Not just a dusting...

Yes, on May 1st, we got hit with yet another snow storm...and it's not a dusting!  

My neighbor measured it at 6 inches...and it's still snowing lightly.  It's heavy and wet, so I guess it's good news for us 

on the high plains.  

We must be grateful for every bit of moisture.  

(Even though I want to complain about shoveling snow, I am biting my lip and SMILING.) 

Yes, this moisture will "green" things up significantly.  

So through clenched teeth and a forced smile, I'm saying, "Yahoo!"

You never know...

A little over a week ago I walked into Brown Sugar Roastery for a cup of coffee for the road.  I was wearing the sweater shawl I knit this winter.  The proprietor saw me wearing it, and she couldn't get over how nicely in lay over my back and shoulders, and the "sleeves" tied in front. She loved it! Right on the spot, she commissioned me to knit one for her.  I said I'd do it.

I decided to make hers in cotton, so she wouldn't  have any trouble washing it (or blocking it).  I picked out these variations in blues in Araucania Yarn, called Patagonia.  I needed 800 yds., and this yarn was on sale at 50% off.  Yippee.  So, it's time to get some of these skeins wound into balls and get started!

 I'm thinking I might want to eventually make myself a cotton version of this sweater shawl. 

Another day of cold temps

Wow, winter is really having a tough time letting go this year.  Yesterday felt like spring; today, not so much!  We have snow, again, in the forecast!  REALLY???  For that reason I'm glad that my aspens have not leafed out yet, only to get bitten by freezing temps!

Here's a another little sign that flowers (phlox) are eventually going arrive on the scene in my yard.  It's nearly time to rake up all the protective debris around this plant...but I guess I'll wait till this cold front passes.

I attempted to take a photo this morning...and my smart camera says I need to replace the battery pack.  What?  I thought all I had to do was recharge it, and it was good forever.  Hmm.  Well, that's the way they make things these days; they're not built to last.  So, no new photos till this issue is resolved...

Stackin' and Knittin'

I've started stackin' wood. Is it going to be stacked in an artful design? No.  Is it going to be stacked tightly? Probably not!  But it will get stacked...and when it comes off the stack to be burned next fall, I will be so grateful to have it.

And I'm knittin'!  The accordion scarf is growing...and I'm nearing the halfway mark.   This has been a fun knit, and I'm anxious to see the end result.  So, I only have one other knitting project that I will be starting; I want to get both projects completed as soon as possible. 

Splittin' wood

Thank goodness I was able to borrow a wood-splitter from another good friend, which made the job for Mike and me so much easier.  Nevertheless, we spent 4 1/2 hours yesterday splitting.  Mike guessed we had close to 6 cords.  We didn't waste any time...and worked like a well-oiled machine!  I ran the lever on the splitter, and Mike did all the heavy work (putting the logs on the splitter, turning them, and throwing them), so he got most of the exercise!

 My exercise is ahead of me...stacking it all.  I'm quite sure I'll do it in installments...not 4 hours at a whack!! 

We saved some big pieces to serve as "ends" to hold the stack in place.  I'll be placing all of those real soon and start stacking. 

I have a bunny that had been hanging out under the wood pile, so I'm sure he's wondering about the renovation of his home.  "Don't worry, buddy, it will be an updated look!  You'll be able to move back soon."

Grab your gloves and boots...

Most of the snow has melted, and there's an outdoor task just waiting.  Here sits a stack of wood...maybe 4 cords, but it needs to be split.  A good friend, a handy-guy, is coming over to help me use a log-splitter to split it all up; then I'll be set for next season.   As you're reading this...I may be out throwing and splitting wood.  I think the stacking will be left to me for another day...or other days (more accurately).  I'll be catching up on blogging later...  and knitting...much later.

Oh, and the weather is supposed to be "spring-like."  Yea!  Maybe reach 60 degrees!  Take a look at these aspen catkins; they are nearly ready to drop. Yea, sunshine and blue skies! 

Homework...

A few years ago, I turned into a Dan Brown fan.  I like the way he writes: his novels are "page turners," for sure!!  He incorporates history and art into the very heart of several of his best novels.  I love that!  But the suspense...it's great. 

His latest novel will be released in May.  It focuses again on Robert Langdon; this time he's in Italy.  He's drawn into the literary world of Dante's Inferno.  Evidently this famous poem has clues he must use to solve the mysteries that will ensue. 

Unfortunately, I never did have to read Dante's works in college, so I've got to get familiar with it and will be reading about  Inferno before I receive the novel.  It's handy that much can be found on the internet as I've started to research.  So...I've got homework!