Life At The Moment

The well is up and running again. The contractor showed up Monday late afternoon and finished fixing it. When I paid him, I also gave him a big hug and told him he's my hero. He worked on our project on his own time, not company time. You don't find someone that nice very often. It's so good to be able to flush the toilet again. I made it through the whole ordeal. The Porta Potty was picked up today. I'm so glad we were able to rent it. 

It occurred to me that I mentioned in June that my husband was scheduled for heart surgery and then I didn't say anything else. Well, that surgery was cancelled because in preparation for said surgery they did a cat scan and a chest x-ray and thought there was a blood clot in his heart. Surgery was immediately cancelled.

He since then has had some more tests and they found it wasn't a blood clot. Just an anomaly of sorts, so the surgery is rescheduled for July 11th. I'm keeping my fingers crossed it will happen.

I have been stitching like crazy on the train. I got all the cross stitches done on the coal car. I've started the front engine now.

In knitting, I've mostly been waiting for yarn I ordered for the socks. 

I ran out of the green yarn just as it was time to start the heel of the second sock and could not find another. I was sure I had two skeins of it, but I was wrong. I couldn't find the ball band either, so I guessed on which green it is (Knit Picks Stroll). I guessed wrong. I searched some more and finally found the ball band and ordered the correct green. It arrived yesterday. The dyelot is different, of course, but not off enough to cause a problem, thankfully.

In the meantime, I've been working on the Snowflake afghan a little bit.

I am enjoying it very much. The stranded squares are just big enough to enjoy but not feel impatient to "get to the end, dammit!"

My African Violet is blooming! A few months ago I divided it and repotted both. I had two plants in the pot and they got way too big for it. Both are blooming. Just a pic of one though.

Weather-wise, the remainder of last week was very comfortable. I enjoyed it very much. It's super hot today. 97F degrees at the moment. I'm staying indoors so as not to set off the asthma. Things are supposed to cool down later this week.

That's the news for now.

Live long and prosper. \\//

WIPs Update

 I'm currently working on the following 3 projects regularly.

The socks. Unfortunately, I have run out of the green yarn just as I'm ready to start the heel on the second sock. I thought I had a second skein, but I don't. I ordered some more, which arrived last week, but I ordered the wrong green! I've ordered the right one this time, and it's just a matter of it getting here.

I started another afghan. I'm hoping I can get it done in time for Christmas. It's knit in panels with fairisle squares and textured squares in 3 different colors. So far, so good.

I have also finished the cross stitching on the passenger car of the Train. Just the back stitching is needed for this one. I started the coal car last night.

I haven't had much time to do more than this. It is helping to keep me sane. Especially the cross stitch. I have to completely concentrate on it so I don't think about other stuff. I've been able to spend time out on my deck too, which makes it all that much better. I love my deck.

Saw my lung doctor last week. I told him about my cough going away after seeing an ear, nose, and throat doctor and why, but about 2 weeks ago it came back. He was surprised that the problem was a mild form of pneumonia and inflamed vocal chords. He ordered an x-ray. No pneumonia but something is definitely going on in there. More tests may be coming. In the meantime, I've been given a prescription for a medication to help with inflammation in the lungs and my vocal chords, which are still very swollen and angry looking. It's already helping.

Live long and prosper. \\//

WIP Wednesday 6/4/2025

 I'm making good progress on my projects. Today I'm featuring two of them. First is the felt applique stocking I'm making for Zoey.

I'm not happy that that lollipop is crooked. I'm going to be redoing that! I did steam the stocking, though, and got the creases out. I'm still having problems with the brown ink bleeding. It's getting all over my hands too. I hope I can fix that after it's done.

The second thing I'm going to show you is the cross stitch train picture I started in February. I started it, then put it aside to get some birthday projects done. Last weekend I had the thought that I really should get back to working on it because Christmas is not that far away.

The first thing I discovered was that I'd used the wrong color on  the part I'd started. This is one of the train cars. It looks a little easier than the other cars.

Our weather has been really nice the last few days. Before that we got rain. I've spent a few days outside working on the yard and enjoying my deck. I've taken to sitting out there in the morning reading my Kindle and drinking coffee. I'm hoping wildfire season will be delayed, maybe even cancelled this year. Probably a pipe dream, huh? Anyway, I got the deck flower boxes planted with Marigolds. I got them from a local nursery rather than Home Depot or some other box store garden department. This is how they looked after I was finished planting. I think they're going to be beautiful.

Yesterday I installed the drip system. I thought it would take about an hour at the most. Three hours later I was having to quit because I ran out of parts. I need some more of the mini drippers. A few broke during the winter. I've ordered some. I did get it working enough to turn it on. Just need to hand water a couple things until I get them, which should be tomorrow.

Next week my husband is going in for heart surgery. He's got a ton of tests to do beforehand. I am getting anxious. I sure hope this works or I don't know what we'll do. He can't just go on living this way where he has no energy whatsoever to get things done. He can't even ride his bike. I'll be keeping the fingers crossed-figuratively speaking.

One more thing. I made Creme Brulee' last weekend. It's my favorite dessert.

The week before that I made a Coconut cake to take to a meeting. It required 6 egg whites. I didn't want to just throw away the yolks, so I did a search for recipes using 6 yolks and found a Crème Brulee' recipe. It was so easy, and so good. I used to make it before we had kids (using a slightly different recipe, of course). I don't know why I stopped. If you've never had it, give it a try. It's heavenly. It's a creamy silky custard with a sugar crust on top. To die for, I swear!

Live long and prosper. \\//

Catching Up

I'm going to catch up on the needle crafting first. Current WIPs.

I am making good progress on my Feather and Fan afghan. It's been a joy to work on.

It's been a very nice break from the really complicated stuff I've been knitting. I really like the yarn too. It's very good quality. It is Mary Maxim's Maximum Value.

I ordered a Bucilla Felt Stocking kit to make for my daughter-in-law. It occurred to me that her stocking has Frank on it, instead of her new name. So I've set Zoey's stocking aside for the time being. The new stocking is a picture of Santa riding a train. It's pretty cute. Here's where I am with it. 

This is the first kit where the name comes first. I find that interesting. There's a lot of tiny pieces in this kit too. It's going to take some time.

Next is the counted cross stitch project I'm making for Christmas.

The picture is 24 by 9 inches in size in 14 count, which is rather large. The train, though, doesn't have a whole lot of detail so it should go quicker than my usual projects. The fabric is a pale gray. I gridded the fabric, as you can see, using leftover thread from the finished stocking of last month. It took me 3 days. Worth it though. It makes counting the stitches so much easier.

I have good news. Hubs and I decided to apply to start collecting our Social Security and we both have been approved. I got my first payment 2 weeks ago. Yay! Yarn money! We're talking about buying me a new Prius and using my SS to pay for it. 

There have been a lot of changes in the Prius the last 3 or 4 years. It's now a fancy sports car and they go for $40 Grand. I don't know if I want to spend that much on a car. 

In the meantime, my car needs some minor repairs. A couple sensors have gone out. Doesn't prevent me from driving it, but if I want to keep it that way, I need to get them fixed. By the way, if we do get a new one, it won't be red. I want blue. So far, our local Toyota dealer has only had silver, grey, and dark grey ones. Last week they had 12 in stock, all in those colors. Ugh. They sold quick.

Looking around town, I have to say the economy is doing better than the media and government have been saying. There's lots and lots of new cars on the road. I can't believe how many Tesla's are around now.

Remember when I was sick around Thanksgiving and ended up with a cold and a cough? I had just found the solution to the chronic cough I'd been living with for 8 years. I had all of what? 3 weeks of peace? I kept hoping the cough would go away, but it only got worse. Last Monday I saw a doctor. I have a bad case of bronchitis so he's given me antibiotic, cough medicine, and prednisone to help with my breathing. The cough is going away. I'm looking forward to it being gone.

I got myself a new plant, which is living on the bathroom windowsill. It's an Echeveria "Perle von Nurnberg" which is a succulent that will get purple as it gets bigger. Right now it's just a baby.

The weather is cold and snowy. Winter started snowing on us about 5 days ago and we've got almost a foot out in the yard. It's been snowing all day long. The days of the coming week are going to drop in temperature. Highs in the low to mid 20F's and lows to -7F. Now we'll find out if the new furnace is worth it.

That's it for now, except I took a selfie. Yes, that's me.

Live long and prosper. \\//

WIPs August 2, 2024

 I have been working on just two wips this past week. Mostly cross stitching the flamingos.

I like to stitch one color at a time. I start with lighter colors and work my way toward the darker colors. I've done this one a little different, but still working with the lighter colors. 

I've finished two pinks, and now I'm working on coral pink. I've been working on it while watching the Olympics. 

I know I've said it before, but I'm going to say it again, I love graphing the fabric before stitching. It has made it so much easier for counting stitches and figuring out where they go.

I've started the first of my Christmas knitting projects. I'm making a pair of socks with ducks on them.

They're from the top down, so the ruffle is at the top of the cuff. I love how the ruffles look like duck feet. I'm going to be doing the ducks in fairisle, but I'll be duplicate stitching the beaks. That way I'm not doing 3 colors in a row.

The pattern changes the size of the needles up 1 size for the stranded part, then back down to the smaller size for the stockinette. I think that is a good idea.

Last week was so nice. It didn't get very hot. We even had a day of rain which knocked all the smoke out of the air. The heat returned today. It's about 97F now. Tomorrow will be three digit heat. I'm so glad we have air conditioning.

I had a bit of an experience yesterday. After the Yarnies meeting, I was pulling out of the coffee shop's parking lot onto the street and ended up being pulled over by a cop. I've been driving for almost 50 years and never have been pulled over before. I was at a complete loss what I did wrong because I had hardly driven at all. I certainly didn't cut anyone off, speed, or anything else. I just pulled out into the closest lane and started to tootle toward the freeway on-ramp. Well, apparently, I didn't turn on my blinker light before turning out onto the street. I don't know how he could have known because from where he saw me, he couldn't have seen my blinker. To be honest, I don't know if I turned it on or not. I usually do because it's a habit. I even turn them on coming in and out of a parking spot. He didn't give me a ticket, fortunately. It kind of scared me though.

We have 3 turkey hens hanging around the house. At least one has babies. They're so cute! Too shy for pics though. There's also a doe with brand new twin fawns. They are fun to watch.

That's all for now.

Live long and prosper. \\//

Zoey's Andoa

 Today I'm posting about the new sweater I made my dog, Zoey. She absolutely loves wearing sweaters. I've already got the yarn and patterns lined up for her next two. 

Pattern: Basic Coat from A Dogs Life by Patons and Andoa by Norah Gaughan
Made For: Zoey

Size: Large

Yarn: Lion Brand Heartland, Worsted Weight
Content: 100% Acrylic
Color: Hot Springs

Needles: Circular size 5 and 7

Started: May 21, 2024
Finished: July 2, 2024

Comment: I have customized the above dog sweater pattern to fit my Zoey. 

I used the stitch patterns from the Andoa pattern so she and I could have matching sweaters.

I've made the ribbed neck extra long so it can be folded over. She has a pretty long neck anyway.

She loves this one. I had a hard time getting it off of her after taking the photos. It was almost 90F degrees and she wanted to wear it. Silly girl!

This is the cross stitch project I'm working on right now.

It's coming along pretty good. I did have a problem with running out of one of the threads. It's a Thea Gouverneur kit named Flamingos. So I found their web site and sent them an email asking if they could tell me the DMC color so I could purchase more. They use DMC threads in their kits. They kindly sent me the number and I got a skein from Joann's. I could have probably asked for more thread, but the kit is a fairly old one and the company is in Europe. I wasn't willing to wait for the thread. Anyway, they were very nice about it. By the way, the fabric looks dirty in the pic. It's not. It's just the way the shadows hit the fabric.

Still warm summer weather. It's actually come down a bit to the upper 80's this week. However, the air is very smoky. It's coming from large wildfires up in Canada. We have nothing close to us right now. Hoping it stays that way for the rest of the year.

Live long and prosper. \\//

FO And WIPs

 I've finished and framed my knitting sampler. It's hanging in my kitchen now.

I could have sworn I found the pattern on Etsy, but I didn't. It's on the October House Fiber Arts web site and it's called A Knitters Sampler. The original is in 4 shades of red, but I did purple, of course. It was a nice easy, quick project to do after all those months of the bicycle.

I got the frame and mat from frameiteasy.com. I used to get them from another online shop, but they were bought out by another company and I had a very bad experience afterwards. Frame It Easy is awesome.

Now a couple WIPs. I started a beading project. I was wearing one of my necklaces when I stopped at the liquor store a few months ago. The clerk loved it and asked lots of questions after I told her I'd made it. I ended up telling her I'd make her one. Well, then the whole business of Sue getting cancer and dying happened, and I forgot about it. I remembered it a few weeks ago, so I popped into the liquor store to talk to her about it because I could not remember which necklace I was wearing. Thankfully, she remembered I'd said something about Russian Spirals, and I remembered what it was. Hurray!

It was a necklace where I'd done a Russian Spiral in purple bugle beads for the focal, and the chain was Biva Nepal stitch. I remember it was a pattern in a beading magazine, but it's been a long time (I made it in 2006) so I can't remember which one. Anyway, I finally got her necklace started. I'm going with white and silver this time. I forgot how much fun spirals are to make.

Next WIP is a pair of mittens I'm making for KnitWits. I've got one little thumb left to do.

I did the first thumb this morning at the Yarnies meeting. Took me the whole two hours. You'd think I'd never made a thumb before. 

We had a wonderful weather day yesterday. It rained, almost the whole day, and it was nice and cool. I opened all the doors to air out the house. The air outside smelled so good, like wet happy green plant life. Knocked all the smoke out of the air, and helped firefighters working on the wild fires. The 90's will be back this next weekend. It was nice to have a little break from it.

Live long and prosper. \\//

Bicycle With Surfinia

 I just realized I've not blogged the finished cross stitch project! Here it is! (Click on pic to enlarge.)

I bought the pattern on Etsy. It's named Bicycle With Surfinia. The flowers are beads. It really adds to the picture. The biggest challenge, for me, turned out to be the back stitching of the wheel spokes. I chose to use couching, instead of back stitch for those. It was much easier to get the lines straight.

It's all framed and ready to go. I taught myself how to properly frame it. Instead of the usual purchasing of an adhesive mounting board, I found a couple video tutorials on how to lace the project on a foam backing board on YouTube. I used size 8 perle cotton for the lacing. 

It was much easier than I expected, but took some time to adjust it properly. I got that picture mounted perfectly! It's absolutely straight vertically and horizontally so that the edges of the matte are lined up correctly. I purchased the matte and frame from an online shop named Frame It Easy. The foam board was included free. I am extremely happy with their service. Everything arrived perfectly and was well packaged.

All in all, I'm very happy with how this project has turned out.

It's hot hot hot today. 95F currently. Definitely hotter than yesterday. I went out this morning and did some much needed yard work before the worst of the heat arrived. Now I'm enjoying our air conditioning.

Live long and prosper. \\//

Random Stuff

Just a short post to share some pics.

Even though I haven't finished framing Bicycle yet, I felt the need to get a new cross stitch project going. It is going to be a much smaller and quicker project. I am a member in a couple of Facebook Cross Stitch groups and recently one of them discussed gridding their fabric. Never heard of such a thing. I decided I'm going to try it because it supposedly makes stitching a project a lot easier to count, and also somewhat faster to stitch. That makes sense. After stitching the project, you pull the threads out. So I spent some time graphing this.

The grid is hard to see because I used yellow thread. It is very visible in person. I watched a YouTube video to find out how to do it. You sew thread creating 10 by 10 stitch squares. After showing this to the groups I found out I could have used fishing line, which a needle can't pierce making it easier to pull out. I wish I'd known that sooner. Oh well. Next time.

My Peonies are blooming. I have 6 Peonies that I planted a few years ago and this year they've outdone themselves. I've picked a few and brought them into the house. Oh my goodness, they make the whole house smell so good. The dark pink ones are huge!

I'm going to have the house to myself later today. Ruth is going on an outing with some young people. YAY! They're going to the Gorge (A concert venue about 150 miles from here on the Columbia river.) to see a concert. It's been ages since she has done anything with people her own age. 

Doug is going over to Dan's house to help him install a couple of railings on the front porch. Dan has been remodeling the front porch. He found the original railings that used to be on it and has fixed them up and painted them. They'll look really good. His house was originally a school house over 100 years ago. It will look more like it originally did when he's done.

Took a picture of Zoey last night. She was just getting settled to take a wee nap.

I have finished the body of the bee cardigan. I need to block it before I start the sleeves. Gonna try and squeeze that in today.

Gotta finish framing Bicycle, so signing off.

Live long and prosper. \\//

Quick Ombre Hat 2 for KnitWits

 After finishing the layette set, I made this hat. I really like this pattern. It's a fun knit.

Pattern: Quick Ombré Hat by Emily Dormier
Size: Medium Adult

Yarn: American Thread Company Dawn Sayelle (Discontinued)
Content: 100% Dupont Acrylic, worsted weight
Color: Bluebell

Yarn: Unknown acrylic (Probably Red Heart based on my experience.)
Content: 100% Acrylic, worsted weight
Color: Bright Pink

Needles: Circular size 8

Started: May 19, 2023
Finished: May 23, 20223

Comments: Trying to use up some of the leftovers from the last two layette sets. I still have enough to do another hat or two

The crown is gathered.

The colors go good together.

It was so hot yesterday and today. Got up in the 90's. About 3 this afternoon, though, the heat spell broke. We got a real rip roaring thunder storm for about 2 hours. After that it just rained for the rest of the day. Supposed to rain during the night too. We needed it, so I'm happy.

Bicycle is washed and dried. All the dirt came out. Even the coffee stain. Waiting for the weekend. I think I can find time to frame it then. Keeping my fingers crossed.

In the meantime, I want to do a small cross stitch project, since the last 4 have been pretty intense. Something that will take a lot less than 2-3 years to complete. Found a wonderful pattern that is a knitting sampler. It requires 4 shades of Pink. I'm gonna do Purples. I am chuffed! Both crafts in one project. Can't ask for better than that. 

I'm using 14 count cotton Aida and got the fabric cut and the edges sealed so they don't unravel today. I used Fray Check this time. It's a fabric glue/sealer designed specifically for this purpose. It's clear, but a little stiff when it dries. Doesn't bother me though. It works very well. 

I zigzagged the edges on Bicycle. I think I did that because I couldn't find my Fray Check. I knew exactly where it was today. My swiss cheese brain at work.

I have decided to try gridding my fabric. It would make it a lot easier to count if I do that so, hopefully, less mistakes. I'm gonna look up some YouTube videos on the various ways to do it and pick the one I think will work best for me. I'm always good for learning new skills to make my crafting better.

I've heard that a person can purchase pre-gridded fabric. I will have to look into that.

Live long and prosper. \\//

WIP Wednesday June 7, 2023

 Earlier this week I started another layette set. I have some fleece with bees on it. This cardigan will go with it. I'm kind of winging this one (no pun intended) as I go. I picked three colors from the fabric and chose this stripe pattern, which I am liking very much.

That, and the bicycle cross stitch project are what's being worked on this week. I've finished the stitching. This is, by far, the dirtiest piece of fabric I've every had at the end of a project. There's even coffee spilled on one corner.

So I've washed it.

I wash my cross stitch by soaking in a sink of hot water with some Oxyclean in it. After it's soaked a few minutes or so, I swish it around a bit. Then I rinse it a couple times in a sink full of cool water. I squeeze it in a huge towel, then lay flat to dry somewhere safe from the cats.

Before I could wash Bicycle, though, I had to test the beads to make sure they were washable. Something I didn't think of before choosing the beads I would use. Not all bead colors are alike. Some beads are dyed, or painted inside, and can lose their color in water. Fortunately, all the colors I chose turned out to be waterproof. I am so relieved! I don't know what I'd have done if any of them weren't. Dry clean, I suppose. Next time, I test the beads before stitching.

Now that it's washed, I will frame it. I ordered a white frame and a beige mat. It arrived about 2 weeks ago, so I've got everything I need to do that. It's been awhile since I've framed a project, so I will look up some videos to remind me how to do it.

Weather has now turned hot. Just for a couple days. It's supposed to cool back down to the 70's later this week.

Live long and prosper. \\//

HOORAY! The Last Crossed Stitch

 Last night I finished the very last crossed stitch and bead stitch on the bicycle. Good grief, what a job.

I still need to do the back stitching, which will predominantly be around the bicycle itself. There'll be spokes on the wheels when that's done. It's my favorite part of cross stitch so I'm looking forward to it.

I finished knitting the hat and 1 bootie for the current layette set. It will definitely be complete before next month.

Another reason for Hoorays: Spring has finally arrived. My tiny little crocuses are in bloom.

The Salome daffodils are peaking their little heads up above the soil, and most of the snow is gone. I know this is kind of an ugly pic. The skirting on our house was damaged during the winter. This is the temporary fix until it is warm enough to do it right. We plan on replacing all the skirting and siding this summer. It's worn out and damaged.

We're having our 5 minute weather days too. I took Zoey to the groomer to get her nails clipped today, which is literally a 5 minute drive away, and I got snowed on and hailed on. When I got out of my car the sun peaked out. Now it's raining and snowing at the same time. It's both fun, and annoying.

Weather is warmer, though they said last night on the news that it's below average temperatures. I'm trying to talk myself into going out and raking up all the pinecones that have fallen on the lawn. There's a lot of them. It will take me more than one day to do the job.

The neighborhood turkeys are doing their mating calls and rituals. I've seen several toms doing their dances for a crowd of hens. It's interesting to watch them. 

I love spring.

Live long and prosper.\\//

WIP Update

I know it's a bit late, but Happy Easter. I hope you had a good one. We don't really celebrate Easter, though I did get Ruth a white chocolate Unicorn. We used to when the girls were younger. Did family brunches, followed be Easter egg hunts and, weather permitting, a softball game or two. 

Thought I'd update on the WIPs. I spent the day working on the bicycle. Actually, I've been going gung ho on the bicycle since my last post. I've got most of the beading done. Just a little more purple, and a bit of green left.

I've learned I need to wear some kind of magnifier or it's too much strain on the ol' eyes. I've been wearing my MagnaClip magnifier. I like it because I can watch tv and stitch at the same time with it.

All of today's stitching was on the rear basket.

The white bits among the flowers will be filled with lime green beads.

In knitting, I'm done with a baby cardigan. Just needs a button.

Now I'm working on the hat.

I've come to the point where I start decreasing for the crown.

Had an odd thing happen today. Someone hacked into my Facebook account. He posted something that was against FB rules and that's how I found out. I didn't post it. Fortunately, while dealing with it, I got a place to click I hadn't posted it. Facebook then deleted him from my account and shut it down. I had to go through some steps for security, including changing my password, which, by the way, is much stronger than the one I had before. When I finally was able to get into my own account again, I found he'd added a few guys to my friends list. I unfriended them right away. Good grief. I don't understand people who spend all their time screwing up other people's internet stuff. Some people really need to get a life.

Had nice weather yesterday and Friday. Today was rainy. Even got a flood warning from the AccuWeather app on my phone, though I don't know why. It didn't rain that much. Besides, we live on a hill far away from anything that might flood. Noah would have to be in the neighborhood for us to worry. All in all, it was a nice peaceful day.

Live long and prosper. \\//

Hounds-tooth Hat

 New hat for KnitWits

Pattern: Houndstooth Slouch Beanie by Kat Riley
Size: Adult

Yarn: Caron Simply Soft
Content: 100% Acrylic, worsted weight
Color: Dark Sage

Yarn: KnitPicks Mighty Stitch
Content: 80% Acrylic/20% Washable Wool, light worsted weight
Color: White

Needles: Circular size 8

Started: March 13, 2023
Finished: March 20, 2023

Comments: I modified this hat by shortening it by 2 inches and changed the cuff, so it doesn't look like the original design. I don't really care for slouchy hats. I used the pattern as a means to get what I wanted. This pattern is not good for beginning knitters. It gets complicated when the decreasing for the crown starts. It's pretty when it's done.

I seem to have gone back to making Hound's-tooth Check.

Not quite happy with the cuff, but that's easy to fix on the next one.

I have started a new layette set.

I've made a little progress on the beaded stitches. I worked on it quite a bit over the weekend.

Late Saturday night, I discovered a big mistake that could not be fudged around. I started doing the grapes and found I'd stitched that whole section of green in the upper left corner (above) two rows too low. I had to take the whole thing out. I've never had to take a whole section out like that before. I started by pulling each stitch out one at a time, with the intent to save the floss, but it didn't take long for me to realize that was going to be impossible. I sped the job up by digging out my seam ripper. Still took 2 hours though. I replaced everything I took out by Sunday evening.

Our weather has warmed up! It's actually a beautiful warm sunny day. It's 54F as I write this. The snow is melting very fast. I hope it keeps up, though the weather guy on the news, last night, said we'd be getting just a bit more snow before it's all over. In the meantime, I'm so glad it's "officially" spring! For me, though, spring is when the snow is gone and flowers are starting to bud, and I can sit out on the deck. I can't today cuz there's a whole lot of snow in the way.

If we keep having days like today, it could be gone by this time next week. 

Hooray, I've made it through another winter!

Live long and prosper. \\//