Today is the first day, of spring break. Beyond me lies a whole week to meander through and do what I deem fit. I pray there are no surprises, unless they are pleasant, to hinder my lofty notions. Today, I want to tidy the rabbit patch . I am already painting a chandelier and intend to wash curtains next. The territory will get some attention too and I suspect, I will find more wild violets when I do so. Tomorrow, I am cooking a turkey and all that goes with it. I will have a strawberry cake . . .and I will not put ice cream on Mamas’. After Easter dinner, I will leave for Elizabeth City .
My notions remain lofty, for the week. If the weather is fair, as is predicted, then you will most likely find me and Lyla, picnicing on the shores of the “laughing river”-or strolling through the Riverside village. We could be at “The Flour Girls’ Bakery” or at Miss Claudias’. We could be on the flat rock , we have claimed, by the little bridge, sitting in silence. The truth is we could be anywhere and doing just what we please . . . if all goes well.
Lyla has a birthday on Thursday-her third. It is a “red letter day” on the rabbit patch calendar. Lyla, for now, is my only grandchild and thankfully, lives but an hour away. This will be our fifth celebration in less than a fortnight. To me, birthdays are holy days. . . though, I do not see a bit of harm in having cake, as well.
The Eve of Easter, in the Afternoon
Just after the noon hour, I went out and gathered more sticks for the burn pile. It is still too breezy, to have a fire now and besides Kyle would be so disappointed if we had a fire, without him. I noticed some areas of the yard could use a mowing . . but alas, the mower was “dead” and out of gas. Mowers and water hoses plague me in the warm seasons. Instead, I went around the yard and checked on the azaleas. One of them had little blossoms burned by the cold. The gardenias (cape Jasmines) are all in awful shape. I have heard, that I should wait til June for the verdict on whether or not to remove them. All of the roses are alive and well and the tulips are up. The running vinca is slowly recovering and may bloom after all. I made a pile of pine cones. They are hateful things to gather, but the best thing I know of to start a fire.
I came in and saw that the little chandelier had dried to the perfect shade of a very pale, blue lilac. It looks quite dainty over the white kitchen table in the mostly white kitchen. The whole farm house is mostly white- with splashes of pastels in the lightest shades of pink, lavender and aqua in various rooms. The exception is Kyles’ and Christians’ bedrooms which are ivory and without pastels.
Inspired by my success with the chandelier, I painted some candlesticks for the mantle . . and then a flower pot. Christian hung the curtains while I cut fresh strawberries. I recited “Lovliest of Trees” by Housman, as I do every year, at Easter. I am especially nostalgic in the spring. Out of the kitchen window, I saw the sky blue flowers of”thrift” blooming and remembered my Aunt Agnes. As the sun sank low, I remembered playing with my cousins, Christine and Ruby, late into spring evenings that looked very much like this one. I thought of the dog tooth violets that bloom in the town, where I work and remembered how they seem to glow in moonlight. . .in months like April. Thankfully, the air at the kitchen window became chilled and I was thrust back to the “here and now” and the “tasks at hand”. I do not know why, spring makes me remember, but it never fails to do so.
By the time, the moon had risen over the field, my thoughts had shifted. I stood in the cool night air, full of gladness for what is yet to come . . .the season when new life is celebrated . . . the time when “flowers appear on the earth” and robins nest-and the soil gives up its’ secrets . Children will search for brightly colored eggs in tufts of tender grass. . .and kittens will be found in garden sheds. Every pasture will be full of new offspring who are likely to kick their heels, at the “drop of a hat”. . .
“For behold, the winter is past . . .and the voice of the turtledove, is heard in our land.”
“Loveliest of trees” is my favourite poem too. We are still waiting for cherry blossom here after a long winter, but the buds are swelling. Your painting sounds very elegant!
A blessed Easter & spring break to you, Michele! May the time with Lyla preparing for her birthday be rich with love & joy, fine gifts for a precious princess of a granddaughter.✨ 🎉🌟💜🌟🎉✨
thank you-there will be a special gift . . .we have had a wonderful day-and Easter was special with Mama and Daddy.. Thank you for sweet wishes and may you too be blessed.
This sounds absolutely wonderful Michele! From the weather to the activities.
They are telling us that we might see snow once again this week. This is totally odd for us this time of year. Usually by now our potatoes are in and I am thinking of planting the garden and looking for tulips…not so this year.
It turned cold here today! We have had some mild days though. Saturday close to freezing, they say. Today started out warm and we were outside for a long time. Thank you Faye, love Michele
I hope your Easter was as heartfelt and beautiful as your writing. Happy Birthday to Lyla. Grandchildren grow up way to quickly. My grandson is 9 today!
What a lovely poem. I popped over to poetry.org to say it with you. I’m glad your Easter was nice. Your painting colors sound lovely and the rabbit patch kitchen always have something wonderful going. I hope that everything works smoothly for yours and Lyla’s lovely adventures.
thank you Amy-Isn’t the poem lovely? Lyla and I are off to a good start. Oh how it delights me to do these simple but so enriching things-you of all people KNOW this first hand. love Michele
Picnics … ohhh they seem so far beyond my reach right now. We have dreadful, lashing, thrashing, almost violent rains currently. They come in bursts – like a whole bundle of thugs all in one team, and beat everything to a pulp.
My poor gardens are practically squelchy – so much so that the dog puts one paw onto them and grimaces, before back tracking and trying other places around the garden where she feels she can bear the soaking wet spongy feeling of the earth beneath her toes.
I so want spring to wave its magical wand over everything – but these rains seem determined to do their worst.
Your painting of the Chandelier . . . ohhh, we need photographs of this magnificent peace of artwork.
Did you have to treat it with something first, in order for the paint to ‘stick’?
I can only imagine how beautiful it must look.
Another truly incredible post Rabbit. I feel so relaxed the moment I arrive here, and are so thankful for you, for you are one of my blessings. Sending much love to you, and thanking you for a wonderful read. ~ Cobs. xxx ❤
Dear Cobs, I did not do a thing but paint over, the gray color I had done years ago. That paint stayed, and I expect this too as well-we will see . . . . I will post a pic but it will be a while as I am in Elizabeth City for the week. I do hope your spring is just around the corner. love Michele
Happy Easter Rabbit! Lovely word as always and yes…aren’t we all glad for Spring?
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thank you dear Beverly. I hope your Easter was beautiful. love michele
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Happy Easter! May God’s blessings rest on you today and always.
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Another beautiful post. Another breath of fresh air from the rabbit patch! Happy Spring to you and yours Michele! xox
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Thank you friend-I hope you are having beautiful days! love Michele
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Very beautiful moments, as always. Welcome to those baby kittens and all others who are greeting spring at the Rabbit Patch.
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Thank you and happy spring to you!
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“Loveliest of trees” is my favourite poem too. We are still waiting for cherry blossom here after a long winter, but the buds are swelling. Your painting sounds very elegant!
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I have always loved that poem and memorized it because of that. believe me my painting is just for fun!
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A blessed Easter & spring break to you, Michele! May the time with Lyla preparing for her birthday be rich with love & joy, fine gifts for a precious princess of a granddaughter.✨ 🎉🌟💜🌟🎉✨
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thank you-there will be a special gift . . .we have had a wonderful day-and Easter was special with Mama and Daddy.. Thank you for sweet wishes and may you too be blessed.
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This sounds absolutely wonderful Michele! From the weather to the activities.
They are telling us that we might see snow once again this week. This is totally odd for us this time of year. Usually by now our potatoes are in and I am thinking of planting the garden and looking for tulips…not so this year.
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It turned cold here today! We have had some mild days though. Saturday close to freezing, they say. Today started out warm and we were outside for a long time. Thank you Faye, love Michele
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I hope your Easter was as heartfelt and beautiful as your writing. Happy Birthday to Lyla. Grandchildren grow up way to quickly. My grandson is 9 today!
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goodness! happy birthday to your little grandson! Bernadette, I sincerely appreciate your comments-they never cease to inspire me. xoxoxoMichele
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Lovely post as always! Thanks for reminding me of that poem“Lovliest of Trees” by Housman. I will post it in my blog in your honor! Happy Easter and congratulations on your post at the https://beaufortcountynow.com/post/28060/hope-and-remembrance.html
Amira
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awwh-it is the time to remember that lovely work. thank you -love Michele
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What a lovely poem. I popped over to poetry.org to say it with you. I’m glad your Easter was nice. Your painting colors sound lovely and the rabbit patch kitchen always have something wonderful going. I hope that everything works smoothly for yours and Lyla’s lovely adventures.
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thank you Amy-Isn’t the poem lovely? Lyla and I are off to a good start. Oh how it delights me to do these simple but so enriching things-you of all people KNOW this first hand. love Michele
LikeLiked by 1 person
Picnics … ohhh they seem so far beyond my reach right now. We have dreadful, lashing, thrashing, almost violent rains currently. They come in bursts – like a whole bundle of thugs all in one team, and beat everything to a pulp.
My poor gardens are practically squelchy – so much so that the dog puts one paw onto them and grimaces, before back tracking and trying other places around the garden where she feels she can bear the soaking wet spongy feeling of the earth beneath her toes.
I so want spring to wave its magical wand over everything – but these rains seem determined to do their worst.
Your painting of the Chandelier . . . ohhh, we need photographs of this magnificent peace of artwork.
Did you have to treat it with something first, in order for the paint to ‘stick’?
I can only imagine how beautiful it must look.
Another truly incredible post Rabbit. I feel so relaxed the moment I arrive here, and are so thankful for you, for you are one of my blessings.
Sending much love to you, and thanking you for a wonderful read. ~ Cobs. xxx ❤
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Dear Cobs, I did not do a thing but paint over, the gray color I had done years ago. That paint stayed, and I expect this too as well-we will see . . . . I will post a pic but it will be a while as I am in Elizabeth City for the week. I do hope your spring is just around the corner. love Michele
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You clever thing!
I’d have been terrified! lol xxx
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U are building special Easter memories and not only for You and Layla to keep with her forever❤️
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I so hope that-my grandparents did that for me. thank you dear one
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If forced to, I might admit I am ready for spring.
(sniff)…I miss the snow already…
Seek peace,
Paz
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I miss the winter too. I love every season.
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