I thought I smelled something good...

Today I noticed it's neither Winter nor Spring, but maybe rather a little mix of them both. As much as we've enjoyed our fireplace, the white flakes and blowing puffs of breath outdoors, I admit it. After today, I'm ready for spring! Bring on the pruning projects and pull out the overalls... I can't wait to get started! Seriously. Anyway, it was nice to get out this afternoon with my camera, although I stepped carefully, as you'll see. I thought I could smell Spring in the air, and happily enough, after a little camera exploration while the kids and daddy napped, I discovered I was right! Assessing the damages from the winter and searching for something more, this is what I found:

Evidences of Winter...

1. Everything below the snowline on our bushes has been thoroughly munched. I planted these little bushes in the fall, thinking they'd get this great start on the next year that way. Now I hope those hungry deer are happy and the fertilizer they left will help repair the damage they did!

2. The Deer Trail through the backyard. If you look closely you can see all the little "gifts" they've left us. I wish I could say the piles were contained in this trail an not littered throughout the yard. Definitely not the source of the yummy smell. In fact, you should probably click on this picture to see it up close and get the full affect of my frustration!

3. The horrible things snow, freezing and salt do to our sidewalk. We've already had our first scooter accident this year. Poor Izzie hit one of these and promptly hit the pavement with her chin to make it official. Nothing like starting early!

Now, Despite the dirt and damages, I was very excited this afternoon to find the following...

Signs of Spring:

1. Buds on the trees in the backyard! The breeze carried the smell of new growth through the air, and it smelled warm and new. The winter air is crisp and quiet, while everything waits for some unspoken signal to begin life anew. This breeze was different - it was active and warm... things were definitely happening. We likely still have frosts ahead, but we're on the downhill slide and the plants know it.

2. The first green bits poking through the earth! It's quite exciting, actually, because being our first year in our home here I have no idea what the flowers will be. Crocus maybe? Daffodils? Guess we'll see! Another yummy smell... that good dark earth. Does it smell simply because of the thaw, or is it possibly the movement of the bugs, tubers and roots beginning to wiggle around again inside?

3. And finally, even the Roses are getting into the swing of things! Although the red leaf buds are tiny, they're there. And in just getting close enough to take this picture, I could smell their sweet fragrance. I always thought it came from the flowers only, but I discovered differently today. It was amazing - enough to make me forgive old man winter for the deer poop, the munched bushes and the damaged concrete. I smelled Spring in the air today, and the promise of Spring today made it all worthwhile. :-)