Make It Stop!

It's the last day of February. Hallelujah! It's currently 34 degrees and snowing big wet flakes that melt on contact into big wet plops. It's, in a word, nasty. I'm sick of it. It doesn't look like March will bring much better, although as the lion roars to bring in the month, it will be in the 40's at least. I've listened to the news, scanned the newspaper, and now it's time to pay the bills. The last day of the month is still pay day, the day when the pension checks are direct deposited. Each pay day I count my blessings that the money is there to support our pleasant lifestyle. I finished an Elizabeth George Inspector Lynley mystery yesterday, so today I'll have to select a new novel to sustain me while I do my workout on the stationary bike. This afternoon I will attend the monthly session of 'Sew Fun', where we meet at the local sewing store to learn about new products and sewing ideas and share projects we're working on. I usually end up buying something that makes sewing easier. Speaking of sewing, I'm working on a little purse for Irene that will match her new dress. I'm making it out of scraps, and sort of making it up as I go. It's getting tricky, but I think I've got it figured out. It's a fun little challenge. I watched the red carpet and the Oscars yesterday. It was mildly entertaining. The ladies mostly looked lovely, and it was all very civil. There were no real shocking moments, which all adds up to not much to talk about the next day. Checking out the window, I see that it is still snow plopping. Make it stop!

Cold!

I bundled up to walk out to the street to get the newspaper this morning. The thermometer read 21 degrees.

There are icicles hanging from the greenhouse roof.

The remains of yesterday's snow are frozen in place.

The morning sun turned the snow into a field of diamonds.

The snow was not a welcome visitor.

The flowers on the front porch shivered.

Hydrangea buds had broken. Now those buds are nipped.

Only stone birds and steel birds are happy.

This little house should have a sign Gone South. It just made it up to 32 as measured by our weather station on the roof , now at 2:30. The gradual thaw will begin. Rain comes tomorrow night.

Snow and The Garden show

It was 26 degrees and snowy when we got up this morning, but I didn't have time to go outside and play in it. We were in a hurry to get the car down the hill and parked in the light rail lot before it filled up with commuters. I took these photos from the front porch and through the windows about 7:30. Yes, it's daylight now at 7:30!

We had a great day at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show at the convention center in downtown Seattle. The light rail deposited us only three blocks from the center, and we arrived a few minutes before it opened at 9:00. We had the place practically to ourselves for a while and took advantage of that to view the beautiful display gardens.

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I don't take my camera to these shows because I don't want to be weighted down, and I don't want to be one of those people who others always have to wait for while they set up their shot, usually full of people and not plants.

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We attended a great seminar and shopped the plant and garden accessories markets, and yes, we came home with a few treasure, plus lots on inspiration for this coming garden season.

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We had dinner downtown before heading back in the train. Now it's time to put my feet up.

Sewing Project: A New Dress For Princess Irene

It took me a while to get going on this project, but yesterday I devoted the day to finishing it up. I start with a vision, a basic pattern, and then see what fabrics I have to choose from. I'm never quite sure how it will turn out, but I'm happy with the result. Granddaughter Irene will be six in April, a week before Easter. I don't know how much longer I have before she will outgrow pretty little dresses, so I have to take the opportunity while I have it. I'll be sending this on ahead, even though we will be there for her birthday. There might be another dress to wrap up by then.

In A Word

Why is it that government gives business a tax break, but it panders to unions? Give me a break.

Volunteer Park Conservatory - Part III

The east wing of the conservatory houses the desert collection. These wonderful cacti reminded me of our trip to the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix. If you ever get a chance to go there, do it! It's wonderful.

This small version gave us more opportunities for camera fun.

Outside the sun was shining but a cold wind reminded us that it was still winter. Things are changing though. These fuzzy magnolia buds are getting ready to pop.

And one of the magnificent old trees showed a hint of new green.

Volunteer Park Conservatory Part II

In a glass house, it can be any season you want it to be.

Enjoy the fun flowers.

Spring must be coming. Our resident flicker has taken up his perch on the metal chimney cap, where he rat-a-tat-tats on his metal drum. Because this is a metal chimney pipe, we can hear it in the house, especially near the fire place. It was quite startling the first few times we heard it, but now we know. Is it a mating ritual???

Volunteer Park Conservatory

It was a beautiful day in Seattle, a day for an outing. We decided on an afternoon trip to Volunteer Park.

The early blooming pieris japonica (lily of the valley shrub) was in full

glory.

But there was a very cold wind blowing, so we were headed for the warmth of the conservatory.

Inside it was warm and floriforus. This is the tropical side.

There was a wonderful collection of tropical pitcher plants, all in weird bloom.

Lots of colorful bromeliads.

and other strange things.

We had fun taking photos. More to come.