Calendar says Spring????

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The Sand Hill Cranes, Robins and Red Winged Blackbirds have returned; the daffodils are about 4 inches out of the ground but it is snowing.

One of the perennial bulbs in our flower bed is called an Imperial Crown.  It also is out of the ground about 5 inches.  It is such a regal looking flower, I love it because it comes up so early and can take the cold (20 degrees F) temperature of today.  The blooms won't open for quite awhile yet and they last for many days.  The one big drawback to this flower is the bulb smells like a skunk.

It does multiply (slowly) but I resist digging them up to transplant because of the odor.  It is strong.  Fotunately, not in the flower or leaves.

Another sign of spring - in honor of my sister and friend Deb.... Nascar season is well underway.

March on in, Spring

It still is too early for spring here but the month of March is the "get on your mark" signal for me to look forward to that season.  The end of winter is a bittersweet event because early winter has the wonderful holidays of Thanksgiving and especially Christmas.  Then January- February our creative juices build up like sap in the maples.  Our customers often reward themselves during that period or settle into the gratifying routine of crafting items for others as gifts or for sale.

One of those customers, Michelle from PA, has a blog I really enjoy  as she shares tips she has learned while needle felting.  She creates one of a kind needle felted collectibles.  The blog, www.runredrun.com, has links to her etsy, Facebook and her other sites.

.	This is Leia from Star Wars, one of Michelle's current designs.  I like the Waldorf style of doll making when you can imagine your own thoughts in the doll, Leia is perfect for me.

Old Time Michigan Winter

 This is a view from the slider onto the deck at the back of the house.  I hope the bird bath doesn't get buried.  The recent years have been mild winters (for Michigan) when the snow doesn't pile high and last for months.  The past 3 days though do remind me of the snows of the 1990's. 

This snow started on Thursday and hasn't really quit for any length of time. Mostly it is "lake effect", lightweight and fluffy; we had about 18 inches by yesterday eve and another 6 inches fell overnight.  At the moment the sun is shining and it is beautiful...as long as you don't have to be out driving in it.

The bird feeders are hidden behind the drooping pine branches, a few birds can be seen on the ground including one male cardinal.  We have 6 pairs of cardinals who stay near the feeders during the day. Late evening when the birds have roosted, we bring the feeders inside to keep two yearling deer from emptying them each night.  The deer still make a trail around the house and are doing a good job of pruning the bushes all the way around.

2013 hit the ground running

Just over two weeks into this new year and already the technology world is trying to rule my life.  I have another new computer and love that it operates faster but I am having problems learning new layouts so everything is taking me longer- not an even swap at all at the moment. 

One of the pleasant happenings this new year is customer Betty Barry from Ft. Wayne, Indiana.  She has a fiber shop called Little Shop of Spinning.  She is now hand dyeing our sport weight yarn to sell in her shop.  Her color themes are so pretty.  An added plus,only to me I am sure, she is from my home state.