when will spring come?

today it hailed quite a bit.  that figures because yesterday i finally got around to planting grass seed along the side of the house, so that i could repair the damage the yard has suffered as a result of cole's enormous paws.  hopefully it was not for nothing.  i am very ready for spring - i have big plans for the garden this year.  last spring i planted 3 zucchini plants, a beginner gardener's mistake, which resulted in an over abundance of zucchini, literally 3 or 4 a day for a month.  this year i will plant only 1 zucchini plant, along with broccoli, carrots, snap peas, and hopefully potatoes.  i've already started the broccoli and snap peas from seed, in my mini greenhouses:

they are mini greenhouses on account of being covered with plastic bags, thus trapping the moisture and heat.  soon little baby broccoli and peas will appear, and it will be adorable.  if anyone wants one, please let me know.  we could trade vegetable starters.

speaking of adorable, cole and julius have become friends:

gustav feels left out:

in other cute animal news, cole's crate has been taken over by the cats.  we don't actually put cole in the crate anymore, since he's proven himself trustworthy enough to roam free in the house while we're away without eating the cats.  he does still like to hang out in there sometimes, though, just for fun. he will now have to fight julius and gustav for that right:

poor cole.  life is so hard.

also, i have been baking crazy.  

cupcakes with an almond frosting (i think maybe the most delicious thing i've ever made):

and hot molten lava cakes with a creme fraiche topping:

i would be happy to pass along the recipes if anyone is interested.