Easy Being Green

This was supposed to be my St. Patrick's Day post. I was so spent and exhausted at the end of the day on Monday, March 16, I forgot to hit publish. I kept thinking I could publish a little late on Tuesday, but I didn't get on the computer until after 7 p.m. That has happened a few times in the last several weeks. I guess that's just my new blahg schedule these days.

I'm hoping to start as many of my raised-bed garden veggies from seed again this year instead of buying established plants in a few months from one of the local garden centers. With no real winter this year, I might be able to get an earlier start on transplanting...

My goal was to plant my peppers and tomatoes for the coming summer on March 1. That was Sunday. I'm teaching 5- and 6-year-olds this year, and they are still at the very active and very excited stage in which it's a real challenge to keep them in their seats or to get them to listen to anything I say. I have to make everything into a game to capture their attention at all. Lizard's also struggling a bit more these days, and his needs outweigh anything in the garden. By the time we get home from church, we're both so exhausted, we both end up taking an afternoon nap. Then it's Bible study and my weekly call to my mom, and I don't get much else done.

I did, however, get my seeds planted in clean yogurt containers on March 2, and they've been coming up like crazy!!! (I also remembered to sprinkle poppy seeds in the garden right before our March 15 snowstorm that was supposed to be half an inch and instead delivered nearly six inches!!!) I can hardly wait for fresh tomatoes (and poppies!!!) from my garden!!!

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No Flake Monday

Again?!? Are you serious??? Yes. I'm sorry. I'm trying to keep up, but priorities have been smacking me pretty hard. Taxes (ugh!!!), a plethora of medical appointments, necessary garden responsibilities, helping my neighbor move, once again teaching Lizard to quilt, snowflake photos to edit... You name it. Everything got in the way last week!

I did finally get my snowflake photos from March 6 edited, and now I'm working on the March 13 snowflakes. Taxes are nowhere near done. I'm at the dentist bright and early this morning having a stubborn crown re-installed for a fourth time. And I need to finish my final glow-in-the-dark amigurumi for the last of my Sunday school students to turn 8. She's actually moved up into the next class now, and I'm teaching her younger brother (and five other five- and six-year-olds). But no way I'm leaving her out after teaching her and her classmates for four straight years!

She had started 2025 requesting a unicorn, then suddenly a few months ago decided she wants an otter. I've never made either a unicorn or an otter. But I'd never made half the critters I made last years for my students. So, I'm pressing onward trying to finish this otter. I hope to be back with a new snowflake next week!

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Because He Lives

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A Flimsy

I spent St. Patrick's Day mostly in the garden, where there isn't a ton of green yet, but in the evening, I was able to audition all my greens (Who knew I had 18 different verdant hues in my stash?!?) to extend my Spoonflower sunflower cheater panel just a bit.

I also was able to find Lizard's stash in the basement. I thought I remembered some sunflower fabric he'd asked me to buy for him because he wanted to make a sunflower quilt years ago. I think that was before the pandemic and before Parkinson's took such a heavy toll on him. I might be able to incorporate some of the sunflower fabric on the quilt back. I have some ideas that involve more leftovers, but the sunflower theme might need a bit of a boost.

While digging around looking for Lizard's stash, I also found a charm square rag quilt project he'd started before he was diagnosed. I'm going to try to get him back into the project now. I don't know if he will be able to do it, but maybe with a little help, art therapy can be back in full swing!

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Wordless Wednesday

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Snowflake Monday

The chart for today's pattern took me two weeks to draw. With a mouse. On my computer. So perhaps not the best instructions, but hopefully more clear than what I could have written. I'm not sure I even want to try writing this one. But I love the flake, and it has a bit of an Irish theme. I hope you enjoy it!

You may do whatever you'd like with snowflakes you make from this pattern, but you may not sell or republish the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!

Finished Size: 7.5 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread (I used seven colors), size 7 crochet hook, empty pizza box, wax paper or plastic wrap, cellophane tape, water soluble school glue or desired stiffener, water, glitter, small container for glue/water mixture, paintbrush, stick pins that won't be used later for sewing, clear thread or fishing line

Lost Winter Snowflake Chart

If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.

Finish: I've been stiffening my flakes with undiluted, full-strength water soluble school glue for quite a while now, and I've been squishing the glue onto and throughout each flake with my fingers (yucky mess!!!) instead of gingerly painting the flakes with glue. Yes, it's a mess. But it's faster. And stiffer.

Tape wax paper or plastic wrap to top of empty pizza box. Pin snowflake to box on top of wax paper or plastic wrap.

If using glue, mix a few drops of water with a teaspoon of glue in small washable container. Paint snowflake with glue mixture or desired stiffener. Sprinkle lightly with glitter. Wash paintbrush and container thoroughly. Allow snowflake to dry at least 24 hours. Remove pins. Gently peel snowflake from wax paper or plastic wrap. Attach 10-inch clear thread to one spoke, weaving in end. Wrap fishing line around tree branch (or tape to ceiling or any overhead surface) and watch snowflake twirl freely whenever you walk by! Snowflake also may be taped to window or tied to doorknob or cabinet handle.

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Friday Funny

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