Signs of Spring

In this part of southwestern Ontario spring has been slow to appear. Temperatures have been running several degrees below normal. Ordinarily at this time of the year we should have daytime temps of 13C. and lows of 2C. So far this month the daytime temp is struggling to get to 8C and at night falling well below freezing.
The good news is for the next few days we will be having above normal temps with highs of 20C. and lows of 4C.
Lots of warm sunshine.
To say I am looking forward to the warmth of the next few days is a huge understatement...
This area is lacking adequate rain/ snow in March and April, it has been very dry. Over the winter we had an abundance of snow , guess Mother Nature is balancing things.
In my minuscule garden I have starting; sprouts of Rhubarb, poor thing is still waiting for its final spot..
Rhubarb, still in a huge pot.
My back yard is still mud , no topsoil or sod . Builder is saying May, praying that is true , my green thumb is itching.
Right now I have a strip by the back of the house holding a
Chrysanthemum ,it made it through the winter!
My gifted surprise day lily is showing signs of life.
Wonder what it will be like when it flowers?
Spring colour is showing in the front garden , the coral bells,
the lime green mound spirea has to be trimmed of dead branches
Japanese maple made it safely through with out any damage under its burlap cover

Already the crocuses have gone and now the promise of tulips and alliums to come.
Love spring!

Crochetnit

My Mom has just taught me this new to me technique called Crochetnit.
She has been sharing this Crochetnit method with the ladies in her craft group, everyone is loving it.
I am starting a reversible lacy Afghan in soft green and cream.
Crochetnit is similar to Tunisian which uses a long hook (looks kinda like a knitting needle, but has the hook on the end) the crochenit hook is double ended (also called cro-hook or crochet on the double). You open the stitches on one "pass", then you close them up on the second "pass".
In the 70s, Mary Middleton introduced "crochenit" which is double-ended
Tunisian using only a size M hook.In the 90s, crochet with the double-ended hook became widely known as
Crochet on the Double when many new patterns were introduced in this technique.
Lacy green side;

Cream side;

Long wooden needles, I have 2 custom needles, Mom had made by a gentleman using dowelling and a dremel.
to make the hooks on each end.

Close up

This is a very easy and quick project , simple stitches......... one should say; easy, once shown......
There is a great site Crochenit with video instructions,lots of information and free patterns.
One can find the needles at Hobby Lobby by Susan Bates.

Friend Award

Noodlegirl,
kindly awarded to me , a friend award .....
This award ,
FRIENDS… comes with the following description to be added & passed along: “These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated.” It also says : “Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.”
Love the sentiment and because of that I am awarding "Friends" on to;
Rosanne, Cher, Victoria, Lythrum,Hendria,Shady, Patsi and last but not least
Willow
These witty and wise women have been , some for a long time, some for a shorter time, encouraging blog friends to me .
Their blogs are a joy to read ......
KUDOS to you ladies!