To Everything There is a Season

When we moved east eleven years ago, one of the things I was most excited about was the chance to live "in season" again. Not that the opportunity wasn't there during our years in southern California - seasons change everywhere. But without the obvious and drastic climate change, it didn't really feel like much of a cycle...And while living by the ocean had it's perks (I still miss strolling the Seal Beach Pier, watching the sun set), it always felt a little strange to see people in shorts out buying Christmas trees, or celebrating Valentine's Day in eighty degree weather.

Seasonal living, for me, is filled with not only an appreciation of the current cycle, but also looking forward to the next one. Not a bad way to live a life - completely connected to one moment, but eagerly anticipating the next.

We're deep into winter here (although not nearly as drastically as our friends in the midwest!) and I must say I'm enjoying every bit of it; the shorter days and slower pace, the snuggling in; burning candles, baking bread, reading good books, and of course always creating....

But the seed catalogs are arriving in the mail, my neighbor's garden has a few bulbs popping up, the fish in the koi pond can be seen near the surface occasionally, and my thoughts (and work) are turning to spring. The anticipation was so strong yesterday, it found it's way into a new "Enchanted Garden" sign, shown above and listed now on eBay. I was thinking of my own garden as I painted, imagining which herbs I'll plant this year, wondering if last year's lavender will return, considering the relative merits of planting catnip, and so on.

Look for more spring inspired work soon, and for photos of my herb garden once the danger of frost has passed, and I can begin planting. And enjoy the blessings each season has to offer....

"Live each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each." ~ Henry David Thoreau

Until next time,
~ Carolee