Way behind

No, I have not dropped off the planet. I have just been totally consumed with non-bloggable activities. These include work, and ... well, mostly just work. This totally busy time will pass, but for now I have to shoehorn in other activities were I can. I was going to comment on how unnaturally hot it was. Then I was going to comment on how unnaturally wet and cold it was. Now it is pretty much normal, so there isn't much to say about it.

I did manage to finish the white cotton sweater, except for sewing on the buttons - hand sewing even something as simple as buttons is something I actively procrastinate.

My most treasured progress has been on the foundation ditch for my rock wall. It will be a low dry-stack wall, so I dug a ditch about 10 inches deep and spread sand in it. The sand is to give a nice level surface for the first rank of ledger stone. In a flash of inspiration I used the "car-weight" sand bags that were taking up space in my garage. I used to put these bags in the back of my pickup each winter to add traction. Now I have a heftier 4-wheel-drive, so the sand can go to a higher (or lower) purpose. And tada! I have more space in my garage! I need to pick up one more bag of sand, then I will be able to start moving rocks. I hope to place at least a ceremonial first stone this weekend.

Meanwhile, with absolutely no help from me, the garden has sprung to life. The lavender has sent up bloom stalks, the curl-leaf mahogany have become proper willowy shrubs, and, after a severe pruning, the Perovskia have filled in with dense crops of new leaves. Every year since I bought the house the pink peony has given forth exactly 2 blossoms. Sure enough - 2 more this year.

On the knitting front, I have frogged the recycled-sari-silk bag and restarted it to my own pattern. It will be handbag-sized using squares on both front and back and a shaped strap that forms bottom, sides and strap. Hard to describe, but I have a vision. I'll post pictures if it works out. The surprise project I have previously alluded to is still in progress, so no pictures of that for now.

That is about all for now. I'll take pictures of my ceremonial first rock. Maybe I should break a bottle over it....