Spring

My favorite season of the year takes a long time to arrive in Montana. Or maybe it just behaves differently here. True, we now have green grass and even dandelions, but they all seem to get snowed on about once a week. This depresses me a little. I'm trying not to complain too much. I don't want to be the obnoxious and wimpy California transplant. I'm not a real Californian, after all. I should be considered more Utahn than Californian by virtue of years spent there, and I'm a little bit Alaskan, too. So handling a wet and snowy Montana spring ought to be no biggie.

But even when I lived in Alaska I remember psyching myself into a spring mindset. This I did by wearing spring clothing as early as March, when the temperatures got up to zero or so. Nowadays my legs are neither as cute nor as cold-hardy as they used to be, so I don't do that anymore. But I have found some spring-oriented mood-boosters.

1. Take a walk through a nursery. It's warm and humid, and the colors are almost as intoxicating as the scent of wet, warm earth. Promise yourself some petunias as soon as it is safe to put things in the ground (June 1, so I'm told).

2. Spray tan.

3. Sprout some seeds indoors. Pray they survive until it's safe to put things in the ground.

4. On a related note, build some raised beds. Mine are wood, but my darling cousin Jodi has great instructions for vinyl ones here. They look better than mine. Hmph.

5. Work on feet. I WILL wear sandals this year. Actually I really just need a real pedicure. Maybe after payday.

6. Work on skin. This is excellent stuff, way more than I would usually spend on skincare products but well worth the money.

7. Tidy up the patio. Dr. G did most of the real work. For my part, I plan to get four Adirondack chairs on sale and paint them some wonderful color. Perhaps turquoise.

8. Plan a vacation or two. We're going to Utah a couple of times (one very, very soon) and to Alaska in June for Dr. G's 20-year high school reunion.th

9. Buy summer produce even if it is a little expensive. Fresh cherries were the star of my life today.

10. Eat salad for dinner. Maybe one like this.

Crunchy Chicken Salad

1/2 head Romaine lettuce

1 c. diced jicama

2 stalks diced celery

2 tomatoes, cut in wedges

1 orange, peeled, halved lengthwise, and sliced

2 c. cooked, diced leftover chicken (it's good if you've grilled it or if it has a little barbecue or sweet/spicy flavor)

Sunflower seeds

Newman's Own Light Lime Vinaigrette

Combine all the veggies and chicken. Add sunflower seeds and dressing just before serving.

4 servings.