Well it would appear that spring has finally sprung (knock on wood). The sun has a warmth to it I haven't felt since before the frigid arctic air came swooping in from the north, but alas it has finally come back.
Mud, water puddles, and the excitement of a new year brought forth by warm weather.
This past winter was colder than the usual, breaking records of how many days below -30 degrees Celsius we had.
Though I typically don't mind winter, I must admit I was ready for a break from the cold and when it came I was out in a bunny hug thinking it was the warmest day I had ever experienced. In fact the day it had warmed up so much was also the day it had begun snowing.
Being the good Canadian I am, and unable to sit in my office looking at my computer any longer I simply needed a break, so I grabbed a cup of coffee and stood outside in the snow for about 10 minutes. I was likely laughed at by the people passing by on the street, but even though it was hovering around 0 degrees it felt like the most beautiful day.
I eventually likened the experience to standing in the warm rain of summer time, but that this was the Canadian version of that feeling. I mean we've been freezing in -30 to -50 degree weather for the past six months, so when the weather crept towards 0 degrees it felt beautiful out.
I'm excited for spring not just for the imminent warmth to continue increasing, but for everything that the season brings: gardening, increased wildlife, and the budding green trees. Although the melting snow usually means everything looks dirty for a little while it is soon washed off by the warm rain.
On the farm growing up, we didn't have cattle, but spring meant it was time to begin seeding, which meant that my favourite farm chore would be right around the corner, rolling peas.
This might seem like an odd favourite, but I enjoyed listening to the radio and using my abilities to steer the tractor straight down the field without GPS although my Dad offered to put one into the tractor for me. I had it down to a science and the bucket on the front meant I could stop and pluck rocks out of the field as I travelled back and forth.
I'm not sure why, but I always found it a fun job and couldn't wait to get home from school to get into the tractor and go or spend weekends working in the field as well.
Spring also meant that the summer would be coming soon and although I simply burn in the sun we were able to spend time out at Lac Pelletier enjoying the water and various water sports, while enjoying the delicious food of Clancy's on the Beach.
This past week, the volleyball team I help coach held a home tournament, so I offered to bring soup; but, when someone asked about my recipe I found myself unable to tell them as I had worked at Clancy's for numerous summers and that was where the recipe came from.
I told them the basics: hamburger, onion, celery, carrots, and beef broth, but from there I had to tell them there were secret ingredients. I mean I don't even share the coleslaw recipe I learned from there with my aunty who absolutely loves it.
With the warming weather outside and cooking soup, my memories of summers at the lake flooded back and although there's now a different lake only a short distance away I'm again excited for the warmth of summer, the green, and one of the best parts of summer, the golfing, which to live in the vicinity of multiple courses is quite exciting. I'm not the best golfer, but it's simply nice to be outside in the sun during the months that we do have such nice weather.
