big spring dreams

Greenness is returning to our corner of the earth — and with it, delicious birdsong a la Bambi. Tomatoes, squash, dahlias, and herbs are sprouting inside, and we planted chard and baby greens in our back-porch planters (and uncovered some lovely volunteer mint!). Our garden will be small as far as gardens go, but my history with gardening is not exactly illustrious, so small is good.

Unrelated, but has anyone read Zeitoun? Was it worthwhile? I have mixed feelings about Mr. Eggers’ work (though I did meet him once at a book signing and he was very interesting), but this one made me curious.

Massive shop update in the works. I’ll quit inundating you with cute pictures of my kids soon, promise. Though they are pretty cute, aren’t they?

(Yes. The right answer is yes.)

after the thaw

It feels so good to do some yard work while the girls play outside, as opposed to standing in knee-deep snow like a stranded penguin. Am I the only person finding weird stuff under all those leaves?

porch reading’s return

I offer no apologies for prattling endlessly about the weather. Spring is a joyous event in any climate, but perhaps especially more so where the winters are long, deep, and very cold.

Right now I’m savoring the return of porch reading — so delicious to read while the girls piddle and poke and prowl the drive, the yard, the woods.

You’re invited to the Modern Marigold’s 1st birthday party {tomorrow! eek gad!} — tomorrow, right here — stop by for pretties and presents {for you!}

:: photo overlays :: lost and taken ::

the sugaring :: part 2

Any guesses what we’re having for dinner?

{psst, looking for part 1?}

the sugaring :: part 1

:: neighbor’s drilling sends us scurrying outside to see the long-awaited tapping ::

:: sugar shack, nearly ready to come to life ::

:: season’s first sugar bush hike ::

:: syrup’s first stop ::

:: little one along for the ride ::

:: free to roam outside again — so beautifully free ::

snacks and books for cozy days

It’s true, Oriental flavored Ramen is my very favorite snack, and — apart from a lasting affair with melted cheddar on rice cakes — it always has been (incidentally, it is one of the few foods on earth that R hates). I add carrot, celery, scallion, sesame oil, and today, a handful of spinach, to mine.

We are normally not book-buying people. But our micro-library was having some trouble getting a few titles I wanted, and I found them used for good prices. It is an untold luxury to have a huge stack of new books that are all mine — no due dates here, my friends.

Rained all Saturday. Snowed all Sunday and straight through the night. Blah.

almost-spring saturday

It’s a cozy, rainy day today. The ice is melting, little by little, and signs of Spring are starting to appear, almost covertly, like they’re afraid the last bits of winter might nip ‘em in the bud (they’re right).

Fabrics all cut, packaged, and sent for the Rosey Little Bee. I’m so excited!

And one happy little chickie, all ready to splash in the mud! (She’s starting to dress herself. Love it.)

quilting weather

Today’s forecast called for a 100% chance of something called wintry mix. If you’ve never experienced this, I’m very happy for you.

The Good Folks quilt returns! It is so delicious…the perfect thing to brighten up the bedroom in a rented house. I’ve (miraculously) sewn the binding to the front of the quilt, but hand-sewing it to the back is, shall we say, a work in progress.

March is my month in the Rosey Little Bee, and I have my heart set on creating something with this fun little stack of fabrics. I’m on the hunt for more solids and gray dots, too, and I think I might have found just the ticket.

The focus fabric is from a line of cult favorites called Munki Munki, which are sold as pajamas, then purchased, dismembered, and distributed by adoring Heather Ross groupies (I can say that ‘cause I’m one of ‘em).

When we got home from errands today, the girls rushed out to stand in ice-chunky, ankle-deep water. ‘Cause, you know, it’s fun.

the view from wednesday

:: been wanting a picture of this spot for weeks — we drive by it every time we leave the house — today I finally remembered my camera ::

:: more snow coming tonight ::

:: plucking pretty sheets during naptime for a big order of little skirts ::

:: 3 doors on this house — 1 of them was bound to end up this way — just so happens it’s the front door ::

(no really, come by anytime)

february hibernation

I think this is what they were all talking about when they said that winter in this place is harsh.

The girls and I went out to the mailbox after lunch. They were whimpering by the time we got to the road.

My man is at the outdoor firing range today. All. day. long. I have a few words to say about that.

With wind chill, it is -11. At 3 pm.

Thankfully, we have no shortage of firewood, snacks, cartoons, or chocolate.

I just realized that I sound mad in this post — I’m not. Just in hibernation mode — the kind where you eat half a bag of cheddar pretzels without realizing it — then you decide to go sit by the fire and eat some more. I don’t hate winter just yet — I’m not even sick of it just yet. It is so, so pretty here — and it’s hard to feel tired of that.

I have been on a Spring sewing rampage, though. Lots of tunics and minidresses and crochet/lace detail and vintage textiles galore.