Oh wind, if winter comes, can spring be far behind?

“Oh wind, if winter comes, can spring be far behind?” Those are the words of Percy Byshe Shelley.  Lija Rogers wrote, “First a howling blizzard woke us, then the rain came down to soak us, and now before the eye can focus-crocus.”  Henry Van Dyke had this to say about spring: “The first day of spring is one thing and the first spring day is another.  The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month.”  They knew what they were talking about!  This winter has been unusually cold with lots of late snow.  In New Orleans, we’ve had snow and freezing weather but now the swamp maples, Japanese magnolias and red buds are in bloom.  Last weekend was warm and windy but the week started off headed down the roller coaster track again to  cold and rain.  It makes you wonder if spring will ever be sprung.  However, I’m encouraged by leafing through all the spring catalogs and Joyce Kilmer’s poem, Spring.

The air is like a butterfly

With frail blue wings

The happy earth looks at the sky

And sings

Here at Casart Covering, we love butterflies (our logo, you may have noticed) and know this is the time for them to come out of their cocoons and herald the coming of spring.  Like the butterfly, we are preparing for the coming season with new designs so be on the look-out for them soon.  In the meantime, until the vernal equinox arrives on March 20th when we greet spring by setting our clocks forward an hour, here are some butterflies to brighten your day.

Even the cats in the Louisiana SPCA “get acquainted” adoption room like the butterflies in the border.  It’s a small area and the border helps to open up the space.

I would love to have this Lenox teapot with the butterfly on the lid.  If anyone in my family is reading, Mother’s Day is not too far off.  Hint, hint!

These napkins would be perfect to use while serving tea.

And when the day is over, how restful would it be to fall asleep in a bed with butterfly pillows as you gaze at  soothing pastel walls with a butterfly border taking you to dreamland and dreams of the coming spring.

–  Lorre Lei