Spring Has Sprung

Yesterday was my first real day outside in a long time.  It sounds pitiful and it is.  There is so much to do indoors that it takes a really beautiful day (and the fact I had an afternoon relatively free) to get me outside that first spring day.  Once I have a taste, there's no turning back and for the rest of the spring (while we'll still finishing school), I'll struggle with staying indoors.

Here's a peek at what's going on outside around here.

 These little blue flowers are all over our lawn this time of year.  Does anyone know what they are?  Are they a weed?  I don't care if they're a weed.  I love them.

 Day lilies

 A couple years ago, a friend gave us a bunch of huge Plexiglas glass sheets that were going to be thrown away at a renovation site (they were used to weatherize old windows).  Initially we thought we'd use them to build a green house, but that never happened, so instead Jamey is building cold frames.  We'll use them to transition our seedlings to the outside.

 We pruned our sour cherry and pear tree.

 Our feathered friends are enjoying the weather as well. 

 Here's a mini cold frame holding the lettuce and spinach we planted a month or so ago because we couldn't stand not having anything green.  They're getting used to the outdoors and growing, albeit rather slowly.

 I'm sure you recognize this as a pussy willow...

 But, did you know it comes from this pussy willow TREE?  I probably show you this every year- I just can't get over it.  I never knew pussy willows to grow into huge trees.  Below the tree is an old hog pen/shed that the kids use as a playhouse and a their tree fort. Don't worry, the ladder is affixed tightly to the tree.

Last, but not least, always the first flowers up around here, my beloved daffodils right by the back door.