Concrete garden

Hi folks. 

Sitting on my swing before rains start again.  Can't do much else.  My v-tach (ventricular tachycardia) is getting higher than usual, in addition to pvcs, pacs, and probably a few more acronyms. I am monitoring and will visit the ER when the beats are concerning.  Moved up new cardio doctor appt to 7/8.  Office called again today to ask where I want to go in PA for my testing.  I told her I am done with them, this test was to be asap three months ago and despite my calls, no one scheduled.  Finally got the NP to check into it and now telling me I don't have coverage there.  INCORRECT.  Spoke with my insurance, no calls from that office were in my file, I have coverage, I called the facility, I have coverage, yet they don't believe me and insist I choose elsewhere.  I know what my Italian Aunt Kay would have told them and gestured.  

Have no wool or fabric that is similar to the odd green in the berry so I will have to order online and mention the dmc # in that range.  I don't like that the top row of stitching isn't level around the berry but that's what the shape dictates, right?

 I want to show you my brainstorm.

This area of concrete is extended from the walk along the deck.  Small area, dull, always filled with blown tree debris requiring frequent cleaning.  Too expensive and messy to remove a small portion.  So the plan is to border completely across with 4x6 or barnstone, fill with various sizes of washed gravel around large pots of hostas. 

The center area will have a small metal stand to hold one of my galvanized tubs, which will be filled with shade annuals like impatiens.  

Won't that look great?  From a plain concrete cubby to a lush colorful spot.  Border wall, 5+" of gravel, lush large plants, flower feature, bingo!  I think it's a great idea.  Found large square pots which will be down 5" into the gravel.  Can't wait.

And to make this post even longer, here's some of my flowers.

Enjoy your weekend.  Mine includes a peanut butter pie.

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Cover to recover

 We had to replace pepper and tomato plants in the garden, and now those are failing.  Again.  My flowers are suffering, mold is seen on the bottom stems, and I decided to attempt a makeshift cover.  All the hanging baskets were moved beneath the plastic, I am hoping they recover and dry out.

Did not have time to do a decent job because the break between showers was short.  It's been the month of May, and now into June.  At the most, five days of six weeks were sunny and dry.  The forecast is for a few nice days the end of the week.  But if there is ANY pop-up or narrow band of showers, guaranteed they will be over us.

I'm a little nervous about my dental visit Tuesday.  Antibiotics have not helped at all, and the lymph glands and entire side of my jaw are involved.  What the heck?

My berry is constructed, ready for a hat.  

The disabled vets are coming for Carole's power chair.  High end, raises to eye level, reclines.  It will be very difficult to have that bright yellow chair leave her house. 

Stay dry and safe folks.

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2025 Finish #13

 Many changes on 36 count Heartland. 

Nowhere to purchase velvet or wool felt except chancing color online, so hopefully my wool pieces will yield an option for the berry's top and I can final finish this. 

Will I stitch the blueberry and strawberry?  Time will tell. 

 My eye that had the detached retina surgery is causing several types of distortions at times and needs examined very soon.  I tripped and my arm went into the edge of a square wood post preventing a fall, but the scrape removed an extensive amount of flesh.  After two weeks, they are pleased with healing progress (hydrocolloid patches are a blessing) and no further treatment is needed.  And tomorrow I hope to get in to the dentist to find out the cause of intense pain in tooth and jaw.  All things that are minor and treatable.

My flowers are drowning, and another day of rain with possible storms tomorrow.  Yippee.  Our limited warm season has already been shortened.

Stay safe. 

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Little changes

What do you think?

Adding sepals to the large berries?  I like it, thought they looked bare like the bottom berry, and just a simple thread helps.

Anything wider or larger was too distracting.

Thankfully, soon to finish.  I became antsy working on the last several projects and don't know if it's because of a slump, or veering away from marking samplers.  I know the larger samplers stitched previously would not be tolerated, but even smalls are at times frustrating.  Maybe the last eight months are consuming most of my brain capacity.

I hope you're having a good weekend.

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The berry

Moving on with color changes and such.

Blackberries are black, but I think this 154 looks pretty good.  

I don't like to stitch this type of project, but it's small so I will.  Alphabets rarely need to be constantly chart checked, this does.  But I love this berry series.

From a moody crabass,

be safe, be well, be happy.

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Testing

 One...

every other stitch

Two....

alternate 154 and 310

Three...

solid 154

Bingo.

I changed the leaf colors, stem color, and berry color.

Of course I did.

All three berry designs are a little too bright and cheerful for me.  I'm moody and I expect no less of my berries.

I'm also fickle so will probably regret the changes later.

Have a cheery day!

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