Day 953 Timing

 

As winter stubbornly holds on, the promise of spring feels far out of reach—especially in the early days of March here in Rhode Island. Fresh flowers are a rare find at this time of year, and the thought of having a vase filled with beautiful blooms from the backyard seems almost impossible. However, there’s a little secret that brings the beauty of spring indoors: forcing forsythia branches, and now's the time to do it. 

You might look at the pitcher sitting on my table now and think, "That doesn’t look like much." And you’d be right! But with a little patience and the right conditions, those seemingly dull branches will soon transform into a stunning display of yellow blossoms. Within a week or so, I’ll be gazing at a burst of sunshine, thanks to the indoor warmth and a few hours of sunlight. The magic of nature, all thanks to a simple process called forcing.

As I prepare for an event at the end of March, I’ve decided to put together small, budget-friendly centerpieces for each table.  Finding fresh flowers during this time of year is incredibly difficult, so I needed to get creative. Fortunately, forcing blooms gives me the chance to fill small mason jars with fresh backyard flowers and make everyone wonder how I made it happen. 

It was a rainy afternoon when I set out to scour my yard for buds. The azaleas were close but just a little too early, so I turned my attention to the forsythia. This lovely shrub, with its vibrant yellow flowers, is one of the first to bloom in early spring, and by cutting a few branches and bringing them inside, I can "force" them to bloom even earlier.

Every year, I snip a handful of forsythia branches, place them in a vase, and marvel at how they bring so much life and brightness to the space. It feels almost like cheating the seasons—like I’m tricking winter into giving me a taste of spring ahead of schedule. And the best part? 

While I carried the branches inside, Tim observed me in his usual way—without comment or much attention, as he was more focused on heading out to play cards. I suppose that's just the charm of having someone who rolls with whatever happens around him. It’s a good thing he’s learned to adapt to my impromptu "projects" over the years!

Forcing flowers is a small, simple trick, but it makes a world of difference. It’s amazing what a few carefully placed branches can do to brighten a room, and it's the perfect solution when fresh flowers are out of reach. So as I prepare for my event, I’m grateful for this little burst of spring—one that won’t cost me a thing and will still leave a lasting impression.

If you're looking to add a little brightness to your home, I highly recommend giving forcing forsythia a try. Just grab a few branches from your yard, place them in a vase with water, and set them somewhere warm and sunny. It won’t be long before you'll have your very own indoor spring bloom!