April...Is a month filled with new life and an uplifting energy...that you can't deny...even if you could. Who could not feel a dance in their step and their heart opening up...looking at all the lovely...flowers...blooming everywhere...and pretty green leaves popping up on tree limbs...that not so long ago...looked barren and void of life.
Being an avid lover of gardening...I have already been to my favorite garden centers...and purchased a few new rose bushes...herbs...and tomato plants...and lovingly planted them in clay containers..placing them in just the right spot in my backyard. I go out each morning...like a mother hen...to say hello to them and see how they are coming along...because I know from gardening experience...those first few weeks after I bring them home from the garden centers...and transplant them...can be a sensitive time. Either they took to their new home...and soil...or they didn't. Gardening is like life that way...some things thrive...and other things just don't work... no matter how much you want it to.
I find myself more and more...returning to my garden...to teach me lessons about life. I can laugh at myself now...for all those years that I believed my life had to be a certain way...and that I did too. For many years...I held a belief that I had to be perfect...and do everything perfect...until I became aware that nothing in nature or my garden is perfect...and yet is still so very beautiful...especially because of the imperfections.
Once...I had a shrub...that I wanted to dig up...but it's roots were so deep...and so firmly attached in the soil...no matter what I did...or muscle I used...it wouldn't budge. I became so frustrated and even angry at that shrub...I never liked it...which was why I was digging it up...to plant something else...that would fit my vision I had for my garden. I became very determined to get rid of that shrub...believe me. I got madder and madder...as the days went by...attempting to dig it up. My husband offered to dig it up...I said no. This was my battle.
And I wasn't winning it.
One day...I starting pondering...how that damn shrub represented so many issues and situations that I had clung to in my life...resisted...and down right wouldn't let go of. I made a positive choice right then and there...to give myself permission to just "let go" of all those issues...anger and hurts that I was holding onto...finally...once and for all. I wrote a list of all those issues...lit a candle and said a prayer of "release". I took the list I had written down...dug a hole in a flower bed... buried the list...and walked away.
I made a choice to go ahead and plant my new shrubs and flowers around those roots...of the shrub that wouldn't budge. I ignored those roots...and instead embraced the pleasure and joy of planting and caring for my new plants in my garden. They thrived...and so did I.
A few months later...yes you guessed it...I tried to dig up those roots...again...but this time...it was with a more loving and positive attitude.
Remember...I had let go of so many of my own issues...months before... that I had written out and buried in my garden...that were rooted deep within me. I was a different woman. At peace with myself.
After...quite a few attempts...sweat...and using my muscles...those roots still wouldn't budge. I walked away...understanding finally that it was okay...if those roots couldn't be dug up in my garden. I had planted beautiful new shrubs and flowers around those roots...and they were doing very well...thriving actually.
That gardening experience...taught me a very valuable and vital life lesson. That ugly...shrub in my garden...really in truth...was not about the shrub I couldn't budge out of the ground. It was about me...holding on very deeply...what I needed to release from my life...in order for me to grow. No one...including me...or you...can ever grow...or thrive...or create a life for yourself that is more loving or positive...if your inner world is rooted in the past...your mistakes...your anger...or your hurts. You must "release" and let go. Stop resisting change and new life...by clinging to the negative.
My garden...is my "place"...my refuge...my healer...my teacher. Time and time again...my garden has taught me about life...the different seasons I must experience as a woman... that all humans must experience.The cycles of ups and downs...renewal...decay...death...letting go...and rebirth.
The circle of life...your life...cannot be resisted...clung to...or denied. Embrace each season...open yourself to change...and the flow of your life...will take you safely...where you are to be planted...to grow strong... dig deep roots... to be... who you are meant to be.
May you thrive this April,
Victoria
Praise the spells
and bless the charms,
I found April in my arms.
April golden, April cloudy,
Gracious,cruel,tender,rowdy;
April soft in flowered languor,
April cold with sudden anger,
Ever changing ever true--
I love April, I love you,
by Ogden Nash
WORLD TRADITIONS AND CELEBRATIONS FOR APRIL
April Fool's...April 1st...Earth Day...April 22nd...April 23rd...Passover starts...April 29th...Arbor Day...April 30th...Passover ends
FACTS ABOUT APRIL
The name of the month April is derived from the Greek word "opening"
FACTS ABOUT APRIL FOOL'S
April Fooling became popular in England and Scotland during the 1700's
APRIL FOOL'S IN FRANCE
In France April Fool's Day is known for the... poisson d' avril (April Fish)...which dates back to 1564.
On April 1st...French children stick paper fish onto the backs of adults...then run away yelling "poisson d' Avril" (April Fish")
APRIL IN FRENCH... Avril
APRIL IN ITALIAN...Aprile
APRIL IN GERMAN...der April
FOLKLORE FOR APRIL
When April blows his horn (thunder)
"Tis good for both hay and corn
April brings the primrose sweet
scatters daises at our feet
GARDENING TIP... Early this month plant any trees or shrubs you are wanting to get into the ground...and be sure to use Root Starter...after they are planted...this great product helps plants and trees to not go into shock when transplanted.
HOMEMAKING TIP... Remove all your screens from your windows and wash them...then clean the outside of the windows... when you are done with cleaning the windows... replace the clean screens. To complete this job...come inside and wash the inside windows with white vinegar and a soft cloth. Be sure to fill your house with this month's flowers...the daisy or sweetpea.
FULL MOON... Is April 22nd
FLOWERS FOR APRIL...Is the daisy and sweetpea
GEMS FOR APRIL...The diamond
TEACHINGS...This month is about setting your goals and projects into physical action steps...but also doing this with balance. Do not let stress...or trying to make things happen...get the better of you.
EARTH DAY CELEBRATION...
Plant a small tree or Rosemary bush this Earth Day...and when you have finished planting it...sit beside it...and write out...what you and your family can do to take better care each day of the Earth...and then follow through with your plans to do this.
SEASONAL LIVING AND TIMELESS TRADITIONS
...FOR YOUR HOME
Clean out all your cupboards in your kitchen...and go through items that you no longer need or use at all...and make plans to donate them. After you take out everything from your cabinets...wipe down each shelf with pure Orange essential oil...oh my... your cabinets will smell so wonderful...as well as be very clean!
...FOR YOUR HEARTH
Who doesn't love custard... a long held dessert tradition? And one where you use a reduced fat milk?
VANILLA CUSTARD
makes 8 single servings (ramekins)
8 large egg yolks...at room temperture
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch of salt
2 vanilla beans
3 1/2 cups reduced-fat milk
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Put a full kettle of water to boil. Next whisk the egg yolks only...the sugar...vanilla extract and the salt in a medium bowl, Split the vanilla beans down the middle...then with a sharp knife scrape out the the vanilla bean paste...and place them in a medium saucepan.Add the vanilla bean pods into the pan also...and the milk.Bring the vanilla bean and milk mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat.When the milk mixture is simmered...slowly whisk it into the egg mixture. Place a fine sieve over a large bowl and pour the finished custard into a large bowl to strain. Throw away the vanilla pods.
Place the 8 ramekins in a large roasting pan that is at least 2 inches deep and fill each ramekin with the custard. Pour the boiling water around the baking dishes until it comes about halfway up to the sides. Cover the whole pan...loosely with foil.
Bake the custards until set around the sides...but still wobbly in the center, about 30 to 35 minutes. Carefully remove with oven mitts...the cooked custards from the roasting pan...and allow to cool to room temperature. Place in fridge to get cold. Serve and enjoy this classic dessert.
...FOR YOUR HEART
Take your lunch in a paper bag...and go to a park and eat lunch outside.
Hand out flowers to homeless people...because everyone deserves flowers.
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