Lucia: Welcoming Spring in Sicily

Spring is my favorite season in Sicily. It is a heady mix of green fields, fast moving clouds, and ditches over-flowing with vibrant wildflowers. Being on an island in the middle of the Mediterranean means that most of the year we have full sun, lots of cacti, and dry, heat-baked surroundings.
This is the season that is most productive: blood oranges, artichokes, strawberries, lemons, purple cauliflowers, wild asparagus and fennel. It is also the season that is most unpredictable. March is especially temperamental and there is an Italian saying which is very accurate: “Arriva marzo pazzerello; esce il sole e prendi l’ombrello!” (Here comes crazy March; the sun comes out, and you grab your umbrella!) We welcome Spring in Sicily by picking lots of wildflowers, eating lots of strawberries, and hiking with sunscreen and raincoats.

Dawn: Welcoming Spring in Nova Scotia
After a winter full of snow, Dawn and her family are excited to see the snow starting to melt and the crocuses poking through. They have much to be thankful for.

Annie: Welcoming Spring in Vermont
As the equinox approaches, life in Vermont does not appear quite so Spring-like on the surface. In fact, we are having a bit of snow this weekend. But if you look closely, it is indeed possible to see evidence of the new season to come.

Although we are not farmers, our lives are very much intertwined with the happenings on the local farm where my daughter goes to school. We know that Spring must be just around the corner, because there are numerous new additions to the farmyard these days.
Perhaps the cutest harbinger of Spring around, no?
Nancy: Welcoming Spring in Washington, D.C.
Our snow is long gone, but our Spring flowers have barely started to bloom. The temperature swings wildly from just above freezing to the warmth of a summer day. Yesterday we took our first bike ride of the year as a family. Today we are planting some seeds for our kitchen garden, and we are looking forward to the annual kite and cherry blossom festival. Welcome, Spring!
How is your family celebrating the change in seasons? Please share with us here and be sure and post your photos on the TMG flickr pool.