life in my empty nest

Friday, April 4, 2014

Practicing Yoga

My morning routine has changed significantly in the last few weeks. After writing the day's blog post over my morning coffee, I am now getting my body and my spirit moving with a yoga routine. In the past I have gone to yoga classes, but only found one I was really comfortable with, (taught by a friend) so I stopped going. But, I missed it. Yoga gives your body an entirely different workout than walking and the stretching and weight bearing poses are what I need to stay flexible, strong and balanced.

So, I purchased a DVD (Yoga Over 50) that I could use at home, got out my dusty yoga mat and found a new love. It is very calming and the stretching utilizes muscles I haven't moved in a long time. This DVD moves at a slower pace and explains each movement with really nice detail and flow. My goal is to work up to being so comfortable with the poses, that I can go to a class again and feel like I can keep up.

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As a diabetic, stress is my enemy and I fight hard to remain as stress free as possible. With yoga in the morning and a daily walk in the afternoon I will have a healthy balance in my life - taking away stressful thoughts and keeping my days as calm as possible.

Have a great weekend!

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Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Forcing Blooms

Forcing forsythia blooms by bringing the newly budded branches inside to the warm air, is something I have always wanted to attempt, but tend to forget, until the optimum time has passed. When reading my friend Janes's blog, she mentioned that she had given it a try and I decided to do the same. We have experienced some gorgeous, warmer days, that have melted all our snow and just now, brought out the blooms on the forsythia bushes.

Here is the method I used, after reading several instructions when I googled "forcing forsythias". First, using garden clippers, I cut several branches about 2 feet long, making sure the branches I cut were filled with buds. Bring the branches inside and cut again on an angle, while immersed in warm water. Place the stems in a container filled with warm water. Change water daily and expose to plenty of sunlight.

Hopefully, in a few days, I will have beautiful, spring blooms to pretty up my kitchen.

And, look what I found yesterday, hiding under the snow, once it melted. These sweet crocus are always the first flowers to bloom and what a welcome sight they are :-)

Happy Wednesday!

Linking with Between Naps on the Porch

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Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Spring Decor - Bunnies and Eggs

There is a sweetness in spring decor. It is one of my favorite seasons to decorate for, with bunnies and nests with eggs in abundance. The colors of spring; pink, green and blue, in all shades, especially pastels, add cheerfulness to the spring season.

In my home, you may find a bird's nest tucked in with a plant, just so, or a fat, little bunny on a shelf. There are eggs wrapped with twine and Easter bunting, made with quilt fabric, hanging from a shelf in the kitchen.

Most of the decor contains a natural element - utilizing the rustic, like twigs and straw. This decor has a minimalist feel; it feels fresh and clean after a winter spent inside.