Roses and Squirrels

Let's see... what have I been up to?
Not decorating for fall or even stitching for fall.
I have been cleaning and organizing and decluttering and thinking and pulling up rose bushes.

Yes, you read that right long time readers. Me, the lover of roses has finally come to terms with the situation. I have been really thinking over the last couple of years about what it means to simplify my life. I have said it many times I am a slow leak when it comes to decisions. I need time to process things and think it through. I have been slowly making some changes and when I have gone slow most of those have proven to be good ones.

I told myself last summer when the roses looked their very worst I would give it one more year. I really don't have the right location to grow the KIND of roses I have. I decided last week that I would pull them up and we would plant something in their spot that was made for Florida's sun and heat. They only looked good for about two months out of the year and I am really not being so truthful with that. Hubby has the side yard as you drive into our cul-de-sac looking so nice. It is planted with things that grow well in our area. I have diligently tried to work against nature right up in front of our house. One day I drove in the driveway and it just hit me. IT was time to give up.

He was surprised, but went to work on selecting new plants. We have a little more to do. It is so dang hot right now that you have to do just a bit at a time.

When it cools off and the new has a little bit of growth I will show pictures.

In the meantime, I am at peace so I know I made the right decision. I hate to give up on any plant.

The upside is that I told the kids now they know what I want for all occasions. They always ask what I want and I say nothing because I don't need a thing. Now, it is roses. I told them not to go buy the kind vases. I have plenty of those, but to just stop at the grocery store and pick up some in the cellophane. I will be a cheap gift but ohh so happy.

Now, for the simplify thing. I have been working on that in earnest the last year. I scaled back my houseplants and my back deck plants. That has been a good thing. I am able to keep up with fewer and have them thriving and me not so outdone.

I am working on it in other areas as well. I am not getting younger, so it is time to realize my limitations.
I do have a birthday this month...maybe that is what got me in gear.

I put a finish on the squirrels.
IT is the only fall decor out and that is because I needed to get a picture.

I just love how they turned out. 

I did finish the other one, but it is real tiny. I think it will just go in a bowl with other fall items. This one is on 28 count and is still pretty small.

I have set a date for putting out fall. September 19th. Yep, a little random, but there is a bit of logic behind it. I will hold off until then. It is just not fall here. Although in the past I have had it up by now and enjoyed it. This year I am not feeling it, so I will wait.

I said I wasn't going to do this, but I did. Remember that I redid the June, July, and August stitches of the months that I did about 5 years ago. My finishing skills are much better, but still improving.

I didn't have enough of the red gingham to make a easel fold like I did for the summer months, so it is sitting on an easel. I do love it and plan to finish redoing them all. Basically, I am just giving them a smaller margin and adding a little trim. They took up so much space with the older finish. I didn't dislike them at all. You can see them all here.

Tucker is getting around too good these days. He was in his walker again today and I put away two  dish towels in the drawer. I looked around and he had opened the drawer and pulled them right back out. Had to smile about that.

I am always saying, "No, No" to Gus. I wonder if he is going to understand it when it is his turn.

That is life here in my circle. 

Sandy