what else haven't you told me?

I've been using my Spindlewood spindle to sample random bits of fiber. I decided I wanted to use it for something else, and since I was going to toss the singles, I just pulled the cop off instead winding off the yarn.

The first thing that struck me was how pretty it was, like a slice of a geode. The next thing was that I realized I'd made a center-pull ball. I can ply straight from this if I want to--no winding required. Does everyone do this, and you all have been holding out on me?

signs of spring

Signs of spring are popping up, like crocuses:

The first salmonberry blossom of the season (it was a couple of feet over my head, so the shot's a little blurry but I'm amazed to see one already):

Our flowering plum tree is starting to blossom--I love how the buds are like popcorn, just a few at first, and then an explosion of blossoms:

And fiber and yarn drying outside in the sunshine: