Chestita Baba Marta!

And Happy March 3 too! In Bulgaria, these two days really symbolize spring for me. March 1 brings lots of Martenitzas and March 3 is parades and concerts. Given that January and February have been bitterly cold and snowy, going to sleep last night to soft rain and waking up this morning to sunshine and warm temperatures really made my day.

I'm on the last day of a four day weekend for the March 3 holiday and I've spent the last three days sewing my fingers off. And that's almost literal. I haven't had sewing calluses on my thumb and forefinger in years, but I sure do now. I'm pleased to say my Saxon gown is done and ready to wear, including the blackworked undergown. Guy's doublet is done except for the buttonholes. his shirt is cut out, and his pluderhosen are half finished. I'm still not sure how I feel about the pluderhosen, but we'll see. That leaves Constanza's gown over the next three weeks. (I want all of this done for Crown Tournament.)

Since I've made such progress and because it's such a beautiful day, I took time for a walk up to Gotse Delchev square and I got there just in time for the band concert, which was lovely. After it was over I strolled home via the bakery, where they had just pulled the kozunak out of the over. Yum! I had that and a lettuce and radish salad for lumch. The lettuce was even home grown. Guess it really is spring!

My garden is looking pretty good. The snowdrops are done, but the crocus are in full bloom. The daffodils, narcissus, tulips, and hyacinths are reay to pop in a week or so, depending on how warm it stays. The peonies, foxgloves, and columbine are all up too and the clematis and roses are starting to leaf out. Bring on the spring!