Just another day

That's what birthdays become when family is reduced to only a few.  But I never was a big b- day celebrant.  Friday was good, Saturday was unnerving and am seeing my pcp tomorrow who will hopefully get me in to cardiology sooner.

But I did smile when I received Brenda's card, another dimensional beautifully made card.

Starting a new stitch today, decided on the berry series Strawberry by HOD. Changes?  Of course!  The greens should be as the blackberry project since the tops should match.  But the berries will be the called for red, just different pattern.

I will add the sepals and stitch the berry solid as this test berry.  Rather than add a few black stitches as seeds, I will add tiny black beads before constructing.

See those tiny dots in the lawn?  Baby turkeys!  Previous years we were entertained by dozens, but the very cold and wet spring has taken a toll.

Enjoy your day folks.  Be safe.

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2025 Finish #14

 

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Close

Stitch the border at top and bottom, find a red button for the holly berry instead of stitching, and this quick and easy project will become a finish.

It rained three times today and became quite warm.  In a few days, we will have temps in the 90's for a week.  I knew we would go from furnace to air conditioner in a matter of days.  

I've been having around 10,000 views daily, checked the posts seen, they all have the word o f f e r in title or body.  

Hope all is well.

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Dragging

 Really.  In everything.  Exhausted for no reason!  Not the heart, been monitoring, more like a bug.

Trying to kit a few smalls, another berry (thinking of changing to bittersweet), and worked on one Christmas piece.  But I started over, didn't like the light thread.  The called for was too dark for this Aztec red linen but my choice is too blah.  

So starting again with a light gold, better (difficult to see in photos).  The red for the border was very cool on this linen so I plan to use 3777, warmer red.  That won't be easy.  Same color thread and linen is brutal to stitch.

I don't like coverage on 36 count, two threads was quite messy.  But red on red on 40 would not be possible, 36 will be a challenge.

Looking online to check in stock large pots for the hostas.  Tried the two local DIY stores and couldn't manage browsing.  These two bad examples are what the small potted hosta spot will be.

Curved border of barn stones

or straight border of wood.

Either will hold about 7" of various size stones, pots set in them, not on top.  Won't be hard to blow debris, and once these large sized plants fill in, most will be covered.  Looking for Bedazzled mini hosta, love that sweet plant.  I have the impatiens to fill the tub.

Rain was light yesterday, won't be the case today.  Can't believe my birthday is here, closing in to end June!  AUGH!!  

Have a great day.

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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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