Take that spring

I spent yesterday working in the studio. I've realized that my idea that I could use the same table for jewelry and craft projects as I use for sewing, was not very well thought out. I'm never really at an ending point to clean up all that accumulates there, and even if I was I'm not sure where it would all reside while I use the table for sewing. I need to keep my eye out for something else. A lot of people sew on the floor, but I can't quite imagine how this works.Then again, I'm not the most coordinated person in the world. I listened to The Reindeer Section the whole time. It's been a really long time since I've listened to them. Whenever I put it on,after a long time, I always think,"Oh where have you been?". If you visit the site, I recommend listening to Your Sweet Voice. A wonderfully cohesive collaboration before Gary Lightbody was "discovered" by Grey's Anatomy.

sunshine

I realized as I posted this picture here, that I posted a nearly identical picture last spring.But, then I thought, isn't that was awaiting spring is all about anyway? Knowing and looking forward to that green bud we know will come year after year. Forcing a little green is kind of irresistible in February.

My last post I think I mentioned trying to get through February. Funny that it is the shortest month and yet it always feels the longest. I guess my silence means it's been a but of struggle. It's amazing what a say or two of sunshine will do for you. Even knowing that there will still be snow (last year we were snowed in on Easter, for crying out loud.), it just feels so good. Ramona and I have been out for long,long walks this weekend. It's time to lose that winter layer.

Here's a little B&S sunshine for you.

Maybe four years ago I remember listening to the Promise Ring's Wood/Water a lot around this time of year. Because of that, I always think of these lyrics when things show signs of thawing:
Spring cleaning's coming as we lose the cold weather
Put away your long johns and all your thick sweaters
We'll cut off all our winter hair
Sit out on the lawn chairs
As the sun forgets that we're here
We forget our career
All the lukewarm weeks at sixty degrees
We're hoping it's humid show our summer knees
Once in a lifetime once in a while the sun will shine on me

Grey Days

Is there a name for those endless days this time of year? My head is so achy and heavy and that I cannot for the life of me think of one. I can think of names for other times of the year but not this one.So, needless to say the weeks have been a bit long. It always makes me think of the Shins lyric, "The years have been short but the days go slowly by". I was listening to the Shins on repeat while finishing up some things for a Cleveland Handmade show at Silverthorne Gallery. (If you are in the area it's up until the end of the month). Maybe it was all the time spent in a VERY cold attic, but I've been sick all weekend. I am so.tired.of.being.sick. This has been a truly rough January.

The picture above was taken through one of my favorite candlesticks.
I have had my eye on them for quite awhile. I imagined them looking lovely on the mantle, but the realities of very thin glass on a mantle above a ceramic tile hearth and two cats and at least one very clumsy owner, it was not to be. After I broke one just minutes after arranging them, it was clear they needed a new home. Luckily they fit on the window ledge of the very high leaded glass window in the dining room. It turned out to be good decision because looking at the way the light shines through them gives me a lot of pleasure.



I just finished this book and really enjoyed it. It's been a bit difficult to throw myself into a new book, after enjoying that one so much. This always seems to happen to me. I did score this at the library, so I'm trying to make a sewing goal for the month. Also, the I'm Not There soundtrack has been playing a whole lot around here. It's so,so good. In the meantime, I'll be checking Leya's blog to see what other people's solutions are to these days.