The First Pretty Faces Of Spring

Today I was able to spend some time in the garden cleaning some flower beds of weeds and leaves. Also, I planted some six-packs of pansies, petunias, marigolds, primroses and calibrachoa flowers.  As I walked around the garden I snapped a few photos of some of the blooming faces of spring.

Daffodils

 

Camellias

Stellata Magnolia

 

Forsythysia

 

Flowering Rosemary

I hope you had a wonderful Spring day.

Happy Birthday Sweetheart

And, may we share many, many more together!

Beautiful Birthday Brunch

Beautiful friends and family are one of God's greatest blessings.  And, I have been blessed with the wonderful new fortune
of a Special Man along with great friends and family. The loving hostess of this beautiful Eggs Benedict Brunch is an incredibly busy lady  (full-time pastoral student and part-time nurse) who finds time to take very good care of her family and friends, one of who is My Special Man. 

They made me a two handed beverage guest.

Three generations with beautiful baby, Aiden.

Great-grandparents completing the family .

The "Birthday Boy" with a wine glass holder birthday gift from the hostess.

I feel so blessed!

The Irish Are Out 'n About

 

First Day Of Spring

Happy Birthday Granddaughter

Happy Birthday Sara!   I love you so very much.

Love, Grandma

White Hyacinth

The White Hyacinths are blooming in my garden  and I am loving them!

Facts About Hyacinths

•An ancient Greek legend describes the origin of the Hyacinth. Two of the gods, Apollo and Zephyr, adored a handsome young Greek called Hyakinthos. Apollo was teaching Hyakinthos the art of throwing a discus.

 Zephyr, who was the god of the west wind, was overcome with jealousy and he blew the discus back. It struck Hyakinthos on the head and killed him. From his blood grew a flower, which the sun god Apollo named after him.

•The wild Hyacinth is a native of Turkey and the Middle East, along the eastern shores of the Mediterranean. Hyacinths were grown in Europe in the time of the Greeks and Romans. Both Homer and Virgil noted the sweet fragrance.

•After this, the Hyacinth faded from history, and did not reappear until the 16th century when it was reintroduced into Western Europe from Turkey and Iran. Leonhardt Rauwolf, (a German doctor) collected some Hyacinths when he visited Turkey in 1573.

•Hyacinths have been cultivated commercially since the second half of the 16th century. They became very popular in 18th and early 19th century Europe.

•The bulbs are now grown commercially in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. In the Netherlands Hyacinths are also grown as cut flowers.

•The common garden Hyacinth is cultivated to a minor extent in the Netherlands for the perfumery trade. However, most Hyacinth perfume sold is synthetic, based primarily upon phenylacetaldehyde. Hence, the Hyacinth is also called the Dutch Hyacinth.

•The normal bloom time for Hyacinths is March to April.

•March 7th is the World Hyacinth Day.

•In the Victorian language of flowers the Hyacinth flower symbolizes sport or play, and the blue Hyacinth signifies sincerity.

If you are a gardener, I hope you are enjoying the spring flowers as they awaken one by one in your very own garden.

Saint Patrick's Day

Clothes Alterations

I really dislike altering my clothing. But, I don't have much choice in the matter because even when I purchase clothes in petite sizes I still have to shorten the length of dresses and pants. There was a time in my life when I made all of my clothes. So, it isn't that I don't know how to do alterations. It is just that I don't want to do it anymore.

Since my personal life is changing dramatically, I have purchased a few new things. It never feels like I am getting something new when I have to sit down at the sewing machine and work on them first before I can wear them. I think their is a possibility that I will be looking for a seamstress in my area that can give me a little help.

I would much rather spend my time at the sewing machine making a quilt! Remember, I just purchased that beautiful Poppies Collection fabric for a wall hanging.

With such big changes in my life I am having a challenge in finding time to do the things that need to be done at home, especially in the garden at this time of year. I am having a fabulous time and would not change it for anything, but none the less,  I feel like I am always behind with many of the things I did on a regular basis.

Believe me, life is wonderful.

It Is In The Mail

What a relief to have this in the mail! The finished afghan is large, measuring approximately 50 x 64 inches. It is quite heavy because it is knit with two strands of Bernat Berella "4" acrylic yarn that is labeled "the Afghan Yarn".  The afghan is machine washable and dryable. And, that will be nice for an eighteen year old who will be off to college before long. How about a little grandma pride? She has a 4.+ grade point average. I say + because I am not sure if it is 4.2 or 4.3 GPA at this time. I think her GPA is very impressive, especially since she has grown up in a very challenging home environment. 

I added a little label that I had in my sewing basket. It looks so cute on the afghan.

I had a fabulous weekend with My Special Man. The social calender was packed with activities.  And, can you believe it?  The weekend ended with Him preparing a Lobster Tail Dinner for me! ! !  Simply wonderful.

The weather was great with bright sun all weekend long.

I am wishing you a Very Happy Day.

It Is Finished - It Is Midnight

I have finished the Lavender Afghan for my Granddaughter. It has been laundered in some nice gentle soap and dried in the dryer.  It is lovely, if I say so myself.  It is almost midnight. But, trust me I have not been working on it all day. Actually, I have been out 'n about with My Special Man most of the day having much fun and a fabulous dinner. If tomorrow is sunny, I will take photos of the finished afghan to post on this blog soon. I am planning on mailing the afghan on Monday so she will have it on her Birthday, March 19.  

Hope you have had a Great day. We had sunshine today. It was wonderful especially since we had rain yesterday.

Eight Days Left

Until my Granddaughters 18th birthday and I have not finished her Lavender Afghan! If you read my post yesterday, you may have some idea why. You are right. I have been way too busy having way too much  fun. But, now it it time to put the pedal to the medal and not let anything distract me from finishing the afghan and getting it in the mail so it will arrive before or on her birthday which is March 19. Remember, the dropped stitch I talked about on February 25. I haven't even touched the yarn since then.  So, today is the day.

Well, I had to rip out a few inches to pick the stitch up. With the lace pattern, it was almost impossible to bring it up like in a stockinette or garter stitch pattern. I think it was easier to just rip back instead of hassling with a crochet hook and maneuvering the lace pattern.

So, now I am on my way. Just buzzing along picking up stitches to start the last fourteen rows of the afghan. And, them I will do the two-row crochet border.

Of course, I will post the finished afghan photo - - - SOON.

 

Love Is In The Air

I have always heard that life can change in the blink of an eye! Of course, I understood the phrase, intellectually. BUT, for my life to change in this manner and at this age, especially after being single for a very long time is nothing short of surreal! Since the first of the year, I have felt ridiculously happy as the result of a wonderful and special man in my life. Yes, I was very happy with my life but this is so much more happiness than I could have ever hoped for. His friends and family like me and I really like them. And, get this, my dog - Lily is so enamored with him that she consistently bypasses me to get to him when we return to my home after being out 'n about. What more is there when your dog gives her approval?  Just pure and simple happiness.

Yes, the Valentine Roses came from my Special Man.

http://everydaydelight09.blogspot.com/2010/02/valentine-roses.html