Every Fall, I look forward to gaining back that elusive hour of time. Its a *sigh*of relief, moving into a darker season. But as we move through the holidays, and settle into the quietness of Winter, I look forward to the longer days. February is a great month with the daylight stretching out a little further, each day. And this year, we had record-breaking snowfall. Even better, for reflecting all that warm sunshine!

And then comes March: that second Sunday, sneaking up on us, forcing time ahead. There goes the extra hour. I don't know about you, but it feels like life gets a little amped and a bit crazy. Its a time when we shift gears, come out of hibernation, and start looking for signs of life, emerging across the landscape, so as to justify the madness.

In most years, March doesn't bring an overnight change from dull hues to vibrant green. No, its a gradual process. Take notice of the signs around you: shrinking snow piles, migrating birds returning, the frost coming out of the ground, drinking up the melted snow...swollen leaf buds, maple sap running, the remnants of the Subnivean Zone across the lawn...the rodents clearly enjoyed all the extra snow this year!

Now that April has arrived, I have peeks of daffodil shoots, tulips emerging, and the dainty little crocuses coming up. My strawberries actually started growing, under the warm blanket of snow, in my garden. Nice little greenhouse effect. The catmint is up, as well as many other perennials: salvia, sedums, heuchera, yarrow, gaillardia, to name a few.

So it won't be long now. Enjoy the process of change from season to season. We truly live in marvelous world. So many gifts to behold and much to be thankful for. Cheers!