Easter Blessings

May the blessings of Easter and spring fill your heart

Getting Ready for Easter

First thing this morning, I planted twelve pansies in the front garden.  Yes, it is a little early to do this but the pansies will take cold temperatures.  I had hoped to pick up some sweet alyssum too but there was none available. 

The spring flowers in the back yard are putting in an impressive appearance.

The little purple finch that built her nest on our backdoor light had a near catastrophic experience today; I am not certain that she is even aware of how close she came to loosing all her eggs.  We looked out the window to see if she was in her nest and discovered that the nest was falling off the edge of the light.  Two of the eggs had rolled out of the nest and smashed on the doorstep.  We shoved the nest back into place and then braced it with some tape.  She gets in and out of the nest on the opposite side so we think that she may have shoved it over the edge as she got out of it.  As we anxiously watched for her return, we hoped that she would not abandon the nest.  She still had three eggs.  After her return, she seemed to be aware that something was different but probably could not define the difference.  She seemed to be rearranging the nest around the eggs.  After several hours, she began to settle down but is still a little more active in her nest than previously.

In order to put the webcam video on my blog, I understand that we must maintain an open connection to the internet.  That does not appeal to me so I have decided to not pursue that idea.

Baking has been the order of the day.

Two loaves of bread.

At the moment, I am waiting for the chocolate frosting/filling to thicken;  I really do not want it to all ooze out from between the layers.  This is the fabulous Café Latté Turtle Cake. 
Café Latté
Turtle Cake 

  It does look decidedly decadent, doesn't it?  You would not believe how heavy it is.  It probably will give me a couple pounds just looking at it. 

Here is a picture of my little helper.  The lighting was not very good but I still think it is worth showing you. 

Spring Seems to Be Here

I can hardly believe it.  The lilacs have buds showing color; the cherry blossoms are coming out; my daffodils are beginning to bloom.  The rule of thumb is that we can always take lilacs to the cemetery on Memorial Day.  At the rate everything is going, we will be lucky to have peonies and iris still in bloom on Memorial Day. 

Another rule of thumb is that we should not plant tender annuals before Memorial Day.  Tomorrow I am going to pick up some pansies and other annuals that can take cold to plant in the front of the house.  In two weeks, we will host the extended family for a combined birthday party.  It would be nice to have some color in the front and especially nice if the flowers look fully settled in the garden. 

I feel like I do not have time to sit down and catch my breath.  I feel like I am constantly running. 

A little progress on the Quaker Winder Keeper. 

A little progress on the needlebook too

My sewing machine is still out for repairs; I may be able to have it back next week.  But, I am not holding my breath.  I wanted to make a silk chiffon scarf so I pulled out the old Singer Featherweight.  I had forgotten how nice it straight stitches.