Stormy Weather

The blue grey clouds moving across the sky this morning make the fluorescent yellow of the forsythia and the purple of the pansies even more luminous.  This is classic April weather -- the rare time of year that I welcome grey skies and rain.  It won't be long before the cherry trees that line our street blossom and turn to pink snow swirling around the neighborhood.

treats on my desk

We had a lovely Easter weekend.  Old friends joined us, and brought all sorts of treats, the most exceptional of which was a cassata, a traditional Sicilian spring cake covered in emerald green marzipan, then a glaze of confectioner's sugar, and piped flowers.  Our goddaughter Natalie brought it from an Italian bakery in Providence.  Pretty spectacular way to end our Easter meal of lamb, farro strata, and roasted asparagus.

We also hosted a young woman from Slovenia for a week.  She is a relative of one of Pete's relatives, here to learn English and see the sights before heading to university in September.  Pete took her into Manhattan for a day to see the Empire State Building and the Museum of Natural History, and on a tour of the Hamptons and the beautiful beaches of the South Fork.  Pizza is her favorite food, so we had a pizza party with the neighbors on Palm Sunday, and some friends hosted a festive lobster dinner for her one evening.  It was a long ten days of house guests -- lots of cooking and cleaning and grocery shopping and laundry -- and, while fun, I am glad to be back to my normal routine.

I'm packing up for the Connecticut Sheep and Wool Festival.  I will head up on Friday. All you rug hookers in the Metro area should stop in and see us.  Since the demise of the Newtown and Fairfield rug shows, it is difficult to find rug supplies in southern New England.  I have some new patterns drawn up and ready to go.  Hope to see you there.

Easter's On Its Way

My sister Barb has been at it again.  She's created a bunch of cute, colorful creatures to celebrate the season.  Visit her at thimblefolk to see more.

Hop to It!

Are you looking for some wonderful whimsically-crafted-from-wool Spring and Easter decorations?  My sister Barb has just filled her shop with a whole bunch of creative critters for your delight.  Click here to follow the bunny trail: thimblefolk.

Happy Easter

 

This rug, Spring Has Sprung, was designed by my sister Barb of thimblefolk, and hooked by our friend Kathy Blake Parker.  (I sell the pattern.) I don't know if Barb dyed the wool or not -- I just sent her an email asking about it and will post the answer when I receive it.

The gloomy morning turned into a sunshiny afternoon.  I opened windows for the first time today -- so delightful.  Pete and I just finished our Easter dinner of grilled butterflied leg of lamb, roasted asparagus, roasted Yukon gold potatoes and a salad.  We have buttermilk chocolate cupcakes for dessert.  Life is good.  Happy Easter.