Tulip Meets Daffodil

Kettle Dyed Yarn

I wanted to share something my friend Ruth created and then sent to me.

Two amazing and incredible skeins of kettle dyed yarn:

Arent' they gorgeous? She is so talented. (I had never even heard of kettle dyeing before, and wouldn't have a clue where to even begin...) And the colors are so "me".

I am definitely saving this yarn for a special project - yet to be determined - but I couldn't resist getting my hook out to crochet a couple of flowers.

This is the type of yarn that DESERVES to be used.

(PS - thanks again Ruth! You are the best!)

Brunch at the Kennedy Center and Yellow Tulips

 We had a lovely visit with my mother-in-law the past few days. Lots of good talks and good food. (My jeans are currently a bit snug because of it but, I have to admit... it was worth it - I love food!)

Yesterday morning we went down to the Kennedy Center for brunch.

There is a restaurant on the top of the building with amazing views of DC. On Sundays they offer a great brunch... a huge buffet of food laid out in the kitchen (they even have a separate room laid out with just sweets - heaven).

Oh - and they offer you a complimentary mimosa when you arrive... one can't ask for much more on a Sunday morning!.

After brunch we walked along the terrace.

Amazing views on all four sides.

The Potomac and Georgetown...

The Jefferson and Lincoln memorials...

And... the Washington Monument (never far from view in DC!)

And of course, since I am a bit nutty about fresh flowers, I had to have some in the house for the visit. I couldn't resist these yellow tulips.

Don't they just have a simple, classic beauty? These were grown in Virginia.

The leaves are already fading a bit, but the blooms are still vibrant and sunny.

Love. ♥

Hunters, Foxes, Bunnies and Suburbia

There is at least one fox who lives in our neighborhood. The other morning Patrick and I were out walking and I promised him a cookie as we got closer to the house.

His pace quickened. He cannot resist a cookie of any sort, under any circumstance.

When we got to the door, however, he was not - at all - interested in coming inside. (Which, given the pending cookie, was very odd.) Well, my hunter Patrick had spotted the fox - across the street and a few houses down.

He was very focused.

And he wasn't going nutty (as he probably would have been if the UPS truck had driven by - he can't stand those guys...). He was just - watching. Intently.

Unfortunately, I didn't get any snaps of the fox, as he escaped behind a bush when he realized he was being watched. But, I did get a snap of a couple of bunnies in the backyard.

They are such nibblers.

It's so nice to *occasionally* get a little hint of nature out here in suburbia. I'll take what I can get...

♥

Sad Gardens and Happy Anniversaries

My "garden" is abysmal. Besides a thriving plot of mint, there is literally nothing edible or pretty there. Oh - I do have a pot of sad chives. The picture below shows the only spot of color in my yard at the moment:

Literally. Just that one, on-its-last-legs, chive flower. Quite depressing.

I am watching the hydrangea bush closely though! This is where the blooms are at the moment:

Next month they will be GORGEOUS!

On a happy note, my 9th wedding anniversary was yesterday. My sweet hubby brought me dark chocolate and mint candies (two of my favorite things) and a gorgeous bunch of purple and red roses (another favorite thing!)

We decided to go to the Cheesecake Factory (we had a gift card so that helped the decision). I had not been in years (since the 90s y'all), and Steve had never been. There was no wait and I was psyched that we were seated in a very private booth in the back corner. YESSS. (I don't like eating on top of other people - strangers especially!)

It was a very tasty meal I have to admit. I was a little put off by the ads in the menu... (really? what's that about anyway?) but we had a nice time. I was also a little disappointed that I ordered a white wine right away without looking at the menu. I belatedly discovered that they had a large selection of mojitos and martinis. One mojito in particular caught my eye - Stoli Blueberry Vodka, Mint, Fresh Blueberries, and Lime Juice. Sounded yummy to me! (I am in a blueberry phase at the moment...)

When we came outside the sky was beautiful.

I am a lucky girl.

(Yes that's me on my wedding day, 2003.)

♥

More Spring Flowers and Ginger Mint Iced Tea Recipe

I love a lazy weekend.

We still have a few flowering bushes in the yard... here's a shot of some of the last, (sadly, the gorgeous white blooms are  already starting to turn brown.)

I cannot wait for the blue hydrangea bush in the back yard to bloom (it's the little things... isn't it?)

We also have a ton of fresh mint available.

I just love mint! Sometimes I sneak outside just to pick a couple of leaves and take a deep whiff. It really is a natural stress reliever.

I've been trying to to find different ways to use this lovely plant. The other night I mixed some torn leaves with peas, olive oil, salt, and a bit of shaved pecorino romano cheese - delicious!

This weekend I also made some ginger and mint iced tea. Tea is so good for you (full of antioxidants!)... I do try to drink it when I can. (I am - at heart - a die hard coffee drinker, though).

Here is how I make my Ginger and Mint Iced Tea:

2 sprigs of fresh mint (to taste, or start with 1/2 cup or so of loose leaves)

fresh ginger, thinly sliced (to taste, or start with a piece about 1 inch long)

6 tea bags

Boil 4 quarts of water. Add the tea bags, ginger and mint and let brew for about 5-10 minutes. Add some sugar or simple syrup (if desired). Remove the tea bags. Let cool and enjoy!

You can play around with this recipe a bit... figure out what you like best. Add a bit of fresh lemon juice or honey, or make it an adult iced tea with a splash of rum or gin.

I usually find that it tastes better the next day after the flavors have had a chance to blend a bit.

Yum. ♥

Busy Busy, New Crochet Project, Dye Lots and Alabaster Eggs

Dizzy.

That's how I've been feeling lately. I've been SO busy with work, which, considering I'm a freelancer and my paycheck depends on how much work actually comes in - is a great thing. And I'm very thankful. On the other hand, it IS a bit overwhelming keeping up with everything.

With that said, I did spend some time last weekend planning my next project - a ripple afghan! I am so very excited about it. I've planned out the details - ripple widths, color pattern, etc. The only thing I'm nervous about is that I don't think I have enough yarn on hand to make it as big as I want it to be.

Which begs the question - how important are dye lots in a project like this? Especially, a "for me" project? There is a good chance that if I wait to order more yarn near the end of the project, the dye lots won't be the same, (in fact, one of my colors is already two different lots - the difference is noticeable, but only when you look very, very carefully).

Do I put aside my natural inclination to obsess that a project is not "perfect"? Live dangerously and throw my dye lot anxiety to the wind?

Honestly, I don't know. As of today, this minute, I think I've decided to wait to order the rest of the yarn - taking the chance the colors will be slightly off. Get a feel of exactly how much more I'll need (in case my math is off - again), and make sure that the colors I've chosen actually DO work together.

Thoughts?

Another happy: my Williams Sonoma alabaster eggs arrived and they are gorgeous.

They arrived wrapped in this pretty packaging. Truly felt like a little gift to myself (which it was!) and brightened my day.

Don't you love the egg carton they came in? So perfect, and it will be great for storing them until next year... (unless I can't bear to put them away - we'll see!)

Happy Things and Thoughts

It's my birthday in a few weeks and I've been mulling the past few days over the events of the past year. I turned 40 last April and it's really turned out to be more of a pivotal year than I ever imagined. Lots of changes... both good and bad, but, being the pessimistic realistic person that I am, I keep dwelling on all of the bad things that have happened. I'm trying to change that pattern, though, and focus my thoughts on the all of the good, happy, and positive things in my life! (And there are a lot of those... I am quite lucky. :)

One good thing from the past year is that I started this blog... I've really enjoyed sharing things I make and see and am inspired by. Here are some shots I've taken recently of some bright, cheerful things in my life that have made me smile.

My new wine bottle candleabra:

I saw something similar at a party we went to a couple of months ago - the one I saw held taper candles and I thought it was such a neat idea. And a great way to save and re-use a nice wine bottle. I decided to get the tealight holder style, because I always have a ton of tealights in the house, and well, I just thought it was super-cute.

Ceramic bunny basket... candies... enough said.

We also still have a ton of these cute daffodils in the back yard. I was worried they wouldn't make it through the cold nights we've had lately but they seem quite hardy. They smell divine too.

~

Thanks for sharing some happy things with me. ♥

Williams Sonoma Wants - Alabaster Eggs

I received a Williams Sonoma catalog in the mail yesterday and while I usually just toss it (too many tempting things inside), something on the back cover caught my eye... these gorgeous alabaster eggs. I thought they were beautiful and happy and colorful and shiny and I wanted them. (Even though they seemed like a silly extravagance.)

They were still on the brain this morning so I went to their website (just to look, mind you) and they were ON SALE, with FREE SHIPPING.

Yes!

After some hesitation, I decided it was a sign and ordered a set of six (even though I really wanted 12, or 18...)

Very excited. 

***Edited to add: pic here!

Spring Flowers and Winter Weekends...

Kind of a lazy weekend... very, very windy and cold, so we mostly stayed in with a fire going.

Beautiful winter sunset on Saturday...

I had one of my famously debilitating sinus headaches, so my sweet hubby brought me a Starbucks and some cut red tulips to try to make me feel better. Oh, and some meds too.

 

 

They all did help I think!

The tulips were tightly closed when he brought them inside... and within about 40 minutes they were wide, wide open. Pretty amazing to watch! I wished I had set up a time lapse camera.

We also have some gorgeous daffodils in the house at the moment.

 

 

 

Is it spring yet? :)

Work, Chocolate, and Fridays...

Truly one of the only things that's helping today:

 

(Well, it's not helping my waistline but you know what I mean...)

Don't you also just love this package design???

♥