Vernal Equinox Tea Party and Other Springtime Rituals

Little Ita received an invitation in the mail to our second annual First Day of Spring Tea Party in the backyard. Happy Vernal Equinox!

Guests:

• Baby
• Mama
• Little Ita
• Two friends

On the Menu:

• Nettles tea
• Sliced banana
• Amaranth graham crackers
• Chickpeas in olive oil with salt

One of the guests was at perfect sniffing level.

The day after that appointed first day of Spring, the sun came out to make it official.

I was then able to use that which marks the change of season to me, my beloved clothesline. We've been apart for nearly five months and look at her, strung up with diapers. How glad I am to have part of the family chores be outside, folding clothes that smell like outside, nothing compares.

Next on the agenda for Springtime rituals, filling the bird feeder.

But what is one to do when the birds don't know it's there?

Why send out a written invitation of course!

Urban Rivers

After yesterday's thunder and lightening hail and torrential down pour,

we needed a boat for this river.

Let's use some bamboo!
Fold over one third of the leaf. Peel two slits into that fold

(tearing through only about 1/4 inch length.)

Insert one side into the other leaving the middle part flat.

Repeat the entire process on the other side

One little bamboo boat.

Go boat go!

I remember the days when I was fascinated by

gutters and drains coursing with freshly fallen rain,

and soon he will be too.

Making Mud

It Must be Spring.

• Little Ita is outside "making mud."
  
• The rain comes down harder than ever.
• The sun blasts out for a bit too.
• It's 6 p.m. It's still light.
  
• I'm more than delighted.

How do you know it's Spring?