What spring brings.

I started this on my iphone on Thursday but couldn't figure out how to get pictures into it; now it's Sunday night & I'm still having techno issues. I'm sure it's mostly my brain and the need to rest.  

 We've been down south, Austin & Wimberley.  Today we celebrated Easter with family. Karlie got the hang of candy in eggs pretty quickly and she & the cousins gave us cause for lots of smiles. Thanks Mitra, Marcus, & Mary Chess for hosting a wonderful fun day.  The food was great too.

Spring took a while to get here but then in rather typical Texas fashion lasted a few minutes before jumping into HOT.  If time had allowed we would have gone swimming this weekend. Sadly this change of seasons has been accompanied by violent weather and fires. Much of west Texas is abaze. A  good portion of the state really, really, really needs rain.  Thankfully we got a bit of the wet stuff here this evening. I hope there were no tornadoes or damaging hale with this line of storms. We had tornadoes where we were in Arkansas last weekend and that was scary.I guess there is always a bit of drama associated with change and it's no less so with our efforts toward moving.  It's been a while coming but a big step happened last week.

It feels rather strange and I have lots of mixed emotions but it's time to move forward.  Our house is officially on the market.  Life as we've known it for 24 years is about to change. Now I hope it happens fast so if you know anyone who would like a well loved (I mean that in the best sense) house in north Texas, please send them this way.  In the meantime, hope all your changes are good ones.

Re Entry

When I started blogging I intended it to be a forum to share my art & adventures and for the most part I've done so fairly regularly.  If there are any readers still checking in, I apologize for the month long absence.  I'll just say that March 2011 was mostly a dark period that I am glad to have behind me.  My hurdles are nothing compared to the tragedy in Japan and I hope everyone is finding some way to help there.  

I am working on being hopeful.  I am inspired by the promise of spring and hope for new beginnings. I am stenghtened by loving family & friends and especially words of my father which Ashley reminded me of in her blog post on March 10, "I just hope & pray every thing will be alright". 

Even in the greyest times we need to look for the bright moments. How can you not smile at this kind of innocent abandonment of care?

At the Dallas Quilt Show, Lu Peters & I won a red ribbon for Roots & Routes, the 3rd in our series of collaboration quilts.   (Sorry, I'm blocking the ribbon but I promise it's there & now on my wall for further inspiration). 

It is April. The pecan trees are budding. North Texas natives say that is assurance that spring is really here.  I hope it's a season of promise & beauty for everyone.