What the Succulent? Become Inspired

By Elle Hoover By Annice Rockwell

Finding a plant that suits your needs and lifestyle is one of the keys to being a successful plant parent. With many options to choose from this task may seem daunting, but don’t fear! Bring the tropics to your living room with a number of different Succulents. Here is a breakdown of the top 4 Succulents and why they’re a good fit for you:

1) Hen-and-Chicks - it’s not just a cute name. These Succulents grow similar plants off their current stem, similar to the phrase the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. If you want to expand your collection, planting one of the “chicks” can allow you to be a true horticulturist!

2) Jade Plant- a fan favorite amongst the Succulent crowd. Since they require little water, it is perfect for an on-the-go cultivator.

3) Aloe Vera- RUN don’t walk to your local greenhouse to pick these up for the spring and summer months. With outdoor sports, spring break, and vacations around the corner, so is the sometimes inevitable sunburn. Having your own Aloe can be a real lifesaver regarding at-home remedies.

4) Snake Plant- Snowbirds, this one’s for you! Its ability to survive without light and water for weeks is the perfect option for those who like to escape the cold winter months of the midwest. Their unique look and colors can be a joy to return to when you flock back home.

Like many of us, Succulents constantly prove their resilience. Through blizzards or dust storms, they can stand the test of time and weather (if housed in the proper climate)!

Elle Hoover is a freelance writer who lives in sunny San Dieg, CA, but has ties to the Midwest. She loves the sun and sand, and is always looking for a new hobby to try. You can reach her at ohelle30@gmail.com.

Abundant Country Blessings

As the long months of winter draw to a close, we eagerly await the brighter days of spring. With each lengthening day, we feel a sense of wonder at all of the small miracles unfolding around us. The traditional return of some of our cheerful feathered friends reminds us of how connected to nature we can feel when we observe with patience. The sprouting-up of proud yellow daffodils revealing their bold beauty gives us joy even on the rainiest of days. And as we move forward alongside these abundant country blessings, we begin to feel more awakened to the remarkable season that awaits.

Celebrations of Renewal

One of the most soulful tasks of spring is being outside to notice a return to a brighter landscape slowly filling in with green. The pink-brown magnolia buds begin to reveal their secret too. And as we take time to carefully tend to our walkways, our garden paths, and our window boxes the memory of winter fades and is replaced by the magic of spring. Our country thoughts turn to creating areas of color in our yard. Whether it is planting vibrant flowers in well-loved antique crocks or deciding to paint our exterior doors a new colorful salmon for a fresh change, the season of spring is our chance to enliven our landscape and our homes as a personal celebration of renewal.

Powerful Promise of Spring

Country shops that weathered the storms of winter are now filled with the promise of spring. Antiques shows and shop events bring a welcomed end to our cabin fever as we gather with a group of friends to spend a day shopping for special touches of history and of spring. Early splint gathering baskets filled with fresh green herbs, cobalt-decorated stoneware crocks with floral brush designs overflowing with fresh tulips greet us in country storefront windows. And shop owners offer new spring candle scents like “Settler’s Wash Day,” and “Lemon Shortbread,” displayed beautifully among bright woven textiles and hand-selected antiques.

Our perfect shopping day brings us back in touch with each other as we happily peruse all of the treasures country shop owners worked so hard to gather for us just in time for the season of change. This spring spend time observing nature’s beautiful transition. Take time to reward yourself for coming through the cold days of winter by sharing an unexpectedly warm spring day with friends. And as you embrace all of the bright and lively blessings around you, let that same energy inspire you as you remember that nature always holds the powerful promise of spring.

Annice Bradley Rockwell is an educator and owner of Pomfret Antiques. She is currently working on her book, New England Girl. NewEnglandGirl2012@hotmail.com

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Kid Craft Corner | Yarn Looms

By Kelsey Ruzicka, Editor

In this section we explore crafts for kids and crafts to get kids excited about traditional craft mediums.

Kids, boys and girls alike, have been braiding string to make bracelets for their friends for decades. However, a new twist on this fun intro craft to fiber and textile creation is adding another level to this long-time favorite. This product makes a loom essentially and allows kids to loop thread and weave string into various patterns and techniques to make countless options for thread art.

What a great way to get kids interested and working with fiber and weaving. These can be found at craft stores and are very popular ages 8 and up.