Hello Spring

It's been a freakish winter around here. Just when we though it was over, we got another snow. The fact that I said *another* snow is what is so freakish. I think we got 4 snows this winter. Crazy stuff!

Don't get me wrong, I love winter, and snow. I love the smell of snow. But I'm ready for some color. To get my fingers dirty in the soil. To sit on the patio next to the fireplace and watch the kids play. Bergen loves his sandbox and it's all fresh and ready to go. We are getting a new swing set assembled on Thursday. Yahoo - I will no longer need to get an injury release when other kids come over to play. Ours is rotting. In hindsight, I'm thinking the fancy, expensive swing set might have been the better choice 5 years ago, instead of 2 cheap swing sets that only last 5 years. Oh well. Just felt like highway robbery when we visited the fancy swing set store back then and they wanted 4 figures for their cheapest set. Yikes!

Last night was pretty much perfect. If only my yard had color (besides the weeds that are hopefully dying) and there had been some flowers...but it's still early right?

I grilled some chicken, made some white rice and a can of green beans, and my family ate it like there was no tomorrow. I also made a lovely tomato, cucumber and feta salad that I'll share with you. It was a nice break from my go-to craisin, spiced pecan, blue cheese salad. TV Joe asked how I marinated this delicious chicken? Um, salt and pepper. It's called lazy mom dinner. Momma-didn't-feel-like-making-a-big-dinner-so-here-you-go.

But when eaten outside, next to a fire, with very little wind and 2 stinky boys, it was divine. I would have taken a picture, but I didn't want to miss a moment of this time by running in to get the camera. We followed dinner with some s'mores. Nice. I look forward to more outside dinners. We squeeze them in before the fires of hell (also known as July) hit our land.

Tomato, Cucumber and Feta Salad
created by me

1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cucumber - pealed, seeded and chopped (chopped to your preference - diced, sliced, whatever you like)
2 tablespoons Red Wine Vinegar
3 or 4 tablespoons Olive Oil
Salt, Pepper and Herbes de Provence, to taste (or fresh basil, which I didn't have)
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (or more...just sayin')
(also can add red onion or shallots, but I wasn't feeling it last night)
(and kalamata olives, which I didn't have, but will make sure to have next time because that would have been really good)

Mix the tomatoes, cucumbers, vinegar and olive oil. Add seasonings, to taste. Mix and cover. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Add feta. Enjoy nature.