Easter and a Poem for Spring

I’ve decided recently that spring is my second favorite season. Fall has always been and will always be my favorite, but for years, as a cold weather lover, I’ve contended that winter is a close second to fall. This year, something shifted and I’ve realized that spring is in second place. I love the return to light in the evenings, the rainy days, the fragrant blossoms, and the anticipation of sewing the garden and daydreaming about summer holidays. In Colorado, we don’t get frequent rain year round, so spring is the time of year to relish in the cooler air and enjoy a nice cup of tea in the afternoon. I think I like spring for many of the reasons I like fall. It seems fleeting and special, yet each moment of the transition to summer offers its own sweetness and surprise. I also love seeing the lake repopulated with our summer birds (herons, pelicans, and red-winged blackbirds to name a few) and to see renewed life in the garden.

We had a simple Easter celebration this year. We made a delicious breakfast (with hot-cross buns!) and dyed easter eggs. We also made a priority to spend some time outside cleaning up leaves in the yard. The following night, we had a lovely spring dinner for earth day. For me, Easter is a chance to acknowledge the new growth of spring, and the vibrancy of the natural world waking up again. We’ve been cutting some herbs from the garden, and spinach and radishes are poking up in the raised beds. Before we know it the weekends farmer’s market will reopen and we will return home with our baskets full of spicy spring greens.

I’ll end with a poem by Gerard Manley Hopkins:

Spring

By Gerard Manley Hopkins

Nothing is so beautiful as Spring –

When weeds, in wheels, shoot long and lovely and lush;

Thrush’s eggs look little low heavens, and thrush

Through the echoing timber does so rinse and wring

The ear, it strikes like lightnings to hear him sing;

The glassy peartree leaves and blooms, they brush

The descending blue; that blue is all in a rush

With richness; the racing lambs too have fair their fling.

What is all this juice and all this joy?

A strain of the earth’s sweet being in the beginning

In Eden garden. – Have, get, before it cloy,

Before it cloud, Christ, lord, and sour with sinning,

Innocent mind and Mayday in girl and boy,

Most, O maid’s child, thy choice and worthy the winning.

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Winter at Home

Here’s a little glimpse of our days at home this season. This post is very belated (most of the pictures are from January and February) but I wanted to share nonetheless. We’ve had such a magical winter here in Colorado with plenty of snow bringing quietude and solace. Sascha is enormous now and astonishes us every day with her intelligence and energy. She is such a little joker and has an amazing clownish personality. It’s been such a joy to be with her during her puppyhood.

Because it’s been so blustery and cold this winter, I’ve been sinking into a slower rhythm with time to drink tea, take walks, and read. I’ve just started King Lear (the perfect little “light page turner” for spring haha) and I’m really enjoying it! I always forget how much joy and excitement I get from reading Shakespeare. It’s challenging and inspiring and transporting.  

Just like the transition from winter to spring, big change is on the horizon! I can’t quite spill the beans yet, but Kevin and I are making lists and calling friends and preparing to take a big leap this summer. We are so excited and nervous! I will elaborate more soon. In the meantime, I promise I will try to get back on the posting train here! I have so much I want to write about but I’ve been filled to the brim the last few months. Sending everyone crocuses and daffodils. 

This Season of Joy

We are in the midst of transitions and joy. The Christmas season brings us ample time to reflect and take stock of the past year, and to appreciate all the blessings we have every day. In the swirl of trimming the tree, wrapping presents, and baking cookies, we find room to meditate on the quietness of this season, and to appreciate the comforts this season brings to the home. Our own quietness has been interrupted a bit this year with the arrival of Sascha – our new German Shepherd puppy. She came home on Tuesday last week, and has been nothing but joyful, spunky and fun (okay perhaps a bit bite-y too). We’re settling in to having our new family member at home, and are particularly glad we can spend so much time with her during this busy time of year.

I’m hoping to spend a little time baking our lineup of Christmas cookies this week! My mom and I are hoping to make sugar cookies, thumbprint cookies, gingersnaps, and Norwegian tea cakes. Quite the roster! We’re also looking forward to more quiet time at home by the tree.

I hope everyone finds some time this week for a peaceful evenings and a good book.