Is that a Gargoyle in your Strawberries, or are you just happy to see me?

This is one of two Garden Gargoyles that we have.  We figured they would keep the Garden Gnomes away.  The strawberries are blooming and a few of them have the beginnings of berries on them.

This morning I got up extra early and went out to work on the garden before the bee's came out.  I have to plan my garden work carefully as I am highly allergic to stinging insects of all kinds.  It can be challenging at times but I try to make the best of things.

Lettuce, tomatoes, onions, beans, leeks, swiss chard and carrots all planted this morning.  The soaker hose is new this year.  Im hoping it cuts down on the amount of physical work required to keep things watered.  Im also laying down newspaper and will place straw on top.  I ran out of newspaper which is why this part isn't done yet!

On the home improvement front we have a completed project! 

This is our bedroom.  The paint is Behr Pewter Mug and was the closest color we could find to Shalimar Black Truffle.  My most favorite color of all!

Andy has been working on replacing and reconfiguring the stairs leading to our finished basement.  They have been a bane to my existence.  I actually fell down them the first time I was ever here while carrying plates of pizza.  The carpet on them and in the basement is cream color and I was horrified that I was going to drop the pizza and Andy would never have me over again.  Well, I didn't drop the pizza and we have been married for almost seven years so it worked out pretty well.

Before reconfiguration:

During:

The plan is to paint the treads black and the risers will be wainscoting in white.  Hopefully finished pictures to come soon!

A short break

Is it just me, or does it look like this llama is wearing glasses?

We took a break from home improvement hell this past weekend and went to the VA Classic Llama and Alpaca Show.  Our friends the Hall's who own Posy Thisisit Llamas had a booth there.  It was great fun to visit with them and catch up.  We haven't gotten together in more than a year so there was a lot of yakking going on!  We have plans to get together again at Maryland Sheep & Wool so our next visit wont be too far off. 

Jamee' and I had a bit of fun with some roving and designed new Princess Leia costumes:

This is the last room that we layed flooring in.  It's really supposed to be our office, but Ive sort of taken it over.  That's Andy in the closet using the nail gun to put the final touches on the half round molding.

Yesterday I painted all the closets on the main floor.  While this may seem like a waste of time, really who is ever going to notice, apparently the people who lived here before us thought this and only had put primer on the walls in them.  They look much better and have a nice clean and fresh scent.  Tomorrow I'm painting our bedroom.  More on that to come!

In my very limited down time I did manage to finish a pair of socks:

The Weasley Homstead by Erica Lueder.  It's a free pattern on Ravelry and can be found here. BMFA STR in Mossy Manly.  Ive also nearly finished seaming my second Blumchen It should be finished by Thursday just in time for even warmer weather! 

 Speaking of warmer weather, it was a crazy 80 degrees here today.  It's only March and I'm really concerned about what summer is going to have in store for us.  Andy and I worked in the garden for a couple of hours - pruning, thinning, removing some weeds and generally getting the soil ready for planting.  We are tying up loose ends with things around the house before fishing season begins.  Our next project is reconstruction of the stairs leading to our basement.  Someday, someday soon, I will have more knitting time again.  I just know it!