Discovery

Spring in a new home is always exciting. Each day there is a new discovery of something growing from the earth. I was tickled to death when I found we had wisteria growing along one edge of the yard. I love seeing it's bright spray of purple, hanging from trees. I also know that it can take over quite quickly, so we will have to keep an eye on it.

There are two dogwood trees in the yard. They are in full bloom.

A little cluster of iris is blooming on the edge of the lawn, near the kiln. This fall I will break them up and transplant some to the front of the house. 

Last week, Jeff came home carrying an armful of lilies. It was a special treat to have a big bouquet in the house for Easter weekend. 

As March comes to a close, I have much to look forward to in April. My sister and her granddaughter have booked a flight to visit us at the end of the month... and they are bringing my Dad! It's hard to believe that almost a year ago, he fell, broke a hip, then had a stroke. Last April I never imagined that he would be well enough to travel here.  His recovery has been remarkable. He is 89 now, and gets around the house just fine, but has one of those souped-up walkers, with brakes and a seat, for outings. I think the visit will be good for him. Good for all of us.

Spring, Sprang, Sprung

I stepped out the door this morning and was surprised at the warm spring air. The house was chilly and I had turned up the heat, not realizing I probably could have opened a window instead.

This is my favorite time of year in North Carolina. Everything is blooming. Most of the daffodils have gone by but the petite white ones are always a little later. 

 The mahonia is looking pretty cool right now. I had never seen this plant until I moved here.

I unloaded the bisque kiln yesterday and started prepping for today's glaze marathon.
Tomorrow is firing day.

Our schedule is a little off (like that's anything new). We had an unexpected change in plans for the upcoming weeks, but I will leave that to another post.

Not So Round Pots

 Remember the oval bakers from last month, the ones made by cutting a crescent out of the bottom? I have fired a few of them and so far no cracks. One cracked during the drying process (of course it was one with ginkgo leaf carving) and ended up in the scrap bucket. The other carved ones came out of the kiln and off to the "Treasures of the Earth" show in Shelby, NC.  They came out nice and I hope they don't come back home in March!

Even though I had more success with this round, I am not going to do ovals using this technique any longer. It's just too iffy.

Despite the snowstorm last week, we have daffodils and a few crocus starting to bloom! I am always excited about the first flowers of the year. Especially since they are so much earlier here in North Carolina than New Hampshire. While I was taking photos of flowers, my friends and family in New Hampshire were dealing with another foot of snow.

I am so ready for spring this year. We have gone through nearly four cord of wood and I am tired of writing giant checks to the propane company!