The Poetry of Spring - Inspiring ways to connect to the approaching Season

Spring is in the air. Its fresh and renewed energy is beginning to pop up through the ground…

it’s in the clouds, in the shifting colors, and in the very mood here on the east coast. We’ve had many a cold and rainy day followed by sunny t-shirt weather and it’s been such a treat.

The snowdrops are breaking through, the helleborus and crocuses are re-emerging, wild ground cover is beginning to line the roadsides and even the daffodils are opening their cheerful little petals. For so many people in colder climates, the arrival of Spring can feel frustratingly slow, but when we slow down enough to take it in and appreciate these subtle changes, feelings of hope and new growth cycles begin to stir. We are at the brink of so much seasonal sweetness in the short weeks to come.

Spring is in the Air.

We recently made a huge move across the country and I’m excited to be back on the East Coast and deep in the Seasonal shifts and I wanted to start sharing more, more of my personal journey and how I like to celebrate the onset of this beautiful time of year. I find myself meditating these days on the many rituals of Spring cleaning and energy clearing that I love to do on the home front as well as the many places my mind loves to go ***as I feel it deep within my bones*** that the time is here to begin playing outside once again.

Decorating for Spring.

I can feel my excitement turn to Spring decor. A favorite ritual of mine once the Season begins to shift, is to change out some of the darker tones and textures in our home for ones that feel a little lighter….a little brighter. Heavier blankets, rugs, and textiles are replaced by airier alternatives and as many of you know already know, I LOVE bringing the outside in. Some of my Winter collections of bare branches with berries and wild twigs are prayerfully being swapped out with fresh Cherry blossoms, tulips, and darling daffodils.

Our kitchen is blanketed in plants year round (and as you can see many of our desert babies made it safely and are thriving) but the end of Winter and the beginning of Spring calls for change and is typically the time when I desire to bring in more fresh flowers.

The wilder the better!

Opting Outside.

The grey days used to get under my skin in previous years (when we lived here before) but something about spending the past 5 years under the relentless sun of the wild Arizona desert has me really appreciating the way that these slower, moodier days open up the echo chambers of my heart and the deeper nooks and crannies of my creativity. This little corner of life seems to have a microclimate all of its own, one that makes it feel extra magical, even within the wind and the wet of these final days of Winter.

Catching some sun rays in the middle of the afternoon **especially during these days where the precious light shifts from dark and shadowy to light and bright in the blink of an eye…or sometimes it’s sitting outside enjoying some warm tea on a cool day…I absolutely love scheduling in a long leisurely walk in nature…and reading my current book in my window nook on days that are still too chilly to venture out…

these are all wonderful ways I enjoy connecting to the approaching Season.

Bartram’s Garden in Philadelphia in the final days of Winter

Lately I’ve been enjoying walks around Bartram’s Garden as the ground reawakens…with a thermos full of warm herbal tea of course. Is it just me, or does a cup of herbal tea just taste better outside?! Rows of some of my favorite medicinals flank the water banks and a soundtrack of birdsong accompanies me as I wander. The Winter sunlight filters so beautifully through the barren trees in this special place. Even on what would seem like a dreary and grey day, the view is majestic, with the sights of Spring coming up through the brown undergrowth.

It’s just lovely how much the pared back palette allows you notice so much more without all the colors of the other Seasons competing for your attention.

Is there anything more pleasing to the eye & warming to the heart than brand new green taking its first breath?

This has always been a place that I would visit when I was going through big changes. It holds the power of being that safe container for my inner most thoughts and feelings and I just appreciate it so much for always holding that healing space for me.

Spring herbal tea recipe.

Holy Basil

Nettle

Lemon Balm

Calendula

Red Clover

Hibiscus

Rose.

Add a dropper full of our Adaptogen Magic herbal tincture and you have the sweet + satisfying taste of Spring.

I hope you are enjoying these final days of Winter and are filling these hours of light with things that bring you joy. Happy March friends…thank you so very much for being here.

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much love this March,

Rachel Cordua

Do our sensory material choices have an effect on our overall happiness?

I’ve been thinking on how creating and then landing in a space or place can feel either restrictive or expansive depending on the energy in what we choose to be surrounded by…and specifically how our homes hold the capacity to be our medicine.

So with this in mind…the spirit, power and potency in which its 🪹 nest like effect has on us should be taken into deep consideration when choosing its layers and sensory experience. 🤎

NESTING

Creating softness when we can.

Embellishing with objects and material choices that create comfort and softness all while keeping other areas open and spacious are wonderful ideas to keep in mind when adding in or eliminating decor choices.

Scent and Lighting

Think about how scent can so easily transport us to a specific time and place just as light can have an immediate effect on our overall mood.

We often recognize quality and craftsmanship without really even needing to tell ourselves to, therefore materials that come from nature “naturally” make us feel extra comfy and at ease all while providing security, protection, warmth and pleasure. How sweet it is.

Layers

Think of the relationship between the objects in this photos. The wood floors and the hand carved wood chair. The soft blanket thrown over the back of the chair made from raw materials. A little pillow made from an old vintage pile rug.

I like to think that the materials we choose are like little tuning forks for our bodies and minds and because we are all instruments of deep feeling, how we live gives us the ability to grow, refine and elevate how we show up to it all.

We are all instruments of deep feeling

Inspiring image by artist Jeanne Simmons.

The beauty we create for ourselves reminds us of our unique story and can tell it to all who visit.

What are some of your favorite ways to embellish your home sanctuary? Please share in the comments below.

DIY Herbal Spiced Oat Milk recipe

Why do we like making our own herbal spiced oat milk?

Well, here’s the thing: it’s way cheaper, SUPER easy to make, has zero preservatives, is a sustainable practice with zero packaging, and is packed full of Seasonal herbs, vitamins and nutrients!

All you need is a few minutes of your time.

Because it’s Winter, I’ve been adding warming & pungent herbs like Ginger, Rosemary, Cinnamon, Ashwagandha, Clove, Cardamom and Licorice Root to increase circulation, reduce inflammation, steady the mind, and help us stay warm.

In today’s recipe, I’ll show you how to make an infused warming oat milk.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝…

• 1 cup organic rolled oats

• 3.5 cups of water

• 1 tablespoon fresh chopped rosemary leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary)

• ½ teaspoon cinnamon

• 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger or dried ginger root

• 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder

• A pinch of sea salt (optional)

• A tbsp maple syrup, honey or 1 date (optional)

𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬…

𝟷. 𝙰𝚍𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚋𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚊 𝚕𝚊𝚛𝚐𝚎 𝚓𝚊𝚛. 𝙱𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚠𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚘 𝚊 𝚋𝚘𝚒𝚕 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚙𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚋𝚜 𝚒𝚗 𝚓𝚊𝚛. 𝙲𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚓𝚊𝚛 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚕𝚒𝚍 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚕𝚎𝚝 𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚎𝚙 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝟺𝟻 𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚞𝚝𝚎𝚜.

𝟸. 𝚂𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚋𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚕𝚎𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚝𝚎𝚊 𝚌𝚘𝚘𝚕 𝚘𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚛. 𝙾𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚘𝚕𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚛𝚘𝚘𝚖 𝚝𝚎𝚖𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚎, 𝚙𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚎𝚊 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚏𝚛𝚒𝚍𝚐𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚕𝚕. 𝙾𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚖𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚗𝚎𝚡𝚝 𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚙.

𝟹. 𝙰𝚍𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚎𝚊 🫖 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚛𝚘𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚍 𝚘𝚊𝚝𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚊 𝚋𝚕𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛. 𝙱𝚕𝚎𝚗𝚍 𝚏𝚘𝚛 (𝙾𝙽𝙻𝚈 𝟹𝟶 𝚜𝚎𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚍𝚜) 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚒𝚜 𝚔𝚎𝚢 𝚝𝚘 𝚖𝚊𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚗𝚘𝚗 𝚜𝚕𝚒𝚖𝚢 𝚘𝚊𝚝 𝚖𝚒𝚕𝚔!

𝟺. 𝚂𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝚖𝚒𝚡𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑 𝚊 𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚎 𝚖𝚎𝚜𝚑 𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚒𝚗𝚎𝚛 (𝙸 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝟷𝟸𝟻 𝙼𝚒𝚌𝚛𝚘𝚗 𝚋𝚊𝚐𝚜)

𝟻. 𝙰𝚍𝚍 𝚊 𝚙𝚒𝚗𝚌𝚑 𝚘𝚏🧂𝚜𝚎𝚊 𝚜𝚊𝚕𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚘𝚊𝚝 𝚖𝚒𝚕𝚔 + 𝚗𝚊𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚊𝚕 𝚜𝚠𝚎𝚎𝚝𝚎𝚗𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚎.

𝟼. 𝚁𝚎𝚏𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚎𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚘𝚊𝚝 𝚖𝚒𝚕𝚔. 𝚔𝚎𝚎𝚙𝚜 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚞𝚙 𝚝𝚘 𝟹 𝚍𝚊𝚢𝚜.

I’d love to hear from you

Please share in the comments below…