There is something tangible in the air now... the faint suggestion of a Spring to come.

The trees have begun pollinating... I noticed the crocuses poking up in the garden today... the birds have gone crackers around our bird feeder...

And, about this time of year, I start craving greens... spinach, chard, watercress, mustard, kale... steamed, raw, in casseroles, you name it.

As my green craving approached this year, I tried having greens for breakfast - not something I do very often except as leftovers. The suggestion of sautéed greens was from a member at the forum, and it sounded so delicious I just had to try it. I am so glad I did! I had sautéed greens for either breakfast or lunch every day this week. My current favorite combo is Bright Lights swiss chard - oh so pretty - chopped stems and leaves lightly sautéed in olive oil with shitake mushrooms and sprinkled with Herbamare - an organic herb seasoned salt. What a delectable, and beneficial, treat it is! I highly recommend experimenting with greens and other veggies for breakfast.

Today was such a gorgeous day, and being that I haven’t spent much time outdoors lately, I decided to go on a short hike around Garden of the Gods. We recently had a very heavy, wet snowfall, but I reasoned that most of the snow would be melted by now and I was anxious to feel the uneven ground beneath my feet once more. Wrong on that one! The trail was a morass of slush and sticky thick mud. I slipslided my way along as best I could, having to do more bushwhacking than I feel comfortable with in a heavy-use park. My legs turned to jelly and I soon was covered in sweat.

But to be out in nature again... ah, such bliss. The arroyo’s were filled with snowmelt and the sound of trickling water was everywhere. Such a welcome treat in the high desert. The crystal blue sky, red rocks, white snow, and the lovely, lovely green of the juniper, piñon and ponderosa pine. What a feast for the eyes and lift for the soul.