This morning I found my mouse, but still have not been able to locate the MIA needlework.  I worked on it all summer at the hot springs, putting in a lot of hours, and am really bummed.  Just cannot figure out where it could have gone to!

Made the sleeve for my quilt this morning, and then popped over to Foothills for a bit.  Laura was bringing me a piece of the Kona Ash (now I can make the lotto block for the retreat), and I wanted to pass along a magazine clipping to Mary, who was coming to drop off a sewing machine. (Pretty sure she enjoyed the article!)

Around 11:30 I picked up Latina, who was more than happy to come with me to Dodge Doggie Daycare while her parents spent the afternoon at the doctor. 

Latina and I spent much of the afternoon in the backyard enjoying the lovely day.  Once we came inside she "helped" me finish blind-stitching the sleeve.

Unfortunately Marcie had picked up Latina before Alex arrived late in the afternoon with Tyga (he's dog-sitting for a few days) and dinner for all.  The pooches should get to visit tomorrow; Alex is off to the big golf tournament (and after party) and we will be dog-sitting.

Written on Tuesday, but never got around to posting yesterday:

We have a lovely view from our recliners, though the windows definitely needed to be cleaned.  Now that I've done all five, inside and out, I realize just HOW bad they had gotten.  After just the first swipe (will wait for the sun to show places I missed) it looks like there is no glass there!

I'm definitely dragging today after my poor night's sleep

.

so it was a less-than-stellar workout.  To be honest I didn't want to go - but I did.  Jim lowered the weights for me, and I bailed on one machine - but at least I showed up and did something!

Did a little sewing in the morning, and swung by the library after the gym to drop off and pick up, so at least I managed to get a little bit accomplished for the day. (And yes, later in the day I was notified that TWO more books had arrived.)

Surprisingly I actually got quite a bit done in the afternoon.  Alex came over and helped me with a number of things around the house and yard, crossing off all but one of the things on my list for him.  Then after he pumped up the tires on the riding mower and gassed it up I mowed the Back 40, ditch, and 37th Ave.

When I finally ran out of steam, I decided to watch some TV and do some handwork.  But despite looking "everywhere" (and the places where it should have been twice and even three times!) I couldn't find it.  It did go to California with me last month (though I never found time to work on it.)

* * * * * * * * * *

Now it's Wednesday morning (yep - up again at 4:00) so I did make it outside to check the moon.  Not as impressive as the pix floating around FB....

My mouse is MIA this morning.  There are only a couple of places it could/should be, so I'm baffled about its whereabouts.  Once Tom gets up (likely late, because he got home from Tucson at close to mid-night last night) I will do a more thorough search.  In the meantime I'm being forced to use the touchpad - which is difficult and unwieldy for me!

Bruce and Tammy, from Oregon, stopped in for a visit yesterday afternoon on their way from Quartzsite to Tucson.  He makes some very high-end jewelry, and both of them enjoyed viewing some of Tom's latest fire obsidian "babies".  While Bruce had been here before, this was Tammy's first time experiencing the Museum and Tom's shop.

Alex joined us for dinner at Valle Luna.  He worked a Moto-Cross show in town over the weekend, and (currently anyway) his work schedule has him home for almost another month.  That means he will still be home after all when Mom comes out to visit! 

Both Tom and Alex spent much time making (less than helpful) "suggestions" of possible activities for her visit: sky-diving, go-cart racing, etc.  Antelope Canyon came up, and ever since my visit I've had that on The List of places to take her, believing it could rival some of the impressive sights she's seen in her world travels.  But while that may no longer be possible given her physical limitations, I do have some scenic drives in mind.

Wanda and Marcie and I also have some "Girls Day" activities planned for her!

By 8:00 last night I was struggling to stay awake, so I got ready for bed (which of course woke me up some.)  I read some more until about 9:00 before turning off the light, but then <sigh> tossed and turned for a long time.  Took something when I got up in the middle of the night, yet still woke up around 4:00 this morning.

Tom is off to Tucson today to spend the day with friends at the rock show.  Alex is "on call" to help me do some stuff around the house and yard, after which I will reward him with dinner out.

It's been a very productive morning at home - I've lost count of all the things I've gotten done - and now am taking a break to post the pix I took at the mini quilt show yesterday.  Since I thought I was "just" going to a bluegrass festival I didn't bring my camera with me.  Though the one on my flip phone is utilitarian it does not take the best pix.  Sorry!

These are the quilts that gave me ideas for more <g> scrap quilts.

Marcie and I enjoyed the wonderful music at the bluegrass festival in Casa Grande today - though we (and everyone else) could certainly have done without the incredible wind!  It was so intense that the stage roof rattled, making it difficult for the musicians to hear.  We got there in time for the Sonoran Dogs' first set on the outside stage, and stayed through their afternoon set on the inside stage.  I was quite pleased to be able to buy a copy of their new CD, Navajo Rug; thought I'd have to wait for that until the official "coming out" party at Janey's next weekend.

As an unexpected bonus, there was also a small quilt show going on in the 4H building.  I got more ideas for some of my scrap quilts - and bought a music panel from the one vendor there.

Speaking of quilts, here are just some from yesterday's show in Wickenburg, where the theme was crazy quilts.

This is 'just' half-square triangles - 

but I found the fabrics and arrangement quite pleasing.

Recognize this pattern from Jenny's trunk show on Wednesday? 

Photo doesn't even begin to do justice to this spectacular quilt!

Scrap squares set off this horse panel quite nicely.

Some cute quilts aimed at kids (or the young at heart):

This was a dramatic entry -

Check out some of the quilting:

Kathy's family tree, created for her parents with the names of their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, will become a cherished family heirloom for sure!

Beautiful rose

and tulips for Mom.

Purple "arrows" around the green Ohio Stars

gives this quilt a whole different focus.

Always some wearables on display -

and others 'in use'!

So many lovely quilts to admire

But no surprise that this work of art captured the Viewers Choice awards!

The colors (MUCH more vibrant than the photo below suggests)

enhanced this needle-turned applique stunner.

Here's a close-up of one of the blocks:

Some of the Hoffman Challenge winners from around the country were on display, and I especially admired these.