wisdom that fits my season of life

"The years between fifty and seventy are the hardest. You are always being asked to do more, and you are not yet decrepit enough to turn them down." 

-T.S. Eliot

"People have to know what relaxes them, and not feel guilty about using a piece of time when it is necessary for them, or when they do not use it exactly as somebody else would."

-Edith Schaeffer

I have been outside more this week because of the lovely spring-like weather...before the cold arrives again this weekend. It is that time of "spring tickling".

Anyway, just like Andrea I have been pruning back bushes in my yard, especially the hydrangea and butterfly bushes. My Lenton Roses are blooming, fuchsia and white lovelies. 

Also, since I am such of fan of healthy eating, I am enjoying Andrea's food buying reports on her blog.

Home front News: 

*I finished sewing Breanna's dress. Good thing since the dance is this Saturday night.

*I am beginning my thorough "spring" cleaning of room by room. Usually this will take me several weeks to complete. Fun fact, I enjoy housecleaning. But these days of all the children being out of the home I now do all housecleaning alone, especially the deeper cleanings, therefore, I take my time and do not stress it.

*My own book reading challenge of 2025 has kept me reading at random times during the day. David Copperfield is a wonderful novel; I know why Dickens deemed it "his favorite child" and "best" of his novels. I am also reading ABC Murders by Agatha Christie and as my local  library only had the large print version, I believe I might be enjoying reading this mystery even more so!

at home on Thursday

Early morning walk in the swirling snow down to the creek bed. This American Beech tree  rightfully observed, glorious in its sober cinnamon shade. The direct contrast is hard to miss with the beauty of the bare trees and snow. I have grown to love these trees, especially the young ones that draw our attention  in the winter month's woodsy walks. Show-offs in quietness.

Bacon baked in the oven I have found is the best and easiest way to cook bacon, crispy and delicious. with little effort. Place slices on a racked baking sheet in a 400 degree oven, 8 minutes, flip pan around, 6 minutes, turn bacon over,  cook another 6 minutes (your timing might vary slightly). Since my hens are now giving me eggs on a regular basis we can resume having eggs every day if we would like. And  homemade toast with pear preserves for breakfast.

The day continued with the wind-blowing cold all throughout the day. I was the keeper of the flame in the living room, thankful for all the firewood my husband has cut from our property.

I cut out quilt squares for a quilt my husband has requested for himself. Something he does not usually do so I felt as if I wanted to give this to him. This quilt will be what I refer to as a napping quilt, not big enough for a bed, but bigger than just a throw. 

I guess he is anticipating taking more naps in the future😊. 

the humble and hardy turnip

 I walked out to the garden after the past days of snow and all the heavy rains of late, the sun was radiantly shining and the temps were unseasonably warmer. I was intending to make sure my garlic bed had proper hay mulch coverage, but as I glanced over to the turnip patch this is what I saw!

Turnips literally growing out of the ground! This was not the patch planted for harvesting turnips, but only for the picking of greens. The turnips roots a few rows back had already been harvested around Christmas. 

(Louie, who I am convinced has a tad of dementia, loves to come to the garden with me.)

These turnips were still unbelievable tasty and good.

                               "I was raised almost entirely on turnips and potatoes,

                                     but I think that the turnips had more to do 

                                            with the effect than the potatoes."

                                                                                 ~Marlene Dietrich

                     Do any of you enjoy eating turnips? Our most favorite way to eat them is to gently boil peeled and cubed pieces. Drain, add butter, salt and pepper. 

milky white sky, raindrops, and sewing on violet silk

I am spending these days of rain and cold sewing by the window. This lovely shade of violet silk is Breanna's dress for the English Garden Dance to be held on March 1. I have sewn silk ribbon flowers on the sleeves and the covered buttons. Handmade buttonholes were sewn yesterday while listening to Miss Marple Mysteries on Great Radio Drama .

I am attempting to match a thread color with the ribbon that will be attached to the seam connecting the bodice and skirt.  This is the chart I am using to find the closest color match thread from my large stash of DMC colors.

Sewing brings Sunshine to cloudy days.