Early Morning at the Rancho

Good morning!  Well...it's morning, not sure about good.  LOL  Was awaken at 4:15 am by a rogue alarm.  For some bizarre reason, not-so-DH stored an old, broken phone in the bedroom.  I cannot understand how my cell phone will barely hold a charge for one day, but this phone, which has not been used for a year, still has plenty of battery to sound an alarm.  Just poo...

I received my second dose of Covid vaccine yesterday.  Yay and more yay!  No bad reaction, just a sore arm.  I have a headache but I'm pretty sure that's related to the first paragraph.  LOL  I still have two weeks to go before being fully protected, but I'm feeling better about life.  I will continue to wear a mask and keep sanitizer in the car, but this is a definite step forward.  I can see a trip in my future.  Smile.

I've been stitching right along this week as well as a few finishes for my friend.  

Let's start with the finishes.  This was a small piece that she did several years ago that was designed to be a pin cushion.  It was too small for my taste, so...now it's a hangy thing.  LOL

A memorial drum with heart.  It has her and her husband's initials.  

This piece was designed as a needle roll.  Found these odd-sized spools at a craft store.  Perfect for this project.  It rolls around the spool and ties with the ribbon.

Lizzie Kate Spring Bag.

A Shepard's Bush kit.  They always design such sweet patterns.  Ruched ribbon with beads is fiddly, but so pretty.

Just in case you thought that I didn't stitch...LOL

Stacy Nash Spring Flowers Pinkeep.  Used the little spool with some torn fabric for a "pretty".  And saw some carrots made like this over at rugsandpugs.blogspot.com.  Thanks to Lauren for the idea.  Smile.  Orange didn't match my piece...so here are some white carrots.  LOL 

Scattered Seeds Sampler.  This was designed as a pinkeep.  Nope.  LOL  Finished as a drum.  I love the shape of this heart and used it on my friend's memorial drum.  

My garden is in full bloom.  The weather was warm last week and there is a rumor of rain for this weekend.  Hmmm. We'll see.  LOL 

Roses and more roses.  That last pink rose really is that bright neon color.  Love!!

I call these my "raisins in waiting".  LOL  

This is a new-to-me iris.  Lovely colors.

Star Jasmine.  I found two plants a few years ago at the grocery store.  LOL  They have done much better than the "special nursery" plants that I used to have in these planters.

Meyer's Lemon.  I am so excited about my new citrus orchard...all four trees.  LOL  I'm keeping them in large pots since we freeze every winter and they need to be mobile.

I've finished my second coffee and it's almost time for my morning walk.  I wasn't sure how I would feel today so I did most of my chores yesterday.  That gives me a quiet day. Smile.  I wish each of you a wonderful day and special weekend.  Be safe.  Be kind to one another.

Stuff to Share

Good evening from the rancho.  Feeling a little restless, sad and just a bit lonely.  I've had my first dose of Covid vaccine.  If all goes well and after the second dose, I will be able to visit my son in late May.  He will receive his second dose tomorrow, so we will be able to share a hug.  I really need that hug.

The weather here has been beautiful and my garden is gorgeous.  My roses are covered with buds and I  have a tiny harvest on my strawberry plants. 

I've stayed focused on my stitching and have two finishes and two well-started.

Threadwork Primitives mounted on wood.

Spring's Messenger, club kit by Scattered Seeds Sampler.

This was a freebie I found on FB.  Finished as a pillow.

Blackbird Designs.  I'm further along, but didn't take a new picture.  LOL

Here is another table that I finished.  I found this table for free down the road while taking a walk.  I was so worried that someone else would get it, I carried it home.  After the first quarter mile, I realized that it was oak and darn heavy.  LOL  I sanded and waxed the top and refreshed the paint.  

I decided to give one of those "farmhouse" decorations a try.  Cute...but not really sure what to do with it!!  LOL

Made new pillow covers for my patio pillows.  I usually make new cases every few years.  The patio gets the afternoon sun and they always fade after a couple of seasons.   The fabric was $10 a yard, but I can cover four pillows with it.  Cheaper than new pillows.  LOL

I send my boys Easter "boxes" every year.  This year I stuck in some bunny ears and politely requested pictures.  My stepson was all for it...

The 34 year old...not so much.  LOL  But I did get a picture.  

A picture of Jack Jack.  My son says that he looks like an old man.  I suppose he does.

I need to finish a few chores and then off to bed.  It seems that 9 PM comes earlier every night.  Be safe, be kind to one another.

Catching Up...Just a Bit

Happy Sunday afternoon from the rancho.  I am so far behind that I'm not sure where to start.  

I stayed up north with my friend for almost two weeks.  Her husband passed the second day I was there.  My job was to do whatever needed to be done.  Mostly I listened and made sure that everyone ate vegetables.  Smile.  My friend usually stitches five to six hours a day.  It was difficult to watch her sit and stare.  No stitching.  No talking.  The funeral is in the middle of April, so I'll be taking another trip then.

I came home a bit tired and a lot sad.  My stay brought up a lot of memories of my dad.  I didn't expect that it would be so hard.  

I've done some stitching and finishing for my friend.  

This is the first time that I've used this technique.  You sew on chenille with cotton thread.  I like the way it looks like peppermint.

She loves to stitch Shepard's Bush.

These two are from With Thy Needle and Thread.  I used the ric rac from Lady Dot Creates.  She had the most lovely trim.

I found this box at the Dollar Tree.  The snowman on the box looked a lot like the stitched one!  More ric rac.

While I was up north, my friend gifted me with a vanity table.  It is from the early 1800's.  It didn't come from her family, so she was not sentimental.  Her granddaughter was finished using it and I decided to give it a facelift.  Painted, a bit distressed and waxed.  I am very happy with how it turned out.

This morning was exceptional.  Clear and not freezing.  LOL  We made it up to 81 degrees.  Here are some of my plants getting ready for a fabulous summer.

         

I'll end here with a few pictures of Jack Jack.  These are the two things that he loves to do.  Sleep and play ball.  LOL

I wish for a great week for all of you.  I have met the criteria for the Covid vaccine.  My appointment  for my first shot is Thursday.  I know that everyone has their opinion, but mine is...I want to travel and see my son.

Be safe...be kind to one another.