Beautiful Sky!

March has drawn to a close...

As I look back on my photos...

I realize that we may have had a lot of snow...

But we also had many beautiful sunrises...

And sunsets ... if I happen to look up at just the right moment!

Squirrel Heyday!

A few days ago, I noticed five young squirrels chasing each other through our backyard hedge.

Their exuberance reminded me of the time I happened to see a litter of young leave their nest for the first time. 

Had these also just left their nest?!

So much energy! So much to learn about the world around them!

Sticky Snow Problems

We've had a lot of snowy days this past  month.

One memorable day of blowing snow created an unusual problem for drivers: it "glued" snow to traffic lights and road signs, so that they couldn't be read.

The problems were still there the following day...

It took three days for the snow on the signs above to melt!

This is what they are supposed to look like.

Luckily some of the hidden information was marked on the road. Amazing that we didn't have more accidents!

Art Camp ❤️

During spring break, my 6-year-old grandson discovered a new "favourite" activity...

Art camp!! 

Early in the week, he painted a wolf and a whale.

Now the paintings are next to his bed.

His day 3 project was a puppet! 

(His sister noticed that it bore some resemblance to a Christmas elf, another of his passions!)

Later in the week, he made a snow man, a flower and a Christmas tree out of paper mache. 

(Maybe there is a Christmas theme here!)

Glad he enjoyed this new form of creativity!

Sugar Shack Breakfast

Last Saturday, I drove out to a favourite "sugar shack" with my two sons and grandkids.

These eateries serve food with generous portions of maple syrup during "sugaring off" season, when maple sap is running.

In Ontario, the meal invariably includes pancakes. In Quebec, they have different traditional favourites.

Last Saturday's buffet included ham, bacon, baked beans, French toast, frittata and an amazing blueberry compote that went well spooned over everything!  

I wish I could eat like this every weekend! It was so delicious!

After breakfast, we headed out on a trail to walk off all the calories!

A perfect way to start the weekend!

Robotic Help??

I recently saw this un-manned machine in the mall... though a woman walked nearby, from a few feet away.

Was it cleaning the floor? That's what I assumed it was doing.

Hmmm... Was the machine learning the routine? Or were shoppers being accustomized to "robots" moving among us? 

(Maybe both?!)

Apple Omelette

I have been eating more eggs for breakfast. A recent favourite has been omelette with cheese.

Occasionally I fry up some veggies before adding the egg to the pan...

Even fruit - like apple ... with cinnamon.

 

Add two beaten eggs...

Then, when the egg firms up, add cheese...

Then fold the omelette in half and let brown.

(Maybe if I chop up the apple more, it will be easier to fold in half!)

Hot or cold... delicious!

More Snow?!

One of my "marker events" in spring is "clear roads."

I'm very happy when I can walk to the end of our street - without the fear of slipping and falling on ice.

This spring - or are we still in winter?! - we've reached that "marker event"several times already... only to get MORE SNOW...

And again today, I see that the weather forecast for this evening is for MORE SNOW!

Crocheted Sweater

I'm working on a new crocheted sweater for myself.

One of the reasons I'm excited about it is that the creator of the pattern is a young woman from Ontario.

I didn't realize that until I bought the pattern online on Etsy.

(It can also be bought as part of a Mary Maxim kit - but I already had the yarn.)

It looks very comfortable. Hope I enjoy wearing it when it's done!

Birthday!

Several weeks ago, I had a birthday - and I sailed into a new decade.

I had thought about doing something "extra special"... because of the new decade.

(But the birthday was also mid-week... People work... What to do?! In the end I planned nothing.)

I'm glad I didn't make a plan: In the end, Terry wasn't feeling well.

He just wanted to stay home and rest.

So I went out for a delicious meal with my two sons and my granddaughter, while Terry slept.

Afterwards we played a board game.

The following weekend each of my sons took me out to a (different) concert! (In fact, they couldn't have been more different!)

It was a busy and fun-filled week - a perfect celebration!

Sometimes NOT PLANNING brings amazing surprises!

Indoor Flowers

Spring flowers haven't arrived outdoors yet... But indoors my one orchid plant is still blooming...

The  succulents my daughter started for me look cheerful in a south-facing window. But there are no flowers.

Nearby my two amaryllis bulbs are sprouting stems...

But so far, no flowers... 

I look forward to soon seeing flowers blooming outdoors, all spring and summer long!

Equinox

March 21 is sometimes called the "first day of spring."

In school, we were taught that it was the date of the "spring equinox" - when those of us living in the Northern Hemisphere had equal hours of daylight and darkness.

Since I began watching, not only the skies - but also my weather app - I see that equinox, here in Ottawa, arrives earlier than that: around March 17 (St. Patrick's Day) when we had 11 hours and 59 minutes of daylight.

Or we could choose the following day, March 18, when we had 12 hours and 2 minutes of daylight.

Whichever day we choose this year, our first day of spring saw lots of snow on the ground!

New at the Mall

Changes are happening at the mall as some stores close and others open.

One that recently opened is this cafe and bakery that I recognize from another location near where my daughter used to live...

Don't need to see a bakery on my rounds! I'll find it very tempting!

We used to buy sour dough bread at their other location - but I didn't notice any here. Maybe it will appear in future days.