Bring on the spring!

OK, enough already, I'm officially done with winter. For real... it's just not funny anymore. I came to this conclusion when our driveway was transformed into a skating rink just a few days ago... or might it have been the fact that you have to climb Mt. Everest to get onto our porch. Either way, I am really looking foward to the day when I can actually see dirt! You may have noticed that I didn't say grass... the neighbor's plow took care of that pipe dream. We actually had another unfortunate incident with a bobcat (the machine, not the animal) in our yard this winter. Another good-intentioned neighbor got a little overzealous with his toy (the bobcat) and proceded to crush the stone walls and, I'm fairly sure, dig up all of my tulips that I had so lovingly planted last fall. So, I'm a little scared to see the damage when the 12 feet of snow finally melts in July. You can be sure I'll be hauling his butt over to help me replant! Maybe I'll scope out his yard for some good perennials... he owes me! Speaking of perennials, this is a PSA for all garden lovers. My rural friends and I have decided to do a perennial swap this spring. Everyone brings a portion of their untamed perennials from their yard and then we take what we want and transport them into our own. I think this is a great idea for any community, spread the word...

Another thing that I can't wait for in the spring... LETTERBOXING. My entire family became addicted to this "sport" about a year or so ago and unfortunately, snow and ice are not conducive to this process. In a nutshell, letterboxing is like a big scavenger hunt. Boxes are everywhere, in every state (even all over the world) you just have to find them through a series of clues... some are definitely trickier than others. For our anniversary last year, Korey (who is so into this) and I went back to Franconia Notch (where we got married) and did a day of letterboxing on the mountain, there were several that you had to take the tram to get to. Lots of fun and adventure for the whole fam! Alise and I did one in the woods near my old middle school that took FOREVER, we also got together with some friends of ours and did one at the end of last fall that took about 3 hours to complete. Both excursions were exhuasting & frusterating at times, but very rewarding in the end. Check out the link to the US letterboxing site on "my favorite links" to the left and find the puzzles in your area! For your adventure you will need: a small notebook, a destictive stamp (something that represents you - Alise's is a bunny and Korey and I have our own - a stamp I used on our wedding invitations) and a pen... that's it (well maybe a snack or picnic lunch if you are deep into nature for a few hours). ps- Katie... we are so doing this when you get over here in May!

Well, Alise is keeping herself entertained this winter by becoming a young thespian. She joined drama club at school and just auditioned for Seussical The Musical at school by confidently singing a Hannah Montana song. Also, she will be going to theatre camp for a week over vacation to prepare for another performance of Guys & Dolls the following week. She seems thrilled. In addition to her theatrical side she is still sporty... and is one of 3 girls on a basketball team of almost 20 boys, and I have to say, she holds her own!



Stay warm everyone... WINTER - this too shall pass.