They Tell Me It's Spring - I Think They Lie

So...the national news is saying we Northeasters got slammed with a Nor'Easter. At 7:30 this morning there was about one inch of snow on the walkway. When I left the house at 9:45 a.m. the walk was clear but there was a little snow on the windshield of the car. By noon it was sprinkling. This is my kind of Nor'Easter!!!

It is still cold, but a survey of the garden yesterday showed small green shoots poking out of the mulch and there are new shoots on the rose bush. It looks like both of the Rose of Sharons are getting buds on the stems and the daisy bushes are showing new growth. I am holding my breath for the large face hibiscus. I have never had them before and am not sure how they come back. I did cut them back just as the nursery pro told me to so I guess it's a case of "wait and see." I am so ready to get busy planting the flower boxes and the pots. It isn't really spring until I get my hands in the dirt.

There is a new Homegoods store in Chelsea, only a couple of towns away. This is a GREAT store for fancy pots and plant stands. The prices are so good. The pots look very high-end but the price is a bargain! I bought this great fish pot and can't wait to fill it with plants. I want to top seed the lawn when there is no more chance of a freeze. I have had it with winter. Snow, slush, wind and all that comes with it! Punxsutawney Phil saw no shadow when he stuck his little nose out of his burrow and I, for one, am holding him to his word! Bring on the sun!

I am headed out to Washington state for Easter. Jerry's birthday is the 23rd, as is our wedding anniversary. He thought it might be a good idea for me to be away from here for that day. I think he's right. It will be a tough day no matter what, but if I am not sitting here surrounded by Tom's things and all the memory triggers, it will be a lot better. So we are going to go up to Vancouver, BC for the weekend. It has been years since I was there last. The kids and I were here when they were 6 and 7! Jerry, Josh and I may even go zip-lining at Grouse Mountain! That's the plan anyway. We will have to see where my courage level is on that day.

It has been warm enough for the puppies to have a few good beach runs. Brewski was playing a little too close to the shore one day when the waves were a bit rough and he got smacked in the rear by a wave. That little dog jumped four feet in the air! He has not gone near the water's edge since. And I had planned to teach him to swim this summer!

Well it's a week or so later and although the sun has been out, the temperature has not gotten above 45 degrees. I try to get a few things done in the yard, but the ocean wind makes my hands freeze after a few minutes. I checked out the home stores, Lowes and Home Depot and they still do not have a good selection of annuals. Guess I will wait until after I get back from vacation to really do the yard. Besides, the girls will have their have heir hands full caring for the dogs,I don't need a bunch of young plantings to add to their responsibilities.

I took a little road trip with a good friend last week. We went to a "bead show" in Seekonk, RI. I had given away all my beading materials as my hands did not want to cooperate with the small beads any more. But I have discovered Polymor clay and can make beads that are easier to handle. I had never been to a bed show before and was awestruck at a room full of color, texture and ideas. I found some beads to add to the necklace Tom had bought for me and a few things I could use with the clay pieces I am making. But he most fun came from watching my friend shop. She does beautiful work with semi-precious stones and pearls. Her work is much more hi-end than mine ever was. Five hours later we were off to eat and then head home. Here is a link to her on-line store: www.artfire.com/users/4evadorn . I hope you take a moment to just look at the beauty of her work.

Well, better get this posted and get my day started. God bless you all and may all your days be full of tulips and daffadils!