Quilting in the Garden...

With the arrival of March, we have entered that misty zone between lingering winter and Spring's first soft notes...our weekend was glorious with temperatures in the 60's and a breeze that floated gently across the face. A perfect day for a walk with a friend who came up to visit us...

This Monday morning brings a dense fog advisory and a chill to the air - a warming fire in the great room beckons. Laundry spins in the washer and dryer down the hall and I find a moment or two to gaze at a newly arrived seed order from Renee's. Is there a bit of warm California sun inside that envelope? One can dream... 

With travel plans in the works for the approaching summer months, the garden will be somewhat limited this year. But, we couldn't go without our plantings of lettuce, carrots, peas and perhaps a cucumber or two if timed right...

Even though on the road, a gardener can still play with flowers, especially if she likes to quilt...and just when I thought it was safe to go browsing at the Crabapple Hill site again (after a self-imposed lock-out!)...well...look what those designers have come up with to tempt us. (And thanks to one of my stitching buddies, Kathy L. for getting me into trouble in the first place and who led me kicking and screaming all the way to the check out counter!)

A Gardener's Alphabet...

12 luscious patterns in this set that will work into a 64 X 73 quilt...with fabric prepped, crayons in hand and some of that lovely Cosmos embroidery floss, this will be a fun,  portable, project to take along. Coloring, stitching and gardening - all in one!

And, my first Cherry Tree border is sprouting leaves and cherries...

Let's see - what else is new? A book has arrived at Taylorsoutback...

Take a peak inside...Civil War quilt fabric history and pattern blocks to drool over...

And one last book recommendation before I sign off for now...
Mr. Outback presented me with a new Kindle for my birthday...yes, I know, I was one of those people who loudly said - Not For Me...love the feel of a book in my hands, even the fragrance of the paper pages. But then, discovered you could ENLARGE the text for eyes that are aging. What's not too love about that? So now, I love the Kindle and the second book downloaded - right after Jane Eyre, of course (my all time favorite) was The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey. A magical story based on the Russian fairy tale - The Snow Maiden. This new take is a first novel and I did not want it to end. An easy read with descriptions of the Alaskan wilderness that will have you feeling every snowflake. 

Still having problems with that annoying "Word verification" on Blogger? Visit Sharon's blog for very clear instructions on how to get rid of this pesky feature. Thank you, Sharon for providing this!

All for now...have your own magical week...