Hello Springtime

     Two weeks ago, along with an unexpected winter blast, a visible layer of ice coated everything. I wondered if the blueberries which had already started to flower would die. My husband and my dad both assured me that they were hardy. Now it looks like spring truly has arrived. Birds are chirping all around, and just this morning while I enjoyed my first cup of coffee on our front porch swing I watched three red birds fly and land in the pear tree covered with white blossoms. Tiny yellow, purple, and red flowers are covering our front lawn like a carpet. Last week when I visited the hardware store with my husband, we left with enough spring plants to fill three hanging baskets. The girls helped me arrange them just right, and so far they are all still living. We enjoyed an early morning walk and cut daffodils to add color and cheer to our dining room. The camellias, Japanese magnolias, and even the woody "Jennifer bush" azalea are filled with colorful blooms. After years of wondering if it would ever produce, our fruit cocktail tree even has blossoms! Our chickens must be affected by the weather, too, because all seven have returned to giving us an egg every day. There is just enough of a chill in the air for a bonfire to be the perfect end to our evening after we all five enjoyed a bike ride together. Are you wondering if it can get better than that? The house is clean! We had guests over last night, and from waking up this morning to a still clean house to opening the windows and hearing the birds sing, this day has been lovely.