🌷The Seasonal Slice: On kindness & a few ideas for spring inspiration
Today, for a moment, I watched a man riding a bicycle, balancing a large bouquet of tulips one side and a gigantic pink heart-shaped balloon floating after him.
It made me grin to see a romantic gesture in the making and it was a good reminder of how easy it can be to brighten the day - whether your own or someone else’s… or maybe bringing joy to another will in turn bring you some as well… ideas below!
I’ve recently had not one but three(!) rather rude encounters with fellow humans - two out of three ending in (my) tears. I’ll spare you the dull bits and just sum it up to say that my fellow city dwellers seem unhappy - to the point that one of these (momentarily) nasty individuals wished me and my family to a lethal accident while another cursed at Pumpkin (my 20 month old) for touching her while cueing at the grocery store check out. :(
Such back-to-back encounters got me to thinking…
…it isn’t ‘hard’ to be kind… BUT kindness does require more effort/intention than knee-jerk rudeness.
I once heard a wise person say,
It makes sense and, most of us will have experienced it that, when in survival mode our biology chooses energy conservation over things like manners, patience, and social grace. It’s not impossible to be kind when we’re hurting/hangry/struggling/etc. but it is harder.
In my own experience, unhealthy people often find it harder to be nice. And, this has been a great motivator in my own health and mindfulness journey. I love today’s quote, which I discovered in a book detailed below and believe that wellness, like kindness can also be a big part of feeling whole and capable of filling another’s cup.
What are your thoughts? Is kindness part of your reason to stay healthy?
✨Spring Inspiration✨ a few things to do, see, create, or gift…
Now deep into my cottagecore/mother-era, springtime feels more than ever like THE season to relish all things feminine, floral, creative, romantic - and a wonderful time to shake off the lull of winter.
I’ve been snapping pictures of blossoms, baking, sewing pretty things, basking in the sun, and doing a lot of gardening on a miniature scale with Pumpkin and his beloved (toy) excavator. Here are a few ideas to make your spring more vibrant.
#1 Visit a classical art museum, a gallery, or an arts-y shop
Pumpkin and I went for a much needed outing and planned an “art themed” walk in the medieval part of Cologne. Even on a grey day, taking a themed tour of one’s own city can be quite refreshing — and usually leads to new discoveries. Also, I HIGHLY suggest a theme to help get the ideas flowing as to where to go/what to do.
Before naptime, we had squeezed in two art galleries and (part of) a museum — taking in spring in the form of paintings, as well as stopping at an art-supplies store, and enjoying a delicious matcha latte (and milk/rice crackers) in view of the Cologne Dom. Morning well spent ✅
#2 Have a treat
There’s something especially fun about spring cooking and baking. With new growth popping up all over in the garden, I’m inspired to experiment with fresh herbal flavours - my current favorite: MINT 💚
One of my go-to baking blogs, Sally’s Baking Addiction, happens to have a delicious and EASY recipe for homemade Oreo-like sandwich cookies. While Sally tends to stick to traditional ingredients/methods, I’ve taken some liberties to make them my own - a *bit* of healthier version AND with a mint frosting, instead of vanilla.
The results: they are easy, freeze REALLY well, and are so good that I didn’t even get a decent photo before they disappeared!
Got Magnolia trees in your neighbourhood? You can use the blooms to make a simple syrup or even cookies! Alexis Nikole (@blackforager on Instagram) has a video on Magnolia Snap Cookies (and many other edible plants), plus she’s extremely entertaining!
And, if you’re not so into doing any baking yourself, consider attending one of these events (I’ve recently discovered, thanks to Instagram):
#3 Make something pretty
After a looong break, I recently come back around to sewing… and am now really on a roll. Having forgotten much of my skillset and given away most of my tools, I enlisted the help of a friend - to lend me a sewing machine and give me a lesson!
The project: a pinafore apron
The coincidence of happening upon inspirational online photos of pinafore aprons, the fact that I could really use one, aaaand finding a linen tablecloth marked down to just a few euros — all came together one afternoon and I decided to make my own apron.
Both fun and functional, this quick project has been exceedingly satisfying in my pursuit of beauty and creativity —both of which I deem completely necessary for surviving my currently motherhood era.
#4 Get immersed in nature-related book… or gift one!
There are SO many books that can bring one closer to nature… novels, nonfiction, poetry —even textbooks, but here are a couple that I have found worth revisiting time and again.
Braiding Sweetgrass is both a lesson in botany and Native American tradition interwoven with autobiographical story of one woman’s connection to the land. I found it to be both a relaxing and informative read.
As we work to heal the earth, the earth heals us. The land knows you, even when you are lost. Even a wounded world is feeding us. Even a wounded world holds us, giving us moments of wonder and joy. - Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass
Something in the Woods Loves You is somehow rhythmic and poignant as it considers mental health and relationships, with other beings as well as ourselves — also, I just LOVE the title and cover.
Bats can hear shapes, plants can eat light, and bees can dance maps. - Jarod K. Anderson, Something in the Woods Loves You
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Until next time!
Those cookies look amazing and well done on the beautiful apron. We're into autumn but the tips youve given can still apply here: who doesn't love a bit of good autumn baking or visiting a museum when it's raining 😁
Chesica- Your mini art lover seems to really know how to critique an art piece. Love Cologne and happy to see it appear here on your site. Any fun plans this summer? Cheers, -Thalia