a weakness for things that grow...

I really ought to know better than linger in the flower section 

of my favorite grocery store…

This lovely globe of bromeliads found its way home with me.

I'm out of windowsill space so I'm taking to the air!

Hope you're having a fine week.

xo, j

finally friday

It's been a soupy, rainy week but the clouds cleared late in the day

and the weekend forecast looks nice.

This is a corner of my kitchen window, it's my orchid window.

Current count is ten...yes, I have a little problem...*smile*

The magenta  phalaenopsis is dropping its flowers and the 

yellow paphiopedilum is on its sixth and probably final bloom.

Most of my orchids begin blooming in late winter/early spring,

 those are just now dropping flowers and entering their period of rest.

There is a little phalaenopsis that is about to bloom, its flower doesn't 

last very long but, unlike most of its kind, it has a strong, sweet scent.

I'm still loving the handkerchief curtain.

Maybe a quick shrimp salad for dinner.

Have a great weekend!

xo, j

April is Here

Within weeks the cherry and apple trees will be blooming.

Yesterday was all steady rain and today the sun is bright,

so is the pattern that awakens the trees and flowers.

I've been unwell again.

Last week a small itch on my arm covered my torso and arms

overnight with large red welts and little pustules!

Contact dermatitis.

I went to the doctor twice and am now on steroids to stop the progression.

I don't like taking medications and this one makes me a bit restless.

So yesterday I stitched together the hankie window shade, painted the rabbit 

and the polar bear and frantically knitted away on my grey sweater.

Oh, and the apartment has been thoroughly straightened!

Needless to say, sleep has been difficult.

I also just bought a new camera.

These are my first photos taken with it.

All the settings are right out of the box as I haven't taken

the time to read through my manual yet.

It's a bit intimidating...baby steps.

Weekend Cleaning

My brother is coming to visit this Wednesday

so I've spent most of my weekend cleaning in anticipation of his arrival.

Even so, there's dust on the toaster...

I imagine most people have a dusty toaster

so I'm not going to worry about it too much.

Perhaps I should sew up a nifty cover for it sometime.

The roses are in all phases of bloom.

Mid Summer has darkened the green of the leaves

and crickets fill the night with song.

Time to relax and enjoy the rest of the evening.

Think I'll watch "Like Water for Chocolate"again,

blame it on the rose petals... 

Hope you had a great weekend.

Tuesday - Rainy May Day

A steamy shower window and orchids in the kitchen.

Wouldn't it be lovely to have sheep in the doorway.

Happy May Day!

Wednesday - Monocacy Creek

An abandoned road complete with rusted iron gate and
hidden creekside cave.  As I approached a small white cat with
black spots dove into the entrance, perhaps she had kittens hidden.

The picnic area with stone and wood tables and a lovely waterfall.

Monday's bouquet and today's aster-like discovery.
It really does feels like the beginning of Spring today...

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

                              Another very dark and rainy day.

                              The pink cat is a birthday gift from a dear friend.
                              The squirrel nest outside my window, what a view of the stars they must have!
                              More paperwhite bulbs started and my latest orchid bloom.

                             Now off to work!

Tuesday Blooms

                           The snow is all but gone after yesterday's steady rain and warm temperature.

                           One orchid bloomed the other soon to follow.
                           The yellow one is on a plant that is thirteen years old!
                           And it always double spikes for me.
                           (Sorry about the spots on the window!)

                           Spray roses on the wane, they were buy one get one free at the grocery.

Wednesday

                               Yesterday i received my new issue of Selvedge Magazine and
                                my copy of Pia's new book!  Dreams of adventure...

                               Sophie in her chair, the orchids are getting ready and my globe.

Monday

                                               

                                                 A dogwood tree against the grey sky...lovely

                                          I smelled the paperweights before I noticed the blooms

                                    Today I did laundry and had to rip out the third attempt at a hat

                                                                       fourth time a charm?

                                                                                hope so
                                     

Friday

A gift of oranges arrived from my family in Florida today!  I made a small mess on my desk at work, but the taste was heavenly and the smell divine ( I collect and dry the peels to use as fire starters.)  It's been so mild here that the bulbs outside have started to come up...Spring will be a bit less colorful next year.  The full moon was rising as I left work tonight.  I sliced some small mandarin oranges and hung them in my kitchen window to dry.  It smells like sunshine!