HAPPY SPRING!

I happened to look out the window Sunday and I saw spots of yellow. It just couldn't be! But yes, I had daffodils waving their sunny little faces in the breeze! I have a lot of different varieties, so these must be the earliest. And the earliest I have ever seen them.
I grabbed my handy camera and out I went, in my PJ's none the less, and took some pictures for you. Spring clean up hasn't even started yet, normally we have a lot of cold and wind and sometimes snow in March and April, but what exactly has been normal about this winter? So forgive the sticks and old leaves and just enjoy the blooms.
I have finally faced the fact that this is not a red twig dogwood. Yep, it's a forsythia, as anyone can plainly see. But honestly, I planted a red twig dogwood, I ordered it from Burpee 25 years ago and proudly planted it. As it grew it looked gorgeous against the snow with it's ruby red branches. It must have died, or succumbed to this invasive forsythia that came blowing in from nowhere. I'm sad for the dogwood, but I do love this forsythia. I am going to cut some branches to bring in.
Milo and Layla have been loving this weather. When they aren't playing with sticks, they are sniffing the fresh ground like cows grazing in a field. They roll in the grass and doze in the sun. They don't remember what snow is.
I have two battered looking hyacinths from a big bunch that I planted years ago. I have to add more. They are real survivors, so I took a picture. Poor little guys.
With temps in the 80's for the last week, it's been hard to stay at home. Even running errands with the windows rolled down is fun! Sunday I dragged The Husband out of the office and we went downtown. The day was just gorgeous and we decided to head over to Navy Pier.
It's right on Lake Michigan and boasts several great restaurants, booths and vendors selling everything from hot dogs to ice cream. Inside there is something for everyone, shops filled with handmade jewelry, soaps, candles and souvenirs. We stayed outside on the pier for the most part and enjoyed the summer like breeze.
People from all over were there enjoying our crazy weather. And, we just missed the annual Chicago Flower And Garden show that ended that day. I saw a lady with an armful of tulips and I wanted to make her an offer!
I'd love to take one of these sightseeing boats out...the water was smooth and inviting.
Maybe next time!

Yesterday I went to get my hair highlighted. Mary Clare's sister, Katie, does it at her home. She also runs a very successful salon on the Northside of Chicago. It's so much more fun to do it this way. We talk over coffee and Mary Clare and her mom, Peggy are usually there, as well as my son, Kevin, if he is off work. Yep, people are out golfing already {he is a pro/manager at a country club}. While my hair was getting beautified, we sat outside and enjoyed the view of the garden.

On the way home I stopped and picked up some essentials from the grocery store and decided to make a nice dinner and invite Emily and Mike over. No pictures...there was a food overload in my last post! I made a sirloin tip roast studded with garlic, crab stuffed shrimp, baked potatoes, green beans, a Greek salad, and fresh bread. I mixed up some olive oil and Parmesan cheese to dip it in.

Today I have a few errands to run and then I think I am going to put a comfy chair right smack in the middle of my backyard, read my new book and soak up the sun. I hope all of you are having a wonderful week and I will see you later! :-)