What a gorgeous, amazing weekend upstate! It was actually warm, daffodils were out in full force, and the neighbor's chickens visited for awhile while I sat out under a tree knitting.

It is spring.

Its been a long time since I've posted anything, though lots has been going on at the house. I've been working on a new book about knitting, to be released in Fall 2010 which will be called "More Last-Minute Knitted Gifts" so I haven't had much time to spend on this blog or much else!  

I don't think I've ever appreciated Spring enough, but this year I will make up for it. I am totally amazed by every green thing I see.  My daffodils are starting to poke up through the ground, and I even saw a few blades of grass coming to life.  The basement is almost finished, and Ron is now working on my porch. Once the porch is done, I think the house is pretty much done, well, sort of, as long as you don't count painting the exterior of the house or fixing all of the little things that I keep noticing...  hmmm, anyhow, did I mention that its spring?

This weekend I pruned my totally out of control apple trees and pear tree, what a difference! I got all excited when I was cleaning up the branches because I realized that I could bring some in to force! I've never forced branches, but have always wanted to.  The photo at the top shows the branches when I left on Sunday, I'll be shooting progress shots as they (hopefully!) blossom.  If you'd like to learn more about forcing branches, check out this link.

Happy Spring!!

Much more of this in 2009.

Its been so long! I've spent the summer enjoying my house, working in the garden and soaking in the beautiful blue skies.  A month ago-ish my step-mom Sharon and I planted some bulbs in the flower bed across from the house including these fall blooming bulbs known as Colchicum Waterlily. They are absolutely beautiful and what I surprise to see them blooming last weekend.  I assumed they wouldn't come up until next fall, but they're here!  If I had know how beautiful they were I think I would have gotten quite a few more.  There is always next fall of course.  My dad and I planted a ton of daffodils under the super tall walnut trees.  Can't wait to see those in spring!

Anyhow, the house has come such a long way.  Here is a little glimpse of the progress we've made over the last year. 

This was what the living room looked like before I bought the house.  Frankly, when I  look back on what it was I truly wonder what I was thinking when I bought it, but I'm so happy I did.  Its such a special place now.

This is the room after gutting in October last year.  I was really worried when I saw this! 

Once the drywall went up I was quite a bit less worried... 

But I had no idea that it would look this beautiful!