This is Katie, one of the adorable children of my dear friend Lisa. She looks a bit tired in this photo. I have a theory that this swing set might lull the kids to sleep (note to parents). I went to see Lisa and her kids today, and I was stunned by how fun and well behaved these children were. First off, Isabella (age 4) drew me a photo and wrote both her name AND mine on it (Mrs. Leslie). Katie is 2 and a half and is just hysterical. She loves sweets. She takes after me. :) The youngest was Mark. An adorable boyish boy. It was really fun to meet them.

We're in Kansas today, and everything is blooming here -- which makes for a nice change of scenery. It was tough to leave Mpls today with a high of 70, but the weather has been great down here in KC as well.

These blooms are from a tree in my in-laws backyard. I love the color.

We've got a 7-hour drive ahead of us tomorrow, and the dogs were filthy. I don't need them stinkin' up my car ANY more than usual, so we decided it was bath time. I would have posted some of Merlin, but a) we couldn't manage to wash more than his feet and b) it takes both of us to keep the trembling collie sane and distracted in the bathtub. So you get more of Memphis.

Margaret and I decided to take a break from work today and head out in her mini with the top down for some coffee. We needed a break.

It's so nice to have fresh air and sunshine and no coat or scarf or roof.

This is the latest batch of yarn from my coworker London. She spins and dyes her own stuff. You can buy this lovely yarn at her website, myfriendlondon.com. I think this batch could be named cotton candy or maybe sorbet. What would you name it?

Sunday was pretty much a downer after the lovely Saturday with Andrew Bird. But this was our delicious Easter dinner.

The whole house smells like brisket now... yum. The dogs are very, very hungry.

This might be my favorite shot from the Andrew Bird show tonight.

I love the movement of thestrings.

This is Kelly from The Rosebuds. We went to see them play at The Whole tonight. We had seen them at SXSW, but this show was much better -- more intimate and chatty and longer. All good things.

After the show, she stepped off the stage and started shaking the hands of people in the audience, thanking them for coming to the show. Yes. I will see them again.