Growing Love

Hello friends,

I have not fallen off the face of the earth, I promise. I've merely been busy with finals prep, the house, and the gardens. I wish I could say crochet as well but the hooks will be coming out this weekend!!!!!

I planted and transplanted hostas and ferns, trimmed the bushes in the front a bit and will be more ruthless this weekend when I have more time, moved some irises, cleared an area by the curb and put some of the seed balls and zinnia seeds down there.

Last year the neighborhood kids cut all of the irises the same day they bloomed. This year, I'm planting something that they can cut and take to lol!!! I remember all too well wanting to pick a flower in my grandmother's gardens and her getting bent out of shape. I don't care if they pick one or two of the irises, but leave me a few to enjoy!!! So I'll be moving those closer to the house.

I still have the striped grass to plant and cannas to get into the ground but I'll save the cannas for this weekend since the area they go into requires a bit of amending the soil.

I got an 83% on the chapter final today which makes me pretty proud given how much I've struggled.

My next big crochet project is to try to replicate the center of this casino rug in the form of a wall hanging. I think it could be done by using a round ripple pattern (which I've never done before) and making heart motifs to attach in each corner and then devising a border. I'm going to attempt anyway. If any of you crocheters out there have suggestions for me, I'd love to hear them! In the meantime, I have a baby blanket, scarf, and afghan to finish.

We'll be painting the dining room this weekend, working in the gardens, grilling out, enjoying friends, and just hanging out. I'll post pics here once the painting is done. I want to put borders up but haven't yet found what I want - I'm looking for something that will give a tea room feel, even something with teacups in the design. I thought Mary Engelbreit had a wallpaper line, but all I can find are the wallies and not many of those. I'm open for suggestions if you know any good wallpaper vendors.

That's what I've been up to. What about you??