It's beginning to look alot like Springtime

What gorgeous days we've been blessed with as of late.......70 degrees or warmer, sunshine, the return of our friendly songbirds and peepers, our grass is greening, and best of all......all our windows are OPEN!!!!

Sunday was an amazing day. A few days prior we had a cruise missle come through our home and leave 5 out of 6 of us with yet another stomach bug. We've been prone to these this winter for some reason and ironically I had just mentioned days before how I'd hoped we'd reached that time in the season where those types of illnesses are behind us! Nonetheless, Sunday was our big day out. Mostly everyone had energy but all were happy to be outside. We went on a excursion to pick up some organic seeds and a local potting soil mix that we enjoy using along with some winter hardy bulbs that I'll plant within the next few weeks once we've designed our newest flower bed. We were mindful to notice on our outing all the little bits and blossoms that have peeked their heads these past few day like coltsfoot, forsythia, daffodils, tree buds near bursting, crocus, and snowdrops. My husband joyfully aireated our vegetable beds while all the children began putting seeds into the soil in their own piece of the garden. The littles helped me start some seedlings that are now warming up in a corner of our neighbors hoop house. It was an oh so productive, Spring feverish kinda day!

Our Seasonal Table got a makeover as well. We added a fresh bunch of cuttings from our lilac bushes that are begin to leaf out and some branches of pussy-willow (their branches will soon hold a lovely ensemble of flower fairies, birds, and springtime flowers), our bowl of earth is awaiting seeds (which should be going in anyday so they sprout in time for Easter), our lone candle sits unlit in honor of the queit and solitude of the Lenten season, and 4 miniture empty terra cotta pots have arrived with the hope of being blessed to hold and nurture a seed or two. This time of year is so exciting and even though the warmth and newness of fresh blossoms and buds have arrived early we're diving in head first, understanding that March and April could still produce a frost or two or even a snowfall. But for now, our homes are warm and full of sunshine, our windows are open, and we are out of doors basking in the glory of this most amazing gift of Spring.

Since 'green' is still a newish word around here we decided to bring a little more of the outside inside by creating a terrarium. It's so much fun for the kids to watch as the little ecosystem inside the jar creates moisture and mist. I've hidden a few small bulbs inside (along with some succulent jade) in hopes that they will begin to sprout within the weeks ahead, maybe in time for Easter.

To Make a Terrarium

you will need::

A good sized jar (a lid isn't necessary)

rocks

activated charcoal

moss

soil

plants and/or seeds that will live in your terrarium

decorations like pretty stones, dragon tears, shells etc.

Wash and dry your containor

Fill the bottom with a good layer of stones

Add a layer of activated charcoal (this helps purify the water and keeps it from getting all slimy!)

Next, place your piece of moss over the charcoal and stones

Place your soil on top of the moss. Add a good amount so your plants have something to hold on to.

Add your plants and decorations as they fit and give your terrarium and nice healthy spray of water.

And there you have it! A mini ecosystem that can live on your table or in a window for all to watch blossom and grow!

March

from Around the Year by Elsa Beskow

March is an old man,

old and cold,

grey beard and weary.

He sits there

 melting the snow,

tempting the catkins,

the pussy-willow twigs,

watched by the coltsfoot,

the first signs of Spring.

Soon he'll be going,

the grass will turn green.

Soon warm sun

will melt him,

and he will be gone.

If it's beginning to look like Springtime where you are, how are you welcoming

the beauty of it all into your home?