Monthly Musings: Spring Hosting, Decorating, And Gardening

It's hard to believe but it's already the last Thursday of April so it's time for Monthly Musings with Holly who blogs at Pink Lady and Patty who blogs at Good, Better, Best. This month we're talking about spring and spring is my favourite!!!

1) Do you celebrate Easter, Passover, or another holiday in spring?

Well, Dave is Jewish and I am Christian so we celebrate all the holidays. Although this year was a little different. I was sick so missed the Passover seder and we had friends visiting from out of town so didn't really do a lot of Easter celebrating either. But normally we have two seders (one at my in laws and one at home) and we attend all the Easter services -- Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and my favourite one of the whole year, Easter Sunday.

2) Do you plant a garden? Any tips for those without a green thumb?

I don't actually plant a garden but we do have a ton of flowers in our beds. I plant things annually, and spring means it's time for pansies in the window boxes!

If you don't have a green thumb, join a CSA (community shared agriculture) to get fresh veggies or visit a local farmer's market. Also, I find most plants are more forgiving than you might think. If you're interested, try planting something and see what happens. The main thing to check is if a plant needs sun or shade and to water it if it's too dry.

3) How do you decorate for spring?

 My spring decorating has been very minimal in that I change the wreath on our front door. However, Janice just crocheted me a bunny garland that I think I will put up for a few months every spring. I LOVE it!!!

4) Desserts that just say spring to you.

Key Lime Pie. This is a newer spring dessert for us but I love it and the light green colour just says spring to me!

5) Favourite spring flowers?

My absolute favourite spring flower is pulmonaria (lung wort) which are a short little plant. They only grow about 4"-6" high. We have a couple of clumps in our yard and I love them so much! I also really love pansies.

6) Best tips for hosting spring events?

Spring is when we pull out the BBQ and throw together a few different salads. Spring hosting is so fun because we can be outside and it's easy.

7) Favourite beverage or cocktail that makes you think of spring?

I have a few but my favourite is a Coke with lots of ice and a squirt of lime. I drink it outside, sitting at the table, with a bowl of pansies in the background, laundry hanging on the line, and a book in my hand, and I am living my best spring life!!!

8) Vegetable garden, flower garden, both, neither?

I plant tons of annual flowers in pots but no veggies. Like I said above, join a CSA! We also get a ton of fresh veggies when we visit my parents in the summer. They have three vegetable gardens!!!

9) Favourite Easter/Passover candy?

Lately, my favourite Easter candy has been Lindt eggs and for Passover I really like chocolate covered matzoh. Unfortunately, this year, I didn't get either of them :(

10) Marshmallow Peeps? Gross or yes please?

Peeps are an American thing so I've never really had them but I don't like marshmallows so I would guess my answer would be "gross." However, Janice based her crocheted bunnies on the Peeps ones, and I LOVE it, so take that for what it's worth!

I am basically giddy because the gorgeous spring weather has hit here for a few days. I'm looking forward to being done work today, heading home, finishing planting my pansies in the window boxes, and then relaxing in the backyard with a Coke with lime and a good book. Bring on spring!!!