Much Ado about...Spring!

Spring is here!

I was planning on posting a new recipe today, but as you can see this is not it. With what's going on tonight--which goes on every Tuesday night (more on that in another post)--I don't have enough time to put together a photo recipe post. Well, at least one that this recovering perfectionist would be comfortable claiming as her own.

So instead I thought you might want to see what showed up in my garden today...while I finish up my recipe.

CROCUSES!!!

Actually, Inspector Gadget (my beloved hubby) noticed the crocus shoots first because I had already left for work before dawn--a teensy drawback to the time change.

So while I am en route to work, Gadget Guy sent my cell phone a photo of those crocuses with the comment...

"SPRING IS HERE!"

Well, he didn't use quite so much excitement and emotion. This is the man who "takes in" a concert--no toe tapping, no head moving, and DEFINITELY no air instruments. (Unlike my brother, who...well, let's just say Mr. Gadget was amazed--and a bit concerned--at how many air instruments my brother knows how to play.)

The Inspector really is a sweetie...but don't let him know that you know. It might blow his cover. You know--as the strong, silent type with a penchant for mechanical toys.

But I'm getting sidetracked.

Well, when I got home I went on a "crocus hunt," scouring my flower beds for signs of spring. And I found a LOT more than just those shoots by the front door.

So take a look, enjoy, and dream of spring--because it's ALMOST HERE!!










Everyone ready? Line up and say...SPRING! *click* --bjh

Much Ado About . . . Crocuses: Part 2

I wasn't planning to have a second installment of this particular "Much Ado" post, but this morning I was greeted by a small but cheerful purple and gold army! Here are some of my photos from today's blooms. Check out my garden photo album in the right column for more blooms. bjh

Much Ado About . . . Crocuses

I would like to start a regular photo blog series entitled "Much Ado about . . ." Not only is Much Ado about Nothing one of my favorite plays and movies, but these posts will also give you a way to get to know me. My first "Much Ado" post will be about crocuses, the harbinger of spring.

These pictures are from my garden last spring--my crocuses are still a few days away from blooming this year.

Don't forget to vote for your favorite spring flower--check the poll to the right of this post! bjh

Dreaming of Spring

Spring is on its way…we just need to dream about it until it has made its grand entrance.

Before I finish the story begun in my previous post, I wanted to give you hope for spring. Below are some photographs. The photos of daffodils, crocus, and the pink flowering shrub are my work; the others are from my father-in-law's collection. At the end of this post is an mp3 of a fitting song: "Dreaming of April" by Out of the Grey. I hope you enjoy the photos and music and take comfort in the promise of spring. bjh

Celebrating with the Birthday Girls

Burning Birthday Candles, originally uploaded by khoitoanvn.

I LOVE birthday parties! The cake, the decorations, the presents—even when it’s not for me. I just love to celebrate anything, actually. How can you go wrong with food and friends?

Growing up, most of my birthdays were celebrated with family—more economical that way for two blue-collar parents putting their three children through private school. But that didn’t dampen my enthusiasm for the celebrations. Currently, depending on the “birthday person’s” desires, we still make time for a small or large family celebration, and I enjoy the entire process--shopping, planning, celebrating.

But now, as an adult, I have more options on how to celebrate my birthday. While I’m still planning to celebrate with my family, I’ve decided to have a party for myself and two other women I know who have birthdays this month. I’m planning it for the end of this month, provided the birthday girls’ schedules are open. Here are my initial ideas:

1. Since all three of us were born within a few days of St. Patrick’s Day, we could have an Irish or green theme to the party. I’m not sure if this will include Celtic music, corned beef, and so forth, but whatever we do will be fun!
2. Each of us will be able to invite one friend to join us for the party. That way I’ll stay within my budget and we can get to know each other better.
3. Presents are optional--fun is not. It's really about making memories, not accumulating stuff.

Who do you share a birthday month with? Maybe it's time to celebrate together! bjh

Spring is on its way

Spring is on its way!, originally uploaded by elinornicole.

In southern New England, spring is finally starting to awaken! With the sun melting the last of the snow and the air starting to warm up, my thoughts turn from hibernating to doing, from observing to participating. For those of us who experience long, cold winters, spring is a welcome promise of renewed life. We eagerly await the first blossoms in our gardens, the first frost-free mornings, the first days without a winter coat.

Spring can change our focus in another way--our isolating from others to connecting with others. The resolve to cocoon ourselves from the bitter cold winter, to stay warm and comfortable in our homes, is weakened. Spring's warmth and sunshine beckon us to venture outside, to walk through our neighborhood, to dine al fresco, to host a cook-out.

But for some of us, what I just described is uncomfortable. The idea of connecting with other people, of opening our hearts and home to others, is frightening, unthinkable.

"I can't invite my neighbors over--I've never said more than hello."

"I've tried to make friends in the past, but it has always backfired."

"My house isn't fit for company."

"I can't afford to entertain."

I confess I have thought those very things and had kept my home off-limits except for big occasions. But this spring, I plan to change. Like this tiny crocus leaf poking through the soil, I want to push out of my shell and bask in the warmth of community, of friendship, of true hospitality.

Join me in this journey as we learn how to revive the art of hospitality. bjh