Mary Oliver

"Tell me, what is it you plan to do

with your one wild and precious life?"









Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Tuesday? How Did That Happen?

Did lots this weekend, but I just want to catch up with a few knitting projects. Steve and I sat on the beach this morning, so I worked on the first of two baby blankets I am making for a friend who is expecting twin boys. I bought ten different colors times two, and I'm making a Moderne Log Cabin Blanket, from the first Mason Dixon knitting book. The difference between the two will be in the arrangement of colors, which I think will work for the whole twin business. Similar but not the same is my goal.

 

The other project shown is a stealth project, which won't be revealed until later.

 

 

Oh, and here's Gracie watching out our front window:

 

 

A bit fuzzy, but so cute!

 

Happy, happy to you!

 

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Beautiful

Oh, what a beautiful morning,

 

 

Oh, what a beautiful day!

 

I've got a wonderful feeling,

 

 

 

Hope everything is going your way!

 

 

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Synergy and Shakespeare

It's a wonderful and frustrating truth that when I reach what feels like the perfect level of synergy with my students, it's time to let them go. And it's happening again. I only have fifteen more days with them and we are having the best time. At least I am, and that usually means they are too. We are finishing up Romeo and Juliet, and they are totally into it. They get it that Shakespeare is still relevant, even after all these years, and they are proud of themselves for decoding the strange language; knowing that I opened that door for them is so exciting that some days I can barely believe my good fortune.

 

Speaking of good fortune, Gracie, the wonder cat is still making my heart glad. She does an awful lot of snoozing, but she's so darn cute doing it!

 

Here is her relaxed, sprawled position:

And this is her curled paw position. Adorable.

 

My mother gave me some peony blooms that I arranged with rosemary sprigs.

I planted an ivy plant in this basket that I found last summer. Not sure what to put in the other two baskets, but I'm thinking herbs?

I re-potted this gorgeous geranium, but I see I need to tidy up the steps.

I leave you with another photo of Grace, looking a bit peeved. I think she's tired of the paparazzi, don't you?

Still knitting All the Shades of Truth, but I don't have an updated photo and it's too dark to take one. Next time.

 

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Miscellaneous May

I haven't been feeling well lately, but wanted to share some photos. Stephanie and Melissa went with me to Greek Fest today, for some yummy food. I thought it was cute how similar their clothes were!

 

 

My Dutch irises are blooming.

The straw/hay bale garden is coming along.

Gracie continues to nap often, but I found out she is afraid of our ceiling fan when it gets turned on.

And my dad turned 76 and still looks great! I think Melissa gets her photogenic-ness from him, don't you?

These farmer's market eggs made me happy; not only brown and white, but a beautiful pale blue! And the yolks were an amazingly rich golden color. Delicious, too.

Have a happy week!

 

Monday, May 13, 2013

Graduation and Mother's Day

Stephanie graduated from VCU this weekend, and we were all there to share in her accomplishment. She earned a dual degree and graduated summa cum laude. We are very proud of her. Starting from the left is Lindsay, Stephanie, Meredith, and Melissa. I'm so grateful that they all get along and think of themselves as sisters more than stepsisters.

My,parents also made the trip to Richmond to see Stephanie graduate.

The proud papa:

This was the first time in quite a few years that I was able to have both girls with me to celebrate Mother's Day, so I was elated. We ate brunch at the Leaping Lizard, my new favorite restaurant.

 
 
 
They have the open air porch decorated with the coolest things, like this hanging votive,

fairy lights and a metal fish,

and teapots filled with flowers.

Such a wonderful weekend.
Having chickens roaming around doesn't hurt either.

 

Straw bale garden update: I planted the tomatoes, cucumbers, a pepper plant, and marigolds on Thursday evening, before we left town. Everything is flourishing except for the pepper plant, which I fear is being eaten by slugs.

And Steve's roses are blooming. This one is a climber by our front door. See the ladybug?

Hope your weekend was as lovely as mine.

Random PS. I helped Melissa make coffee bean burlap bag curtains last week and I made oatmeal cookies Sunday night. Trying to do the domestic things I love more often. And my Shades of Truth wrap grew quite a bit this weekend. Sitting around so much made for a lot of knitting time.

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Appreciation Week

This week is Nurse's Appreciation Week and Teacher Appreciation Week. Anyone know why we share the same week?

Kudos to all the nurses and teachers. I am proud to be included in this sisterhood/brotherhood.