Springtime in Downtown

As I sit in my bedroom this morning and watch the rain falling outside, I can’t help thinking how we’re now well into one of my favorite seasons — springtime!

After a long cold winter (especially this last one with all the snowstorms and freezing temperatures), it’s always so refreshing to see the temperature climb, the light last longer and the flowers come out. To me, spring represents hope and re-birth, that no matter what happens, the light will always come through.

So even though today is rainy, and I prefer sunshine, I’m okay with it because the rain is necessary to help everything be green. Not only that it smells nice too. And it’s a welcome relief from the temperature spike earlier this week.

But I digress. My real reason for posting is to share the beauty that is downtown Salt Lake City during the spring. I have the marvelous privilege of working across the street from Temple Square with all the gorgeous gardens they put in. Here are just a few images of spring in downtown.

A few closer glimpses of tulips:

The Salt Lake City Temple is really beautiful during this time of year.

I was a little proud of this shot of the Assembly Hall.

Finally, what spring and beautiful weather would be complete without kids enjoying it? This is the splash pad in City Creek Center.

See why I love spring and just can’t get enough of it?

Spring Rain

Last night I had the lovely and wonderful experience of going to sleep listening to the sound of the rain. Can I just tell you that is one of my favorite sounds, and smells, in the whole world?! I find it so relaxing. Rain just seems to cleanse as it falls. It also freshens the air, and especially at this time of year, you know about the new growth it's helping foster. Since I sure do love flowers and green trees, I know the rain is essential. It also doesn't hurt the desert environment in which I live.

The only problem is the timing of the rain. Unfortunately, it has the capacity to mess up plans you've made, particularly those that involve being outside. Tomorrow's Memorial Day activity with a group of friends involves a significant chunk of outside time, so it'll be a bummer if the rain continues. I'm hoping for the best, but I guess we'll have to see. Speak and I were trying to come up with some alternate activities just in case our activity gets rained out, but pretty much we got nothin'.

Here's to hoping the clouds go away long enough tomorrow for us to enjoy a lovely outside activity. If not, it's back to the drawing board to see what we can figure out.

March is cruising right on past

Oh my word! I can't believe that tomorrow is the last day of March! Where in the world did this month go? Well, now that I think about it, I guess it went to trip preparations, Speak's birthday, vacation (probably the most fabulous part of all, I must admit), return from vacation, catch up from vacation and finally almost be on top of things again. I think that pretty much sums it up. I have been an active participant in everything I've done over the past month, so I can't say I don't remember what I did, but I'm just amazed at the speed in which it all happened!

I'm also going to have a little rant here about the weather. So I know this is Utah and like Idaho, Utah's weather is as changeable as it comes. And the catchphrase for March is "in like a lion and out like a lamb" although in our case, that has been reversed. It came in calmly like a lamb, but then it tricked us by snowing more this month than in February. It's torturous to have it be 70 degrees one Saturday so I'm running around in capris, a T-shirt and open-toe sandals and then the next day it gets overcast and snows! Cruel, cruel joke! And this is all because I took my coat apart. . .

Okay, I'm sure taking my coat apart had nothing to do with the change in the weather, but it sure is interesting to think it might have had something to do with it. The only reason I mention it at all is because I have a very nice double-lined coat. It's the kind that's actually three in one: a nice heavy coat with two layers, a jacket or a rain jacket. I've now taken it apart twice because the weather seemed to be getting nice so I thought I would be safe to do so. However, both times I did that, the weather turned nasty and it snowed. The moral of the story is: leave my coat put together until I'm certain it's really spring outside! (It might take until June, but we'll just have to see.)

In any case, I'm wishing March the happiest of farewells tomorrow and am hoping April brings actual spring weather as well as flowers, showers, Easter and all that good stuff. I hope you've all had an equally good month!