Spring...

 

The past winter was very long, very cold, and with lots of snow. If I remember correctly I think that every year. Each winter, around February I am done with the snow and cold, and then we usually still have a month or two and sometimes three to go... In November I went to Ontario, on Remembrance Day there was no snow in Alberta yet. When I came back to Alberta 5 days later there was a ton of snow. Seriously, so much snow had fallen in the few days I was gone. From then on it kept going. It didn't snow that often, but when it snowed a lot came down.

I was never used to snow (and wonder if I ever will be) when I grew up in Holland. Sure we saw snow from time to time and we sometimes vacationed in other countries to see the snow (I can't believe it). But when we came here in '04 it was quite the shocker, the amount of snow that kept coming down, and how long it stayed on the ground and covered the earth was unbelievable to me. Still now, after 7 winters here I cannot believe it.

So each fall I do not look forward to the winter that is to come. That makes the winter seem longer than it actually is from the start. It never is that long really, life just keeps going even with the snow that comes down, and stays. It never is that long really when you think about the years that have gone by and the many months we have spent in a world of white... Looking back it always seems that it has gone by fast (I was thinking I should have kept track of the days that there was snow on the ground..but I think this every year and never do.) but really has it gone by fast not really...

Then God said, "Let the earth sprout
vegetation, plants yielding seed, and
fruit trees on the earth bearing fruit after their
kind with seed in them"; and it was so.
~Genesis 1:11~

 

Every Spring the first green that comes up makes my heart rejoice. I love the green, and have not seen it for more than 6 months. My thoughts are always, 'I have never been this excited to see the green...' I don't know if this is true.. But I do know that the seasons of Spring, Summer and Autumn go by much faster then Winter. During that the none white seasons I take the greenery for granted.  I consider it Winter from the time the snow first falls (sometimes already in October) until the snow leaves (sometimes, like this year, not until April). Maybe I should go by the seasons on the calendar, from Dec.21 to Mar.21 it is Winter, perhaps than that season would not seem so long...?

 grass

 

Anyways, each Winter I think about how I will take pictures as soon as I see green outside. Many a Spring have I forgotten about this. But today I remembered :D (which makes me so happy). I took a ton of pictures, and many weren't very good. However, I do have some I'd like to share with you.. So that you can see how excited I am for this season of life outdoors!

'Let us fear the LORD our God, who gives autumn
and spring rains in season.'

~Jeremiah 5:24~

 

   He makes me lie down in green pastures;
   He leads me beside quiet waters.
   ~Psalm 23:3~

 

 Malus domestica ('Honeycrisp' apple)

 "all its loveliness is like the flower
        of the field."           

~Isaiah 40:6~

  Amelanchier Alnifolia (Saskatoon berry)

   Pyrus ussuriensis 'Early Gold' (pear)

 

 tulip