Since spring is still a ways off, I’m grabbing inspiration and treasured Garden Moments wherever I can.
In this case, I made a new wreath.
It’s that time of year when the Christmas greens are banished to the trash, leaving a big void until the next creative outdoor garden push arrives.
Spring & Summer.
This year, I made a lovely Christmas wreath for my elderly, widowed neighbor and placed it on her porch rail.
It would have been impossible for her to get outside and do this for herself. So I did it for her.
So often we think doing good deeds for others has to be done on a big, national scale. But now, I’m all about making a difference in my own backyard, including across the street.
If you open your eyes, it won’t take long for you to find some way you can make someone else’s day brighter, even when you’re dealing with your own tough stuff. Everybody is dealing with something, especially in today’s uncertain world.
This has been a rough winter for many.
For Nancy, that meant that many times she could not get out to get groceries or join her church group in worship or attend a weekly seniors’ lunch. All important for healthy socialization, especially for a widow.
Knowing that, I began making Nancy a weekly dinner filled with delicious comfort food, healthy salad and a yummy desert, a Monday habit I am continuing. She is so incredibly grateful and gives me thank you notes written in poetry. I was already making the food. Hubby and I had more than enough. Plenty to share. So that’s what we decided to do.
Just a lovely decision.
When I did her holiday wreath, Nancy was so excited. She didn’t want me to take it down.
But as with all Christmas greens, it eventually began turning yellow, and I was looking right at it from my own front window. Fact was, I was over the holidays and greens that had overstayed their festive welcome.
Nancy’s wreath, like ours, went into the trash.
So last week, while shopping for goods to make myself a new Spring/Summer porch wreath, I got another cool idea.
I could replace Nancy’s holiday wreath with one for the upcoming season.
I made it up special for my friend this morning.
I plan to surprise her by hanging it on her porch railing tomorrow when the temps are finally supposed to be warm enough to melt any remaining, pesky snow. On the last day of February when spring’s pending arrival might finally seem possible.
Can’t wait to see Nancy’s joy when it hangs in the same spot as the Christmas gift.
Her joy may be as big as my own.
That’s the beauty of giving to others. It always blesses the giver, too.
‘Cause now I’ll get to look at my gift of love from my front porch, too.
Friendship heart full.
What about you? Is there a need you could easily fill in your community?
Just do it.
Winter Images 2026. All rights reserved.