here a glimpse. there a glory...: signs of spring. these are my favorites...

First of all...may I just say...my sweet husband is "da bomb"!! He is enjoying spring break this week and instead of "breaking," he's serving me! He went to the store today so he could cook dinner for me this evening. Yep...he even cleaned up afterward. Am I a blessed woman or what?!?

I was walking through the house as he was prepping and the thought hit me from out of the blue...this is my favorite time of year! The windows were open allowing wafts of crisp, cool air to fill the room...seeming to say, "Wake up, winter sleepyheads! Take a deep breath and be renewed!" The grill was preheating and the hint of charred remains from previous grillings awakened my hibernating sense of smell...snoozing since the grill was put to rest for the winter months. The oven was baking potatoes...the perfect compliment to any piece of meat cooked on the grill...even for just the nose.

Sweet husband came back in from cleaning the grill and found me in the den experiencing sensory overload. I threw out my arms and said, "It just hit me! This is my absolute favorite time of the year! The grill aroma...the windows open...no humidity...the PERFECT springtime moment!"

Let me hurry to add...I love flowers. I love dogwood trees blooming. I love seeing the new growth of leaves appear on the trees. All of those evidences of new life springing forth after a long winter's rest are beautiful. But, my world begins spinning a little faster than it did during the winter when I can let the outside in...and when sweet husband can work his magic with his Holland grill.

I was so excited...I had to document the moment...and the yumminess.

WARNING: Drool-wipers will be needed! ...or a barf-bag if you're vegetarian...

I can't tell you how he does it...
but, this is what it looks like after he's done.

This is a beautiful beginning to a sumptuous symphony for the senses!

This is essential. Sweet husband's "Father's Day" present to himself about 10 years ago. I wasn't too happy about it then...but, he'd have quite a fight on his hands if he tried to get rid of it now. I'm just sayin'...

These two jewels...

along with these two jewels...

combine to make the perfect sides for a sweet husband grilling.

Our neighbors' puppies, Samson and Delilah (not kidding...check the collar colors for which is which) were as excited about the symphony of smells as I was. Actually, I think they probably felt as if they were being tortured unmercifully...considering the sensitivity of their smellers for these...