Happy First Day of Spring

Spring has arrived, although difficult to see. I have found life sprout up; and in all reality there has been much activity in preparation for change under our feet and in the air this whole time.

Beginnings, a renewed chance at …growth within a fresh cycle of being; rejuvenation.

This beautiful season is very much a reflection on human instinct; innate or otherwise. Every year billions of individuals decide, consciously or subconsciously, to better themselves; a renewed chance at growth within a fresh cycle of being. Our instincts mixed with outside influences; whether it be media, weather, culture or people in our circle, tell us how and when to adjust aspects of health and lifestyle. Each Spring it’s like our lungs breath air into our minds. We adjust in the way we walk, eat, exercise, interact with nature and other human beings.
Just as birds will migrate with the flock, sense danger, build nests away from danger or flee an area previously viewed as ‘home’ because a foreign scent has marked it otherwise.
Just as insects seem to come out from deep in the earth to build, rebuild, establish and harvest.

Sure, it’s not ALL due to Spring. Life isn’t black or white. Nevertheless, I do believe that there is a life cycle that begins with events which take place during March/Spring Equinox.

So, now what?
Well we will be finding it easier and safer to get around in our communities.
Time to sign my daughter up for soccer.
We will enjoy the fairs, kite flying festivals and local farms and markets.
We will watch closely, as we get down in the dirt, for bugs and other creatures busy at work.
But most of all, we will enjoy each other in making every moment special in it’s own way. Savour and embrace the simple things. Slow down enough to really feel and see.
Once that hand-woven hammock of ours goes up; I’m looking forward to the feeling of a warm, sun filled afternoon nap with my daughter and husband.

What does Spring mean for you?
What are you most looking forward to?

Are we there yet?

Spring Treasure; Home

Spring treasure; At home

Wednesday is the first day of Spring, finally. Some winters are longer feeling, colder or more devastatingly destructive than others, but I always find myself breathing out the same word, finally.

Not only should we recognize the needs and wants in our gardens, activities, routines, vacations and interacting; it is equally important to maintain and care for our homes. After a cold and unforgiving many months our dwellings are also ready for a bit of tlc.

I encourage and practice the following:
• Change furnace filters. This is especially important if you have allergy sufferers. I believe it is recommended to change them every 3 months. Like anything, this could depend on any pets, allergy sufferers, children, elderly living in the house; or maybe even the age of your furnace.
• Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Duct cleaning; before the windows breeze blows around. ‘Food for Thought’: When we got our house built and had our ducts cleaned; we found garbage, nails, and wood in the ducts.
• Check fire gauge on extinguishers.
• Wash garage floor before water restrictions. When it’s a little warmer, I will get out the pressure washer for the deck, patio, windows and siding.
• Look over the exterior of your house for debris in eaves trough or even ways to keep the cool in and heat out.
• Possibly re-seal the deck.
• Seal any holes or areas that might welcome wasps, ants or rodents.

Hopefully this has been helpful and hasn’t made you too busy to go for regular walks to see this season in bloom.

Spring Treasure; Bring on the beef!

Can you smell that??
BARBECUE SEASON!!!!

We are in the last week of needing to put in our beef orders with the farmer before all his cows are accounted for and so he can set up what the butcher needs to do with all that meat! Pigs aren’t far behind either.

We usually get roasts, ground beef and steaks; t-bone, rounds, sirloin. Of course you can’t always choose how much of each unless you buy an entire cow. In the past we have ordered a half a cow or a quarter. The quarter was just fine for the year. Also, the beef is ready about a month from ordering, depending on the maturity of the cow, which is right when it’s warmer.

I recommend filling up your freezer, in this way, whenever you can. It tastes superior to store bought, saves a lot of money and gives you a year supply! I even marinate some steaks, assemble skewers and make meatballs or chili right when I get my order; so also a wonderful future time saver.

Make sure to try barbecued pineapple. Brazilian cuisine finishes each meal with pineapple skewers. It is refreshing, sweet and aids in digestion.

Wake up Mr. Barbecue!

Spring Treasure; Spring Ahead

This past weekend was daylight savings. The third sign of warm days and prolonged outdoor fun to come. The first, a melting thaw with fresh breezes. The second, finding fuzzy buds on tree branches.
It is just days from the First Day of Spring. The sun seems to have a renewed purpose as it shines brighter than ever. I’m finding more tracks in the snow than previous months. Just yesterday we heard migrating geese passing by. Are we really that close to walking around, in public, with tshirts and shorts??!

The first day of Spring is March 20th, the March Equinox, which is observed around the world by means of cultural celebration, religious events and historical tradition. I once worked with a woman who was from Iran. The Persian New Year, Nowruz, started in the March Equinox and lasted 12 or so days. She would get everyone in the family new clothes and clean the house from top to bottom. I remember her bringing in fantastic spiced lentil dishes for lunch.

The Spring Equinox is a fascinating time; globally, spiritually, culturally, traditionally and in a general sense of needing to take care of an earth that has provided in all aspects of life but is in trouble of not being able to sustain this healthy cycle.

In community guides and newspapers alike I am seeing trash pickup events, growing food seminars and conservation workshops. Earth day, which is observed on March 20th or April 22nd, was first observed in 1970.

I am going to see how tree planting goes with a toddler. Obviously our home garden will be a daily activity. The forest and conservation areas are great for learning, observing and teaching little people how to tread lightly in a fun way. I’ve got to find an Aquarium nearby. Plus, Local farms; here we come!

Let’s try to do our part in preserving the life of our world, creatures, plants, friends and family.

Spring Treasure; Sensory Play

For toddlers, sensory play is never ending and easy to compile. As adults it’s difficult sometimes to think so simple and uncensured in our imagination spectrum. It dawned on me during a warm Saturday afternoon walk… We were on a sensory play adventure.

From the moment we left the house our senses were tantalized with each step. The snow was crunchy and sparkling but when held we had little salt crystals; wait they melted into our hand. The water droplets plopped into a puddle. Ooww, a puddle. What does a toddler love about puddles? EVERYTHING! The sounds, reflection, splashes, they submerge part of your foot, a twig floats and this particular puddle turned into a stream. Let’s see where that twig goes!
So, we set off…

I started teaching my daughter how to cross the road a few months ago. When the grey squares stop and the black road starts we stop, then wait. “Do you hear any cars or trucks driving?”, asks mommy. “Let’s look all around the road. Do you see any cars, trucks or bikes driving? No, ok we can walk now.” “Go”, yells my little girl.

The sensory journey continues. The birds are chirping, yet we can’t seem to locate one until a few fly by and land on a budding tree branch. One of the branches are low enough to reach without “hurting” the tree. Sofia giggles as I tickle her forehead with the fluffy bud.

I notice how quiet it is. The air is so light, fresh and warm. It reminds of my 10 year old self; climbing trees, searching forest trails, sitting on the farthest rock in the river, skipping rocks and lying in the bushy field grass. All those beautiful feelings come back and all it took was a mild, sunny day in March.

SPRING is close! I can smell it. The wet dirt waking up from burial. The tree branches reaching to touch the soft breeze.

As we continue up the hill then down, Sofia takes notice to different textured bushes. We finish off our adventure in front of a neighbours house. Sofia watches tentatively as three older kids play street hockey in their driveway. The red ball rolls, bounces and goes into the net over and over again.

Hopefully, sooner than later, we can collect things on our walk like a treasure hunt. In the meantime I’m making a trip to the dollar store for items that pertain to this change of season. Plastic flowers, windmills, topiary foam, seeds, water play with squirt bottles and colours; that’s all I got off the top of my head.
Of course when we can be outside we will play in dirt, explore the forest and in the sandbox as well as go for picnics and picking fruits and vegetables at the farm.

What sensory play do you do with your toddler for spring?

Spring Treasure; March Madness

I’ve been doing a bit of daydreaming lately of cleaning house so when I open my windows for that first warm Spring breeze, I can sit on the porch and soak it in. One way to clean house is to … Continue reading →

Spring Treasure: First things First

So, for winter it sure is mild and rainy. Its scary, thought provoking and unstable what is happening with mother nature all over the world. Don’t get me wrong, winter is not my favourite season so I am quite glad that it’s not freezing and hard to get around.
Wednesday was the type of day, weather wise, that I look out the window with concentration on how I want my outdoor space to look and function. What needs to be fixed, what plans do I want to carry out, what are the priorities and which will I focus my budget and attention on first.
Also, there are cracks that shine a little “ooww… we can go to the zoo, lie in the grass, get ice cream from the caboose by that forest trail”.

This is MY internal road map to a Spring day dream and readiness plan.

As daunting as some of this weather is; I see it as inspiration and the perfect time to put together my game plan.
Usually February is the coldest month and I feel that I just want to be done with winter. But, this is also a great opportunity to lift spirits and use your time spent indoors wisely.

All that being said, here is a sampling of what I list within my road map and some suggestions to get the ball rolling on what you want to do when the hibernation period ends.

1} I have a folder that I keep a collection of pamphlets and/or magazine articles for products, themes, places, plant guides, techniques and really anything that catches my eye.
I like to look through this first to spark my memory and put perspective on what my real passions are going to be this year.

2} I place whatever I have chosen out on the table, then start to make a brainstorming list.
While jotting this list down I keep in mind my space, my daughter, potential gatherings, lifestyle changes, my budget, time allowance as well as how I want to feel while I am using this space.
So far, my list looks as follows:
Front yard
• mulch
Back yard
• make curtains for sunny side of pergola
• plant ground cover, possibly creeping Jenny or lemon thyme, at side of deck/house
• in veg garden: peas, tomatoes, zucchini, flowers
• a fruit bush
• a Japanese maple at back and grasses or bamboo along fence for privacy and drainage.
• choose a space for Sofia- get the sandbox with an umbrella picnic table
• fix grass patches- sod or seed ??
Activities
• Sofia chooses something to take care of and plant
• sign her up for Sportball program
• family camping weekend
( this list is huge, so I won’t bore you)
Me
• “date” my husband; have a once a month adult only date
• shop my closet and choose 5 clothing items to repurpose into something else
• purge and organize photography magazines into 1 book; just choose what articles I want to keep

3} Once you have your main visions down, take it all in. Go back to it a few times.
Fine tune, delete, add specific notes. You’ll want to also break it down into a timeline in terms of priority.
It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. You could just number each point at the side or highlight in different colours and jot down at the top which colour represents what. You could span the projects out throughout the summer as well.

This really helps me to not miss something. Life is busy and full of surprises, so I make lists for everything.

Plus, as soon as the sun is warm, growth is poking through the dirt and it is mild enough for sweaters and raincoats; we will be spending every moment possible exploring outside.

In all honesty, I probably won’t accomplish everything on this list. Nevertheless, I will strive to. I will start with what’s important and from there I will live in the moment, focus and enjoy the life around me.

I hope this is helpful in recognizing and focussing your potential projects.

For inspiration and added guidance, check these out:
• Pinterest- search Dawn or carpediemmama
•http://www.preschoolrainbow.org/preschool-outdoor.htm
• search your citys’ visitor and local events page. We also have an Activities guide distributed each season that lists programs and classes held at the local libraries, markets and community centres. Maybe this is the year for Mommy to take that art class or dance lesson. Think about yourself, not just the kids.
• If you want a garden, but don’t have a yard; look for a Community Garden near you. They’re great!

FYI~ I will have many posts throughout this month and following through to the end of April within this Spring Treasure collection. Keep an eye out for a calendar of events for this season and what to expect for when these posts will start up again in September.
Thank you for reading.

Spring Treasure; a feature event

This season represents rejuvenation, a waking up of the senses and spirit. An end of hibernation and a beginning of life.

I have been inspired to make a regular post within my blog pages dedicated to and as a countdown to Spring.
I am usually late to plant in the fall, prepare my garden, and set dates for those first Spring events.
Starting each Fall season and ending the end of May, I will now post preparations and ideas counting down to Spring. These topics will range from the garden, activities, recipes, blogs, day trips, treasure hunts, DIY, projects, photo taking and simple moments in the rain.
I’m so excited for these posts most of all because I will be sharing the outdoors and new traditions with my daughter. On my daughters birthday, my spring baby, I think I just might take her to a really great nursery to pick a plant that she can plant in the garden. Maybe this could even be an opportunity to meet up with some friends.
~ Let’s do this!~

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