Well as usual, I just struggle to do any consistent posts. But that is as it may be and I am perfectly fine with it. With spring tiptoeing in, the mornings have still been cold and often tinted with frost, but the days have been sunny and bright, with that glorious light that proclaims the season is changing! The dogs are loving the morning and afternoon romps. The mornings we are out just as dawn begins to peak over the horizon and all is still quiet. I love the early morning hours, the dark before the dawn. However, the doggos anticipating their romp, never end harassing me to get out the door. I just love seeing the arrival of spring and the daffodils blooming! The trees are covered in buds, just awaiting the burst forth. The really are very few places as beautiful in Spring as the area I currently call home.
We have had two new additions to our neighborhood. A pair of Canadian Geese have taken up residency at the pond. They are so beautiful and majestic. I wasn’t sure they were going to be permanent residents, but 3 weeks in and they are still in residence. I just the view out my front and seeing all the doings of the local wildlife!
A week last, I had the most lovely visit ever from my youngest and 5 grands! They are busy packing up and preparing the move back to Nevada. I shall miss them dearly as now they will be 7 hours away instead of 3. We had the best time ever. Hours at the parks like we love to do, I let them choose what parks and we often make the circuit of their favorites. One of the beauties of getting older is having all the time to sit at the park for an hour or two while they play (sometimes it is even 3!). Additionally lots of time engaged in art/crafts/puzzling as we discussed all and sundry. I always want to hear everything they have to say. We even managed to get in some fun thrifting. The days passed all too quickly and they were off and preparing for their next adventure!
And while on the topic of adventure, we have a few coming up. Friday we are off for a visit to my eldest and grands in Ireland. It has been far too long. In 2022 we managed 3 trips, then along came 2023 and we never made a one. So now it is back on to make up for how dearly I have missed them all. It is always just the grandest time there, oh how I cannot wait! I will take oodles of pictures as we go along. This time we have plans to visit several holy sites, including a holy well and oh how I cannot wait!
Upon our return, my middle looks to be taking a contract here with the state and I shall have her and 6 grands for at least 3 months! Oh be still my heart! All this glorious grand time in these past weeks and coming months is just the best! I do live for my time with my children and grands!
In other news, we have decided to just put down some roots here and buy a home. We have been so uncertain so have just held off buying. We both miss the beauty and green of the Willamette Valley, and my soul does flourish there. But I have developed many lovely friendships here and have a job that I thoroughly enjoy. So we have been out scouting around and looking at numerous homes. The sticker shock is not wearing off, however! But after much looking, we have decided to just do new build in a developing community. We have found a lovely lot that faces a memorial golf club and rolling fields beyond and it seems just the thing to meet our needs.
It has been such fun choosing the floor plan and picking out all the interior dets. Now we just wait for it to be built. Tentatively it will be ready in November for move in, just in time to decorate for Christmas! That time frame is fine as it gives me ample time to plot, plan, pack, and purge! I am busy of course playing with a design board, cutting and pasting my dream rooms and furnishing. What this has lead to, as well, is a major amount of thrifting! Of course it helps that the season is upon us! I do love the hunt and the thrill of finding an amazing treasure. But with my design plan, I am being much more specific. Of course watching a half dozen thrift haul you tube channels doesn’t help my addiction….LOL. While the husband is all about new, I am all about antiques and items I have repurposed and that have character and history. I esp love handmade items! I am already planning some new paint jobs and techniques on my current pieces starting as soon as I return from Ireland! Also some sewn items for accents throughout the house.
I have not done a lot of sewing, knitting, or crafting lately, just slowly working on a quilt and have cut out a few more dolls and toys. My heart was so warmed when my precious Bella loved the cat doll I made for an Irish love, so she chose fabric for me to get one sewn up for her as well. I have enjoyed working on this darling quilt that uses fabric designed by Gingiber. I found this cute fabric when out shopping with my youngest checking out the quilt shops in her area, and we both determined to make it. We are using different patterns, but I wanted the quilt that utilized all the cute sayings. I do adore Gingiber designs!
And now I must off to finish up last minute prep for my trip!
Blessings,
Patricia
Always good to hear from you Patricia. Enjoy your time in Ireland and good luck with the move. xx
Patricia, what a lovely invitation into spring, flowers, geese, walks in the park, being with your grand kids. I sense a lot of joy in your post.
Safe travels to Ireland, and enjoy your visit there. When you get back I want to hear about the trip to the well. I have Sharon Blackie's oracle deck and I recently picked the Well card. Resulting in some deep contemplations on Springs and wells.