Now for calm, to balance the excitement

 Friday's knitting group was lively, stitching, knitting, crochet 

Lovely African work basket. Does anyone know the purpose of the loops at the base of the handles?

Talk ranged over birthdays, childbirth, kidney stones (!), knitting patterns, MDK, spf umbrellas, business travel, missing medical calls because made from personal phones, weather, goldwork, Williamsburg, color blindness and interlibrary loans. So long since I've been there, it was like a reunion.

In the garden, here's the drama of the season 

Friday the hibiscus did this 

Saturday 

It just exploded into its very first blossom. Tell me this isn't a metaphor for our political season! Gary and friend came to admire and take pictures. He's looking stronger now.

And less spectacular, but beautiful, the first zinnia 

and friends 

So that's nature and friends, coming through faithfully.

Saturday's walk gave more sights 

First tiger swallowtail of the year, blurred because she was busy 

Wildflower at the edge of the trees, don't know this one, guessing birds foot trefoil.

Ed. Note here's a much better picture of what I saw. Mine didn't convey the three part complexity of the flower, which can grow to 12", like this one.

And it might be yet another wildflower!

A lot of yellow sorrel underfoot 

My neighbors also have a hibiscus 

Then home to food 

Roast chicken breast with basmati rice with baby Bella mushrooms and dried cranberries 

And a pluot, apple and nectarine crumble, baked in the toaster oven. 

For the crumble part I just slung oats, chickpea flour, cane sugar and molasses mixed together, over the fruit, dots of butter, baked at 380°f an hour, first 30 minutes with a tinfoil hat (!) second 30 minutes uncovered and it came out well enough. 

Got to keep up my strength.

Happy day, everyone! Including dog people