The spring came suddenly, bursting upon the world as a child bursts into a room, with a laugh and a shout and hands full of flowers. – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

On daffodils, death, and finding joy…

Spring is officially here, for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere! The daffodils in my garden are in FULL bloom, and the children are bursting into the house, with delighted laughs and shouts, hands full of vibrant yellow happiness! As we drove through the West Virginian countryside on Tuesday, my girls squealed as they took note of the farmer’s field, lush and verdant. God is so good to us, to give us a change in the seasons, right when we are needing that that bit of sunshine and warmth and color. That which was dead is slowly coming back to life! 

This new season marks one year in our current home. One year since we began to slowly move out of, say goodbye to, and prepare for sale our dear, tiny Virginia farmhouse. One year of slowly learning how to live in a new home, in a new state. One year of making new memories and turning a new house into a home. One year decorating and rearranging and holidays and birthdays in a new space. 

I don’t always love or welcome change, but this one – like spring’s arrival – was a blessing for our family. Sometimes change is funny. We mourn the passing of something we’ve loved while welcoming (maybe reluctantly) something new and unknown. Hesitation and guilt surround any excitement for the new: what if I haven’t properly grieved what was? And then memories begin to fade, the children find new gardens in which to dirty their bare toes, daffodils bloom, and there is – quite unexpectedly – new life. A bustling home overflowing with out-of-state family, a basement made for rollerblading on rainy days, woods for tromping and tree-house-building, a guestbook full of gratitude from overnight guests. None of which was possible without that blessed change.

Yes, we miss the small town living, the unexpected knock on the back door, the ease of getting everywhere, our chickens and our garden, our darling neighbors, (the list goes on…). And sometimes change can be unexpected and tragic. The death of a loved one (this year marks 16 years since we lost my father), job loss, misunderstandings with friends, the list goes on. Even amidst these changes, God is still good, there is still beauty to be found, and we have much for which to be grateful. Let us look for the good and the beautiful when change comes our way, thankful for the new life and growth, while never forgetting where we’ve been and the memories forged and lessons learned. 

Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning (Psalm 30:5).

Here are some ideas for how we can find the good and the beautiful …

01. Notice the Little Things

When we take note of the “little things” in life, it helps us to focus on the here and the now. Slow down enough to light the candle during your morning quiet time. Pluck a blooming daffodil and place it in a tiny vase on your bedside table. Pour your morning cup into a beautiful mug. Pausing our “normal” for long enough to smell the roses will help us see the beauty of the roses. 

02. Practice Thanks

Practicing thanks is a huge part of finding the good and the beautiful. Start by thinking of 1-3 things you’re thankful for right now. My husband. My five children. A cozy home. Running water. A reliable vehicle. Waking up on time. The bouquet of flowers. You could take it a step further and start a gratitude journal; simply jot down a few things for which you’re thankful, every single day. You can look back after one week or one month or one year, and see just how much you do have to be thankful for, and just how blessed your life is.

03. ReLook at your Wardrobe

I’ve recently been inspired by Natalie Borton’s Instagram; her “mom fashion” is on point, and I’ve found a handful of “new” outfits in my closet, just by thinking outside my box. Sometimes we have to take another look, and think creatively about what we already have. This season is the perfect time to pull everything from your closets and drawers and “spring clean.” Donate or sell items that no longer fit or serve you. Then find some inspiration (like Natalie) to help you look at your wardrobe in a new light, and find a few “new” looks.

Here are a few recent lovely discoveries…

01. You can grab early bird tickets to one of my favorite local vintage markets. They have over 200 vendors and 10,000 visitors! See you there?

02. I started 75 HARD (for the 4th time) on March 12. I’ve be sharing my progress on my Instagram stories…I’m a little over 1/4 done, and love how this program impacts all areas of my life (for the better). I’ll be writing a full blog post about the program soon.

03. I’m sure you’ve heard of the “Unexpected Red Theory” by now. But if you haven’t, read about it here (spoiler: it’s an interior design trick that’s been around for awhile).

04. Fresh, local flowers are finally available again; here are tips for keeping them fresh longer.

05. Spring Cleaning? Use my A Capsule Kitchen Challenge to tackle every inch of your kitchen!

06. A South African friend introduced my family to Rooibos tea when I was a teen, and I’ve recently fallen back in love. It’s incredibly sweet and nutty and I find it to be a good caffeine substitute in the afternoon!

07. Riley’s artwork is mind-blowingly darling.

08. Spring screams deviled eggs, and Amanda’s recipe looks delicious.

09. Give me all the tips for having children AND keeping a tidy home.

10. If I ever go to London, I will be visiting here first; her vignette’s are perfection!

11. The floor! The pop of red! The collections! Everything!

12. The prettiest table setting inspiration (and she’s writing a BOOK)!

13. Make any tiny container a matchstick vessel and striker with these stickers.

14. Making homemade bread is simple and so rewarding.

That’s all for now, friend. I’d love to hear how you’re finding the good and the beautiful this month…