A Grand Weekend Out Among Melting Snow

Saturday and Sunday were both lovely days here in Iowa. The weather was incredibly beautiful for February in this part of the country: temperatures in the upper forties, sunny and with little wind. We all enjoyed sitting outside on the front porch, which acts as a "sun-trap," because it faces south and is mostly out of the wind. Even on extremely cold days when the temperature is -10F or -15F, ice and snow on the front porch will melt if the sun comes out because of this "sun-trap" effect. (This also makes the porch hot enough to cook eggs -- and bare feet -- in summer, which is why it's painted a very light, annoyingly dirt-showing color.)

This weekend's weather was a great improvement over the previous weekend's snow storm:

One week before...

We had some pretty cold days last week after the snow fell, as low as -13F last Thursday, so the snow did not melt much, if any, for a whole week. But this past weekend's sunny warmth has gotten rid of quite a bit of the white stuff, as you can see from the two photos.

I know we gardeners are supposed to like having a layer of snow to protect our plants from very cold temperatures, but it still seems like progress when it melts off, even when I know it's still at least six weeks until spring, and that we'll likely get several more big snows before the end of March.

But every warm, sunny day is one more that isn't cold, and I like to believe that the result is fewer cold days in total over the winter (although I have no idea if that's true or not). All I know is that my family and I greatly enjoyed our Grand Days Out: I read a beautiful garden book outside in the sunshine in bare feet and rolled-up sleeves; my husband even lay shirtless on the porch (and got a slight sunburn on his pale, Scottish skin as a result). And our animals made the most of the lovely days too:

Little Kitty snoozing in the sunshine...

Even our ancient inside cat, Tigger, ventured outside on such a nice day. I've put him outside on other warmish days this winter, but this was the first time since autumn that he actually left the porch and explored the yard away from the house, stopping to smell some of his favorite spots like he does in the summertime.

Best of all, I saw this hopeful sign on the east side of our house:

An unmistakable sign of the approach of spring. I know it could take two months for them to flower if the weather is colder than usual, but it still gives me hope. Last year (with a terribly cold winter and a late spring), it was mid-March before the daffs were up to this extent in this warm spot next to the house. I take this as a good sign of an early spring!

From mid-April of last year. I so look forward to spring!

Here's hoping for a warm and early spring for everyone, no matter where they live. Thanks for reading! -Beth