Did I tell you that I saw the very first snowdrops of my life last week? These magical little flowers push their way up through the frozen earth in the waning weeks of winter, blooming while snow still dots the ground. What a seasonal wonder! And just when we need it, a certain sign that spring is on the horizon.

After months and months of embracing winter, I’m finally ready to turn the page and welcome in spring. Despite some lingering snow and icy nights, signals of spring abound. Constant bird song has taken over my neighborhood. The daylight hangs around late enough for an after-dinner walk. Seed packets line the grocery store checkout. Mentally, I am gearing up for spring. I have wrapped up my winter reading list and placed more than a few spring-y books on hold at the library. (I’m particularly looking forward to revisiting this one on audio.) I am dreaming of tender green vegetables and rhubarb to come. I am slowly counting down the days until I can stow away the extra warm comforter from our bed.

As we are now just barely past the equinox, we are in the perfect moment to make a little bucket list for spring. I know, I know. A bucket list sounds so very cheesy and painfully idealistic, but I have to say: they work. I’m not referring to a list of 100 romanticized spring activities that you will never actually do. Instead, consider this an invitation to write down 3-4 things you’d really like to make time for this spring, especially things you haven’t made time for in years past. Perhaps there is a spring festival somewhere nearby that you’ve always wanted to attend. Maybe you’ve half-heartedly thought about rereading a childhood classic but never gotten around to it. It could be that you have a favorite spring recipe or type of produce you always mean to cook. Whatever it is that would bring you some seasonal joy this spring, write it down, actually do it, and when you are finally doing it: take a second to savor it!

On my spring bucket list

At the top of my own bucket list this season, I want to make sure I catch two quintessential highlights of spring in the natural world. First off: cherry blossom viewing. I lived in Japan in 2016 and 2017 and I will never forget the two springs I spent there. Japan’s cherry blossom season is truly remarkable. In my area, blush pink cherry blossoms filled every park, lined the local river, and dotted every roadside. Once the cherry trees started blooming, everyone reprioritized their life around spending maximum time enjoying the blossoms. Weekends were spent hosting barbecues in parks, under a ceiling of blossom-covered cherry branches and atop a blanket of pink petals. Over those magical weeks, I pulled over countless times while driving to capture a particularly lush stand of cherry trees. The whole experience - the scent, the sight, the community gathering - is just deeply special. Since returning to Minnesota seven years ago, spring cherry blossoms have not been part of my life. There is a stand of cherry trees at the Como Conservatory, a gift from St. Paul’s sister city Nagasaki. Each year, I mean to make it out to see them while in bloom and each year I miss it. This year, seeing the blossoming cherry trees is top of my bucket list.

Another wonder of spring here is tulip season. In Minneapolis, we are graced with a “Tulip House” in a residential neighborhood where 18,000 tulip bulbs are planted each spring (here’s a great visual). I saw it in bloom several years back but have missed it the last several springs in a row. This year, I am prioritizing catching the tulip house in full bloom.

Apart from the lovely springtime flowers, the season also brings so much good eating. I’ve had this garlic scape tart on my list of recipes to try the last few years without actually managing to make it during the window when garlic scapes are available. I would love to bake one this spring, along with a recipe or two utilizing ramps.

Rounding up my spring bucket list: reading in the sunshine. This is something I will inevitably do in the next few months, but I am just so looking forward to it and want to take advantage of every opportunity that I have to read outside to do so.

That’s it for me! Are you feeling ready for spring? Now, take my nudge and create your own bucket list. Write down just 3 or 4 things you want to be sure to fit in this spring. Your list might look entirely different from mine and that is lovely! It should be your list. Jot it in your notes app or get old-fashioned with pen and paper. Once you’ve written it down just for you, I’d love for you to share anything at the top of your list here. What is something you are finally going to make time for this spring? Or anything that you do each and every year to mark the season? Share the spring excitement with the rest of the seasonal things. community!

If you enjoyed this post and are ready to dig into spring, here are a few posts from last year that you’ll love:

• spring reading: sweet bean paste * This is a perfect seasonal read if you’re looking for a quick, spring-y book to add to your list! If you’re looking for even more spring reading inspiration, check out my full list of recommended spring reads here.

• spring at home: a rainy day bucket list

• spring listening: a garden party playlist

Thank you for reading! If you’d like more nudges to live seasonally, please subscribe to seasonal things.

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