{this moment}

{this moment} ~ A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Linking with SouleMama

Random 5 Friday

we have a little stone garden turtle that sits next to our cold frame, look who I found peaking out as I was shoveling the walk earlier this week.

1.  We had another five inches of snow this week, but it looks like we are headed for a real thaw over the next week with daytime temps hitting the mid to upper 30's!

2.  I can not wait until next year when the kids are at the same school.  Right now their breaks are on different schedules which puts a real crimp in trying to plan any fun family travel.  Charles' spring break is next weeks and Sidney's over Easter, so not even close.  We will be taking a long weekend next weekend and packing a weeks worth of fun into it.  Exhausting?  Probably, worth it definitely! :)

3.  We seeded all of our onions in our basement greenhouse last weekend, as of this morning I am on sprout watch.  It is down right crazy how excited that I get seeing those first babies poke through the soil!

4.  I always like to cook traditional dishes around any holiday or festivity.  On Tuesday I made a traditional gumbo for Mardi Gras.  We used to cook Cajun food regularly, on those weekends when I would spend the afternoon watching Justin Wilson and Paul Prudhomme on PBS but it has been years.  It was so tasty, and the kids did not even mind the kick of spice from the andouille.

as found on the paintedpear via pinterest

5.  Who else is ready to throw their windows wide open and let in the Spring air?  I may even try to do it later next week, near 40 is a heat wave, right?  I came across the above graphic last night and had to laugh, oh so true!

 

A Nudge

As suddenly as our 7 inches of snow fell on Monday the temperatures rose to 40 degrees yesterday with hopes of the same for today.  We haven't seen temperatures like these since late fall. Then, it felt crisp and cool and had the promise of holidays, hot apple cider, and enjoying the indoors.  In contrast, after what is proving to be one of the coldest and snowiest winters on record and certainly since we moved here 13 years ago, we are more than ready to spend more time outside.  It was a joy simply walking up our long winding drive with the trash cans in tow.  Funny the simple pleasures; the black top shining through for the first time in months, walking outside with only a light sweater.  I found myself breathing deeper, relaxing and basking in the sun.   Though it seems the thaw will only be about two days before we are plunged back into sloppy winter storm conditions followed again by cold temperatures, it reminds me of how truly lucky we are to be able to experience the seasons with all of their ups and downs.  They only make us that more appreciative.  This thaw comes at a perfect time giving me that boost, a little reminder of the blooms ahead, and nudges me gently forward through the final months of winter.

The Signs

 The signs are here.  This week there have been birds singing, a random snow storm, followed by a slow, yet decided thaw.  

 It brought us shorts and snow boots.

Budding maple flowers and a day of blue skies.

And baby bunnies, which deserve their own post, so this shot is just a tease :)

Rain is headed our way today which is to offer its own clue of a pending springtime.  Yes, lots of standing water and mud is sure to be in our future!  But oh what a feeling that the signs are there!