Savoring the Season: Spring

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Spring is such a funny season. It’s cold; it’s hot. It’s windy; it’s rainy. Any given day can start out chilly and get super warm, or start out decently warm and end cool and rainy. I used to chafe against the need to layer or down-right change clothes part-way through the day. But, in the last few years, I have come to appreciate spring in new ways. I love to see the progression of the grass starting to turn green. I love to see the bearded irises and tulips begin pushing through the soil. I love when my daughter points out the robins, and then I notice them singing in the morning. I love that the sun starts to feel warm. I could do without all our South Dakota wind but that’s a different discussion. I still have to coach myself through all the muddy boot prints the kids track into the house, but part of that is reminding myself that we can be outside for longer stretches again and that mud means thawing ground, soon to be planted with our lovely vegetable garden again.

Are there certain things that just scream ‘Spring’ to you? For me it would be daffodils and dresses in lighter fabrics and fun prints.

I pulled together a few different things that are inspiring me to savor the season this spring.

Each month I host a Poetry Tea Time. Two other homeschool families join us, I make a treat and some tea, and we discuss a few poems that fit with our theme for that month. One of the poems we discussed at our April gathering was “Spring” by Eliza Cook. If you haven’t read it, it is worth looking up. It is a beautiful poem and will put you in a cheerful spring mood.

I saw this Lightweight Short-sleeve Sweater recommended on another blog, and I added it to my cart in Rose Red. I also really like the Watermelon Red, and the Dark Pink…basically all of the colors. I think it would look really pretty with skirts for a dressier look and could also transition well into early summer paired with linen shorts for a casual, coastal vibe.

Speaking of skirts, I am always drawn to a loose, boho style skirt (like this Tiered Midi Skirt) for spring. Paired with fun flats, they feel so refreshing and free after boots and sweaters all winter. That said, I am also a fan of the Button-front Midi Skirt. I think it is a very classic look.

This Lace Midi Dress from the Gap has shown up in my Pinterest feed a few times, and I love the style and color.

Everyone talks about rain boots this time of year. We don’t have a high need for rain-specific boots, but I do love having boots the kids can slip on, trudge through the yard with and get muddy, and then slip off easily (ideally on the rug and not halfway through the kitchen. Ha!) These Kid’s Bogs 3 Season Boots are my favorite because they easily transition from fall through the winter snow and into spring rain and mud. They are easy to get on and off, super durable, and have nice colors/patterns. They also last well to pass down to younger siblings or sell as they are outgrown.

While pumpkin is the darling of fall, I was trying to think what is the quintessential spring food? I think maybe asparagus? Or rhubarb? I would love to hear what you think. In general, I think of lightened up dishes and meals that feel really fresh.

I’m excited to try this French Green Bean Salad from Sugar Maple Farmhouse.

With Mother’s Day around the corner, I’ve got brunch ideas on my mind. My Spinach, Bacon, Gouda Quiche is perfect for a Mother’s Day brunch, but it is also a great dinner option for anytime of year.

And speaking of Mother’s Day, I am so inspired by these Daffodil Napkin Bouquets! I am thinking about making them with my daughter. Wouldn’t they make such a beautiful addition to a spring brunch or dinner?!

What are some of your favorite spring recipes, decor items, or traditions?

Thanksgiving Edit

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Image via Domino

To me, Thanksgiving is the exclamation mark on the Autumn season. A time to enjoy the bounty of the harvest and savor the last of the Fall leaves before we turn our attention to Christmas and the winter season.

In honor of my favorite holiday, I wanted to share a round-up of things to help as you get ready for your own Thanksgiving.

THe Menu—

First and foremost, I’ve got to share my go-to Thanksgiving Menu. I change things up here and there, but this is the basis for our meal each year. Sometimes tried and true is best!

Pie Crust Tips + Tricks

I’m hoping to make a Homemade Pumpkin Pie this year for our Thanksgiving gathering. I’ve been working on my pie crust throughout the year, and I recently came across a few helpful articles from King Arthur Baking—

  1. How to Make Pie Crust in Your Stand Mixer

  2. All Butter Pie Crust (because I don’t use vegetable shortening and don’t have access to a good source for Lard.)

  3. Pie Crust Decorating Basics / How to Crimp a Pie Crust (Video)

Other Dessert Ideas

We also usually make a Cheesecake for Thanksgiving because it’s my husband’s favorite, and it’s become a tradition.

And a few years ago I shared Thanksgiving Dessert Ideas If Pumpkin Pie Isn’t Your Thing. All of those options still look so tasty!

Decorating the Table

Moving right along to table decor. Aubergine/purple/magenta, as seen in the image at the top, will always have my heart, but for this year, I am in love with these glittered pumpkins.

I would love to get 3-5 small, white pumpkins and add a gold glitter around the stem. I will run those down the center of the table with gold candlesticks. It’s pretty simple, but I think it will be lovely. I like the use of pumpkins or gourds to add a natural element to a Thanksgiving table.

Here’s the tutorial for Glittered Pumpkins from Childhood Magic—

Place your pumpkin in a box or tray to catch excess glitter. Paint the top of your pumpkin with Mod Podge and sprinkle the glitter over the wet glue. Shake off excess glitter and once the glue is dry, paint another layer of Mod Podge over the glitter to seal it.

I also really like these Twig and Leaf Place Cards (via Bored Panda) to add some color and a little whimsy to the table.


Activities for the Kids

Idea Via Parents.com

I’d like to do an activity with the kids during Thanksgiving week. I really like these trees with watercolor leaves. I can’t find any information on the original activity, but I would use this Leaves Coloring Page from Rae Ann Kelly.

Another idea is a Paper Leaf Table Runner. I like that this has simple materials and the kids could write things they are thankful for on each leaf before it’s all assembled. Maybe instead of using it as a table runner, I could either make it into a wreath or a garland for our mantel.

That’s all I’ve got for now. I hope you have a lovely Thanksgiving full of good food and relaxing time with family and friends!

On Not Finishing A Book

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Not finishing a book is a grave sin.

That's what I used to think. Now, though, I feel very differently.

Reading is a hobby for me, and I only have so much time that I can put toward reading in any given day/week/year. If I spend time slogging through a book that I’m not interested in or enjoying, I have not used my time well. I could have spent that time on numerous other books that I did enjoy, or provoked interesting thoughts, or that I decided I didn’t like but at least had me engaged during the reading process. For me, it just is not worth it to try to get through a book I’m not enjoying. I want to use that precious time for a book I am interested in.

Also, I’ve come to realize that sometimes I’m just not that into a book for whatever reason, but if I circle back to it another time, I may greatly enjoy it. And it’s ok to put a book aside that you just aren't in the mood for. For example, I tried to read, “Station Eleven” by Emily St. John Mandel two different times, was not into it, put it aside, and tried a third time when I was feeling interested in that genre. Guess what?! I loved it! But if I had tried to get through it the first time, when I was not into it, I don’t think I would have enjoyed it nearly as much. I’ve also started and given up on “Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell” by Susanna Clarke twice now. I just cannot get into it. I do hope to give it one more try at some point in the future, but for now, I’ve just put it off my list.

Now, don’t get me wrong, there are some books that I start that are slow going. Perhaps it is the writing style; perhaps the content is different than I thought. Any number of factors can contribute to it. Usually, though, I can tell if it is slow and I want to push through to get further into the book before I make a decision. But if I am consistently avoiding the book, I take that as a sign that I’m not interested in it. Sometimes, I start a book and just immediately know, “Nope. I’m not in the mood for this.” I put it aside right then and go for something else.

I used to feel so guilty about not finishing a book, and I talk with many people who feel the same way. I want to encourage you, though, that it is your time and your hobby, and it is perfectly fine to not finish a book. Just let it go and move on. Find something that does grab your interest! There’s nothing worse than languishing in a book you aren’t enjoying, and there is nothing more wonderful than getting lost in a good book!

So, tell me, do you feel that you must finish a book once you’ve started reading it?

Glimpses, November 2020

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November was a quick and slow month at the same time. Do you ever feel that way? I can’t believe it’s already December 10, and yet it feels like Christmas has been approaching for a loooooonnnnngggggg time.

11.4.20—A view of the cathedral as we headed up the hill to our house.

11.7.20—Finn “wrote” a song and then serenaded us on his ukulele. It was adorable!

11.11.20—My little helper while I installed new cabinet pulls in our bathroom.

11.19.20—Dreaming about our yard come spring.

11.22.20—Broke out the first paint cans to give our front door a makeover, just in time for holiday decorating.

11.28.20—Living room nap because she refuses to stay in her room. (But that furry blanket is pretty irresistible.)

11.29.20—Added some greenery to our sitting room area.

Glimpses, October 2020

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October was a busy, emotional month for our family, but it was also a good, good month. Here are some glimpses.

10.01.20—Painted some fall leaves as our afternoon activity

10.04.20—Sweet Penelope has been having a hard time with our move, and she has taken to sleeping in the hall rather than in her bed.

10.15.20—Said goodbye to our little house in Bloomington on a beautiful fall day.

10.16.20—Sweet boy sound asleep with his trusty sloth

10.18.20—Dylan’s parents had a huge bonfire to close out MN fall, and it was lovely! Finn was in awe.

10.22.20—Picking out faces for our pumpkins from Pick A Pumpkin.

10.26.20—Closed on our new house in Sioux Falls!

10.27.20—Ripped the carpet out of the living room and got our rug laid out and couch set. It’s starting to feel a bit like home.

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10.30.20—Carving pumpkins! Finn was supervising because he didn't want to get his hands dirty, and Penelope was game for all of it.

10.31.20—Halloween is Finn’s favorite holiday, by far. He looks forward to it all year. Back at the end of August he picked his costume—The Flash. He has been dashing around the house for weeks and weeks, so he was so excited for actual Halloween. We had friends over for a little party, and he was in heaven. Penelope wanted to be an orange super hero, so I got her adorable orange pajamas and a pink cape and mask. She was super excited to wear it for photos, and then promptly took off the mask and cape and had a great evening in her orange pajamas. Haha!

I hope you had a spooky month!