Happy Wednesday, friends!
Guess what?
I’m declaring today SPRING DAY here in blog world 🙂 .
We spent quite a bit of time talking about winter at the beginning of the year, and I just realized we haven’t given SPRING enough attention.
Let’s rectify that today, shall we?
Funny and true.
I’ve mentioned this many times before, but spring used to be my least favorite season. I didn’t dislike it…I just put it last. I am obsessed with fall. I really enjoy the cozy days of winter. Who doesn’t love summer? And then, well, there was spring. At the end.
Guess what happened though?
COVID happened and all of that time I spent at home made me really learn to love and appreciate SPRING. Now, I look forward to this season. I have rituals and routines just for this season. I savor it.
Whether you were wise enough to savor spring from the beginning or like me, had to grow into it, here are 7 SIMPLE WAYS I’M SAVORING SPRING…
I AM SPENDING AS MUCH TIME AS I CAN OUTSIDE.
Yes, yes, yes.
I’m trying to take my book reading outside, my meals outside, my workouts outside…even my phone calls outside. I am trying just to be outside as much as possible.
The thing that makes spring different than the other seasons is that, in my opinion, it engages the most senses. I love to head to my local grocery store each morning for coffee and to grab a few things and most of the year, it’s a quiet little walk from my car to the store…but in spring, you can literally HEAR the season. The birds are always chirping. I love it. I also love that it SMELLS like spring outside. The freshly cut grass, the flowers, even the mulch being put down in new beds…all spring smells.
I have a fickle relationship with longer days (I certainly enjoy a cozy dark evening at home), but the sunshine and spring temps make me extra happy to get outdoors this time of year.
I ENJOY GETTING TO “LIGHTEN” EVERYTHING
The other day, I turned on my French music and started de-wintering things.
I took a heavy blanket off our bed. I put away the space heater in my bathroom. I swapped out the table linens in the kitchen. I replaced my warm oaky/vanilla candle scents for some lighter/citrusy ones. I swapped my fragrances in my bathroom. Cleaned my makeup brushes and added a coconut-y scrub to my shower. I also went through my closet and put away the heavier coats, brought out my tennis skirts and moved my sandals down and put my boots on the top shelf.
The whole thing took me only about 30 minutes and absolutely energized me.
As much as I love the woodsy/cozy/dark vibe of winter, it felt so good to lighten things up.
CHANGE UP YOUR MENU
You know me, I love a seasonal menu 🙂 .
Since it’s SPRING DAY, I am also sharing 22 SIMPLE SPRING SUPPERS for your season.
As much as I ADORE chilis, soups, stews, and hearty fare, I love swapping those dinners for lighter options this time of year.
VISIT A SPRING TOWN
Last year, you ladies voted, and I made a list of YOUR TOP 10 CHARMING SPRING TOWNS. It’s a really good list, y’all.
If you can’t get away to visit one of these towns, then I say lean into your town.
We have several great spots here in McKinney for dining outdoors, and before it gets too warm (which it will!), we have been trying to visit them as much as we can during this gorgeous spring season. Just Saturday night, we met my parents and brother’s family at The Yard here in McKinney before dinner just to sit outside while the kids ran around. For two hours before we even went to dinner, we played cards, watched golf on their big outdoor TVs, and truly enjoyed the late afternoon with others around McKinney. I love doing things in my hometown that make me “feel” like I’m on vacation.
WORK IN THE GARDEN
Whether you have a big yard or a few pots on your front porch, ’tis the best time of year to work in the garden.
We (and by we, I mostly mean Andrew) have been getting our yard out of the “winter funk” and into the new season.
My veggie garden has been cleaned out, new soil was put down, and it’s waiting for me to start planting. I’m going to try strawberries again this year (they didn’t work last year, tips please!), basil, tomatoes, jalapenos, bell pepper, and cilantro.
I put a new fern out on my office balcony and placed my spring/summer outdoor pillows in the chairs.
Even though I’m currently inside typing this sentence, I can see out the window, and it looks like SPRING 🙂 .
DINE AL FRESCO
If I can eat outside right now, I’m eating outside. I take my lunch outside. We have been eating dinner outside. We are specifically seeking out restaurants with patio seating. One of my very favorite ways to savor this time of year is enjoying my meals outside. It just hits different.
GET INSPIRED
I am one who loves to be inspired. I love seasonal books and magazines and even Pinterest for inspiration.
One of my favorite things to do is take ten minutes to sit down with a cup of coffee and my Good Housekeeping. I always feel so motivated and inspired after only a few minutes. If I’m ever in a rut, it’s an instant mood booster for me. I know we are all different, but I’m always so happy when I seek out things that inspire me. I don’t know what that might be for you, but if you can’t think of anything/anyone who lights a spark in you, I encourage you to find it.
And those are 7 SIMPLE WAYS I’M SAVORING SPRING.
I was coming in from my morning walk last week and thought my house looked cozy. The grass is getting green, and it felt like spring 🙂 .
If you love savoring life like I do, make sure you check out MY OTHER BLOG POSTS ON SAVORING:
SAVOR MORNING RITUALS
SAVOR CARPOOLING/COMMUTING
SAVOR GROCERY SHOPPING
SAVOR 25 LITTLE LUXURIES
SAVOR AIR TRAVEL
Annnnnd it wouldn’t be Wednesday without a little WELLNESS…
…on Saturday morning, I went and had my second DEXA SCAN done.
Last April, I shared my experience and why I’m doing them each year IN THIS POST. You guys, it was even better doing it the second time because I had the results to compare from the year before. It was really encouraging to me to see the scans side by side. If you are focusing on wellness right now too, I highly recommend you look into these scans.
Happy SPRING DAY!
I would love, love, LOVE to read comments about how you savor this season.
I’ll see you all back here tomorrow. xx
Diane Moore says
I love spring! It s my favorite season. No matter how I try to have a good attitude about winter, the cold & dark wear me down. Then spring comes and the birds sing and the grass turns green and the flowers and trees bloom 🕊️🏡🌷🌳
I become obnoxiously cheerful 😁
Elspeth Mizner says
I love the start of new seasons! I love to try to spend as much time outside as possible. I like to take longer walks and savor the extra sunshine!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Beth Knecht says
Strawberries take time to develop. So if you have the same plants, once you give them a year or two they should produce better!
Mix and Match Mama says
This is a good tip! Do you plant your strawberries in pots or in the ground?
Beth Knecht says
In the ground!
Jen says
In the ground-they are a perennial.
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank you!
Jeanie H says
You must not have allergies! 🤧 Spring almost does us in!
Mix and Match Mama says
They were getting me in early March, but right now, they’ve calmed down. I do not savor seasonal allergies 😉 .
Sheaffer says
I definitely change up the things I’m eating and try to go light and fresh! And YES to dining outside whenever possible!
Paula Hobbs says
This post is so fun! I’ve always enjoyed spring, but it just hits even better the older you get. Just something about taking in all the spring things and savoring the little things.
Paige E says
I love your savor posts! Just helps to refocus and enjoy and notice all the things that are good each day. LOVE it. For me, I clean out my closet. It really energizes me and encourages me NOT to purchase new things I don’t need since I can see what I have and I love having a spacious closet rod where the clothes actually slide. 🙂 I switch clothing and shoes between winter/summer and pack the off season stuff away since my closet is small. It really helps set the tone for a new season and I feel like I have new clothes when I pull the next season stuff down. I do this with my drawers too. Heavy stuff gets packed and shorts and tank tops get the space. Happy Spring!
Amber says
I had my first DEXA scan about 9 months ago and I talked to other people about it because I didn’t feel it was that impactful but they shared the power is comparing the scans after a year or so. Now I’m excited for the next one and it feels way more worth it, even though I have not gotten that second one yet! Glad to hear you have gotten value out of it!
Also as a teacher, spring had a whole different meaning with wrapping up the end of the school year but now I work from home part time I really savor spring! I can actually enjoy it!
Mix and Match Mama says
I completely agree! I loved getting the info last year, but I REALLY REALLY LOVED getting the data from this year and comparing the two.
Patti K says
I LOVE Spring! Where I live (MN) it has been so cold since November, and it’s so nice to FINALLY be able to open the windows and let that fresh air in! I have also been outside as much as possible – cleaning up the yard, pressure washing the deck, washing windows, putting out new solar lights throughout the yard, the list goes on. Yard work is very therapeutic to me so whenever I am not at work, I am usually outside doing something in the yard. It still gets too cold here at night to start planting flowers, so I can’t wait until it warms up enough so I can start planting flowers and veggies!
Sarah Shaneyfelt says
I totally agree with your comment about Covid–when we were sent home from school, Harrison had just turned 1. Since everything was closed down, we were outside 3 times a day playing or taking walks in our neighborhood and I guess I had just forgotten how wonderful spring weather was. The only good thing to come from the shutdown was that we got to enjoy a spring!
Also, what’s a great podcast episode you’ve listened to recently that you would recommend? 🙂
MeetTheShaneyfelts
Mix and Match Mama says
Don’t laugh, but I can’t stop thinking about Everyday Wellness episode 576 “You’ve Been Pooping All Wrong!”. I loved the doctor she interviewed. I found her so informative and yet very “normal/real mom”. I’ve thought about the episode a lot recently.
Sarah Shaneyfelt says
Look, the more I did into the functional health space, the more I realize that it’s so important to talk about alllll the bodily functions haha! Thank you for that recommendation, Shay! I’m going to save that episode to listen to this week!
Mix and Match Mama says
I couldn’t agree more!
Beth Knecht says
Yes, ladies I’m loving the functional health route and hope Shay talks more about it! Currently booking with a holistic chiropractor who does insight scans and excited to get the results!
Erika Slaughter says
You forgot to mention SPRING SPORTS! Baseball is BACK! I kind of love all the spring sports happening right now!
Mix and Match Mama says
I am currently NOT savoring the Red Sox. 😉
Leslie says
This! So disappointing. We’re going to Fenway next week, which is always a favorite, but they’re playing the Yankees. Really wanted hear Dirty Water, but I think that’s a long shot.
Mix and Match Mama says
You’ll have to just sing it yourself…
Lauren Palmer says
I think this is one of my favorite posts you’ve ever posted. I want to do them all. Something I like to do in the Spring is put fresh flowers in my bathroom, the guest bathroom, the kitchen, on my nightstand…wherever I want. I love having fresh flowers in the house. In the spring especially daffodils and iris and tulips. 💐
Lynelle says
If you want more than a few strawberries, it will be hard to get that in a pot. Planting them in the ground will eventually yield the most, but it will take a few years to get them really going. They will come back stronger each year. Beware…they will take over a space if you let them!
Mix and Match Mama says
Well that was mistake #1 last year. We used pots. Do you trim them back during the fall/winter?
Lynelle says
Yes! If they are June-bearing strawberry plants, you trim them back as soon as they are done producing for the year.
Julianna says
If you have space for a small raised garden bed, I’d plant a few strawberries in there. You won’t get many year one, but they will spread (and the raised bed will help contain them). I started with about 5 plants during COVID and now I get hundreds of strawberries each year. I personally don’t do anything to the plants and they come back better every year.
Emily H says
Your blog is my morning savor. I find that I save these posts to read with coffee and can really get inspired. Thank you for sharing your positive life outlook. As well as ALL the travel. It’s my portal into another world!
Mix and Match Mama says
Well goodness, thank you so much Emily. Thank you, thank you. xx
Michele says
Never heard of having Dexa scans in your early 40’s? I got my first one at age 60. Do you have a family history of osteoporosis, and that’s why you got one so young? Can’t believe you would have much bone loss at such an early age & how active you are. Also with you being on HRT, you get protection that way.
Mix and Match Mama says
I have been reading and listening to so much wellness content over the last 3 years, and everyone I tune into is encouraging them earlier and earlier. I am most interested in gaining muscle, so that has been the primary interest to me. Whether you’re looking to gauge fat loss, muscle gain, bone loss, distribution of visceral fat…there is so much to be gained on these scans. I honestly wish I would have started them sooner.
Bren says
Hi Shay, a quick question! Related to my line of work, I know some requirements for insurance to cover DEXAs are a two-year/every other basis. Is the DEXA you had something you can pay for independently? I’m really curious and want to look into this more for myself. Thank you so much for sharing!
Also, BRING ON SPRING! I love everything about it! 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes! I know that they can be covered under insurance, but I paid for mine out of pocket. The company I used was about $140 for my scan.
Bren says
Thanks so very much, Shay! This is such helpful information and I appreciate it!
Jess W says
Thanks for the rec on the DEXA scan. I’ll be in Plano in May for a graduation and booked my scan with BodySpec while I’m there. Seems like such a simple process vs. the options we have here in KS where you’re pretty much stuck making an appointment with your doctor to be able to get one done.
Mix and Match Mama says
I heard about them on several different podcasts. My two appointments could not have been easier.