I can’t help it. They are just so perfect, these crabapple buds. These buds are on the tree in the center on the front lawn. It sprung up in the same place that our dear departed weeping willow was. It took us a while to figure out that it was indeed a crabapple; it needed to grow a bit first,

I was outside yesterday for about an hour and a half and then I was tired and stopped for the day. I was pruning the dead blooms from the limelight hydrangea. Still have a bit more to go but they’re in the middle of the bush and I can’t reach them. I also pruned a bit at the bottom where it blocks the sun from one of our boxwoods. Lots of bending over, picking up sticks and branches and walking them up to one of our discard piles. At one point, a bird kept up a nonstop chatter and it was coming from the maple. I suspect I was too close to a possible nest location.

I also removed a lot of oak leaves from the culvert with a rake. They seemed to be clogging up things. Don did some work up on the trails in our little woods.

But there’s a lot of pollen out there and I’m definitely feeling the effects of it today.

I’m refraining from clearing the garden beds until we get through the not-quite-freezing temperatures of tonight. I’ll start on that tomorrow. We have a burn ban in place and there have been fire warnings the past few days as the humidity is very, very low and the winds are high enough to cause trouble. This happened last year at this time, too.

And oh my! We watched all of the re-entry of Artemis II and it was glorious! This mission has been good for my soul. Something positive and beautiful in a world seemingly gone mad. And so many WOMEN in key roles at NASA!!! Bravo! I now have a renewed fascination with space exploration, something I haven’t felt in years.

So glad the astronauts are safe and sound.

I’m off to figure out if I can do any work outside today. That means more coffee first.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

The fabric easter eggs are on display. I made them when I was back in San Diego for a six month period in 2011 to coach Shakespeare. I borrowed my friend Ingrid’s Featherweight and made a quilt top (the hand quilting has yet to be finished) and these fabric eggs. There is a great quilt shop in San Diego – there are none near me here in NY. There was one in Woodstock and I loved that, but eventually they relocated to a town that was too far away from us. Anyway, I took advantage of the opportunity to buy fat quarters and create. Gosh…they’re now 15 years old!

I’m feeling better and I plan on doing some work on the Beacon Hill today. I just have to get off my tush and go for it. I might grab the chance to do a little pruning work outside, as well. I have to cut back a section of the limelight hydrangea because it’s keeping one of my boxwoods hidden. It’s not getting enough light and is much smaller than the other 3 boxwoods. I meant to do that last year, but forgot.

It’s a gray day today but it will be warmer than yesterday. We’re due for lots of rain on Easter.

I redressed Gilly the other day, adding a knit hat that I found in my stash. As always, thanks to the Beacon Hill for being a trusted location for photo ops. As of now, I have no idea what the final exterior color will be.

I finished the book by James Lee Burke. He spoils me for other writers, he’s that good. But I do have two Susan Hill books in the Simon Serailler series waiting to be read. Somehow I missed them when they were published. Her writing style couldn’t be more different than Burke’s. Equally good, though.

Okay, my friends.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

Title: Waiting for Spring.

I get it, girls. Aren’t we all? It’s hard to believe but in the not too distant future, there will be pots full of flowers on this table. The pretty background I often use for photos will be back.

I cannot wait.

Our local nursery has reopened for the season – I think that happened about a week ago. I need to stop by and buy some seeds and potting soil. And some pansies, of course, as they are the first flowers that I pot in the spring. Next week, clean up begins on the property, though I’ve already carried lots of fallen tree branches up to the woods. Once I’m sure we have no more freezes in the forecast, I’ll started uncovering the garden beds.

The very thought of it brings me peace.

I’ve been under the weather the last few days with a sinus flare up. I’m still not feeling well.

The fabric eggs are in the yellow Fiesta compote. I’ll take a photo later today.

I’m about to finish James Lee Burke’s latest mystery – The Hadacol Boogie. I’ve read everything by Burke. He is a poet. A poet who writes about violence and crime but at the same time shows there is beauty in everything. I’m sure grateful for him.

When a fallen leaf from a rubber plant takes out part of the mini studio…

More on Friday.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.