I don’t know why, but I am so excited for spring, for summer, for my garden, for warmer weather. This year I feel more ready than most years for some reason. It’s been a pretty typical winter in Alaska, snow, cold temperatures, short days.

I kind of think it’s because we had such a rainy, cool summer last year with what felt like almost no sun, and then going into a dark winter just added to the lack of general light. I do take my vitamin D everyday through the winter though, and I do notice that helps.

Yesterday my husband had our backhoe out clearing ice off our concrete slabs, and I happened to mention that it would be really nice to get the garden plowed off so it could start thawing more quickly. I didn’t really know if he would have time, but then, there he was out working on getting snow off the garden.

I had a bit of a heart attack at first as I have a couple of tiny cherry trees and some rhubarb that I didn’t want him to scrap off, so I went out and watched and instructed. I think one of the cherries may not have survived, but we’ll know when spring arrives. I also found the rhubarb plants, well, the dog found them for me actually.

This week in the house I need to get my cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower planted. last week I had to replant some of my peppers in a more permanent pot for the summer because they were getting so big. The tomatoes I planted are mostly sprouted and leafing out. I love planting these first seeds and working in the soil, even if it’s just small amounts. Watching these little plants sprout has been therapy to my soul this year.