Monday this week i didn't go to work. When i got up before 5 a.m., it was snowing very heavily. We hadn't had anywhere near the 4 to 10 inches they had predicted, but it seemed possible that it could easily end up being that much snow, or more. (I can hear the kitties in Maine and Canada and Connecticut snickering about this insignificant amount of snow.) I really could have made it to the bus...but i didn't relish getting stuck in the city if the bus couldn't make it back to pick me up...so i called in for a day of unscheduled leave.
Instead of going back to bed, i stayed up and had a really really productive day. I did some seriously overdue straightening in my sewing room. One of the things i found was the stash of patterns i acquired on my trip to Alaska in 2002. I hadn't really wanted to buy fabric since it takes up so much room, and besides, most places had the same fabric i could get back home. However, i was able to get some great patterns by local designers or with Alaska themes. One shop in Skagway even had very clever little kits that included everything a quilter on a cruise ship might need to make a little quilted something, if she were silly enough to be traveling without her own handwork. (Front row, right hand side, next to the little felt pieces with Native American beading designs on them).
And then i made our March exchange block. Here's Sylvie helpfully pointing out the center of the block:
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.Late in the afternoon, the snow stopped and i went out to shovel, even though the wind was whipping and it was barely 20 degrees out there, not counting the wind chill factor. I guess we had about 4 inches total. On the far side of the patio i saw something purple in the snow...a little clump of crocuses bravely poking up through the snow! The wind had blown a lot of the snow away from them, plus it looks like they were generating enough heat (like skunk cabbages do) to melt the snow around themselves a little. 
Tuesday it was back to work. It was still just barely in the 20s. It got progressively warmer all week, yesterday it stayed above freezing, and today it got up to 65 and look what the same clump of crocuses was doing! 
And tonight when i went in to town, i heard choruses of spring peepers! What a difference a few days make!
And tonight when i went in to town, i heard choruses of spring peepers! What a difference a few days make!
Wow Paula! what a great post! My all-time dream of a trip is to go on one of those cruise liners along the coast (is it from Florida?) all the way to Alaska. I don't know why, but I have a real facination with the place - I think it's the remoteness of it all.... Phtographs I've seen look amazing, and my favourite song of all-time is Anchorage, Alaska, by Michelle Shecked. (I'm not that in to her other stuff, but Anchorage just does it for me, it's a beautiful song).
ReplyDeleteThe sewing kits are fantastic - we just don't have stuff like that here; the best one has to be the beavers!
Your 'little helper' is great! Oh, they really do like to help! If you look closely at some (quite alot!) of my drawings, you will see weird shadows - these are 'Kitten Scroff'. If I don't hide everything away if I need to leave mid-process, they jump up on my desk (this works best if you have muddy, wet paws) and tread all over the drawings!This has happened many times!
Keep warm! (Still no news).
So true! We all love crocuses here aswell and there are several blooming right now. We sincerely hope that Spring won't be held back by Winter anymore... Purrs!
ReplyDeleteThe photos of the crocus before and after are exquisite! And reminded me not to give up hope up here in CT. And just so you know, Henry was polite and held back his snicker.
ReplyDeleteYou heard spring peepers!!! The PM's upset now. She loves listening to them while she goes to sleep.
ReplyDeleteThe crocuses are lovely!
Purrs, Goldie
Hi Liz. I had dreamed of going to Alaska for years and finally went (*mumble 50th birthday mumble*)...and it was every bit as wonderful as i had hoped. I went on one of the small ship cruises, which started at Sitka and worked its way up the inside passage to Juneau, then flew (to Anchorage!) and took the train up to Denali Park (totally amazing) and to Fairbanks; flew from there to Victoria, British Columbia, and then back home. The pattern you liked best is actually sea otters...amazing animals!
ReplyDeleteSiena and Chilli, we hope Spring is really here...but we fully expect more cold weather before it truly gets here.
Karen, Spring may even tickle at Connecticut today (and nice of Henry not to snicker *g*).
Goldie, please tell the PM not to be upset. I love to fall asleep to the sound of the peepers, too, but can't hear them here at my house yet...i guess it's warmer in town, so the ones in the drainage ditch were busy singing. Pretty funny to step out of a grocery store in what looks like a built up area to hear the peepers singing. They'll be awake here, and at your place, eventually!
Spring flowers are my favourite kind. This is a lovely post :o)
ReplyDeleteWHat a great post! I liked the cat parade pattern! I have never had any luck with crocuses. I nave white Iris blooming and the neighbors thought I was crazy to cover them up last weekend when it got below freezing.
ReplyDeleteHi quiltcat, today was certainly much warmer than it's been and we can actually see a little bit of the ground but on the bad side, the driveway has turned into mud puddles! Mud season seems to have appeared early this year. It's wonderful to see your crocuses...they always make me feel good when the appear.
ReplyDeleteWe love the crocus pics! we can't wait for Spring.
ReplyDeleteOh, that trip to Alaska sounds wonderful!!! We have given an award to your mom today.
ReplyDeletePurrs, Siena & Chilli
Ooops! Mom has such a short memory span! : )
ReplyDeleteNo need to post the six things again though - unless something else came your across your mind in those few days.
Purrs, Siena & Chilli
I love the way Sylvie is in the middle of things. Our furry friends love to be "involved" in everything we do!
ReplyDeleteI linked to your blog on mine today. Please come check it out!
Sylvies are always so helpful, aren't they?
ReplyDelete