It's Official. Spring Has Arrived.

Spring has sprung, or so I'm told. It was difficult to believe that though, with all the snow that's still on the ground.  This is a picture that was taken from my living room window on Sunday.  Does that look like spring to you?

The temperature had began to climb and the warm sun hit the white siding of my house, causing the snow to start to recede near the foundation on the south side.  I saw actual life coming through the ground on March 26th.  When I posted that on Facebook, a few people were amazed that I had bare earth. I explained that this was near the foundation, but it still gave some people hope that spring was not just a figment of our imagination.

Then, on the first of April, the snow melted back a bit further, and I discovered the narcissus had been hiding under the snow, and were also up. I posted that on Facebook too, half expecting someone to accuse me of posting it as an April Fool joke.

Today, even I got a surprise.  The first crocuses decided to bloom, in a spot where I had not noticed life yet.  Yes, they are snuggled right up close to the warm foundation, but now I'm starting to believe spring really has arrived.  There is hope after all.

 My first crocus last year, was on March 28th, by the way, and my records say they were a couple of weeks later than the year before. This year they are a week later than last year.  If this is a trend, then so much for global warming.

At supper time, I saw a mosquito sitting on the window screen.  Not everything about spring is welcome. But since it's still not warm enough to expose too much skin, we may be able to enjoy a few flowers before we start feeding the bugs. 

Happy Springtime, everyone!

Freebie Friday - 12 April

The weather has been very damp lately, and with that comes a lot of sore parts.  I have a bad hip, for instance, and an arthritic toe, and my neck and shoulder have not been happy lately either.  I've been fine all winter, so all this recent pain is totally weather related, and I, like everyone else, am more than ready for spring to arrive.  (No such luck this week, as we were under a winter storm warning, and after being threatened with 20cm of snow, we got freezing rain instead. Personally, I'd rather have the snow!)

So, just as I am starting to complain of all this pain and stiffness, a tube of Voltaren arrives.  It's contains an anti-inflammatory medicine in an innovative gel form.  After reading the material that comes with it, I find that it's more for sprains and strains than for arthritic problems, so perhaps it's best suited for my shoulder. I originally injured it when a big dog I was hanging on to wrenched me forward suddenly.  Last year I fell, and must have jarred that old injury as it's been bothering me ever since.  I'll test it out on that.

The other thing I got this week was a green wrist band from the people at Goodnet.org.  They have declared me a Planet Saver after I answered a few questions to find out what my do-gooder style is.

There is no way of knowing if something else came in the mail today as it's just too icy for me to venture out.  Welcome to Spring in Ontario.

Freebie Friday - Feb 1

I had no idea I'd actually get to do this every week, but that's the way it's working out so far this year. Mind you, I thought perhaps this week there would be no freebies to show you, but a couple did show up in the end.

One is a good sized sample of Purex. I don't know if I've ever used that brand of laundry detergent before, so a sample is a very good thing to send me, as I'd likely never by a full bottle without trying it first. This particular sample has a scent called After the Rain.  I guess that means it's a fresh clean smell.  The packaging says it will leave your clothes "bright white clean."  I think I'll use it on the next load of karate gis, as they are what I'd want the whitest. It also says that Purex is Canada's #2 Laundry Detergent.  I imagine Tide is number one.  I'm surprised this is listed as number two, but perhaps after I use it, I'll have a better understanding of why.

The other item is The Gardener's Idea Book from Proven Winners. Copies of this publication are still available if you sign up to get updates from their website. There are lots of pictures and I especially liked seeing various planters full of interesting varieties.  I'll probably try to copy some of those combinations this year.  There is also a planter in this booklet that I absolutely love.  I'll be on the lookout for that all season, I'm sure.  If all else fails, I guess I can order it from the supplier, which is listed, but unfortunately American, so the shipping will probably bring me to my senses.

This week's freebies have me dreaming of spring.  After The Rain scent on laundry, and pictures of the best flower ideas for the coming year have me hoping the Ground Hog can predict an early spring on his special day tomorrow.