Actually, that would be “THE” sign of spring.
The OPEN flag at the Woodstock snowball stand. Trumpeting to one and all that warm weather is officially here. Peaches and cream, heavy on the syrup, marshmallow in the middle. How do you like your snowballs?
After a morning of training, hiking at the Conservancy, I had to stop to bring home a snowball for my husband who was cleaning out the debris from the property edge. OK, I confess. I ate the top inch or so of the snowball. Didn’t want it to spill in the car.
We had a lovely morning, planning for an eighth grade pilot trip to discuss history and the farm circa the Civil War era. The barn was on the tour.
The Montjoy barn, moved and reassembled on site. I believe we were told the old site of the barn is now the Chick-fil-a on Executive Park Drive off Route 100. I know the Montjoy farm was over there, as the Elms at Montjoy apartments now occupy part of the farm land. Since the barn was probably built in the 1800s, it fits in well with the lessons we will be teaching the eighth graders. We have hands on projects for them to do, in the barn, the smokehouse, the blacksmith shop and the farmhouse.
Eighteen of us were out training today and enjoying the blossoming of the shrubs and flowers on the Conservancy grounds.
Any more speculation about the holes in the fascia of the smokehouse. The most plausible is pigeon roosting cubbyholes, so the family could capture the eggs and use them in cooking. Maybe, maybe not. Still a subject of discussion.
In my farm series, it wouldn’t be complete without these references to Brown’s farm, or Mt. Pleasant, the site of the Howard County Conservancy, where I volunteer.
As for the last spring image, I give you the “pot people” decked out in spring gear and Orioles hat.
On one of these lovely days, you need to come out and walk the grounds, feed the goats some twigs or leaves, ogle the chickens and guess the flowering shrub none of us knew.
The answer is quince. Thanks to the staff for looking it up and posting it on facebook.
hocoblogs@@@
AnnieRie Unplugged 
No idea about the holes in the smokehouse. My grandparents had a smokehouse and it didn’t have holes like that. The pigeons & eggs are a good possibility, waste not want not!
The equivalent sign of spring in Elkridge is the opening of Cindy’s Soft Serve.
We went today as an after school snack…raspberries&cream w/ vanilla ice cream in the middle is my go to!