My latest project..

Finally finished the baby blanket for my nephew's new baby, which should be here in about three weeks. I did a blanket and hat for the baby and a scarf and hat for their two year old. I am very proud of it , even though I know it has flaws. It is only my second one and I know I will get better.

I just love the color, it is called Crayola. So I am off to the post office to mail my packages. Hope you all have a good day.

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt

You're kidding right?

This is what it is doing outside in Arizona right now.

I thought I was having a flashback to a Chicago winter for a minute there. This is what you get when a strong cold front comes through the Valley.  I feel really bad for all the people who came here for a warm weekend to see a NASCAR race. Don't know if they will be able to dry out in time to have it today or not. Can't wait till J gets home, he was out riding when this started. Tomorrow it is supposed to reach 70. I love this place. Stay warm.

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt

A place you may want to visit.

Wild Olive Tees I love this place, they have the coolest tee shirts. If you want a cute tee shirt and a cool way to demonstrate your faith, pay them a visit. They are having a give away that might interest you.



Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt

What I have been up to

I finally decided to take a picture of a few of my latest projects before I put them in the mail. My neighbor Tanis agreed to model for me.  The necklace is crocheted, seven strands of yarn, varying lengths, with beads here and there. And I made the green scarf out of fun fur on the small knitting loom. These are birthday presents for my niece ( she does not read the blog, so I am safe showing them to you).

This is a bracelet we made yesterday with Swarozski crystals. Each color represents a different type of cancer. You wear it in memory of your friends, family and loved ones who have had there lives attacked by cancer. I think it is a beautiful bracelet and each time I look at it I remember to pray for all those who are fighting. Izzie and I are off to the post office to mail packages. Hope you all have a lovely day.

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt

This and that

I know, I know, it has been forever since I have done an update. The days just fly by, I have good intentions, I really do with the blog and my camera. But, alas my follow through leaves something to be desired. I mailed several projects off last week, I meant to take pictures of each of them, to show you what I've been doing, but before I know it the box is sealed and no picture.  I mailed 20 stocking caps I made to the Morning Star Mission. I mailed a baby blanket to my niece who is expecting her first any day now, along with Steeler hats for the baby and its Daddy. I finished two gifts for my niece Leah, I will post those before I send them. And this is my latest attempt, knitting with needles. The one on the left is my first attempt and the one on the right is my second, I am getting there.

These are dish clothes, it is the easiest thing to start with. It has been a little cold and rainy here, but warmer days are coming back this week. Yesterday we went to Bucca De Beppo, a restaurant here in Mesa that serves family style Italian food with a group of neighbor's. It was fun but of course I forgot my camera.  Hope you all have a good week, I promise I will be better about posting.



Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt

Ain't love grand!

Wanted to share with you what my true love gave to me for Valentines Day.

Beautiful flowers, right?

Then this, he changed the oil on the motorcycle and didn't take off his shoes when he came in!

I thought I would throw in a little Izzie

Cause everybody needs a little Izzie in their life. 

Have a great day everybody.


Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt

I love this place

Sunday I spent three hours with neighbors making 300 perogies. We have to make 250 more Monday. March is our month for activities at the resort and they will be part of one on the meals we are preparing.

We used Jean's recipe

Everyone had a job.

This is to prove I really did help.

Seven batches

I had never eaten perogies much less made them. It was a lot of fun and I am looking forward to the night we serve them to our friends.


Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt

Sunday Praise

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, 
 when sorrows like sea billows roll; 
 whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, 
 It is well, it is well with my soul. 

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt

This and that

Aren't these pillows gorgeous? My neighbor found them at Home Goods.  They match the new bedding perfectly. My photos don't do them justice. They have the brown from the duvet cover, the gold from the sheets and a green that matches the vines in my new prints. And that beautiful pop of crimson matches the color of the prints in the bathroom and the bedroom. I am so happy with the way the bedroom turned out. It is looking like another nice day here today. I am just a few hours away from finishing my first project with knitting needles. I am making a baby blanket for my niece who is expecting her first in a few weeks. I am very proud of how it is shaping up. I will post a picture before I send it off. Hope everyone has a good weekend. Love you all.


Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt

I love this place

Just a couple of more reasons we love being out here.

It is so beautiful

Everybody knows somebody that has grapefruit, orange, tangerine, lime and lemons trees. 

The video is J's first attempt, I love the sound of the babbling brook.



Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt

This and that

The park had a Patio Sale last Friday. It was cold so I don't think as many people as usual came by. I never have anything to put out so I walked around and took pictures of some of our neighbors.

You can tell it is cold, everyone had coats and hats on. Then Saturday it warmed up nicely and J and I went to the Mesa Market to get "objects of art" (a term we invented) for the shed. I picked out the blue one with Quails and he picked out the other one.

I picked up the cushions at Home Goods one day last week when I went shopping with the girls, they are nice and bright. My flowers were much prettier before they got smacked by the frost. We had them in the shed but that last night it must have gotten really cold. Good news it just got the tops, so they will come back. I gave them a shot of miracle grow yesterday so I don't think it will take long for them to get new blooms. We are taking the car in to be fixed today, finally. They are going to have to keep it a couple of weeks, no wheeling for us for a while.
Love to everyone.



Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt

Sunday Praise

I watched a program on TV last night about a family with two brothers. One just back from the war, in a wheel chair, paralyzed and the other leaving for his first tour in Iraq. The part that has haunted me all night is their Mom saying good bye to the one and then sobbing as she pushed the other one back to the car in his wheel chair. I am ashamed that I spend most days merrily going about my life without pausing to offer up a prayer or even a thought for these families. Today lets remember the men and women who are serving in our military around the world and the sacrifices they and their families make for us.



http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=345

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt

It's COLD!

I have  tried oh so hard not to complain about the weather here. I know at home you are dealing with the after effects of a blizzard, I have seen the videos, the pictures, heard the horror stories. And I am so so sorry for you. But I just have to do it today, I have to whine, IT IS #$%@& COLD here. Last night it got so cold, the outside pipes froze and even though my flowers were in the shed I think they are all gone, frozen, kaput.  I want to be outside, sitting in the sun knitting or reading or talking to my friends, not making quick runs out with Izzie and then right back in the RV. Today is supposed to be the last day, I so hope so. This is not what I signed up for.  Ok, I got it out of my system, no more whining, at least not that you can hear. I will probably still be muttering under my breath until I get back outside.

On to other things, I found a really good physical therapist and had my first appointment Wednesday and am going again today. I don't remember if a mentioned my back, hip has flared up again. I am hoping to stop it before it gets to bad with some physical therapy. I guess it has been a while since I have been to PT cause they have this cool new ultrasound with electric impulse combined. I really works well. He also gave me some new stretching exercises which will hopefully help. I know I have to find a polio doctor out here, but oh how I hate to start the process, it is such a long one.

I just had a thought , if I stop whining about the weather and start knitting, I could make some progress on the two containers of yarn I have sitting in the closet. Just a thought.

Keep warm everyone. Sorry no pictures today, to cold to go outside.




Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt

Beautiful Place

If you are snowed in somewhere, here are some photos J took yesterday in the valley. Enjoy

Stay warm.

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt