"All through the long winter, I dream of my garden. On the first day of spring, I dig my fingers deep into the soft earth. I can feel its energy, and my spirits soar."
- Helen Hayes

Celebrate Spring Contest!
(a $100 value)

Drawing May 16

This giveaway includes gifts to help you be a little kinder to yourself and add some sweetness to your life!

How to Enter: Whether an old favorite or a new release, send me an e-mail sharing a favorite book you've read in recent months. I'll post some entries in future updates.

Box contains: Devotions from the Front Porch by Stacy Edwards, Count Your Blessings 14 oz. mug by Susan Winget from Lang, Herbal Retreat by Tea Forté, 8-5x7 blank Note Cards from Kohler Studios, Peony & Pomelo soy candle, Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Power of Forgiveness, and a Blue Songbird Scarf!

*** U.S. entries only please

"A friendship can weather most things and thrive in thin soil; but it needs a little mulch of letters and phone calls and small silly presents every so often - just to save it from drying out completely." ~ Pam Brown

"Spring makes its own statement, so loud and clear that the gardener seems to be only one of the instruments, not the composer."
~ Geoffrey B. Charlesworth

Readers Share Wisdom from the Women in Our Lives

Janet - My maternal grandmother always encouraged me to sing & stay close to the Lord. We often sang the old hymns together. She was a strong woman with a strong faith in God & made sure I grew up in church. The night she was dying I drew close to her bed in the nursing home & sang Amazing Grace softly in her ear. I believe she was aware that I was singing one of her favorite hymns as the angels drew near to take her Home! Loved that dear lady!!

Denise - Don't store your onions and potatoes together.

Barbara - My words of wisdom from my mother, that I've used all through the years raising our children is: "Many hands make light work." Still holds true today no matter what group or project you are working on or with.

Sonja - Advice from my mom, save your money, don't spend it foolishly and your home will never want for the necessities of life.

Connie - My grandmother was a farmwife and mother and she experienced many troubles and lots of hard work in her 72 years but she always had a song to help lighten her load. I was her youngest granddaughter and I remember sitting on the step that separated the kitchen from the living room in their old farmhouse and singing along with Mamaw. That love of music has been a way for me to make chores or unwanted tasks a little easier! Happy Mother's Day! Blessings!!

Barb - From my paternal grandmother ...to profit in life establish these Christian habits: P - prayer R-read your Bible every day O-give offerings & tithes F-fast I-intercessory prayer T-testify of God's greatness!

Did you know April is card & letter writing month?

In the last few weeks I've mailed a letter to my uncle in Texas, along with a copy of a science magazine I knew he'd love. I also wrote a letter to my granddaughter to encourage her during a difficult time, sent a note to someone who surprised me by visiting our church, and mailed several birthday cards.

Perusing the card rack at the store while selecting those cards, I spotted one I thought perfect for my friend Dena. While writing a newsy letter to her I realized her birthday wasn't until August. Oops... Hmm... What to do? I finished my letter wishing her a Happy mid-year Birthday, popped the card into the envelope, and dashed off to the post office.

As suspected, my out of season birthday wishes put a smile on her face and gave her a good laugh when she received my card.

I send lots of cards and letters throughout the year. Several months ago I wrote a thank you note to our pastor for his ministry and a particular sermon which inspired an article I sold. I find people love to open their mailbox and discover a handwritten letter with their name on the envelope. Knowing you thought of them warms their heart and brightens their day.

How about you? Can you think of someone who'd be thrilled to receive a letter from you? Why not pull out your stationary and compose a few encouraging words?

Spring

A time for new beginnings, for resurrecting dreams, having a new vision, celebrating life, and seeing with fresh eyes.

Spring is also when we celebrate Easter. Through Jesus' death on the cross for our sins and his resurrection three days later, he offers all who come to him new hope and a fresh start.

"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17

If you need a fresh start today, why not look to Jesus? He's always listening!