Briskly cold days in winter tend to make us feel boarded up in the house until spring. We may not want to go out into the dreary weather, but we can still occupy our time ‘til spring arrives.

Plant Indoors - You can order seeds now for planting. If you have never started a seed on your own, here are a couple links you may want to follow to learn the technique of starting seeds. A well established seedling that has a good root system is all a plant needs to get a good start. Try to link here for a list of ideas to get prepared: https://www.imperfectlyhappy.com/garden-in-january/

Also, try this link to order seeds and learn about what seeds to plant and when: https://www.seedsnow.com/?rfsn=1043.17c

 Craft a Sweater Hat – This is a fairly simple project that can be accomplished in a short period of time. A video link is provided at the end of this paragraph for your convenience to follow instructions. If you have an old sweater that you held onto you now have a new way to repurpose it. If you don’t have a sweater you’re willing to give up you can find one at a thrift shop. The instructions on the video tell you where to cut, so you need scissors. It also instructs you to use a need and thread or really strong fabric glue, so if you don’t have those items handy you will want to get them as well. If you have an old pin you like to wear, or buttons you’ve collected those would be fun accessories to add. Even a piece of lace combined with the buttons would be really cute. So, follow this link for a super fun project! https://www.thepublicopinion.com/crafting_coach/the-crafting-coach-diy-winter-beanies/video_89b0e8b2-d60b-11e7-8d95-438c08106264.html

Mismatched Sock Ideas – There is a webpage that lists 61 ideas to do with mismatched socks. Surprisingly they are really unique and useful. Take one of the ideas here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4t4mzMS-ZZ8

This is generically created with a pair of socks and kitty litter. Its purpose is to be placed into your car to prevent your windshields from fogging up. Wouldn’t that be wonderful? You can place it right on the dash of your car or under the seat. I could see creating more than just the generic and actually make cute animals instead with the same materials, but adding string and buttons. It could be a really fun and creative idea for many. Think about crafting many of these for friends and family as gifts.

Hope you enjoy the winter days inside with fun ideas to make the time go by. Enjoy!

Although there’s nothing official about it, it’s traditional to say the March or vernal equinox signals the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. This equinox does provide a hallmark for the sun’s motion in our sky, marking that special moment when the sun crosses the celestial equator going from south to north. The 2017 vernal equinox arrived on March 20 at 10:29 UTC. In the Northern Hemisphere, we’re enjoying earlier sunrises, later sunsets, softer winds, sprouting plants. Meanwhile, the opposite season – later sunrises, earlier sunset, chillier winds, dry and falling leaves – south of the equator. For all of us, the moon will be at the last quarter phase. Follow the links below to learn more about this equinox.

What is an equinox?

Where should I look to see signs of the equinox in nature?

Does the sun rise due east and set due west at the equinox?

Last quarter moon at March equinox 2017

This blog borrowed

Well it’s been an early start to some turbulent weather already and it isn’t even spring yet. Toto, I don’t think we’re in Kansa anymore! The wind has been whipping up all kinds of trouble. Trees toppling over on houses, patio furniture flying around, the infamous trash cans blowing across the highway and sleepless nights because it sounds like a train coming through the house. There were even reports of tornados in Ohio…some say an early start to a tumultuous spring season.

Being prepared is all part of creating a sense of ease when it comes to this season. Make sure you have plenty of batteries for flashlights, non-flame candles and a radio (if you have a radio) and keep a supply of bottled water and some edible right from the package food. Don’t forget to take your cell phone with you if you are heading to the basement for protection. You never know when you might need to make a 911 call. I would remind those who take daily medication to take some with you when you head to the basement, you might have to be there for longer than you think. Personally, I would keep a supply of food, water and batteries in my basement and in my normal living area. If tornados are on the menu for the day, you can hibernate in the basement and if for any reason you can’t leave your basement, you’ll have supplies. If it’s just going to be your garden variety of thunderstorms, then you can stay above ground and have supplies available in the case the electric goes off. If you’re fortunate enough to have a generator, then you’ll be fine until the skies clear!

Remember to have someone take a look at the trees around your house to make sure they are not a hazard to your property when the storm clouds gather. If your trees come down, recycle the wood into a warm fire and make sure your valuable jewelry is always in a fireproof safe, a fireproof safe is usually heavy enough that the wind will not carry it away!

Chin up everyone, spring is not always about stormy weather. It’s also about beautiful flowers, planting a garden, taking walks in the sunshine, smelling the freshly mowed lawn and listening to peepers in the evening. So be prepared, enjoy the warmer weather and hang on to your hat!

Go fly a kite!

Oh my goodness, this kite will make you feel so relaxed! Take a look at this video, so calming.

https://www.facebook.com/nerdbotmedia/videos/615779941919789

March is just around the corner and of course we all know March is the best time to fly a kite with the extra breeziness of the early spring season. So, I feel very good about telling all of you to “go fly a kite” and enjoy yourselves. Do you remember putting the kits together as a kid, the sticks fitting into the pre-made slots on the plastic kite? Getting just the right amount of bow in the stick and the tail, we can’t forget about the tail. The length of your kite tail had to be just right so it would take flight and stay in the air. Now as a kid, I didn’t have such an elaborate kite as this one, but back then it’s all we knew and it was a truckload of fun, not to mention it was great exercise with all the running and running, did I mention running, to get the kite off the ground and up in the air!

Now I know everyone that reads my blogs are intelligent people, probably bordering on genius, but I will just mention that if you see lines attached to poles and there is a big metal apparatus nearby, you might not want to fly your kite in that area. It will light up your life and not in a good way…so stay away from power lines!!

Find your local retailer or shop online for a kite, make sure it’s an amazing one like the one in the video, then grab your child, someone else’s child (better get permission from the parent, otherwise you might be misunderstood) or just get in touch with your inner child…and have an awesome, amazing time.

Happy flying!