Hello there, Rural Sprout readers, Another week has come and gone and come and gone and come and gone, and suddenly the end of the year is looming. I feel as though I’m in the middle of a whirlwind. This holiday season is unexpectedly busy as we prepare to get the Buffalo Kids moved
down here so they can officially become Pennsylvanians. I’ve been busy with both Rural Sprout and our sister holiday site, Holiday Magic Hub and, naturally, the usual hubbub that comes with this time of year. It’s been especially difficult to find moments of peace and rest. After all, that’s what this time of year is truly about. As gardeners, we know that this is a time of rest and rejuvenation for the land, and so it should be for us as
well. I’m reminded of this each time I glance out my window at my garden dusted in snow, with the stubs of this summer’s tomato plants poking through. But right now, I’m consumed with days setting up photo shoots for my latest article (my kitchen always looks as though a bomb went off), grabbing yet another box from the front porch with a gift inside that needs to be wrapped and tagged and running
out to the Buffalonian’s new place to meet the realtor and one more contractor for a quote. In the back of my mind, I keep thinking about Dad’s Christmas trees. Every year, Dad would tramp up into the woods and find this scraggly little white pine. He would cut it down and put it up in the log cabin. No lights on it, as there was no electricity for the longest time. Decorated simply. Somehow, those spindly
little trees had more charm and beauty than my mother’s perfectly trimmed Christmas tree, picked out and cut down at Heller’s in Bainbridge, with its frosty blue Christmas lights. Now, don’t get me wrong. My mother was a magician when it came to Christmas. I have so many fond Christmas memories thanks to her. But Dad’s simple Christmas trees, plucked from the woods, keep popping into my head. A memory from my childhood, whispering in the back of my mind, reminding me that amidst all this bustle, there is still space for simplicity, still time to
breathe. I am not so foolish as to believe that I would be content with a simple, minimalistic Christmas. No, I love making a big fuss over my family and friends and decorating every corner of the house. But those endearing little trees from the homestead are a reminder to slow down, even for a few minutes, and just be. Those boxes that need to be opened and wrapped? They are a reminder that we’re doing alright. That trip out to meet the HVAC guy? He’s a messenger saying, “Soon, your kids will be four miles away, instead of four hours.”
And my messy kitchen after a day of shooting? Tidied up again with the satisfaction that I’m sharing something useful and
worthwhile with you, dear reader.
Just the thought of all of you sets me in motion, ready to tackle the next article.As we head into the final stretch before the holidays, I want to take a moment to say how grateful I am for each and every one of you. And when the holiday craziness gets to be too much, and the living room
needs to be vacuumed again, and you have to bake one more batch of cookies, and your cousin is posting about politics on Facebook, take a moment, wherever you are and close your eyes. Picture a rustic, open concept log cabin with a scraggly white pine tree in the center of the room. It’s decorated with old-fashioned ornaments, popcorn chains, and a piece of calico fabric wrapped around the
base.
It’s quiet. It’s warm. And it’s here for you whenever you need a break, just like it’s here for me.
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This charming pinecone flower Christmas ornaments are easy to make. Keep them simple or give them a little glitz and glam.
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Pomegranate mulled cider takes a holiday classic up to a whole other level. This easy mulled cider will keep you warm all winter.
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In temperate climates, native plants take their cues from the changing seasons. Shorter days and cooler nights signal to plants it's time to finish producing seed. Each plant is capable of dispersing anywhere from hundreds
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When it comes to living Christmas decorations, it's hard to top the Christmas cactus. This perennial favorite is known and loved for its tropical blooms that show up around the holidays every year. It's no
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If you want to learn how to propagate new plants from your Christmas cactus this step-by-step guide is all you need.
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Create festive and fun pine cone Christmas decor and ornaments just in time for the holidays. Grab the kids and get crafting!
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Just one of many lovely views from Talleyrand Park We have a beautiful park where I live. No, really, it's quite something. My friends and I have a running joke where we will wager a
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Fourteen years ago, I got back into gardening. That first spring I spent hours planning a vegetable garden that would be big enough to feed us throughout the summer, as well as provide enough produce
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If you've got a forager on your gift list this year, we've got the ultimate gift guide for you. Whether they're a seasoned pro or a novice backyard ranger, there's a gift on our list that's sure to please.
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Easy to make and beautiful to behold, tea bombs take an ordinary cup of tea and make it extraordinary. Make some for a special gift today!
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It can be tough to come up with stocking stuffers for gardeners if you aren't a gardener yourself. Let's take the guesswork out of Christmas!
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Houseplants and indoor gardening have been trending for the past few years. Are you in on the craze? Choose from any of the houseplant statistics you like, but what really stands out for me is
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It's incredible how many plants there are in the average garden that you can grow again next season for free. Many gardeners take this fact for granted and purchase seed packets, or nursery starts year
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How many times have you bought a plant that caught your eye, or received one as a gift, only to have it die a slow death in your home? Have you ever admired a friend's
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Orchids have a reputation for being hard to grow. Understanding how to fertilize orchids is the first step in banishing that myth!
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Did you miss a newsletter or want to read a few for inspiration? Find past newsletters here. Don't forget to check out our Facebook page for daily updates. That's all for this week, Rural Sprout Readers. |
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