the man with a plan

Posted on annePosted in designing, food and garden, lace/shawls, projects

oh, it’s been a lovely weekend . . . even though yesterday and today were a bit rainy (light, spring rain, nothing major), this afternoon and evening turned glowingly sunny. the return on the much-needed rain was plentiful—the trees are leafing-out like crazy and the plants look like they grew 6 inches over the last few days. the white pear trees are blooming, which is wreaking havoc with my allergies, but who can care?

this is the time when i could sit on my bench out back and literally watch the hostas grow.
heh, maybe i should do that for while tomorrow . . i could take my knitting and my camera out there—kinda like a hosta cam. with no bugs yet, it could be really, really nice. if you are bent that way, that is.

the rain kept me inside all day yesterday and this morning which meant lots of knitting and cooking. i turned these

into this—a spicy/tangy version of pasta é fagiole with rapini and puree of roasted peppers.

i started making this modification of the classic italian soup some years ago and we have loved it ever since. even my gram gave it her stamp of approval; she enjoyed it when i cooked it for her (another way to eat our favorite bitter greens, yay).

and of course there has also been knitting. this morning i turned this

into this while listening to the last of the newest philip roth book.

i’m liking it a lot better than i did in the first photo now, or even in my swatches. you don’t really see how pretty the overall stitch is until you get a decent length of fabric knit; it has a lot of dimension this stitch (which is why i like it). it would have even more depth if i were using a plied yarn, but this yarn has enough. and that colorway—it is truly the color of the twilight sky. my favorite time of day in summer.

then last night i got halfway down the foot of my second sock de la mer

and i think i might be able to finish it tonight, woo-hoo.
i’ve been working on my little nothing scarf, though not with the intensity i could be

i’m about a third of the way along and i think i will work more on that tonight, having put in a good day on the shawl.

i found an exciting development in the yard today (ok, maybe you don’t need to sit down or anything, but i found it exciting). let me just preface this story by saying that i love hydrangeas. in fact, when we (and by we, i mean david) tore out the nasty old scraggly hedge out front, we replaced it with a row of hydrangeas that are supposed to each grow to a six-foot diameter.

right—when pigs fly (that was a good three years ago)—but i digress. we have actually planted a number of varieties nearer the house, too. that way, once my other favorite, the tulips, are gone for the year, we have hydrangeas, which are really good.

so, we’ve been growing this one climbing hydrangea ever since we moved here; we bought it our first spring when it was just a slip of a thing.

the label on the plant promised that in no time it would be “scrambling up a tree or trellis and offer profuse blooms”.
well, we’ve been patient and all, and it has grown a lot

indeed, i think it is the main reason that trellis is still standing. but seriously, we have NOT see “profuse” blooms. we have not seen any blooms.
however, if i’m not mistaken, that is all about to change

we have a bud. a big fat juicy one, too. i’m unreasonably pleased. so far i see only one other one, but maybe there will be more.

ok, so i bet you’re wondering how that title fits in with this post so far, eh? do you want to hear something really REALLY romantic?? i bet you do.

you probably know by now that david is a very quiet man, and that we are crazy about each other (well, i’m probably just crazy, but we like each other a lot anyway). he doesn’t make a big show of doing anything, especially nice things—he just does them.

so anyway (seemingly unrelated thought coming up, but give me a minute), last fall during cleanup, he placed a spare paving stone that had been hanging around the garage for a while against the side of my dye bed. and there is stayed. i was a little concerned that it stayed there so long, because i thought it would kill the “grass”. but i kept forgetting to ask david to move it.

then today while i was out there photographing those spectacular tulips he has planted all over the place (because i like them), i notice out of the corner of my lens a juxtaposition that made my heart stop

he put it there especially for me, as a placard . . . and planted tulips nearby so that all these months later, i would discover this little shrine to us. how much do we love him??

64 thoughts on “the man with a plan”

  1. Oh, I almost cried. What a wonderful and loving thing to do! You most definitely deserve an amazing guy like that, and it’s so perfect that you have each other. (And aren’t you glad you never remembered to ask him to move it?) Happy Sunday!

  3. David should give lessons to all of our men.

    The new shawl is just beautiful! Can’t wait to see it blocked.

    Your ahead of us in Pittsburgh. Out tulips are in bud, but no blooms yet.

  4. I will be there in minutes with a HUGE bowl and a soup spoon. OK maybe not, but in my MIND i am there already. 😀

    Your David is just the most wonderful person I can think of. I mean, WHO DOES THAT?? And then doesn’t tell you about it, but lets you discover it on your own?? How on earth did you find this man and where can I get one?! You are one lucky lady 🙂

  6. What a gift. I have a man like that and we will be married 25 years next month, and I still love every second with him. We are truly blessed when we have men like this. Happy, happy Anne!!

  7. I just showed that to my husband so that he’ll know why I’m randomly crabby at him later.

    You have such a beautiful life. Thank you for sharing it with us.

  8. Awwww. That placard is so sweet!! 😀 Does David have a clone out there for us single gals?

    The shawl and sock are looking great, too, BTW.

  9. That was soooo sweet! The quiet non showy things always seem to be the best. My hubby does little things like that. 🙂

    Thanks for showing all that green. Mine seems to be buried under 12 inches of snow right now. 🙁 And to think it was in the 70s less then a week ago.

  10. A very sweet gesture!

    I agree, the shawl is much prettier as it grows. You have to see the overall pattern to appreciate it.

  13. Your David is so incredibly sweet! I wish that my Mark could pick up that kind of sweetness without being prodded. But I think that your man is one in a million.

    I am forever in love with your laces. I MUST finish all of my baby / toddler projects so that I can be selfish for a year or two. I dream of spending my time making all the beautiful things I see on your blog.

  14. What a great guy you have there!

    I love Tulips too, mine might be flowering by the end of the week. I’m looking forward to it! We also have a climbing hydrangea, the previous owners planted it and the spring after we moved in, it wasn’t looking very healthy, that was 2005. It survived that year and has climbed all over the trellis, but we have yet to see a single flower. I hope this is the year!

    The knitting is beautiful of course. I will get to one of your patterns soon, I promise myself!

  15. Awww. I teared up too. David sounds like the perfect mate for you. Just like my DH is the perfect one for me. We’re both extremely lucky.

  16. Wowie zowie!!!!!!!!! Lovely story, lovely persons, lovely tulips, and lovely knitting. I’m in heaven!!!

  17. Made me cry a little too. (though, honestly, that’s not hard to do)
    David is a very special person, and you’re very lucky. And vice versa too you know.
    I think I’ll give DH an extra long hug when I get home tonight. ‘Cause, come to think of it, I’m really lucky too.
    And the tulips are lovely.

  19. Anne — Your lace is exquisite, your tulips are gorgeous, your David is divine. Thank you for sharing your day with us.

  21. David gets big points for patience and beauty with a strong romance bonus. truly lovely.

    Whatever that twighlight sky yarn is, I am enchanted.

  22. Wonderful! And with red tulips.

    Regarding the hydrangea, have you given it plenty of fertilizer and water? Something that I’ve discovered with my incredibly vigorous Brugmansia, is that it really needs a lot of water when it has flowers opening. The fertilizer that I use is just inexpensive pellet Osmocote and liqud Miracle Gro, but the fertilizer is extremely effective for the Brugmansia, a climbing rose, and a privet hedge. The latter are out there on the patio, so get fertilized along with the Brugmansia.

  23. I got a bit teary-eyed, too. So beautifully understated and unabashedly romantic. What a guy. You two are so made for each other.

    And oh yes, I like the shawl too (a lot) and don’t apologize about tweaking the recipe for the pasta—it looks delicious!

  24. Oh Anne I too got a bit misty! How could I not? The special little true romantic things like that just make my heart skip a beat. You are blessed to have David.

    Everything else in this post is good too 😉 I still marvel at how you knit so quick!!

  26. What a guy! He’s definitely a ‘keeper’! The tulips are absolutely vibrant and are one of my faves. I’m really liking the look of the blue shawl … the edging is lovely.

  27. OMG. Paving stone: $____. Tulip bulbs: $ _______. Husband: Priceless! You did something right in those last few lives.

  30. Oh my….that gave me goosebumps. You have to love a many who shows you how much he loves you like that!

  31. Oh, so YOU are the one who ended up with Prince Charming… I was wondering who the shoe ended up fitting!

    What a lovely gesture – he is a treasure, isn’t he?

    I also wanted to tell you how much I’ve enjoyed your patterns – currently, I’m working on Wing of the Moth (love it!).

  33. Aye…. we loves him enormously! Sounds a lot like me dear old da, you’re a very fortunate woman, David is a very fortunate man :^D
    Your photos ALWAYS bring me great joy, I hope you had some time out on the porch… I’m with you on the hosta growth… amazing plants.

  35. I already knew he was a good ‘un. This just confirms his status into the upper echelon. 🙂

    I adore hydrangeas too. Wouldn’t that blue to pink ombre be beautiful in a lace shawl with a floral motif? (Says she, the enabler….)

  38. David is the sweetest man. You’re so lucky. Thanks for sharing such a personal moment. I love the color of the shawl, the new Little Nothing (Kim said she’s working on Boing for you, is that it?), and the climbing hydrangeas. I didn’t know there was a variety that would climb. Love the sock too!

  40. He’s a keeper! I’ll take a gesture like that over expensive gifts and lots of talk any day. Soup sounds yummy, but I have asparagus for tonight after the last post! Everything you’re knitting right now is just so inspiring, makes me wish I didn’t have to go to work today. Sigh. Have a wonderful Monday.

  44. Oh, how romantic. I love reading the kind acts David does for you.

    I am also learning a lot about flowers, plants, and cooking from reading your posts. I never knew Hydrangeas is a climbing plant. I just see them at a nursery in a pot with two sets of flowers.

    As for the knitting, I love all the swatches. I especially like the blue one. You have turned me into a shawl addict.:-)

  46. It sounds like David is a truly wonderful person. I’m glad you’re both taking good care of each other and nurturing your relationship. It is very special!
    I’m very curious to see more clearly the stitch pattern you are using for the blue shawl. I know my curiosity will soon be satisfied, as you’ll certainly have it done and blocking in no time flat!

  47. Aw, you really warmed my heart on a cold, rainy, sucky day. Plus, now I’m even more in love with your little swatch now that I can see more of it!

  49. Things I love about your post-
    : you post great photos of nature, all in your backyard and remind me to look at my world
    : love is like breathing, necessary and wonderful; you share it so beautifully
    : the knitting of course, you inspire me

    Thank you.

  51. I don’t know how long ago you planted the climbing hydranga, but they need a minimum of 3 years to get their root system established, another 2 years to get the above ground growth really going. After that they grow much faster and you will get more and more blossoms each year. Mine is now 7 or 8 years old and finally looks great. Love the swatches, flowers and tribute to love.

  52. Oh, WOW! What a thoughtful and kind thing to do! And all this time he’s been waiting to be able to go “heh!” out loud. What a sweetie.

  53. What an incredibly sweet man with incredibly sweet flowers. I’m also loving that incredibly sweet lace. 🙂

  54. How thoughtful and wonderful! The blue shawl and socks are beautiful. When I grow up I want to knit like you! Okay, so I’d settle for half of your speed and talent. I’ve never heard of a climbing hydrangea before, how neat.

  55. What a beautiful and romantic gesture! It’s the quiet, small things like that that really make my heart stop. I can only hope to find someone as sweet as that some day!

    Your hydrangea is looking promising. The biggest, brightest blooms on my mother’s hydrangea bushes always come out of buds that look just like that… swollen to the point of bursting. Can’t wait to see pictures! Your garden makes me hope I have a green thumb!

  56. Climbing hydrangeas take a while, meaning years. Yours looks good.

    And David – well, David is a sweetheart. I don’t suppose he has any unattached brothers, does he?

  59. Hi Anne! Your garden is looking absolutely beautiful. You definitely picked a keeper with David and so sweet and caring. I have the spanish version of David at home and love spending time with him. This year will be our 25th wedding anniversary! I also your pasta dish – – would you mind sharing your recipe?? I love pasta fagiole and been meaning to learn how to make it and yours looks absolutely delish. Your knitting is looking wonderful as always. Take care! Rosalia

  60. What a fantastic man. I’m so jealous! It gives all us single gals hope that there may still be decent men out there.

    PS: You really should start a recipe blog as well!

  62. It’s nice to have confirmation that there are really good, decent men out there who aren’t afraid to show they care. I have one, too! He cooks, he cleans house, he grocery shops!!! And he’s a nurse by profession so can take care of me when I’m struck down! They are truly blessings!!!
    Anne – I’m rather new to lace knitting and would love to try one of your shawl patterns. Can you recommend one for a knitter who, though has knit lots for a long time, hasn’t done much lace? They are all so beautiful, but feel a little overwhelming to me.
    Thanks for sharing your life with us – I read regularly – it always cheers me!

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