This past week in Southern Ontario we have had a lovely quick blast of summer temperatures! We are heading back to colder temperatures again next week, but we’ve had a wonderful time of it while it lasted!

Spring is here, and it’s time to say goodbye to the winter blues and hello to the vibrant colors of the season. From the chirping of birds to the blooming of flowers, there are countless signs that spring has arrived. So, without further ado, here are the top signs of spring that will put a smile on your face!

It’s Finally Warm Outside

If you’ve spent the last few months hibernating under a pile of blankets like me – you’ll be happy to know that the temperature is finally above freezing!

While the average temperature in our village in April is typically about 12 degrees C (53.6F) – this past week it’s been up to 27 degrees C! (80.6F)! That’s just crazy.

It’s probably time to send lots politicians on gas guzzling jets to a G7 global warming conference.

It looks like my favourite groundhog – Wiarton Willie was right after all – spring is here early. I knew that Punxsutawney Phil was wrong when he predicted 6 more weeks of winter. (Isn’t it 9 weeks since Groundhog Day? Was Phil right??)

(While I was out stalking the garden centres – Willie’s cousin crossed the road!)

Hibernation is Over

The creatures are out of their hibernation – and not just the groundhogs. The roads are crowded with people visiting their home improvement stores, the old pair (my husband and I) are furiously raking leaves, and kids on bicycles and scooters are everywhere!

The Animals are Losing Their Winter Coats

The squirrels seem to be changing their fur – and Max got his spring haircut!

Personally, I’ve been shopping online for summer clothes – because it’s time for me to put away my parka – and maybe I’ll lighten my hair like Max.

Plants are Sprouting and Trees are Waking Up

My daffodils have emerged and my maple trees are starting to leaf out. The forsythia are the first shrubs to bloom in my yard! They don’t look like this picture – but at least something is growing. The glacier in our yard just melted last week afterall.

I have been desperately trying to plant grass seed and water it – to fill in the bare spots!

I have also been proudly taking my seed starting trays out to the sunlight – and back inside at night. (My family is concerned that I talk to the seedlings, but the seedlings don’t mind!!)

The Birds Are Chirping

One sure sign of spring is the return of the birds and their joyful chirping……

Spring is definitely for the birds! We have had Canada Geese and swans in the neighbourhood all winter – but they sure are noisy these days – there’s a woodpecker busily pecking away at our favourite flowering almond Tree – the robins seem to be eating the grass seed – and the pigeons are very busy on my front porch – so much for the joy of nature!

Spring Cleaning and Projects

Spring cleaning is a sign that the season has officially arrived. After the seeming inactivity of winter, we have sprung back to work – getting packed up for our summer cottage, and getting the house and yard tidied up so we can be ready to head out.

-There was quite a bit of celebration when we put the snow shovels away!

–A sure sign of spring for our neighbours is the smell of paint wafting from our yard….. We have happily spray painted our iron furniture and touched up our lattice fence. We felt very accomplished – until we heard our neighbour complaining about the spray paint smell – oops.

-Our young adult sons who are currently living at home have been hinting that it would be so nice at the cottage right now (perhaps hoping to speed us on our way so they can have some peace and quiet – not realizing that our northern lake is inaccessible for a few weeks until the ice melts!)

More Daylight

The days are getting longer and we have more sunlight. We have returned to enjoying morning coffee and evening Pinot Grigio on the front porch. I hope to have some wine left to take to the cottage!

The weather is beautiful – but it’s hot in the house and we can’t find the remote controls for the air conditioner!

Spring has Sprung!

My favourite Aunt used to say:

“Spring has sprung, the grass has ris, I wonder where the birdie’s is?”

I hope that these signs of spring put a smile on your face. It’s getting chilly again for the next week or so – but now we are awake and out of hibernation and getting active again. What are the signs of spring at your part of the world?

Happy Spring!

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