Oh Deer!

Yep deer, earlier than I can remember in the 13 years we have lived here. And most of them are in mid shed and looking pretty darn scruffy too.  And not surprisingly, after I posted about the lame turkey hen not appearing, she did! She limped out of the woods on Tuesday, had a quick peck around the bird feeder and limped back. This has been happening with the hens, singles appearing and not staying long. My guess is they are all on eggs and each is getting away when they can for some quick foraging.

It has been a stressful week. A gross understatement. I can only imagine the long road to recovery the injured and their families will be traveling in both Boston and West Texas and the grief for those lost. As a Massachusetts native, who has grown up on the Boston Marathon and the Red Sox opening day being a Patriots Day tradition, the bombing events hit close to my heart. Next week I'll board a plane and spend a month there, surrounded by those I love in a place, that no matter where I live, will always be my first home.

While the TV or radio was on almost constantly in the background, I kept busy stash busting.  Some productive sewing went on, if little else. I perfected the raglan pullover, bringing it down a couple of sizes and lengthening it.



 I used another fabric from stash for the neck lining and pocket trim. I had planned for some pillows but decided that the striped fabric would make fun pants. Of course I had to cut out the pants to make sure that my pirating of the collar/pocket lining wouldn't take too much away. I hadn't bought this length for a garment. So pants got made too and then a new to me Decades of Style pattern (Tunic with Kimono Sleeves), warranted some attention. I love this pattern for the options it offers to use two or more smaller cuts of fabric. Often I see a fabric I adore but the price for enough yardage to make a blouse, or tunic is prohibitive. A pattern that allows for a yard of this, a yard or so of that is a treasure, especially when it's so darn pretty and comfortable. I made two of them right in a row.



 The dark brown version uses some of my old linen curtain fabric and a one yard piece I bought 14 years ago in Montrose CA.  Finally, a purpose for it!



The lighter version is a beautiful butter colored linen and some heavier organic cotton print. Hemming has not been done yet in either of these pics.



 I made some changes along the way, lengthened the sleeve just a bit and made the center panel a slight a-line.  The proportions of this blouse are interesting and it is one of very few patterns in my stash that look better shorter than longer. My stash is looking pretty meager. I'll have to work on that! ;)



I'm just about ready to go, Peter's medications have been doled out for each day in pill containers, directions for feeding horses tacked up in the barn, dog food loaded in, suitcase down and in packing process, some simple meals frozen for Gene and the house will be cleaned before I go. The blog will get quiet for the next 4 weeks, but I'll be staying up to date with all the bloggers I follow, probably better than I do when I'm here! Everyone enjoy your spring, be safe and happy. I'll see you all at the end of May.

Parting shot: The Ancients, Peter and Miss Bea.