Outside in the Garden


The weather report predicted rain for today. It ended up not raining at all but it was cloudy and cold most of the day. Except for a short break in the middle of the day that it got sunny enough that we felt like going outside and checking on the plants in the garden.
The plants are doing beautifully. The garden is quickly being filled with the colors of spring.


Now the white daffodils are blossoming next to the freesias. And despite some harsh cold nights in past weeks we were able save the calla lilies.


The vegetables are showing a lot of progress... the onions, peas, carrots and radishes are growing very well. I can't wait for them to be ready. The cilantro, on the other hand, has been growing very quickly and we have a lot of it.


We cut some cilantro and more lemons to share with our friends, and finished just in time before the sky began to turn gray again.


It was a nice weekend outside.

Martha.

Drawstring Bag


I had time to do a little sewing today and I finished this drawstring bag. I'm planning to use as a project bag to carry around my knitting  or crochet projects and avoid loosing my knitting needles and crochet hooks...


For the patchwork detail of the bag I used cotton fabric with cherry prints, as well as some plaid and striped fabrics in red and white. For the entire body of the bag I used linen, which is one of my favorite fabrics these days; it has such an organic feel.


I finished off the bag with a ribbon as the cord for the bag. I really like the way this bag turned out. I think I have to make some more.

Martha.

A Day at the Beach


This past weekend went by so fast I didn't have time to finish all the projects I had envisioned. But that's OK! Instead, my husband and I gave ourselves a brake from household chores and spent a wonderful day at the beach. The weather was magnificent for this time of the year: very sunny with just a light breeze. We walked for hours and had lunch by the bay.
These are some pictures of the lovely things we got to see.






It really was a great weekend. We had a great time.


Martha.

Spring is Coming!


After a long day of work I was so pleased to come home and see that the plants in the garden are starting to show signs that spring is just around the corner. The daffodils are begining to bloom. Their sunny yellow color brightens any gray winter day.



The peach tree is starting to bloom. I love its soft pink blossoms.


And, as the days are becoming warmer, we are seeing more visitors that come to our garden. It sure feels like spring is in the air!

Martha

Quilted Coasters



This weekend was very busy with household chores: cleaning, dishes, laundry (the boring stuff!).  But I did manage to spend some time at my sewing table and made these quilted coasters. I used cotton and linen fabrics, and I love how they look together. The linen offers a great contrast to the cotton fabric and at the same time coordinates very well. But above all, these little coasters will help save my furniture from pesky water rings.  I just need to get everyone to use them...

Martha.

The Begining...


Always make time to smell the roses....


After much hesitation, I finally decided to start a blog. Wow, I did it. I did it!
2011 has been a year of changes, loses and heart ache. I lost my mom this spring to breast cancer. It all happened so sudden and unexpected. I still can not believe she is gone. Her premature departure made me think how fragile life is and the importance of seizing every moment. For a long time I have been wrapped up in the routine of work and kept wishing I had more time be creative. However, I never seemed to find the time or the right moment. I finally realized that I have to make the time to do the things I love and enjoy life along the way.
Life can be hectic and overwhelming at times, but we should always make time to stop and smell the roses.

Martha