A Year Of Silver Linings

I was reading an article in one of my magazines yesterday.

The article begged the question, what have you learned or gained during the pandemic.

The answers varied in size and content but for the most part, 

they were short, 

easy to read answers, boxed off individually.

The responses were fascinating, each different but the primary focus was on being home more.

All of the answers were insightful...positive and happy.

Now it seems that staying home has made us dig deeper, try harder and be stronger.

We are more empathetic people with bigger hearts, 

hearts than appreciate love more!

But most of the responses focused on being home more,

and isn't that the best silver lining of all.

Today...may we all remember the "Silver Linings"!

An Early Easter Celebration

We had the most amazing early 

Easter Celebration

at my nephew Billy's and his wife Christine's house.

I love coming here...

The table is always so festive...

she finds the most impressive Easter paper goods.

This big bunny was so adorable...

and I just noticed the bunnies on either side of the television,

you can see them in the background!

On the dining room table, this bunny...

and an Easter basket for each of the girls.

Christine

Maddie

The girls opened Easter Baskets

painted rocks...

and dyed Easter eggs.

Maddie likes having her picture taken...

she is indeed one of the sweetest little girls...

there is just something about her!

The girls enjoyed playtime in the playroom,

I did as well.

They fed me, dressed me and gave me some brains!

Strawberry Shortcake

There was nothing "short" about this cake.

My Lorelei

I love her more than all of the stars in the sky!

Many thanks to Christine, she is a gem,

she made all of this happen!

Today, may your day be filled with this much joy!

Just Add Ice

 At least 10 years ago I purchased a "just add ice" orchid at the food store.

It has been alive and vibrant until now 

and it finally decided it was tired of those cold waterings every Sunday...

it stopped blooming and I laid it to rest.

I was so sad to see it go as it was such a beautiful shade of purple and I loved it so much.

We don't shop in the food store now to replace it

  but recently had to make an emergency run for the hubs mom and there they were.

- just add ice -

orchids

I was so excited, I almost wet my pants...

Easy care, place in a bright well lit location, and add 3 ice cubes per week.

Purchased March 24, 2021, 

I will keep this little card so I always remember when I purchased it,

and how long I have had it.

And you may have noticed I had to change the 2 to a 3,

stuck back in February I forgot it was March.

This one has lots of flowers and lots of blooms.

I have all of my seeds now to start my vegetable garden.

I'm not sure if I am planting everything in a raised bed or in pots,

but at least everything is started.

Wishing you all health and happiness

and plenty of sunshine to enjoy your day!

Wise Words On Sundays

Saturday Critters ~ 380 ~

 I have a lot of pictures from Lake of the Lilies to share today,

so lets get to it!

First up is a Killdeer

Female Mallard Duck

Male Mallard Duck

Hybrid Duck

American Coot

Sharing today's images with Eileen at 

Viewing Nature With Eileen 

for Saturday Critters

March ~ MS Awareness Month

An artist's rendition of what it's like to live with MS.

This...and so much more!

March is MS Awareness Month

I thought this might help you to be aware of "some" of the symptoms,

and what it is like living with MS!

Just ponder it, I have turned comments off!

Yarn Along

 My Yarn Along posts never get many views or comments.

I started my new project, Leanne was instrumental in making that happen,

I came home, started working on it and I "screwed it all up"!

It's all wrong, all messed up...

I have done lace work once before, everything has to line up, and mine does not!

Now, what should I do?

Liz and Leanne say rip it out, the hubs says "new pattern/new design!

I stopped working on it for now and will give it some more thought!

But it is looking like a frog is in my future...

"rip it"

Here's how it looks as a whole...

This is the Sweet Soul Shawl by Tamy Gore

Knitted with Kettle Dyed Yarns

Lumen

50% Superwash Merino Wool

50% Silk

This yarn was purchased during a trip to Intercourse, Pennsylvania, many moons ago.

And when I say many moons, we are talking 10 + years ago!

Here's a close up of the lace part.

Here's the problem, these holes are suppose to be on top of one another.

Lace is not my thing...but my nails look great!!

Keeping Company...

 One swan has returned to Lake of the Lilies.

Funny to see only one here, come the season, there will be so many more.

But it was thrilling to see one on this day, knowing that soon they will all arrive.

This seagull seemed to be keeping the swan company.

This appears to me to be a female.

Males and females are very similar, except the female's bill's basil knob is smaller.

Without viewing them side by side, I used a picture in my book,

and my best educated guess is that this is a female.

Mute swans are large, unmistakeable waterbirds.

Their wings make a throbbing, humming sound when in flight.

It is so pretty and quite memorable.

It is always a thrill to see them spread their wings...

even a bigger thrill to capture it in a picture.

On this day, we left home in the early afternoon to go for a ride.

It is always fun to see the moon out during the day!