knock on wood

although it's usually self-defeating to acknowledge spring here in roc city- i have all my windows open and leaves budding on the hawthorn. we were so worried that spring wouldn't actually spring this year, that we bought a bird feeder. they just looked so confused in the april snow! i never got around to starting my seeds, either. thankfully m.i.l.t.b. is the "real" martha, and "my" tomatoes are about 8" high.





parts of my shade garden seem to have made it through the winter- the bleeding heart and the bulbs are starting to make a good show. here's hoping the hostas and the astilbe will return as well. i researched shade perennials, and dagnabbit i want the plants back this year.



as for knitting, i'm bound and determined to have the fern blanket before the 11th. only 9.5 more repeats to go...



i also made my first attempt at wire yesterday, and i have to say i'm not enthralled. wouldn't ya know it- wool is much softer.