Kitchen

I have been spending a lot of time in my kitchen lately.
Not doing thisso much as lots of this


Unfortunately, I also have this to show for it, which I don't have to wear all the time, but should wear more than I do.
It just gets in the way when I am doing what I would rather be doing like this
and this
Anything new and exciting out there for you all?

Spring

Spring, the sweet Spring, is the year's pleasant king;
Then blooms each thing, then maids dance in a ring,
Cold doth not sting, the pretty birds do sing,
Cuckoo, jug-jug, pu-we, to-witta-woo!

The palm and may make country houses gay,
Lambs frisk and play, the [shepherds pipe]1 all day,
And we hear aye birds tune this merry lay,
Cuckoo, jug-jug, pu-we, to-witta-woo!

The fields breathe sweet, the daisies kiss our feet,
Young lovers meet, old wives a-sunning sit,
In every street these tunes our ears do greet,
Cuckoo, jug-jug, pu-we, to-witta-woo!
Spring! The sweet Spring!

Thomas Nashe

From the Fifth Lamp, Viewing the Floodwaters

Here are some views of the Mississippi River from the Fifth Lamp Down.
West

March 2008March 2010
East
October 2009
March 2010 (this is usually all grass here, and you can see the road to the parking lot disappear into the water)
The waters are rising in Saint Paul.
We're at about 4 feet above flood stage, lots of parks on the river have closed due to rising waters and unsafe currents.
From up here on the bluff, we get to watch in safety and amazement at the awesome power of nature.

What have I been doing all week?

Well, let's start with this -
And lots of this -

While listening to this -And with a side of this -Have a great weekend everyone!

Breaking News

This is Jessica Bandelin, reporting from my kitchen where I have the windows open.
I am listening to the sounds of happy children playing on the sidewalk (freshly ice-free)And, as I am preparing lunch for said children I look out and see something like this -

What am I doing inside?
Good question.
As soon as the luncheon is prepared I will meet you all outside for a walk.

Primavera

This was originally posted in March of 2008.
I was feeling just this way today, so I thought I'd throw it up here again.

In college I sang the song "Primavera" by Celius Dougherty it was one of my favorites, mostly for the fantastic vocabulary used.

Here is what I can remember of the poem by Amy Lowell

'Spring has arrived.

It is no use your telling me to look at the calendar

and saying that it is 5 good days 'til the 21st of March

Is the year bound to obey the almanac-makers?

O, model of all egregious pedants!

Would you shackle Spring to times and seasons,

or catch her back by her long green skirt 'til the moment you have planned for her?

She has stolen a March this year, for certain!

Today at sunrise I saw a white-breasted nuthatch running up the branch of the oak tree that was so broken by the ice-storm last December.

And in the garden a pheasant was picking grains out of the manure covering the garden beds.

There is a snow-drop up by the porch shot clean through the tulip straw.

And the crows are all agog over the neighbor's pine trees.

It is a game of catch who catch can with that green skirt then.

Even though, in your passion for order,

you bring about a snowstorm tomorrow,

it will not matter to me.

This morning,
Beyond a shadow of a doubt,
I saw the Spring!"

Regional Spotlight

Hi
I just wanted to let you know that my singing group Caritas Vocal Ensemble will be featured today on the Regional Spotlight on MPR.
Here in the Twin Cities you can hear it on 99.5 FM and they stream their broadcast online Here.
The host told me that the broadcast would be around 3:15, so tune in and listen!

Update:
I added the link to MPR's website, so you can listen if you missed it.

Spring Walk

O.K., I know it's not officially Spring for a couple more weeks, but we've been enjoying the Spring-like weather none the less.
Is it just me, or do these look like they're practicing for their Senior pictures?

Dear March, Come In

DEAR March, come in!
How glad I am!
I looked for you before.
Put down your hat—
You must have walked—	5
How out of breath you are!
Dear March, how are you?
And the rest?
Did you leave Nature well?
Oh, March, come right upstairs with me,	10
I have so much to tell!
I got your letter, and the bird’s;
The maples never knew
That you were coming,—I declare,
How red their faces grew!	15
But, March, forgive me—
And all those hills
You left for me to hue;
There was no purple suitable,
You took it all with you.	20
Who knocks? That April!
Lock the door!
I will not be pursued!
He stayed away a year, to call
When I am occupied.	25
But trifles look so trivial
As soon as you have come,
That blame is just as dear as praise
And praise as mere as blame.

Emily Dickinson

February Mosaic

Here I am, a couple of days late, to show the photos from my February installment of the 365 project.

1. Rosemary, 2. Holes, 3. He saw his shadow, 4. Color Consult, 5. Waiting for Her Turn, 6. Cinnamon Swirl Bread, 7. All Gussied Up, 8. This Year's Easter Dress?, 9. Juggling, 10. Nighttime reading, 11. Detail, 12. My Favorite Lunch, 13. Valentiney Cupcake, 14. Kitties, 15. Art, 16. Snowy, 17. Knitting, Watching the Olympics, 18. Work in Progress, 19. Rosemary Bread, 20. Thaw, 21. patchwork scarf finished, 22. Trying to get rid of this dresser, 23. Valentine to my Daughter, 24. Isn't this 15 inches yet?, 25. Look at the Puffer Fish, 26. Illicit House Showing Photo, 27. Building a House from a Vacuum Box, 28. Good Morning

random thoughts for a Tuesday

There are signs of Spring all around, it's currently 42 degrees outside and tomorrow the forecast is for 44 degrees!
I don't know if I've enjoyed anything so much in the past few weeks as watching the Younger Hug-a-Bug testing out these goggles by throwing mulch into his own face.
And, it seems like the winter wasn't too hard on our smaller neighborslook at the size of that pigeon!
Happy Tuesday