Creating spring during the long winter

I’m itching. It really is finite and sad winter. Snow on the crunchy ground, the air is painfully fresh and a lot of dry skin. Shoveling snow, cracked cheeks and dangerous driving for the next four months, oh my!

Yes, those cold Upper Midwest winters make you enjoy summer, but the cold is still biting. And we have no choice but to go through with it. How do we do that?

Bring summer indoors. Buy a plant. Treat yourself to something you can care for, something the sun needs as much as you do. Fill your window sills. Buy an inexpensive indoor greenhouse. Yes, for those of us who don’t invite people? Admittedly, a plastic greenhouse in the living room is not a given in most homes. Many plants can be overwintered, especially pepper and tomato plants. This year I have a Thai pepper plant in the greenhouse because I can’t easily buy it commercially over the winter. I think it could also do me good to bring plant lamps into my living space.

Distract yourself, treat yourself. Plan a garden. Read a book. Turn off the news. Make a checklist of small things you should do for yourself or others. Something you put off because it takes too long? Do it now. A way to pass the time and just the fact of getting something done is good for the mood. In my case, I don’t have the budget to get my nails done. I have a gel nail kit but have been putting it off because it takes a lot of time and can be a hassle. But I love a nice manicure, so I’m taking the time now and loving my festive nails. It’s easy feels well, you know?

I have a book from work that I’ve always wanted to read: The firekeeper’s daughter. Now let me read it. How long has it been since you visited your local library? Not only do they need our support, but they could also be a positive activity for your mindset. How about some literal self-care? At this time of year, it would do me good to spend some time moisturizing after a bath or shower. Why not take the time to do a thorough job? I know my skin will thank me. How many of us have skin care products, candles, or pretty linens lying around waiting for the right time to use them? I find Now is a damn good time.

Feed yourself in the truest sense of the word. One of the wonderful elements of Thanksgiving or any other special meal is that one dish you make just once a year. Why wait? There are a few dishes in our house that I only prepare once a year. Bread pudding with whiskey sauce. Little piggy souffle. Parfait cake. Cranberry pineapple relish. I now make Lil Pig Souffle twice a year, I freeze half of the cranberry relish and serve the rest at Christmas time. Its bright red color is a perfect addition to the holiday table.

Buy that little thing you wouldn’t normally buy. For the last holiday meal I needed a ripe pineapple for the cranberry relish. The regular yellow pineapples were too unripe and I didn’t want any of the pre-cut packages. There were six pink pineapples in the tiny specialty section of the grocery store. I’ve always wanted to try one even though the reviews say they’re all hype. The regular unripe pineapple cost about $3. The perfectly ripe pink pineapple cost $10. I bought the pink pineapple. Something I would never buy before. But seriously, for seven dollars more I made myself very happy. I really enjoyed the taste and color of the fruit. It definitely had a different flavor than the yellow pineapple. And hey, there won’t be any tariffs for it!

Another purchase I made recently was my Chihuly weekly planner. 15 dollars. The peace and joy, however temporary, is worth the price every time I open a page.

Reach out and touch someone. Amicably, of course. Wait, we’re decent people here and we don’t have to be told that, isn’t that wonderful? Surround yourself with like-minded people? Whether it’s church, co-workers, family, even social media sites… find your people. My people are here.

I spent most of my childhood in the 80s. Back then I spent a lot of time with my grandparents. A core memory, the missing thing that I think I wish hadn’t disappeared, was drop-ins. My grandma and I walked around the block to see if Lynette was home and could chat over coffee. We were always invited with a smile. Or maybe we would pop next door and visit Lola. Sometimes there was a quick call first, but most of the time it wasn’t a call. I don’t have a Lola. No Lynette.

These days, there is no universe in which I would simply walk into someone’s house and knock on the door without first receiving confirmation that my presence was pre-approved. To take responsibility for my own behavior, I don’t maintain my home and don’t care enough about what anyone thinks of my household to be okay with someone coming over to visit me without warning. First of all, I need a new couch. I can’t have people sitting on this ragged thing…

I feel there is some work on my part.

Do you have family members who support you in how they choose whether they might have been a good influence or teacher and whether they look out for you? Check back.

Earlier this year I joined Vistaprint and created two different blank card designs using some of my favorite photos. Not only did I open these gifts with a big smile on my face, but they only cost $20 for them. Now I can send them out and show people how much they mean to me.

Gratitude. Even in the coming cold, dark winter we can indulge ourselves. At least I know I am. Recognizing what we have is one of many ways to recognize the power we hold at this very moment when we feel like we don’t have much.

AnnieJo delved deeply into this topic last week. Listen!

AnnieJo and Gratitude – An SMGB Journal

I admit, the last few weeks have been tough. An all-encompassing storm has obscured the sunny sky and darkened the once bright future. However, you cannot and should not stay in the shadows for too long, otherwise you will be swallowed up by everything and may find it difficult to return to the light.

Look around. There is light here. I have a warm home. Family, most of whom are not Maga. In a deep red state #justiceforcricketthat is very important. A holiday table. Look at all the food! I cooked it. In addition, I grew a large portion of it. I have family members with different disabilities. The skills I have to communicate and advocate for myself are gifts that not all of us possess. How much does it suck for me to wallow endlessly when I’m blessed with so much power to do for others?

We are the helpers.

Gratitude exercises? What about actual practice? Yoga. Gymnastics. Bodyweight exercises. Go. Kick something. None of these require any more equipment than you already have. However, I won’t catch myself walking outside once it hits single digits. Speed ​​records are broken when I take my sweet dog outside to go potty. Instead, I walk around my little house. Take a walk around the house. Did you all know that a short walk through my living room and kitchen involves 20 steps? Five rounds are 100 steps. That said, if you can spend a few minutes outside basking in the winter sun, you should do it.

Drop me and give me 20!

Share all the beautiful things. Finally spring is coming back

~

Another, more banal message: today is dahlia processing day. My plan is to lay out an old tablecloth in front of the TV, throw them all away and start inventorying, dividing and storing the tubers. This is followed by bi-weekly checks, during which the animals are brought into the garage and taken out again depending on the outside temperature and a lot of stress. But since tubers are ridiculously expensive and the auctions to source some varieties are a fruitless nightmare, trying to save the tubers is the best option for my situation since the flood has decimated half of my inventory.

I’ve always wondered why so few people grow dahlias here. I understand it now.

Weather. Dry, cold, finally wind chill below zero. No surprise for the end of November.

My garden is planned. My graphics notebook is already full of sketches and information. You?

My personal video from Vertical Garden – under 1 minute.

No lies were told. I’ll come back to this little taste of summer often.

MIGardener is having a sale. The seeds are inexpensive and available in smaller numbers, ideal for hobby gardeners. Use the code MERRY20 to get 20% off any package now through Monday. With the discount, you must order 13 seed packets or seeds valued at $26 to receive free shipping. Seed packets are $2 each. I only had one problem with them (the seeds were wrong) and they refunded me my $2, no questions asked. Friday I ordered 13 packets of seeds and only paid $20. Therefore, required seeds (mainly beans and peas) are purchased and processed. Not affiliated, just sharing.

MI Gardener Link – MERRY20

Now all I have left are purchases. Dahlia bulbs and some coral/peach/apricot strawflowers.

Out Out Garden porn! Curse all seductive catalogs! Must stay within budget!

We love meeting new people, hearing about experiences, and seeing photos you may have taken of all your precious growing things. Jump in!!