I love this time of year when all of our birds start coming back. A little over a week ago the Phoebes were singing in our tree, checking out the nest they used successfully last year in the crook of a drain pipe, safe from any predators (in particular, our neighbor's cat). The Ruby-Throated hummingbird hasn't shown up yet - I'll wait another week or so before I put the feeders out for them. And the Bluebirds have been checking out the various houses we have for them in our yard. So far I saw two males but there might be three.

A few years ago I decided it would be a fun project to go hunting for the waterfalls in New Hampshire. So I searched online for the best ones to look for and my husband and I took day trips to find some of them. And then we didn't.

The seasons in New England often cannot make up their mind. For example, the next few days will be warm and in the upper 60's to low 70's. And then looking ahead to next week, the temps are falling back down into the upper 30's to low 40's. But the bulbs and other flowers I've planted have their own plans and are already poking their heads up out of the ground, even if the snow has not completely melted in a few spots. 

Here in NH we are always hoping for an early spring. But we rarely get one. I was just talking to a friend about how winter outstays its welcome every year and a beloved season in December and January, we are cursing it in April if it continues to snow on our crocuses and daffodils that are emerging from the warming ground.

Here in the Northeast we are accustomed to long winters. And although I'm a big fan of the 4 seasons sometimes winter overstays its welcome! And like most New Englanders, I look for signs of an early spring, which means mid-April.