I love spring!

In spite of the rain (and we've had a lot), I love springtime. And just as Easter signifies the rebirth of Christ, spring for me brings the rebirth of my soul. There is just something about watching the earth bloom that makes me feel renewed and happy.

Today I walked outside to see what looked like giant snowflakes falling from the sky.  It wasn't really snow (thank goodness), instead, it was the fragile petals of the cherry blossoms falling from the branches of the trees. As far as my eye could see, there were pink and white petals slowly falling to the ground. The grass was covered in what looked like a blanket made of soft, velvety petals. This means that cherry blossom time is almost over and soon the trees will be filled with vivid green leaves instead of beautiful pink and white flowers. And so because the peak of the blossoms lasts for such a short time, I ran inside and grabbed my camera so that I could take a final batch of pictures to document my favorite part of springtime. These will be my last cherry blossom photos until next year, at which time, I will once more gaze at the flowers and try to capture the beauty all over again.

Speaking of color, I eeked out a handful of days to work on two sewing projects that I've been itching to get my hands on. Oh happy day! Fabric + Color = Happy Kelly, because color is what I live for. Today I completed the second project, and I'm now ready to move on to the next item on my list - cleaning my bedroom closet. Clearly, sewing is far more fun than cleaning my closet, and if I had it my way, I'd start yet another sewing project rather than tackle the mess that I've created in the place where I collect clothing. However, something BIG is happening, and I've got a ton of things to do before my mom and step-dad, my sister and my niece, and my sister-in-law and my nephew come to visit for two wonderful weeks in June to honor Alyssa's high school graduation. Therefore, these projects may be the last sewing I do for a while.

Here's a sneak peek at what I've been working on:

I've taken pictures of the end results, but I have a book club meeting tonight and am running out of computer time. So... the final projects will be unveiled tomorrow. In the meantime, I will once again join my book club buddies as I attempt to talk my way out of why it is that another month has gone by and I have not read the assigned book for our monthly discussion. This time, my excuses are 1) Target didn't carry the book, 2) I was reading something else and ran out of time, and 3) to be perfectly honest, I thought the book would upset me, and so I subconsciously opted out with excuses 1 and 2.

For those who are curious, this month's book is titled Eye Contact, by Cammie McGovern. If, after tonight's meeting, my mind changes (it's been known to happen!) and I think the story won't upset me, I will borrow a copy from one of the book club members and read in my [not so] spare time.

And with that... off I go. Tonight we are meeting at my very favorite authentic Italian restaurant, which is most certainly the only reason I am willing to humiliate myself yet again when I admit to my friends that I haven't read the book.

Comments

[slammie]

fantastic photos! can't wait to see what you're working on! hope that dinner was delicious!!!

[Marla]

I have the same fabric that is in the second photo, on the top. I'm working on a string quilt for my daughter.

Your cherry blossom photos are amazing!

[Kelly S.]

Those trees are amazing! Your description has me imagining the scent... I may just need to go to Yankee Candle now and see if I can find something similar. :-)

I read your book club description... not sure I could read it either. It took me a long time to read "A Child Called It" because I was worried it would haunt me. I ended up waiting until life events were going well and read it then. (I'm glad I read it, but also glad I waited so I could be emotionally strong and appreciate the strengths of the author's childhood and his determination.)

[Amy Sorensen]

I was working on a sewing project today and thinking of you. Your cherry blossoms are gorgeous! Here, it's been so cold that although the spring flowers are up, that's it...no flowering trees yet. Thanks for sharing with this blossom-deprived girl!!!