Friday, March 21, 2014

Happy Spring! My favorite sights, sounds, and smells of spring



Yesterday officially marked the first day of spring. Here, it has felt like Spring since February. We have been spending loads of time at our local parks playing and having picnics. I found a great picnic blanket on Zulily for $24.99. It has a waterproof side to keep bums dry on damp grass, and comes with its own carrying tote for easy transportation. We're pretty certain it will get lots of use over time!

Springtime signifies rebirth and newness. Days get longer and the temperature rises; spring is a time to get outside and enjoy life. I have family coming over on Sunday for a barbeque so we can celebrate our sons' birthdays, both of them are March babies. Our daughter (6th grade) lives out-of-state with her mom during the school year, is also a March baby.


Here are some of my top 3 sights, sounds, and smells of spring, in no particular order.

Sights: 
  • Flowers budding on trees: Spring buds means summer fruit! While we are still months off from having fresh fruit from the backyard, seeing the little green plums just makes me all smily inside!
  • Baby animals: Spring is the season for babies! We love watching for calves on our way to Grandma's house, and seeing the ducklings at the park.
  • The first strawberries at the Farmer's Market: While we are still enjoying all the citrus the market has to offer, strawberries are beginning to make an appearance, yummy!

Sounds:
  • Birds chattering, and baby birds cheeping: I keep a squirrel-proof bird feeder by my kitchen window to see and hear the birds go by. My mom's barn is aflutter with birds swooping in and out.
  • Kids playing outdoors: The weather warms up and kids are more willing to play outside. The community park gets more visitors, so more kids and opportunities for my kids to know their neighbors.
  • Rainstorms: I love the sound of rain on the window, snuggled up indoors with some hot tea, or splashing in puddles in a pair of rainboots!

Smells: 
  • Orange Blossoms: Our neighbor's yard is full of citrus trees, and the aroma of the orange blossoms is wonderfully intoxicating.
  • Fresh Dirt: Spring is the season for planting! I find therapy in gardening, digging in the dirt, weeding, adding new color to the front yard and adding new vegetables and herbs to the backyard.
  • Barbeque smoke: Warmer weather means more cooking outdoors. I use an old-fashioned Weber kettle grill, the same kind my dad taught me on when I was a kid.
I want to hear from you! What are your favorite sights, sounds, and smells of springtime that you love or are looking forward to experiencing? What reminds you that warmer days are on the way?

10 comments:

  1. I know Spring is here when I start enjoying that extra hour of daylight we have! Spring and Fall in Texas are awesome, and I look forward to them.

    Love your duck photo! So cute.

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    1. The extra daylight is a lifesaver. Not only does it encourage me to get up to start my day sooner (which is no easy task, total night owl here!) but I can grill dinner outside before it gets dark!

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  2. Yes! Finally, Spring! My favorite is the sound of the kids playing outside! Because that means everyone is happy, getting Vitamin D, and getting worn out for an easy bedtime! :)

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    1. Both boys got brand new bikes this weekend. Anything to get my oldest off of his computer!

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  3. We are so ready for spring around here. I am ready to put up our winter clothes and play outside.

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    1. I wish my winter clothes got used a bit more than they did this year. I got married in December and it was 70 degrees in Sacramento!

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  4. I lvoe hearing birds chirping too!

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    1. We have mourning doves that nest in our eaves, and we have so many finches and sparrows that come to our bird feeder every morning. I think I want to get a bird book so I can learn to identify some of them.

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  5. thanks for bringing spring to life, did you take those photos there stunning

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    1. Thanks for the compliment. The photos were in my archives from my high school photography days.

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I love to hear your thoughts! I read each and every comment, so feel free to leave a comment at any time :)