Bits of Green

This is the time of year when it feels like it has been winter forever and spring will never get here. Our week of nice clear weather helped, but now it seems like I can hardly remember what trees look like with leaves on them. Realistically, a month from now Portland will start to see the first signs of spring, but right now it feels like winter will stretch on forever.

Bright, spring green has been one of my favorite colors for a long time, maybe because of the promise of green growing things that I like it so much. I'm desperately missing having a yard or garden right now, so I'm happy to find my green in any form.

After a few weeks of getting used to their new home on my north-facing windowsills, my geraniums have launched into a burst of new green leaves.

What I thought was an amaryllis has turned out to be a paperwhite, and has shot right up and is not far from blooming! 

This sweet green soap dish was a thrift store find while I was moving in. 

I stopped at the community garden last week and cut a big bagful of chard, and snagged this sprig of rosemary. It helps a little with missing being able to pop out the back door and pick any of six or seven different fresh herbs to cook with. 

Thanks to an unusual amount of clear, cold weather and a daily vitamin D supplement, as well as being on my bike at least four out of seven days every week, the weather hasn't gotten to me in the same way it has in winters past, but it's still never easy. What are your tricks to coping with the gray season?