Stretching Toward Spring

We did some pruning on a couple of our Japanese maple trees a few weeks ago, and I couldn't resist bringing in a small branch with tight buds, in hopes that we'd see the leaves unfurl.

It's been quite magical to observe the almost imperceptible changes each day on our token "tree," and particularly lovely to see the leaves coming on strongly today (in large here), as we awoke to clear skies -- blue skies! -- and no precipitation in any of its myriad possible forms. Eostre/Ostara has not forgotten us after all!

(And I will not forget you, although I probably won't be commenting as frequently or blipping as early this week, as we have events every evening except Friday, some of which start in late afternoon. The Peruvian cafe I blipped in February just opened, so you may see a blip from there... check out the pictures and menu)!