Starter Smallholders

My recent sick leave and a number of projects left me with a weekend that had to be spent at work, so Rita and Oliver went to the country without me. They had a wonderful time. The weather was great, the skies were blue and they explored the property to find what signs of spring they could. They even took pictures to show me what they found. I am green with envy, but my envy is tempered with relief that I have not missed the best part of the spring. The grass is, literally, not green. After two months under snow, it has not yet had enough sun to find its natural colour. Last year, with less snow coverage and a slower thaw, it all happened at the same time. The grass was green while there was still ice on the pond and snow in the hollows. Rita tells me that this year, despite the snowdrops and some little purple flowers being out, it still looks fairly bleak.
Perhaps by Friday, when I can get out there again, spring will have waved its paintbrush, loaded with green, and we will be able to toast its arrival together.