so this is what it's like

When you live up north, you can't spend the winter looking forward to spring. One fourth of the year should not be wasted on a countdown to the next season. I've said this before -- happy are those who embrace the cold months and find beauty in what they have to offer.

(An early morning visitor: )






And so when a balmy day finally comes along, you are shocked at how fantastic it is to be suddenly one foot into spring.

(Sunrise and melting snow: )






(New day, new season soon?)






(Girls, you survived another winter!)







Breakfast. In the sun room, of course.






It's an unusual Friday, because Ed is home (rather than at a meeting) and what with the weather being so incredibly springlike, he takes the time to hoist Lily up and work on her rattle and clatter. Me -- I have appointments, which push grocery shopping toward noon. And Snowdrop? Well, her schedule is different this weekend too -- she is our guest at the farmhouse!

Oh the planning, the shopping, the organization that comes into play! You'd think she'd not been here in months and months (instead of just three days)! She arrives with great fanfare -- or at least excitement, especially on my part. Afternoon snack first:






A walk with penguin...






Then nap time.

Ed and I eat dinner -- stir fried salmon, asparagus and potato -- Snowdrop was supposed to be napping, but chose to pass. She caught us eating in front of the TV (the News Hour). No problem! She joins us for it. She's fond of seafood, loves asparagus and baked potato...






Such a great farmhouse guest she is!






Since this is an especially long visit, a gift awaits her -- a new toy to enrich her time here...






And of course, she has her sweet favorite moments with the big guy.






Outside, the winds howl and the ice and snow melt. I glance at the thermometer -- 45F (7C). The cheepers were at once flustered by the strong gusts and happy to be at our doorstep, hovering...

(You see Butter, but my eyes are drawn to the bottom left corner of the photo -- those are crocus sprouts for sure!)






So that's what early spring is like!  Delightful, completely delightful.



Post Scriptum:

And what of the pink apartment in Warsaw? Is anything signed yet? Well no, the wheels move slowly as the gathering of papers continues. But nothing has derailed the sale and I expect it to go forward, even as the two music students who live there now wish very much everything would slow down a bit. I'm empathetic. Let me relay my best understanding of the conversation (as to their fate) that took place earlier today. I believe this is a fairly accurate synopsis.
The real estate agent asks -- so... I suppose she is in a hurry to get in there and start the remodeling?
Well yes, she has a lot to do.
Does she know how talented these young men are?
Say what?
Well, you know, they're students and just renting the place. They're not from Warsaw, but especially one of them -- a real prodigy! Poland will be proud of him one day!
What are you saying?
It's hard to move in the middle of a semester. 
Oh?
They're quiet fellows. Well, but for the music of course. 
Yes?
Not party types at all! A little messy maybe -- you know how young people are... Can you tell her that one of them recently came in second in an international competition? He played at Carnegie Hall last fall as a result!
Really?
So maybe she would let them stay there until the school year is finished?

Oh my goodness, I'm housing musical prodigies? Of course I'm not going to throw them out! So things will move just a tiny bit less quickly. And maybe someday I'll point to the billboards and say -- that one over there? He lived in my apartment for a few months. Yes, really!

Spring is in the air! Can't you just feel it?!