This moment in time

 is simply breathtaking.  The renewal & beauty of spring makes that long, cold, sunless, gloomy winter worth it.  In fact, it completely fads from memory... MINNESOTA rocks (but let's keep that a secret cause I don't want to ruin my commute).

A day with my youngest daughter

Easter Monday (April 25) has traditionally been a no school day; however, the public school had to make up a snow day, so Abby had to go to school. Since Kippy attends private school (Our Lady of Victory) she got to have the day off. Steve had to work, so I decided to take a vacation day and spend it with my youngest daughter.

I told Kippy that Monday was going to be a Mommy/Daughter day and said she would get to pick our activities. She made some wise choices and even let me suggest a few things along the way. Kippy brought her own camera with to document our day, so be prepared because there are a lot of pics in this blog post.

Our first activity: Bike to the library

We enjoyed the beautiful spring day by biking to the library. It was 65 degrees out and our first bike ride of 2011.
Reading is a favorite activity for both of us. Here are our book choices. After selecting books, we stayed and read for a little while until until I suggested another activity.

Activity #2: Go to Somethings Brewing.
We ordered our hot beverages (Caramel steamer for Kippy & Almond Joy Latte for me) and went up into the loft area to enjoy with our books.
After some reading, we decided should go ahead and order lunch.
Taco in a bag for Kippy and
a chicken Caesar for me.

Activity #3: Go for a walk with Bella and the Hubert girls around Lake Alice.
We spied a beautiful crocus peeping out of the ground.
Dani, Madi and Kippy were very busy exploring the newly uncovered areas of Lake Alice due to the partial draining of the lake. Kami was very helpful in doggie sitting so Heather and I could get some much needed visiting in.

Activity #4: Baking banana bread
We use my Grandma Nita's recipe with the addition of some brown sugar sprinkled on top. I turns out perfectly every time.


Activity #6: Poop picking after Bella in the yard. Kippy was not happy about that one because she thought the whole day should just be fun. She insisted NO PICTURES.

Activity #7: Packing up the Easter decor. Another not fun activity with no pics, per Kippy.

And we wrapped up the day with Activity #8: Piano lessons for Kippy and house cleaning/laundry for me.

All in all, were able to do mostly fun activities, and got some necessary work done as well. Best of all was just spending time together and I hope Kippy remembers that part.

Bringing "Spring" indoors

I have Spring Fever and I have been absolutely CRAVING some lush green grass, but since Mother Nature still keeps bringing snow, I had to take matters into my own hands.

Saturday, April 16: Purchased water gems from The Market and some wheat seed.

These are the water gems before being hydrated. I used only a half of tablespoon of gems and soaked for 8 hours and WOW!
I ended up with a giant kettle of water gems,

which resemble ice cubes and are very squishy (like Jello). Luckily I was able to share some of the excess with my bestie, but next time, I'm only using a teaspoon of those guys!

I also soaked the wheat seeds about 4 hours to help them germinate faster.

Next I piled the water gems on a glass plate and covered them with wheat seed and then began the waiting process. Every time I walked by, I was checking for signs of growth.

Day 1: Sunday, April 17.... I could see tiny little white sprouts poking out of the seeds within 24 hours. Can you see them?
Day 2: Monday, April 18... some teeny-tiny green is showing now. By now, I am cheering and pointing out to my family members in excitement that my seeds are sprouted {about 15 times a day}!! I know they are thinking (and you are too) that I am completely deranged. Did I mention that I have spring fever?
Day 3: Tuesday, April 19... within 72 hours, I am definitely seeing more snippets of green.

Day 4: Wednesday, April 20... so impressed... looks like Spring growing out of ice. Take that Mother Nature! Booyah!


Day 5: Thursday, April 21st - We have GRASS! It is looking good and I am feeling Springy. Is it time to get the lawn mower out? I am just loving my little mini-lawn. I bet the Easter bunny will try to hid an egg or two because I expect it to be TALL by Sunday.

Or maybe a little peep will make it a nest.

The signs are everywhere!!

In just a few short weeks, these branches will change from this...

to this.

And these little bulbs will go from this...

to this!

And these tender sprouts will transform from this...

to this!!

And these green shoots will morph from this...

to THIS!!!

From out of the bleak, cold soil, breathtaking beauty is emerging.
I absolutely love my perennials and the rebirth of Spring!

Much accomplished!

It was a busy weekend and I am so thrilled at how much got accomplished! It was a great balance between fun and work.

• The girls helped me rake the yard, bag up leaves and clear all the flower beds
• Steve cleaned out the garage and pressure washed the porch, deck and garage floor
• Attended the Razzle-Dazzle musical at the Center for the Arts where several of our friends and their children performed - it was fabulous!
• Painted the kids picnic table
• Printed lots of pics at Wal-Mart... lots of waiting, but love the prints
  
• Got Abby packed up for a birthday party sleepover on Saturday
  
• Steve set up the trampoline and boy did it get a work out from Kippy and the neighbors' kids
  
• Admired every single tulip, leaf bud and perennial that was peeping its head out and declaring "it is Spring"
• Steve watched Ultimate Fighting with friends on PayPerView
• Completed an 11 mile run averaging 9:27 minute miles
• Restocked our pantry - Kippy was a great help
• Enjoyed a twist ice cream cone

The best part of the weekend was the forecast said it would rain and IT.DIDN'T!!! We wouldn't have gotten half of this list accomplished if it had rained. SO.HAPPY.NO.RAIN!! {picture me doing the happy dance}

Looking for a sign...

of Spring. Is it possible that Spring is only 6 weeks away? Remember the scene from Titanic when Rose is trying to signal to the rescue boats to save her? Rose pleads, "Come back. Come back. Come back." as the rescue boat starts to pull away. Think of that same voice filled with anguish and it is me pleading for spring to "Come back... Come back".

All I can do is close my eyes and try to remember what Spring looks and feels like.

I think of newborn foals and their velvety soft noses....

Soft plush green grass under bare feet...

Apple trees in bloom...
Cute, fuzzy baby ducklings...

The fragrance from the crab apple tree at the farm...

The beauty of the "Angelique" tulip outside my office window...

Even the dandelion, which I normally detest in my lawn or garden would be a welcome sign of Spring right now!
When I open my eyes I see my office window almost completely filled up with snow. I hear my space heater running near my feet. It has been a seriously LONG winter.