Deer Fight

The battle lines have been drawn. The deer went around the fence and chomped our sunflowers! It's an annual event and it's war.

I'm going to get out the heavy artillery, which basically means a nasty smelling powder. Unfortunately it repels humans as well. And I need to plant new sunflower seeds. It was all going to smoothly in the garden this spring. I should have known.

Verdant

Well the week ahead is going to be rainy rainy rainy. At least that's what the weatherman says. Not what I would have wished for on my long weekend off before a new job.

Toward the end of winter and all this spring, I have felt as if I'm not in my normal climate. It's as if I was suddenly living in the Pacific Northwest. The verdant greens are beautiful, but I'm longing for sun and heat.

Peonies

I bought a bunch at a wholesale market on Friday and was shaking my head at how expensive they were. The foliage looked wilted and I was questioning my decision. Did I really need to indulge my love of them.

The guy at the flower store said to cut off the unnecessary leaves and then assured me "They are going to be beautiful, they just came in today."

I was skeptical of both statements and thought to myself you'd make a good used car salesman.

Happily, I was proven wrong. The peonies filled two vases and are glorious. Watching them slowly unfurl was fascinating. Every time I looked at them this weekend, a smile came to my face. Worth every penny.

Finishing Things

Last weekend I finished a sweater that I started years ago. Originally, I bought the wool to make another pattern but there was this tricky fringe along in edge that I could not figure out. I abandoned that sweater and pulled out the back that I had knit, rewound the wool and started on an easier pattern.

Then I got side tracked, misplaced my notes and lost my place in the pattern. Finally, I just left it to deal with more pressing stuff.

Coming back to an old knitting project is always a challenge and a little unnerving. What if it's all wrong? What if I have to pull the whole thing out?

Happily, I was able to solve the puzzle. I restarted and over some weeks was able to tackle the unfinished front and match the shaping. Knit two sleeves, sew the shoulders, add the collar, sew it up and tuck in all of the loose ends.

Assembling and finishing is my least favorite part of knitting. I find it stressful. The knitting is sometimes very meditative and peaceful, but sewing requires full focus and my fear that it's not all going to work out in the end takes over.

The sweater is finished, it's not perfect but it turned out well. It fits and I actually like it. Now, when the cold weather comes in the fall, I will have a reason to celebrate. Now, I'm celebrating pushing through and the joy of finishing.

Top image the sweater I was going to make.
Bottom image the sweater I made.
Images from Rowan Ribbon Twist Collection.

Time of Roses

Time of Roses by Thomas Hood

It was not in the Winter

Our loving lot was cast;

It was the time of roses—

We pluck'd them as we pass'd!

That churlish season never frown'd

On early lovers yet:

O no—the world was newly crown'd

With flowers when first we met!

'Twas twilight, and I bade you go,

But still you held me fast;

It was the time of roses—

We pluck'd them as we pass'd!

For more rose poems visit Famous Poets and Poems.

I want a... Bee Skep

Well, I love the way bee skeps look, but I'm not sure I'd actually encourage bees to nest in my garden. I'm glad when they stop by, but setting up house would probably be another thing. Plus, with my luck it would end  up a Yellow Jacket's nest. If I could put one in my garden without it becoming a hive I'd get one.

Sadly, the bees used to be killed to collect the honey in the skeps. Modern day wooden hives are not so charming looking, but they are much more bee friendly.

For an in depth look at skeps read here.

Proud New Owner of a Tree

Who knew it was so difficult to buy a tree? The right tree, that is. I have been looking for a weeping snow fountain cherry tree for about two years. I would shop around in early spring and all the trees were too large or scraggly or just not right. Summer would take over, and I would never get around to buying one.

This weekend, I was resolved to get a tree to put in the circle of daffodils I planted for it two years ago. It's amazing what someone will try and sell you when you ask for a dwarf cherry tree. Options offered included a cherry tree that would grow 15 to 20 feet, a weeping rain tree with yellow flowers, a mature apple tree that was so oddly shaped it warranted a discount, and finally what can only be described as a flowering bush. Buying a car would have been easier.

Finally, I found my tree. It is not the perfect tree I had in my mind, that's actually growing in my neighbors yard. But it is a good tree and will grow into our perfect tree. 

Flower Power

Our Daffodils meet Andy Warhol's Flowers. Suddenly life is bright and warm.

Warhol print Flowers #67 available here.

Rebirth

It occurs to me that we should really celebrate the new year in April when everything is new again. Love have there are signs of new life everywhere.


Crib by XO in My room.

This Week's Happy Place is...

two chairs and a table in a yard with fruit trees. This looks like summer bliss to me. Okay, work week here I come but I'm really hanging out her.

Photo by Amelia and Andrea Lonngren Widell.

Pick-up Sticks

Ever start something with your little one only to wish you hadn't. A lot of sticks and branches came down during Hurricane Sandy and the rest that were stuck up in the trees are still coming down. I had gathered most in our front yard and stacked them earlier in the year, but the side of the house, that is next to a strip of tall trees, is still full of sticks.

I started picking up a few with the little one and couldn't get her to stop. Who knew picking up sticks had so much appeal for a little one? Well, if a love of racking leaves endlessly is any indication, I should have known. I have a five year old who loves lawn work. Every time we are out doors she ends up doing yard maintenance till the point of exhaustion. And by exhaustion, I mean mommy. It ends with me begging to stop. I can only imagine what the neighbors think. Poor little thing look how her mother works her.

Image Andy Goldsworthy, Woven Branch Circular Arch, Langholm, Dumfriesshire April 1986

Daffodils on the Verge

Our daffodils are just on the verge of blooming. I think back to previous years and the daffodils and the forsythia were already out and present in our Easter photos. The Easter Bunny hopped away over a week ago and we are still waiting on these cheering yellows to break through the gray.

Someday I want to have a field of daffodils like the one pictured in this from Jasper Conran's book Country.

Slouchy Sweaters and a Cold Spring

I'm still bundled up in my winter Parker and wearing my warm sweaters to fight the chill in the air. Bright Spring clothing is on display in all the store windows, while I'm keeping my scarf on all day. Forget bright pastels, this kind of weather makes me just want to don a big slouchy oversized sweater with comfy jeans and find a sunny spot to curl up in.

Maybe when the weather gives in, I'll take the Spring fashion trends a little more seriously.

Photos via A Well Traveled Woman and Moods of the Moon.

And This Weeks Happy Place Is...

... a stoop. Sometimes the nicest thing to do is just sit on some steps and watch what goes by. Steps are great place to hang out when you don't want to be inside, but you also don't want to really venture out. Add a cup of tea, a nice pot of plants and a friend and you're set. I especially wouldn't mind stoop sitting on these stairs.

Photo via country+cabins+cottage.

Spring Windows

  I'm eager to get started planting our garden and looking forward to moving our geranium plant outdoors where it will certainly be happier. A little longer and the plants can look in the windows instead of out of them again.

A Fresh Coat of Paint

Photo via Heliosentrisme

I think the perfect space may be a gallery with freshly painted white walls and very little else. I remember painting the studio walls white in art school. It was easy since you didn't have to worry about trim and the floors were already covered in paint

House painting is another story. I've spent the past two weekends painting a room and still need to finish the trim. I really hate house painting. All of it. The prepping, taping, cutting in, painting and clean up. Except the final product. There is something so wonderful about a fresh coat of paint pristine gallery or tv room at home. 

Time to Think Easter Eggs

 

Easter is so early this year so we are going to dye Easter eggs this weekend. Hard to believe the Easter bunny is due to visit next week end. It doesn't really feel like Spring yet with cold weather and snow, but we will break out the PAAS dyes and get to work.

Spring!

 

Welcome Spring, even if you are freezing cold. Not get to work and green things up.