Heigh-Ho, Heigh-Ho

Monday, May 16, 2011
Pussywillows
The pussywillows have turned into downy ovals, tipped with pollen. On the porch, yesterday afternoon, the sunshine warmed my face and scalp into a nice bright red glow. It's northern Minnesota's second spring.

As you've probably noticed, our winter isn't usually ready to let go when spring pops up on the calendar. When March 20th rolls around, it signals little more than a growing anxiousness that someday (soon?) all this winter stuff will be behind us. It's not until mid May, when the ice goes out and wildflowers start to bloom that it really, truly start to appear to be spring like the rest of the world knows the season.

This second spring seems to spark productivity. It's hard to resist the allure of the outdoors when you can run around in a t-shirt and play in the dirt.

We were meant to be out on a canoe trip this past week, but the late ice out and my absence earlier in the month hampered planning. So instead we spent Andy's vacation time last week at home . . . building this monstrosity. 

Here's a little "did you know" for you: a 8' x 16' garden needs an awful lot of soil. Three trips to town and we've finally got it nearly filled with soil. Now, will anything grow in said soil remains a mystery!

Other "late spring" chores got done too. The boat is in, the perennial beds are mostly weeded, the shed has been cleaned out. 

Even some knitting got (mostly) finished up.
Second spring also means a return to full-time, out of the house work for me. It's always pretty bittersweet: hooray for secure finances, boo to 40 hours of not exactly soul satisfying work. But heigh-ho, heigh-ho, it's off to work with me today.

14 comments:

  1. What a beautiful piece of knitting! I fell asleep sitting in the warm sun yesterday and have a slightly red face today! Have fun with your garden! I planted early spinach,lettuce and broccoli and they are growing nicely.

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  2. First, the word pussy willow makes me giggle. Because, I'm a 3 year old.

    Second, that knitting is amazing! Beautiful piece!

    I'm also still baffled as to how, in May, the winter is still holding on (even where I"m at!). It defies logic.

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  3. Oh my, you both have been pretty busy!! I must say as happy as I am to have spring, my allergies are less than thrilled :) I hope you enjoyed your vacation, so happy to have you back.

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  4. ok, so not to be distracted by the point of your post or this second spring stuff, but you made that? you knitted that? it's amazing!

    And here in Idaho, where it was 90 two days ago, it snowed today. not much, or anything to amount to much, but the very idea that it did it is the problem...

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  5. yay!!! Spring is finally upon you!!!! Now I won't feel guilty about my Southern Californian weather :)

    Also, your knitting is AMAZING.... why do I not possess this skill?!?!

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  6. I wish I knew how to knit...that is beautiful!
    A canoe ride sounds just lovely...and the word pollen makes me cringe as I sit here with allergy meds trying to 'kick' in and a horrible sinus/allergy headache!

    sitting outside all day, awww...sigh-

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  7. I'm pretty sure that spring just showed up in the Twin Cities a couple years ago. I planted vegetables this weekend, so I hope it's here to stay.

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  8. Ada, so ncie to have you back here. Missed you, Lady of Words and Woods!

    Love at first sight exists!
    I know iot since I have seen this knitting of yours! Is there a change to get the pattern or are you going to amaze me even more and tell me - you just make it up while knitting. You never cease to surprise me!

    http://paulabowser.blogspot.com

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  9. Work sucks. But your week sounds like it was wonderful. I love that raised bed garden. We wanted to build one this year but never got around to it.

    Oh, by the way, you must teach me to knit. Now. Please and thank you. :)

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  10. Whoa- your knitting is incredible! I can barely make a hat, let alone anything that beautiful!

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  11. Please more info on the knitting project!!! It is so beautiful! I dont know what it is but i really want to make one! Its stunning!!! Thank you!!!

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  12. Okay, can you send me a piece just like that so I can frame it and hang it on my wall? I'm serious! It's fantastic. Serious...

    Secondly, could you and Andy come to Maine for a visit and help us build a garden? We're such procrastinators.

    I love that spring is springing...

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  13. The knitting project is the Tree of Life afghan, available for free here: http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/70122AD.html

    I used KnitPicks Wool of the Andes in Almond, about 17.5 skeins of it!

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