Kitchen towels and my heart

There are times when I feel like the "Tin Man"
 Or was that "Scarecrow"? 

You know, when he said 

"I do Believe, I do Believe".  

Although I do have a heart, I sometimes want one that is healthy... then I remember there are others in this life that have it worse than me then I'm grateful for what I have.
This past three days I've been recuperating from a bit of surgery. It was time for me go get a newer, more hi-tec pacemaker/defibrillator implanted in my heart.  Today my left upper chest is so swollen, red and  hot and ice is not helping at all. Hard to use my arm but am getting antsy to get into my blog.
The photos were saved to my hard drive but the first two are upside down? Can't seem to get them to turn around so please, bear with me..

 Before going into the hospital I was working on a set of dishtowels.. nothing fancy, just the letter "P" for my daughters married surname.  She wanted it simple and brown in color.....

 This monogram was done freehand with a pencil... I'm not too happy with the way it all turned out, but then, it all can't turn out perfect when we do our crafts.. especially this past few weeks... I always get spooked when it's time to go get work done on my heart.  You see, I have Heart Failure and have been dealing with this for the past 6 years... I have my ups and downs and have outlived the first diagnosis of 1 year... fooled them all, I did!
This is due to finding my hero, Dr Walsh at the Heart and Vascular Institute of Florida... this man saved my life when the first two doctors I saw over in Ft. Lauderdale, sent me home to die. I literally moved to Clearwater to be near Dr. Walsh. Best decision I ever made.

I'll tell you... I'm blessed to have been born a few years later than my brother.. he died from Heart Failure at the age of 42, some years ago... he did not have the pleasure of a new pacemaker with a third lead that go's into the left chamber of the heart to give the therapy jolt needed to make this part of the heart work.  The left chamber of my heart died, they say from a virus?  I have no idea when the virus hit me or even remembering being sick?  I just remember waking up one night not being able to suck air into my lungs.
We did talk about a heart transplant but there are not enough hearts to go around and they said "I was not sick enough" to be on the list any longer... Really, you have to be on deaths door to be on that list, and then it might be too late for some of those waiting!
I would like to ask everyone to please "Be a Donor"! Give the gift of life!

Ok,  The dishtowels are finished...If you notice I added a bit of blue to the little flowers.. I thought they needed something, to offset the dullness of the brown DMC floss.

I'm a bit drugged up at the moment and maybe should not be composing but I love being part of the world of blogging.. I need to feel close to you all tonight.. feeling a bit blue, but oh so happy to be healthy and alive..... 
It's Thursday, raining out thanks to "Nicole".. she is on the east side of the state and giving us a bit of rain on the Gulf Coast.
Enjoy your weekend everyone.. I'll just hang out in the house a few more days.. doc told me to not drive for two weeks.. lets see if my defib go's off ? you don't want to be around me if that happens..it's powerful!

I'm giving thanks tonight and am Tickled Pink  for being alive!

"I do Believe, I do Believe"

xoxo 


I'm linking  this post to Jenny's Alphabet Thursday
B is for Believe

and to Holly's
Tickled Pink 

Sunday Showcase 

The Deck

This will be my last outdoor project for a few weeks or months.. going to get my heart taken care of and wanted to finish my deck....now I can go sit out on nice days. But I'll continue to do simple fun crafts that don't require much physical activity.

 Almost two years ago we put in a new deck. Our old one was rickety and rotting and I was determined to keep it the natural wood look.  So I used water seal and did all that I was told to do, to keep it beautiful. Then the trees got to it!

We have these two very tall Hickory trees that drop something each season.  Leaves in the fall, flowers in the spring, nuts all summer. ( the squirrels drop the nuts like bombs).   The squirrels also munch and drop what looks like snow from their munching.. then the rain lays on all of that and leaves such stains. I did go out at least 4 times a week and wash the deck with hopes of eliminating the mess from leaving brown marks.. well I was not able to keep up with it.

 The Hickory trees directly over the deck are so beautiful and provide shade from the hot Florida sun. But, look what they did to the deck.

.

  

The stained deck.

 Last week I borrowed my neighbors power washer and scrubbed the entire deck, even the green mold that took over in the corners (we have that much rain this time of year, not to mention the humidity).
I chose a good deck stain in chocolate brown. The guy at the Depot said "This will protect and keep it looking good for 10 years and the stains will not show through. We will see about that!

He was right about the paint hiding the stains.

 Our local weather man said "No rain for the next few days" so I got to work.. took me three days and I took my time and only worked in the mornings. Was much too hot after 11am. This past few days they are talking of tropical storm or hurricane Matthew or Nicole possibly coming our way in a week or so. That will give the deck time to cure.

 

The above photo was taken as I inched my way, paint brush in hand, into the house.  I had this silly thought of painting myself into a corner and being stuck out there. ( I actually did that once when painting a basement floor)
 I'm starting to question this home ownership thing.. so much to do and if you don't do it yourself it is so expensive to pay someone to do such work. Besides, I love to do hands on projects!  (don't tell my Cardio doc, he would have such a frown on his face.)

There, it's done! 

Oh no, after I stepped back to admire my work I realized the upstairs balcony also needed to be painted! I forgot that was also replaced! 

Maybe if I smile sweetly I can find some

kind soul who would like to climb up there and paint it....

Ok Hickory trees,,, do your thing!

(and our little friends the squirrels)

I'm linking to these fun parties
click on the links below to see what other crafters are up to

Met Monday

Quick chair cover..

I found this really pretty home decor fabric at JoAnns for 60% off the regular $29.95 price tag. At first I had no idea what to do with the 4 yards I bought but I knew if I thought about it, "I'd think of something".  I just loved the color!
Then I remembered the, 'getting old and ugly chair' that sits next to my desktop pc.... This chair is what I call "Rikky's" chair (my cat). She is always laying on it as she watches the squirrels romper out on the deck...
This chair was a thrift store find about 4 years ago and I was tired of it but did not want to toss it. My thoughts were to put it on the curb with a "Free to a good home" sign. Well, it now has a bit of new life left.

I really didn't want to cut the fabric, my thoughts were to get  a new chair.. well new to me, I don't buy anything new.  So I simply tossed the 4 yds over the chair and pinned into place... but had to bring out the sewing machine to hem the rough edges... I may want to make a proper slip cover on the new chair one day.
I did cut a length to use for a valance in my, what I call, my garden guest room. Perfect color for that.

Not bad, it covered the chair and really, no one but Rikki sits on this chair so the fabric is not going to move when sat on.

Yes, what you see is a safety pin.. I did say "I pinned  on the slip cover".

Needing a bit of contrast  I took out a few of my dishtowels that have been sitting in a drawer. Lord knows I could not use my vintage linen towels from Italy for dishes. I found a way to simply sew seams on the towels without cutting them, they are now stuffed and turned into pillows. Never know, I may change my mind about the pillows and keep the dishtowels in tact.
 I think I rather like the look!

Ugly green chair is now updated.  

Might just keep the chair a little longer?

 

Ginger

My Ginger plant is blooming.

 This is only one of three species of Ginger in my garden.. not sure of the proper name of it.. but it's so pretty.

The blooms are hiding close to the ground. Above, are leaves on 6ft tall branches and I almost did not see the flowers growing among the ferns and other plants.

I planted this one about 4 years ago and it only had two flowers but this year I counted 8.  Each about 2ft tall. They come straight out of the ground and do not grow on one of it's leafy stems.

Wonder, if I dig up the root I'll find Ginger, the kind you cook with?  Guess I better do some googling and see when it's time to dig it up? 

Wonder if the root is edible?

 I'm linking this post to "Oregon Cottage"

Tuesdays Garden Party

Guest Room

For the past year I have been going from room to room in my house transforming each into new light... White!  
I finally got to the small little room toted as "Den or Office".  I don't have a need for an office so it was made into a small guest room.  I always have someone staying with me for a day or a few months... this room has turned into my sisters room really. She comes once a year for a few months and it's so dark and dingie..... I got to it this past week.  Painted everything in there, White!
It now looks like a little garden room.

This is how it looked for about three years.

I'll tell you, it's so small but it has a nice size closet and is perfect for a twin bed and a dresser but not much else. I did try a full bed but it took up all the space. When I have more than one person staying I usually give up my room and I take this little space.

The first thing I did was paint the dresser and night stand with primer and then white enamel. I do plan on distressing with a glaze but it's going to be a busy few weeks for me so that will be held off for a while..  Then I primed and painted the walls in a simple flat white.

 Once painted this room seemed to grow more space.. looked so much larger and brighter!

 I let it all dry for about two days then got to work decorating. I took all sorts of items from around the house.  A bit of left over fabric for a new valance and chair cover, I even made a small throw pillow for the bed. Hung a huge mirror on the side wall and what a difference!

My neighbor was going to toss a little bird house and that took it's place hung from a cup hook on the ceiling just over the bed.

 The little night stand needed a doily of sorts. I had a bit of cotton with white and green.... 

 Yep, that will work so I sat and did a quick single crochet topper... perfect touch!


I think my sister or any guest will enjoy the feeling of this little room.
I put up a chair rail a few years ago, thinking it would help with the look, but once the room was painted white it seemed to disappear into the wall, so I used another white paint that had a cool gray look to it, with the hopes of bringing it out.. but now I think it needs another color? Suggestions  will be appreciated.....
All the windows in my townhouse are tinted to keep out the harsh sun of Florida.
I just noticed how it brings a blue hue to the look...
The really nice thing about this make over is I bought nothing to add to it.. everything I used I already owned!

Amazing what a little paint can do!
I just got a call from my sister and she
should be here for her winter visit the
first week of October.. I'm ready!
And oh so happy!

I'm linking up to a few of my favorite parties


Weekend Wrap Up Party
Saturday Night Special
Sunday Showcase 
Met Monday 
It's So Very Creative 
Tools are for Women too 
Make the world cuter 
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday 
The Power of Paint 
Show and Tell 

Shabby Nest 

My Repurposed Life 

Babys Birth Sampler

Three days old

 

In a previous post I told of the new baby boy born this past week to my Niece and her Husband.  Mom and baby  are home,  and today the babies Mom said "I need sleep"... I had to laugh, new moms do not realize how their life changes once they bring baby home. I'm happy to say, "They are both doing well and Mom is so happy with her new charge"


I posted about the wall hanging I was creating for the little boys room and I can finally add his name and measurements.

Counted cross stitch on ada cloth is one of my favorite things to do. So relaxing for me to sit still while doing it, although I'll have to admit I had to have a good pair of reading glasses made just to see the little holes....

 The design, I found in a magazine while sitting in a doctors office and took a photo of it.   Using most of what I saw but adding and changing some of the cute designs... I had to add a soccer ball, his dad is crazy about that sport.
 I was pretty lucky yesterday, JoAnn's had all their frames 50% off.

I washed and ironed the piece then used poli batting and the cardboard insert, then sprayed the backing with craft glue to hold it all in place.

Finished and ready to put in a box and send it off in the mail.

I need to say, one more time, Congratulations to this sweet little boys Mom and Dad.  

"You make beautiful babies"

I'm linking this post to these fine parties

Sister Sister Sunday

Sunday showcase 

Met Monday 
Make it 4 Monday 
Making the World Cuter 
Just Something I Whipped Up 
So Very Creative 
Penny Pinching Party
Show Us What your Working with
Fabric Fun Thursday 

Weekend Wrap Up Party 

Happy Birthday Mom

 Sept 11

 Mom was 16 in these photos.

(don't you love the shoes)

Mary Eileen Murray

Her family called her Peggy 

This past week she had her 11th great grandchild.

1998 Mom was taken away from us and my whole world changed.

Today is Moms Birthday.

Sometimes I want to shout out to the Heavens and cry because I miss her so.

"Happy Birthday Mom"

Yummm Pie

Sam's Coconut Chess Pie

My sister Dolly, flew in, about 10 days ago, from her home in Saudi Arabia to her daughters home in Ohio, to sit with her in the last week of pregnancy. The baby was born three days ago and my sister was so happy to be there to witness the birth and to be with her daughter, after sitting around waiting for the baby's arrival she began to get bored.   Moey does not have a car and her husband is away most days working on his MBA. That leaves the two of them stranded.  The mom to be, Moey, was sleeping a lot during the day and this leaves my sis with much time on her hands.   So my sister watches TV and crochets mostly.
Well, she saw this TV show "Road Tasted" you might know it, with the "Dean Boys",  Paula Deans kids.

They travel the country searching for out of the way restaurants with good food.   Dolly  said, "The pies made her mouth water" and she quickly jotted down the internet address and looked into the store mentioned.

The restaurant, "Royers",  is in a small town just outside of Austin, in Round Top, Texas. 

Population 71.

Dolly sent me an e a  a few days ago telling me to "look for a delivery" in two days. Then she went on to tell the story of the TV show and the pies they sell.  I went into the site for the restaurant and saw the pie was $26.50 and it's the delivery, two day, that made me laugh... This woman sure is bored... the delivery charges were more than the pie...

This better be "One very good pie"

Check out the video, click below for the show

 The Dean Brothers Video of Round Top Cafe

 The delivery box of the pie

The Pie came today, it was pretty warm from the UPS trucks heat. I quickly put it in the fridge and let it get cold.
I just finished a piece of this pie and I'll tell you, if you love coconut cream pie, then this is the pie for you!   It was really good!   I'm afraid to count the calories so I'll have to be really careful about how much I eat.  I will put half the pie in the freezer for my sisters arrival after her daughters visit,  if the new mom, lets her leave  (this is the new moms first baby and she will need grandma for weeks I'm sure).   Dolly is coming to me for the holidays and for the cooler weather.  (not Ohio weather but hot desert heat)

If your in need of a good pie for your next dinner party I highly recommend buying from the selection on their web page, if you don't mind spending almost $50.00 for a pie!
No, I'm not compensated for saying this,
"It was good!"

But, a $50.00 pie, that is almost laughable.

  

Or get out your pie pans ladies and make your own!  I think I could make 6 pies for that price....but will they be as good?