This afternoon

Our lily of the valley are blooming. Yesterday evening as I was walking past them I caught a whiff of their aroma. I almost didn't see the tiny blooms all nestled in their lush greens. Are they blooming already I thought? I doubled back and sure enough there they were. I think their fragrance along with that of peonies are two of my all time favorite floral scents, other than lavender of course.  These are on my desk right now, brightening up this rainy afternoon.

For no particular reason at lunch today while I was waiting for my baked potato to finish baking, I decided to mix together a chocolate cake.  The "six minute chocolate cake" from Moosewood is a good go-to recipe for a simple and satisfying one-layer chocolate cake.  I also just took a boule out of the oven.  Seems my priorities are in check, eh?  Tonight I think we'll make a mushroom and broccoli quiche and toss together some salad greens from the garden.

Have you seen Alicia's lovely home tour yet?

Thank you so much for your hearty response to my book announcement.  Your cheers are awesome!

Have a nice afternoon,

H

Hey, guess what?

You know how every now and then a rare opportunity steps into your path? Yet perhaps you look at it and wonder, can I do this? I've never done anything like it before!  Can little me take on this big project, really? So you pray, consult your loved ones and think, Ok. Then you bundle up your courage, take a deep breath, and walk on with faith. 
So the *BIG NEWS* that I mentioned and have wanted to share with you for some time is I AM WRITING A BOOK!  Yes!  A book!  Aaack!  (squealing in the background) 
It's so exciting! While I have to wait to share details about the content and so on, I will be sharing more bits soon. For now, I'm just so excited to be able to tell you that it is happening!   I cannot wait to share more! 

Thanks for stopping by today and reading my news, it really means a lot to me.
H

Friday

Well look at that. I have a blog. Yesterday I tried signing into my account and couldn't remember my password! Good grief.
Work, sleep, work, eat, work, work, work has been life lately. However the work is good so I'm not complaining. I have just been tunnel visioned. Last night I made cookies for the first time in weeks. Weeks! I mean I usually always have a batch of cookies in the jar but wow, was it fun make cookies again. Thankfully there is relaxation in store over the weekend. We don't even have set plans that I know of, but there are prospects of good things. Perhaps we'll go to the Earth Day parade downtown, or to the art walk/exhibition ReThink Topeka, go pick asparagus at a local farm, or simply do a little gardening. Who knows. But I do know I'll be taking a day or two off!

* And even though I haven't been here, I have been posting photos each day.

* Eyebuzz has a new show opening today, Paper!

* I'm excited to share my *BIG NEWS* with you next week, yay!  I hope you'll check back...

I hope you a great weekend!

H

still

While walking yesterday I passed a tree branch broken during the night's storm, leaning over the street. Today I retrieved this one blossom that remained after the giant blooming branch had been hauled away, leaving white petals strewn about. I set it on my work table among articles that still remain from recent projects. While this photo looks still it surely has not been a still kind of week. Somehow it is Friday and I'm left standing with my mouth open wondering how that happened.

We harvested our first radish this morning.

Rachel has been running a great series of posts about inspiration and organization.

This essay was recommended by Shari (who always shares good links), and it is definitely worth reading.
And oh, I meant to tell you too that she and I added more work to the up and down set at What Remains Inside.

Have a good weekend,

H

more flowery

Spring is popping up.  Even the "weeds" are interesting up close.  We worked allll weekend long, taking advantage of the great weather.  I think somehow our garden gets bigger with each passing year.   We're up to 1600 sq. ft., which I don't know if that's a lot but it sure seems like it right now as we're digging, weeding, transplanting, pruning, raking, sowing seeds, and finally falling into bed at night dog-tired. 

I'll be back later, my tongue is still hanging out.

Hope you had a nice weekend,

H