A Day in April and so much more...

 

Before Millie and I headed over the hillside trail yesterday, we first walked down to the old garden to see what we could see.  And, how glad we were that we did.  It was one of those days when everything seemed to be at its best.  It was here on the rocks around the little garden pond that my granddaughter and I sat, and my little grandson fished, in the pictures I posted last week.   

Bleeding hearts are blooming here and there amongst the fading jonquils which have brought new life to this part of the garden.  I am so thankful these little jewels have survived here in the wild.

The Carolina Buckeye needs a few more days before it will produce its trumpet shaped blossoms that the hummingbirds so dearly love.  It is then that these little birds will come, for by that time the honeysuckle's sweet fragrance will fill the air beckoning them to come.   But even now, I have been seeing a few hummingbirds but they seem content to drink and go.  They have a long way to go and a short time to get there as the old saying goes.   

Carolina Buckeye

Flowering Dogwoods

Then, back on the hillside, Millie and I had to weave our way through the cattle that had come to graze along the trail we walk.  They know us well and don't mind our being there (unless I carry an umbrella).  Yesterday was our 47th walk since having had to miss a day when the very cold and snowy February snowstorm kept me holed up inside.  Looking back I wish I had found a way to get over that trail even though the snow was deeper than my boots were tall.  It has been such a disappointment to have to start over after a record of 1,314 days.

I have been cutting my own hair since all the salons were closed for so long.  Here I am looking in the mirror and contemplating whether I should make an appointment for a professional cut.  I had to laugh at myself when I thought of how I seem to have a thing those little side thingies.  You will remember that I gave some of the dolls a knot of curls there too.  What's good enough for a doll is certainly good enough for me. Linnie loves her side thingy and is happy to be modeling it for us below.  

Work on the dolls has slowed to a crawl since I have been spending a great deal of time outside these beautiful spring days.  I am currently giving all the dolls a body suit of sorts, or a second skin as the pattern calls it.  I cut the suits from an old set of linen napkins I once found at a resale shop.  The sewing is a bit tedious and at times I have had to use a circular needle.  That's what I call slow stitching.   

   

This is probably my longest post ever, it seems there's just so much wonderfulness going on now.   I just can't leave without thanking a couple of my blogging friends for all the wonderful cards and gifts that they have sent my way.  Who doesn't love handmade paper and Eco dyed tissues, or hand-stamped cards filled with wonderful handwritten words?   I just can't say enough about these magnificent  gifts that have come to me in a rusty old mailbox at the end of  our country lane...just like the good old days way back when!

But, it's the dolls that have hit the jackpot with the old pieces of fabric and lace.  If only you could feel these old pieces of cloth.  They have such a fine hand as old seamstresses might say.  Nothing these days can come even close to that feeling.   I can already imagine these beautiful old laces edging the hems of petticoats and pantalettes for the dolls.  Oh, my goodness, I feel so spoiled.   

So, thank you both so much, and thanks to all of you who take time to stop by our Hilltop to say Hello.  Take care, and   

Happy Trails to you all,

Mary

The first hummingbird...