Mid-March Miscellany

 

Special note: I was deeply touched and comforted by so many sweet comments about Baby Mo. I never realized he was such a beloved feature of my blog. Thank you all so very much for your condolences. Today I have dense fog, cannot even see the dunes--and high wind warnings. You'd think the wind would blow the fog away but so far no. 

Very chilly and wintry, but by way of keeping busy, spring cleaning has commenced in a lackluster sort of way.

March 17! The Oystercatchers should arrive.

I've been watching for them despite the fog. I assume they do not get lost.

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One of the amaryllis has two plump stalks with buds. I think it is Big Red. I rush to look each morning for a hint of color. The other three or four just leaves.  I'll nurse them along for a few years to coax them to rebloom.

I have been walking most days, trying to avoid [a hopeless endeavor] routes that Mo and I took daily for twelve years. Found another clump of snowdrops and maybe?? some daffodil sprouts.

This weekend I made a Minnie Mouse inspired doll outfit for my little friend who is going to Disney World for spring break.

I can't show it to her, as I luckily found out last night that the trip is a surprise. Oh I'd have spoiled everything. I don't know how her mom hides the planning and packing for a long trip, but she does.

Still have not chosen a new quilt project, though fiddling aimlessly with Boardwalk strips still. This is the inspiration pic, to remind you.

A boardwalk, if not The Boardwalk:

I'm also trying to catch up with my nature journaling.

My little July to December book was so neglected. Saved and sketched fall and winter leaves. 

A blobby-, shapeless  shell!

Layering images so does NOT work for me, what a mess. The pages need more thoughtful planning. Or ''skip, don't overfill'' the weeks/years?

I enjoy leaves, but--yawn?

Two issues for me with nature art journals are: if one doesn't draw and paint almost daily, all skills are lost. And my vision is so wonky---crooked flowers!, and my hands shake. See the correction?

So poor skills are setting me up for bad results. and Two: the barrenness of nature diversity here on my little sandbar island. I had hoped for some spring hikes to mainland nature areas for inspration and specimens but with ticks so prevalent, I get wary. Can't even pick up a bird feather or eggshell because of bird flu, huge warnings almost daily are posted

To jump start my interest and skills, I got this little workbook as a belated Christmas gift to myself. So sweet.

The book's outline drawings are so simple but so good.

 

I'll see how I do! 

Have a great week.

love

lizzy 

gone to the beach...

or not [love fog, hate getting lost in it though, especially with post blizzard beach instability and remaining snow drifts. I'll put a beautiful other year pic instead. ]  2017

PS I  hope readers who commented about Mo will continue to comment now and then. I do take joy in connecting to friends here. All are welcome withe the usual kind, respectful, positive caveats, of course.