Signs of Life

Hello Sunshine!

I'm still trying to get back into the swing of things, blogging is a habit that I have let fall to the wayside, so... baby steps.

It has been a bit of a gloomy winter, but for the past couple of days the sun has come out to play. There are signs of life everywhere. Flowers are popping up and perfuming the air.

Purple and green carpets under still leafless trees and Hellebore showing off their early blooms.

It's invigorating and energizing to see the natural world waking up. Are there signs of life where you are?

I'm off to enjoy the sun while it lasts. See you soon!

Oh Hello!

Oh goodness, here I am! Playing catch up after last week's mayhem. You know how those go right? One member of the clan gets sick, another gets sick, and another needs a tooth pulled and it all falls apart. Nothing too serious, but it turns the house upside down. Then all on the mend we had the long weekend and...

In any case, we are on the road to rights with some crazy nice weather that has tricked the flora into thinking it's Spring. Blossoms on trees, daffs in brilliant yellow and of course a little Crocus Pokus going on.

It's lovely, though a bit disorienting knowing how cold it is in other parts of the country. What's the weather like where you are?

In the Garden

Oh hello there! Feels as though I have been gone for ages. I have been busy as can be and I'll share some of the projects I've been working on this week. Today I'm just dipping my toes back in the water and giving you a glimpse of the readying of the garden.

One of reasons we fell for this house was the garden, both back and front of the house, it really is spectacular. There is a huge amount of maintenance involved, but it's worth it. Right now the Rhodies and Azaleas are just about to finish their bloom. The peas, lettuce and spinach are going gangbusters. We've been eating a lot of salad around here!

Those barrels are about to be planted with tomatoes and peppers this afternoon. Hooray! The fruit trees are promising a good harvest later this year, if we can keep some from the birds that is.

A quick peek here of the front garden. In the last 2 weeks it has gone wild, keeping up with the weeds and overgrowth is a challenge. Oh but you should see that giant red rose bush in person!

Well, I have food to plant and weeds to chase. What are you up to?

Hello Monday - Bloomin'

Good morning and good Monday to you all! Today I don't have much to say. I do have lots of photos of things that are popping up in the garden. While you take a look at my little piece of Spring, I will be planning my day, nay my week, of getting reacquainted with my sewing machine. It seems as though it has been ever so long.

Oh I do love flowers!

I am also quite thrilled to see that the food is growing!

Now, I'm off to look for my sewing mojo, I know I left it around here somewhere!

Happy Monday!

In the Garden - Springing

Oh my goodness! The sun has come out for a day or two, so of course I have been out in the garden. Finding flowers poking up through the soil. What beauty!

And then there has been some hard work. It's all about getting the garden ready for food growing. As of last evening 4 of our raised beds are ready for planting along with 4 large planters. Today seeds go in the cold frame (poly tunnel bed) and the 1 remaining bed needs some compost. Never mind those weeds that are a constant struggle.  So, while the sun is shining you can find me in the garden!

I'm off for a few days to attend to family celebrations, I'll see you all next week!

Hello Monday - Pretending Spring

Outside it is a gloomy Monday, all bluster and rain, gray skies and soggy ground. Inside however, I am pretending it is Spring. I spotted 2 little daffodils in the corner of the yard and one slightly battered Hellebore. I clapped my hands and said "Hello first flowers! You are a sight for sore eyes!" Then yes, I plucked them. The wind and rain were surely about to bash them to pieces and truth be told, I needed a bit of pretty to bring inside.

To keep up the illusion of happy Springtime on this stormy day, I have also started a quilt for a baby that could be coming any day now. Ooh, I'd better hurry shouldn't I?  I am using the most springy springtime fabric I had on hand.

I am using several fabrics from Urban Chiks - Dream On for Moda from a couple of years ago, and a vintage-ish green solid that I also had in my stash.

As you can see, it's easy pretending Spring with all these happy, pretty flowers about. Well, just as long as I don't go outside.

Are you impatiently awaiting Spring, or are on the other side awaiting Fall? Either way, may your week be a good one!

Hello Monday - Planting for the Future

"A garden is never so good as it will be next year."-- Thomas Cooper

The morning fog has given way to another bright and crisp Fall day, so I am to the garden, spade in hand, to plant a variety of flower bulbs.

Times 208 to be exact. That is a lot of little holes to dig! Oh but think of the pretty Spring we'll have!

"Gardening is a matter of your enthusiasm holding up until your back gets used to it." - Author Unknown

Hello Monday - In Bloom

I am starting the week with a clear head, a fairly clean house and no stressful deadlines. Wow! That hardly ever happens. I thought a little celebration was in order. Nothing big, in fact, I wanted more than anything to relish the little things. This morning after I came home from school drop off, I lingered over my coffee, I took a stroll through the garden to see what was in bloom. I looked past the ridiculous amount of weeds, the lettuce garden decimation by my hens and practiced selective viewing. Turns out there is quite a lot in bloom.

A double columbine

The tail end of the Elderberry flowers

The last Peony

I nearly trampled a tiny delicate mushroom. No idea what it is, but I let it be.

Lavender

Oh and look! The Hydrangea is beginning to bloom. Such a nostalgic flower for me. Amazing that when this flower head is at it's peak, it will be a dark purpley blue color!

What is blooming in your neck of the woods?

Oh, and I want to share with you that I have the immense honor of being Editor for the month of June over on the wonderful WhipUp. I am sharing some posts from lovely bloggers and makers, as well as contributing posts of my own. The theme for the month is Make it Local, there will be recipes, tutorials and some really lovely reading. Please come by and say hello. You can find my Introductory post HERE.

Have a stellar day!

Think Spring

As the dark clouds gather overhead with the promise of rain for days, I am thinking Spring.  The Daphne bush outside my bedroom window is laden with dark pink buds and I look forward to the heady perfume they will give once the flowers bloom.  Tulips are popping up in the neighborhood, the magic of Crocus Pokus are carpeting the roots of old trees and little green shoots are making their way up through the soil.

As soon as this rain clears up I have big plans for getting dirt under my fingernails and getting the garden ready for planting time.  Of course it could still be awhile, but it's nice to dream.

Is it looking like Spring in your neck of the woods?  Are you someplace getting ready for an entirely different season?

Pocket full of Posies - Fabric Wall Vases Pattern from my book Simple Sewing with Lola Nova. Signed copies available in my etsy shop.

Oh Hello Friday

Goodness me it's been a knock down week in the little green cottage! There was a big bedroom makeover that ought to have been finished by now if it weren't for a nasty little virus that crept up on me and laid me flat. I'm happy to report that today I feel as though I might live through it...it was iffy going for a day or two.

Of course this means that today is all about laundry, mountains of it. I'm afraid that there is also an empty pantry and fridge that are challenging me to create some sort of supper out of wiggly jiggly carrots and Dijon mustard. Fortunately for my clan, I do happen to have the local pizza parlor on speed dial. I know, I know, I should be winging it to the grocery and making some sort of nourishing soup and home baked bread, but my friends, I must choose my battles and the laundry wins because I can sit down for the folding part. This is good because a lightheaded fog still lingers.

The good news is my camera lens has arrived and I can take pictures again, and oh what things I have to show you! There has been some very exciting mail and I hope to show a bit of the room makeover with a DIY you might like to try.

Until then my friends, have a lovely weekend!

Beautiful Happy

A Peony from the garden.

This one is for you Jane, Happy Birthday my friend.

xo

Hello Monday - In the Garden

Today it is raining, big sloppy drops of rain are coming down and watering the garden. I don't mind really. We had a stretch of the most beautiful and warm weather for a bit there and the garden thrived and rushed towards the sky. Like these Lupines, this has been their best year yet since I planted them a few years ago. We removed a large Holly tree that blocked the sun, and now look at those gorgeous flowers!

Lupines remind me of happy times, of adventures. They remind me of the mountains, meadows, and lakes where I used to camp long ago. There is a secret place, near a group of small mysterious crater lakes, and a meadow on the edge of a forest. If you can find it, and happen to get there on just the right day, you can watch the sun rise lighting up the sky and illuminate a giant swath of Lupine like a purpley-blue haze over the tall meadow grass... it is spectacular! The birds sing, the breeze blows; the peace and beauty bring abundant gratitude and happiness.

Is there a flower that sparks happy memories for you?