Tulip Meets Daffodil

Finding My Creativity Again and Blue Hydrangeas

I have to admit I've been sadly uncreative lately. I've not touched my ripple blanket (except to move it to another spot on the couch) in a couple of weeks at least.

But the hubby and I are taking a road trip this weekend - six hours in the car each way - and I thought it might be a good time to try to make some progress on it. It's not so big yet that it would be too unwieldy in the car. (And hopefully my hubby will be sweet and drive most of the way... he usually does. :)

The one bright light in my dreary backyard continues to be the blue hydrangea bush. It is coming along beautifully.

So pretty and delicate. Like a watercolor. ♥

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!)

Crochet Ripple Blanket Progress

I wanted to give you a peek into my current (big) project - my ripple afghan.

I am really enjoying it, although it HAS been slow-going. Which, I decided, is OK. I'm not sure why I was putting pressure on myself to get this done quickly. To the point where I was a bit embarrassed that the project was moving so slowly. Which is silly. Considering it's a "for me" project (I really want this to be one of our "go-to" blankets in the house)... what's the rush really?

And as much as I'd love to sit around all day working on my ripples, life - sadly - does get in the way. Between work, family, house, and other things - I really haven't had the time I would like to devote to this.

With that said... here it is:

It is not the greatest pic... it's been rainy here (and will be rainy for the rest of the week) so the lighting is weird. But I didn't want to wait til next week to show it off. :)

I'm using Attic24's neat ripple pattern, and Rowan Handknit Cotton yarn. It's such a soothing, enjoyable project to work on. A little bit of stress here and there, but all in all I've tried to stay relaxed about it - and not be all "perfection-y". (Not my nature - but I'm trying!)

I wanted the colors to coordinate and be cheerful, (but not tacky!) In the beginning I wasn't quite sure of the color pattern, (I actually changed my mind at one point and switched out a brown/grey for the orange), but I think it is growing on me now. ♥

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...

♥

Crochet Thread, Little Hooks, and Rings

The other night I picked up some crochet thread (have never used it before) and some teensy tiny crochet hooks (never used them before either).

And came home and proceeded (in a surprisingly quick amount of minutes) to make myself a ring.

Always wanted to do that. And now I've done it. :)

Besides the fact that my carpal tunnel was screaming, (my wrist was NOT appreciative of that size 7 hook!), I loved whipping that little ring up. Made my mind all swirly with ideas...

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.)

♥

Posts, Poppies and Puppies

May 1. I wanted to post something clever and creative and pretty today. Honestly, I thought and thought all day about it. Even took my camera on my walk with Patrick and still - nothing. I even HAD a busy day today and actually DID things. Just nothing worth repeating I suppose...

One of my neighbors has a beautiful patch of poppies. I SO wanted to take a picture of them but - still being quite painfully shy and introverted - even at the ripe ole middle age of 41... I was scared to. Not sure really what I thought would happen - some crazy man running outside with a broom chasing me away and yelling? "Stay away from my poppies! No pictures allowed! What WERE you thinking? I'M CALLING THE COPS!" Who knows. (And yes I'm fully aware this is all very irrational. I'm shy not crazy.)

My husband has said that I often ask him to do things that I could probably do myself. Probably snapping a picture of the neighbor's poppy patch is one of those things. (Must remember to take him on our next walk...)

They really are beautiful.

Anyhoo...

I've been quite busy lately with real work and have accomplished very little on my ripple blanket. It calls to me during the day. But I stay focused and keep plugging away on my "real" work. Perhaps one day I will be independently wealthy and be able to crochet all day. Read. Do art. Whatever I please. But for now I must be an adult and responsible partner and work hard.

The only picture I have to share today is a cute one of Patrick sleeping with his Teddy. That is Steve's hand there as well. Yes, we are doting puppy parents.

(And yes, Patrick does have furniture privileges. Life's too short. ♥ )