Marsbarn Designs...

And then I start something completely different, because I can

Honestly, I probably need a new art craft like I need a new sugar-fat-carb combination.  But, here I am chowing down on even more fiber.

 

I wasn't looking to learn how to spin.  I know fervent spinners who create beautiful things, and are drawn to the transformation from raw fiber to functional yarn with compulsion and passion.  (I so far, am not.)

This dabbling of mine came about when a friend innocently asked me if I wanted to join the group of spinners that was starting up at her house.  The location, company, and timing was perfect.  I would have had to be made of stronger, sterner stuff to say no. (I think this is the fiber version of "Try it.. you'll like it..")

And there is that enchanting thing about learning something new.  How could I say no to a bit of new knowledge? ( I can totally keep this under control.)

Little e's wisdom about life and flying marshmallows

On the way to school today:

little e:  All things are related to other things.

me: Oh?

little e: Yes. That is related to that, and this is related to this. Everything is related to other things. Except for flying marshmallows that land on your head and poop on it.  Those aren't related to anything.

I found myself eyeing the Cadbury Milk, and thought "I just don't know you anymore"

I've come a rather startling, life altering realization of late.
I think... I think.. I.. um.. 
have fallen out of love with dark chocolate.

 

I know, I know...
Dark strong chocolate is all the rage,
single source, sometimes gritty, earthy, bitter chocolate is everywhere,
and honestly, I used to crave it.
But lately? The creamy sweetness of (brace yourself) 
milk chocolate has called to my soul.

Now, I'm still not a fan of wimpy, weak chocolate, 
and when I bake the chocolate is still 60 or 70%,
but when I reach for that craving satisfying nosh 
I'm finding myself happier with something a little sweeter, a little creamer, and little mellower. 

ending as we begin, but ready for more

Spring break was everything I could have hoped for, 
except for the cold that traversed our family in a domino type of effect;
boom, boom, boom, take a tissue and pass the box.
Happily it seems to be a fairly short lived virus.
But, since I was the last one to fall, the break has ended much as it began;
I feel tired, and ready for a nap.

But really, who has time for a nap?

Spring Break did have a rejuvenating effect on my creative urges.
My body may be tired, but my mind is revving away.
I have things I want to make, damn it!
Easter is less than a week away!
There are treats to make, eggs to dye, sugar to transform, wool to felt, and baskets to decorate!

In a moment of pure splurge, I ordered a Ukrainian egg dying kit (which I've been eyeing for a year or more) with the internal promise that the project doesn't have to be done before Easter.  

I have a few things that have percolating in the background to share, but first... I might just need a wee bit of a snooze...

Gardening, or learning to love the survivors

You know those plants that you try to grow, but they just get eaten by your garden? You faithfully plant them again and again, and they vanish into the ether like.. well... ether.

 

You become so frustrated/reconciled by the injustice that you begin to embrace the "wild flowers" in your yard.  Dandelions are a lovely yellow, dontcha know... and they are edible... and.. and.. they don't die. (Unfortunately.)

But then, when you've finally let go and moved on.. look what your daughter finds..

 

A single, perfect fritillaria. 
The lone survivor of the dozens I've planted over the past decade.
Isn't she cool?

Really Mom, like you could fill her shoes

It is just Little e and myself in the house tonight.
Big E is off on a guy's weekend.
(He's been approved to return to work on Monday, by the way.)
And, since Sweetheart G is spending the night with Grand M,  my littlest monkey and I are alone here.
She's a bit at loose ends without her sister.
I am not, apparently, equipped enough to fill those size 3 shoes.

"Oh Mom, what am I going to do without her?!"
And, Oh! The Look when I said I would be here.

Little e had to go to sleep in my bed tonight, 
since her bedroom was too lonely without her sister,
and I have not decided if I'll move her,
or just slide her over and pretend she's still my little little girl.

Colors fed, but texture lacking

I started doing this last week.

I tried to resist... I did.  
But the lure of those little squares called to me..

 

I did not, however, buy new yarn.
Instead, I pulled the prettiest of the colors from my stash of Cascade 220.

I was happy with the colors, but this collection of pretties aren't soft and cozy.  Still, I am glad I went ahead with a practice round.  After I'd amassed a pile of squares, and I started to join them together, I realized I didn't like the way they were attached to each other.  So, I came up with this long chain technique, which I think I like.

 

Is the urge satisfied?
I'm just not sure.
I really, really wish this scarf were soft, but I think I'd be disappointed if I'd spent money on new yarn to make it, since the final product isn't what the pattern made.
All in all, at least my need for color feels well fed,
and I've started noodling my way through a crocheted throw with the same yarns and colors.

Seven signs of Spring Break

1. The alarm clock is pouting.

2. Come ten o'clock in the morning, I might just be dressed.

3. The laundry is almost under control and I can see my kitchen counter.

4. There is some serious nesting going on.

5. I am unwinding bit by bit.

6. All of us are in some state of getting, or getting over, a new cold.

7. The idea of having one thing a day scheduled on the calendar feels stifling.

Now all I need is a time machine.

I woke up this morning with a desperate need to be thirty years younger.  For you see, this is in my backyard...

Oh but we are blessed with kind friends.
One sweet soul gave this structure to us, and another brave soul helped us move it.  Oh, and then there were the three friends who came to provide muscle since Big E was so limited by his ankle.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Nuts and Pig Tails to you too!

Little e just said, "Nuts and pig tails!"  as a curse when the DVDs fell over.

Ohmygoodness, but it is hard to keep from giggling and spoiling the whole naughty word moment for her.