Five for Friday – Spring in your step!
There’s an excitement in the air when we begin to see the first sweet signs of spring. The melting of snow, flowers beginning to emerge, birds beginning to sing again, and some glimpses of the sun have a special way of lifting of our spirits after a long winter.
Today’s Five for Friday, has got some Romanian spring traditions, recipes, and easy DIY’s to get your home ready for spring!
1. Marțisor
March 1st is a day in Romania where we celebrate the coming of spring. Our little Snowdrop flowers have popped out everywhere and they are known as the “messengers of spring”. On the 1st, Romanians buy silky red-white threads tied into a bow to which a small trinket is attached and offer them to their female family members, friends, and colleagues to show friendship, respect, or admiration.
Try making your own little ‘marțisor’ to bring some smiles about or even just a small bouquet of flowers. Who can you encourage with a bit of spring cheer on March 1st? 🙂
2. Romanian pancakes
Today is National Pancake Day, which is a great excuse to try some Romanian pancakes called ‘clatite’ (cluh-tee-tay). When we host teams and visitors, one of the staff members, Rodica, usually whips up some Romanian pancakes for a treat and fills them with homemade plum jam, sweet walnut spread, or chocolate spread (like Nutella). Clatite are thin, similar to a French crepe, and can be used for savory dishes as well. Give it a try and let us know what you think! 🙂
3. Indoor garden
One way you can prepare for spring is by starting a bit of gardening indoors! Whether for cooking or using for herbal remedies, growing an indoor herbal garden is an easy way to bring a bit of spring inside.
You can use lots of recycled items for a mini herbal garden, but one I love in particular is this three-tiered garden with tera cotta pots. A cute design that also saves space, and can go right in your kitchen.
Here are a couple other ideas for indoor herb gardens that are ready to go:
What are your favorite herbs to cook with?
4. Breath it in
Get your home ready for a burst of spring by making your own linen/house spray! We’ve got two easy recipes for you to try as a natural spray will cut out the harmful chemicals in commercial air fresheners, have health benefits of essential oils, and are cheap and easy to make.
Here are a couple mixes to try:
Flower Garden Air Freshener Spray (floral, fruity, and fresh)
- 8 oz spray bottle
- 3/4 cup water
- 2 tablespoons real vanilla extract
- 8 drops lavender essential oil
- 5 drops geranium essential oil
- 4 drops grapefruit essential oil
Happy Homestead Air Freshener Spray
- 8 oz spray bottle
- 3/4 cup water
- 2 tablespoons vodka, rubbing alcohol, or real vanilla extract
- 5 drops lavender essential oil
- 5 drops lemon essential oil
- 5 drops rosemary essential oil
Mix well before spraying and enjoy!
5. Spring clean!
As you gear up for spring cleaning, one thing to have locked and loaded is a safe and effective natural cleaner. This all purpose cleaner is easy to make, doesn’t have vinegar in it, so it’s safe for stone, granite, and marble surfaces, and is perfect for your kitchen, bathroom, walls, spot cleaning floors, doorknobs, and more. It’s made with essential oils, so you’re getting the mood-boosting health benefits as you clean as well.
Natural All Purpose Cleaner
Materials:
- 16 oz. Spray Bottle (glass is best, but not necessary)
- 4 T Castile Soap
- 20 drops of therapeutic-grade essential oils (lemongrass, peppermint, tea tree, and citrus ones are recommended)
- 12 oz. distilled or filtered water
Instructions:
- Add Castile soap and essential oils to spray bottle. Top off with water, leaving space for the trigger top. Shake to mix.
- Simply spray on the surface and wipe down with a clean rag. That’s it!
Looking forward to some bright spring days! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
Just for those who have been asking, we will be sending out an update on the current war in Ukraine and how that affects us here in Romania. We thank you for your prayers and concern and we are lifting all up during this unsettling time.
Lots of love,
Rachel
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