Hope

I have a new found respect for seeds. They are AMAZING. Not even a week ago I planted teeny tiny seeds into a plastic tray with some seedling soil. I then watered said seeded soil and put it in a window and under a light. Those teeny tiny seeds have sprouted. The cucumber seed is now a two inch seedling. The pea seed (which I was surprised to see looked just like a pea that I ate for dinner the night before) has turned into and inch long, thick stem of a seedling. All together, their bright green color and tender flesh have given me a reason to hope.

Hope? That seems to be an awfully serious outcome from a few seedlings. But yes, these simple seeds that have blossomed into something more have given me a new view on life. It doesn't have to be complicated. We don't need to get caught up in the ever increasing demands that life throws at us. All we need is water, warmth and a little bit of love. Simple.

Spring Fever---

It always happens the same way every year. The temperatures rise to above freezing then all of a sudden we get a few days of truly "nice" weather. But, alas, it's only a tease. The weather once again plummets to freezing and it snows. Those few days of pleasant weather have left me feeling restless and desperate. The images of green buds and lush grass are seared in my brain. Those images are so vivid I feel like I have a fever and I'm hallucinating. Thats what I have though, SPRING FEVER.

This is the first year I've decided to grow a vegetable garden. I'm looking at it as though it's an investment. My small family consumes so many vegetables and herbs that each week we fork over at least $50 to the grocery store on produce alone. I admit openly that I do not have a green thumb. I lived a pretty simple life growing up. My grandparents lived a few minutes from my childhood house and therefore I spend a large portion of my life at their home. They had a garden. As a child, it was more than a garden, it was a magical place. It was my very own fairy tale. Jack and his stinkin' Beanstalk had nothing on where my imagination took me. I can still remember all of the smells in that beautiful place. The musky smell of the dirt, the sweet, fresh smell of carrots. Nothing tastes as good as a freshly plucked sweet pea. Now, as a mother, I can't help but picture Emsley outside with me at our own garden. I'll just keep my fingers crossed that our garden is as fruitful as my Grandparents was.

And so today, my seeds are planted and (hopefully) starting to germinate. They are still hidden in the soil. But I have to say, even watching the condensation form on my little greenhouse is exciting. I can't imagine how exciting it will be once one of the seedlings makes it long journey to the surface and bursts through. As I've been learning more and more...patience truly is a virtue. Luckily, it's a virtue that can be learned!