Spring and Yet Not

"I think we should say it's spring when the flowers start to push up through the ground and bud on the trees instead of from an equinox date on a calendar, " said Cassie at supper.

"I think it should count when you feel like it's spring," replied Caroline.

And I agree with both girls. While I know that February in western Oregon is known for having Spring Teasers, still, if it LOOKS and FEELS like spring, even though that first warm waft has yet to breeze upon our skin and thrill our senses, it's spring.

I pruned back my bushy herbs - lavender and two types of sage - and did some weeding and sweeping. Tom mowed the lawns - big difference - tidied the yard, and weeded. The girls weeded and hand-tilled our little veggie garden area, cut back the dead zebra grass and carpet-of-snow, and weeded the strawberry patch.

Afterwards, we celebrated with a hot meal which included our last CSA delicata squash, fresh California asparagus, meatloaf, baby red potatoes with butter and basil, and still warm vanilla pudding for dessert. We toasted with cold grape juice in goblets: "To the beginning of spring! We work now to create beauty and food for later. Cheers!"

Dishes washed, showers taken, we gathered together in the living room to watch Much Ado About Nothing.

A very enjoyable family day!

Cheers to you, too!