Laowai

It's been mostly quiet around here. Brian did go to Rhode Island for a work trip. After more than a year without any work travel it felt really strange to see his suitcase packed and ready to go on the bedroom floor. I don't think he enjoyed the trip much because he was nervous about Covid. 

I've been enjoying my garden and I got some new slip on clogs that I really like.

I'm doing a direct sowing experiment. I made a mini cold frame out of a plastic box that will hopefully protect the seedlings in some of my already established beds.

On Tuesday Brian and I got our first vaccine doses. Yay!

The highlight of my week was getting this anniversary present. It's an artwork commissioned by Brian and created by Bea. They had been secretly working on it for a long time. There was even more shouting "don't go in my room!" than normal (ha). Bea created drawings of each of our homes and then 3-D printed them with the help of a teacher at her school. There's our little ranch house in Midland, our condo in Evanston where Bea was born, our first apartment in Switzerland where Claire was born, our second Swiss apartment and finally our current home in Wilmette. And there is a conspicuous blank space at the end for our next home…

Those two really know what I love! It is so special! It's at the top of my most prized possessions list.

Here's a video that shows it better than my photo.

The daffodils are almost done and leaves are starting to burst out so that's very encouraging. This daffodil was so showy it had to come inside to sit on my windowsil.

And that's about all there is to report – other than these people sitting on the couch doing who knows what.

The Chicago Botanic garden is full of daffodils and robins. And also the beginnings of green plants sprouting out everywhere. And also the most beautiful pastel colors.

This time of year feels almost overwhelming to me. The anticipation of all those plants – they will soon surround us in green but now it's still chilly and there is a clamoring feeling. I had to sit down to take it all in. I watched a red-wing blackbird and listened to the carillon bells. 

I took a detour from my usual path to visit the vegetable gardens and my favorite sculpture. 

Still trying to work out how I can dislodge it and fit it in my pocket – it would look so nice in my garden. 

I'm obsessed with this garden shelf in the English Walled Garden. I think it has changed a little from last fall. I can't find my photo of it but I think it was a different shape without the legs and a swear it was green. I believe it was filled with scented geraniums the last time I saw it. I must get my own version of this shelf. I have the perfect place for it and I would fill it with fancy begonias in the summer. Dreaming.

Thank you Chicago Botanic Garden – you do not disappoint. I'll be back to see your tulips very soon.

Thanks to Aunt Sandy.

Today Brian and I went for a walk at Moraine Hills State Park. He rode his bike and I rode… the car (ha).

Even though we were walking among wetlands, the day felt really warm and dry. And since the leaves are not quite out yet the colors were pale and  interesting. 

Mom has finished the puzzle that we've been working on during the week. We've had our cinnamon rolls. Now it's time to drive her back to Michigan.

Somehow March has gone by really fast. And now at its end, we've had visitors! Jennifer and Jenna drove mom to our house. They spent the weekend and left mom to spend the week. I haven't had my family here since before we moved to Switzerland. It has felt so nice! I especially love being in the kitchen and looking over to see everyone gathered at the banquette table. 

We enjoyed games and a movie in the basement.

Jennifer and I found a big antique warehouse and had so much fun looking around. 

One booth was filled with old photos and we could have stood there and looked at them all day long.

Bea made an apple cake during her Zoom German class.

Mom is busy doing a puzzle. I helped some, but I won't be staying up until 2:00 to finish it like mom and Jennifer are known to do. 

Last week I did get to go on my regular walk at the Chicago Botanic Garden. I took a friend along so I didn't take many photos. We saw lots of early bulbs but it felt like the big show of color was just a few days away.

I started just a few perennials in my warm dining room. Some coral bells and some globe thistle – I hope I don't kill them.

I've been working on my garage doors. My first outdoor painting project. I'm scraping and sanding and then I'll give them a fresh coat of paint. The wood underneath seems in surprisingly good shape and there are not layers upon layers of paint. I feel like it's a doable project for me – if the weather continues to cooperate I could have it done quickly.

So other than all that we're just having a quiet week with grandma. The girls are having their Spring Break but we're not going anywhere (because of the pandemic). It's almost April and I'm looking forward to planning a vacation this summer.

It finally feels like spring has arrived and that makes me happy. Here are some other things that make me happy.

The new footstool getting used.

Walking to the lake and gazing at the waves on a windy day.

A batch of jam thumbprint cookies (Ina Garten recipe)

The way rhubarb sprouts up – going from crunched up sprouts to unfurled leaves – amazing!

Puttering around in my garden – getting out the patio furniture, dividing some perennials, cleaning up the flower beds and planting peas. I used branches that I pruned from our shrubs for pea supports this year. 

Finally my family making an appearance on my blog! We dragged the girls out for little hike around Fort Sheridan over the weekend.

Our backyard swing getting used. I replace the seat part because it was getting rotten and the new one is a little wider – perfect for two little bums side by side.

This is the second time in a few months that I have posted about my desire to put my feet up. What is happening to me? 

I've wanted a footstool to go with my Habitant chair for a while now. When I came across a plump ottoman at a second hand furniture store the other day and I snatched it up. I've always liked this chair from Schoolhouse so I decided to mimic it with some big scale gingham. I was able to pick apart the old and ugly upholstery fabric and I used that to make a pattern. I even reused the piping cord. Altogether it cost me less than 50 bucks and it is very soft and comfy.

Oh and also – my patio screen doors are in. When we had those teasing spring days last week I had to take the storm doors out and put the screens in. I had them refitted and painted last fall – they've never fit since we moved into our house. They are going to be so nice! 

This summer, if I'm not out in my garden, you'll find me sitting in my chair next to the screen doors – with my feet up – of course.

As soon as Bea got home from school she scooted the ottoman over to the couch and put her feet up. Time to get cozy and chill out after a long day. 

Last week we had some beautiful warm days – what a gift! The big piles of snow finally melted and I even got to ride my bike.

Inside I've been forcing some branches and I made some curtains. These curtain panels were bought for our first apartment in Switzerland and then they worked in our second Swiss apartment and now they are in Claire's room. Next I'm going to make a dress out of them like Marie Von Trapp.

I finished my scrappy quilt – sort of. I could add more quilting so that each of the small rectangles is lined in stitches but my fingers need a break. I love the way the plaid reveals itself when you step away from this quilt. I used cotton batting and a cheery green woven plaid for the backing.

The warm weather did not last. We got over and inch of snow yesterday. Just trying to be patient – waiting 'til I can go play in my garden.