It’s lilac time. And crabapple time, but we’ll talk about that in the next post.
And the leaves are popping out on the maple trees. The forsythia is in full, golden bloom.
A couple of rogue daffodil plants have popped up next to the grape hyacinth. I’ve been tracking them for a couple of years. This year, for the first time, there are buds that are just about ready to open. I think they’ll be the same kind of daffodil that blooms in the big garden bed.
I sorted out the shed yesterday, rearranging and fixing thing. I gave it a good sweeping, as well. I’ve also been clearing out more of the garden beds, which I’ll continue to do today. But only a bit at a time, because even when I really budget my time, my back still ends up aching.
More egg cups. The double egg cups are Harlequin, from Homer Laughlin. I found a couple of them and Margaret, a reader of the blog. sent me the others.
In front of them, new egg cups that my dear Judy sent to me. What came first the chicken or the egg? They’re adorable.
Glass egg cups: Jadeite and Milk Glass.
And miniature egg cups in Dove Cottage.
Reader Kathy sent me a puzzle which I just completed. It’s a copy of a print done by someone I’ve followed for a long time – Angela Harding. She carves linocuts and is also a printmaker. Her love of nature is apparent in everything she does. (She lives in England.)
Here it is with everything finished but the sky. (I forgot to take a picture of the completely finished puzzle.)
This one was challenging! Thank you so much, Kathy.
And timely. Don just saw a bunny rabbit!
Stay safe.
Happy Wednesday.
I need to spend more time weeding in my yard. Trying to decide if I should hire a crew to come in and clean up and mulch? It might be expensive but then it is done. I can’t decide if I should give up or keep trying to do it myself with my son’s help. I hate to spend the money but I’m so slow when it comes to weeding. :(
I know. It’s a hard decision. When do we give up? I sure don’t want to, so I’m determined to handle it in small doses.
Stay safe, Ellen.
The tiny dollhouse egg cups…adorable!
It’s been so cold and rainy in Michigan we haven’t gotten much yard work done yet. Today is supposed to be almost 70° so I should get started. I have learned to pace myself more. Plus, I hate all things gardening so I I do it in small doses. I do love the results though.
I’m anxious to sit on my porch and read and watch the birds.
The hummingbirds should be arriving very soon.
Take care
We have hummingbirds but I see them only for a split second and then they’re gone!
Enjoy spring, Marilyn.
Stay safe.
Leaves are starting to pop here, too. I did quite a bit of garden clean up over Sunday and Monday. I took lots of breaks. I was thinking of what it would cost to hire it out, just like Ellen. But with our upcoming trip, I couldn’t swing it this year. But, next year…who knows? It is getting harder each year…and I thought I was getting in shape to do it. So disappointing.
What a puzzle! Looks extremely difficult . I worked on a Lego flower set last week, that my husband bought for me. I finally finished it, but realized that my eyes are old and my fingers are too chubby to put little pieces together. It was fun though…and mentally challenging. So…I just might do another one…after I put on my ‘patience pants’ first, lol.
Enjoy your day! ;)
The puzzle was really hard! I did it slowly, a little a bit each day.
Stay safe, Donnamae.
Great puzzle, Claudia but it does look like a difficult one. I have one of Angela Harding’s books entitled A Year Unfolding which is full of her lino prints.
I also have one by another English lino cutter Angie Lewin whose work is mainly flora and fauna.
Both books are beautiful to look at.
Happy Wednesday
I have seen the covers of her books. I’ll have to get one some day because I love her work.
Thanks so much, Dee Dee.
Stay safe.
Claudia, tried keeping up with your posts while I was in the UK. I read most of them but WiFi was not always working. Thank you for the egg cup photos. It’s nice to get reacquainted with them.
We had a fun and marvelous time on our 11-day tour of the Wild Atlantic Way in Northern Ireland and Ireland. Our first time there. Then a relaxing time visiting friends in Cornwall. My fifth time there, since four of my closest friends live there. Then a very busy few days in London. We should have done London before Cornwall, as we’re now home and exhausted. Plus, I have a bad cold. But, I’d do it again, especially Ireland/Northern Ireland and Cornwall.
Sounds like you had a great time, Wendy. But I’m sorry to hear you have a bad cold! Feel better soon.
Stay safe.
more sweet egg cups. thanks for the tour.
glad you liked the puzzle. i very much like angela harding’s art … style, colors and especially that she focuses on nature (all soothing to me).
glad you can do some gardening/prep work. hope your back feels better soon.
kathy
It will feel better when I don’t have to do so much cleaning up and planting outside. Though, to be honest, even vacuuming stresses my back.
Thanks again for the puzzle, Kathy.
Stay safe.
Thank you always Claudia – for sharing such lovely the eggs cups you showed today (and always those you share every Easter time month.
Always. Keep safe.
Joy
You’re very welcome, Joy.
Stay safe.
That’s such a great puzzle! So sorry your back is still aching, but glad to hear you’re trying to take it a little easier. I’m sure that’s very hard to do for someone who works as hard as you do in your yard. We had – finally – a gorgeous afternoon here in Illinois. It got into the 70’s. My husband and I went to get ice cream and a local shop and it seemed like half the town was there!
I bet! Everyone was celebrating spring!
Stay safe, Jenny.
That had to be one seriously challenging puzzle with its small color palette and relatively monochromatic. But boy, is it ever fantastic!
Those Harlequin cups and the mini’s get my vote today!
It was! A real challenge.
Thanks so much, Jeanie.
Stay safe.
I did a linocut class recently. It’s the only class for me right now. I’m just too tired. I’m going to the art studio today and see if I can actually do something. Before I go, I’ll put the last coat of paint on the little table. Mike is recovering so well, thanks for all the prayers. We’ve got a mess outside and the plants are green, the trees will leaf this week. It all goes so fast. Enjoy spring!
Thanks so much, Irene.
Stay safe.