Spring is Here

Well, officially we are now past the vernal equinox.  Spring is actually starting in my microclimate yard.  My house is placed as the last house down a tiny road and we are always several degrees cooler and a week behind everyone else on the road.....as far as what's blooming.  

Yesterday we went for a motorcycle ride....it was perfect weather outside.  Not too cold nor too hot.  Birds were singing, cows were grazing, farmers were tuning tractors for spring work.  The barns we passed were warm enough to send clouds of manure smells drifting across the road....I just love riding this time of the year.  Can you guess we are motorcycles nuts?  I'll just take this pearl white one. 

I also worked in the garden some.  The cover on the hoop house had shredded last year and we have most of the new siding up.  I will plant lettuce soon.  And also start some veggies in the basement.  

But I have been working on the quilt....just not as much with so many distractions.  

When I lived in California Bull Thistles were considered a nuisance.  I love their relatives, the artichoke, and fix them for dinner often.  The thistles have large stickers on them and will scratch or poke a serious hole in skin or clothes.  I was surpirsed when I moved to the East Coast that people planted them as ornamentals. 

There is not as much contrast as I would like.....but I was happy with how the flowers came out with the stitching. 

The color of this last close up is adjusted because I used the flash.  Not so true as those above.

The second flower I did this weekend is one that I looked for for almost 4 years.  I finally found it....it was an early bloomer and very very specific where it liked to live.  The common name is Twin Flower but it's botonical name,  Linnaea borealis, was in honor of Carl Linnaeus who was the 'father' of botanical nomenclature.  It is said it was his favorite flower. 

It is so dainty. 

I have taken some liberty with the color of these....they are so pale pink, in real life, as to be almost white with lovely pink blush.

That's it for today.  Off to cook dinner for the evening....and have a well deserved glass of wine.