Spring to-do list
by Sam Vangsness
What a refreshing sight it is to see the sun creep up from behind the hills before 6 a.m., a sure sign that spring is here. Spring signals a bit of a rush once the snow melts and the temperature warms up. After a long winter, I am ready to dust off my long to-do list, which seems to grow by the day. Rather than rush, I am trying to find ways to slow down and embrace this fresh season of renewal.
We have so many exciting things happening on our homestead this spring, from planning a garden and planting trees to adding animals and a handful of other things. But somewhere in the process, some things start to feel like a chore rather than big picture thankfulness: enjoying the garden produce in a few months, the wind protection the trees will offer in 10 years, and watching our herd grow. I want to enjoy this time of preparing for the future without rushing right past this season, so here are a few things I am doing to embrace that.
- Daily journaling: I have tried to journal for years. Each time I come back to it, I think each day needs to be paragraphs long, when it doesn't. A simple sentence or two about that day will be plenty of information to look back on and remember. This is also a great place to simply write down three things to give thanks for.
- Take pictures: I am not a picture person, but I am trying to build my camera roll with more memories of the day, big or small.
- Be still: For me, there is something about sitting in our backyard and looking over our pasture with my husband that reminds me all the long days and late nights are worth it.
While the to-do list outside has grown, the inside to-do list still remains each day. I don't have it all figured out to keep everything rolling inside and out, but that is where grace comes in. I do have a few tips that have been helping me get a handle on it.
- A 15-minute refresh: Once I get home from work, I take 15 minutes to refresh the inside. This could be throwing a load of laundry in, doing a few dishes, sweeping, or putting away some clothes. Taking these few minutes gets a few more things off my brain and ready to head outside to work on projects.
- Prepare protein: Having protein thawed and ready to go on a weeknight is a complete game-changer, eliminating any fast-food stops on the way home. I’ve been pulling 4-5 pounds of ground beef out of the freezer on Sunday or Monday and simply placing it into the fridge to thaw. I feel like remembering to thaw meat is the hardest part of cooking. Now that there is beef in the fridge, ready to cook, supper is a step closer to being ready. The past few weeks, making meatballs or beef patties has been a go-to meal. Pair it with some fresh or frozen vegetables, and there is a quick meal.
- Prepare fresh fruits and vegetables: Now that they are more flavorful and in season, having fruits and vegetables ready is a simple way to cut down on meal time. Taking 20 minutes once a week to wash and cut all your vegetables makes them more likely to be eaten. They are also easy to throw into any meal, giving you more variety and nutrients!
Spring is such a beautiful time, and I hope everyone is able to enjoy it to the fullest. Remember, life is meant to be enjoyed and not rushed through!
Sam lives in rural Morton County with her husband. She enjoys being outside working alongside her husband, but equally enjoys being in the kitchen cooking nutritious, delicious, simple meals, and sharing tips, tricks, and recipes along the way.