Surprises

Disha Eylül 22, 2022

I came into the living room this morning, prepared that this would be the day I'd take down my Easter egg tree. But it looked so pretty with the sun and shadows, I couldn't bear to!

We are getting along fine during quarantine. I confess, I haven't minded being home one bit. We've had some snow and cold weather so I've been "in" rather than walking but I've enjoyed every second. Part of the reason? I've had some wonderful surprises this week. Two were very thoughtful gestures from others. One was just luck! And actually, another that I'll share in a separate post.

The First Surprise?

I've been waiting for a number of deliveries (groceries, which finally came; Rick's surprise package -- 15 pounds of flour, which hasn't shipped yet; a pulse oximeter (one of those things docs put on your finger, which finally DID arrive) and a couple other things including some serious hand salve.

But what made me very happy was a totally unexpected packet! I had missed buying seeds before things locked down, not that we can put anything in the ground prior to mid-May here, but one could start inside. Imagine my surprise when a dear friend in South Carolina sent me some zinnias and cosmos seeds!

I doubt they'll look as good as this...

...but a girl can dream, can't she?

The Second Surprise?

I kill plants. I don't try (unless you count neglect, which I must admit, I view as not trying). But when I got this flowering maple plant (abutilin) last summer at the farmer's market up north, it was filled with a bounty of coral colored blooms. I decided I'd try to keep it alive this winter. And all the blooms fell off, it got scrawny, and I thought "Oh well. It was good while it lasted."

I will tell you, it was looking pretty raggedy. But I moved it, gave it some water and just the other day noticed this! There are more than a few buds! Now, if I can just keep it going!

Here's the most recent view! And more buds on the way!

The Third Surprise?

I love following the adventures of the Traveling Totes on various friends' blogs. Each month on the first eight or nine extremely fun and creative women take their Mackenzie Childs tote bag along in their travels and blog about it. Travels may be far afield or close to home, but they always make for delightful reading. Included in each adventure is a giveaway!

Well, I am pleased to say that I am now the proud owner of a Mackenzie Childs whisk, thanks to being chosen by Jenna of The Painted Apron! Most of us aren't getting out a lot these days so it was a real treat when a box from Patti from Pandora's Box arrived in the mail (and sat in the garage for the requisite 24 hours) and I could open it!

Thank you, Jenna, Patti and Tote Folk! I love it!

I have one more surprise that arrived in the mail this week, from a cousin in China via his sister. But that's a longer (and very interesting) story so I'll save it for another time. Meanwhile, I'll leave you with something sweet, a pretty cupcake, the last of our Easter cupcakes, made by my friend Sarah.