10 Things to do this Spring.

If you live in Southern Ontario (as I do) it certainly has not felt like spring these past few days. The snow is still falling and the temperatures are still ice cold. It makes it hard to think that it is already spring. I for one am starting to hate the cold weather.

A few Sundays ago the temperature got to about 14 degrees Celsius. It was a perfect glorious warm day. I didn't wear a jacket and the husband wore sandals and all was wonderful. Little did we know what a tease that would be as the weather has not come close since. I started running outdoors that weekend and was excited to keep going, but I refuse to do something I hate and have the fear of losing a finger or ear in the process, so I have not been much since.

That aside and forgetting about this crazy weather we are having, I decide to make a list of things I want to accomplish this spring. Yes I am all about lists. If I can make a list for something and cross things off I am happy. If that list can be written on a pretty post it note and crossed off using a sharpie, I am over the moon. Its the simple things in life people. Anyways, this is a list of spring-y things I would like to accomplish this spring.


1. Plant a pallet garden.
I am super excited for this. A patron at the library came in for computer help and wanted to research pallet gardens. I fell in love immediately and we spent the rest of the hour looking up various methods to creating them and what flowers were best. I am so excited to have a balcony for the first time and therefore a space to make a pallet garden. We are thinking of doing herbs and a few colourful flowers. I am no gardening pro (actually never really gardened before) so we will see how it goes. I feel like this is a wonderful cheep idea to have fresh herbs and keep us busy.

Source.

2. Organize my Closet
I know I have WAY too many clothes. I also know I actually only fit into about half of what I have in my closet and that I have not worn a lot in over two years. This being said, I am going to spring clean hard core and attempt to purge as much unneeded, unworn, out of style clothing as possible. I am terrible at deciding what to keep for myself so I have a partner in crime to help me out. A dear friend of mine actually suggested we help each other. We did her closet about a year ago and were able to purge a lot of things. So this spring we will start with mine and then tackle hers again. I am excited to have a second opinion and a person who will honestly tell me if something looks ridiculous. So with spring will come a clean and organized wardrobe. I will put away a few 'winter' items and take account of what key items I should keep my eyes open for when shopping.

3. Visit Point Pelee
It is wonderful having a National Park so close to us and I love to visit it. I love Point Pelee. I love the variety of activities and walking trails that they have. I love the nature and the various species they have there. When I worked as an Ontario Stewardship Ranger as a high school student, we spent many a days at Point Pelee, so it holds a special place in my heart. I have not been in a number of years and I have decided that this spring would be a wonderful time to go. I cannot wait to make a day of it and maybe hit up some local attractions such as Colosontis on the way.

Me and some wonderful ladies as Stewardship Rangers, 2005.

4. Balcony Reno
As I said in #1, we have a balcony. The only down side to this balcony is the amount of garbage and crap that has been left out there. The landlord left a number of things on the patio and when we had the floor redone they used the patio to cut stuff so it is a mess. We have some cleaning to do for sure and then we would like to make it a functional space. In addition to the garden we are thinking of getting some sort of indoor/outdoor foam flooring and a couple chairs and a table and maybe even some hanging lights. Therefore transforming the space into a usable area.

5. Scrapbook
I love to scrapbook, but I have just not found the time to do so. I find it to be very time consuming between getting everything out and putting it all away. I got a lot of scrapbooking supplies for Christmas and have yet to really dig into them. So I think a great goal will be to get at least a few pages done. I also find this a wonderful way to socialize so I feel like a few scrapbooking dates with some fellow scrapbooking friends is certainly in order this spring.

6. Exercise
I have mentioned before starting to run. So on days that it is nice, running will be my goal. In addition to running, a crazy friend and I have signed up for a boot camp. It is three times a week for eight weeks. I am nervous beyond nervous, but I would love to have energy and enjoy the summer, so I think this will be a great kick in the butt. Plus who knows, with this maybe I wont be the person in the worst shape at soccer.

7. Road Trip
I want to get away. I do not care where, I do not care with who, so I do believe that a road trip is in order come late spring when the weather starts to warm up. I have felt pretty cooped up all winter and I cannot wait to get away whether for a day or for a weekend.

8. Reconnect
Life is busy. We are all busy. Business or not I feel like there are just some friendships that should not hurt because of the business of everyday life. With the spring I plan to make more time for friends and be more intentional with my friendships. Whether it be writing cards to friends from out of town to let them know I am thinking of them, or making coffee dates with those close by, I hope to feel that satisfaction and happiness that comes with true friendships.

9. Reading
I have a lofty list of books I hope to read (check it out here) and I plan to keep at it. I am excited to be able to get outside and read in the wonderful spring air. Not going to lie one of my favourite things is a blanket and a book anywhere.

10. Bake a Pie
Confession: I love to bake, but have actually only made a handful of things from scratch. The secret to my success and saying I am good at baking is I only make the same handful of things over and over. My goal for the spring is to make a pie from scratch. This has never been done in our house, so boy oh boy am I excited. I am leaning towards rhubarb as it is in season soonest. Fingers crossed it turns out great.