Signs of Spring

Signs of spring are all around us today. I drove with my window rolled down while thinking how my jacket seemed to warm. I had my first iced coffee of the season, as it is strictly a warm weather treat for me. It was also warm enough out today for me to go to the local Jiffy Lube and give my car the long overdue interior cleaning that it has been begging me for. Yet, with all the telltale signs I still wasn't getting that spring is just about here...that is until I stood up from vacuuming the driver's side of my car, wondering how I could have that much salt on the rug and I saw it. Nope, it certainly wasn't a bluebird, or even a tulip beginning to bud. It was the the line at Jim's Tastee Freeze on Delaware Ave.

Hot damn! Winter is pretty much kissing us goodbye. I dropped that vacuum hose and immediately called Michael to give him the news. "Jim's is open!" We made plans to go after dinner.

Jim's is just the local soft serve joint a few minutes from our house. They are open from March til October-no specific date just when the weather turns. Cash only, open 7 days a week. They happen to have a delicious creamy soft serve that they make from a Crowley's brand ice cream base. Lots of places use that brand, but for some reason Jim's does it better. (And for all you Kurver Creme addicts...I think that stuff tastes waxy...) Jim also makes their own peanut butter topping and brownies along with other goodies.

So just a couple of weeks ago the parking lot at Jim's was literally covered with 2 feet of snow. Today there was a line of folks for large chocolate twist with rainbow sprinkles. I should have known it was coming though. This week another fare weather staple to our area opened for the season-Jumpin' Jacks in Scotia. Jacks is the greasiest of greasy burgers, fries, shakes and all the other usual stuff for a burger stand. Situated on the banks of the Mohawk River Jumpin' Jacks is a tradition that causes students (and I suspect a teacher or two) to cut school the day they open to queue up with all the other fans for the first burger of the season. We have waited in line for up to an hour to enjoy the goodness.

There are certainly other signs of spring all around me, recipes using asparagus abound in the recent issue of Cooking Light, seedlings at the Home Depot amongst others. For me though, it really isn't time to start putting those boots in the back of the closet until I've had my first Tastee Freeze.

Do you have a favorite seasonal food spot? I would love to hear about it.