On winter’s margin, see the small birds now with half-forged memories come flocking home. To gardens famous for their charity. The green globe’s broken; vines like tangled veins hang at the entrance to the silent wood. —Mary Oliver, “On Winter’s Margin”

Winter is coming to an end. The signs are everywhere; purple crocuses and wild daffodils sprouting from the cold ground and the geese have returned. They’re loud and annoying to some but I enjoy watching them prepare to nest and welcome this years offspring.

Today fared cold and grey. I spent the day preparing the home for Ostara, the Spring Equinox. There are still a couple of weeks until the first day of Spring and I’m taking the time to transition into the season by cleaning up the planter boxes in the garden so that they’re ready for this years seeds and going through the pantry making a list of anything that needs to be replenished in their glass jars: Almond Flour, Lentils, Oats, spices.

I booked a trip for my birthday which is not until the Summer but I like to plan and book it early to assure I get the places I want to stay or camp at. This time I’ve chosen the South/Western side of Vancouver Island. We’ll hike the rugged beaches and forests between Port Renfrew and Jordan River and visit a couple of waterfalls I’ve wanted to see for some time. Something to look forward to.

I’m also thinking of renting a Camper Van later in the Summer and doing a loop up the Sunshine Coast, across to the Comox Valley of Vancouver Island. Perhaps a day of kayaking on the coast and visit Myra Falls in Strathcona Provincial Park. Fingers crossed I can make this one happen.

At least once a year, my husband picks up double smoked salmon from Bruces Country Market so that I can make my very indulgent smoked salmon fettuccini. That will be tonight’s dinner.

At midnight tonight we change our clocks forward ushering in longer days. As much as I love the dark half of the year, change and endings are good; they give us renewed energy and inspire us to reinvent our home and lives. Wishing you a very blessed Ostara and Happy first day of Spring!

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Love,

Jennifer