March 24, 2023

Start Of Spring. Outside And Inside.

Spring has arrived here in Pennsylvania, and the outside world is beginning to awaken from the long winter slumber. The lake, which never entirely froze this year, is calm and quiet. The birds have returned to my feeder, especially the jackals, who tend to bully the tiny little guys, and the buds are appearing on the branches. When I step outside, the smell of spring takes me back to the days when my kids were little, and we ventured out to play after months of being indoors. I remember pulling out the bikes and big wheels, wiping off the swings on the swingset, and reminding the kids to stay on the driveway because the grass was muddy and wet. If I try really hard, I can still hear their shouts and giggles of joy. Early spring has a distinct smell and feel, and I will forever associate it with the pure happiness of being outside with my little ones.



Inside, I am beginning to set out my Easter and spring things. So far, I have this on my windowsill. One of my favorite spring scents from Yankee Candle is Jellybeans, and I have had it forever. A dear friend sent me this beautiful flower and I enjoy watching it come to life. 

And that is all I have today, my friends. The weekend will be quiet, with things to do around the house, laundry, grocery lists, mass, and phone calls. Steve and I are watching a fascinating documentary on Netflix called The Staircase, and it is very good. I started one on Netflix called MH370, The Plane that Disappeared, which is also really good. Just in case you are looking for something to watch this weekend!

Have a wonderful weekend, whatever you have planned. 
Thank you for visiting!

Billie Jo

26 comments:

  1. Spring is my least favorite. But the smells are usually pretty great, you're right!

    Have a fun weekend! Thanks for the show recommendations. We have been watching Traitors on Peacock. It's like Survivor meets Clue the board game and we liked it so well we are watching the Australian version.

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  2. Love your spring graphics, Billie Jo! Enjoy your weekend!

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  3. Hi Billie Jo~ I really loved reading about your, spring adventures with your kids when they were little...I could almost smell the fresh spring air! Your photos are beautiful, and your candle sounds like a good one for Easter. I have, The Staircase on my list, but hadn't talked to anyone who had watched it . . . Thanks for the review! Have a great week-end! Hugs, Barb

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  4. I watched the MH370, The Plane that Disappeared on Netflix this past week. So interesting all the theories on the plane. I feel so bad for all those families with missing loved ones and no definite answers. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

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  5. Thank you for the Netflix suggestions, definitely going to check them out soon. I love springtime, almost as much as summer. And definitely enjoyed your description of it and the memories with your children. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

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  6. Dearest Billie Jo,
    What a lovely deck you have and I so LOVE the white fencing!
    Is that a white hyacinth starting to bloom? LOVE its fragrance.
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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  7. It's definitely spring, as the weather here is raining and cold, along with Thunderstorms, but not biting cold.

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  8. It's always good to have something new (to you) and interesting to watch on a long weekend. I bet that Yankee candle smelled divine.

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  9. This is a lovely plant! Enlarging it, it is maybe some kind of Hyacinth? I hope you have a great spring weekend!

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  10. I love documentaries so will check out those you recommended on Netflix. I love the plant and can imagine how good that jelly bean candle smells. We got several inches of snow here today as a "spring welcome." We keep telling ourselves that winter HAS GOT to end sometime. Have a great weekend. See you again soon!

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  11. I love when spring arrives! Hope you enjoy the relaxing weekend.

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  12. Hooray for signs of Spring. We are supposed to get snow again tomorrow, but Spring has to come soon! Enjoy your weekend.

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  13. Have a good weekend enjoying spring!

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  14. We have a candle called Maple Syrup Pancakes. It's so fun. I never jellybean. That sounds like loads of fun! Happy Weekend. Cheers, Ivy.

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  15. I know what you mean by the energy of spring. My kids are also grown, but when they were little spring meant late bedtimes because they never wanted to slow down. I told my husband when my boys were little that the days spent raising them would be my glory days. Like the high school football player who always misses the field after graduation, I'd be missing the busy life of kid's under foot. But then I see the amazing adults they've become and I'm okay with them growing up.

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  16. Hi Billie Jo, We don't have any buds yet, but I do see just a tiny hint of green in the grass. But you're right, spring has a distinct smell and it's my favorite season of all. Today was the first day I was able to go outside without a coat or sweater.
    Your photo of the lake reminds me so much of the lake we kept our camper on in the mountains of Washington. We were there for 10 summers, from April 1 to Oct. 1. I went home only to do laundry and have our Thursday night Bible study. We would check the house on Sunday when we went into town for church. Dennis would stop every morning on the way to work to pick up mail. But I stayed at my beloved lake every single night for all of those months. It was definitely my happy place. It broke my heart to have to leave it and move back to humid Nebraska. But God has a plan and we're making a home here now. Have a wonderful Saturday.
    Blessings and hugs,
    Betsy

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  17. You nailed it with the smell of spring, Billie Jo! I read a fascinating article in National Geographic years ago about smell: it evokes memories, but memories rarely evoke smell. The jellybean candle sounds amazing, just the smell of Easter candy is a huge nostalgia trip, I absolutely loved filling those baskets for the kids, even when all 16 of them lived at home. Thank you for sharing, love reading your blog.

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  18. You have a peaceful weekend planned - perfect. You inspired me to light a candle and today I'm doing some baking for a friend (we barter my baked goods for her fresh milk and butter - heavenly!) We're under a high wind warning, so no outdoor work today, but I'm going to settle in and plot & plan a summer garden - and follow your lead and watch a favorite show. My daughter and I are working our way through Merlin (have probably seen it half a dozen times :) I see a pizza and nothing but kicking back this evening...ahhh. Catch up with you soon, Mary

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  19. I love the freshness of spring as well and those brave, early blooms.
    Amalia
    xo

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  20. I hope you are enjoying a lovely weekend. I know and love those spring smells you mentioned. Your windowsill is looking very pretty and will be even prettier as the hyacinths open. I am trying to imagine what a jelly bean candle would smell like. I am thinking delicious! BTW, I always mean to mention to you how pretty your blog looks when I visit. The bird header and little nest are especially sweet.

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  21. Happy Spring my friend! I love your jelly beans candle. I hope you have a cozy weekend. Hugs to you.

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  22. You paint a lovely picture with your words, Billie Jo. Spring is beginning to unfurl here as well. It has been a beautiful bright morning. It is the scent of fresh laundry drying on the line, that I love. X

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  23. The lake is just beautiful! Also, I'm going to need one of those jellybean candles. It just sounds like a fun scent. Have a wonderful weekend :)

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  24. I love your post about all things Spring! Spring is my favorite time of year. My birthday falls in mid spring and my daughter's, early spring. It's just a great time of year with longer, brighter days along with budding trees, fresh, green grass and flowers sprouting up everywhere. It is indeed my favorite season! I hope you had a really nice weekend.

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  25. Oh, you have some Purple for Easter too! Isn't it beautiful? Your candle looks so pretty. I've heard of The Staircase, and wanted to watch it, but didn't know if it was too scary or not haha. I'd love to see your flower when it blooms. Flowers are the magic in our lives. And your stories of you being a mom with the little ones always makes me smile. They are heartwarming, and you must cherish those days so much. I really do. "If I try really hard, I can still hear their shouts and giggles of joy".......such precious words, Billie Jo. : )

    ~Sheri

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Thanks so much for saying hello!

Billie Jo