a sampling of Cartier, for your viewing pleasure

I may be jumping the gun on springtime activities up here, but I did see a fully-bloomed daffodil in someone's yard today! A few weeks ago I noticed the bulbs had sprouted some leaves, and then worried about the huge snow that covered them all. Apparently, they are quite resilient.

So, I began clearing out space in my brand-new garden area, previously inhabited by some hay fever-inducing ornamental grasses (still seen at the front of the plot). After a few days of itchy skin and sneezing, all I had left for today was digging up the root balls to these monsters. The task was tougher than it should have been, as my shovel is left behind in Kansas, but a strong spade did the trick.

My plans for it include some essential vegetables and herbs. It's a small plot, but it sure beats the container gardening I've become accustomed to. I was forced to abandon the only other garden I've ever started (as a result of a move to another house), so I'm thoroughly excited for this one.

After cleaning up from a day of digging in the dirt, boyfriend K and I went downtown. There were two exhibits I had been looking forward to this winter: the Denver Museum of Nature & Science's Silk Road exhibit (last week's venture) and Brilliant: Carter in the 20th Century at the Denver Art Museum, which we were able to see only because it was extended for one more week. Yay!

The lighting makes all the difference in exhibits like these, and the presentation in this exhibit was beautiful. There were pieces from the Gilded Age, toned-down Depression Era jewelry, jewelry from famous classic movie stars and royalty, clocks and accessories from India, China, & Egypt, and one area showing the process in making the jewelry-- all the tools to cut and set the stones.

I think these jewels speak for themselves.

the one with the most jewels, commissioned by an Indian king

classic Cartier

with turquoise, my favorite

an aquamarine tiara, my birthstone (it's birthday month!)

a dolphin