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Sunday, April 27, 2008

April Blossoms & Eastern Bluebirds Update

We had a storm last week with strong winds that caused half of my lilac bush to break off. I salvaged the broken blooms for several days by floating them in one of my birdbaths. (I'm an avid birder, so I have several baths for the little peeps.) This swallowtail butterfly found it a nice spot to rest for a while.I've neglected my azaleas the past few years, but as soon as these blooms fade they're in for the trimming of a lifetime. Snip, snip. They've become so scraggly it was hard to get enough blooms in a shot for a good colorful picture. They don't look like this all over, trust me. ;)
This creeping phlox smells wonderful.
Happy Bluebird family is in the setting stage now. Incubation takes 12-14 days so it will be awhile longer before the eggs hatch. Meantime, Papa makes regular trips home with lovely worms for Mama since she's the one staying on the nest. We/they/all of us had a little scare on Friday. A big, gawky blackbird lit on top of their house and bent over, upside down to look into the opening of their house. (They eat the young of other birds, ya know.) I happened to be watching from the kitchen sink and nearly broke a window banging on it, trying to get him away from there. Thankfully, he flew off with no harm done. Whew, that was close. Btw, the trees are completely leafed out now, so it's really hard to get a new picture of them. I went out to check on the bluebirds today & what do you think appeared at the opening of their house but little beaks reaching up for a meal! Mama & Papa were out looking for dinner so I took advantage & ran to get my camera. This is a bit fuzzy, but you get the picture. I have no idea how many babies are in there; I don't want to be too invasive. I'm just tickled pink the birds decided to nest here, since they usually nest in a box we tacked onto the side of the barn. (We checked that one last week, but there aren't any birds using it, yet)
Aw, aren't they darlin'. :)
Knitting? Um, not much...there's a little story there. Remember when I posted the crochet patterns? A rep from P&C saw them on Ravelry & contacted me about writing patterns for them. I was a bit skeptical but thought about it for a while, then reluctantly agreed to try to help out in exchange for yarn. Well, as soon as the yarn arrived my mind went totally blank. Go figure. So, I fretted & fretted, tried to come up with something for them, then fretted some more, but it was such a pressure (that I didn't need) I finally returned the yarn to the company just a few days ago. Now, guess what...a new design for a scarf has just come to mind & I hope to show it to you soon. When it's finished the pattern will be free, of course. ;) All I have to show in the knitting line is this lonely dishcloth...along with what's left of my lilac bush. It's the Dots In Stripes Dishcloth from Monthly Dishcloths KAL.
Hope there's lots of blooms in your path, Y'all! Knitlikeyoumeanit!

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Bluebirds & A Bunny

Ah spring, when even the weeds look like flowers. (Looks like flowers to me. ;) I'd been watching this happy bluebird couple from my kitchen window for a couple of weeks, then Daughter #1 got this great photo with her camera last week. (My little ol' camera is so puny it could never....well, anyhowsy, the bluebirds have a nest complete with eggs in a birdhouse near the tree. I can't wait 'til they hatch..I love birds, especially bluebirds.
I haven't been knitting much lately; just picked up this bunny blankie that had become an UFO and finished the ears & stuffed the head. You're right, no eyes, etc. I don't do embroidery, but Youngest does & she has agreed to give the little guy some peepers along with a nose & a mouth.
Thought you might like to see what he'll probably (not) look like when she's done with him...uh huh, those are chocolate/peanut butter chips.
Sweet tater progress at six weeks. I just knew you were wondering. ;)
Hope Y'all are getting more accomplished than I have lately!
See ya next week, Lord willing.

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Spring & Knitting & Crocheting &.....

Happy Spring, Y'all!
Our Bartlett pear trees are in full bloom now. We didn't get any pears from them last year because of the spring freezes. Hope springs eternal, though. We're hoping this year for at least enough for the grandgals to pick some & make fried pear pies. Fried pies, fried squash, fried chicken, oh yes. We do live in the deep-fried South, afterall. ;)
I finished the crocheted shawl I showed you in my last post & have it ready to give away this weekend. I hadn't made a triangular shawl in a coon's ago so I enjoyed making it. The free pattern is on Ravelry by Knottie by Nature.
The Meadow cloth by Lindy was the April knitalong at Monthly Dishcloths KAL. This cute, free pattern is at Lindy's blog...tell her Tea sent ya. ;)
Another dishcloth (Can you have too many?) Click for the free Camper pattern. Does this bring back memories or what..cooking outside, lots of smoke, no running water, fishing, lots of dirt, toting stuff, lots of stuff, etc.
Knit, just go ahead & knit, Y'all!