Springtime Memories on the Hodgepodge

Another week to join the Hodgepodge with Joyce

All the World's Alive Again
The rabbit hops its gentle step
The lark sings lyric songs
All the world's alive again
Spring rights the winter wrongs

1. What are some memories you associate with spring?

My memories as a child are particularly about Easter and wearing new shoes and dresses that our mother had made.  In the picture above, she had even embroidered roses on our white socks to match the ones in the scallops of the dress.  I also have some not-so-good memories of Easter Egg Hunts which I never enjoyed.

As a young person, spring brought all things outdoors such as softball and track, both of which I looked forward to doing.  

As a mother, it meant our family would be involved with soccer, and baseball and all outdoor activities the kids participated in.  It meant flowers growing and blooming and brightening the yard.  Spring always meant Easter Cantatas at church, dying eggs, and choir picnics, and so many activities that we all enjoyed doing together.

As a grandmother, there are wonderful memories of Spring Follies, orchestra concerts, lots and lots of soccer and rugby and not always in good weather.

A special spring memory was when all our family was together.  These times have been too few.

Most of all spring reminds me of new birth and specifically the birth of our daughter in April, 1971.

2. April showers bring May flowers...was that saying proven true where you live? Snapdragons, anemones, carnations, lilacs, sweet peas, tulips, lily of the valley, orchids, roses, gardenias...which one on that list is your favorite May bloom? 

Since this is our first spring in North Central Texas, we really aren't sure what to expect weather wise.  Evidently, this has been a rainy month so far for this area and even after the harsh winter storm, flowers are blooming and are brilliant in color.  We are expecting more showers this week.

Tulips are more late March and early April in this part of the country, so those are out. Some of the others are not typical for our hot temperatures, but gardenias will always be a favorite.

3. What are your top three distractions and how do you deal with them? 

My own self doubts about certain things, iPad, wanting to be outside

Let's just say I'm working on the first two and try to do the third as often as possible.

4. Do you eat beef? In the course of a week, how often is beef on the menu? A hamburger, steak, prime rib, or a roast beef dinner...which beef entree would you choose and yes you have to choose. Unless you're a vegan, and then you may pass. 

Yes, I eat beef, and we have it on the menu once or twice during the week in forms of meat loaf, patties, and an occasional roast beef.  A medium cooked filet mignon is always my first entrée choice.

5. In what way were you creative during the month of April?

Creativity has really been on the bottom of my list this month for some reason.  I have had a hard time getting motivated to do much of anything.  I suppose, picking out and planting flowers in our little yard took some thinking and some work.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

This week I gifted myself with a special facial treatment.

My daughter told me about it and I decided to try.  The HydraFacial process cleans, exfoliates and deeply cleanses the pores and hydrates.  There are actually five steps and it left my skin feeling so soft and clean.

Thankfully, my skin was found to be in excellent condition and there were no red flags - other than it's getting old. This treatment is definitely something I will do again.

This weekend, we will be going to north Arkansas for an outdoor wedding.  Our nephew built this gorgeous "cabin" overlooking the Arkansas River where it will take place.  It should be glorious and I look forward to sharing it with you next week.