I've Got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy, Down in My Heart!....and then there's Brioche Knitting......

 O- yes I do!  I got good news from a friend of mine, who's breast cancer tumor is shrinking!
Can you believe that?  You CAN have breast cancer and survive.  My friends letter was so joyous, I cried!  With happiness, at how God heals.  He really helps me with my problems too.  I just "deliver a letter"  to Jesus, and let Him have my worries and wants and concerns, and leave it in the mail box!  I try not to take it out- ever- but If I find myself worrying about the same things I've just asked Him help for, I remind myself of the letter box.  Once something is in that mailbox, you can not take it out-- it's gone!   So I am now joyfully awaiting to see how He will answer my "letters"!

This is the progress of my Baubles shawl by Drea Renee Knits.  I think I have ripped out my repeated attempts at Brioche knitting probably about 50 times, and have discarded yarn twice for that spot, because it felted from being reused so many times  (aggggh).  For some reason, my brain is having a real hard time getting this pattern.  I am not giving up, however.  I keep thinking of ways to conquer it.

 Everglades fabric:  It's still on the table, but I sure do enjoy looking at it!!  So many bright and wonderful colors.  I want to breathe them in, or eat them in ice cream.

 AND YES,  I did buy the "Time of Flowers" cross stitch kit from Posie Gets Cozy.  

I LOVE IT!!  THE COLORS ARE BEAUTIFUL.  

and I love the color of the background fabric.

It is so appropriate for right now, because the trees and early spring flowers are blooming right now, and it's getting warmer, but not tooo warm.  

I like it cool!

The stitches are two threads over two threads, so I'm just going to bear with it.  I can actually see what I'm doing without a magnifying glass.

 And to leave with you with a happy thought:  Here is the former Catwalk.  These are kittens out of the first litter of kittens born here after we moved here.  They were tame, so I could play with them.  The one that is second from the back was one of my favorites.  His name was "Squirt".  He was the runt of that litter, but he was scrappy!  He would not hesitate to get in a tangle with his siblings.  I helped him out when he was smaller-- fed him because he was pushed away by the others, but he fought back.  Unfortunately he, along with my George, must have been poisoned, or got into something that poisoned them, and they both died.  My heart broke over those two.  I have had a hard time attaching myself to any other cat(s).  They are also buried in my pet cemetary.  Not all animals get that honor.  Love you Squirt-- You are not forgotten!

Spring to Harvest- Soybeans

Last Spring, it was very wet in the fields, and planting was delayed. But the beans were planted and yielded a nice harvest.  So now it is spring again, and the corn has been planted, which the sprouts should be up in a weeks time!  It's a time for miracles in growing food for the world!  Happy Easter!

April: Languishing Within the Throes of Winter

It's unusually cool this spring, for this locale.  In fact, it's been one of the coldest winters and springs on record.  There's been white-outs, when you least expect it, cold and rainy days, dismal days, dark and cloudy days.  The dog with the thick coat has shown no signs of shedding, which shed in February last year.  The pear trees have bloomed and leafed out.  There are buds on the maple trees with their pretty seed fronds, and there's the little peach tree, newly planted in the yard.  

There is some good to all this cold:  the blueberry bushes and azaleas are blooming profusely, and the lilac bush has leafed out beautifully, after a disasterous bout with herbicide last fall, which seems to be a miracle.

Despite the weather, the sky puts on a fantastic show.

And since it's very cool, still, there is time to languish with a fantastic novel for the spring:

The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim.

If you have not read this book, only seen the movie, take the time to read it.  It's worth every delicious word.

Boo Bottles

Boo Bottle

With the advent of spring, it is now fly season, whence the birds like to eat.

So plenty of birds light on the porch railing to spy the flies, 

whence, leaving plenty of unsanitary droppings on said railing.

~

I tie empty clear plastic water bottles to the railing and let them fly in the breeze, 

of which there is here, 90% of the time,

Making a nice, soft bobbing sound against the vinyl rails.

Worm Moon

It's a Worm Moon tonight.
The dogs are barking, night birds are singing, and there's just a general racket out there tonight.
Happy Spring!

Read about the "Worm Moon"  here.

Spring

 

Despite the little snow showers,

and grey days,

Spring is actually on the way.

Photos of:  Myrtle branches, Robin, Blueberry stem, Camellias-

which bloom all winter long here, Hyacinth, Hydrangea buds, Nest, Tree bud.

 



She's Here! Peony #13, May Flowers and Baskets

Enjoy!

Peony, soft cloth doll

Removable clothing- A-Line dress with silk ribbon trim and flanges; Pantaloons.

Wide brimmed hat with flowers- a first for Peony Street!  Totally handmade.

Miniature quilt:  Baskets, hand appliqued and quilted.

Hatbox, totally handmade - custom made to store Hat, and a cloth bag.

May Flowers and Baskets

May Flowers Hat for Guess Who?

May Baskets Mini Quilt

~

We are having a wonderful, beautiful spring this year!

The weather has been like a soothing balm,

with it's warm days and cool nights,

all the while a breeze blowing the

curtains through the windows.

~

The above are a preview of something

new to come

from 14 Peony Street....

I wonder who'll be wearing

that great big hat???!

XXOO, BB

New Ironing Board Cover and Spring

I Finally stopped sewing long enough to re-cover my ironing board! 

Sewing things I actually NEED sometimes gets on

my nerves, because they take time.

I had to take time to do this project though, as my old

cover was torn.

It was easier than I thought it would be!

I followed Joanna Figueroa's instructions in her

Fresh Vintage (TM), FTQ#FV550, Issue #19

which you can get HERE.

Oh, and by the way- it's SPRING here!  The trees are

a'bloomin' and the robins are out in force!

But it's a blustery, humid day and we are

probably in for some storms today....

I love how the cover turned out!  It only took me about 30 minutes total!!

Which only took a little time out of my day!!

The fabric is by Joel Dewberry for Westminister Fabrics, Buttercup. 

LOVE IT!!

Did I mention it's Spring here?!!  These hyacinths

are from a single bulb I planted here

two years ago.  They're multiplying!

Happy Spring!!