The Changing of Seasons

We've anxiously been waiting for the change of seasons here in Northern Indiana.  Jackie and I have both always stated that we love living in an area where we can experience 4 distinct seasons.  This is true, but a side effect of this fact is that we can be impatient waiting for the next season to get here.  March is difficult as the weather transitions from winter to spring, as we desire an end to snow and cold and yearn for rain, sun, and rising temperatures.  This theme continues as we will eventually grow tired of many days that we love now, the cool dampness of a spring 60 degree day, and desire the heat of summer.  That will fade as we will become tired of the heat and look forward to the crisp coolness of autumn.  Then that gives way to waiting impatiently for the first snow.  One way of looking at this is that we're never happy for very long with the weather.  I prefer to look at it as we appreciate the diversity of the meteorological opportunities presented to us.

In any event, with the transition from winter to summer, two things are guaranteed to happen in our house every year - the cleaning and prepping of the grill for grilling season, and the cleaning and organizing of the garage after the mess winter makes of it.  After being away from home with Easter last weekend, followed by a trip to the Indy Zoo mid-week (that blog post still to come), we were able to make use of a weekend home to get those chores done.  Saturday I worked on cleaning and performing maintenance on the grill, while Jackie cleaned the new (to us) patio dining set we bought from her great-aunt, and Maia played in her sand (turtle) box.  Today, we both worked on the garage, cleaning and organizing.  I also spent time getting lawn mowers ready for mowing season while Jackie spent time trimming the plants and shrubbery in our landscaping.  Maia had a blast being outside, exploring the nooks and crannies of our garage, patio, and landscaping.

Following all the work (some of which, in the garage, has yet to be completed), I threw some pub burgers on the grill for Jackie and I, and we ate our first meal outside with the new dining set.  A sunny afternoon became a cloudy evening, and thus a little cooler.  But it was good day - productive work, good food, relaxing atmosphere on our patio with the sounds of our neighborhood occasionally floating by, and time spent together throughout all of it.

[caption id="attachment_964" align="aligncenter" width="224"] The Pub Burgers.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_966" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The meal.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_965" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Maia enjoying a pickle.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_967" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Tigers hat. Because baseball.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_968" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Everyone's happy for grilling season and eating outside season![/caption]