The Birthday Girl

Happy 21st to my Autumn Rain!

We love you, Allison!

Welcome Spring

I know you're out there, come on in, you know you're always welcome here.

The bitter cold has gone away, my house stayed warm even after I let the fire die. I wanted to post a first day of spring picture, but didn't manage to take one. I saw some beautiful trees in blossom while driving through Salem this afternoon, but couldn't quite bring myself pull over long enough to park and snap a picture, there were too many other important tasks to accomplish. I needed to stay focused.

So focused I stayed and a very successful trip to town we had. Some cute spring clothes, shoes, and sweaters were found, a few birthday gifts purchased, and some fabric for the seamstress in our midst to play with over spring break. Everything happily accomplished in the few short hours we had to work with.

Now we've settled into another evening with friends. But tonight we have both big friends and little friends, everybody is happy. Tummies are full of homemade peperoni pizza. Big kids are enjoying a bonfire. Little people are off in a world of their own. And I'm catching my breath at the end of a busy spring day.

Winter's End

"It was the time of year when winter seemed almost done, but spring had not yet quite shown its face. Snowdrops and the catkins of alder are all very well, and certainly signal the stirring of something or other, but what animals like the Rat and the Mole really want to see and feel is bright warm sunshine on the budding branches, and what they yearn to hear and smell is the rushing song of the smaller birds busy about their broods, and the first balmy scents of the bluebells through the wood, and the violet on the banks.
Then, too, both knew full well that winter was quite capable of asserting itself again, and bringing upon them all its cold and rain, winds and hail, as if to say, 'I'm soon going for quite a time, but this is just to remind you that one day I shall be back.'"

"The Willows in Winter" by William Horwood

Catching A Breath

The stolen moments alone are few and far between in our busy lives. Work stresses and busy schedules keep our heads spinning. But every once in while we snag the chance to get away, just the two of us. And a wonderfully refreshing time is shared.

Thanks Mom and Dad for the use of your VI place in Newport! And thanks Bethany for holding down the fort in our absence....knowing you were there made it possible for me to relax!