On nieces, the weather, and wool

First of all, and perhaps most exciting, my sister had her baby! I am now officially an aunt and little Carley is adorable. Here's a shot of my mom holding her.

As far as the weather goes, I am quite pleased despite the temperature dropping from yesterday, it is far better than snow. I went out and did some yard work yesterday which made me a bit sore but felt fantastic while I was actually doing it. I cleaned up my flower beds of all the dry dead growth from last year (I was a bad gardener and didn't do this in the fall) and while I was raking I noticed that my day lilies were already poking up about an inch and a half. HOORAY! Spring is here!

I also put in a big order for wool and a rather painful but exciting order for some more of my favorite mohair locks. I can't wait to make some beautiful batts to spin for myself out on the deck once the weather finally allows. I made root beer float batts and glittery crayon colored batts. I was channeling my inner child and got really playful with my color inspiration. I carded a few tonight and was particularly pleased with my Root Beer Float ones. Here's a picture of its yumminess.

Now, I need to go to bed...

my favorite type of blog...

To be honest, I think I have read very few blogs directly from the internet. About 90% of the blogs I have read have been in Artful Blogging. Maybe it is just my thing for magazines (an obsession really,) but I just can't seem to get into them as much if they aren't in that book format. My absolute favorite blog postings that I have read, either in the publication or on the web, are the ones where these amazing artists talk about their serene mornings and how they start out their day. I figured I'd give it a shot this morning because I'm feeling particularly serene and happy despite the mountain of laundry left to do.

Anyhow, this is my "every other Wednesday" off. It is only the third one I have had and I'm really beginning to count on them and yearn for them. It is so wonderful to work Monday and Tuesday knowing that I will have this little break in the middle of the week to do the things I really WANT to do.

I started my day squished in bed unable to move very far. I almost panicked until I realized I was sandwiched between a sleeping Irish Setter and a rather sleepy kitty. I hadn't woke up this way in a few weeks and was so pleased that I lay there a bit longer just to savor it. When the shower beckoned my name. Afterward I folded some laundry (ick!) and made myself a bowl of oatmeal, poured a glass of Simply Apple and sat down to do a little writing. I feel terrific, which is a familiar feeling but one I haven't had in a while, at least not at the beginning of my day.

Later on I'm meeting a friend for coffee at my favorite coffee shop. My punch card is full so my orange mocha will be free today! It is a good thing too because I am BROKE! After coffee I'm going to have to force myself to do some domestic chores but then I will be a studio rat for the remainder of the day. I have batts to make, jewelry to finish, and I might even get a little spinning in. Today, life is very good.