The first sign of Spring hit me SMACK between the eyes!

This past week end there were

signs of spring...

the first sign that hit me smack

between the eyes

was a week ago last Saturday

while on a weekly outing

The bright colors...

pink, blue, green, purple, red,

yellow, orange and turquoise

made me do a double take..

yes, I stopped dead in my tracks,

and low and behold...

there on isle number what-ever it was

were the brightest and boldest,

flip-flops!

#1 first sign of spring...

Wal-Mart puts out the flip- flops!

***

This past Saturday,

the weatherman called for warming temps!

Michael and I got a pretty early jump on the crowds

and headed downtown Portsmouth

for Breakfast at the

"Friendly Toast"

We realized ,

as we walked from the parking lot

to the main street ,

that we both

had been showing our wilder sides

while dressing that morning!!

We had come very close to being down right

shameless!!

(tee-hee)

Michael had donned his "regular" shoes

and me..

well, if you had seen me you would

have thought me perverse!!

I wore

shoes with absolutely

no back-up..

(clogs)

And even though you could not have told

just by looking ..neither,

let me repeat neither one of us

sported long johns!!!

waiting for a table..

if you go to the "Toast" on a

Monday - Friday visit..

its a take a menu

and seat yourself kind of place..

but, on the week-ends

the line is usually out the door

and up the street..

We were early enough that we stood inside!

Michael browsed a local publication

as we waited..

at the table.

The first time we came to the "Toast"

I tried

"New Hampshire's Finest"

which is a scramble with asparagus and

local goat cheese and toasted homemade bread

(sliced about an inch or so thick!)...

this is absolutely my favorite

although I have ventured out and order other

enticing items..

We had a wonderful day...

driving around and running errands..

just spending the day together..

Once we past a bank with the big

sign out front with the time/temp displayed..

54

next thing you know we will be swimming!!!

***

The week end was full of outing for everyone..

the spring warmth seemed to get

everyone out and about..

I have received several cute pictures over

cell phones and gotten a few over the web cam..

Take a look below and see

Michael gets ready for the day..

His Baba caught him

applying some of his Mamas

deodorant..

(they see and imitate everything!)

Saturday they went to many sales

at the big outlet mall

in Washington D.C.

they shopped till he dropped!

I went there once and felt the same way!! Sometimes dinner just needs to be in front of the t.v.

instead of at the table...

every Sunday there is a show with lots of cars..

all they do is drive in circles and make loud car noises...

but, to a little guy

(and most of those big guys too)

that's right up there with

shows about tractors, or music and dancing!!! Sunday, the Hall family had a surprise visitor!!!

Aunt Carrie

drove (by herself)

over for a visit !!!

We are all so proud of her

we could just about

squeal!

***

Every week I get to see and

talk to my sister Mary

on the web-cam..

It is really nice to have our morning tea

and get caught up...

even if the biggest news is

what each others cats have done now!

I sure enjoy seeing her as we talk...

sometimes Doyle walks in for a quick "Hello"

It helps knock down some of the old

"home sick blues"

that occasionally try their best

to sneak right on in.

Maybe someday my other sister,

Elizabeth ,will join in on tea time!

***

With 2 days of warm weather we had

a pretty big Melting...

at one point Sunday morning I

looked out toward the

Koi pond

(have not seen the pond ,itself, since last fall)

and there sticking its frozen looking nose

out of the snow was what

seemed to be a

frog!

Could our little frog of the pond have

frozen out there?

Could it be so preserved just in the

cold and snow?

And...just how "big" had it been?

I worried over that frog...

as the day progressed and more snow melted

I saw more of the frog...

***

Monday morning brought ...

you guessed it.

MORE SNOW..

It snowed all day long..

we got another 7 to 8 inches..

The afore mentioned "frog"

I had forgotten about the little frog

statue that graced the side of the pond!

some good things about snow...

it makes it easier to see into the forest

and watch the deer... a new blanket makes everything look clean

calm and peaceful...

It's not mud...

it makes Chloe real happy...

It gives me a reason to stay in and work

on projects..

May I reiterate it really makes Chloe happy!

Monday was her 6th birthday

and that was about the best birthday present

a Great Pyrenees Princess

could get!

***

I spent the last 2 weeks working

on a project that will be sent to

some friends that just had

their second little girl

a couple of months ago.

(I am kind of behind in my projects..)

When, I know they have received it

then I will post pictures ..

***

While taking pictures of the

afore mentioned project

I snapped this one of the little desk

in the living room..

(Sister had wanted to see it..)

***

The paper whites today...

***

Each day I listen for the

"linga-linga"

of the telephone..

and

the ringing of the web cam.

I watch for notes sent by email

and

snail mail..

all of which help stave off the

drearies...

Yet, I know the sun will come back to stay

(at least after the muddy season)

and I will be able to drive down the road again..

to see and hug my family!

until then..

Michael and I will continue to wait

and watch for

more signs of spring.