“When spring came, even the false spring,
there were no problems except where to be happiest.”
Ernest Hemingway
After weeks of frosty mornings and ice-covered windshields, it’s wonderful to step outside into warmth and sunlight and bits of green here and there.
These days I look forward to hanging laundry on the line and watering my gardens instead of having to psych myself up for the freezing ordeals. It may be a false spring but it’s healing, glorious weather and I’m loving every minute of it. Is there anything better than sunshine on bare shoulders after the cold of winter?
Such balmy days inspire me no end. I’ve been digging new garden beds, hauling rocks for borders, and – most fun of all – collecting all sorts of interesting seeds and seedlings like sandpiper figs, ruby red Brussels sprouts, mouse melons (you can pop them in your mouth whole!), strawberry guavas, dragon fruit, and lilly pillies. I’m eager to find just the right spots for them so they can flourish and provide us with all sorts of deliciousness in autumn.
Bear has caught the inspiration bug too, building an amazing pen for our chickens full of mulberry trees and climbing vines to provide both food and shade. It’s shaping up to be a beauty and I’ll share pics when it’s finished. He’s also collecting all the bits and pieces we need to fence in and cover two orchards full of plums, apples, oranges, blood oranges, lemons, hazelnuts, chestnuts, figs, and pomegranates, with room to add in other trees as we acquire them. It’s so exciting to see these projects come together bit by bit.
It’s great to have these outdoorsy things to do in between my writing projects. Sometimes I simply can’t string one more sentence together, and it’s fantastic to turn my computer off and head outside to check on the progress of the kohlrabi and red cabbage, find a warm spot to watch the goats play, or just sit on the sun-drenched veranda with a cold drink.
What’s your favorite downtime activity when you need to rest your brain?
I know that feeling! At that point, whether it’s false spring or real spring…you’ll take it!
You said it, @joanneeatswellwithothers:disqus 🙂 Either one is pure bliss. 🙂
I have chook pen envy – and that is one beautiful hibiscus (and ten beautiful toes!!)
Aww, thank you, @disqus_Hpbse5mymi:disqus 🙂 Would you believe that flower is actually a hollyhock bloom? I couldn’t believe how much it looks like a hibiscus. 🙂
shelling and cooking fava bens! have written about it on my blog! it has 3 stages, it is repititious and helps me think 😉
I love that, @karinstienemeier:disqus 🙂 I remember shelling peas when I was a girl and it had that same effect on me. 🙂
Just yesterday I felt like spring was on its way. We had a beautiful sunny day with warm temperatures and the evening was very mild. It sounds like you’re getting very ready for a new season xx
Your weather sounds so beautiful too! 🙂 I am excited about this new season, one with hope.
I go to the beach and sit on a bench and stare at the horizon. It never fails to restore my joie de vivre. I haven’t painted my toes yet… it’s not summer enough for me. 🙂
Your beach bench sounds exquisite, @disqus_v9uRgGTGfe:disqus 🙂 Painted toes cheer me no end in the middle of winter. 🙂
I hope your harvest is amazing! I like to cook or read in my downtime 🙂
Thank you, @tandysinclair:disqus If we can just keep the goats, mice, and cabbage moths away, I think it has a fighting chance 🙂
Oh Im so jelly, you’ve got sunshiny days where you get to wear thongs. Soak some rays up for me! 🙂
Downtime activity… I just started watching Gilmore Girls again, I love couch diving and switching off.
I WILL soak up sunshine for you, luvly @disqus_o9c9vkchcC:disqus 🙂 It’s gorgeous again today. I’ve never watched the Gilmore Girls – can you believe that??!!
Say what now?! Never watched Gilmore Girls….How… what… why…. Mind blown.
Mom and I watch it every year, its our thing, reckon we have seen the entire series about 15 times. Oh the hours ‘not wasted’ on the counch.
Thanks for soaking up some rays, its unusually warm here today, a top of 17c, but snowing tomorrow. So weird!
So lovely to see some springtime colour in your garden, Krista.
It is thrilling to me too, @lizposmyk:disqus 🙂
Oh yeah! Nothing’s better than warm sun touching your skin after weeks of cold. Lovin’ your day, Krista!
Julie
Gourmet Getaways
Thank you, @GourmetGetaway:disqus ! 🙂
My fav downtime activity is gardening… or watching a romantic comedy…
Both of those sound so relaxing, @LauraTravelocafe:disqus 🙂