Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Rain from the East

Rain from the East
Three Days at Least!
 
 
Do you have this saying where you live?  Today we're getting pummeled with a high east wind and rain.  East winds usually bring rain, and it's almost always true that we have three days of bad weather when it's driven in from the east.  I prefer our warm westerly winds which we had throughout the weekend. 
 
My mother used to quote these weather warnings with each change in the weather.  I always liked "Winter's thunder is the world's wonder".  I've heard thunder during a snowstorm once, and it made such a strange combination.  Surprisingly, most of the sayings come to pass.  My grandfather was a farmer and he worked with a close eye on the weather each day.  If you see birds flying in rain, the rain will last all day.  The birds are trying to fly out there today, but in this wind I don't know how they're not getting their wings snapped!  They're eating some seeds I put in the feeder for the goldfinches on the weekend.  Now I'm out of seeds, but I want to get some more to encourage more birds to my backyard this spring and summer.
 
I'm thankful that we're not in a tornado zone such as the folks who have suffered in the southern States these past two days.  Tragic news of the tornadoes tearing apart homes and families there.  My neighbour is losing his tented gazebo on his deck (he's out there taking it apart in this awful wind as I write this).  He won't be happy as it's the second tented gazebo he has lost to winds.  I'm keeping my eye on our pine tree which is being battered pretty heavily ... so far, so good ... but its days are numbered I'm afraid.  We're already thinking of what we can plant as a replacement.
 
 
I just came from outside to bring up my son's bundle of newspapers for delivery, and heard the wind moaning ominously through the bare branches of a large red maple overhanging our driveway.  It sits right on the edge of the hill that lines our driveway, so I hope its roots are good and deep and hold it tight in the ground.
 
Now that my taxes are filed, I've got free time in the evenings again.  I read on Sue's blog that she crocheted some little treat baskets at Easter (scroll down to her third photo mosaic).  I thought they were really cute, and tried my hand at making a knitted version.  It's not finished yet, but this is what I came up with ...
 
 
I wanted to have a little 'cuff' around the top.  The above photo has the cuff turned up, and below is with it turned inside and stitched down.  I thought it would make it sturdier, but I'm not sure I like it.  Maybe the cuff would look better turned to the outside.  Hmm ... what do you think?
 
 
It still needs a little handle.  When I make something and it's not turning out as I envisioned it, I loose interest in it and don't even want to complete it.  Maybe I could frog it and try again.  It just looks too chunky for my liking, and doesn't have that sweetness I was aiming for.
 
I haven't been very creative this spring and find I can't decide what to make now.  The thought of starting anything makes me sort of cringe, so I thought this little basket would help.  I tried making some other little novelty items, but I couldn't get into them and I have about three unfinished little bits lying forgotten in a box somewhere.  blah  It gets worse when every blog I read is full of creative endeavours that look so beautiful!
 
I did get out to do some gardening on the weekend, however, and pulled the rest of the garden furniture into the yard.  We have yard waste collection this week, so I wanted to be sure to have a boastful number of full garden bags at the curb to show I've been getting things in shape like my neighbours.  Keeping up with the Jones'!  At this point it's just raking leaves and pine needles that sifted into my yard over the fence this winter.
 
I hope you're all having a nice week, and that the weather is better, not worse, than what we're experiencing.  This coming weekend my little family of four is off to visit my in-laws in the southern-most tip of Ontario.  I'll share more on that later.  Truthfully ... I'm not looking forward to any of this weekend except for the fact that it's a road trip, and I like road trips.  The town where we're headed does have a very nice provincial park on the outskirts, but I'm not sure time will allow a visit there.  I'll take my camera just in case.  Thanks for stopping by today my friends!  I'm now off to make a little snack to eat while I watch the water pouring over the clogged(!) eaves troughs :[
 
Wendy
 
 
Red-winged Blackbird ... my favourite bird song of spring :)
 
 

25 comments:

  1. Hi Wendy, the basket so cute, I think either cuff turned inside or out it will look pretty. Are you planning adding on other embellishments to it? It is pouring downtown too, and I don't think my umbrella would hold this wind :) have a wonderful week - Gaia

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  2. your basket is cute! we missed the tornadoes where I live but this is the third day in a row now of these high winds, along with rain-and the temps are dropping as well in the 40s so far-I will need to go out and cover some things tonight and tomorrow as we are dipping in the 30s-no fun but wait-sunday we will jump back into the 80s lol stay warm-I think I need to find some firewood for a couple of nights too

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  3. Those winds can definitely do some damage. Plenty of that here in Texas, along with the occassional tornado. Weather can be pretty scary at times. I love your little basket, and hey , if you need to take a creative break its ok, we all need those sometimes.

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  4. I love that beautiful bird. And your crochet bowl is pretty. Maybe you could just turn the top down and call it finished! heehee! That sounds like what I would do. It's a very pretty color. We just had a little rain shower and it was much needed. They mowed our lawns this morning so now it will be even greener. Enjoy your week! Hugs!

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  5. Your basket is really cute. I haven't heard many of these sayings but the ones I do know usually seem to have a lot of truth in them! I hope the weather clears up soon.

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  6. Beautiful bird shot! It is raining here too. Raining and chilly. I'm really looking forward to some warmth, but this pre-bug (of the biting kind) season is always a blessing when it comes to outdoor projects!

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  7. I'm ready for the rain as I fertilized the peonies, some shrubs and put out grass seed. The little knitted basket is sweet, could be a mug sock too I suppose?
    Good shot of the red-winged blackbird.

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  8. At least we don't have to shovel rain. It was too dangerous for me to go out today (other than to clean and feed my pigeons),the wind was knocking down branches like there was no tomorrow.Enjoy the road trip!
    Jane x

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  9. Ha! I swear we are on the same weather pattern if that is all possible! We seemed to get snow at the same time and now we are in line with these crazy rains! I hope the wind wasn't too hard on your trees! Loving that knitted basket Wendy!!! And I hear you about being creative...I go through spurts and really admire those folks who can sustain it everyday! I hope that you have a nice road trip even if you aren't completely looking forward to it...you never know...it may just surprise you pal! Wishing you a good week and hopefully you can get out soon to garden...it is all a bit soaked here! Nicole xoxo

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  10. We had nearly the same weather over the weekend - hard, driving rain and it got down into the 30's a couple of nights (Washington State), but today was in the 70's and it will be 80 by Thursday. Crazy weather! There was even a little tornado not too far from here as the crow flies, that took off a roof. Love your little knitted basket. Hope your road trip goes smoothly. Love the blackbird. xo Karen

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  11. More bad weather conditions for you Wendy - we seem to be at the mercy of such climatic changes these days! I have never experienced thunder during a snowstorm and think that would be so strange! I like your little pink basket and would like to have seen it with the cuff turned to the outside cause I think the contrast of the knit and purl stitches would look very attractive! Your red winged blackbird looks lovely, and if he sings anything like the blackbirds in Scotland then I would love to hear him too. It reminds me of a song I learned as a youngster - "If I were a blackbird I'd whistle and sing, I'd follow the ship that my true love sails in" etc., etc.. Do enjoy your road trip and I hope you find time for a visit to the park! xo Joy

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  12. The weather seems to have gone crazy to me! We had thunder and rain yesterday and yet a few days before we had brilliant sunshine and lovely warmth. No idea what is going on. I hope that it clears up for your trip and that your garden starts to fare a little better - especially your precious tree. xx

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  13. The weather has been unsettled here but not to the extent you are suffering. I hope it is brighter for you this weekend. Stay safe.

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  14. seems april is not going quietly, or nicely, in many places. in some, it is horrendous and our hearts go out to them. -sigh- winds are not good and i hope your trees hold.

    sorry that the weekend get-away does not thrill you. one of those necessary things we do for family, it sound like. courage!

    tessa~

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  15. I think I'll adopt your saying.....we are due for three days of rain, at least!

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  16. Oh no Wendy, hope it dries up for you soon! I've not had much time for sewing or hooking either over the last few weeks but next week looks fairly free at the moment so who knows! :) x

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  17. I haven't heard any of these sayings but I do like them!
    I was going to write have a fun weekend with you in-laws until I read the next part...I hope you do have a good weekend anyway :-)

    Hope it gets a bit drier soon and your trees hold up!

    Sarah xx

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  18. Hello Wendy, it is raining cats and dogs here. Flooded roads everywhere.. I hope it stops soon..BTW, I am in the east and I thought this rain came from the south.. I love the cute basket. And your Redwing Blackbird is a gorgeous photo.. Enjoy your day and the rest of the week.

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  19. Hi Wendy, we have a had heavy rain yesterday and today! I was in and out of the house and it is cold too. I had the heat on in the car and in the house today. We can only hope that the weather will change soon. Good luck over the weekend.
    Julie

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  20. Oh boy...we've been having rain for days and days now...and it is cold and windy and just plain horrible weather. Everybody is growing tired of it. I think it is coming from the south though....up from DC area. I like your little hand knit easter basket.

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  21. We've got rain today but thankfully no wind. Other peoples blogs etc can be wonderful for inspiration but I also know that feeling of thinking you must be the only person not inspired or making something. I'm sure your inspiration will return. I hope you enjoy your trip.

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  22. Hi Wendy I live in the East so you can imagine what my weather is like we have had fog for days the mist comes in from the North Sea it's so depressing to get up in the morning and see a grey mist. It's raining today but thankfully as yet not much wind. I have done very little in the garden because of the weather all my beds need weeding they are a mess. I'm hoping to get out there this weekend. I think your little basket is cute, how about embellishing it with flowers, but I know what you mean if something doesn't seem right when it's made I loose interest too, I have a bag which I started last year nearly done but I can see that I won't like it when it's finished so it just lies there awaiting it's fate haha, Have a great weekend. xxx

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  23. We are getting massive rain today , have had it all night actually but no much wind so things are fine.
    Was wind swept and cold all the past week so not much gardening but I see all my perennials coming up in good shape :)
    I really love your wood fencing.

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  24. 'Tis the rain that has made you 'oh so soish'. You will get into the creating groove again. Love those sayings. Mmmm...decisions, decisions....either way will look great. Have a lovely road trip; hope you snap oodles of lovely photos!!

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  25. Hope the rain and wind settles soon ... keep safe ... Bee xx

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