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1. It's officially spring in the northern hemisphere. Does
it feel like spring in your part of the world? If you're in the southern
hemisphere it's officially autumn where you live. Does the weather say autumn?
Which do you prefer-spring or autumn? Why? Yes! It is definitely spring in Alabama! On Monday, March 16 . . .it snowed. On Saturday, March 21 . . .it was 85 degrees! Everything is blooming. I even saw some Dogwood blossoms this morning! Pollen is everywhere. My black Lincoln Nautilus is yellow - seriously! Just this morning Mark and I were talking about spring . . . actually because it was in the low 40's this morning - fickle weather! Anyway . . .I love spring, but I have to spend most of it indoors even though I take two allergy shots per week, a Zyrtec everyday, a Singulair every day, and use a full blown saline wash twice a day. I have severe allergies. Spring and Fall are both beautiful in Alabama!
2. What's your favorite thing about spring? I love seeing all of the new growth - it is like seeing HOPE personified. The tiny leaves are on the trees and they are all shades of green and the flowers are bursting forth daily. Literally! When we drove to our daughter's home on Friday, the Wisteria was not blooming in our neighborhood. When we drove home on Saturday, it was blooming!
3. Spring into action, spring in your step, spring to life,
spring to one's feet...which spring idiom currently applies to your life in
some way? Explain. I feel like I have a little more spring in my step. Since late July 2025, I've been tracking every bite of food that has entered my mouth. I'm actually about four pounds from my goal weight. I started this journey in 2017 and did really well, but all of the sickness and deaths in our family threw me for a loop. Thank goodness, I didn't gain it all back. I just had to lose some plus a little more!
4. Which spring food from this list is your favorite? What's
a dish you like that includes your favorite spring ingredient?
asparagus, strawberries, salad greens like mesclun,
artichokes, spinach, eggs, peas, spring onions - I love fresh Alabama strawberries - they taste like little sugar bombs on your tongue! I like to eat them sliced in a bowl or on top of a bowl of oatmeal or mixed with some fat free Greek yogurt. Mark's favorite recipe would be strawberry shortcake. It would need to be homemade shortcake using his momma's recipe haha!
5. What's one task on your spring cleaning list? Do you
actually have a list? I always have a running list of things I need to do. I do not specifically have a spring cleaning list. I need to clean out our laundry room before Saturday night! We are getting a new dryer on Friday so maybe I can do it after they deliver!
6. Insert your own random thought here. Speaking of spring cleaning, I just cleaned my office. It took two days. My office is the repository for everyone's crap. Excuse me, I meant to say everyone's lovely things! I filled a giant trashcan yesterday. Seriously, I borrowed one from the custodial staff!! I had to wear a mask due to the dust. Our offices don't get cleaned unless we clean them. I told my co-worker that using a windex wipe on your desk should not make mud puddles haha! We have a guest pastor flying in from London on Thursday night. He will preach on Palm Sunday (in three services) and then he will preach the Holy Week noon services next week (Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday). I hated for anyone to see my office so I tried to make it more presentable!
There's nothing like company coming to make me clean thoroughly and I could see that extending to the professional realm as well! I mentioned new growth as well. We have some plants in our yards that landscapers planted last year; this is the first year that they've bloomed in our yard and it's been fun to watch and photograph. So much symbolism as well as literal enjoyment. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteSo true - so much symbolism in new growth!
DeleteHere from the Hodgepodge linkup. I agree with you, spring does look like hope!
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a wonderful weekend!!
DeleteOur cherry trees have been beautiful this year and the dogwood are popping open now too. I look forward to SC strawberries but they're not in the shops yet. Good for you cleaning off your desk. Guests inspire me to clean too! Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteWe are hosting supper club on Saturday night and the son-in-law of one of the couples is a farmer . . .and his first strawberries are in!!
DeleteIt sounds like your weather has been crazy but it sounds like spring has sprung with you. I am not a fan of the allergies though, I suffer from them too. Ugh! There is a lot of hope with everything growing. Good job with the spring cleaning of your office.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a great weekend! I drove my car through the carwash yesterday and drove it into the garage. As soon as I drive somewhere and park it, it will be yellow with pollen!
DeleteCleaning. Ugh. I had to giggle because I always say it's good to get company now and then so the house gets cleaned! I guess it's the same with visiting pastors and the church offices! Yes, spring has sprung here in the south!!
ReplyDeleteMy mother-in-law always said, "If we didn't entertain, we'd live in utter filth." Not true, of course, but a great sentiment!!
DeleteLisa, that is good motivation for cleaning your office for sure. The church kitchen (which I'm in charge of) seems to be a depository for odd things. Some people think they can just drop off things they think we can use when they clean out their own kitchens or their mother's estate. LOL! I just haul the stuff to Goodwill or dump it in the trash! Hooray for you for being so close to your desired weight! That is amazing. I don't even know what my desired weight should be. Tracking what you eat is a great way to keep a handle on things. Hats off to you!! Happy Spring.
ReplyDeleteYes! People clean out their house or their parent's houses and bring boxes of books and all sorts of things . . .I feel for you!
DeleteAlabama strawberries, oh they sound good. We have to wait until June for Wisconsin strawberries.
ReplyDeleteHigh Fives on your cleaning spree. ;-)
Yes! Alabama strawberries are delicious!
DeleteCongratulations on nearing your goal (weight)! I began a similar food diary (Excel spreadsheet) a few years ago; it certainly helps keep me accountable ... and when I fall off the wagon as I've done lately, I've no-one to blame but myself.
ReplyDeleteThose food logs, even though they are annoying, are a really great tool for weight loss.
DeleteIt snowed here on March 13, amazing! I need to talk to my doctor about your allergy regimen, my once-a-day prescription Claritin does isn't working. I love your food tracking; I really need to do a daily log. Happy Hodgepodge!
ReplyDeleteThe sinus wash that I use twice a day really helps, too. Neilmed makes a squeeze bottle that you can purchase at Walmart or a local drugstore. You need a jug of distilled water, too. When I was in the ENT's office this week, he said that he wants me doing the wash at a MINIMUM of twice a day during this heavy pollen. Zyrtec and Singulair is a good mix.
DeleteOh, sorry about how bad allergies are in the spring for you. We clean our own office once a week as a team. Enjoy the rest of your week!
ReplyDeleteThat is a great idea to clean the office as a team!
DeleteSpring is like "seeing HOPE personified". PERFECT!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!! I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
DeleteI love seeing my giant elephant ear come back year after year after it gets hit hard with frost. The pollen in spring I could do without though!
ReplyDeleteIt is so fun to see plants come back year after year!
DeleteEnjoyed your answers. I know I should probably track what I eat, but I hate that so not sure I will.
ReplyDeleteSince I've been tracking daily for about 8 months, it is almost a habit haha! I know they say it only takes about 3 weeks for a habit to solidify, but I'm still working on it!
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