On the corner of Belmont of Paulina in Chicago you’ll find a neighborhood ice cream shop. Well, technically a frozen custard shop called Scooters.
During warm months, families flock there. Pulling kids packed in Radio Flyer wagons. Pushing double-wides while wrangling the leash of the family dog. Leading a pack of neighborhood kids like the Pied Piper. Or, to the great annoyance of the renters who reside atop of Scooters, parking their kid-filled SUVs and mini vans in the reserved resident parking spaces …
One of the saddest times of the year is when the “Closed for Winter” sign goes up in Scooter’s walk-up window. Because ~ regardless of whether or not there is snow on the ground ~ that sign speaks volumes. Winter has arrived, it screams. Time to resign yourself to month after month of puffy coats and gloves and hats and warm boots, it warns.
On the flip side, when that little walk-up window on the Paulina street side of the building slides open for the very first time, it heralds the arrival of Spring. And all the hope that comes with Spring …
… warm breezes …
… blossoming blooms …
… the sweet smell of freshly cut grass …
… and flip flops!
So when I drove past Scooters last week – on a day that barely broached 40 degrees – and saw a lone family sitting on the bench outside enjoying some frozen custard, my spirits lifted …
Spring has finally arrived, it sang …
And this past weekend we pulled out the porch umbrella. Mostly so I could hang mason jar votives from it’s spokes …
And while the day I hung these started out with a few snow flurries …
… I refused to be deterred. Twinkling lights were just what this winter-worn spirit needed …
The promise of warm weather is so close I can almost taste it …
I mean, Scooter’s walk-up window is open for business after all …
The “Closed for Winter” sign has been stored away until next year …
So Spring must be here, right?
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Well it’s close…and a custard would be really nice. Do you think they would serve it in your mason jars?
You go girl! Ice cream and mason jars…..perfection!
Have an awesome day rock star!
🙂 me
It’s good to know that it’s spring somewhere. We’re in the midst of what promises to be the biggest snowstorm of the winter here on the Front Range of Colorado—perhaps nine inches on the ground and more promised over the next three days. No one’s complaining (much) as we need the moisture.
No one appreciates spring more than a midwesterner. Enjoy it my friend! And enjoy those lanterns–so cute!
–Elena
P.S. My “Linda-inspired” project is up today. 🙂
I am worried we need a month of above freezing temps to melt all our snow. Pretty white outside here at my house yet.
Bliss
Lovely post, and your jar lights hanging from the umbrella are so pretty.
Beautiful post, Linda! Scooter’s sounds like a place I would like to frequent…. frozen custard?!? I don’t think I’ve ever had that!
(And Spring had better be here! We’re itching to get outside and stretch our legs… I NEED it to be Spring!)
I think we may have spring here now…maybe. Love the Mason jars–again!
So cute, and frozen custard sounds SOOO good!
Spring is taking its time getting here for good this year! But it IS coming!
Spring has been teasing us this year, hasn’t she? Love your newest jar incarnation–hanging them under the umbrella is pretty in daylight, and sure to create lovely ambience after dark! I had a frozen yogurt date with my little grandson yesterday afternoon, and out here in the burbs, it was sunny and warm enough for us to sit outside to enjoy it–so fun!!
I grew up outside of Chicago and love going back there several times a year. My kids are always amazed at the great little eateries that are everywhere there.
Yes! I’m calling it. Spring is happening. Those mason jar lights are so charming!
Loving this! come link up to centerpiece Wednesday on my blog and share your post with us. http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/2013/04/centerpiece-wednesday.html
Karin