Tantivy

I know that I haven't been posting as often as I once did, but I have an excuse  a reason. I am taking two art classes, each about three hours long as well as the two and a half hour class at church. Each class has homework. Actually, they each have several hours of homework. Also, Vicki, my sister, broke her foot last Monday and I have helped her just a tiny bit getting from here to there. I really need to offer her more help, as a matter of fact. It is hard to do housework on crutches and she also has a job. All this would be nothing if I weren't so slow and there's the problem. I am getting slower and slower. However, life goes on.  This is the little boy. He has a sailboat in his hand and it looks like he plans to sail it in the little dirt patch under this tree. We bought the three older children, the ones holding hands and going in a circle, then just couldn't leave him there. We bought them in NM and had them crated and shipped to NC. This one is not excep...

Spring is actually, officially here today. It was even sunny and not too chilly! Here are the sign I saw around the yard.    I never can remember what these are but I like them.  I know these. That is my neighbor's driveway, but I consider that we share these.  This is their quince, took but I get to see it and I love that color.  My blue hydrangea was nearly trampled to death but is making a valiant effort to survive.  When I was a little girl I thought that violets were the prettiest flowers of all. I still think that they are sweet. These are blooming at the end of a walkway in a pile of rocks, doing their best to bring loveliness to the world of concrete and rock. In other news, DH made some Kale chips and they are crispy and good. Tear up a bunch of kale, toss with oil and salt, put in a low oven for a long time. Even I could do it.  This fabric will possibly be used for slip covers on the dining room chairs. St...

This has been such a horrible winter; you have read my moanings and groanings from time to time even though I tried to insert a few happier topics than the weather. Some of you had weather so much worse than we did, but (pardon me for saying this) your regular weather would be hard for us because it would be so different. That all being said, Spring is on the way! I know that there will be cold days ahead, but they shouldn't be quite so cold and there shouldn't be so many of them. Warm, sunny ones will slowly outnumber them. It makes me want to jump for joy!  These images are rather random but I had no theme for today other than that the sun is shining and it is almost warm.  This lily is on its way out but I had to try to capture the lovely and interesting colors. The darkest part was almost maroon , there was the bright burnt orange and that green that is transparent and almost electric. Along the way of Dean's bringing flowers home I have discovered that if...

I was hoping that it wouldn't get so cold for this round, but it is. I am ready to come out of hibernation.  Mama bears, when they come out for the spring are really grouchy and if things don't change soon, I might get that way myself. So here is the update and I will have to tell you that while there is good news there won't be any wonderful pictures unless you are interested in: My new shower curtain. The liner snaps off just below the net part so that it can be washed without washing the whole thing. Clever, I think.  My flower arranging. Dean bought this vase is Japan when he was in SE Asia and this is the first time I have ever put anything in it. It was his mother's and she kept it in a curio cabinet; I never thought about any practical use for it until yesterday.  This vase is a Jane Peiser piece that I have used often.  If those things don't interest you, how about: The laundry that Dean brought home from church for me to wash. I have...

I was so busy being "cute " about things that I forgot the important things. My sister after a mammo, a magnification mammo(those REALLY hurt) an ultra sound, an MRI and a biopsy was found to have no cancer. Thank goodness.  My brother sailed through having his right carotid roto-rootered with flying colors ( he was in the navy so that seems apt) and is resting up to begin a new round of teasing us half to distraction.  We give thanks for the skill and persistence of doctors, nurses, technicians and all who made this possible.  All is well,  XOXOXO Caroline

Today was the second day of wonderful weather - not quite warm, but definitely not cold. Shirt sleeve weather we call it. What a treat. Just a moment ago I stepped out on the little back deck. The black tracery of the tree branches against the grey-blue sky was a lace of wondrous beauty, the air smooth as silk against my skin. The passing of cars a block away was a quiet murmur. I love going outside at night - even if it is cold, but especially when nights are like tonight.  Lots of big trees lost limbs in the snow/ice, but ours escaped any damage I can happily report. Sister Vicki is thinking strongly about some redecorating and , of course, I just had to get involved, too. Here is a corner of her room with a tablecloth thrown across the sofa to give us an idea of a light color. We were liking it, but it wasn't quite right. She finally decided that something like this might be a starting place.  Lighter walls, light sofa, pink and teal splashes of color in throw pi...

After thinking bad thoughts about weather forecasters, meteorologists and prognosticators of all kinds for much of the day yesterday, their predictions came true. Late in the day it began to snow. And  snow, and snow, and snow.  By late evening we had snow on the roads and in the yards and trees and everywhere and it was falling, now heavily, now finely, now just flakes meandering down, but not quiting. The reflection from the street lights, security lights and porch lights made the evening as bright as a rather grey day. I took pictures from the front porch with no tripod and no flash. This was taken about nine o'clock at night. I think that you could have read a book out there but that it was a little chilly and damp.  The Nandina got a little weighed down. This was also taken about nine o'clock PM I took this standing at my bedroom window about 9:55.  Taken out my bedroom window at 9:55 last night.  Looking out the dining room window...