Wintering In—

“In the winter she curls up around a good book and dreams away the cold.”

~Ben Aaronovitch

December

Winter arrives each year amongst a flurry of holiday activity. To my heart, Winter Solstice surpasses the seasons most romantic event—Valentine’s Day. The longest night of the year. Giving way to a gently lengthening of days. Set against a back drop of the night sky full of stars, Christmas lights, kindness & tenderness.

“Every moment is a fresh beginning.”

~T.S. Eliot

January

Following the weeks of anticipating a new year, we turn the calendar to a fresh beginning. “Is this your slow season?” I am frequently asked. My answer as a small business owner is, “I don’t believe there is one.” Winter hits is stride with closing of books and tax preparations. One of my favorite parts of January is adding events & bookings to our calendar. With each inquiry of wedding florals, custom orders, popup invitations & nonprofit requests comes an excitement for the year ahead.

“I can buy myself flowers”

~Miley Cyrus

February

“Kindness never goes out of style,” and I feel is essential to all relationships, including ourselves. The shortest month of the year is the busiest for the floral industry. I enjoy spending the weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day curating non-traditional gift offerings & designing fresh color palettes for our florals. I so enjoy selecting the perfect cards, self care products & plants to offer. February date nights consist of dinner & a movie. As amateur film enthusiasts, Mark & I commit to watching the award season movies.

“If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?”

~Percy Bysshe Shelley

March

The anticipations of spring always gets the best of me by the time March arrives. Pruning of Hydrangeas is winding down, garden beds are planned, seeds started, sprouting of green everywhere. Birds are gathering material to create their nests for the approaching season. My favorite cherry tree always shares her flower splendor, daffodils reach for the sun, cleaning and organizing every nook and cranny has begun.

During the winter months within its scurry of activities, I consistently am drawn to celebrating life’s quiet rituals. An extra cup of coffee in the morning, sipped from my favorite mug. A fire in the fireplace, Henry stretched out getting cozy. Striking a match to light a soothing candle. Curled up with a book from the top of my reading stack. Throwing new pottery pieces, painting or sewing. Organizing photos from the past year—a perfect way to experience gratitude. Sometimes the sun is shining crisp and clear, creating patterns of light on the wall. Or rain that seems never to end. Every so often, a gentle snow fall, covering the gardens in a clean blanket.

Whether your winter months reflect your own cozy nest, snow bird to warmer weather or mountain eagle’s nest to enjoy the seasons activities—cheers!