My Everything Corner

I found violas and crocus up in the garden today! There's not much else yet, and the rest of the blooms in this post came from the grocery store.  But flowers are flowers and I wanted to share them with you to wish you all a very Happy Easter!

Spring seemed to be coming on in a hurry, but the temperatures have dropped and the seasons are changing at a snail's pace.  I don't mind though.  This slowness is giving me more than enough time to do a thorough cleaning before all my time is devoted to the outdoors once again.  Almost all the snow is gone and walking around has become much easier.  The first time I went out on clear roads with nothing but runners, jeans and a light jacket, I felt like I was floating. Birds are returning; geese, crows and ducks are all actively welcoming each other back.  Very soon, the nesting will begin, and they won't be so friendly anymore.

I have a new animal at the top of my favourite list.  Llamas.  They were at the bottom of my favourites list before last week.  One scared the dickens out of me when I was a small child by snatching the ice cream cone out of my hand. That was nearly 40 years ago, and it left a such an impression on me that I haven't gone near them since. I thought they were rude and unpredictable, but have since learned that it was more than likely the poor animal's situation that made him like that. I'm not a big fan of travelling petting zoos. Visiting animals at a happy farm is a much different experience than visiting them under the very stressful circumstances that travel and crowds put them under. These llamas are lucky enough to not only have more than enough space, but also they are cared for by an exceptional farmer who loves them, understands them and treats them as her family. When I heard there was a baby there, I invited myself over for a visit and was welcomed warmly n...

I mentioned several posts (and months) ago that I had taken up knitting. I've made several items since then; dish cloths, toques, scarves. This one has been on the needles for more time than I'd care to admit. I didn't lost interest in knitting, but in TV and so here it sits. There have been no real road trips either, so without those two activities, it waits.  The yarn itself leaves quite a lot to be desired, but those colours are delicious, and not wanting to pay a fortune for great yarn, here we are. Oh, and warmer temperatures are on the way, so if I get this done before next winter, we may have a miracle on our hands. I love pottery. Who doesn't? I received the lovely little yarn bowl for Christmas.  The artist is local and I think I may just have to start a collection of his work.

One photographs the world around them, and for the past several months, my little world is filled Chickadees. There are Jays and Nuthatches about but they are not nearly as cooperative. Besides, no one really ever tires of these little guys, right?

I'm so glad to be nearing the end of February. Spring is so close, I can almost taste it! It's time to order seeds and get some babies started under those grow lights.   We've been making the most of the cold months in our home this year. We painted and upgraded the trim in the basement and then promptly attacked the upstairs which is currently in chaos.  Up there we are doing new paint, flooring, trim and a countertop.  It's all going to look very fresh for Easter and Spring. Also, we are planning a two week road/tenting trip to the Yukon. We plan to go in July and I can hardly wait to visit the North again. I've been visiting my feeders nearly daily all winter and those little chickadees are becoming quite tame. One even landed in the pail of seed I was still carrying.  The photo was taken with my phone and I was less than a foot away! The amaryllis is full bloom. It's an out of place beauty upstairs where everything is turned upside-down. ...

I received this jigsaw on Christmas Day and I thing I started it on Boxing Day.  I finished it before the New Year.  It's 1000 pieces, and upon studying the image, I thought it would be fairly simple. I was wrong. Progress was slow at first because it seemed everything was green. I'm glad I persevered though as it is a beautiful scene.  Now if I could only figure out how to move in.