“Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influence of the earth.” ~ Henry David Thoreau

We've talked a lot in the previous lessons about establishing a routine to connect with the natural world - taking walks, observing the natural world, eating seasonal food, etc. Let's talk today about connecting that routine outside with the inside of our homes.

Our homes are the centers of our lives. Everything we do emanates from this core, this nest. As we make seasonal living a priority, as we get outside, eat local food, and connect with our communities, we'll see it all reflected inside our homes as well. At the same time, as seasonal living takes roots inside our homes, we'll start expressing that as we leave home.

Create routines that allow you to bring the outside in, connect your home with the seasonal world. Light candles when it gets dark, bring in rocks or leaves for a while, open or close windows and drapes as appropriate, eat seasonal foods, etc.

When you're taking that walk this week, collect items that you can bring into your home. Maybe it's a bouquet of wildflowers. Perhaps it's driftwood and some interesting rocks. Use these collected items as a table centerpiece or set them on the table near where you write in your journal. Allow these items to connect the inside home with the natural world outside. This simple thing can remind us that our four walls do not separate us from the earth only provide us protection and comfort.

As you indulge in these routines, as you burrow into the season and into your nest, think about ways to take your nest with you when you're out living your daily life, working, running errands, etc. Can you share some dried herbs with your neighbor? Take that jar of infused honey to work to share with co-workers.

Doing these things helps us focus on seasonal living and our homes and makes it all more natural. This is the process by which seasonal living will become habit and in which goals will be attained. Seasonal living will become a way of life, naturally rather than something that we're working hard to make happen.

Spring Nesting