Signs of Spring

I know I should be worried about global warming rather than rejoicing in the unseasonably warm weather, but I can't help feeling a little thrill when I see those green shoots breaking through the dirt.

It's only February, but soft pussy willow buds hang at the end of tree limbs and birds chirp from bare branches.

These are hollyhocks already sprouting. 

The temperature today rose into the 60s. And, although it looks to dip down into the 30s in the coming week, predictions are for 60s again next weekend.

This is an iris that has already faced some winter weather

And I'm not the only one enjoying the warm weather.

He wouldn't lie still but kept rolling around, so he looks slightly evil. 

Saturday Snapshot -- Spring

To participate in the Saturday Snapshot meme post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken then leave a direct link to your post on Alyce's blog At Home With Books. Photos can be old or new, and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don’t post random photos that you find online.
I'm sure everyone who lives through the Midwest or Northeast United States is posting pictures of the miracles that have popped up through the last week.

We've had weather in the 80s.
Usually, if we went south to Florida this time of year, for spring break, we would watch the foliage gradually change to spring. We'd see the redbuds blooming in Tennessee or Georgia. Then fully-leafed trees in southern Georgia and finally palm trees in Florida.

Now, the trees have bloomed here, along with spring flowers.

Of course, along with the beautiful blooms, comes the stormy weather. I took this picture before I headed to the basement to wait out the tornado warning.

Still, everyone has been enjoying the warmer weather. Even 18-year-old boys mourning the end of basketball season.

Buzzing About Spring

To participate in the Saturday Snapshot meme post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken then leave a direct link to your post on Alyce's blog At Home With Books. Photos can be old or new, and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don’t post random photos that you find online.
Although the weather feels brutal today, we had some lovely days this week and I got a chance to take some pictures of crocuses blooming.

The small purple flowers were enough to give me hope, but then I saw the bees buzzing around the flowers. I imagined the bees warming up in their hives and flying out in search of pollen. They must be puzzled that they can't find more flowers, not realizing that it's still February.
I'm glad they were able to find these crocuses. I count five bees here. Can you find them all?

Saturday Snapshot -- Signs of Spring

To participate in the Saturday Snapshot meme post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken then leave a direct link to your post on Alyce's blog At Home With Books. Photos can be old or new, and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don’t post random photos that you find online.
This week, the weather continued to be mild, and as I came home from work one afternoon, I noticed some fresh, painfully hopeful green sprouting in my flower gardens.

The plants and the earth are obviously confused by this very warm winter. They're deciding to begin sprouting.
And look at the contrast between the newly green plants and last-year's weathered mulch.

Then this morning we awoke to a few inches of heavy, wet snow and 11 degrees.

I hope those green sprouts are insulated from the cold by the snow. I'm ready for them.
This reminded me of the first time Earl and I traveled to Europe together after we had been married for a year. We stayed in a chalet in the Alps one night and when we woke up the next morning -- snow! On the tulips. Here's a copy of the picture.

Enjoy your day.