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

staying warm

It's 4f/-15c this morning but the sky is bright blue.

Put the first coat of blue on the latest flying horse painting

and then did a little work on another pair of mittens.

Quick photo of Miss Sophie taken with my phone last night.

Hope are all having a warm week!

xo, j

sorting out

Yesterday was the beginning of a week's vacation for me.

A week with no commitments...a week just for me.

I spent Saturday sorting through my art supplies 

and straightening up my drawing table.

(It took 6 hours and two large garbage bags!)

Sophie is thrown out of sorts when I move things around,

but she also loves to adventure through the re-arranged spaces.

Besides, it's good to shake up our little world once in a while.

Many closets await my attention this week but the leaves are changing 

so I'm looking forward to a walk or two in the woods and making some things.

Maybe a day trip to the city?

Wishing all a peaceful Sunday.

xo, j

should have been cleaning today...

...but I ended up in the woods again!

Another walk around the meadows of Jacobsburg SP.

This time I took a new trail and three hours later 

finally found my way back to the car.

The temperature was in the low 90's and still quite humid,

a typical summer day full of cicadas, crickets and bees.

At the end of the trail I took off my shoes and dangled 

my steamy toes in the cold creek water.

Trying my hand at some free form embroidery,

we'll see how it goes...I'm a bit tired.

*smile*

Hmmmm, maybe I'll get some housework done tomorrow?

My brother is coming to visit soon so I can't put it off much longer!

quiet sunday

sophie napping in the window

freshly baked chocolate donuts

a tree so...

unbelievably pink

madelinetosh dk merino in 'ms. taylor'

equal parts leftover daffodil and onionskin dyes

Thank you to those who left kind comments and sent 

 emails regarding the passing of my friend.

They made me realize how lucky I am

to have such dear and supportive people in my life.

xoxoxo

sunday at home

the sweetest little pink flowered strawberry plant 

complete with 3 berries and more to come.

I did all my running around on Saturday 

so I could stay home and work on Sunday

First, I bound 25 signatures in another coptic book.

Orange endpapers and thread with a finished thickness of 1 3/4".

My ever watchful assistant was fascinated by the thread as I sewed.

Then wound three skeins of un-dyed merino wool, each weighing 2 lb.

An hour simmer in the mordant bath and then a rinse and dry in the shower.

Tomorrow I will boil the daffodil flowers and then steep the dye overnight.

Hopefully the yarn will be dyed on Tuesday night!

Whew!

And I also finished one sleeve of my sweater, only one more to go.

I hope everyone had a great weekend too.

Back From Planet Bed

It feels like I've been away forever!

Last Friday I had a headache, by Saturday afternoon 

a fever of 102F that didn't break until Tuesday morning.

Sunday morning found me on the doorstep of the local Emergicenter

and then the pharmacy.

This strain of the flu was like no other I've experienced.

Exiled to Planet Bed for four days, unable to read, knit or even watch a movie,

I silently cheered on my white blood cells in their battle against the virus.

Victory finally came as my fever broke but I am left exhausted from the battle.

I have information about a workshop I attended pertaining to 

entrepreneurial thinking for artists that I'll tell you about soon.

Now, thoroughly exhausted from my first day back to work, I'm off to bed.

'night, j

Some Sun

Some sun this morning although cloudy days lie ahead.

An old painting I dug up,  Sophie sunning her toes on

her ironing board perch and a newly opened orchid.

Feeling the need to clean through the apartment...

maybe this weekend.

All Things Round

I took a walk out by a local baseball field today

to do a bit of knitting and reading.

The gloves are finished 

and it's chilly enough for a good curling up.

Upside Down Morning

up early

feed the cat

and the goldfish

make the coffee

water the plants

quiet

Off to Chicago

I'm off to Chicago for a few days to attend a business meeting.

The entire time I'll be sequestered in a hotel conference room

and unable to enjoy the beautiful city.

Sophie is not amused.

Have a lovely week!

Easter Sunday

Grape Hyacinths I planted in a secret place last year and a treasured
glass egg both on my nightstand.

I went for a drive this afternoon, the farm is a favorite as is the horse
in the paddock to the left.

This morning I put some chocolate eggs in a little nest.
I came home to my own Easter Egg Hunt, courtesy of the cat!
There is still one I haven't found yet.

Thanks Sophie  :)
Happy Easter

Saturday

My camping plans fell through...

Tuesday - Morning

A bright but chilly morning, my day off.
Cheerful yellow tulips.

Laundry waiting to be put away.
The basket reminds me of a ship, sun upon its bow,
heading boldly out to sea.
Perhaps I am in need of an adventure...!

Miss Sophie's ever watchful eye.
Although, when caught, suddenly the bit of dust on the
door jam was the object of inspection the entire time.
cats.............

Tuesday - Ride Home

Sophie is not a morning girl and doesn't much like her picture taken,
but we both love that the sun is coming our way again.

The sky was soft and the air still cool tonight.
Willows are turning yellow.
And that beautiful moon...