Merry Christmas!

No, I'm not referring to the fact that yesterday marked exactly nine months until Christmas '09 (although I do find that ironic, given the weather here!) Instead, it's the unexpected snow storm that's got me feeling slightly disoriented about the seasons.

Now I know a late-March snow isn't really all that rare up here. But last week when Eric and I took our spring break trip to Indiana, it felt like... well... spring! 70-degree weather, pink and yellow flowers on the roadsides, robins in the grass, short-sleeve shirts, and iced tea... For all the pessimistic comments I made to myself (comments about how Colorado is not "the South," and I really should prepare myself for cold weather in April or maybe even May) the truth was that spring-fever had gotten into my soul somewhere along I-70 between Kansas and Missouri. Or maybe it was during one of the many strolls we took near Bedford or Shoals. Either way, my internal calender had switched from "winter-mode" to "spring" ...and once changed, there was no going back. I never *really* believed it would snow again this year.

And so it felt slightly surreal to be greeted by this view (above) from the bedroom window...


...and this one (left) from the dining room!

It was like gazing into a fairyland of another world.

But the gust of cold wind that greeted me as Eric walked out the door this morning reminded me that the snowy weather was no fairytale. So I put on another sweater and poured another cup of hot tea... and pulled out my latest issue of "Birds and Blooms" to read about all-things-spring in the realm of birdwatching and gardening.

I may have to be patient awhile longer for spring to arrive in Colorado... but whenever it comes, I'm already ready!