wednesday morning

It has finally turned cooler and the sun is much later to rise.

Puttering around before going into work.

The lace scarf I'm working is a lovely pattern of leaves

knit in a dusty shade of plum merino wool.

Dearest V once told me she thinks of leaves when she thinks of me.

I can't think of any sweeter than to be associated with leaves.

xo, j

sunday handiwork

There was another heat warning in effect today

as the the heat index rose to the high 90's.

I stayed at home and did some very fast cleaning

so I could get back to my embroidery!

(Dave, leave the white gloves in Florida!)

The unplanned style of the garden required more time 

to work out but I kept reminding myself "this is just a sampler."

It's all very basic but now I have plenty of ideas.

I made a refillable cheesecloth bag and stuffed it with lavender.

It felt great to complete something in such a short amount of time

Hope everyone had a lovely summertime weekend.

xo, j

stolen afternoon

I was able to leave work a little early today so I dropped by the

grocery to pick up some tilapia and an ear of corn and then went home.

I repotted my chives, tomatoes, basil, rosemary and strawberry plants,

then cooked up my dinner and settled in with the latest issue of Selvedge.

The scarf is an ongoing project; easy to pick up and put down.

It's been raining steadily all day and should carry over into tomorrow.

The robins are laughing as earthworms crawl out of the soggy ground,

escaping the water only to be gobbled up, an easy meal.

I'll knit a bit then curl up with a book and go to bed early.

My stolen afternoon...

back home

I've just returned from a week long trip to visit with family in Florida.

The gator was about 7 feet long and quite close to the shore of Lake Alice.

I always consider it good luck to see a gator while back home,

like my visits to place a coin in the mouth of the Porcellino

at the Loggia del Mercato Nuovo in Florence, it seems to promise my return.

Awaiting my arrival, alongside a very happy cat. were these two treasured correspondences.

With blanket spread on the floor for a morning picnic I opened each  while drinking my coffee.

I couldn't have asked for a warmer home coming!

Thank you V and X, I have so many of both your beautiful blog posts to catch up on!

Be prepared for the upcoming barrage of holiday photos!

xo, j

From Barcelona...

sigh...

how the spanish paprika glows!

still green here

Yesterday I went to the post office to pick up a package.

It was my Nature Swap gift from Anna, arranged by V on her lovely blog.

Anna sent the sweetest little packets of tea, herbs and spices

as well as a little button she made!

Ahhh...the smell inside that envelope!

Such a beautiful gift deserved a walk in the woods.

Thank you so much Anna, for your perfect gift.

xo, j

Yesterday

Yesterday was so dark, cold and rainy I turned on the colored lights in my window. They reflected in the glass and appeared to be strung through the trees outside.  Empty jars await the herbs drying in my hallway.