Holidays

Happy Easter

I want to wish everyone a Happy Easter.

I just got back from the grocery store and it was very busy. We’re all so use to the grocery stores being open seven days a week that when they are going to be closed for a holiday people panic. They are shopping as if the stores will be closed for a week!

Winter refuses to let go of it’s grip here in the Midwest. If you have plans for outdoor activities (Easter egg hunts, etc.) you may want to check the weather in your area. It’s always a good idea to have an alternate plan no matter what time of year. Mother Nature has a way of not cooperating.

What kind of alternate plans do you make? Please let me know in the comment section. Then all the readers can share in the ideas.

Janice

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Spring Has Sprung

It is the first day of Spring. It is called the Vernal (Spring) Equinox. If you want more technical information then check out Wikipedia.

For me, knowing the calendar says Spring gives me hope that the warm weather and gardening are just around the corner. Today’s weather is fitting of Spring here in the Midwest. The sun is shining and the temps should get to the high 50’s. The daffodils are sending shoots up through the ground and the tree and shrub buds are swelling, ready to burst open.

Of course as the first day of Spring is on the calendar we are reminded that tax season is nearing an end. I plan on having all the taxes (my whole family) finished by this weekend. Then I can forget about tax forms and focus on enjoying the nice weather. Have you finished your taxes? If not, it is time to Spring Clean them and mail them off.

Tomorrow is Good Friday and this Sunday is Easter. This year it is March 23rd. This is one of the earliest days Easter has occurred. Here is a web-site with some interesting information on this early Easter.

Quote for today:

“The first day of spring is one thing, and the first spring day is another. The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month.”

~Henry Van Dyke

Janice

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March 15th Newsletter

I will be writing a newsletter on the 1st and 15th of each month. It will contain important dates and seasonal reminders of what is coming up in the next few weeks. This newsletter is posted under the newsletter page above for easy reference. I am also posting it here today. If you have any suggestions or want to add helpful information about these dates and holidays please leave a comment.

March 15th Newsletter

As we hit the middle of March it is time to look forward to Spring here in the U.S. The weather is starting to moderate. Daylight savings is already in effect. The Spring holidays are coming up.

St. Patrick’s Day is Monday, March 17th. Many cities and towns are having their parades on Saturday or Sunday. Be sure to check out when and where your local parade is if you plan on attending.

Another holiday that welcomes Spring is Easter. It is on Sunday, March 23rd. It is earlier than usual this year so if you have special plans for that day or weekend it is getting down to crunch time for organizing it.

When holidays change dates such as Easter, Passover, and several other religious holidays that follow the lunar calendar, we can get off track with planning. That is why it is so important to write out a plan and use the calendar to keep you on track.

I find the easiest way for me to organize a holiday celebration is to look at the date on the calendar and work backwards with scheduling what needs to be done. That way I am not caught the day or two before scrambling to get it all done.

Although Good Friday is a religious holiday some schools and work places are off. If you have to work but your children are home from school be sure to make arrangements for them. Young children need supervision and older ones need rules and emergency numbers and instructions.

Thursday, March 20th is the first day of Spring. By this date the garden centers are set up for the gardening rush. The last two weeks of March are a good time to finish planning what you are going to do in the yard/garden this Spring. Even if it is still too muddy to plant shrubs or trees you will get the best selection if you shop early. If you are not sure what you want then take a list of the planting conditions of the location you want to plant and what kind of shape and look you want to the nursery. They have people with experience and knowledge to help you find the right plant for you.

Enjoy these next two weeks as we move away from Winter and into Spring.

Janice

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