A Dyer's Garden

Now that I own my home and garden, I can finally have a dyer's garden again. I used to have a really good herb garden in upstate New York, before we moved to Europe. Since them, it's been all rental flats or houses,with no garden space. Well, not any more!!! So far, I've started weld, indigo, coreopsis, false saffron, black-eyed Susan, hollyhock, Lady's Mantle, pot marigold, sunflower, and tansy for dye usage. I've also started my culinary herbs and veggies and am really looking forward to building this garden from scratch.

Camera woes

I am SO tired of being unable to post photo updates here. Argh! You see, when I moved last fall, friends helped me pack. I say "helped" loosely, because all too many boxes were mis- or un-labeled. The packing was fine, but finding what you needed later, well, not so much. Because we've been unpacking as rooms are finished, is has been even harder to find things; especially small things, well-hidden! I gave up this morning and ordered a new camera charger. I have the camera, the computer cables, the case, but no charger. >sigh< So in a few days, I should be back in the photo business, just in time for some shots of some almost finished items!

Waiting for the weekend!

Just four more hours and it will be the start of a four-day weekend for May Day! I hope to finally do all my spring cleaning and finish the planting outside. And maybe even get in a little more sewing and/or embroidery! I only have 26 days until I fly to the UK for the Winchester Pilgrimage, so I need to get moving on my projects.

More gardening fun!

Yesterday afternoon three friends came by with a rototiller and strong backs and tilled 3/4 of the garden (It's pretty big) They also planted our new лозе, or vinyard. They were pickier in their doings than a first-time mom with a new baby! But they said the grapes we picked were good varieties, both the ones for wine and the table grapes. The old grapes that are already here are in bloom, so we'll have at least a few for this year.

Almost Easter

I'm on a four day break for the (Eastern) Easter holidays, and unlike good Orthodox girls, I spent yesterday working in the garden. I planted more roses and forsythia, and separated more narcissus and hyacinths. (I got the ones that were completely under the boxwood out into freedom!) Mom was a real help in re-planting. Unfortunately, there are still eight grapevines and a lot of trees to get in.

Today has been spent on laundry and unpacking more boxes, because we've been having thunderstorms. If it's all unpacked by our one year anniversary here it will be a miracle!

Tomorrow will be our traditional Easter dinner of ham and scalloped potatoes, relaxing, and sewing. Who knows what Monday will bring!

Weekend progress

I'm down to the fun stuff on Guy's fencing hood. I'm embroidering some roundels with the fountain and bee from his device to add some color. The fountain is nearly done and I have a pattern devised for the bee, so it should go quickly. I'm using DMC floss on linen and will back each piece with buckram for a little added weight before appliqueing it to the hood. It should be washable, because who wants a smelly fencing hood? I'm working the fountain in split stitch and I'll do most of the bee in cross stitch

I also cut out all the bits for heraldic banners for Emma, Logan, and Guy yesterday. I'll be doing machine applique on those, since they are made for outdoor usage. Logan's gets some fabric paint too, since I'm not crazy enough to cut out or embroider all the little bits for a pean background!

Gifts from good friends

As you know, I'll be going to the Winchester Pilgrimage next month. (Not an April Fool, either!) I have a friend who lives and works in Winchester who just sent me a book from the British Museum that she thought I would enjoy, plus two linen napkins. She's not an SCA member, but she knows what her friends like and does things like that just because she is that kind of person. You can't ask for a kinder or more thoughtul person, really! Many thanks, Natalia! And the book? Finer Than Gold: Saints and Relics in the Middle Ages. Just my cup of tea!!