After a crazy weird winter (read long, cold, a lot of snow) I just realized yesterday, literally, that spring may actually be here. I realized that I have been delaying letting myself think about spring because I didn’t want to make the mental adjustment and then wake up to a foot of snow. I have woken up to a foot of snow a couple times this “spring.” Winter for us started October 20th when we were coming home from our lone camping trip of the year. We had our canoe on top and were driving through snow. That’s Minnesota!

But last night the first thunderstorms rolled through. And again today. And all of a sudden I was hit by the realization that yes spring is here. It is quite a relief actually.

Our ancient white oak gets a little shower. And we all breathe an audible sign of relief. It is not likely that snow will cover us again until the fall.

One thing I really want to do more of this year is relaxing with the children and just enjoying them. Our oldest turns 10 this year, double digits! Time flies and so I continue to look for opportunities to just be with them, “doing life.” One of my favorite things to do is bake. Often the afternoons find me and at least a couple of the children in the kitchen making snack.

My favorite recipe site is Yummy Mummy. I even bought her cookbook. Today to honor spring we are cooking up a new recipe–Lavender cupcakes. It is from the cookbook. While most of her recipes are pretty healthy I used white flour with the germ and succanat in place of the granulated sugar and it worked out really well. One note all the dairy products are supposed to be at room temperature so plan ahead. It was a good lesson for the children.

We are also planning for our Spring Open House on Sunday, May 18th from 1-4:00. Hope you can stop by and say hello.

What are you doing to celebrate spring?