Sunny Day

After my pronouncement that yesterday would be nothing but sewing, I ended up doing just about everything but sewing. There was some sewing, so don't worry. It was such a lovely day, though, and so I took the literal first steps to getting some exercise back into my life. First, I was almost completely sedentary, using broken bones as an excuse. (Honestly...some people are so lazy.) Then, I used the weather as an excuse. Yesterday, I kind of ran out of excuses. Let's hope I can keep it going. 

Before leaving for my walk on the wild side, I took a little walk around the yard to see what's blooming there. Right away, I noticed one of the dark purple rhododendrons is getting ready to open. This flower is at the very bottom of the plant. All over, it's covered in tight buds. Seeing one flower usually means they'll start opening very soon.

Following around on the sidewalk, I noticed Sadie trying to blend in with her surroundings.

Smitty, the pawpawrazzi is back.

Thanks for that warning, Sadie. I'll just hide right here behind this daffodil.

Turning directly around, I got a shot of the "orchid" rhododendron. It's all in bloom now.

Also, the golden chain tree is beginning to bloom. This is our third attempt at one of these trees. This one seems to be doing well, although a deer came around and rubbed its antlers on it. We found it half toppled over one day with its bark all worn off on that side. We had to stake it up. It seems fine now.

And I was headed down the driveway after taking that picture. But wait...you didn't think I could take a walk without photographing every blooming thing, did you?  These little violets line both sides of the roadway we share with our neighbors.

On the main road, the Scotch broom are all in bloom. These are pretty, but they are invasive. Also, if you are a hay fever sufferer, these are among the worst offenders. Some have red tips on their petals.

Most are just plain yellow. We noticed an area on the hillside where an abandoned Christmas tree farm was cleared last year. The Scotch broom have completely taken over the clearing now, and they are blooming away.

I noticed our neighbor's mule had the right idea in the sunshine.

The horse was embarrassed by this display of sloth. Usually I bring along horse cookies for these two, but I'm out of practice and I forgot.

Along the way I saw lots of sweet peas.

Some white ones of these are growing among the weeds in our vegetable garden.

They seem to come in all colors.

This one looks like lithodora, but it's not a ground cover. Instead it grows of stalks about knee high.

Well, hello there. I haven't seen these guys for quite a while.

This one has the same hairstyle that I do, minus the grass.

Now here's something: This fence was damaged by the wildfire last fall, and the field on both sides of the fence was completely blackened. It's green again now, and it looks as if they've built a temporary fence.

Here's another picture of the same area, taken last fall about a week after we were able to return home.

Walking on, I noticed the first cornflowers I've seen this spring.

After taking that picture, Mike drove up in his truck. He'd been off picking up a load of bark dust for the yard. "Ya wanna ride, Baby?" Yeah...up to the same tricks he pulled when we were teenagers, but I did get in the truck. It was my first walk in many months. I didn't want to overdo it, don'tcha know.

So, I was chomping at the bit to get at my sewing, but then remembered I needed to pick up Pfelicity Pfaff from her spa treatment. Today I have PT and grocery shopping, and Pfelicity has been ready for pick up since last week. Mike suggested we take a drive and go get her while we were out. Fine by me. I kind of needed him to help me carry it anyway. So, off we went.

The red clover is blooming everywhere now. 

It paints the hillsides and fields all over the county.

Heading across the ridge-top on our way home, we could see down into the valley. What a beautiful day.

Finally, late in the day, I was able to make my way into the sewing room. My next task is to make the 6th block for the New Mexico Kitchen quilt. I'll be working on the Taco Salad block. Here's the image from the blurry pattern cover page.

These blocks all come with a recipe.

I first needed to make the background. I like the frayed edges of the "table cloths."

From there, I added the lettering. This is the first applique I've done since breaking my thumb. I found it uncomfortable to hold scissors. I might have to pace myself with this block.

When the lettering was finished, I added an avocado.

I was just getting started on the salad bowl when it was time to stop for the day. This one has a lot of overlapping pieces, and so I'll first construct it on a pressing sheet, and then move it to the background. This is where I'll start this afternoon.

Upstairs, I found the kitties nearing starvation once again. They're energetic at 4:59 p.m. At 5:01 p.m., they begin looking gaunt and pale. It's a razor's edge between sprightly and starving.

So, yeah, it's a PT day. I hate PT as much as ever. It isn't even the painful exercising part...I just hate leaving home and going anywhere. To add insult to injury (almost literally), I need to do my grocery shopping when I finish there. It isn't a happy thing. When I get home, I can get back to my sewing.

It's another lovely day today. I'm hoping this weather will hold until we plant the garden next week.