Pearly Dewdrops

Something I like about living in the Northwest is our early and lengthy spring. It is my favorite season. Here in Portland, even the scrappiest, most average-seeming front yard explodes in a riot of haphazard blooming, often before it's warm enough for us to really want to be outside, often before we've cleaned up last year's spent hydrangea crowns and withered oak leaves. A melancholy sky and its pale, chilly light makes those luminous pink petals glow and blush, a tangle of flickering candles.

Naturally, I've spent almost every waking moment this week staring at the computer (now backing up for the third time, renaming, and finally transmitting all 227 hi-res images for the book, which is taking about 780% longer than I expected), escaping only to get out for a lap or two around the block with Clover Meadow. There is so much to smell and see right now. Every picket fence and rock wall circumscribes green things she's sniffing like a tiny hound. Sometimes someone will have brought in a load of mulch already, and in that yard the nose goes absolutely wild.

Thank you thank you thank you for all the Country Girl orders, both dolls and kits! Thank you! I'm keeping all orders open through tomorrow, as I mentioned, remaking dolls that have been ordered more than once, so nothing will officially sell out until sometime Friday. I'll leave all the photos up on the site, too, in case you want to look at them while you're making your kits. I'm just so thrilled by the orders. Thank you so much.

Comments

[Karin]

Oh what are those flowers? They are so pretty!

[mom2fur]

Oh, my gosh, those are beautiful! I haven't seen blooms here on Long Island yet, just 2 little crocuses. I think my daffodils should show yellow next week. In the meantime:
HAPPY SPRING!

[Lilli]

I moved to Vancouver in '94 from Ontario (near Michigan) and was so pleased to finally have 4 seasons! When I lived near Detroit, it seemed that there were only two seasons (winter and summer) and that Autumn and Spring were only rumors.

I'm sure that's changed now, what will the climate change that seems to be happening everywhere

[HeidiAnn]

Beautiful blooms!

[Ginger&Pickle]

Hey!! The "miracle" clematis! Hee hee!!! wink wink! nudge nudge!!

[carol]

I. AM. SO. ENVIOUS.

6 inches of snow is expected in Chicagoland and Spring break begins tomorrow. bleck.

[Knitsational]

Im so jealous. I'm down her in North Carolina and, at least in my part, the show has yet to hit us. Our trees are just beginning to bud. But your photos help!

[AJ]

Beautiful pictures.

[Brin]

I gasped out loud when today's blog loaded. Just beautiful. If only I could figure out how to turn that beauty/feeling into wallpaper and cover my life with it....

Thanks for the sweet moment.

[Sachi]

I am cooped up inside here in the Northeast and longing for the West Coast spring. My husband and I are looking to move to Portland and you just gave me more of a reason. Your flowers, your dolls, and your blog--they are all beautiful

[Shannon]

Sp lovely! What I would do...I am in the Chicago area and as others have said, weather is not so good. Enjoy that extra long spring! Fabulous!

[tweet herself]

alicia that is a beautifully poetic description of our northwest spring light. it helps to think of it in those terms otherwise the gray sky feels more like a burden bearing down on my head that a tiny opening of sky that reveals heaven's abundance below. and now i will go out in the garden and take a deep breath as i stand near to the daphne bush.
your friend, bird tweet robin from down the road a piece

[Bettsi]

Gorgeous photos. Are you wearing a sweater today? Today would have been Mr. Roger's 80th birthday. Here's a link to more info: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVeyLr2fGNA

[Jill]

I wonder how fast we can move to the Northwest...

[Dave]

Yeah, Portland is so gorgeous in the Spring. Both in the Spring and the Autumn, there are so many different colors everywhere, but they are such different sets of colors.

We've had some amazing clouds and sunsets lately... the other day it had been raining all morning and then there was a break in the clouds to the west, almost as if someone had chopped off the clouds and removed one half... and in the west there was just sun pouring through. It looked like the border between two worlds, it was amazing. The cherry trees are amazing right now too.

Can't wait for the lilacs and then the linden... what smells...

[Elizabeth]

Everyday while my 2 year old takes his nap, I look at several blogs. I always save yours for last because it's always great and inspiring. Thank you for sharing your spring with those of us who are longing for springtime beyond just the date on the calendar.
Blessings to you this fine day!

[Bobbie Lynn Duran]

What beautiful photos. Happy first day of Spring.

[Carolyn]

Happy Spring Alicia, Andy, Clover and kitties! You make me stare off wistfully into space whenever you post your flower pics. I can just get a whiff of them if I think hard enough. Thanks for brightening everyone's day.
We love you for it. xxoo

[Alison Gibbs]

Oh what gorgeous blooms
Alison

[Colleen]

Oh thank you, thank you for these photos. Spring is my favourite season too but I've had to give it up as dead ever since I've moved to the Arctic. This is just the fix I needed. xo.

[Lisa K.]

Is that your Clematis? It's gorgeous!
You have such a gift for capturing beauty with your photos. Thank you!

[rosieplichta]

I have to tell you that after I read your post about "I can't do my wurk...." I have not been able to stop saying that stuff from A Mighty Wind. It is too hiliarous and suitable for so many situations. I love the movie too, all of it, but that is such great stuff.

[amy h]

Lengthy spring?? Yeah, we don't really have that here (Kansas City). With the exception of a few teasing false starts, it is winter and then, bam! summer.

Is that the miracle clematis? It is really pretty.

[tiffany]

Oh Spring! It looks like it's arrived in your neighborhood. In mine the crocus is up.. and in about a week it's official for me when the forsythia explodes in a riot of yellow flowers.. it makes me so happy!

[katelyn]

I can't wait until the ground thaws enough to start gardening! I have my garden all planned out and am so excited to start. The snow is just finally going, so it will be a little while longer. I love your beautiful flowers!