No Fooling...

I've never celebrated April Fool's Day, and frankly, I'm too old to start now. I'm going to celebrate April and Spring instead...sprinkled with a little needle dancing. 

Happy April!  

 

Spring Sunset...

This was the sky outside the restaurant as I left on Tuesday evening. The place where we gathered is at the south end of Lake Winnebago. If you aren't familiar with Wisconsin, just look at the map and you'll see that large lake in the east central portion of the state. That's Lake Winnebago, and the place I call my hometown is Fond du Lac (French for "foot of the lake"), located right at that end of the lake.

This photograph is unretouched, and I can tell you it really doesn't do justice to what I actually saw. It was raining to the east (behind me), and there was a rainbow there, while this magnificent spring sunset was laid out in front of me. The wind was blowing waves onto the shoreline and it was a fitting end to a night with friends.

My hands are still sore, so no new embroidery updates. These darn arthritic thumbs! Don't they know I have things to do? I hope some of you are managing to get a little needle dancing into your day. As for me, I'll try again today.

Even So...

 

My weather widget says we got about nine inches of snow over the past 48 hours or so. This time it wasn't the dry fluffy kind. It was snowman-making snow...heavy and wet. No. I didn't make one, but I did shovel the walk and part of the concrete approach to our garage building while Andy plowed us out. 

I let Tag and Bella outside first thing and while Bella had fun romping around, Tag was not impressed. He was having a most difficult time trying to maneuver to do his business. When everything else was cleared, I shoveled a makeshift path in the snow to give him some relief. I think he was grateful, although with him, one can never be certain. They were both quite happy to leave all this behind and go back into the toasty warm farmhouse.

 

On our way back in, I couldn't help but notice the clear area right next to the house, outside the kitchen windows. This is the sheltered kitchen garden area with a southern exposure. Even following the recent snow dump, I see tulips and hollyhocks already peeking out of the ground. It lifted my spirits to know that we already have signs of the promise of Spring. Something else to look forward to.

Enough Already...

Brynwood Needleworks - Let It Snow Door Hanger

 

This piece has been hanging on the back door since last November. It's hung on the door the whole time we were in Florida. It's hung on the door until yesterday.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - February Snow Storm

When Tag and I got up yesterday morning, it had already begun to snow (again). We went outside, and while I shoveled around the "friends and family" door, he frolicked in the yard. He loves the snow.

Brynwood Needleworks - February Snow Storm

It continued to snow until late day. It was windy, making it difficult for the birds, who hung close to the feeders and the shelter of the porch. I especially love when the mourning doves line up on the porch rails, but they're skittish, so just my passing by the windows sends them to flight.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Spring Wreath

We're expecting more snow on the weekend, but I have plans to attend a concert in Milwaukee with Daughter-in-Law #1. I really don't want the weather to ruin our Saturday evening with the Symphony. 

I really don't mind the snow, but I'm not especially anxious to drive in it either. So, I'm thinking, if I take down the "Let It Snow" decor it might send out a new message, right? 

Time to hang up a Spring wreath. Let's see if it helps turn the season from snow to daffodils. Or at the very least, maybe it will push off the bad weather until Tag (he'll stay at our son's house with Son and Grandson in case we need to stay overnight) and I get back home late Saturday or early Sunday. wink

 

Spring Is In The Air...

Spring Farmhouse Welcome

Even though we had quite a bit of snow in the past week, it's already thawing. and the temperatures aren't quite so cold. Spring is just around the corner, as is Easter. It was time to change out our door wreath to reflect the change of seasons. I found this springtime beauty at Joann's Fabrics and Crafts, and knew it would be coming home with me. 

Welcome Spring Wreath

 

It's a simple piece. Grapevine in the shape of the wreath, and then embellished with burlap ribbon and spring colored eggs. The finishing touch is the "Welcome", front and center. The days are already getting warmer!

 

The sandhill cranes are back, and the turkeys will be dancing any day now. Oh, and don't forget to reset your clocks ahead this weekend. Remember, "Spring forward. Fall back."

 

Savoring Spring...

Hickory Hill Farm Lilac Blossoms

 

I've been watching them for weeks. The weather has been cool, but the rains and slowly warming weather are coaxing the blossoms from the buds. I know it won't be long until they're in their fullest finery, and I'm so happy that Handsome is here to see them with me.

We haven't opened a single box since he arrived. We've been enjoying our time together, and there's plenty of time to tackle the unpacking in the coming days. For now...we're savoring Spring.

Easter Weekend...

Brynwood Needleworks - Chocolate Bunnies Table Runner

 

I made this table runner in 2014. (You can read the final post on the process HERE.) I enjoyed every second of making it. 

 

I hunted down the fabrics so I could make it in the same fabrics that were used in the designer's pattern; piece, appliqued, and then machine quilted it. Binding is always my favorite part, because it means it's completely finished.

This runner signals the spring season, and bunnies and eggs have also come to represent an aspect of Easter. While there are children hunting eggs and candies, all Christians take time to thank God for the sacrifice of His son, Jesus Christ. Easter is a season of celebration. By His Grace, our sins are washed away, and we are saved. 

The pattern is "Chocolate Bunnies Table Topper" by Margot Languedoc of The Pattern Basket. I must make this again.

 

Thoughts On Spring...

Image from Massachusetts Country Register © Susan Branch

I think Spring has already left south Florida. If it weren't for the cool evenings, we'd

surely be calling this weather Summer! I know many of you in other parts of the country

got more snow yesterday, and I want you to know that you have my deepest sympathy.

That's just not right!

Even though we know that warm weather is a promise each year, it's really hard to 

believe when you get snowed on (or icky sleet) on the 3rd of May. I know many of you

 love to garden, so I'm sure that your seed and plant catalogs are already dog-eared.

For me, I spend time on websites and in fabric catalogs planning my warm-weather

projects. When it's too hot to hang around outside, I'll sew in the air conditioned

comfort of the studio or Flying Cloud. Summer, Winter, Spring or Fall...if you

 can't find me, you can be sure I'll be somewhere playing with fabric.

Enjoy your weekend doing something you love. 

I'm heading out to Coffee Club with the girls. I'll see you later.

xo

A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood...

Today dawned sunny and dry. This time of year can already be humid in Florida, but not so today. It was the perfect day to work outside and give our garden shed a much-needed spring cleaning.

Handsome and I moved everything into the yard, and then we swept the cement floor, put up a great tool-hanging system, moved a few things from the garage to the shed and really streamlined our yard equipment.

Kes spent the day staring at the shelf where we keep her retrieving dummy, and every once in a while, we'd stop our work and toss it a few times for her. It's nice to see her still moving like a puppy, but now that we've all had our dinner, she's sound asleep in her favorite spot in our bedroom...snoring like the senior citizen she is.

We've made a game of working outside during hot, humid weather. The work sessions are short, punctuated by quick dips in the swimming pool to cool off, and then back to work. Today, because the weather was cooler, we waited to jump in the pool until all our work was finished. A friend who is currently visiting his second house in Pennsylvania called to tell us it was snowing there, which made our afternoon dip even sweeter.

We ended our day with a meal featuring salmon on the grill, so I took a moment to enjoy the fragrance of the jasmine bushes in full bloom in our back courtyard. I couldn't resist taking a snapshot of the flowers which grow over a small monument that my dad brought up from the bottom of a Wisconsin lake when I was a kid. He and my mum gave it to me as a gift, and it's one of my treasured possessions. We brought it with us when we moved from Wisconsin eight years ago. I think of Dad every time I look at it, and now with the jasmine growing all around it, I can't help but smile whenever I walk past it.