Is Spring in the Air?

Spring in Wisconsin always arrives several months late.  About June 1st is about the time we can plant annuals in our gardens with safety from frost.

Today it's 50 degrees and sunny, so it's time to start crossing stuff off my gardening and bird care list.  I found the ladder, took down the 2 bird houses that I have, emptied them out, and scrubbed them with soap and water.  Each one had several families hatched last year and wow, they were stuffed with sticks and feathers!

My daffodils are showing their little green tips, so it'll be a month until their flowers open up. This is such an exciting time of year.

Tea and Daffodils, quilt by Ann Fahl  22 x 22 inches

The above is my all time favorite April quilt.  I can hardly wait until the daffodils begin to bloom. I have probably a thousand in my yard and last fall we added more bulbs to the main entrance of the Mount Pleasant Village Hall. I hope they look gorgeous and are welcoming to the citizens of our village.

Whenever your spring arrives, I hope you have a lovely one.

Ann Fahl

Ann Becomes Ancient History!

My Great Grandfather, Pascal Kenyon Shaw  1854-1928

This is a day that I never thought would arrive, and it has.  I feel that I must mark this day with a more personal message to you, my readers.  I remember when I was a little girl asking my father, in what year I would be 50 years old.  Fifty was an age that was beyond anything I could possibly comprehend.  I also remember when I was 24 and a good friend of mine was 30, I thought she was ancient!

Ann Fahl, April 11, 2012 a landmark birthday

Today, I can be covered by Medicare and begin receiving Social Security checks.  How could I ever have gotten to this day?  It's mind boggling, how has life gone past so quickly? So in this photo, I am sitting in a pose similar to that of my great grandfather, (but don't you think he was handsome?) but I am certainly having more fun! I'm sitting in front of my newest quilt background, which was pieced today, I'm wearing red socks and shoes.

I've had a lovely day, we had special cookies at coffee this morning, lunch with a friend, it is sunny outside, and tonight we are going out for ice cream. We will have a family celebration with my sons this weekend. But somehow, I feel I should be old today!

On my cutting table, daffodils in a vase by Judy Coates Perez

My studio is cheery and sunny today and my garden is so beautiful.

Doronica, a shade loving plant is blooming much earlier this year.  When all the buds open it will be full of bright flowers.

The May Apples are just about open, even though the temperature got to 28 degrees last night.

And look at the hyacinths that are blooming in my front yard.

So this is how my life has been today. The daffodils are still beautiful and I have 3 bouquets in the house, they smell heavenly. 

I was 29 years old for many many years.  Five years ago, I had my 30th birthday, and I've been 30 ever since.  But to be really honest, I'm not 30 anymore.  My son is 30!  I should feel very old today. 

I feel so many conflicting feelings, but to be truthful, I don't feel old.  I've just finished a great quilt; starting another, the master gardener classes have been fun and informative, life is good I don't have any compaints.

Yesterday I took my Silver Mist Toyota Camry in for her 90,000 mile checkup. This was an expensive proposition, with new timing belt, serpentine belt, fluid changes, tires rotated and on and on.  When all was completed, I thought Misty and I could ride off into the sunset together! But I've had a change of heart, we are driving to Paducah together instead.  Hope to see you there.

Ann Fahl
Age 30 years.

The Show is Over

This happens every time at the conclusion of a show.  For months and sometimes years, I have prepared for an exhibit. The opening is a thrill, because the work is hanging on the walls and it looks so wonderful.  I can't believe that I have created all that stuff!

Then the end of the show arrives, everything comes off the walls of the gallery, and it gets packed up to go home. It's over.  Then this cloud seems to hover over your life.  It took so much preparation and it's over, another artist or group arrives to hang their show in your place.  So I'm feeling the downturn in my spirits.  Now when this happens, I'm not surprised and I understand what is going on.

This time, we are experiencing this wonderful very early warm spring in Wisconsin and I can go out and dig, rake and transplant! This is a sure thing, it makes me feel really good.

Hepatica, a wild flower that is filling a spot near an old stump on a hillside.

Little sprouts of May Apples are pushing through the leaves.

Here is a cluster of May Apples that are beginning to open.  Soon when will be like umbrellas that are knee high.

There are daffodils and narcissus everywhere. 

The King Alfred Daffodils bloom outside the windows of my studio.  On a warm day the fragrance is wonderful.

These white primroses have never bloomed for me.

These little primroses have never been so beautiful.  It must be the mild winter and early spring that has made them so large and colorful.

These purple ones are always the first to open up.  I usually find them in mid April when I push the leave aside and find them. 

All these flowers and brilliant colors have boosted my spirits, and when the weather is warm enough, I am in full gardening mode.  My quilting will have to wait!

Ann Fahl