Finding Spring and a longtime friend.

Last Thursday, I loaded up my little blue car and drove 560 miles all by myself in search of spring and to visit an old friend.

My destination was the Ozarks of Missouri.

My friend Cheri had previously lived near me and her son and my daughter are very close in age.

After Cheri and her family moved to Missouri we always planned to get together but things just never worked out.

Cheri's beautiful Red Bud tree in bloom!

Well I simply decided that 20 years was long enough.

Yes, 20 years!  Cheri's son and my daughter were babies the last time we saw each other.

I had never driven that far by myself and in one day to boot.

But I got to tell you, it wasn't that bad.

I was exhausted but I felt proud I had made it without getting too lost.

I took a route down that took me through a good part of Iowa.

I thought it would be scenic.

Instead it was horribly dreary the whole way, rained and several area's were flooded which made me feel a bit nervous.

 Cheri's forsythia

But the really cool thing was that the farther I got south, the greener and prettier it got!

Now you have to remember there were still some piles of snow in my yard.

Actually by the time I got to Southern Wisconsin, it was already greening up.

And then I hit Hannibal, Missouri and the red buds were just spectacular!

And the flowering crab, oh my, a feast for my eyes!

Cheri had the guest room all fluffed and pretty.

This cute little tin was filled with anything I might have forgotten at home.

I wish I had a cute picture to share of the two of us, but her hubby snapped a few and we both have the squint eyes here.  I should have left my sunglasses on.  After our winter, I am like a mole coming out of hiding. ha!

My friend Cheri has some of the most amazing collections.

All of these vintage toys belonged to her hubby, Cheri, or her hubby's parents.

Cheri's Italian rooster collection.

They were purchased from all kinds of different artists while they were living there.

Love this!  The colors, the bunnies.

Oh my how I adore these!

They belonged to Cheri's late MIL.

And this set did as well.

I love them!

Cheri and her husband Kevin were such wonderful hosts.

I so enjoyed my visit and we are hoping to get together again very soon.

More on my trip later.

Spring has finally arrived around here.

Yes, finally!!!

I have never remembered it being this late before.

And the weatherman reported that we were 2 days short of record.  And not a good record.  The latest day to reach 60 degrees and over ever.  Happily it was 70 yesterday and will be again today.

So I am going to try to enjoy it this weekend because who knows, it may not last long.

Enjoy your weekend all,

Cindy