Friday Snow-Showers bring Saturday Sunshine?

Most of the pictures from today's efforts are a bit lack-luster. Today was a lot about making wide open spaces. At first there's nothing too exciting about the colorless images. But, the colorless images mean things can be planted. And, with little things popping up everywhere, it won't be long now. I found myself remarking about how much I appreciate lettuce. Lettuce is the first thing in the garden ready to grow and eat. With the bed turned and composed and starts under the light, salad from yard will be ours in no time....

Yard art is back!
These fun solar cattails from Mama-Pajama
and Neal make their debut.

Pulling the weeds today felt satisfying in a way that not much has in a while. The last month has really had me feeling like I'm spinning my wheels. And, for a number of reasons that just don't belong on the internet, I've just been feeling "done". "Done" with whatever's in front of me. "Done" with making an effort. "Done" with breathing air. Yes, it sounds dramatic and silly. But, that's exactly how I've felt. Done.

Pulling the weeds meant there was something I could control. With a little effort came a clean space of dirt where just minutes before their had been a dandelion take over. Small victories. Everything a beginning. And, everything a reminder of how fast things change. How seedlings, strong roots below the surface, grow to baby plants stretching out to space allowed. Time. Dedication. Patience. Luck. Some unpredictable combination yields predictable results. Worry less. Dig more. Yesterday there was snow, today skies filled with sun. Find space for what will come. Life, in time, will find a way. 

Violet, Not Martha (I'm afraid...)

I've been avoiding fixing the gutter-into-the-rain-barrel for the better part of the last six months. I was thinking that I needed to buy a new gutter piece and also a strap so I just didn't. Today I looked at it and decided it could be done with a hand saw and a drill, all the pieces re-purposed. It worked out well enough (it's done, isn't it) but it doesn't look all that pretty. This was decidedly a Violet move. Martha would not approve...

Honestly, I imagine Martha wouldn't approve of last year's remodel on the potting shed either. Check out how messy it is! The pots don't match and there's a dirty worm bin and buckets of potting soil and the like. The gloves are on clothes pins that are strung on a piece of twine. No, this is not a potting shed that would meet with Martha's approval. But, it's super functional and I like transplanting my little seeds in the warmth. I started the last of the tomatoes and peppers today. The seedling station is taking over the dining room! 

In other news:

1.  I decided to open my drip irrigation kit. It wasn't as tricky as it sounded at first to put together, but I'm at a bit of a loss as to how to be the most efficient drip water-er possible. It seems like the system (while joyfully simplistic) may miss some plants, no matter how it's organized...I really need to turn it on for 30 minutes and test it out. But, for now...I can say I got started.

2. I pulled these carrots. They wintered over. Nice.

3. I installed the bee station. 

4. There will be garlic.

5. And, blueberries...

6. And, raspberries...

Hooray for spring! And, picnics in the park with friends. And, bubbles. And, gratitude that is bountiful.

Only in Seattle?

Do people in other cities have days like today?..Days where the sky is mysteriously (what's that color) blue (?) instead of gray?...Days where the temperatures rise and you realize how the endless gloominess of winter around here has been putting you in a funk?..Days where you feel like spring might come again?...Days where you are able to feel a little more like yourself (or at least the self you like to be)? They must. Right? Well...Today was that day in Seattle for me. So...

Today's home and garden blog roll includes...

1. Waking up and finishing the last piece necessary for my application to my master's program. Hooray!

2. Regular Sunday chores (coupon clipping, laundry, oatmeal, grocery store, 2 weeks of clothes, clean sheets).

3. Finishing the construction of the bee-house-stand (seen in it's unfinished form). Kumquat painted it and I really think the new colony is going to L-O-V-E! My plan is to bury it about half a foot down into the ground for stability and then attach some mini l-brackets to keep it in place....

I

4. There was also fire. There was also torching. Die moldy spores! Die!

5. I got a new notEbook. I can't remember the last time I filled one before the end of school year. Information had to be copied. But, it's so clean and tidy.

6. Transplanting many a tiny brassica. The flowers have to move out of the grow light area to make room for the veg! Hello, baby broccoli! I'm waiting for you baby cauliflower!

7. Beginning some demo work in the picnic shelter. Taking down the "ugly", one might wonder what took so long?! I know, you're thinking it doesn't look like much now. But, I'm telling you, if I'm good at anything it's seeing possibility. That's all I see. Just stand by for the transformation!

7. Beginning phase four of a birthday gift for our favorite soon to be three year old! I wish I could take responsibility for the fabric choices. But, I must credit KMQ and Jamie #1 for that. Still, I'll take a smidge of credit for how pretty it's turning out...

8. Making this galette for dinner. Jelly-bean and I were hanging out at Mr. Perfect's a few weekends ago and he was flipping channels when I saw BRIDGET! I love Bridget. Mr. Perfect wanted to watch his movie, but did record ATK for us to watch after. They made this tart. However, when I went to find the recipe online I was blocked because I don't have a subscription. But, can you believe it? For some reason K.____ happened to buy the magazine with the recipe in it, just the other day. She sent it to me. And, ta da! Dinner.

8:00 and the whole family is sitting down to rest. I'm going to call it a successful-sunny-sunday!