Living Life Lying Down

Oh my..... it's been quite a bit since I last posted on my blog.  Numerous unpleasant issues have kept me from being here, or dropping by other blogs for a visit.  Firstly... a broken keyboard happened.  2's, w's, s'.s or x's were no longer available.  Now I can surely get by without 2's or x's, but s's?!  No way!  Secondly, I had a very extensive surgery on my foot which has kept me reclined for the past 12 days.  I am only up now on one of my 10 minute breaks I'm allowed each hour.  Well actually, I do cheat on this throughout the day, but I'm trying to be a good patient and get back in shoes and fun asap.  I have another 2 plus weeks of this along with upcoming rehab.  But, it's well worth it, and my doc did a most excellent job.

My dear sweet hubby has replaced my keyboard, and today I'm feeling pretty spiffy considering where I was a week ago.  Pain meds and I DO NOT get along (dang!).  But now that they're out of my system I can see without everything spinning, keep my food down, and communicate without sounding too loopy.  I'm also feeling spiffy because of the many lovely visitors who've happened by with Starbucks, sandwiches, and entire meals.  Non of these sweeties blogs or checks out blogs, but thank you Sarah, Lauren, Cathy, Marti, Ann, Barbara, and Tammy  (who, of course, is our fabulous Skip To My Ewe).  Thank you friends!!  Food and company has the very most healing power!

Another spiffy thing about having to stay in one place reclined is making good friends with my iPad.  I ordered an art app that allows me to paint called Procreate.  Below is one of my attempts.

This is actually a joint effort with buddy painter Kathryn Glover who set up this little still life, photographed it, and emailed it to me with the intent of a future pastel.  Well, I hadn't gotten to that yet. so while looking around for something to try my art app out on, I remembered this photo and went from there.  I painted this with my finger using various brushes, and ways of loading them.  Just beginning with  painting on the iPad, but it keeps me from getting too rusty while healing.

I've also been knitting.  I had held back this yarn and scarf pattern for post-surgery.  Easy to knit, and creates this swirly little number.

I'm also reading a great historical piece titled "The First Tycoon" the epic life of Cornelius Vanderbilt.  This is a book club choice.  My book group reads a lot of historical work, which has been a wonderful learning experience for me since I usually reach for fiction on the shelves. 

So I'm sort of occupied, and excited because tomorrow is an actual outing!  Well... to the doc, but that counts when one hasn't been anywhere in a week.....

xo
dulcy

Taking It Slow And Easy

There's something about this time of the summer that I really enjoy..... yes, the heat is just awful, but the pace of life is nice and so slow.   I love getting up early and strolling around outdoors with my coffee.  Everything is peaceful and so still.   Well.... almost everything.  The cicadas are deafening!  Sort of like a million little aliens have invaded our trees.  It's one of my favorite sounds, and it's pretty much 24 hours a day right now.  An enjoyment of mine is watering early in the day.  It feels good to keep everything alive, and looking well.  Of course some plants are wilting back, but that's to be expected this time of year.  Indoors, the house is cool.  We have a very old home, but it's open with gobs of windows.  Because of all the trees, it's very shady here, but the light streams in and creates beautiful shadows across the wood floors.  The cats doze on the screened porch all day, my husband works on his photography in his studio, and I work on my various creations, read, and make daily trips to our neighborhood farm to plan meals.  Throughout the heat, I've continued to design, hook, and sew.  And I'm talking heat!  108 yesterday, and my car was up around 112 while out and about.  But my studio has become my little oasis where I'm currently listening to to the CD "Leaving Van Gogh".   As a result of staying put and working, I've completed these two bags that are listed in  My Little Handbag Shop.

The above is my "Stone Cottage Tote", based on my stone cottage home.  My current color love is poppy and gold.  This little bag is 8"x8" with a 28" strap.... with vintage buttons for closure and strap attachment.

This next bag is my "Rosy Tote".  I really, really love working with the browns, reds, and greens.  This bag is 8"x10" with a 36" strap.  I found these really sweet old buttons to add to this bag.  The ones that hold the strap to the sides of the bag match the smaller versions on the strap.  They're a gold metal with a pale peachy little inset that may be ceramic, but I'm not sure.  The one on the front is that same old gold with a brown large pearl shaped center.  Ive hooked rosy bags before, but I used a more willy-nilly hooking approach this time to hooking the roses.  I really like the effect.

I received a much awaited package in the mail this week.  One of Susan Jenkins  charming ceramic hearts.

I have been waiting for the perfect one to show up on her blog, and I had to be fast, because they vanish quickly.  This one is so wonderful with her hand painted sweet little cottage scene.  I'm not really keeping it outdoors, but have it hanging over the corner of an old mirror above my mantle.  Susan is also an exquisite painter.  If time, pop over to Susan's blog and check out her work.

That's it at my doorstep.  Try to stay cool and hydrated.  And wishing you a happy and stress free weekend!
xo
dulcy