Friday, March 11, 2011

SPRING BREAK

For anyone that doubts I will learn how to fly fish on my spring vacation {The Husband being the biggest doubter}, I was able to dig up this photo of me and my guy from up in Big Green Lake, Wisconsin many years ago. Apparently, one of us just caught the big one or I am just really digging him that day.
I thought the sun would never come out again since I last posted. I had my fill of all of the above, and then some, and was too depressed to even get on the treadmill to undo some of the damage. I admit I have an addiction to French vanilla cream in my coffee and tea, and that along with the Girl Scout cookies that arrived, well I need a Weight Watchers intervention.
So today I woke up and looked out my bedroom window and saw this. I had forgotten what sunshine looked like. It didn't take me long to get ready and get out. Before I went for my medicinal tanning session, I took the dogs out into the yard for a brief inspection, camera in hand.
I apparently left some things out over the winter, but that just adds to the rustic look I so admire these days. It's awesome to think that in 2 1/2 months we will be putting the lawn and patio furniture out and firing up that grill.
All of the snow has melted and the rain has dried up. Time to fill this bird bath up because I think spring is around the corner...hopefully.
My little girl statue is still holding some morning glory vines. I didn't do a very good clean up last fall. This is by the way, my backdoor herb garden. Soon I hope to see some of the herbs that come back every year. And I get so excited at thinking of planting more.
Milo is doing just what I felt like doing. We're just under 50 degrees. A little cold for me to actually roll around on the ground...I'll wait for it to warm up a bit more. It really was sweatshirt weather though. In the background you can see the area where sit around the fire pit. We will have shredded bark delivered soon to fill in the ground. It looks much prettier than this.
It's been a busy day and I am free as a bird this weekend. Maybe I can get The Husband to take me out to dinner. I have been a good girl cooking every night this week. I never realized how much we order out {and the excuses I can come up with for not cooking}. I came up with a few new recipes to stamp my name on and maybe I will do a post about them when I remember to take pictures. One of them is Mexican Meatballs that I concocted with ground turkey and chorizo sausage, crushed tortilla chips and an egg. A few spicy spices and a hot tomato sauce and voila...we all had heartburn.
Tonight I am just going to relax, make some fish for dinner and then start reading this magazine that I have been looking all over for. Where on earth do I finally find it? Walgreens. Of all places. I was ready to hit some of the big book sellers in Chicago. I can see why so many want it...it looks like a lot of great articles and it is put together well. Too bad it only comes out twice a year.

I hope all of you had a wonderful day and that it felt like spring in your neighborhood. It was definitely my sort of day so I am linking up with Laurie of Bargain Hunting and Chatting With Laurie for Favorite Things Saturday. Please join me visiting the other gals participating. And have a great weekend! :-)

74 comments:

oldgreymare said...

Not to boast, but we are in the 70's and it feels wonderful. Windows flung open wide, birds a chirping wonderful. My two pooches did some long awaited rolling of their own.

Have a great weekend.

xx
z

Julie Marie said...

Hi Jane, love your post about Spring... I want it here so bad I can't stand it! I'm sure people are sick of hearing me post about how much I want Spring... oh well... Milo looks so cute, I would roll around too if it was that warm here... did you make those little hearts? They are adorable!... I found that magazine in a grocery store of all places, and I have looked at it so much, I love it!... cute photo of you "really digging your hubby"... and I KNOW you will fly fish!... check out Mary Janes Farm... both her magazines and her website... she did a huge article about women flyfishing... let me know if you can't find it and I will copy mine for you!... xoxo Julie Marie

xinex said...

Yay! It's finally warming up there! You are so cute in that picture and so is Al, Janie. Love the post! I love your canister set! I posted one of the tables today for Pink Saturday....Christine

Lynn said...

We're getting there Jane, 50's today and my first daff's are starting to bloom! Bring on spring! I'll join Milo in a couple weeks:@)

Ashley said...

Its finally starting to warm up here too. I like you, have to put french vanilla creamer in my coffee. I love it! Have a wonderful time on your spring vacation!

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Hi Jane,
As always, I love reading your blog. I'm glad to know that I'm not alone when it comes to leaving things out during the winter. I like the way garden ornaments take on aged patina, and I'm also lazy! LOL!
Love the picture of you and your hubby, you are both still so cute.

I wouldn't mind going out and rolling around in the yard myself, but the neighbors would think I've lost it!

hugs
Sissie

NanaDiana said...

Hi Jane! I had a WW about like yours! UGH- And we are getting ready to get away for a few days too...guess I will not be pulling out my skinny clothes this time! Double UGH!

You are about 10-12 degrees warmer than we are this time of year. I so dread this last 4 or 5 weeks of cold weather. I can hardly wait for the first green to hit the yard. I am going to have to overhaul my front beds this year because when we moved in I kind of plopped things in just to have something there and now it is like a jungle!

Have a great weekend- xxoo Diana

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

I enjoyed the sunshine today, too, Jane, and took a long walk . . . off to Starbucks for a coffee and one of their free 40th anniversary treats. Then walked home. Fun.

Love love the picture of you and your husband.

Fondly,
Glenda

Sonia said...

So glad you finally got some sunshine..I truly get SAD-Seasonal Affective Disorder when it's gloomy too long! We finally got some sunshine yesteday and today we were up to 76 degrees in Oklahoma! The downside their is so much wind we have grass fires everywhere and are on a fire alert...it's always something..but I'm not complaining as we could be facing what the people in Japan are.

Love the old photo of you and your hubbie! Very cute and fun..have a great spring break!!

Miss Bloomers

Teresa@1800 Farmhouse Rd said...

Maybe you can roll around on the ground soon :). Sophie was out on the deck today doing the same thing Milo is doing. We were only to 50 today, but there was sunshine all day. Have a great week end!, oh and a great spring break.

Diann said...

Today was a nice day. I am over on the SE side of Michigan and we had rain all day yesterday which washed all the snow away. Then last night, we got 3 inches of snow again. But, today, the sun came up and the temps hit 52 degrees. This has just been crazy weather.

bj said...

AHHH, you and your hubby were sooo cute back then and still are.
We had an 83 here today and it was sooo nice and warm, with a gentle breeze most of the day.
I am absolutely having a hissy fit for that canister you have there. It is adorable and I've never seen one before. Sooo awesome.
Loved your sweet post today..so glad you have sunshine. Love that little girl in the garden, too.
xoxo

Linda said...

That is such a precious pic of you and your honey! When Louis Dean fishes...I take a book. Love sitting in nature and sipping tea. Fishing....not so much.
Whatever you do and where ever you go ....I hope you have the best time! And I hope the sun shines on you through the entire spring break!

Vicki said...

So glad you thawed out. Looks like Milo is too! I think I should have just smeared the girl scout cookies right onto my hips. Love the pic of you and the hubby. lol

Donna said...

Am loving the pic of you and hubs on your boat!! I wish I was there too!! Our marina said today that they will begin putting boats in the water on April 1st. Right now from where I am sitting, that will be a huge joke.
All your pics remind me of spring...ahhhh!!!! :-)

savvycityfarmer said...

girl
you need a good dose of an Illinois blogger party!!

missn u as always

Anonymous said...

It's exciting seeing everyons gardens over there after all the snow. Love your coffee tea sugar caddy.

Hugs,
Lisa x

Deanna said...

Hi Janie,
love the picture of you and hubby together. Spring is coming and our grass shows signs of green here and there.

I never have thought about and herb garden. I should think about that. I think I would have to really study on how to keep the creepy crawlies away!

Hugs,
Deanna :D

Lori E said...

Here I am Jane, here I am. I haven't disappeared for good. LOL.
Oh I can't wait until Spring is here for sure. I work 4 ten hours shifts in a week and get one extra day off. It has been dark when I go into work and dark when I come out. Ugh. Thankfully that is changing.
You and I need sunshine. Bring it on.

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

The hearts are adorable! ....we had spring today too... and it reminded me of the weight watchers intervention I apparently need before T-shirt weather. Sigh.

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Hi Jane,
We still have piles of snow left!
I am a bit jealous!
Your going to Asheville? Dan and I were there 2 summers ago. It was wonderful!
When do you leave?
I found that mag. at our local Wally World. Kind of surprised me.
And such a cute pic of you and Al!
Love that one!
Hugs friend,
Cindy

Paula@SweetPea said...

Happy Weekend! I hope that your sunny weather continues. Any day seems better when it is sunny!

Theresa said...

Cute picture of you and the Mister:) I am loving the outside and what is to come! Spring is almost here and I have lots of signs of that popping out of the ground! Enjoy your weekend my friend, sounds like a great one to me! HUGS!

LuLu Kellogg said...

OMG look how cute you two are!

Milo is being silly and also darling at the same time!

Lovie Lovie!
LuLu~*xoxo

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

You guys are adorable in that picture! We are going to have a sunny weekend and I hope to get out and plant some spring veggies in my garden on Sunday....lettuce, peas, etc.
Hugs,
Penny

Michelle, All Home and Love said...

Good morning Jane!
Ahhhh, love the sunshine! We've had some here too and it's wonderful. We're having a difficult time getting Sebastian in from outside, he just wants to roam the yard since the snow melted. It's still cold but I can feel spring coming! The downside to all this sunshine is seeing how dusty my house looks when it shines in the windows. lol I think this must be the reason why "spring cleaning" was invented. Yikes! ;)

I hope you are enjoying your weekend! And yes, I've had some issues with the Girl Scout cookies too. I have two little scouts myself so we had an abundance of cookie temptation around these parts!
~Michelle

April said...

Milo sure knows how to celebrate that warm sunshine beaming down! Love that! It's supposed to be in the low 70's here...YIPPEE! We're on our way in just a bit to meet up with Brittany. We're meeting her in Auburn for an early dinner, then I'll hop in her car and drive her the rest of the way home. :):)

shannon i olson said...

The magazine is great! We are still buried under snow, had a blizzard yesterday....s'pose to start the melt this week!!! I can't wait to walk around the yard (haven't been able to do that all winter due to 4 ft drifts) and see what lies underneath the snow. Some of my favorite things are out there too! mmmm longing for the smell of grass and yep the birds singing and widows open here too!

Sherri B. said...

I too have turned to the sweets for comfort from the gloom and with sad results...spring will soon be here and we will be all happy again...Have a great weekend.

Sarah said...

Jane, happy for you to have some sunshine. It's been sunny here but very windy. Enjoy your weekend.
~ Sarah

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Thanks for sharing some of your favorites. I need to remember to look for the magazine. Thanks for stopping by and nice comment. I am waiting for it warm up a bit more this morning, then I am out of here. :D
Enjoy your weekend.

Shellbelle said...

What a wonderful photo you and your hubby, just gosh darn cute!

I have absolutely no doubt that you will learn to fly fish and I'm looking forward to the post showing us all!

Your meatballs sound F A B U L O U S! I love chorizo!

Enjoy your dinner out and btw, I love French vanilla in my coffee also, but recently I discovered White Chocolate Mocha by Coffeehouse and I swear, it is so good (and so bad for my waistline).

Hugs!

Helen said...

I think you're digging him ~ as well you should!

Olive said...

Yay for your sunshine♥

Anonymous said...

I love the photo of the two of you Jane.

We've had two days of glorious sunshine. Amazing what that does for our spirit!

Teresa said...

Go Milo Go!
Yeah for SUNSHINE!
Happy Day my Friend!
xo

Melanie said...

Hey Jane, I totally understand your feelings on the gray days and needing the WW intervention...I had my share (& then some) of Girl Scout Thin Mints & now it seems I'm addicted to the little Reese Peanut Butter Cup easter eggs. :-o Notice the sun is peeking out a little bit here & there today? (I'm in the northern 'burbs.)

I picked up the lastest Flea Market magazine last week, too. Found it at the Barnes & Noble in Crystal Lake. Have barely had any time to look at it yet though.

I am loving that sugar/tea/coffee vintage thing you showed. Where'd you find that?

Hope you have a great weekend!

Unknown said...

I'd say, Jane, that you might be a bit fond of that fella! Milo is having a grand time ... love the garden statues.

Happy St. Paddy's Day ~
Have a wonderful weekend ~
TTFN ~
Marydon

CSN GIVEAWAY ENDS 3/17

Lori said...

Hurray for sunshine!! It is mild here and the snow is melting but we are far from being out of the woods here ~ I expect at least one more good storm ~ not that I want it mind you...

Anonymous said...

Love the picture of your dog rolling around. THat's what I felt like doing today as it was such an awesome warm sunny day!! Almost all the snow melted though I know there is still one or 2 more snows before spring can be officially here in Co!

La said...

It was sunny and nearly 60 here today. Boy, did I need it.

Enjoy your magazine, Jane! La

Elaine said...

I think if it's just under 50 degrees you should roll on the ground or maybe do the dance of joy. We were so excited about the sun and above freezing temps today.
We spent much of the day outside. Now if that gigantic pile of hardened dirty snow on the patio would melt I could get at the gas grill.

Country Wings in Phoenix said...

Hi Jane Sweetie...
Oh girl, I am so thrilled to hear that you made it to 50 degrees. Yeahh, I think your Spring will be there soon. Loved the photo of Milo in the grass, he was a very happy camper today.

Loved your canister set in the kitchen. Oh that is SO cute. Where on earth did you find that? Love it.

Now I have to share with you. I have sunburned arms and shoulders tonight. It was 88 degrees here in the desert today. I am feeling the burn tonight. Ouch!!! I needed the Vitamin D, and I did have my face covered with a sun visor, just not my arms. The warmth felt so good, and my gardens look so pretty this evening. I felt so good getting a little something done outside.

Have a glorious Sunday sweetie. I promise Spring is almost here. Many hugs and much love, Sherry

Ann said...

Nice post...
love your images...
and what a catch ♥

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

SEXY old pic, there! ,-)

Perhaps you should print it up and tack copies of it up, in your kitchen. ,-) Near the sweets, which you say, are your downfall. :-) I've done that, in the past.

Now of course, I can't eat those sweets anyway. :-( And even so, I could still lose some weight. -pout- :-)

Spring? What's that? Even with some warmer temps and lots of rain, we still have a lot of snow cover. Bahhhh-humbug...

Jane said...

It's nice to get caught up with what you've been up to.
We've had some warmer days too and it sure makes a difference in my mood (and a lot easier to go to work). Before you know it, it will be spring (my son's on spring break this week so that must be a good sign) and your garden will be green again!
Have a great week.
Jane

Maggie said...

It's good to know that you have sunshine at last, everything looks and feels better when the sun is shining!
bon dimanche
Maggie.

René said...

The last days of winter can be grooling, no? The girl scout cookies always seem to come when I cam trying to get my act together too.

The Charm of Home said...

It is a nice breath of fresh air isn't it. I am so happy to see your garden statues. I love looking at that magazine too. Thanks for stopping by.
Sherry

Alison @ The Polohouse said...

Great post! I think I need a WW intervention too... winter has been way too long!

Spent time in the yard today, without a coat, WHAT? I probably needed one, but want spring to get here quick.(I know you can relate!)

Love the pic of Milo! Too cute.
Wish I lived on a lake there... love antiquing around your area. Lots of fun spots to find treasures there.
Your new follower now too.
xx
Alison

Sue said...

I just love those little hearts. It felt springy here yesterday, but today it is just damp and cold. Ugh. We tore out the kitchen countertop and sink today...there will be lots of eating out or bringing in for the next couple of weeks. I finally have a real excuse for not cooking!

Debbiedoos said...

I am so glad to hear the sun shined Jane! I totally get that seasonal depression if the sun is not out for a couple of days. My friends don't get it. I grew up in Buffalo, NY, it was gray everyday for 7 8 months. Enjoy the Spring is coming. I am anxious to hear more about this fly fishing!

Ann-Marie ~ Brambly said...

Blondie,

Thank you for visiting Brambly and taking an interest in it. Your blog is lovely- I love your quote from my favorite author, George Eliot, on the side. Wonderful.Have a terrific evening!

Ann-Marie

Julie@beingRUBY said...

hahaha,,Milo looks like he is enjoying every minute of that sunshine.. our summer is almost over.. was hot and sunny yesterday.. cool and raining today.. been like that most of the season except a few weeks when the heatwave was unbearable.. but still.. i know how you feel and will be sad to see the sun go bye bye

Have a lovely week Jane.. and enjoy that sunshine!!! ciao xxx Julie

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Oh Jane, I am SO ready for Spring! I love that wood canister box! And the little heart pillows with the roses are soo cute. What a pretty bird bath, and Milo looks like he's having a great time! Thank you for linking to Favorite Things. laurie

Hanlie Joubert said...

you will love your magazine! just got mine over the weekend and love, love it. i only had time to page through it, cannot wait for some "me" time to read it!
have a wonderful week.

Melissa Miller said...

Sounds like a good day Jane. Hurry up spring! :)

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

Hi there...
I have never seen that magazine..but it looks like one I would like to find. Looks like it has lots of great idea...

I think..it's impossible to get a bad picture of you, Jane! You photograph sooo darned cute! Look like a little girl! :)

Thank you so much for stopping by..

oh..and I went deep sea fishing once? ok, twice...and both times they practically had to carry me off the boat..yes, I kept my eye on the shore line. The second time I took some pills so many hours before we went out..put on some sort of patch...did fine for..oh..half an hour or less..then they served breakfast!
So much for that trip!
Hugs,
Mona

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

Sweetie...what's a medicinal tanning session???

Amy said...

I guess I can officially say we've had a glimpse of spring here. A few bulbs are spouting and I'm seeing more and more robins. It is wonderful isn't it? After a whole season per say of being locked in ithe house...it's wonderful to anticipate a new beginning!

Lynn said...

I want to do what Milo did!

Melanie said...

Girl, me and you both need a WW intervention:) I have felt the same way as you have during the winter. Been a rough 6 months and a rough winter but it is on it way out. Hang tough, we are almost there.

Have a great week.

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

I saw the new Flea Market magazine at Walmart also...but I didn't buy it...I was shocked to see it was $10.00! I wanted it...but I could see my hubby rollin his eyes!!

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

Your dog looks so cute loving that grass! I found my issue at Walgreen's too after looking all over! You'll be warming up in no time!

Marianne said...

I love that first photo. You were certainly digging him there!
I did some reshuffling with my work days so I could enjoy the first real day of Spring here today. Rest of the week it will probably rain, but today I am going to soak up the sun.
Happy Spring time to you.

Emma Burgess said...

We had a glorious sunny day here in Hobart! Sounds like it's been not so glorious where you are Jane. Enjoy your week. Hugs, Emma.

Picket said...

Hey girl...hope you see alot more of that sunshine...It has been showing itself often down here all last week..got rain yesterday and everything is bursting in color..hope you have a great week! Picket

Anonymous said...

Hi Jane, I just got that magazine too and can't wait to sit down and see what ideas I can look at (copy). Spring will come I promise you and sooner than you think. Enjoy the sunshine. We have sunshine today too and the weatherman called for rain...ha! they are never right. I am on the road today hunting for treasures. See you soon. xo

vintch said...

aw milo is adorable, and what a lovely garden you've got:) spring has certainly poked its beautiful head up around your home!

Gypsy Heart said...

Really nice photos! We've been having spring weather off & on. It's been cooler the past couple of days...need a jacket...and then 85 forecast for Thursday. Can you imagine? Our temps vacillate from 40 something to 80+ ~ and lots of folks sick. It's just the best to see the sunshine though!

xoxo
Pat

Paula ~ castleandcottagesigns said...

Yay for spring! It's really feeling more like spring here, even a little thunderstorm during the night...a much welcome sound:)
hugs,
paula:)

Sarah @ Modern Country Style said...

I went into the garden yesterday for a big ole tidy up. The daffoldils are really bursting out now but I needed to pick up lots of tat that had been blown about over the winter. Just some old flower pots that had got broken and the odd tricycle here and there!!!

Sarahz

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Hi Jane! Milo certainly looks happy! We are having pretty weather here, too! I need to get that magazine...saw it on the supermarket shelf. And how fun to learn to fly fish! That's on my bucket list! Happy week!...hugs...Debbie

Katherines Corner said...

Your blog is lovely, I'm so happy I found you! I'm following you now. Wishing you happiness, Katherine