Still Wishing It Was Spring!

It just keeps getting "better"...today, it's 25° and snowing!


This squirrel...well, maybe not this specific one--we have a lot of squirrels in our backyard and they all look the same to me...SOME squirrel has spent the past few weeks tucking away twigs and leaves under the top step of our deck.


Not every twig stays tucked away though...there are just as many on the ground. In fact, that's what first drew my attention to the nest(?) -- "what the heck is that stack of sticks out under the deck?"


But enough of the snow photos! We're wishing it was spring here!

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Thursday, Rick and I spent a couple of hours at Kansas City's botanical gardens, when the temperatures were in the mid to upper 60's. (It was 70 ° on Wednesday! Crazy midwest weather!))

There was a fragrance garden exhibit that we wanted to see. It was in the conservatory and it felt like we stepped through a door right into spring!




It was the first time I'd seen one of these--a Red Powder Puff Tree.


We also took a walk on the nature trail and it was really nice to be outdoors enjoying some fresh air.


On the way home, whenever we visit the gardens, we also like to make a stop at Cockrell Mercantile. It's a small vintage-y village with an old farm house, a couple barns and little cottages filled with beautiful housewares, mostly for the kitchen.

This is my favorite cottage!


It makes this collector's heart go PITT-TY-PAT!


Fiestaware dishes everywhere!


And I mean everywhere...inside...


and out!


It was such a lovely day and a fun daytrip, and I'm glad our timing was so great--it kind of balances out snowy days like today.

Marilyn

Just Imagine It

A couple of days ago, I was in our kitchen making myself a little lunch when something on our deck caught my eye. I really couldn't believe what I was seeing but it made me laugh right out loud. Of course, my camera wasn't anywhere nearby and I was sure by the time I fetched it, this crazy scene would be gone.

To my delight, things continued so I chanced a run for the ol' "brownie" (remember those funny little cameras?) and positioned myself for some shots, blurry shots more than likely. Delighted again, my subject practically posed for me! It was so great! Usually these goof-ball squirrels run for the hills when they see me! But, beep...beep...beep, there I am taking the best photos of that rascal, through a double-paned glass window, no less!

Long-story-short, no photos to share with you. Believe me, I'm even sadder than you are...oops, sorry for the assumption. But let me tell you what I saw:

Imagine a rusty iron bird sitting on the corner post of a deck. Yes, exactly, just like the blurry one in that photo up there! Now imagine a fat, furry squirrel sitting on the bird's back, munching away on his little squirrel lunch. One can barely see the bird for all of the scrunched up squirrel sitting on it's back. He's looking my way and posing and my mind is already thinking up the fun things I could do with such a photo...squirrel wearing cowboy hat, squirrel riding carousel, etc.
So I ran (ok, walked fast) to the computer and popped in the media card and nothing. Take it out, pop it in again (times 5, 10?)...restart computer...turn off computer and turn back on. Nothing, nothing, nothing! Arggghhh!!! I put the media card back into the camera and CARD ERROR. Noooooo! I got out 'the book', the instructions and blah, blah, blah but no fixes for my CARD ERROR.

I'm a great believer in technical equipment having the ability to heal itself if given enough 'alone time', say, oh, a couple of days worth. Can't prove it, can't even think of an example, but I hold on to that belief and always try it in these situations. No luck again this time.

Part of my disappointment was not being able to share the actual sight of it all with others. I know it wasn't exactly earth-shattering, never-before-seen stuff but it was silly and sometimes we all need a little silly. Fortunately, I remembered that you all are creative, imaginative people and I could describe it, you could imagine it and still experience some silly! Go ahead if you like, give it a try!

Great work, everyone!!!

Marilyn

What are you doing this weekend?

I didn't need to ask about Emma's plans...she's a 17 year old prima donna who does whatever she pleases and at this point in her life, that means a lot of sleeping!

As for me, I'm looking forward to a fairly relaxing weekend. It seems that our recent weekends have been very full. I really enjoy being with family and friends and I don't mind a lot of activity but sometimes and I need to just BE.

I need to sit on a bench...hum a tune...
I need to be spontaneous and squirrel-eeeee...
I need to ignore responsibility...
and find joy in the little things! Have you seen these?! My darlin' babe brought them home--Skittles and CHOCOLATE, why didn't I think of that?!
I'm also looking forward to starting a new project. I signed up for a doll quilt swap,

and this is the fabric I'll be using. I bought it last weekend when we were in Lawrence...Sarah's Fabrics is an incredible store!
I figured out my pattern last night while we were watching TV, so now I'm ready to get out the ruler and the rotary cutter and go at it!

What are your plans for the weekend? I hope it's an enjoyable one!

Marilyn