My favorite part of my house is the balcony attached to my room. It's just big enough for two chairs and a few plants and I used to spend every morning on it since last August. I put my legs up on the railing, ate my breakfast and watched the neighborhood slowly, sleepily come to life. Gradually this became my favorite part of the day but as the seasons went on the temperature dropped. With each passing day, I wore an extra layer of clothing in order to keep warm. I wrapped up in a blanket, wore a hat, slippers and two pairs of socks. I made a larger mug of coffee to clutch between my hands, slowly sipping it to warm up from the inside out. I did everything I could to stay on my balcony, but eventually it just got too cold.
I locked the screen and closed the door for the last time in late November. I learned to enjoy my mornings in the living room with my feet tucked between my body and the couch, snow falling softly outside, the same cup of coffee to keep me warm and Colin on the other couch; both of us quietly reading before getting ready for class. I learned to enjoy these mornings as much as I did the balcony; but this morning, this first day of class since spring break, I once again unlocked that door. I unfolded my chair put my legs up on the railing and there I spent my first breakfast this side of winter. Only this time, Instead of hot coffee, I sipped an icy smoothie to cool down from my run.
The neighborhood was not quite so lively yet, but the birds are out and chirping the arrival of Spring.
Banana, Mango, Strawberry Smoothie
The spinach flavor isn't really noticeable and ups health factor a bit, but feel free to leave it out if it scares you. Makes 1 very large smoothie or two small (snack size?) ones.
1/2 fresh or frozen banana
1/2 a mango
2 large strawberries
1 cup 1% milk
a small handful of ice cubes
small handful of spinach (optional)
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Ah. Simple pleasures. I'm like that with our un-winterized lake home. I go there for as long as I can stand into November, what with the measly heat a simple stand alone furnace can offer. I sleep under massive piles of blankets, wear extra clothes and socks and sip on something warm all the time until I inevitably just cannot stay warm enough. Then with sadness, I close the door for the last time. Until Spring. Glorious Spring.
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