invitation replication

 I can't get over how quickly the grass and trees have filled in over the past few weeks!

an evening nibble on the new grass

It's astonishingly green.

front yard

back fields with path to pond mowed

The apple tree, which was almost bare two weeks ago...

...is in full bloom now.

We still have a few redbuds in bloom behind the house...

...but the petals are dropping quickly...ditto with the apple blossoms.  The temperatures are still see-sawing wildly, and I'm slowly mulching the flower beds as my temperamental shoulder permits.  I can do about an hour of work at a time.  Still, the beds are filling in nicely with no help from me.

Even though it's been sunny, it's cold...

...not out of the 40s today, and a frost last week.

These early bloomers are used to it, though, and perked right up.  I'm not too keen on working outside in the cold, though, so other than an occasional getaway, I'm working on my indoor projects.

Todd and I made the local paper (barely!) last week when we were photographed at the International Festival...blink and you'd miss us!

I'm slowly plugging away at my Shadow sweater.  The front and back panels are done, and now I'm knitting the sleeves.  Sleeves and body panels will be blocked and then seamed together soon!

I bought an embroidery stand recently, since my shoulder has been so sore.  It's been a lifesaver!  I'm about halfway done with my latest embroidery project.

I'm eager to start on the next one.  I was incredibly inspired by the UK coronation invitation:

Have a closer look:

I don't care about the coats of arms, but I'm going to find a way to copy the side and top panels into a cohesive design.  It's fascinating to read about the symbolism in the items selected here.  Everything is carefully chosen.  I love it!  

Inside, on these chilly days...lazy cats.

Some lazy ones outside, too.

They're enjoying the calm before the storm...it can turn roasting hot on a dime, and stay there, too.  Here's hoping that I can at least finish the beds around the house before the heat hits.  

Have a great week!  

cat slap fever...

 Hello, old friend!

With three consecutive 80 degree days, a lot is happening outside.  The lilacs are in bloom...

...nice in a bouquet with the last of the daffodils, still hanging on.

I even used them on Todd's birthday cake this year (by request, NOT another pie, but a coconut cake with layers of lemon curd).

The redbuds are blooming, too.  We have a lot on our property and I love them in bouquets, although like the lilacs, they only last a day or two.

The apple tree blossoms smell amazing right now.

Even after a mow, the yard is carpeted with violets.

They're great in tiny vases!

Claudia likes to come with me as I check for new growth.

I've found some great things on hikes, like Jack-in-the-Pulpit...

...and wood poppies.

Before the leaves started really filling in, I found a cercropia moth cocoon!  

Cercropia moths are the largest in North America.  Check out this beauty!

photo courtesy of Detective Gluck

Now there's so much green in the woods...

...I never would've noticed it!

We're making stabs at yard work...

...but it's slow going, as temperatures seesaw between the low 50s/rainy and 80s/hot.  Inside, we've got the usual cat drama - jockeying for the most comfortable spots...

...and the "us vs. the old lady" battles.

"Care for a chat?"

"I don't think so."

Calliope may inhabit "their" spaces quite a bit...

...but no one is happy about it and they fight all the time.  Oh well...maybe year #2 is the year they finally learn to coexist?  We'll see!

Have a great week!  

the last straw(berry)

 Spring is popping!

I planted bags of muscari bulbs when we moved here and I love seeing them every spring. 

I gathered up the last of the daffodils for our spring table and mantle...

...and made small-batch lemon crinkle cookies to celebrate the warmer weather.

I love making small-batch desserts, and Easter was a great chance to make a few things that were festive but in limited supply.  I started with candy.  We both love Reese's peanut butter eggs, but they have a lot of nasty ingredients.  It's really easy to make a healthier version at home.  This recipe makes only 5 eggs and uses honey, not sugar.  It's as simple as mixing up a few ingredients, patting the dough into a rough egg shape...

...fridge, then dip in melted chocolate chips.  Sprinkles, of course.

They aren't as sweet as Reese's eggs, but somehow tasted better.  I also made sweet rolls, modified.  I made a quick strawberry freezer jam from this recipe, and used the cinnamon roll recipe here for the quick bread (instead of a yeast-raised dough).  I crushed a few tablespoons of freeze-dried strawberries into the dough, rolled it out, and spread the jam on top.  Another quick roll and slice and they were ready to be baked.  By coincidence, a "C" initial!  Perfect!

Frosted with a lemon cream cheese and more sprinkles, they were perfect for our Easter spread, right next to the carrot pumpkin muffins!

I have to say that everything was tasty, but I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the strawberry rolls, considering that I'm not a huge fan of strawberry.  But the soft bread with thick ribbons of lightly sweetened jam running through was absolutely my favorite.  I will definitely be making this again!  

As much as we've enjoyed getting outside and finding new growth...

...I've been more focused on inside flowers.  My sweet peas are finally robust enough to move to the porch for a few days before being planted in the garden...

...and I've been eyeballing the many bags of old seeds that I've got laying around.  Some are 5 years old, and the only way to know if they're viable is to plant them.  I decided to do a test planting of three seeds per bag.  I spread soil on a blue tray and planted 15 different seeds.  After just a few days, success!

I've got about 50% germination.  Those bags will be added to my 2023 pile.  I'll give the other seeds another week, and then the bags will get tossed.  A lot to do...I haven't even started on cleaning up the garden beds or laying the paths.  It's been so rainy and intermittently chilly that I haven't wanted to start...but it's time, ready or not.  The kittens are loving the sun and it's time for me to get there, too!

Have a great week!