Friday, March 14, 2014

This Is What Spring in Indiana Looks (and Sounds!) Like, Ten Things of Thankful, Week 39


Old photo, obviously.  Bonus points if you can tell me the post.
Well, almost spring.

The calendar may not say it's spring just yet, but the signs of its imminent arrival are everywhere.  For these signs, I am completely, ridiculously thankful.

Canada Geese
I am not a fan of Canada Geese in general, but in one particular way, I love them.  Each spring and fall I hear them migrating.  The sound starts far off in the distance.  It's so far away, the geese can't be seen yet.  You know they're coming, but you must be patient.  The sound gets louder and louder as they get closer and closer.  And then you see the first wave in the telltale v-formations.


Wave after wave after wave of geese flew over our house on Tuesday.  For 10 minutes, I stood out there watching and listening.  (If you've never heard Canada Geese, listen here.  Note: the sounds I hear are more muted than the site's sound.  These birds were way the heck up there.)

At one point, they all went out of formation and went into what looked like a swarm.  The contrast in the photo has been exaggerated so you can see all of them.  All those black dots, from the top of the photo to the bottom.  This is a fraction of the number of geese passing over our house that afternoon.
Roaming chickens
Normally, chickens out of their pen gets me worked up.  Not so this week!  They were behaving by staying in the holding area, so I was happy to let them stay.  They are outside!  Fresh air!!  Acting like chickens should!



Green
They're kinda hard to find, but little bits of green are starting to pop out of the ground.


Kids playing outside in shorts and t-shirts

He's drawing the sun.  

He drew the sun, the blue sky, and one white, puffy cloud and wrote "Today's weather". 
Clearly, I'm not the only one who is excited to see spring.

Clothes actually drying in the line

Did you notice most of the tree has fallen down, but the zip line is still intact?  I"m thinking it's God's way of telling me, "Thou shalt use the kids' zip line as a clothes line."  
 Snow and cold, when it comes, doesn't last very long.
15 hours after those pictures of my kids coloring with chalk on the porch were taken, I took this photo.

Ice and snow on my windshield
The cold lasted for two days, and by Friday we were back to warm, sunny weather.  Not shorts, but warm.


Funny clothing combinations
As you saw, temperatures drastically fluctuate in the span of a day.  A person has to endlessly add and remove extra layers of clothing.  Or, they partially add and remove layers.  Either way, it makes for some funny combinations.

I went out to hang clothes on the line, and when I walked back up the hill, I caught a glimpse of this lovely look.  I didn't realize how bad it was until I saw it for myself.

Special deliveries
We order all of our seeds and plants from a catalog, and the company sends each plant to us when it is time to plant it.  Today, this came in the mail:

Potatoes, gold.  From Yukon.

So, what does spring look like where you are?  What made you smile this week?

Have a lovely day!


Ten Things of Thankful


 Your hosts




64 comments:

  1. We too had a bit of spring this past week with one day being almost 70 degrees out and I for one couldn't be happier about that. Of course, we got cold, bitter temperatures and wind two days later, but still I have hope and that totally counts for something with me, too. So happy that you too are starting to see spring in its many ways and forms. This post tonight totally made me smile knowing spring is indeed coming now :)

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    1. It's coming! It's coming! We had months of days where it never got warm. One day in the 70s has to be a sign of better weather to come.

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  2. Sportin such a cool outfit! I cant wait to take off the sweaters....it snoeed yesterday and today is frigid!

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    1. I know, fancy. :)
      Aw, sorry about the snow and frigid. The wind is howling as I write this. I hope it doesn't mean another shot of cold temperatures.

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  3. Warmth! Like manna! From where do you order your seeds? We used to from Baker Heirloom Seeds but now we do Sow True Seeds because they're in Asheville.

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    1. COW does all the ordering from two companies. The potatoes came from Gurney's. I can't remember who else he uses.

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  4. I'm so happy spring is on it's way finally! For me it means not freezing when I walk the dogs at night, driving with my car window open, and outdoor recess for the kids at the school where I work!

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    1. Me, too! Oh, I feel awful for all the people who have dogs which need walking during this torturous winter. I imagine they didn't get nearly the length of walk they're used to. Almost as much as the teachers who have had to deal with kids who haven't been able to go outside for recess for months.

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  5. Glad Spring is coming...and those were fabulous pics. Photography's in your blood!

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    1. Aw, thank you, Michelle.
      I could not be happier about spring. Is it obvious? :)

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  6. Eveything about this is so wonderful I don't know where to begin with what I love the most ... but those geese!!! Wow...and your son drawing the sun! and laundry drying on the line,,,WOW! AND YUKON GOLDS! xoxox jean

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    1. Thank you, Jean. Even I was shocked by the geese. I had never seen quite that many at one time before.

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  7. I'm afraid of Canada Geese. They're not the friendliest of birds. One day my husband got bit by one of them and he said it really hurt. We're still buried deep in snow but I hear it is going to warm up some day:) Have a great weekend!

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    1. That is one reason I don't like geese. They're fine way up in the air, but on the ground, I can't stand them. One came after Giant a few years ago. Fortunately, the goose didn't catch him.
      It will warm up. I never thought it was going to happen here, and yet, it is!

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  8. It's looking very spring like here in the east of England, lots of sunshine and green shoots. But I mustn't speak too soon there will undoubtedly be rain around the corner, there always is in the UK!

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    1. You all have had a doozy of a winter, too, except with precipitation of a different sort. Glad you are getting some sunshine.

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  9. We had another 6-8 inch snowfall earlier this week with a school cancellation. Thankfully, we had warm temps yesterday which melted a lot of it, but our grass is still snow covered :(. Don't think much will melt over the weekend since it's cold once again.

    I'm glad to see the green you shared. I know there are people around here reporting crocus sprouts. Hoping your warm weather stays around! My husband and I are headed to Noblesville Thursday for a Kickstarter business grand opening. Since we'll be south, we expect warm breezes!

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    1. I have a friend in Warsaw, and they had the same snow. I am so glad that we moved to the south side of Indy when we moved to Indiana. That I-70 is like a wall, barricading us from the nastiness you all see. Surely, the nice weather will be moving your way soon.

      Have fun in Noblesville. It's such a nice place.

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  10. We had a couple of warmer days earlier this week- no shorts but definitely light jackets. Then it got colder than before! Brrr!!! Jealous of your green starting to poke through.

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    1. I was quite surprised to see the green. I had to look hard for it. Hopefully your cold won't last too long. Boston does seem to get hit with ugly weather regularly, though.

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  11. strange weather...weekend in the 50s most of the week in the (damn) 20s
    The ground is still pretty frozen so not planning too much environmental work (rakes and such) for a few weeks.

    (though I am looking forward to the garden hose melting enough to go back to washing my car at home.

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    1. At least the warm was on the weekend for you!
      The only reason the potatoes came this early is because we have to prepare them for planting, which takes a little while. We won't be doing anything in the yard just yet.

      I can't tell you how much I look forward to turning the outside spigots on again!

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  12. We have spring here now. All the buds are gone and replaced with green leaves. Well most trees that is. It's warm and I've not worn winter clothing for about a week now. It's most delightful.

    Have a fabulous day. ☺

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    1. Aaah, that sounds wonderful. Smell a flower for me.

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  13. I would be bursting with excitement to rip into that box and get to planting!

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    1. I've never been so excited to work in the garden. It still won't happen for a little while, as the potatoes need to be prepared, but the time is closing in. Yay!

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  14. I am so ready for Spring. I understand the funny clothing combinations. There have been days I send the kids to school in t-shirts, and the next we're pulling out heavy Winter coats again. I just wish nice weather would get here and stay!

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    1. It's hard to dress the kids these days. And keep their rooms clean. They change multiple times, leaving everything they took off in a heap. Of course, that may be just my kids. :)
      Those days of endless warm are coming!

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  15. OK...let's try this again. AUGH!!! Stupid ipad. ;)

    Oh nooooo....that means the Canadian geese are headed this way!!! They poop EV.VER.Y.WHERE!!!!!

    Sunshine, shorts and sidewalk chalk...doesn't get any better than that. And Coop Chic...AWESOME! :D

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    1. Stupid iPad. (Don't tell my iPad I said that. I'd hate for it to give me the silent treatment.)

      Hahaha! yes, yes they do. It's one of the many reasons I can't stand those geese. There are many that take up residence around our preschool every year. We have to dodge the poop to enter the building each day. Plus, they keep nesting in the fenced in area around the playground. Every stinking year. Which prevents us from using the playground.

      Stupid geese.

      It really doesn't get better. It was a great afternoon.

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  16. I don't think as Spring has ever been so welcome as it is this year! I can't wait until we can officially turn off the heat, and put the warm jackets away! While our "cold" here in Texas is nowhere near the cold and snow experienced elsewhere, we worship sunshine and the warm lifts my spirits considerably, especially when I spend my noon hours at the park near where I work. It's the going back to work that is challenging! :-)

    I am delighted that your kids and chickens, and my cats, are getting out to play a bit. Before long I'll surely be grumbling that it's too darn hot!

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    1. I agree, spring has never been more anticipated as far back as I can remember. I am looking forward to opening the windows. I love to have a fresh breeze blowing through the house. Someday soon, I hope.
      I will never grumble about being hot again. Scold me if I ever do!

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  17. How great that you get your seeds delivered right when you need them. We're having this kind of weather as well at the moment, no snow, but rainy and kind of yuckie this weekend, but before and after beautiful spring weather. The great ice cream place near our work has opened again recently, so there's that huge temptation on again :-) Enjoy your weekend, Christine!

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    1. It is so helpful to have the plants delivered. Oh, ice cream shops opening is a great sign! A deliciously tempting one. I am glad we don't have one near us. I would not have the willpower to avoid it. :)

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  18. Ohmigosh! Green buds and chalk sunshine and REAL sunshine and, even though snow (yuk) - things be CHANGING, O' be-layered one.

    Soon you will have warmth and beauty and hazy summer days filled with the scent of hay, and soft-flapping butterflies, and the happy sound of bees. And then it will be perfect.

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    1. They are changing for the better, for sure.

      Those days are on the horizon. Makes me giddy to think of it.

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  19. Great photos Christine! And oh my, being outside in shorts! I'm green with envy. But then again, we've had no snow all winter so can't really complain.
    Oh and definitely I love the pic of your feet and legs! Great outfit! I have been known to wear similar and was well on the way to drop my daughter off at her voluntary work today when I realised I was still wearing slippers. I went home again before going to the supermarket!

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    1. Thanks! It was one glorious afternoon. But you've had rain. And lots of it. Winter hasn't been much fun for you all, either.

      Hahaha! Good choice. :)

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  20. We're enjoying warm weather. It's supposed to hit 80 tomorrow. I'd be perfectly content with these temperatures until fall, but I know the triple digits will be here by May or June. Hurray for spring, though! I'm so happy for you. Winter has been brutal this year in your area.

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    1. Spring is most certainly my favorite time of year. Not too hot, not too cold, but just right. Enjoy it while it lasts!

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  21. I love all these signs of spring! I'm sitting here surrounded by chilly weather and just piles and piles of snow. I can't wait for shoots of green and the smell of clothes dried outside and even the honking sounds of geese, I guess. I think it'll be awhile til we thaw out so I"ll content myself by looking at your photos for now.

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    1. Yes, it takes a little while longer for Ottawa to get to spring status. But it's working its way north. It's coming!

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  22. You have no idea how nice it is to only see that one little flurry pic of snow here! I'm not sure why but when I would hear about the latest snowmageddon coming I would always think about you and your family. It is fantastic to see the kids in shorts and t-shirts, outside, enjoying the day. And that little green sprout! This makes me happy. I love the outfit.....very.....um....
    So plants, huh? I love potatoes. :)
    All kidding aside, I love the post, the photos, the lack of snow! Finally!

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    1. Aw, you think of us? :)
      It was a glorious afternoon, for sure. As for my outfit, pretend you never saw it.
      The potatoes are yummy. We have already eaten all of last year's, so I'm anxious to get the garden going again!
      Thanks!

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  23. You know, after living in NY for 16 years, I always heard the geese flying south but never heard them coming back. There's so many! Also at least the chickens are happy too. I'm sure you guys are glad that spring is in the air.

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    1. Ha! That's pretty funny. Wonder why.
      I don't remember ever seeing so many geese fly by at the same time. There were so, so many this time!
      The chickens are thrilled, as is every single creature and human in the area. :)

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  24. People who like Canada geese are ones who only have them do flyovers and don't live with them. A bunch of them migrated here years ago, found out it isn't that bad in the winter, and stayed, never to return. And I'm with Diane - they poop EVERYWHERE. And pull up grass by the roots. And are very territorial and will chase you and pinch you. But their babies are DARLING. Do they poop when they fly or do they hold it in?

    Is that a crocus popping out of the ground? I always want them in the spring, but apparently I don't want them badly enough to plant them in the fall.

    Running out of the house to get the newspaper clothes are anything-goes.

    Spring and sidewalk chalk just go together.

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    1. I did say, in general I don't like them. We most certainly do live with them, since they've decided the retention ponds are wonderful places to live. And build a nest every single freaking year on the playground at preschool. Which means months of no playing outside for our kids. Oh, I know!
      That is a daffodil. I don't know where our crocus are. Perhaps the vortex proved to be too much for them.
      From what I've seen driving to school, that rule is universal.
      Like peanut butter and jelly.

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  25. I saw 2 lonely geese yesterday and today we got slammed with some more snow. Now I know why it was only two...

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    1. Oh, poor two lost geese. I'm so sorry to hear about the snow.

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  26. That's exactly what we're seeing here - warm, then cold, then warm again. But at least there is some warm - not like that stupid eternal polar vortex nonsense.
    So the geese...I had a goose moment this week. I walked outside to leave for school one morning and like ten thousand of them (OK probably not) flew right overhead. I felt like I was in Hitchcock's "The Birds" - it was terrifying. Although I'm pretty sure his birds weren't geese. Right after my "OMG this is like The Birds" thought, my next one was "holy hell I hope they don't poop on me...better get in the car fast!"
    So that's my thing that made me smile this week. :)

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    1. Exactly! Surely the warm days will start to outnumber the cold ones soon.
      No, Hitchcock's birds were not geese. :) But I feel ya. I've had that moment before. Any large flock of birds is scary after seeing that movie.
      It made me smile, too. ;)

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  27. I used to love the sound of the geese when I lived farther north. A sign of the seasons changing....It is crazy weather! Same thing here - yesterday was so pleasant and when I left work today it was snowing!
    Love the socks Christine - they made the outfit LOL. Who has not worn weird combos of socks and shoes/slippers/sandels?:)

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    1. I hear there was quite a bit of snow out your way today. I'm so sorry. I hope it didn't make your commute even longer.

      Thank you! :)

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  28. Fewer geese and more snow! But it melts off quickly, too. I love the return of the migrating birds, especially the variety of ducks and mergansers that visit my pond.

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    1. I would love to sit by your pond and watch the birds.

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  29. I can't believe your weather can change that rapidly. You must be one of those places that say, If you don't like the weather right now, wait five minutes. I love seeing green pop from the ground. Daffodils are already blooming in our neck of the woods and that gives me hope that spring is near. Very near. As an animal lover, am happy that your chicken got fresh air and the geese are coming back. I love watching them too!

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    1. It is one of those places! I've even seen it on a t-shirt.
      When you return from Mexico, perhaps spring will be solidly entrenched. :)

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  30. I love the pictures. Our weather on Saturday was 70 degrees, today there is snow, so I get the changing weather and never knowing what to wear!

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    1. Thank you! Mother Nature has lost her mind. No doubt about it.

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  31. I'm really trying to be happy for you about the green bits sticking out of the ground, shorts, spring being around the corner and all but instead, I'm going to choose to giggle at your outfit. Is that a jean skirt with black socks and a bathrobe?? HAHAHA. Also, it's snowing 6-8 inches here today. And school is cancelled again. Seriously.

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    1. Good eyes! It is a jean skirt with black socks, a bath robe, and my warm boots. I had worn the skirt to school with some knee-high boots. When I got home, I took off the boots and put on the robe. When I went out to get the clothes on the line, I slipped on my warm boots already by the door.
      I am so sorry you are getting snow again. We dodged a bullet. The north side of Indiana got the deep snow and school cancellations, but we made it through unscathed.

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  32. For us it was nearly 70º on Friday. Today we are having icy rain! :(

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Thank you for taking the time to tell me what you're thinking!