florida

wetland along trail

lake alice

anhinga

big snapping turtle looking for handouts

pied-billed grebe

american egret

spanish moss

morning thunderstorm

Last weekend I was able to fly down to Florida to celebrate 

a belated Christmas with my family.

The sky was grey but the temperature mild.

Saturday morning Farmer's Market (imagine fresh produce!)

and a hike through the woods with my brothers and nephew.

Although we didn't see a gator there was a splash 

and then a bubble trail in the marsh that suggested one was close.

Many birds including Ibis, Sandhill Cranes and Snowy Egrets

as well as the species shown above.

It was good to get away and be around all those I love.

I must admit to sleeping most of this weekend away…

but an adventure awaits on Friday!

xo, j

green summer rain

Outside my window Common Sunflowers droop from the day's steady rain.

I wonder if they grew from seeds I threw out for the birds and squirrels this past winter?

Sorry for not posting this week, I've been impossibly busy.

The embroidery is all I've been able to work on lately, a little Day Lily sachet, not quite done.

Thanks so much for the kind comments and words of encouragement on the needlework.

They have lifted my spirits!

xo, j

rainy new york

soggy little italy

outside the store where i worked
broken umbrellas abandoned on the corner

 the street below my hotel room
 as cars lined up for the holland tunnel around 1:00am

view from my room - love the yellow and grey

I'm back from a long week of work in New York City.

Half the time it rained and other half it was beautiful.

When I first arrived the rain was so heavy it soaked through 

my suitcase and even dampened some of my clothes.

It didn't help that I was disoriented when I got off the subway

and ended up walking about 4 blocks in the wrong direction!

ugh

Despite my umbrella I was completely drenched when I checked into the hotel.

But it didn't really matter...I was now a temporary resident in my favorite city.

Puddle Rain

A dark day of heavy downpours as a 

cloud sat down on the mountain.

I spent the morning making polymer clay acorns

to be used as stitch markers in my knitting.

Reading, knitting, napping 

and homemade veggie soup.

A beautiful day

Tomatoes, Seeds and Rain

Three of my last six windowsill toms

It's been unrelentingly hot and humid here!

90+F for days

The beautiful heirloom tomatoes were purchased from a local farm.

They were so sweet I decided to save some of the seeds and give them a try next year.

Unable to find my glassine envelopes for storage

(Yes, there is such a thing as too many art supplies!)

I will just have to make my own.

And then the rain finally came, late in the afternoon.

Not the sticky summer rain that only increases the humidity,

but the cool clearing rain of autumn.

Morning Drops

There was rain early this morning.

It's so hard to get out of bed when it rains!

A brief shower followed by intermittent blasts of sun,

the drops on the window screen sparkling like stars.

A busy week ahead.

Coco, this is one of my favorite mugs.

Loose Ends

Yesterday's heat brought on a fierce late day thunderstorm.

Today the sky is almost blue and it's only in the low 90's.

Quite a relief.

This morning I set back to work on the Farm books, half should be bound by this evening.

Other books are waiting to be made...I couldn't ignore them any longer.

Last night I finished up my Rocky Coast Cardigan.

A seamless construction that required only a sewing in of ends and a quick blocking.

It kept slipping off the hanger and falling into pine needles while photographing.

Not the last time it will find itself covered with pine needles, I'm sure.

Cicada shells on the tree.

So now a new knitting project 

and that much closer to another book idea.

Morning Thunder

I woke to the sound of thunder this morning.

There was rain and lightening on my drive into work

but now a great wind is pushing all clouds aside.

My brother sent me a little care package of tea towels, 

a scented candle and some snacks.

Thanks so much D, you lifted my spirits on a sad day.

xo, j

Wednesday - Rain

Random raindrops on the sidewalk...

I do love polka dots!

Monday

Yesterday's rain gave me a chance to break in my new Wellies!

Wellies meet buttercups.

Still raining today...so many puddles, so little time.
:)

Sunday Drive

Finally rain!

We are 6" below the normal rainfall for the year 

so today's steady showers are a welcome relief.

Leaves are popping...that sharp chartreuse color 

made even more intense by the misty sky.

The homes are on a small dirt and gravel backroad

that winds along a stream and through a small gorge.

An apartment dweller can dream...

Thursday - Neighbors

The lovely pair of Mourning Doves who have once again chosen
to roost outside my window.

Their sad calls soothe my aching heart...

Friday

 

A rain soaked afternoon in the mountains...