weekend

chamomile sprouts

"gale" in Cascade 128, Nebula Heat

terrarium

branches bare

common speedwell, the first flower

xo, j

quince&co and seeds

A mild weekend has helped to melt down some of the snow

and definitely lifted many spirits.

My color swatch cards arrived from Quince&co on Friday.

I've always wanted to try their yarn but needed to see the colors

before a decision could be made.

I secretly wish that I could work for a company like this!

Repotted my elder ficus and olive trees

and am trying to start some chamomile seeds.

I probably don't have enough light and they prefer to grow

 outside but I would so like to grow my own tea.

reading, reading, reading

xo, j

queen of the bed

"However little television you watch, watch less.  

Read.  Read for pleasure.

Read for happiness."

-David McCullough

And so I have.

Thoroughly absorbed in an 800 page tome

with a small stack waiting on my chair.

While wandering through my local greenhouse Saturday

I found a large palm plant in the discount section.

I have a weakness for wayward plants so now I wake 

under the sweeping green boughs each morning.

I hope it will get enough sun in that corner,

but better a chance with me than into the dust bin.

Cut veggies to be roasted for dinner

and Pantone color reference cards to try and spur

my reluctance to commit paint onto board.

It's snowing again...

but spring is just a couple of weeks away.

xo, j

wednesday morning

Another cold but sunny day.

It's been fun trying to paint again but I think too much!

I should stop all the thinking and just paint!

My dusty brushes attest to how long it's been since they were used.

A little terrarium under my olive tree,

a reminder of Italian summers long ago.

Find something beautiful in the every day.

I must remember that.

xo, j

Saturday - Garden Book

It feels like summer has officially arrived.

The air is hot and muggy; typical Pennsylvania haze

gave way to intense thunderstorms that still grumble in the distance.

The last couple of days I've been working on my next little book.

Again, it will be a tunnel format but with a twist this time.

The proof sheets are pictured above.

I spent little time figuring the plates out and didn't do any 

preliminary drawings but instead drew directly 

on the blocks and cut fearlessly.

My mantra, "This is supposed to be fun."

The salad bowl in the first picture came from the local garden center.

"Don't keep it indoors," the sales person warned me repeatedly.

Could she tell I was without a plot of land or balcony?

So there it sits on my windowsill.

Sunday

Such a warm, bright, lovely morning.

The green and brown vase is one I made.
The exquisite blue on green crystalline was made by a dear friend.

The Weeping Pussy Willow was in the last chance bin
at the grocery store...my weakness for wayward plants.

Weekend - Tucked Away

Feeling quite run down I spent most of my weekend holed up

with some new yarn, Gerber Daisies and cups of tea.

It snowed most of Saturday, although none of it stayed around and

was blustery and cold Sunday.  The wind howled as it pushed out the clouds.

The bookshelf photo was accidental.  It's one of nine bookshelves

 in my little apartment!

The small white orchid and purple violet are new.  My lovely yellow

orchid is still opening blooms as is the one in my shower.

Last night I awoke suddenly from a bad dream and threw wide the window 

for a deep breath of cold air.  I frightened the neighborhood skunk who quickly 

waddled down the alley, white tail trailing.  My nightmare soon forgotten.

Friday Morning Light

There is a definite change to the quality of light this morning.
The earth is slowly turning my home back toward the sun.
Deceptive February...or does it serve to bolster hope and remind
that Spring will come... even if there may be more snow.

The translucent stems of my African Violet and the
gingham pattern from the window screen on my Geranium.

Sitting on my bed with a bit of knitting before going into work...