That Time of Year

For some reason April and May become too busy for me. Various commitments pile on top of each other, and the calendar has more than the usual scribbles on it -- go to this party, do this concert, finish this project, etc. There's a tipping point where stress creeps in, when we're too busy. Before it's too much, I'll have to say "no" to some things. Besides, there's a grandbaby coming this summer, and that is more important than anything else!!
We had supper with some friends at their new home, and I had to take a picture of this super cool patio table!! It has a propane tank underneath that powers that lovely fire "pit." The fire flickers around all those clear stones. It's beautiful.

 The daffodils have gone back to sleep till next spring, but the azaleas are taking their place.

 I'm finally busy in the greenhouse, getting tomato seeds in their cells. I have lots of basil growing, and some baby oregano.

 I made my first batch of Healing Herb Ointment. I had customers asking, "When will it be ready?" "When the plantain has grown in the spring," I replied.

 One the shady side of the house is a brilliant ornamental cherry tree with a Japanese magnolia beside. Against the new red roof they were so pretty this year.

My little soap/lotion/art/yarn business has done well this winter even though I didn't go to the farmers market much. I'm thankful. The market was fabulous this past Saturday; life seems to be picking back up again in Oriental after Hurricane Florence and then the winter. It's a seasonal town. For those who don't live through devastating hurricanes every few years, it's hard to explain how LONG it takes for people to recover afterward. So many homes are still not livable, being raised, need roofs, etc. Many people went without a heating system this past winter.

Anyway, I must dedicate time to making lots of soap, and lotion bars against the coming mosquitoes, picking herbs for ointment, and painting more cards. Speaking of cards, here are a few from the past week. As ever, if you care to buy any, send me an email or leave a message and I'll get back to you. You can view an album of cards currently available if you click on the tab bar at the top of this blog. 

 (Actually, those blue eggs already sold, but I thought I'd share anyway. I'll do another one.)

And this one below I painted for myself. It's Punkin and Ethel who are, alas, no longer with us. I miss them.