Radishes, Peas and Swiss Chard, Oh, My!

Such an off again, on again spring we have had.  Sixty degrees, twenty degrees, back and forth and everything in between.  But at long last I bought seeds for early planting. Thought I'd prop the packets up yesterday and begin thinking about planting in earnest, but alas we got 2" of snow so far this morning, so will not get over-anxious.  Patience!

The Best Easter Baskets Yet

My granddaughters ages 4 and almost 7 visited a few days ago and of course we played with
spring and Easter crafts.  We love hard boiled eggs made into sandwiches or deviled eggs so
of course we colored eggs.
But I wanted to try something different in the nest/basket department.  I noticed Rice Krispie nests
on line, so we did it!  Molded over upside down bowls while freshly mixed and still hot, the trick is in being patient and letting the "nests" cool and harden.  They are cute AND tasty.

Adult Bullying ... or.... Fire and Ice

There is so much important conversation today about childhood bullying, it has occurred to me
that of course adult bullying is prevalent as well.... and in very subtle ways.  It took some soul-searching on my part to discover what I was allowing and the realization that I needed to confront and set some firmer boundaries.

Over time I have severed ties to the blatant bullies in my life, but noticed recently that a long-time friend fits the subtle bully category.  Once the behaviors (specifically exclusion and ridicule) were identified and admitted for what they are, I needed to make a choice and cut back on time spent trying to maintain a relationship with this person.  Once addressed, it feels great to let that one go.  Anyone else experience this?

And for a little seasonal drama, here's my vernal equinox fire
photo from last year as I ceremoniously burned the Christmas
tree.  And the ice at the downspout a week ago... love this image...
running freely one day and frozen solid the next.

The Ides of March

Thanks to William Shakespeare we know Julius Caesar was warned by the soothsayer to "Beware
the Ides of March" which became the date of Caesar's
death.  My dad studied French in high school way back when studying French was not necessarily in vogue... but he loved it.  He shared all the French language he could remember with me.  The same with William Shakespeare.  My dad quoted so many lengthy parts from so many of Shakespeare's plays... and with much drama!  I will always remembering him reciting "Beware the Ides of March......." and on and on.  Wouldn't you know he passed away on this day... the Ides of March... nearly twenty years ago.

A Little Detour

Funny how plans are laid, my lists are written out for the next few weeks, then .... wham!....
I get sick with chills, runny nose, the works!  A week and a half later I have "pink eye"
and acute hearing loss due to the congestion.  I catch the bugs my little granddaughters have.
The girls bounce back quickly.  Me... not so much!  I have gotten some good sewing done this
week, however, between naps..... zzzzzzzzz!

Some cart liners and some clothes pin bags:

Happy Leap Day!

Although we've had some unusually mild days in the 50s, today is briskly winter again.
Happily the days are getting longer.  The sunrise this morning was so colorful... am posting
a photo.... and also one of daffodils popping up through the snow.  Hope this gives you as
much hope as it gives me.

Too early for spring, yet....

One mild day the first of February I was exploring along the back fence.  Although the forsythia shrub is a little rangy, nearly all the branches had stubby brown potential buds.  I decided I could use a challenge, cut a couple branches and brought them indoors to force.  I cut the stem ends off under warm water every other day for three days and soon there were hints of green.  In just two weeks I had the most beautiful yellow flowers and a week later the blossoms are continuing to hold on.   I brought a few small pots of geraniums indoors in October, snipped them back severely, and they, too, are giving me promise of warm days to come.