fudge a little.  I thought about frogging, but the part that would have to go was the big, red M.  We all know that when you pull out over-dyeds, they usually leave a stain, so I decided to just go with the flow.  

I am just glad that I finished.  LOL

Now, some flower pictures to share.

I put this rose bush in about 4 or 5 years ago.  It is my husband's favorite and one of the few bushes that has made it through the drought intact.  The flowers are big and fluffy...and have a beautiful scent!

Now for the birdies...I found this nest in a wreath on my back porch.  Love, love the blue eggs.

I almost missed the nest completely, except momma bird flew into me when I startled her.  I was busy watering and didn't even see her coming!  

Ok, peeps, off to take my walk.  Be back in four days with some finishing pictures.  Take care, be kind to one another.

Sing and Dancing...

Singing this song as I dance around the living room...I got some stitching done...I got some stitching done...

Of course, I know, you have to see it to believe it...

I'll be honest. It's not a lot, but it's stitching.  And that's all I have to say about that.  LOL

And drum roll please.....I walked four out of the last five days.  I'm down to a nineteen minute mile.  I think I might JUST be ready for my 10K in May.  More dancing and singing.

Got another picture of my baby birds.  Please note that I got more baby bird butts, but I did get a couple of baby bird beaks!

I'm sorry, they are not getting any cuter.  I'm hoping that more feathers will do the trick.  I will keep stalking the nest until then.

TMI alert...

On the home front, Dad has taken another downward turn.  I've noticed changes in his skin and he seems a bit more agitated the past few days.  We're having problems with another finger.  I can only hope that the therapy that's been ordered will keep the bones from coming through the skin. Sigh....How much more can his body take?  I love my dad so much and it hurts my heart to see him this way.  My social worker reminds me...if you can't see yourself getting through the next week, focus on the next hour.  I do the best I can to remember that.

I am off to finish a few chores.  Thank goodness it is Friday.  I might get to stay up until 9 pm!  Hold your loved ones close, be kind to one another.

Hoards of Hummers and Other Birdies

I have three hummingbird feeders, all on different sides of the house.  I know how territorial these little birdies can get, so I  put them far enough apart so they can't see each other.  Each year, I get three or four pairs of Anna's Hummingbirds.  This morning I had four birds feeding at the same time at the same feeder. I was so surprised, I forgot to get a picture!  I also have a pair of orioles, but they are VERY camera shy.

A few years ago, I saw what I thought was a Rufous Hummingbird.  He, or a first cousin, has been back every year since.  He is only here for a few weeks and according to a birding map, this is a breeding/migration route.  He's really pushy, really fast, and eats a LOT!  For a tiny guy, he's got a lot of attitude.  LOL  Here is a couple of pictures I got yesterday.  Not the best, but this little guy is careful to stay far, far away when I sit on the porch.

Then at the back of the house....

There are lots of birds in my neighborhood.  We have dove, quail, sparrows, finches, mockingbirds, and a whole bunch of others.  About five years ago, we had a flock of grackles.  At first I really liked them since they chased away the blue jays, but they sure make a lot of noise.  Some mornings, it sounded like a rain forest outside my bedroom window!  LOL

Here is a picture of the newest residents in my spider plant...

I've had a nest in this plant every year for the last decade.  At the end of the season, I take out the nest, but they just rebuild every year.  This plant is right outside my front door, so each time we step out, the momma bird flies off.  I feel bad, but I have to use the door.  When I first peeked in, the babies had their beaks open, ready for a snack.  By the time I got the phone up there and focused, all I got was baby bird butts.  I think these are house sparrows.  I'll try again in a few days for a better picture...

Inside the house, here is the latest picture of my orchids....

I have a few buds left to open.  And, I've got one more plant with a spike!   I love my orchids...

Okay, peeps, I've got plans to stitch tonight, but I need to do thirty minutes on the bike first.  I'm still keeping to my schedule of exercising five days a week.  Yay for me!  Have a wonderful Easter.  I hope that each of you get a chance to spend the day exactly how you wish.  Be kind to one another.

Teeny, Tiny Update...Flowers and Stitching

Howdy, peeps.  I have one batch of irises that always bloom first and they are the perfect color for Easter.

I have no idea what they are called.  My neighbor was culling her beds and told me to stop by and pick up some rootstock...two large bags later! LOL  I love this color....I have some that are lavender, some peachy, but nothing like this icy purple.

On the stitching front, I took a few hours this past weekend to work on my punch needle.  Here is my chick:

I finished the clouds and grass in Victorian Motto Shop threads, but am using a pearl DMC for the background at a lower pile.  The project seems too bright, so I think I'll be toning it down a bit with a walnut stain.  I started a plain background (ecru) but it is so blah...that's where the blue swirls come in.  I originally planned on a pillow, but now may just mount it on wool and do a mat.  My son has a very large coffee table.  This would be perfect for a center piece.  He has very eclectic taste and enjoys folk art.  It will find a home with him...whether he likes it or not!  He never says no to me.  He's a good son.  LOL

Let's see what else I can over-share.  LOL

Managed to walk every day this week.  Feeling better, less stressed.  I have a stitching/finishing retreat planned in a couple of weeks.  I'm a bit worried that DH will be ready to take care of Dad on his own, but he keeps telling me that he will be fine and it is more important that I get some time away.  My last overnight trip was December.  He's right.  I need some "me" time.  Sigh....I still feel guilty.  I need to get over it.  If I don't take care of myself, I'm no good to everyone else.

Well, time to get my stuff ready for tomorrow.  Thank goodness it's Wednesday.  I can make it two more work days!  I am woman, hear me roar.  Well, not roar, but at least I'm not whimpering.  LOL

Be kind to one another.