AHHHHHHHHHHHHH Spring!

No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.  ~Hal Borland


The first full day of Spring and the kids have a two hour school delay which if it keeps snowing like it is might end up as a cancellation.  (Note: before I had time to post this they did close it!) 

Knowing my feelings about this winter you might think this snow upsets me but it doesn't.  I had a taste of Spring last Thursday and Friday so I know that it will come, that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and it is getting brighter each day.  And I have thawed out, 40's now feel balmy.


While the weather was so gorgeous, I worked in the garden.  

I have piles of old tansy stems and mint to burn.  The rhubarb is coming up and the strawberries made it through the winter.  My nephews are selling bulbs/plants for their school, so I bought more strawberry plants and some stargazer Lilly.


I have been very busy getting ready for the coming grandchild.  I wish I could knit faster to make all the things I want to make.  Of course after the arrival I will know in which direction to go!  There are so many cute girl things to knit...boys kind of get rooked.  I have said it is a boy from the beginning but only time will tell.  I love the fact that #1 and Sir T choose to not know the sex but stores no longer sell unisex things.  It is either pink or blue even down to fingernail clippers!  I guess they assume everyone will want to know and not just appreciate the anticipation of the baby no matter what the sex.


Another time suck has been.. lambs.  

I did not want more lambs but Rambo had other ideas and broke into his girls.  We were hoping he hadn't been in there long but it was long enough to do the deed.  We had six lambs but lost one.  Like all babies you can just sit and watch them interact with the elders and each other.  Each time I see them doing it all I can think of is the "Oh So Happy" lyrics as they just seem so full of joy they can't contain it.


We have also been playing baseball for exercise and because nephew joined Little League.  I shocked them by knowing how to hit a ball.  Yes they did have baseball back in the day I told them!  Got a shot of the moon while waiting on someone to hit something out into the field for me to catch.

So while the snowfall continues I will return to my chair by the wood stove and knit...and wait....for the snow to melt and the grandchild to arrive.

First Robin in the Yard

“Bearing His cross, while Christ passed forth forlorn, His God-like forehead by the mock crown torn, A little bird took from that crown one thorn. To soothe the dear Redeemer's throbbing head, That bird did what she could; His blood, 'tis said, Down dropping, dyed her tender bosom red. Since then no wanton boy disturbs her nest; Weasel nor wild cat will her young molest; All sacred deem the bird of ruddy breast.”

~A Breton Legend, in "English Lyrics"

What a wonderful way to start a weekend.

Little Things

What we call little things are merely the causes of great things; they are the beginning, the embryo, and it is the point of departure which, generally speaking, decides the whole future of an existence. One single black speck may be the beginning of a gangrene, of a storm, of a revolution. - Henri Frederic Amiel


Maybe because I hated this winter I have been noticing every little thing happening around here. Little changes in temperature have melted most of the snow in the woods. The snow on the yard and garden is getting thinner. My driveway is only icy when we go out in the morning. The birds are making more noise in the woods. I am seeing more deer near the edge of the woods.

I heard on the news this morning that these little changes had the crocuses coming up in one ladies yard. I had to go see if there was anything peeking out in my own neck of the woods and sure enough there was. A quick walk revealed daffodils, snow drops

and the bleeding heart

are making their annual debut. Although there was no visual confirmation due to a cloudy day, I have heard geese flying over head. Now I am on the lookout for the first robin in the yard.

With a little bit of change in the temperature and a little more sun, I was hanging laundry out to dry without my fingers in danger of frostbite! No drier sheet can duplicate the smell of laundry fresh off the line.

The little bit of additional light has made the chickens start laying more. Not to be out done by their feathered counterparts the ducks have decided to start laying now also.

A little bit of patience made me go back to spinning alpaca. I had picked up 4 ozs of gray and 4 ozs. of charcoal in the Little Barn while at Rhinebeck. When I first started to spin it I was not getting enough twist and it was so slippery. After several attempts I put it away and went back to spinning wool. Not to be bested by mere fiber I took it out again the other day.

For some inexplicable reason I had absolutely no problems with it. I finished spinning it and plied it. Today I started spinning the charcoal.

Now with a little bit of practice I will be spinning on the newest oldest spinning wheel. Cyndy emailed me to say her CPW was up for sale and I bought her. This is my first double drive wheel so lots to learn and I better be a quick learner because soon little bits of seeds will need to be started to become plants for this year’s garden. I still have to get my flats all washed, mix up some soil, clean the greenhouse…..