cherry blossom spring

I took some pictures of the Nanking cherry bush in our yard, and then had  fun tweaking the colors with my basic photo-editing program. 

This bush produces oodles of small, tart cherries.  I have used them to make jelly, and last year my neighbor made a batch of wine, but usually we just eat them fresh.  While we're standing in the yard.  More fun that way.

While I was snapping pictures, this bumblebee came to visit.  I am not exaggerating (too much) when I say it was the size of a small hummingbird.

OK, maybe not exactly the size of a hummingbird, but it was a big bumblebee. 

a very quilty birthday!

Merry says:

I have to show off the quilt that I received for my birthday.  It was made by my sweet and talented sister.  About a year ago, she upgraded her sewing machine, and she has been cranking out the quilts ever since.  (I've been hounding her to get a Flickr account, but so far she has ignored me.)

Each block is a mini crazy-quilt of vintage fabric sweetness!