Our Spring Traditions: Blooming and Hopeful

I really love all the seasons but spring is just so special. It’s the coming out of a cold dark winter into a bright season full of buds on the verge of blooming. I get a little dose of excitement when I see the first green leaves of the daffodils coming out of the ground. I see the tiny buds on our redbud trees which I know will be the most vibrant color in just a few short weeks.

It’s not just the plants and trees that excite me. I feel the shedding of winter metaphorically, too. A new fresh season is before us. Longer hours of sunlight, the glorious celebration of Easter and a feeling of opportunity around every corner.

St. Patrick’s Day

Although St. Patrick’s Day technically falls in winter it feels like a spring holiday to me. It usually falls right before the first day of spring (vernal) equinox. We celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a dinner of corned beef and cabbage. Some years I make Irish Soda Bread, too.  We love wearing green and enjoy teaching the history of the holiday to our kids.

Spring Break Plans

For Spring break some years we travel but mostly we stay home. Growing up, my family would go skiing in Colorado almost every Spring Break. It was always loads of fun and I have so many special memories from those trips.

Due to budget and only so many vacation days in a year, we usually end up sticking around the house. We’ll plan day outings to parks or local attractions with many hours outside soaking up the longer sunlight hours.

Plant a Garden

I get super excited about planting things this time of year. I’m a crazy plant lady. I buy pansies and plant them in my planter by the front door. Sometimes I can get by with planting them as early as late January and they’ll bloom up until the hottest part of the summer.

I usually buy a fern from COSTCO (in-store) and bulbs or tubers to plant that will come up in the summer. This year I planted Freesia and I’d love to try Dahlias.

Some years we grow veggies. Brent usually is in charge of the garden. We listen to You Bet Your Garden podcast and he’s read the Square Foot Garden, but we learn more and more every year. We both love taking a stroll around our house in the evenings checking on all our trees and plants.

Annual Ladies Tea and Home Tour

Spring makes me think of pastel colors and flowers in full bloom which leads me to think about doilies and tea pots which then makes me think about dainty tea cups and scones then I just have to have a tea party.

In years past I’ve tried to host a tea party for a few neighborhood friends the same day as the community home tours. I usually get inspired to bake something super complicated by watching the British Baking Show. I set the table with a white table cloth, set out my nice china, and create some sort of fresh flower arrangement. After the tea, we travel from house to house viewing the beautiful homes. How fun to actually get to go inside (pre-COVID) someone’s home and look around. It’s one of my most favorite days!

Easter

Such a wonderful time to celebrate the risen Savior. I was actually baptized on Easter so it holds an extra special place in my heart. We don’t do big Easter baskets, we keep it simple by giving our boys each a chocolate Easter bunny. I lay them out early Sunday morning so the boys will see them when they wake up. It’s so fun to see which part of the bunny they’ll eat first.

For Easter breakfast, I make sausage and gouda quiche and lemon-rosemary scones. We attend church Sunday morning and look forward to worshiping God with others. For dinner, we’ll have a spiral ham, some type of potato (usually au gratin), trick your mind salad and rolls. I also like to make fruit tea, I use a family recipe. I’m still working out what will be our yearly Easter dessert. Any suggestions?

Mother’s Day

My boys always make me feel special on this day whether it’s cooking breakfast or taking me out for a little lunch. I’m so glad to have them.

Last Day of School

To celebrate the last day of school we go to the donut shop before school drop off. A trip to the donut shop is very rare for us during the week so it feels extra special to all of us. A simple way to celebrate a year of hard work.

What are some traditions you carry out in the spring?

You may also like You are Loved or Outfitting a Nursery in Thailand.

(Easter family photo by Shawna Nuthman)

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