Desperate for Spring ... and Brief Mention of a Blogiversary

It rained all weekend.

This is the time of year when a Wisconsin blogger begins to feel a bit desperate. Other bloggers are posting lovely photos from warmer climes (such as Stephanie's plum blossom along the Loire, and Meredith's turquoise water and sandy beaches), but when I look outside I see this:

Gone are the blue-and-white beauties of winter. In their place are muddy driveways and dirty half-melted snowbanks - definitely not inspiring. Add to this a sinus infection trying to stage a comeback, and the world begins to seem a very dull place indeed. (It takes all my philosophy to remember that this happens every year. Despite the drab uncheerfulness of our grey-and-brown world, spring is sure to follow. I WILL be able to take a bike ride soon. I hope.) :)

Far better to focus on these cheerful flowers from Mr. M, which were waiting for me on my return from Colorado last week, and still continue to brighten the room...

...and on the fact that this blog celebrated a quiet birthday Saturday. Two years of blethering on, with the occasional recipe and free crochet pattern thrown in, have garnered 500+ followers and over 800,000 pageviews (thanks mostly to the crochet patterns). Who'd a' thunk it?

A giveaway is definitely indicated. I have a lovely skein of yarn just waiting to be sent to some deserving commenter...

...and all I need now is to rustle up a few other prizes. Chocolate will be one of them, as always, and probably a crafty book of some sort. Watch this space - the actual giveaway post will follow later in the week.

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Are there any signs of spring where you live? (Or fall, for you Southern Hemisphere gals?)

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