spring things

The peas are up, and the carrots are in.  Finally, it is getting cooler, so I think these crops will be happier.  I did happen to see a squirrel digging a hole somewhere near our carrot rows, and using both paws to tamp in his walnut.  Gah.  And now I can't find it.  Well, our gardening was always more experimental than serious.

Our niece is visiting for a few days.  I don't expect to see much of either of the girls--it has been so long since they've seen each other, and they like to go off and play their own games.  I am glad they are such good friends!

I am sewing like a fiend.  Lots of handwork to do to get the bodice ready. 

Elise auditioned for a Gilbert and Sullivan performance for this summer.  It is serious work if she gets in, but I am so pleased she wanted to audition no matter what.  It was a good experience for her.  And then we had ice cream afterward, and discovered that the local candy shop was open until 11 p.m.  Good grief! 

Albin biked into town this afternoon to meet with friends and play Magic.  It's a nice day for biking today--cloudy, not too hot, and not raining.

And the best news: I can't remember if I have mentioned it yet, but I really want to go to NC to learn proper tutu construction.  It turns out that the instructor is willing to come to our town next spring.  Elise's ballet teacher gave me a connection at the local ballet company, and they are willing to let us use their costume shop free of charge.  It's all coming together!  The instructor is offering to let me take the class for free, for helping to organize it, and we can donate some of the profits back to the ballet company.  Yay!  I will probably still go to NC next summer, to learn more specific techniques that we can't do in the basic class, but I'm so glad things are working out.

spring

planting peas (of course, Clover is helping)

We grew it ourselves--in a pot and everything!

anniversary dessert date

better picture of the desserts on our date (with child)

 a chance to see one of my favorite singers (for free!) before the dessert date

peas!

We ordered some carrot seeds (finally!--the red ones that Elise wanted), birdhouse gourds, and sunflower seeds.  I found a packet of Amish sugar snap peas locally, and we'll plant them today.  It's going to be in the 70s this week, people!  Ugh.  Poor peas--they want to be cold.

I took a baby surprise jacket off the knitting needles for my cousin's family yesterday.  The baby is due at the end of May, and it will probably take me that long to sew the buttons on and tie in the loose ends.  You know how it is, to tie up all the loose ends.  I do have another ball of yarn all ready to cast on the next jacket, though.  It's a great meeting project--only a few places in the pattern that require a bit of concentration, and lots and lots of garter stitch. 

Pictures of springy things to come--I think the bluebells are popping up already.

Things we have been doing lately: gaming (and pondering said gaming--see above photo), reading, sewing, playing hopscotch or pogo on the driveway (Elise is getting really good), enjoying the weather, having a fire in the backyard, climbing trees, exercising, eating more fruits and vegetables, and planning great sewing events for next year.

We're planning another fitting of the dress this weekend--we'll have to be careful not to stick Emily with all those pins!  Albin's friends are putting on their play this weekend, too--a must see, in a beautiful old theater.  I'm really looking forward to this weekend.

I think Karl and Elise's trip to NYC is pretty well set.  We have their lodging settled, and tickets for the airfare, Wicked, and the ballet.  We looked into buying a city or explorer pass, but I don't think it will be worth their while.  About half their items to do are museums and tours, so they wouldn't pay much more for individual museums than the passes...

Sunday night

Our local bowling alley has deals on Sunday night bowling, so we played a few games (I almost made it through a whole game before my arm/hand gave out!), and ate too many greasy fries and sodas.  Mmmmmmm. Greasy fries.  Albin showed us the pinball game he likes.  Karl and I tried, and we are not very good at it.  I'd like to try again sometime, though.

The fitting this weekend went pretty well for the Victorian ballgown.  We went through several muslins for the bodice, and Carola is doing patternwork on the next version.  We have to figure out how to get Emily here, or go up there, for hopefully two more fittings soon, as I want this dress done by the beginning of April.  Wish us luck!

Karl took Elise sledding this weekend, the first time this year.  We're supposed to hit midfifties by Wednesday, so I'm glad they went at least once.

A new camera!

Well, it looks like we are a bit fuzzy yet, perhaps, but the bottom one was taken without flash, so maybe it's not sooo bad.  Honestly, I can't really see it well on the computer screen, or the little camera screen, and I can't seem to download it into the software, so...there we are.  At least it isn't very obviously grainy, so that's a plus over the old camera already.  And it fits in my pocket, so I might even take it out to use once in a while.

The fabric store had a 50% off sale on very stretchy knitwear, and I bought the pattern on sale yesterday, so now I have enough fabric to make two leotards for Elise.  I did all the patternwork tonight, so that project is ready to go, after I finish Emily's dress.  We're supposed to have a fitting on Saturday, but we'll see if she can get here.  Almost no storms all winter, and this is the weekend we get one!  But it might go south, so I won't harangue too much until tomorrow.