What a difference some sun and warmer temperatures can make!  Two weeks ago we had to wonder when winter would give up.  Now we can see new growth each day - buds, blooms, green grass, and innumerable little maple seedlings appearing, and the last bits of once mountainous snow piles sinking away. 

We know it is really spring as we get various water elements bubbling and flowing in their garden spots.  Above is at Jeanne and Ray's in Guilford, below is Margaret's fountain in Dummerston:

And being in the gardens is even more fun when we work together:

Thanks for the photo, Lois!

We look forward to more happy encounters as we work our way up and out of the lowlands of Brattleboro into the awakening hills.

In March both Edwin and Linda were in the Netherlands for two weeks of biking and visiting family.  The weather was on the cold side, but often sunny, and we enjoyed the chance to see the variety of landscapes you can find.  Sometimes in March the daffodils and forsythia and other spring bloomers are in full show.  Not this year, but the grass was turning green and we found good picnic spots in the sun.

So we returned to Vermont at the end of March, and despite the cold here, most of the snow in Brattleboro was disappearing and we were able to be out in the gardens right away.  But winter seems to be having a hard time letting go, and here we are in mid-April and slush sculptures seem to be the order of the day.
We'd be glad to organize a bike tour to the Netherlands now!  Any takers?

The waterstone in our pond splashes bravely on.