I wish I could say that spring has sprung here in Chicago as we officially welcomed in the new season last week, but sadly, the winter weather is determined to hold on a bit longer here in the midwest.  Regardless of the chilly temperatures, we have been graced with beautiful sunny days and I’ve been enjoying celebrating the arrival of spring indoors while I’m waiting for the outside world to bloom.

I love keeping fresh cut flowers in my home year round, but there’s something extra special about a cheery bouquet when I am waiting for my garden to come out of hibernation.  Although the daffodils and crocuses have not yet poked through the still frozen ground, I delight in being able to enjoy gorgeous spring blossoms right on my kitchen counter.  My favorite place to buy flowers is Trader Joe’s, where I  can always find beautiful bunches at reasonable prices.  Having these spring lovelies greet me every time I walk into my kitchen reminds me that the outside world will start blooming soon again.   Spring is a season of new beginnings and hope.  Year after year, I feel inspired by watching nature come back to life after the long, deep sleep of winter.

Meanwhile, little touches of spring have been creeping up elsewhere inside my home.  I’ve already brought out my springtime decorations and now have cheery bunnies, festive wreaths, and dishes filled with pretty candies scattered around the house.  Additionally, I’ve noticed my diet has started to transition with the change of the season.  I’m the type of person who will eat the same thing for breakfast and lunch for months at a time before switching to something new.  I’ve noticed this seems to occur seasonally, and as we’re settling into the spring season, my appetite has begun to change.  I’ve started to swap my usual morning teas from spiced blends to more mild ones that include notes of coconut and almond.  I’ve even begun trading my lunchtime bowl of chicken and vegetable soup for homemade salmon and chicken salad.

I’ve also noticed that Don & I have been heading out of the house more often than usual.  Just like the plants and trees in our garden, we tend to hibernate during the winter months by staying home at more often after the hustle and bustle of the holidays has settled.  We’ve had jam-packed weekends and evenings out filled with dates together, family gatherings, and get togethers with friends these past two weeks.  Just this past weekend we had a lovely date at one of our favorite local steakhouses, Ruth’s Chris, on Friday night.  We shared a yummy seafood meal at Riva’s with my parents and saw Gypsy at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Saturday.  We headed back downtown on Sunday to hang out with friends at Eataly, a fun Italian market.  It may still be chilly, but it hasn’t stopped us from venturing outside our cozy house to have some fun!

Have you noticed any changes in your home and/or daily life now that spring is here?  I would love to know if you care to share!  I hope that the new season finds you and yours well 🙂