Sunday, March 15, 2009

Spring Forward


I wish that March meant that spring was here. It doesn't. But it does mean that it is reasonable to at least start thinking about spring.

I have spring time plans -- lots of them.

Improving My Garden. I like to stock up my seeds now so I am ready to go when the ground warms up (plus I can get pots of lettuce and radishes going in late April). Gardening with my kids is one of my very, very favorite things to do (I like it so much in fact that I wrote a story about it here). I can't wait to get out our (big and little) gardening gloves, our (big and little) watering cans, and our (big and little) shovels. I am ready for the type of therapy that only digging in the dirt can provide.

Our First Foray into Composting. I am going to explore my composting options in the hopes that I can find a method that works for our family and space (would love any tips from you experienced city-dwelling composters). And I am thinking about installing rain barrels too (would also love any tips on that).

An (Outdoor) Room of My Own.
I am fortunate to have a lovely little deck right off of my bedroom. I have dreams of sitting out there, warm cup of coffee in hand, enjoying the morning sunshine. Or maybe having glass of wine by candlelight after the kids are in bed. Doesn't that sound delightful? Wouldn't you like to come over and join me? Well, you can't because I don't have any furniture out there.

I have spent a lot of time thinking about how I want to use this space, but I haven't been able to bring myself to actually commit to anything. Wicker? Teak? Day bed? Chaise?

This year is my year. I am going to buy some sort of chairs and sit out there on them.

More Yoga for Mama. In an effort to shed my post-partum bum, I have resumed yoga classes (the challenging kind, not the relaxing, more-like-just-stretching pre-natal kind). I have been taking classes at a new studio called Vessel -- good, fun classes. I forgot how great it feels to stand on your head for a few minutes every day.

So far, I have only been able to swing one class a week. It isn't enough. I am going to be greedy and try to get to a class three times a week. It is never going to happen, but I am going to give it a go.

Alright fellow winter-survivors . . . what are you most looking forward to this spring?

6 comments:

Tan Family said...

Yes! Yoga and planting...wonderful ideas! I, too, have plans to do more of both this spring. :)

Marketing Mommy said...

We installed a rain barrel last year--it's all easy, but I recommend having some gutter guys come out and fit you with a gutter that drains right into the top of the barrel.

Oh, and don't forget to empty your barrel and store it before winter.

Serena said...

Definitely yoga. Doing the stairs at home (and at school)is just not cutting it these days as exercise! Sewing my own summer wardrobe, or at least a few dresses and getting the kids outside for long periods of time. We're all a bit stir crazy these days after a long Chicago winter...

Cindy Fey said...

Starting a rain garden, since a rain barrel would block the sidewalk on our wettest corner of the house.

Figuring out how to hang a sturdy clothesline outside.

Getting out the fairy garden furniture from winter storage.

Replacing the tiny conifer by the garage that turned rust-colored this winter.

Yoga, but the stretching, relaxing, calm, super-low-impact kind.

Caitlin Murray Giles said...

These are all such good ideas!

Cindy, I was just reading up about rain gardens the other day. Be sure to post pictures on your blog once you get it going.

Unknown said...

I'm starting Pilates. I need to take a few "selfish" days, too, and get my post-partum butt in gear. I am also looking forward to pool days. When my kids can splash in the sprinklers and run around like mad. I'm jealous of your gardening plans as my daughter is obsessed with planting/gardening, etc. Problem living in the city...

And, by the way, I wish we lived close enough to have a glass of wine on your deck! Sort of like the days in firenze saying ciao ;)