Bring On Spring

It's that time of year when I look forward longingly to the warmer, longer days of spring. Winter is hanging on strong. Today the temperature was in the 30s with a cold, winter wind. Despite having to still wear my winter coat and gloves, I have seen the signs that spring and warmer weather will be here soon. Patriot's Day, a mere couple of weeks away, is usually the turning point around here where all of a sudden everything blooms and the weather is warm.

To bring on spring, here are the top eight things about spring that I am most looking forward to:

1. Everything blooms. Red tulips blooming in our front yard is the first sign on spring. The green tulip stems have already broken through the ground. The purple crocuses are up in the front yard. In the next couple of weeks, the red buds of the tulips will bloom. We also have a container garden in the backyard with a couple of strawberry plants. Last year, we totally neglected it and we were rewarded with a couple of ripe strawberries a day during late spring and early summer.
2. Ice cream at the Bubbling Brook. Every year on the first warm weekend of the summer, we go to Bubbling Brook in Westwood for dinner and ice cream. They have a take out stand and a grassy area near a bubbling brook (hence, the name) with picnic tables.
3. Volante Farms for fresh produce and ice cream. As the days get warmer. Volantes has more fresh, locally grown produce available. Their home grown strawberries are the best I've ever had. Last year, they opened an ice cream stand that we frequented often. 
4. Longer Days. I so enjoy having the sun stay up until the early evening. I like to go for an evening walk in spring/summer to see the glorious sunset as I walk down the hill back to our house.
5. Dining alfresco. The longer days mean that we can eat dinner outside on our deck. The evenings that we do this seem to be more relaxed. We take advantage of it whenever the weather allows.
6. Baseball. Alex's baseball schedule came out today. I'm looking forward to the evenings when we get to see his games. Also, listening to Jerry and Don's banter during a Red Sox game means summer to me.
7. Iced coffee. I love iced coffee, but I can only drink it when it's warm out. A Dunkin Donuts hazelnut is my favorite summer treat. I also enjoy McDonalds iced coffee and you can't beat the $1 price.
8. Wearing flip flops. Goodbye, boots. Hello, flip flops.

Okay, so come on spring. Get here soon so that I can start enjoying my favorite things about you. Boston.com has a list of 25 things to do this spring in Boston for under $25.