Spring Planning

Welcome to the Neighborhood News

Awake, thou wintry earth -
Fling off thy sadness!
Fair vernal flowers, laugh forth
Your ancient gladness!

~Thomas Blackburn, "An Easter Hymn"

We seem to wait for things to happen to us. For example: we wait to get married, or to start a family, or for the right opportunity to come our way. We wait for the right moment to make a proposal (of any kind).

We also can’t wait for spring to come. And this year it gives the impression that Mother Nature is holding on to spring and wants to keep Old Man Winter out a bit longer.

What are your plans for the next few weeks of enjoyment before we get the full blast of summer?

I’ve been so involved with our remodel, which is finally over by the way, that I haven’t gone outside to start any plantings yet. But I’m ready now.

There’s so much to do: weeding, turning soil over, planting, and then more weeding.

I’m also getting ready for all those beautiful spring weddings coming our way. I love to see all those young couples starting their lives together. They seem so alive and fresh, so new.

Let’s see, what else is out there? Oh yes: going to the park, getting out for a run or bicycle ride, and don’t forget the yard/garage sales where you can get great finds. And the kids start their outdoor sports again.

Spring is a great time of the year, a renewal of sorts. Let’s enjoy it while we can.

As always we welcome your comments.

To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Wednesday 20 April, click here.

Mind Your Peas and Bees

Welcome to the Neighborhood News!

What a way to end April! The weather has just been surprising. But we have a great newsletter put together for you to enjoy during the weekend.

To start out, Cindy Beck (or C.L.),co-author of ‘Mormon Mishaps and Mischiefs’ wrote this story full of misunderstandings, mispronunciations and mix-ups. Enjoy it sitting in your most comfortable chair, with a cup of delicious cocoa, and maybe a cookie.

Following her, we have Melissa Wiley from ‘Here in the Bonny Glen’, who’s musing about her spring garden and the month of April. It’s just so soothing to read it, and we can’t help but wonder if we’ve ever seen the creatures she mentions in her post.

Have you ever had the time or desire to make just the main dish, and not have any idea what to do as a side dish? Well, we have Pam Nelson, from ‘For the Love of Cooking’, who specializes in these kinds of things. Check out her site, which is full of ideas for the kitchen, and enjoy her “Asian Sugar Snap Peas” in the process.

As usual, on Fridays we at Positive Music and Downloads offer Free Download Friday. Please enjoy Truman and "Hold On to Love".

To view a copy of Neighborhood for Friday, 30 April's, please click here.

The Joy of Gardening

Welcome to the Neighborhood News!

It is spring, and everything seems to be turning green. All we talk about is going outside and doing things outdoors, working in the garden, getting out of the house.


Barbara Salsbury, in her talk “Mary, Mary Not at all Contrary, Where Will Your Garden Grow?” gives us a few ideas on what to do with our time once we make it outside. There are so many different ways of planning our outdoor gardening experiences, and Barbara has thought of a few of them. Enjoy her article and ideas.

From the University of Illinois we get their take of what to plant and when to plant. This article is extensive and very informative. You’ll be pumped and ready to go out and start digging and planting after reading today’s newsletter.

Jill Valente contributed her “Spring Pasta Toss Recipe” to BellaOnline. It’s easy to make, and she says “is one of those dishes that taste better the next day so it’s perfect for leftovers!”


To view a copy of Monday, 5 April's Neighborhood News, click here.

Spring Clean Your Life

Welcome to the Neighborhood News!

Ahhhhhh! ... Can you smell it? Is spring, and all that it brings with it: flowers -pollen-, showers, warmer temperatures, and shiny days. Of course, there's also the usual rite of the season: spring cleaning. It comes around every year, right?

Momza, from Momza's House tells us that she really enjoys spring cleaning, in her article "Spring Cleaning at our House!" She also tells us how she and her family decide on the chores to get a job well done. I like the way she thinks!

At MormonTimes.com, contributor Amanda Mears talks about "Curing clutter: Staying organized key to spring cleaning". Of course! That's the answer to spring cleaning. We just need to be, and stay, organized.

And it's always fun to have a good time during family night. This lesson "FHE Service Project: Cleaning Up is Fun to Do..." will teach your family to focus on serving the community and taking care of the beautiful Earth we live on.

As always, on Fridays, we feature an artist at yourLDSradio. Today's Free Download Friday brings The BYU Men's Chorus, and their recording "Awake My Soul". This Chorus is said to be one of the largest and finest of its kind in the nation. Enjoy their music!

To view a copy of Friday, 19 March's Neighborhood News, click here