Change of Seasons

The kids get out of school this week, which means it's official -- IT'S SUMMER!!

The older I get, the more I appreciate the change of seasons. I am grateful to have a life ordered by this seasonal rhythm. There is something I like about every season...and something I dislike.  That's the beauty, y'know?  This, way, I ALWAYS have something to forward to..

Iowa in the WINTER:  (hot chocolate, roasts cooked low and slow, with root vegetables, potatoes and carrots).

Cold temperatures and snow...Mother Nature shows us who's the boss.

We make the best of it! And one good snowman every year is something to be grateful for.

But you do have to make sacrifices...transportation can be difficult.

Some days, I must be plowed out of my driveway...

Iowa in SPRING:  (our first asparagus...delicious!)

By the time Easter gets here, we re EAGER to get outside, without snowboots and heavy winter coats. 

The grass is lush and green...the daffodils, tulips and hyacinths are popping up...

Spring brings new life...calves, lambs, kittens, puppies.

Iowa in SUMMER: (Nothing like that first BLT -- with tomatoes fresh picked from the garden)

Then, we roll into summer.PICNICS...

Playing with the hose in the side yard.

Trips to the park..shorts and tank tops.

The summer sun brings intense light...making the shade of a giant oak tree all the more appreciated.

The same scene -- minus the snow.  John is working on the driveway...filling those sink holes from the long winter and wet spring.

IOWA in FALL: (picking apples from the local orchard...)

Fall always means a road trip or two.

Our anniversary is in October, and we like to drive to Wisconsin.

Remember our trip to New Glarus?

47 years of Fall Road Trips!!

Oh, yeah...I pity those people in Hawaii or California. All that constant boring sunshine....the same thing, day after day...they just don't know what they're missing!!