Monthly Musings in March 2026

 It's the last Thursday of the month and time for Monthly Musings with Patty. This month we're all about spring holidays and fun.

 

1. Does it feel like spring yet where you are? 

Definitely not! We had a wintry mix of snow/rain/sleet on Monday with highs in the 30's, some sun and highs in the 40's on Tuesday, yesterday and today brought more rain and some slightly warmer temps in the 50's & 60's but without the sun it still feels rather cold and raw. Friday- Sunday is only supposed to get into the 40's. 

But... pretty much all the snow is gone/melted so that's a plus! Other than this photo showing no snow all the other photos in this post are from past springs... since we just established it's not spring yet here. 


2. What spring holidays do you celebrate?

Mother's day is pretty much the only spring holiday we celebrate. 

3. Any spring trips planned?

Yep! All of our trips for this year are taking place in spring so I have 3 of them planned. I'm meeting up with my blogging friends in Asheville in April. In May my husband and I are taking the younger two boys to Utah to see Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Bryce Canyon national parks. Then in very early June my husband and I are spending a few days in Acadia. 

Capitol Reef image courtesy of Pixabay

 

arches national park photo courtesy of pixabay

 
Acadia (my own photo taken in 2024)

4. Favorite foods to eat and share for spring holidays?

Mother's day I tend to come up with easy side dishes like pasta salad or baked potatoes since my husband always offers to cook up steak or chicken on the grill and I know he finds it super stressful dividing his time between grilling and cooking in the house. 

Things like this New England style broccoli salad

Pasta salad

  

Macaroni salad (like the classic one with tuna)

 

Or this BBQ Macaroni salad

   


5. Are there any spring festivals in your area?

None that I know about.

6. Best spring allergy relief tip:

Start taking daily allergy medicine BEFORE you need it. I start taking my allergy medicine at the first signs of spring and keep right on taking them up until the start of summer. 

7. What makes you think "Okay, now it's finally spring"?

A few things make me think it is finally spring-- when the weather is warm enough for me to go outside without a winter coat, wearing my jeans and shirts with flip flops. 

When I see the buds on the trees start to bloom (heck, even just starting to bud makes me feel excited!),  


When I can drive with the windows down or the sun roof open without feeling like I'm freezing. 

Or my all time favorite-- getting to eat breakfast outside &/or sit on my deck and read a book in the sun.


 

8. Spring rain... love or dislike?

I am so sick of the rain... but I do love that it helped all the snow melt and our rivers and waterfalls are nice and full.  


9. Special spring holiday dessert or treat?

I used to make "fun" spring desserts for the boys like these Rice Krispie treats: 

or this sweet spring popcorn mix:  

these dirt cake cupcakes are lots of fun too and make me think of spring: 

10. Favorite spring cocktail or mocktail?

 I don't drink alcohol but have never tried any mocktails either. I pretty much content myself with either water or iced tea year round. 

Linking up with: Thinking out Loud, 


 

Comments

  1. Maria RineerMarch 26, 2026 at 5:18 AM

    Your spring desserts look really cute and you can tell they are delicious! Your trip out west sounds amazing. I, too, love to see the blooms on trees and you can surely tell it's spring when you start spotting those. I hope your weather turns soon; it's bound, too, right?

    ReplyDelete
  2. JoyceMarch 26, 2026 at 6:31 AM

    That weather! When we lived in the northeast Easter did not usually feel like a 'spring' holiday. We were often in our winter coats when you wanted to be in cute pastels and a light sweater. I'm looking forward to hearing about the Utah parks. They've been on my to-see list for a long time now. We have plans to go out west next year, but I don't think we'll get to those this time as they feel like they can be their own trip. Hope it springs there soon!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne March 26, 2026 at 9:55 AM

      Yep, we have even been huddled under blankets for Memorial day before and had snow on Mother's day so you just never know.

      Delete
  3. Kathrine EldridgeMarch 26, 2026 at 6:46 AM

    I am so excited for you for your trips to those National Parks. Bryce was so cool!

    https://www.kathrineeldridge.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Lyssy in the CityMarch 26, 2026 at 7:03 AM

    A fun spring ahead! Looking forward to reading about your trips. Bryce Canyon is very cool, feels like you're on a different planet!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne March 26, 2026 at 9:56 AM

      So far we have found that several National parks feel that way!

      Delete
  5. Amy ScottMarch 26, 2026 at 7:08 AM

    The restaurant menus are starting to have some really creative mocktails, and I have ordered some of them. Some use "shrubs" which are vinegar based flavorings. I love water with my meals, too. I am thinking about asking my kids to take me to the art museum for Mother's Day. We always have a lot of fun there and they love art. It would also be nice to have a patio meal.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne March 26, 2026 at 9:56 AM

      Oh I bet that would be lots of fun! We really enjoy art museums too.

      Delete
  6. BriMarch 26, 2026 at 7:19 AM

    How could I forget about worms in dirt?! So good! All of your trips sound so fun! Especially all of the national parks!

    ReplyDelete
  7. HollyMarch 26, 2026 at 7:56 AM

    I love that jumpsuit on you. Your pics of all of the buds and blooms are exactly what I need in my life- then I will know it is really spring here. What cute spring desserts too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne March 26, 2026 at 9:57 AM

      Thanks! I LOVE a good jumpsuit. But I need it to warm up a bit more before I break them out this year.

      Delete
  8. Dara @ Not In JerseyMarch 26, 2026 at 8:52 AM

    Hope it warms up for you. But not as warm as it is here with today's high of 90!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne March 26, 2026 at 9:54 AM

      Wow; that is hot for March. Today is supposed to be in the 60's but by tomorrow we'll be back in the 30's & 40's.

      Delete
  9. Julie's Creative LifestyleMarch 26, 2026 at 9:28 AM

    I am tired of this cold and dreary weather too. I can't wait for the warm and sunny days of spring. It's supposed to go to 65 degrees today which will be nice. I love those salads you made - they remind me of spring and summer. It's great that you have all of those trips planned for spring. Wishing you a happy spring Joanne.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne March 26, 2026 at 9:58 AM

      That will be nice! Today is supposed to warm too but a cold spell will move back in tomorrow. I'll be sure to try and get out there and enjoy it while I can.

      Delete
  10. Lindsay's Sweet WorldMarch 26, 2026 at 12:25 PM

    You have so many fun trips to look forward to! I cannot believe how cold it is there still. It has finally warmed up here and I'm hoping the warmth is here to stay!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Kim March 26, 2026 at 12:40 PM

    Our spring looks like your spring at the moment. Hopefully it'll warm up soon though!🤞🏻

    ReplyDelete

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