Hello, I'm New Here

We planted more daffodil bulbs last fall, and now we're enjoying the "consequences." From a mixed bag at the local home store, we've had some yellow-and-orange blooms, and, best of all, these gorgeous double-bloom beauties:

I've had a long-term love affair with daffodils, but the double-blooms make my heart skip a beat. Gardening had never really been a passion of mine, but the more I pursue it here in Virginia, the more I love it. There is wonder and delight in "possessing" such beauty! Now I just need my gardening skills to match my enthusiasm.

Fortunately, I don't have to grow everything -- the local nature trails are a year-round hub of growth. Like this little Mayapple, with its umbrella canopy still furled:

One day it will look like this, but not yet. I've seen wisteria here and there, so I suspect it's time to visit the trails again -- there's always a glorious display in the spring, and somehow I missed it last year!

Also new here, Opal apples. These gorgeous golden beauties from New Zealand were waiting for us at the grocery store. I don't usually fall prey to "fancy" (read: expensive) fruit, but these were under $1 per pound for some incomprehensible reason. They turned out to be some of the best apples we've ever had. I wish I'd bought all of them!

This is new, too -- a $2 find at the thrift store. It's a hideous skirt (in my humble opinion), but it's all leather! Four different colors of leather (and the "white" has a pearly, silvery finish), which will be perfect for baby shoes and what-not.

And last but not least, I had a "moment" and gave in to a long-term urge to buy wool from Wool and the Gang (50% sale + $15 off first purchase = Too much to resist). I think because of the name? I'm similarly tempted to buy wool made by Hedgehog Fibres, for no better reason than my love for their moniker! In my defense, I would never buy wool I didn't like just because of the name. Anyways, the perfect sale and the perfect sweater pattern converged, and now my "personal spending" budget is a little diminished. But no regrets here -- the wool (Sugar Baby Alpaca) is a sheer delight, and it came packaged in a branded paper bag sealed with a sticker. If only it were as easy to make a sweater as it is to purchase the materials...

That's what's new around here! The weather has been toying with us -- short sleeves and brilliant sunshine one day, cold drizzle the next -- but the birds and the flowers and the hints of green everywhere lend a hopeful aura, even on the chilliest days. Wishing some sunshine your way today!