It came, a beautiful brown box with the words, "parishable live plants" printed on the side. I now have six young shrubs planted along the fence and seventy bulbs waiting to be planted. It was perfect timing since we've had almost two weeks of sunshine, hopefully it will hold out long enough for me to get my flowers in the ground.

A Much Anticipated Package

A couple of weeks past, I got a catalog in the mail from the Michigan Bulb Company. They were having their biannual $20 off any order over $40 and I couldn't pass it up. I brought the catalog to Mama and showed her the coupon and also mentioned the fact that she was really wanting lilacs and the twenty dollars off would cover those. A couple of days later we got an order notification. Now I just have to wait for the box to arrive, it is anticipated this week, I can't hardly wait.

On the list of ordered plants I have:
Ranunculus Mix
Rose of Sharon
Peacock Orchids
Lilac French Hybrid Collection
Gladiolus Mix

In anticipation of this package, and because it was mid sixties and I needed to get out and work in my garden, I spent the afternoon working manure into my garden. Now when the much awaited package arrives I will be ready to give my newly acquired plants a home.

The Rain in Spain Falls Mainly On the Plain. . .

. . .and the Rain in Oregon falls mainly on our home. Ok, so the rain in Oregon is not just falling on our home. I actually like the rain, though some days I would much rather have the sunshine. I revel in knowing that I don't have to water my garden because the rain is taking care of that for me. I revel in the soft dark earth that is so easy to dig up, that also is due to the rain.

Rain has always been special and exciting to me, both my parents grew up and Washington and Mama has taught us how to appreciate the rain. Now that I have taken up gardening as one of my many hobbies, I have even more of a reason to take heart in the rain. Not that I always do, I have my share of days when I wish that just a small patch of blue would break through the grey clouds and for at least one moment in time the bright rays of the sun would warm my face. But generally speaking I like it to rain. I like to hear the pounding of rain against my window, I like to watch the water droplets bounce off the pavement in our driveway, and see dribblets of water collect and roll off the patio cover. I like to smell the rain, the beautiful fresh scent that the earth is left with when the rain leaves. And my favorite part of all, is the cozy feeling the rain lends to a day. The pitter patter of the rain just makes you want to brew a cup of tea or make a mug of hot cocoa and cozy up with a blanket wrapped around you on the couch to enjoy a quiet afternoon with a good book in hand.

Rewarding Labors

Over the past couple of years I've been prefecting the art of pie making. Most recently I've discovered how to make a Lemon Meringue Pie with a filling that actually sets up. That is a grand thing to know how to do when Lemon Meringue Pie is one of your favorite deserts. It is definitely one of those labors that has a great reward awaiting you at the end. 

Quilt Top Complete!

In a little less than five days I've managed to piece together the top of my quilt, a fact that I'm rather proud of. The next step is to do the top stitching. I've opted to hand quilt as it is a little bit more relaxing that way, even if it will take longer to finish. 

Steps Five through Eight Complete!

 

They bloomed!

Since we firsted moved into our rental house I've been watching the different blooms that make their appearance and have been checking the progress of these tulips. After almost two months they've decided to grace us with their beautiful blooms. The color is absolutely stunning and is prefectly set off by the abundance of forget-me-nots that surround it. 

Step Four Complete

Step four A was probably the most time consuming thus far as it involved a little more thought, but still it was rather quick. The triangles sewed together nicely and only a few needed to be resewn in order that the squares match up. While I worked on sewing, the kids watched A Wrinkel in Time. I was able to watch little snippets inbetween squares which kept me for becoming to bored with the sewing process, not that I was in danger of that.













As soon as all the squares had been made, I brought out the iron and went to work pressing all the seams and squares. I now have in my possession 81 squares that willform the top of my 40X40 in. quilt.

Step Three Complete

Part three of my quilt consisted in sewing on all the stems to my cream background, it took me a little over 30 minutes and was a blast. I had to make a couple of tries before I could get my lines to come out straight, but once I got that down I was set. Next on the list? Sewing together the triangles!













Finished stem pieces

Step Two Complete

Step two in my quilting escapade consisted in turning down the edges of each stem piece 1/4 in on each side and pressing. This was easily done during our bible/reading time in the morning. Now to begin the actual process of sewing! 

Step One Complete

Yesterday, while sister blogger read North and South, I trimmed uneven threads and cut fabric. I now possess all the squares and triangles necessary to piece together the top of my quilt.

The Quilt

One of my projects for our sixth week break is to piece together the top of a quilt. I intend only to have the hand quilting part left come friday which means I'm going to be keeping busy these next couple of weeks.

I purchased about four yards of fabric from walmart several weeks ago and have been anxiously awaiting the moment our break started, in order that I might begin work.My fabrics consist of pink and peach colored flowers and butterflies, the backing is a rosy pink color and the background is cream.

Can You Smell It?

Yes, it smells distinctly of spring here. The air has a tinge of warmth in it and the spring flowers have added their sweet fragrance to the air. The Spring Showers are also here, cleansing the earth of winter and inviting the bulbs still lingering under the earth to send up their green shoots.

I've had the distinct pleasure of twice being able to walk through our local botanical garden. Both times a cousin was by my side, which made the experience twice as special. I got to breath in deeply of the damp earth and the new flowers that are just now making their spring appearence. The bright purples and yellows and pinks add a fresh contrast to the winter garb of brownish-grey branches and hard packed dirt. My cousins and I walked down the rain wetted paths arm-in-arm admiring the new trilliums, and pale pink flowers on the red currant bushes.

Yes, spring is well on its way and as the weather warms, an even greater variety of bright colours will adorn our beautiful earth.