Nature notes...

We are sincerely hoping to have seen the last of the snow.  Walking daily through the fields and woods with my trusty companion, little signs of Spring are beginning to appear, like lots of birdsong, spring peepers, mayapples, and...

Trout Lily or Dog's-tooth violet...These just started to bloom in the narrow strip of woods at the west edge of our property.  The ground in the woods is carpeted with the beautiful mottled leaves.  Naturalist, James Burroughs, named it Trout Lily as it is a member of the Lily Family and comes into bloom at the start of trout season. Their appearance is an encouraging sign that Spring has arrived here.

The dandelion is another one of the first flowers to make an appearance here.  According to An introduction to nature: Birds, wild flowers, trees "It is found in all inhabited regions of the earth.  ...but, because it is so widespread and so abundant, its beauty is overlooked."  

Leaves on the underbrush are starting to open.

One of several rock piles that are bound to be found along the edges of farmers' fields.

This strip of woods was once the edge of a cow pasture, and many of the trees were used to support the barbed wire fencing.  This interesting, rotted trunk was the corner of the pasture, and I can still tell where the fencing was once attached...

Along the ground, some of the barbed wire still remains...

I can hardly wait until the trees have their leaves!

Deb

a glimpse this week...

...enjoying Amish-made three-year cheddar

and plenty of eggs from the hens for hard boiling

...good mail--a new Country Living magazine and

a new sewing book, Simple Modern Sewing: 8 Basic Patterns to Create 25 Favorite Garments.  I think I'm going to like these

patterns--they are basic and simple, but with lots of

possibilities.   

...with the lovely warm weather and sunshine we've

been having { the spring peepers are out in full force,

which is a sure indication that Spring is here--early! }

I brought some of the geraniums from downstairs

under the grow light, and placed them up here

in the windows.

...the garter yoke cardi is coming along well;

only one more sleeve to go...

Hope your week is a pleasant one!

~Deb

spring

"Spring, with that nameless pathos in the air

Which dwells with all things fair,

Spring, with her golden suns and silver rain,

Is with us once again."

Henry Timrod [1829 - 1867]

Right now...loving the sunshine pouring in, the sound of the spring peepers & birds singing, the flowers poking up in the garden, and hanging clothes once again on the line.

raking and reading

Spring has finally arrived (though we cannot rule out some flurries here & there), and the pussy willows are in full bloom. It's so good to hear the birds singing in the morning again and to listen to the spring peepers in the evening. The weekend was warm and sunny, and besides some raking and cleaning out of gardens, we even enjoyed a bike ride.

I moved a couple geraniums and a primrose from under their light in the basement to the enamel top table outside.

And what could be better than sitting outdoors in the sunshine with a couple new magazines!

*Just a note to anyone baking from the Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day book about which I posted...
Jenn @ Frugal Upstate left this helpful comment about some errors in the cookbook ~ "I got the same bread book out from the library, but was having problems with the recipe (it baked up gummy in the center.) Well lo & behold, there is an errata page, and the rise time is wrong! Thanks to Angry Chicken for posting about it:http://www.artisanbreadinfive.com/?page_id=73"

Thanks Jenn!!

the peepers are awake...

"Ere yet the earliest warbler wakes, of coming spring to tell,

From every marsh a chorus breaks, a choir invisible,

As if the blossoms underground, a breath of utterance had found. -Tabb"

From Handbook of Nature Study by Anna Botsford Comstock

The spring weather is here and while taking my walk up the lane I heard the chorus of the spring peepers. It has to be one of my most favorite sounds, as it means spring has really truly arrived.

I took some cutters with me in hopes of finding pussy willows, which I did. I cut a basketful, gathered eggs, and found some good reading in the mailbox...

Now at least I've done a little spring decorating...

I want you to know I appreciate all your kind comments. I have a sewing order to fill so I may be absent more than usual, but will catch up with you all soon!