A spring weekend

A sailboat on the Hudson is a clear sign that it must be spring.

Although it is cold today, with a chill wind, we finally had a few warm days and I was able to spend a little time in the yard.  A few new flowers are peeking up although they seem to be few and far between.  But  the hyacinths are up, looking a little chilly, but they are braving the cool weather. 

I wish I could have shown you the crocuses, but they were a little shy this year.  The blossoms were up, but stayed tightly closed most of the time.  Occasionally they would open up, most likely only to be hit with a chill and wilt before my eyes.  Still it was nice to see their bright little bits of color, just as these hyacinths are quite welcome  peeping up through the sea of brown.

The yard has suffered through a few years of workmen trampling on my flower beds and my own failure to give them the attention they need.  There is much to be done and I was happy to be out in the yard a little bit this weekend.  I don’t see how I will manage to tackle everything, but it is really not something that I worry about that much.  Increasingly it seems that life is not to be measured in the number of things that are done but in the joy of doing.  That will be enough.

Still it was nice to see little bits of green here and there.  I tried to grow primulas for years  without success and it tickles me no end that these two, which were picked by DH about 8 years ago when he accompanied me to a local greenhouse, come back faithfully year after year.  I was convinced they would be another failure, but they keep coming back, reminding me to keep trying.

There were few fiberly activities over the weekend.  Yard work and a concert took up much of Saturday and Sunday found me possessed of a seasonally inspired need to clean, refurbish and refeather the nest.

I did find time to peruse the new Vogue Sewing:


I love the articles and information on the new Chado Ralph Rucci patterns and details about the garments and their construction. I have been a fan of Rucci’s for a long time and have taken advantage of the opportunity to study his garments whenever possible.

Of course I bought the first two patterns, although I don’t intend to make the dress right away.  I hope to start the shirt soon and have the pattern on a stack of things that I must make muslins of VERY SOON,

There is also, unfortunately, a rather large stack of UFOs that must be completed simply because they have grown to be such a burden on my psyche.  I am really hoping that I can work on both the UFOs and the muslins simultaneously……kind of rewarding myself for working through the stack, but you know that is not really likely to happen.  Still, it is a lovely dream, and looking at the pattern will hopefully encourage me to wrap up those pesky projects.

It is still a little early around here for spring produce, but  I just have to show you these beautiful  mushrooms that were delivered this week.  I know I am very fortunate to have a specialty mushroom grower near me and to be able be one of his customers.  Although he grows mushrooms much of the year, this week the oyster mushrooms were incredible.  Often when they are big like this they get a little thick and tough.  In that case I usually roast them.  But although these are large, they are also tender and delicate so I wanted to take advantage of their more subtle  flavors.  They were perfect for a quick stir-fry with a little chicken breast and some crisp snow-peas on the side.  And that is the perfect way to end a spring weekend.