I haven't been very active on my blog lately as I have been busy, busy, busy! Not only have I been absorbed in creating some books to illustrate, but Spring is slowly moving in. Finally I can go out into my garden and not freeze my fingers. The snow has melted in my yard, the ground has thawed, and I actually have a few violets blooming. It's a wonderful sign!

The first hint of spring - Violets, with their fantastic fragrance drifting on the warm air, poke their way through the leaves of last fall.

On my walks I have noticed the marmots are back again, setting up their households and staking their claim to territory. The birds are back and active. Juncos, Robins, woodpeckers of various kinds and Towhees have been visible in my garden, gathering food and bits for nesting.

The goats are lounging on the rocks warmed by sunshine, but the sheep have moved up the mountains for a while. They'll be back. Lots of brand new baby cows and horses in the farmer's fields, and fresh earth turned ready for planting.

The ice is mostly melted off and the volume of water in the river is slowly increasing.

It's a busy time of year.

Considering whether I am friend or foe.

Okay! Time for something waaaay less serious. Something I have been awaiting for at least a month or more ........... warmer weather! Today was a beautiful spring day. Not hot, hot, hot - nor cold and windy. Perfect is what I would call it. Warm enough to leave my coat at home and wander with the camera along the river bank.

The river ice is breaking up, the water is ice-burg blue.

The earth smells moist, last fall's leaves are rotting and replenishing the soil, and my tulips are pushing through to the sunshine. There are even two brave johnny-jump-ups blooming in the front garden that gets most of the sunshine. I have made it through the winter and feel an excitement within - it is time to move forward once again. The hibernation is over.