She has moved on and left us all behind.  And so when I die, shall I become as foam on the ocean, blown by the wind?

Crocus sativus; growing and harvesting saffron

Crocus saffron bulbs growing in my fall garden.  Little bulbs, a little more than 1" in size came in a bag, in the mail from Renee's Garden.  In my garden, most all plants, including veggies and herbs, are grown in pots and planters.  It was a surprise to see how quickly these bulbs sprouted and produced flowers.  Harvesting the delicate red/orange stamens (saffron) is easy enough.  It will take a good number of flowers to harvest enough saffron filaments to fill a small glass jar; that's for sure.

Bountiful Harvest; Anna Apples

We have an ultra-dwarf Anna Apple Tree in the garden. This year the tree gave forth a bumper crop of beautiful apples. I tried to keep from harvesting the apples, to give them a chance to blush a little more, and for them to hang on long enough for the girlies to pick when they came to visit, which would only be in a few more weeks. Very recently, one early morning in the garden, to my dismay, I found a partially-chewed apple dangling from the branches of my dear apple tree. Papa Paz helped me figure out it must be a raccoon. He based his guess on the size of the chew marks and the location of the eaten apple. We tried to deter its efforts, but that critter managed to outsmart us every time and each night came back for more, one apple per night. Thankfully, I only lost three healthy, beautiful apples, but every night I would worry about what damage there would be in the morning. It came to me, these apples must be ripe enough to pick if they were such an enticement. I decided to pick every last one myself before I lost anymore, and so I did. That was the end of the drama. So far, from this bounty, I have made scrumptious Apple Crisp, Apple Butter, and Apple Pie Filling. There's still more apples. Next, I'll be putting up some Applesauce and there will still be enough for an Apple Bundt Cake or two. We are thankful for God's many blessings and for this bountiful harvest!

Sheltering in place...

Keeping busy during this pandemic, shelter-in-place time. Today is Ray's birthday. I have sweet dough rising in the oven, to make his favorite Cinnamon Rolls. In the meantime, it's back to the sewing table to work on my Hawaiian Sunbonnet Girls, a quilt top I've had on the back burner for a long time.

Moving forward; springtime in full bloom

Potted petunia, white with one rogue red bloom, in full bloom. This is already its third bloom set. This plant gotten from a 4" starter pot, purchased at Lowe's.  

All in God's Good Time; Spring 2020

It has been a year more or less since I last posted. Where have you been Miss Calico Quilter, one might ask. In the garden, of course; it's Spring after all, says me. It is a crazy, wicked time out there in the Big World, beyond the garden gate. Me 'n Papa Paz...we are lucky so far, safely tucked away at the Casita; out of sight, out of mind. The years are flying by. I don't know how many more years there may be ahead for us; all in God's good time, I guess.

Veggies a growin'...

Sequoia Strawberries in a Pot

Red Chianti Onions

Ronde de Nice Zucchini (round zucchini squash)

Things growing in my Grow Area at the Casita. I only have about one of each so it's generally a minimal harvest, just enough for one or two servings. I suppose this is more an experimental veggie garden, i.e., what grows well, what kind of insect damage can I expect, etc. Pictured above are proven winners for this garden, Zone 9, and its particular type of soil.

My Yarrow Patch

Mrs Beasley in the Yarrow Patch

Achillea Millefolium (aka Yarrow) with a Red Rose

A Gardener at Heart...My Grow Area

A snap of the back area in early summer. Here's where I grow veggies and flowers, mostly in containers. Viewing the area with a critical eye, it's sort of hodge podge, not a garden in Versailles, or an English country manor of my dreams...heavy sigh. I work with what I have; always, always a work in progress. My ultimate goal is to create a bountiful growing area with some semblance of order and beauty.💗❤❤❤❤

Baby Cakes Thornless Blackberry Bush

From the Bushel and Berry collection, Baby Cakes Blackberry, a thornless variety bred for containers or small gardens. Mine came in a 3-gallon pot from the local Armstrong Nursery. Said to grow 3 to 4 ft tall at most, with an upright, rounded habit. So far, doing well. First two berries picked with more to come. Can't do much with two berries, but I am hopeful there will be at least a handful for the girlies to pick when summer comes.

Fairy gardens in bloom, April 2019

Spring 2019. It's April and heavy rains have delivered a bountiful garden this year. The daffodils bloomed first, but they have already moved on. These early spring blooms are thriving and my fairy gardens at the Casita are full of life. 

Waiting for springtime...2019

New additions to the Casita garden. Pictured here...a Palo Verde tree, taken on a cold pre-spring day. See the green bark? And also...at last...first and only bloom on the Butterfly Magnolia tree. I purchased this tree online a couple of years ago. Currently in its third season, one day this tree will be loaded with blooms all or, at least, that's what we hope for.

New Year's Resolutions 2019. C'mon Chris...already?!!

Christmas is here and now almost past. Too soon to put up New Year resolutions, do you think? Nevertheless, I'm jumpin' in, sending mine out there into the Universe. I reflect but will not dwell upon happenings from 2018 and years prior. "Let the balloon go," is a frequent saying of mine. "Move forward, not backward."

In 2019, it is my goal to:

• Sew more, knit more, garden more; for myself, for loved ones, for fun.
• To live quietly and peacefully as the gentle fade of aging encompasses me.
• To do things that make me happy and thus stay healthy in mind and spirit.
• To love myself, to have compassion for all and most of all, to be thankful.

I cannot change the world, nor anyone but myself; therefore I will work upon myself and hope that in some small measure, it makes a difference.

About Goldie's Bowl:

Me looking out; you looking in

: )

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Christmas Knitting at the Casita; 2017

Knitting projects for Christmas 2017.  As in years past, time is flying and I'm knitting as fast as I can.  Above, my trusty work bag.  Below, Christmas ornaments from the Christmas Balls book by Arne and Carlos.  Knitted monkeys and one big rabbit from Itty Bitty Toys book by Susan B. Anderson.

Little Spring Bouquets

Roses, pincushion flower and yarrow

Rose, pincushion flower, yarrow and dianthus

Daffodils, snapdragon, yarrow and lavendar

Red rose, white and yellow yarrows, lavendar sprig

Little Cotton Rabbits...Boy Bunny

Boy Rabbit

Final rabbit knit for Easter 2017 giving. That's a wrap for the season, but I'll be making many more bunnies just because they are a pleasure to create.

Granny Square Tea Cozy

Granny Square Tea Cozy

Ribbed Tea Cozy

Here are cozies I have made. The crocheted granny-square cozy is a pattern adapted from Alexandra Mackenzie's "Granny Square Tea Cosy" (purchased through Etsy), meaning that I had to downsize the squares for a more custom fit. The gray cozy is also crocheted, one that is quick and easy to make. The teapot pictured holds 3 cups of liquid when filled to the top. Cozies keep the teapot warm, that's for sure.

Springtime 2017

Little posies and brilliant colors add happy pleasure at the Casita.

Little Cotton Rabbits for Little Girlies

Finished these bunnies in time for Easter giving.  There are still a few bunny bodies in my basket waiting for little outfits to be complete but I may have to take a break from bunnies as this project has been front and center for at least a couple of months already.

Jaden got first pick; first granddaughter, first pick : )

For Gracie and Morgan, although I've heard that their grandmother may have a hard time letting these go

For Chloe and Natalie