Someone's Been Sleeping in My Bed....

and here she is! All cozied down on Busha's bed.

Here is a little wool wrapping blanket I knitted for her. I used the same yarn that I used on the boy's hats, only in bulky weight for this blanket. I followed the pattern exactly, and the blanket is so small that Shannon thought it was a joke. This little thing took forever! Now Shannon says it's a perfect size for so many uses.

I had the boys earlier in the afternoon yesterday, for a few hours while their mamas went shopping. When the boys are here, the front door is thrown wide open and they are out and about in the "forest" of my yard. In winter, the roses are pruned and that's about it. The rest grows green and lush, wild and unkempt, knee-deep for the boys in some places. It is a nature wonderland for little boys who can feel the whole world in one little backyard. A rich little ecosystem to explore. Bugs galore. The worm box is thriving. They love to peek into that slimy, glistening rich world. They long to pull out a worm or two, but in the end, we decide to leave them be.

Yesterday I taught them about the delicacy called "sour grass". I told them it has been around for ages (yes, even when I was little). They loved harvesting and crunching on this garden snack.

The lemon tree was SO full they picked a huge shopping bag full of organic Meyer lemons. They were "The Farmers" visiting their "aunt's farm" (a notion from a book we read together). They tugged and pulled until they fell to the ground and the tree started to lean. So then we learned the fun of twisting the lemon until it popped off.

They were so proud of themselves. The look between them here is priceless, as they deliver their sack of lemons to my door. I wish I could share with you the conversation I overheard as they carried this huge ton of lemons down the side yard from back to front of the house. The way they worked together, AND loved and hated each other a zillion times in that short walk.

There are a few lovely February things I spotted in my yard. Post rain color. The rosemary is flowering. The camelias as well.

They found the little toad and fairy garden that lives in the tiny shaded garden bed under my porch full of creatures too. They could hear the frog croaking...the elusive frog.

And back inside? Hot chicken soup with Kleuskis (Polish dumplings), just like my Busha used to make.

Today as I awoke it was dark again in my little neighborhood, a little more rain is falling. Yep, once again it's dark and wet and cold outside.

But my week of work is pretty well done. All I need to do is tidy up around here (one more time), take a warm bath, pack my bag, and wait for my cousin to arrive. She and I are headed out to a beach house for 4 days, where there is a fireplace and probably no phone reception. See you on Sunday!

Comments

[Trixie]

Thanks for the peek of green, growing things. Enjoy the beach.

[Susie]

This whole post makes me happy, to the bone. I see the love, visible; I read the love, eloquent. You are so blessed.

[tracey k. in Ohio]

That's it! - I'm coming to live @ your place! (LOL!) Everything looks so peaceful, cool & perfect - or least you make it sound that way. What on earth is that sweet baby girl's name??? (LOL!) She's certainly a bundle of love. I'm staring out my office window @ 5 inches of fresh snow so it was nice to see some greenery. Enjoy your beach respite. Take plenty of pix! Peace & blessings.

[naomi dagen bloom]

oh, marianne, so much here to savor. the beautiful little girl...how much more patience you have than i to make ANY size of blanket.

always a treat to enter your world, hear the children around you, wonder about the aging neighbors. and the school is popping along too. my!

yours, naomi

[sarcozona]

My grandfather used to make Kleuskis for me when I was little, but he's passed on without teaching me the recipe! Would you be so kind as to post it or email it to me?

[karina]

so if she doesn't have a name then what do you all call her?