Signs of Spring...

I am an odd bird. I enjoy winter. I love the snow, the quiet, the beauty of the outdoors. And I love the welcoming warmth of home. That being said, I also am delighted by the first signs of spring.

For the last two weeks I have noticed that the birds have begun to call more, and that some of them are singing their spring time mating songs. And today I saw that the sugar maples are being tapped.

People here tap the maples when the sap begins to rise... they collect that sap in buckets and boil it down until it becomes that magical elixer, maple syrup.

Nature shows subtle signs of the change of season that are not always noticed unless one looks carefully. I have looked. I have seen. I have recorded. Spring is coming, sure as the sap rises.

Beautiful Breakfast...

My friends Carol and Glenn made me the most amazing breakfast this morning. I drove to their place, out in the back of beyond, through spitting snow. It is a stunning drive, with smudgy mountains in the distance, frozen brooks zigging through the woods, and an amazing mix of homes dotting the way. Ancient houses in poor repair, equally ancient places that have been restored,newer homes, and single wides all share the same "neighborhood." I even passed a yurt! It is one of the many charms of Maine.

The warmth of the wood stove at my destination was most welcome. Carol let me help beat the egg whites for her "fluffy egg nest" recipe with this adorable hand mixer.
Then she assembled the feast; home baked sourdough toast was topped with whipped egg whites, then the yolks were slipped carefully into the "nest." Each creation was topped with pat of butter and a dollop of heavy cream. (I could hear the sirens from the cholesterol police coming closer!) She baked the tray of nests until the yolks were just set. Glenn had carefully fried paper thin, perfectly browned, crispy bacon earlier. This was truly a memorable, beautiful and just plain delicious meal.

Thanks, friends!

 

My sister Dicy was an artist from an early age. She carved the horse seen in this photo when she was a teen. My dad hung it between two diamond pane windows on the horse barn on our property. Sister Deb lives in the home we grew up in with her family now.

Though many things have changed since I was a kid, it is such a delight that some things remain the same. I can still go "home" to the place my father built... the place where our family of 7 grew and loved and laughed and learned. Not many adults I know can say the same. That is a gift.

Who knew this wooden horse would remain when it's creator had passed? That is another sort of gift, altogether.

Thankful Thursday...

 

Chanel had a health scare this week... she choked on some food. In horses, choke can be life threatening.
I am thankful that good veterinary care was available at a moments notice, and thankful that Chanel if fine and no worse for the scare!

A couple more kitchen pictures...

I am so delighted with my "new" kitchen I had to add a couple more pictures. The hutch is a very old one that belonged to my Mom. When she first hauled it home from a yard sale it was (and I am not making this up) tangerine orange and cobalt blue. Since that time it has had many other face lifts. Now white, it holds some of my favorite treasures, Staffordshire dogs, old china and other things that make me smile.

We hung a lace valance over the kitchen sink window today... that one small touch softens the look of the room and looks delightful to me. The funky "Waters" letters were found amongst my uncles things when he died... that is my maiden name.

I love to be surrounded with things that make me happy to look at them. If items in my home are not useful, beautiful or wildly sentimental, out they go!

Valentine hearts...

My sister Deb, her husband John and my niece came to visit for the weekend. Because... they are too nice! They painted my kitchen for me. John and niece Elyse are both a.) TALL and b.) excellent painters. Deb and I, on the other hand, should not be allowed to hold paint brushes. We are reckless and messy and splattery and just bad news when we paint. SO, John and Elyse did big work and made my kitchen so pretty.

Though not allowed to paint, I WAS allowed to cook... for breakfast we had heart shaped buttermilk pancakes. Delicious!

My kitchen and me? We feel the love!

Thankful Thursday...

My sister says she buys tulips this time of year to encourage her that spring is coming. Since I love winter and am in no rush for it to be over, I don't share her rationale. I do, however, share in her delight at tulips, so I bought some. Do you see the appeal?

Meanwhile, my friend Chez (www.babystepscottage.blogspot.com) challenged me to join her in being thankful today for something that is not perfect. So. I am thankful for my feet! I had a pedicure today, a true treat. I am boasting hot pink nails that make me smile. My feet? Not so perfect. After an injury a few years back I have constant swelling in one leg, and a riot of really wild looking veins discolor my leg from ankle to knee. But I am not in pain and I can walk and ride and dance and work and climb and snowshoe and kayak.I can shift my truck and dig in the dirt. I can kick, too! And I am thankful, thankful for all of those things, despite the crazed appearance of my nether appendage. Thanks, Chez, for helping me remember that things don't have to be perfect to be perfectly wonderful.