look what I found

We've finally had some sunshine. We also had what I hope was our last skiff of snow on Friday and are ready for spring. Tim is talking about bringing the bikes up from the backyard shed. I've walked around and looked at my pathetic flower beds - with the unexpected early snow last fall I never got the flower beds cleaned out and they now have winter debris on top of fall leftovers hiding little green shoots and it all needs attention.

I'll add a dream to keep the theme going - there has been talk of Jacob and Kate coming out some time this summer and Leslie (thanks!)offered us their cabin for a weekend if we can coordinate schedules for James, Nahtali and Aidan to join us. I'm dreaming of a lazy afternoon on the dock......

another spring rite

who among us doesn't switch purses as the seasons change?? i have a purse and the bag (and i'm very picky about both) i carry to work which has to be large enough for papers, books, magazines, my lunch,whatever. so several weeks ago i switched my work bag for this nifty creation from second street designs.

it's roomy, springy and fun to carry. i actually decided to use it as my purse over the weekend which means i'm on the hunt for a different work bag (naphtali are you paying attention??)












with biking weather around the corner (some corner, some where) i'm going to need something with a longer strap - a messenger bag. hopefully i can get by until our visit to the cities the first weekend in april.

it's been said

in spring a young man's fancy turns to thoughts of love. around here the thoughts of the 'young man' involve basketball and budgets. my own?? projects. definitely projects.


a new latch for the gate.

a package to send to jacob and kate.
tim's sweaters to wash and seasonal clothes to swap out.
blankets to air.

of course i suffer from the it-has-to-be-orderly-before-i-can-work syndrome so i did spend some time tidying the garage...found 1/2 a bottle of windshield washer fluid so i topped off both vehicles so i could throw the bottle away!! isn't that just the cutest little engine!?
rain and snow are forecast for sunday through tuesday so i hope to get a lot of loose ends tied up inside in the next few days so i can actually start some cleanup in the flower beds one of these days.
tim will be in omaha starting the 29th to set his budget. i'll be posting pictures of the project that will keep me busy while he's gone. here's a hint: any chance that you remember (go ahead - check the archives if you need to) what i did last year at this time??
jacob is scheduled for surgery april 2, prompting the box of goodies.
we head north for aidan's birthday on the 3rd. busy days ahead.

spring has arrived

although you'd never know it looking out the window. it's a gloomy day inside and out. but here are a few more 'firsts' to mark the occasion:
my first paint job of the season. i look forward to spray-paint season all winter long.

first tulips poking through the debris of winter.


the first sign of daffodils.
hope you're all enjoying sunny skies.

first ride

we hit the mid 70s yesterday so it was my first ride to work for the season.i always look forward to the time when i can start riding my bike for errands and work. the switch to daylight savings time earlier than normal means that it is still light even now when i get off work (in years past a deterent to riding)so i can get home safely. yippee!!
and while i hate to waste a second first in the same post i will mention that it was also the first time i've locked my bike in the 5 years we've been here.

a week of firsts

to help usher in the first day of spring i think it appropriate to share some other 'firsts'

here is today's:

my first ever batch of cream puffs.