Google is playing me lovely violin music this morning and a ray of sunshine is trying to break through the clouds. I lost some sleep in the middle of the night worrying about all the wrong things so I'm going to soothe myself a bit just for now with the right things. Basic but comforting.
It's comforting to have all the folks heading this battle working together; our prime minister and the provincial premiers are sharing and offering each other all the help they can.
I especially like that the prime minister has twice now addressed the children of our nation and funded extra services to help any in distress so they can have someone to talk to day or night. He has also increased funding to women's shelters knowing that it is not only the sick who need extra help in trying times like these.
I love that a Winnipeg dad made a Lego version of Prime Minister Trudeau's speech to the children.
I liked that our Queen addressed us. Ninety-three now and still doing her bit to buoy spirits. She sported her 1897 turquoise and diamond broach, inherited from her grandmother, to signify survival through hard times. I bet there was much discussion about that pretty aqua coloured dress she wore too.
We heard the peepers in our wetland area for the first time several days ago and spied the first frogs in the pond three days ago. Could they have hatched under the ice? This is almost a full month ahead of last spring. It seems especially wonderful to see the earth come alive again. Spying three kinds of birds under the feeders was joyful to me. Can you name them?
Update: Florence at Buzz and Flutter tells me there are two kinds of birds here, male and female goldfinches and male and female purple finches. I thought the striped brown birds were one of the sparrows.
Birds inside coming together. I have my own complex method of organizing pieces. LOL
I love seeing bits of green peeking through the mud even as there are banks of frozen snow here and there.
Spring will be a real season this year it seems, unlike last year when we skipped and moved right into summer. I'm enjoying rambling around the property with my camera. Mitts Free! Itching to rake but want to let it all dry out first and allow whatever critters have hibernated during the winter get away first.
I made another block in the Pieces From the Past stitch along hosted by Melva Loves Scraps. This block is often called the Sailboat or Schooner Block; in this case it is the Mayflower Block.
And here is version 3 of Louisa, the Book Club Hand Pieced QAL Block. My version 1 was not bad, version 2 had a pucker where the six points meet that I couldn't quite get rid of, so version 3, also slow stitched, got made just to try it again. I like this one.
I heard that the Lion in the Living Room video was giving problems opening internationally. Here is the same video on YouTube. Secret Life of Cats-Details You Didn't Think To Ask Did you know that when cats walk, their hind paws step into the same print made by their front paws? I can't help it; these kind of facts amuse me. 😊
I think my birds of the winter and very early spring have moved on to visit you now! I do not see near as many birds at my feeders now but still have plenty of woodpeckers all over the place and the cardinals are still here too - I had to take the bird feeder off the window in the sewing room and the window screen is back in now.
The "peepers" have been driving me crazy every night! But they are far better than the tree frogs which will be chiming in soon, sounding like a strangling cat. The goldfinches I recognize, but I can never tell the difference between a purple finch and a house finch.
It’s was a joy to listen to the Queen. As an American, it was nice to have some words of warmth, comfort and common sense coming from heads of state (because Trudeaus words are also appreciated!) rather than the self-serving bluster coming from our moronic leader. Here in the Salt Lake Valley, things are budding and beginning to bloom. The birds are active, vociferous and welcome. I’m going to spend time outdoors preparing our patio for some relaxation! I always enjoy your posts!
I love your sailboat block so cute--sailing through the dark skies and waters of today..;)))very apt. ~ ~ ~ waving from cloudy CT and wondering if it will ever get warmer here Julierose
Lego, what an innovative design, that Dad is so clever. Yes, we forget sometimes that the younger ones have also had their lives so altered, down here, there will be online learning, not sure how that will happen yet, maybe I could join in at a third form level and start to do maths and science all over again. I have lots to choose from to do, but somehow lack motivation. Thankful for every small thing, or huge, like friends doing grocery shopping ( as over 70, we are advised to stay home ) and that task is now so slow, a long wait outside, very few allowed in at one time, some items limited, but so happy when the goodies are dropped off outside the back door ,Yesterday both friends received a banana loaf to say SO many thanks. Take care, enjoy every spring sign that is flying in or popping up.
It's lovely to see your enthusiasm for the new season on your blog. I hope you do get that lovely spring you are hoping for. Many are predicting a bad winter for us down here in NZ. Your projects are coming along nicely.
I only see two species in the picture of birds under your feeder, Jocelyn. Male and female purple finches and male and female goldfinches. Yes, our Prime Minister, our Premier and our Queen send level-headed, heart-felt and supportive messages. I really like your schooner block. Sewed myself a mask today which I'll be wearing for my grocery runs. So many patterns about now! Like you, I love the sound of spring frogs and singing birds. A bit of normal that sounds so good!
I'm so glad signs of spring are showing up in your neighborhood. I was able to spend about 3 hours in the garden again yesterday which was refreshing, even if a little hard on the muscles. Forsythia in glorious bloom and hyacinths coming into their own. But a cold wave is due on Friday with the high only 39F degrees. Guess that means more time for quilting. Pat
It's really a different world these days, but I also see beautiful things going on over here. People are so creative in finding creative things to let other people know that they are not alone in this crazy world. And they still keep there distance. I am so happy with all my hobby's at the moment. And over here spring is all around. I also make puzzles at the moment, download the app jigsaw on my tablet. There is every day a puzzle of the day. It keeps your mind away of the news of the day. Stay safe and healthy. A lot of love, Marja
We all have those kinds of sleepless nights these days. Your photos are lovely and calm us all. I loved the queen's speech too. We Americans are so lacking in leadership right now. Glad your PM addressed the children. I swear that Obama would have this thing sewn up by now and we'd be helping other countries. Ugh. But spring is coming and I do hope you have a real one! Hugs and stay safe!
I like that you wait to clean up in case critters are hibernating. :) Louisa is beautiful! Those points couldn't be more perfect. I think the SAL patterns are really pretty this year, but that still isn't enough to persuade me to hand piece again - haha. I have loved cats since I was a child and could endlessly watch our three cats and their little quirks. I was thinking yesterday about my first cat, Rags, and would you believe I cried thinking about him - sheesh!
Hi Jocelyn! Don't you just love seeing those bits of green poking up through the dirt and leaves and mulch?! All of my daffodils have grown quite high and will certainly be open and on display for Good Friday. Or at least quite a few of them will be open. My goofy Christmas cactus got another blossom on it! I guess I'll have to rename it to a Thanksgiving/Easter cactus. Take care, my friend. ~smile~ Roseanne
I was listening to the peepers a few days ago. Yes I agree spring seems to be a month ahead of schedule here too. Love seeing the green shoots. I already have a very green "lawn" I use the term loosely since it is just grass, not nice, weed free like many have. :D Love your puzzle, did I mention that I purchased a puzzle keeper and sorters? I even grabbed a puzzle from the attic the other day that I haven't done. Oh the birds are fabulous too. And your blocks are gorgeous. So many great likes this week.
it was so great to hear the way your president explained this to kids, and the kindness of the queens words. Being proud of how we handled this, and acknowledging the toll it's taking. What a difference in the way this can be handled from our white house resident. I lose sleep over things too right now. Thoughts swirl at night in the dark
Hi Jocelyn, Like your pinwheel block, beautiful....Spring is trying to get here in northeast Indiana, but it's playing around. Yesterday it was in the upper 60's...today it's in the 40's with a brisk north wind. But my daffodil's are about to open, so spring can't be to far away. Have a great day!
I always love your bird photos, Jocelyn! We get those two kinds of birds in our yard, too, but I think lately they've been busy building nests, as we can hear them, but not see them. I've been enjoying the bits of green showing themselves here and there as well. Green means hope to me! Sending you good thoughts for better sleep - that can definite be hard to come by right now.
I love the bird puzzle and of course your little finches outside! They are so precious and look like what we have at our feeders right now. Have a good day! Stay safe!
Your pinwheel looks perfect! Such a pretty shade of yellow too! I'm so glad it's springtime even though it doesn't really feel it yet. Your prime minister is so much nicer than our president. That's all I'll say! You don't want to get me started! Haha!
Nice thoughts, observations and photos, Jocelyn. I enjoyed reading through the calm view from your lenses right now. We've been hearing our peepers for the past week or so, also.
The Queen never fails to amaze me, and at her age! How kind of Trudeau to address the children. My grands are very aware of what is going on in the world, and do not complain about being isolated from their friends, which came as a surprise to me. Your quilt blocks are cheery. Stay safe.
Loved your post Jocelyn! Spring is just the best when we get it! We've been flirting with spring here the past few weeks, but the cold keeps popping in at nearly record levels, so we are still waiting. The robins are here so it can't be far away. It is important to do the things that calm us and to enjoy the little gifts of bird song, new life and sunshine.
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I think my birds of the winter and very early spring have moved on to visit you now! I do not see near as many birds at my feeders now but still have plenty of woodpeckers all over the place and the cardinals are still here too - I had to take the bird feeder off the window in the sewing room and the window screen is back in now.
The "peepers" have been driving me crazy every night! But they are far better than the tree frogs which will be chiming in soon, sounding like a strangling cat. The goldfinches I recognize, but I can never tell the difference between a purple finch and a house finch.
It’s was a joy to listen to the Queen. As an American, it was nice to have some words of warmth, comfort and common sense coming from heads of state (because Trudeaus words are also appreciated!) rather than the self-serving bluster coming from our moronic leader. Here in the Salt Lake Valley, things are budding and beginning to bloom. The birds are active, vociferous and welcome. I’m going to spend time outdoors preparing our patio for some relaxation! I always enjoy your posts!
I love your sailboat block so cute--sailing through the dark skies and waters of today..;)))very apt.
~ ~ ~ waving from cloudy CT and wondering if it will ever get warmer here
Julierose
Wow - Prime Minister Trudeau's speech is terrific. Yay for bits of green and springtime birds.
Lego, what an innovative design, that Dad is so clever. Yes, we forget sometimes that the younger ones have also had their lives so altered, down here, there will be online learning, not sure how that will happen yet, maybe I could join in at a third form level and start to do maths and science all over again. I have lots to choose from to do, but somehow lack motivation. Thankful for every small thing, or huge, like friends doing grocery shopping ( as over 70, we are advised to stay home ) and that task is now so slow, a long wait outside, very few allowed in at one time, some items limited, but so happy when the goodies are dropped off outside the back door ,Yesterday both friends received a banana loaf to say SO many thanks. Take care, enjoy every spring sign that is flying in or popping up.
I love those early signs of spring.
Such a lovely post! So many interesting things to think about as I read it. Loved the birds - both the outside AND the inside ones!
Fun projects!
The frogs overwinter in the pond, under the ice. They have built-in antifreeze!
Those little peepers sure seem happy and your sail boat is really cute. Y'all stay safe and healthy up there!
It's lovely to see your enthusiasm for the new season on your blog. I hope you do get that lovely spring you are hoping for. Many are predicting a bad winter for us down here in NZ.
Your projects are coming along nicely.
I only see two species in the picture of birds under your feeder, Jocelyn. Male and female purple finches and male and female goldfinches. Yes, our Prime Minister, our Premier and our Queen send level-headed, heart-felt and supportive messages. I really like your schooner block. Sewed myself a mask today which I'll be wearing for my grocery runs. So many patterns about now! Like you, I love the sound of spring frogs and singing birds. A bit of normal that sounds so good!
I'm so glad signs of spring are showing up in your neighborhood. I was able to spend about 3 hours in the garden again yesterday which was refreshing, even if a little hard on the muscles. Forsythia in glorious bloom and hyacinths coming into their own. But a cold wave is due on Friday with the high only 39F degrees. Guess that means more time for quilting.
Pat
It is so interesting to see your Spring season peeping out.....I don't have that kind of season change over here. Lovely blocks as well xx
It's really a different world these days, but I also see beautiful things going on over here. People are so creative in finding creative things to let other people know that they are not alone in this crazy world. And they still keep there distance.
I am so happy with all my hobby's at the moment.
And over here spring is all around.
I also make puzzles at the moment, download the app jigsaw on my tablet. There is every day a puzzle of the day.
It keeps your mind away of the news of the day.
Stay safe and healthy.
A lot of love,
Marja
We all have those kinds of sleepless nights these days. Your photos are lovely and calm us all. I loved the queen's speech too. We Americans are so lacking in leadership right now. Glad your PM addressed the children. I swear that Obama would have this thing sewn up by now and we'd be helping other countries. Ugh. But spring is coming and I do hope you have a real one! Hugs and stay safe!
I like that you wait to clean up in case critters are hibernating. :) Louisa is beautiful! Those points couldn't be more perfect. I think the SAL patterns are really pretty this year, but that still isn't enough to persuade me to hand piece again - haha. I have loved cats since I was a child and could endlessly watch our three cats and their little quirks. I was thinking yesterday about my first cat, Rags, and would you believe I cried thinking about him - sheesh!
I love the spring time so very much.This year we must sit at home.
Greetings to you and yours
Hi Jocelyn! Don't you just love seeing those bits of green poking up through the dirt and leaves and mulch?! All of my daffodils have grown quite high and will certainly be open and on display for Good Friday. Or at least quite a few of them will be open. My goofy Christmas cactus got another blossom on it! I guess I'll have to rename it to a Thanksgiving/Easter cactus. Take care, my friend. ~smile~ Roseanne
I was listening to the peepers a few days ago. Yes I agree spring seems to be a month ahead of schedule here too. Love seeing the green shoots. I already have a very green "lawn" I use the term loosely since it is just grass, not nice, weed free like many have. :D Love your puzzle, did I mention that I purchased a puzzle keeper and sorters? I even grabbed a puzzle from the attic the other day that I haven't done. Oh the birds are fabulous too. And your blocks are gorgeous. So many great likes this week.
it was so great to hear the way your president explained this to kids, and the kindness of the queens words. Being proud of how we handled this, and acknowledging the toll it's taking. What a difference in the way this can be handled from our white house resident. I lose sleep over things too right now. Thoughts swirl at night in the dark
Hi Jocelyn,
Like your pinwheel block, beautiful....Spring is trying to get here in northeast Indiana, but it's playing around. Yesterday it was in the upper 60's...today it's in the 40's with a brisk north wind. But my daffodil's are about to open, so spring can't be to far away. Have a great day!
I always love your bird photos, Jocelyn! We get those two kinds of birds in our yard, too, but I think lately they've been busy building nests, as we can hear them, but not see them. I've been enjoying the bits of green showing themselves here and there as well. Green means hope to me! Sending you good thoughts for better sleep - that can definite be hard to come by right now.
I love the bird puzzle and of course your little finches outside! They are so precious and look like what we have at our feeders right now. Have a good day! Stay safe!
Your pinwheel looks perfect! Such a pretty shade of yellow too! I'm so glad it's springtime even though it doesn't really feel it yet. Your prime minister is so much nicer than our president. That's all I'll say! You don't want to get me started! Haha!
Nice thoughts, observations and photos, Jocelyn. I enjoyed reading through the calm view from your lenses right now. We've been hearing our peepers for the past week or so, also.
Great post of such pretty things especially your lovely and smart queen. I’m jealous.
The Queen never fails to amaze me, and at her age! How kind of Trudeau to address the children. My grands are very aware of what is going on in the world, and do not complain about being isolated from their friends, which came as a surprise to me. Your quilt blocks are cheery. Stay safe.
It's good to keep busy. Yes, everyone is working hard to get us all through this.
I love your boat block. I think I have that black polka dot myself!
Loved your post Jocelyn! Spring is just the best when we get it! We've been flirting with spring here the past few weeks, but the cold keeps popping in at nearly record levels, so we are still waiting. The robins are here so it can't be far away. It is important to do the things that calm us and to enjoy the little gifts of bird song, new life and sunshine.
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