Strange Summer Weather

After graduating from college in New England, I was looking forward to coming home to Maryland and enjoying the warmer weather. I was expecting clear blue skies, strong sunshine, triple digit temperatures and, of course, the mugginess. But just like the lack of spring in New England, it seems like we are having a lack of summer down here. Last week, I went to a Nationals game - they won - and was mildly disappointed that I had to wear a jacket after the third inning ended. For me, the best part about summer is being able to leave my light jacket at home and really enjoy the fresh air. 

Werth up to bat at the Nats game

And then of course we had the severe weather yesterday. In and around DC some areas were hit by tornadoes, others by flooding and most by severe thunderstorms. What was interesting, though, was just how quickly the storm passed through. @Toppersweather was live that afternoon telling viewers when exactly the storm would hit each area. I felt like just as soon as the storm hit, it ended. It went from eerily calm to intense rain with heavy, whipping winds and a grey sky then back to almost nothing in under ten minutes. Here, @Toppersweather details where exactly the tornadoes hit earlier in the week on Monday. 

The calm before the storm

As I get ready to head back up to New England to visit friends, I hope that the weather warms up for me. 

Spring Is Here!

Finally, almost two weeks into April and spring has arrived! This past weekend was beautiful. I spent Saturday and most of Sunday in the NYC area. The weather was great for walking around.

On Monday, back in Hartford at school, the weather was also starting to warm up. Everyone on campus was breaking out their shorts and sandals, even though it was partly cloudy and the high was well under 70. The next day was even better. It was sunny and almost 70 by the afternoon. Everyone was wearing skirts, sundresses and shorts and sitting on the quad doing homework. It was a much needed spring day after a long winter. 

Today in Hartford was pleasant enough, but it was nothing compared to back home. The DC area had record breaking temperatures today; they hit over 90 degrees in some places! (See Topper's Twitter for all of the new records and the previous records.) Also now is a great time to see the cherry blossoms in DC!

I just hope this spring weather sticks up here in New England. 

Easter in Boston

As I mentioned in my last post, I was planning to spend Easter weekend in Boston with a friend from school and her family. So on Saturday morning she and I left Hartford and were Boston bound!

First, we had an amazing lunch on Newbury Street (29 Newbury). It was a fun restaurant that had a European, cafe sort of feel. My friend and her mom suggested that I order the warm lobster salad, which I did. It was amazing! Salads are not my favorite, but this one was a real hit. 

Then we walked around Newbury street, enjoying the great shopping it has to offer. I was very comfortable strolling around outside in my cords with a top, light sweater and light jacket, so thank you @Toppersweather! Afterwards, my friend and her mom took me to an amazing cheese shop in Cambridge (Fromaggio Kitchen). The men and women working there are real experts. I told the lady behind the counter what types of cheese I generally like, and she brought out samples of similar types for all three of us to try. 

On Easter Sunday, my friend's dad set up an egg hunt inside their house. Later, a few friends came over and we all had a nice Easter lunch. Even though we spent most of the day indoors, the forecast was spot on. Partly cloudy and around 50 degrees. 

Now I am back at school and still waiting for spring in Hartford!

Preparing for Easter Weekend

This year, like most years, my school's spring break does not line up with Easter weekend. For many students, however, that is not a problem; they live within a few hours of campus and just drive home to celebrate Easter. I did not want to make the long drive home, nor did I want to spend the weekend in the airport trying to catch flights to get home for only 48 hours. So for the second year, I am going up to  Massachusetts with a good friend from school to celebrate Easter with her and her family.

Last year when we went, I jumped the gun a bit and packed three sundresses and not much else. I remember being out in Boston at dinner and wishing I had thought to bring a light sweater or even a pair of pants. To avoid a repeat of last year, I asked my dad for a personalized weather forecast for my weekend away (thank you @toppersweather). It looks like a pretty nice weekend for March in Boston: Partly cloudy with some evening showers possible on Friday and highs around 50. Partly cloudy on Saturday and Easter Sunday as well, with highs around 50-55. That sounds like a pretty nice weekend to me. And this year I will certainly remember to bring a sweater, especially for those chillier evenings.

Pictures to come after my weekend Easter adventure!

Eager for Spring After a Wintery Spring Break

For the last time, I have traveled from home back to school. I left DC this afternoon and have made my way back to Hartford. In only two months I will be a college graduate, which is hard for me to believe. 

My spring break at home was low key, quieter than traveling to the Bahamas or Puerto Rico say, but fun nonetheless. I spent some quality time with my dog, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Usually when I come home for my shorter breaks, I don’t travel with much luggage. I rely on the closets of my two younger sisters to supply me with a wardrobe for the few days that I am home. However, this time I came back with a huge duffel filled with all of my winter clothes. That’s right, I have switched out my heavy sweaters for light shirts and floral skirts. But as soon as I got home, I found myself wondering if that move was premature. I was freezing! Last year when I was home for spring break I could drive with the windows down and wear just a light shirt. This year though, I was bundling up just to take the dog for a walk. Last year so many of the trees and flowers were starting to bloom, but this year the trees looked sad and naked with not a green leaf in sight.

  

Hanging out at home with my dog

My duffel bag stuffed with spring clothes!

Looks like snow for DC!

What really made me second-guess my decision to leave behind my winter clothes was this expected snow flurry that is happening tonight around the DC area. The skies are predicting snow back in DC, as @Toppersweather has pointed out. And if DC has some flakes on the way, it must be worse further up North, right? Well hopefully this storm will miss Hartford and give spring a chance to begin here! As for DC, they might have to wait a bit longer.