Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Come Gently Spring

 
I would not ask of spring's return
Be well defined; I love the way
Springtime arrives by small degrees,
How hills grow greener day by day
And buds swell on the willow tree.

One crocus bloom can set the heart
Awhirl! Oh, one could never bear
The joyfulness of a sudden start--
So come in little ways, O spring,
And thrill my being till I sing

Ethel H. Bruce

It's raining here and the air smells great.
 Enjoy this beautiful day my friends.


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Monday, April 8, 2013

Weekend Update

 
After our guests left last Tuesday, the house was very quiet.  I soon got things back in order and then I crashed.  I was pooped, my legs aching and my energy spent.  And truth be told, more than a little heart broken to say goodbye, for a while, to our sweet p.  I worked on projects like sorting through my many crochet projects and yarn stash.  I read two books, baked and cooked a little, but otherwise rested.
By Saturday I felt better, still a little stiff, but anxious to get out.  Hubby was scheduled to give blood and that means he's a hero and I am at the bookstore reading magazines and using all my skills to overcome my need to own them. 

 
The only one of the bunch I really wanted was Mingle.  It's about hosting, and hosting is my middle name!  So many beautiful photos and great ideas, but I looked through it and put it back!
Hooray for self control. 

 
We were so fortunate to get a real taste of Spring on Sunday.  A little ride in the country was in order.
I heard the peepers when we drove through the woods near our home...then I knew, it really was spring.

 
Little shoots, like little gems poking up from the still cold earth.

 
A neighbors lawn, GREEN!  Ours does not look anything like this.  We don't chemically treat our lawn, and it shows.  Better safe for our little ones, and for the Earth.

 
Robins, the hardest working birds in show business!
Thanks for posing Mr. or Mrs.Robin!
My big score!

I see you Barb and Lynne!
 I forgot to mention, after giving blood on Saturday, we went to a sale I saw in the paper.
I found this book, and it was marked $10!  I asked, if this was a firm price...
Then the boy scout that was running the sale came over...
 
He was having the sale to earn money
 for his Eagle Scout project...
and was so adorable...
 I handed him the ten dollars and
wished him luck on his project.

 
He is building a fence in a nature center that we are familiar with.  I love a Eagle Scout and the amazing projects they work so hard to complete.

I recently read an article in our local paper, provided to me by my pal Jean who coordinates all of our service projects for our Guild.  Seems that another local Eagle Scout was inspired by a fabric teddy bear he received on an ambulance when he was a child and injured in an accident. He now provides stuffed animals to local hospitals so other children can receive the comfort he found in that small bear.  The cool thing is, our Guild is a part of the group that provided that Hug a Bear he received on the ambulance. These Hug a Bears, provided by the Illinois Telephone Retired Pioneers are on all ambulances and pumper trucks in Chicago and many of the suburban fire departments too. We have provided fabric, funds and support for ITRP for many years, in fact longer than I have been involved in Guild. Jean always tells us that we will never know how our small acts of kindness will touch some one's heart.  That small bear he received as a child actually inspired his project, and we were a small part of it.  That's so cool.

Last night we watched the movie Lincoln.  Daniel Day Lewis became Lincoln for this role.  I have no doubt that if I could go back in time and actually meet Lincoln, he would look and sound like like Mr. Lewis' performance.  I never forgot that Tommy Lee Jones was Tommy Lee Jones, but I felt I was watching the actual Mr. Lincoln.  My guys agreed.  I am always late to the party when it comes to movies.  I don't think seeing this on the big screen would have made much difference.  It was an amazing portrayal, and an excellent movie.  An on a related note, RIP Roger Ebert, Chicago treasure and all around courageous guy.

Projects, projects, projects await me this week.  April showers are keeping me inside today...hope you are getting a good start to your week.  Thanks for stopping by and for all your kind comments.  Take care my friends.



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Thursday, April 4, 2013

Swap, better late than never!

 
I received my bunnies from the swap over at Debby's Cozy Blanket right before my guests
 arrived for the holiday.  My posting was foiled by Picasa acting up, and my office being occupied by guests.  Sorry this is a little late but I had to show the cuties.
They are all so sweet and not all bunnies, one was a cute little duck.
This one is from Carol Cook at Art and Sand.  I've made this bunny myself, so much stitching.  Thank you so much Carol.  I love your work.


 
This felted bunny comes from Linda Djokic at Lutka and Co.
Such beautiful stitching.  Thank you Linda, a beautiful addition to our swap.

 
This sweet duckie is from Jane Palmer at Aralia Jane.  He sure brightens up the place.
So Cute! Thank you so very much Jane.  (All the little ones loved him best!)
 
This cutie patootie is from the Cozy lady herself, Debby.  Debby is the sweetest, kindest and
most generous blogger.  Thanks Debby for bringing us all together for this swap.  It's so much fun

 
My chubby bunny weighs down the whole garland!

Getting back in the swing of things around the house. 
Thanks so much for stopping by.  Enjoy this beautiful day! 
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Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Easter At Home (In English Valley)


I had great plans, big ambitions, and truth be told, not many came to be this Easter. Having house guests, especially a small and wonderful grand daughter made most of my preparations improbable,
OK... impossible.


This floral design was inspired by my dear SIL Elizabeth.
 The pots are from Ikea,
as is the tablecloth from 2 summers ago


I was inspired by a photo on pinterest featuring a tall canning jar with pink tulips.
 I had all the elements, but not the time to gather them and photograph.


Look who joined me at the traditional Polish Basket Blessing...Our favorite daughter Kristen, (our only daughter, that's why I can call her my favorite!:-) Our Sweetest sweet p. and her "baby" and Grandpa, the
the most wonderful guy ever! 

We had some of our food and candy, a bottle of wine for a dear friend,
 and the toys for the little one's blessed.
A tradition that goes back four generations now.

Our wonderful Charlotte frosted and decorated this lime cheesecake bundt.

Our basket of wheat grass gave a spectacular show.

I didn't go too crazy this year on the candy.  Some years we have jelly beans well into the summer.
Yes, dear Mary delivered our little lamb cake...sooo good.  All that's left is the head!
 
Then our Penny had her first Easter Basket,
actually a sack since baskets are hard to travel with.
She had the best time and loved all of her presents.

A really lovely holiday, and the blessing of being together.  Hope you had a great holiday too. 

Thanks for stopping by and for your friendship, it means the world to me!  Enjoy this beautiful day.

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Tuesday, April 2, 2013

ain't no sunshine when she's gone...




it's not warm when she's away
ain't no sunshine when she's gone
and she's always gone too long
anytime, she goes away!

Sweet p. is on her way home, the guys are all back to work. The only noise is the washer. The plan for today, rest! More tomorrow. Thanks for stopping by.

Love, Penny


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