Spring, snakes, and 1st Troy anniversary

We've been here a year! March 29th is our Troy anniversary. Last year, we arrived bedraggled and tired, and this year, we're recovered and rarin' to go. I've enclosed a photo of Bob, Penny, Jack, Mom, and me at El Sombrero restaurant, our favorite anniversary spot. The owner, Reuben, graciously took our picture for us. Such a nice man. I've also included photos of flowering trees, because they're so beautiful. And, for those of you who love all of nature's creatures, there's a picture of a black rat snake we saw at Charleston Falls County Park. No grimacing! It's a cute snake. :)

At El Sombrero. 1st anniversary of Troyness.

Our crabapple tree. See how much progress it has made?

Redbuds are everywhere.

Bradford pears are now past peak bloom, but I wanted to include this one.

Isn't she (he?) a beauty? A black rat snake at Charleston Falls.

Mowed the lawn

Now I remember what I like about winter: the lawn does not grow. It's been much warmer than normal (according to the Dayton newspaper, it's the warmest March in 100 years) and the grass decided to grow. Never did I think I'd be mowing (and sweating) in March. Poor Bob was also sweating with the new rototiller in our stair-step garden area. We're getting ready for our vegetable garden. We also have to plant a new grape vine there and find places for a lilac and a burning bush (spring color and autumn color). When we're harvesting grapes, we'll feel a lot better about this, I'm sure. :)

It's official: spring is here!

It's been so warm here - we are debating whether to turn on the AC, because our upstairs has been over 80 degrees in the evening. Gasp. Bob has slept in the basement, where it may not be Novosibirsk any longer, but it's still a lot cooler than upstairs. It's March! It's Ohio! We're waiting for the sneaky snowstorm of early spring. :)

Forsythia is a riot of yellow.

One of the many trillium species in Ohio.

Magnolias in bloom in a front yard.

Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal at our seed feeder.

Hepatica is an early spring wildflower. So dainty.

Upstairs, downstairs

It's been so warm that our upstairs is actually kind of hot (we're debating whether to go outside and unwrap the AC condenser, which was "handiwrapped" for winter) ... but the basement feels like a lovely February day in Novosibirsk. Ah, the things one learns about spring in Ohio.

If Bob is polishing his golf shoes ...

it must be spring!

We had an absolutely gorgeous day today. Low 70s, mild breeze, sunny. Tomorrow it's supposed to be even warmer. Bob is playing golf for the 1st time in 2012. The excitement around here is over the top. :)

Those shoes are gonna shine on the golf course.

The chipmunk is back from hibernation. Isabella nearly flipped out.

You may not be excited, but we are. Those are baby leaves on our crabapple tree.

More leaves. Note Mom's sitting room windows are open!

The purple crocuses bloom later than the yellow ones. So pretty.

Early spring

Well, the calendar still says winter, but we all know better. Daffodils are blooming (sorry no pictures yet) and it's supposed to be around 70 degrees here on Weds. (!!!) Remember what I said about my crocuses being brave souls and I hoped they wouldn't be snowed on? Well, they were, but they came through with flying colors. They may look delicate, but they're tough little guys.

Just wait. It melts soon.

One of our front yard robins. Note the snowflakes falling.

I used the tape measure for an assignment from my nephew (it has to do with the bathroom sink faucets), so Ed had to "help" me. Of course.

Spring ... kind of

We had a hair-raising day yesterday. We were under a tornado watch for the afternoon and evening. Thunder and lightning came over a few times (one thunderclap shook the house). At a bit after 4:00 p.m., we heard the tornado sirens (note to my San Luis Obispo County friends: tornado sirens are like the nuclear power plant sirens) and so we headed to the basement. We listened to the radio down there and couldn't figure out why the sirens had sounded (no reports of severe thunderstorms or tornado activity in our county), so we came back up and cooked dinner. It was quite windy last night, but nothing was damaged. We were so fortunate, compared to the poor people in Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and very southern Ohio.

Tornado weather means spring is here! I've enclosed pictures of our crocuses, a mystery bulb (we'll see what actually blooms - a hyacinth?), and some deer out for a walk.

Such brave little souls. I hope they don't get snowed on.

I don't remember what I planted! I think it may be a hyacinth.

White-tailed deer checking out the winter wheat in a farmer's field.