Week 33, 34, 35, 36 - Catching Up

Time has surely gotten away from me, hasn't it?  

In the last month, we have been sewing and traveling and saying goodbye to old friends.

I'm really loving working on the embroidered bench pillows by Kimberbell.  I've completed 3 of them so far.  

Make Yourself at Home Bench Pillow 

Let's Go Fly a Kite Bench Pillow 

May Flowers Bench Pillow (Done in autumnal fabrics)

They measure about 16 inches by 38 inches and 2 of them fit perfectly on the bench seat in the morning room.  Since they have an envelope back, I can change them out whenever I want and only need to store the covers!  I go to a Bench Pillow Clinic every month to work on mine in a communal atmosphere - and there's a teacher there is I need help.  Am going tomorrow to work on my Gather Together bench pillow - will have it done in time for Thanksgiving.

Mom and I flew to Phoenix for a week with my brothers.  We stayed with my youngest brother and his wife.  During the week, I went to visit with a dear friend for a few days - shopped and sewed and generally caught up on each other's lives. I sure do miss the desert landscapes and the sunsets from Arizona. You might see why by these photos.

Cactus along the road. 

Flags in the City Square in Prescott. 

Sunset! No need for other words.

 When I went back to my brother's house, he and I took mom up to northern Arizona to visit our middle brother and his family.  It's the first time in 8 years that the three of us have been together....What a treat for me to get to see both of them.  We had lunch and then spent the afternoon at their house, just talking and reminiscing!  Then my youngest brother and his wife had a family BBQ on Saturday before we left on Sunday...I got to meet my great nephew and his girlfriend, and my niece's family.  We flew home on Sunday.  It sure was a great vacation but it was lovely to get home to my own bed!

I hope it's not another 8 years before we get together again.

While we were gone, our rescue dog, Kai Bella, had begun to lose the strength of her legs and back end.  John had taken her to the vet and they'd started some treatments but they just weren't working.  I called the vet on Monday and it was decided that with her 11 year history of abuse by her former owner, and all of her existing conditions, it was kinder and more loving to let her go.  So yesterday Mom and I took her to the vet where I sat with her while she crossed the Rainbow Bridge.  I could have left her alone for the procedure (and I have done it in the past) but she deserved to NOT be alone for her passing.  It was so quick, I almost didn't realize she was gone.  Thanks to the vet and his staff, she was treated with kindness and love.  And thanks to Kai Bella for making this last 4 month a time of joy and blessings.  You truly made our home special with you quiet grace.  Thank you, Your Highness...you will definitely be missed.  

Thanks for stopping by.  I'll try NOT to let 4 weeks go by before I post again.