First Blossoms of Spring

A Lovely Birthday

What a lovely birthday I had!  My dear family spoiled me so much!

We didn't have time to enjoy a birthday cake yesterday, so my beloved daughter made apple crisp this morning and surprised me with a beautifully set table!  We also enjoyed the maiden voyage of my new birthday tea pot!

Daffodowndilly

Daffodowndilly

She wore her yellow sun-bonnet,
She wore her greenest gown;
She turned to the south wind
And curtsied up and down.
She turned to the sunlight
And shook her yellow head,
And whispered to her neighbor:
"Winter is dead." 

- A.A. Milne

Not a Particle of Life

There is not a particle of life which does not bear poetry within it."

Gustave Flaubert

Irises in the Garden

While I'm waiting with baited breath for the snowdrops and daffodils to emerge, the irises shock me with their presence every single time.

Sticking it Out

 

After going on a bit of a Juniper Bonnet bender, I've returned to my Ramona Light Cardigan, determined to stick it out until this thing is finished.  I cast on to the second sleeve while waiting for the Trio during their violin lessons and was so happy to get that accomplished.  It has been a bit of a challenge to knit with this black yarn by lamp light, so I really needed the natural light in the car.  I really don't know how much longer this cardigan will take to knit, but I am hopeful that I will be able to finish it before the end of March!

A Few New Recipes

I am trying to make at least two new recipes each week during Great Lent.  Here are four from the past two weeks.  All have been winners and will be in regular rotation!

Minestrone

Broccoli and Garlic Sauce

Stewed Lentils with Tomatoes

Black Bean Soup - Minus the Toasted Cumin Seed Crema

Eliseea's Juniper

One of our parishioners gave birth to a lovely little girl earlier in the month and I was asked to be her godmother!  Though I got to see beautiful Eliseea in the hospital, I was very excited to get a chance to hold her and give her a little Juniper bonnet that I made for her today.  I've arranged to make her another bonnet for her baptism...  this time in white!

A Coral Juniper

Our sweet little girl started this wee bonnet for her violin teacher's new babe on Sunday during our family walk.  She did such a lovely job after taking such a long knitting hiatus.  I think that it has been nearly a year since she's picked up her knitting needles.  She's been focusing exclusively on embroidery, cross stitch, and sewing during that time.

Quiet Monday

Hazel's Juniper Bonnet

I have two baby goddaughters that need to be kept in bonnets, so I cast onto a Juniper Bonnet by Fox and Folk yesterday afternoon.  It was a little knit and I learned a few new techniques:  icord, seaming knits, and following a simple chart.  This first one went onto sweet Hazel's little noggin' after Liturgy and I will be casting on a second for Eliseea!

Again

We went back to my new favorite wander.  My excuse for this third visit in less than a week is that we had to take Papa to see everything! 

Snowdrops

 These snowdrop photographs were taken by our seven-year-old...  I wish that I had had a second camera to take a photo of him stretched out on someone's lawn taking direction from his siblings while I was stopped in the car on the side of the road praying the homeowners wouldn't mind.

Back to the House of Enchantment

 We wandered through an enchanted woodland today.  I've known about this place for more than eighteen months, but haven't managed to get to see it until this week.  Once was enough for my children.  Twice is not enough for me.  Who will win this battle?

A Second Scarborough Fair Skirt

My daughter and I stopped at Hobby Lobby after a doctor's appointment to buy a length of fabric for her second Scarborough Fair Skirt.  She'll be sewing it with her grandmother this week-end. Isn't it lovely fabric?

Sunshiny Day

I took the trio on a little outing to one of our beaches to play in the water a bit and hike to an old plantation house.  What a glorious day!

The First Day of Great Lent

One Sleeve Down

 I finally finished the first sleeve on my Ramona Sweater last night! 

Early February in the Garden

Valentine Views