14 Ways to Celebrate Spring Equinox 2014

AT LAST!  According to the Farmer's Almanac,Spring arrived with the Vernal Equinox at 12:57 EDT today, and while there may still be snow on the ground in several parts of the country, and perhaps more to come, the Universe has spoken - it is SPRING.

Can you tell I'm excited to see the end of this never-ending Winter?  I know I'm not the only one, although it sometimes feels like it - many of my friends are total snowbunnies, cheering every new weather report of impending snowstorms, and several of our writers here at Reviews, Chews & How-Tos live in the Mohave Desert and haven't really experienced any winter at all.

But for me - I am a happy woman!  I love to acknowledge this day - not only for it's promise of milder weather and the ability to throw open my windows soon, nor for the sudden burst of crocuses blossoming like crazy in my yard.  The Spring Equinox is one of two times a year (the other is at the Autumn Equinox in September), when our day and night hours are the same length apart and the same in the Northern Hemisphere as they are in the Southern Hemisphere.

So this is a time for us to restore balance in our lives, and it makes a great time to do a reset of things that have gone a bit awry.  One of many reasons why Spring Cleaning is so popular.

Ostara (1884) by Johannes Gehrts.

In ancient times - and among pagans today - many of the symbols that have been adopted by Easter are actually Equinox symbols.  Rabbits (hares) are ancient fertility symbols, as are eggs.  The association of blooming flowers with spring is a no brainer, as are seedlings.  The word Easter is, itself, associated with Ostara (in German) or Eostre (in Anglo-Saxon England), a goddess associated with Spring rather than the Judeo-Christian Passover.  The languages of people who did not ever worship Ostara all use a word still rooted in Passover or Pasche.

With all that in mind, I like when  there is a bit of distance between the first day of Spring and Easter, as there is this year - we can start celebrating with the bunnies and eggs and flowers now, and for those inclined to treat Easter or Passover more religiously, it can be celebrated apart from the Eostre customs.

I've seen so many lovely ideas for bringing in the Spring around the Internet, that I decided to share just a few of them in a 1st Day of Spring round up.  Try one, or all of them, and enjoy the turning of the year!

1.  Make a 3-Dimensional Spring Sign - The Idea Room
Isn't this adorable?  Follow the link to get a clear tutorial using items easily found at the craft store.  I think it would make a perfect focal point for any other Spring decorations, and I just love the greenery.

2. Make a Simple Spring Wreath - Confessions of a Serial DIYer

I really like the natural appeal and crisp light colors of this wreath - the tutorial is easy to follow and there are lots of ways to reinterpret this to make it your own (as much as I love the look of those little green apples, I think I might like finding some robins egg blue accents).

3. Make a Floral Bunny Wreath - The Chirping Moms.
This one has a whole different feel than the previous one - but I like it just as much!  Especially here in DC, where we are having a delayed Cherry Blossom season, I love seeing this decked out in delicate pink blossoms.

4. Paint some Wooden Speckled Robins Eggs - Just a Little Creativity.
Speaking of robins eggs!  These are painted, and then spatter painted, and the directions include a bit of advice about how to avoid making a mess while doing it.  These are definitely on my list of must-dos!

5. Make some Egg Shell Candles - About a Mom.
I can't even describe how cheerful I find that sunny yellow candle peeping out from these egg shells.  A few of these would make a delightful centerpiece.

6. Plant some seeds in Egg Shell Starters - Frugal Little Bungalow
This is just the right time to plant a few seeds, and egg shells make a delightful (and biodegradable) container for them.  The minerals in egg shells are even good for the soil!

7. Make a Flower Crown - Mommy Like Whoa.
I made several of these last year and am just about ready to make a few more - nothing gets you into the spirit of the season like a flowered crown and a dance around your backyard (or kitchen).

8. Dream big!  Make a Backyard Sun Dial! - Mom Foodie
I love this idea so much!  It would be such a great project to do together with children, but also just a gorgeous way to set off a backyard garden.  And it's not even difficult to do!

9. Enjoy a delicious bowl of Caramelized Carrot Soup - Our Family World.
Carrots and ginger and a bit of curry goodness - sounds marvelous to me!  Appearing on our dinner table soon, guaranteed.

10. Make some Stenciled Garden Markers - Earning & Saving with Sarah Fuller
It may still be too cold to bring plants outdoors, but while we're waiting for the weather to catch up, we can plan our gardens and make a few markers in preparation.

11. Make some Baby Chick Deviled Eggs - CincyShopper.com
These are almost too cute to eat!  Almost, I say because I'll be eating many. I think I might make deviled eggs this way from now on because they are SO CUTE!

12. Make a Hanging Flower Chandelier - The Sweetest Occasion
For those fortunate enough to have some blooms ready to bring in, here's a stunning and unique way to display them!  For those of us still making do with early crocuses, here's something to save for a little later in the season.

13. Wear a Ribbon Wrapped Carrot Hairclip - Huckleberry Love.
I love this tutorial, not only for the ridiculously cute carrot themed hair accessories, but because it gives very good clear instructions on one of life's biggest mysteries - how to get that wonderful curly effect in ribbons. (Ok, it was a mystery to me - but now I'm in the know with everyone else!)

14. Make some Bunny Butt Cookies! - Hungry Happenings
Last, but not least, some more adorable food!  These are actually called Chocolate Bunny Silhouettes, but come on. Bunny Butts!  These are actually throwing me into a state of crisis, because I'd already planned out a potluck offering for a Spring gathering I'm attending this weekend, and now I'm strongly considering making Bunny Butts instead!


Consider that a cliffhanger....  and HAPPY SPRING!!

You can find these and other springtime ideas on our Pinterest page on our Stuff We Love @RCH: Spring

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