Puxatawney's got some explaining to do

This has been a strange winter - maybe we should just call it a non-winter. Honestly, after weathering winters in Alaska, New England, Finland and Northern Utah, I was sort of done with winter. And now, wouldn't you know it, I sort of miss it. A few weeks ago, I was looking through old photos from my time in Finland and I became intensely nostalgic for snow. Snow is something that I haven't seen this year (flurries don't count) and I don't miss the logistical nightmares (like commuting through 6" of heavy slush with hundreds of drivers who haven't the slightest idea of how to drive in snow, or the countless times I got my car stuck in a snow bank in my own driveway) I miss the muffling effect, the magical ways in which snow can transform a landscape. And there's this sick part of me that loves those super cold days when everything is frosty and frozen the the ground just sort of crunches under your feet like styrofoam. Alas.

As much as I enjoy the beauties of winter, I think spring is the best season of all. And if spring wants to come early, I'm ready to embrace it. So long as it stays for a nice long while (not ready for an early summer).

Yesterday, I may have spent nearly $40 dollars on seeds - crazy, I know. My head is all filled with plans for my little garden this year. I'm learning from last year and rethinking the tomato situation, giving up on zucchini, and planting peas this weekend (it's early, but I'm gonna give it a go). And I've decided that there is nothing wrong with gardening on Sunday - it's no more "work" than knitting or cooking, though perhaps more strenuous - I think that it's a lovely way to connect with nature, and clear my mind of worries of my week. 

I'm really excited to be able to pick fresh tomatoes and arugula from my garden - honestly, that's really all I care about arugula and tomatoes, everything else is just an experiment.

hello, Spring!

It happens every year, the days get longer, the weather become unpredictable and everything starts blooming and leafing out.  Oh, how I do LOVE spring!  And spring in DC is to die for - it comes early and it goes all out.  We are smack dab in the thick of it here.  The cherry blossoms have already peaked, there are daffodils bobbing their heads all over the place and I'm anxiously awaiting the fabulous dogwoods.  Have I mentioned that daffodils are my absolute fave - well, they are and while I can't quite decide if I could every really love the white ones as much as the traditional yellow, they all make me sorta melt and cause my heart sing!

With the all this botanical action going on, I find myself putting aside my knitting and thinking about gardening.  I've never really had much luck with gardening, despite the unparalleled example of my talented mother.  But it's a skill that I would really like to work on so I'm going to try my hand at a small vegetable garden this year.  After last year's failures, I'm not too optimistic, but I'm aiming small - 9 square feet to be exact.  And maybe just maybe, I'll grow something edible this year. 

I just ordered this raised bed kit from the Gardner's Supply Company, and I'm oh so excited for it to get here so I can start planting. 

spring is on it's way

Things sure change fast up here. When I left for Hawaii last week it was still pretty snowy, though the days had gotten much longer and slightly warmer.  I came back to soggier, muddier and much less frozen landscape.  Spring is on it's way. The geese have returned, the river is thawing and the ice sculptures around town are crumpling. 

Oh, and my trip was AWESOME! I didn't take many pictures but I hope to get a few of them onto my computer this weekend.  So get ready to be insanely jealous.  For now, I'll just say that Oahu is maybe the prettiest place I have ever been - it most definitely exceeded my expectations.