Monthly Musings April 2025: Spring Hosting, Decorating and Gardening

 

I hope it is finally spring where you are, because spring has definitely sprung here in Virginia. All of the spring flowers are popping and everything is green and lush. We have also had the rain that helps all of this along, which we have to remember as we dash through the raindrops. 

Today I am linking up with Holly for our monthly link-up Monthly Musings, Each month we choose different topics and discuss food, fashion and design. For April, we are embracing Spring hosting, decorating and gardening. These are some of my favorite things. I look forward to sharing my favorites and getting inspired by those who link-up with us.

1. Do you celebrate Easter, Passover or another holiday in Spring?

We celebrate Easter and it is one of my favorite days of the year. 

2. Do you plant a garden? Any tips for those without a green thumb?

I would say my biggest tip is put it in the ground and see what happens. As you develop as a gardener, you will also learn what works in your yard and doesn't. Iris, hosta, daffodils and lilies work really well for us. Geraniums do not work at our house as the deer like to eat them and we live in a wooded area. 

Iris photographed on Sunday

3. How do you decorate for spring?

Because we typically host Easter, I like to decorate our house for Easter. I don't go all out like at Christmas but I like to add a little color and Easter fun.

I already owned almost everything that I used for Easter decorating this year. The only thing I really bought was the orchid. Plus, I treated myself to the decoupage shells a few weeks ago on the mantle. I re-imagined a lot of things that I had used in the past. 

The gold tray with the eggs and the three baskets on the tablescape are all items I obtained from our neighborhood Buy Nothing site. I also thought the colored plastic eggs added some fun to the table. Don't be afraid to add a little fun to the formal.

4. Desserts that just say spring to you?

I think anything lemon says spring to me like a lemon bar or lemon meringue pie. Wine Gal K brought banana pudding that she adapted to be gluten-free on Easter. That was definitely a spring treat.

5. Favorite spring flowers?

Honestly, I love them all. Our wedding flowers were peonies, hydrangea and roses. I would classify those then as my favorites. I also love my daffodils as they come up early, my iris as they are hearty and I am working on tulips for the fall planting.

6. Best tips for hosting spring events?

Definitely take people up on the offer to bring a dish. Design your menu and then figure out what dish a friend or family member makes well and have them contribute that dish or dessert.

The photos below are from the Easter brunch at our house. It really was a group effort.

 

Another tip if you have been hosting a particular holiday for many years is not to be afraid to pivot. We hosted Easter dinner for many years and I truly make a legendary ham. Two years ago we were leaving the day after Easter for college visits and I decided to switch to a brunch. Honestly, we will only host Easter brunch now. Food is fun, everyone loves a mimosa and the Best part is that everyone is finished by around 3 p.m.

7. Favorite beverage or cocktail that makes you think of spring?

I was enjoying my mimosa on Sunday and it is probably time to have my first Aperol spritz. 

8. Vegetable garden, flower garden, both, neither?

I used to have a pretty Good vegetable garden and my garden posts can be searched on this site. We have decided to scrap the vegetable garden and just really focus on the landscaping, bushes and flowers. 

When both of us work full-time and when we were spending 11 months of the year in an ice rink for 12 plus years, something had to give. We decided for now to focus on the yard and flowers. I will still do some peppers and tomatoes in large patio pots. 

9. Favorite Easter/Passover candy?

I love candy and especially love Easter candy. I love a Lindt chocolate bunny, I enjoy a Cadbury egg and give me all of the mini chocolate eggs. All three of us get Easter baskets in our house.

10. Marshmallow Peeps? Gross or yes please? 

If you think you don't like Peeps, hear me out. I don't like a Peep straight out of the package but someone years ago told me to roast it like a marshmallow. They were totally right. If you lightly roast the Peep then the sugar on the outside caramelizes like creme brulee. The key is to not toast the Peep for too long or it will get too gooey.

I hope you enjoyed these hosting, decorating and gardening tips. Feel free to share your own in the comment section. If you also wrote for Monthly Musings, please link back to Holly and me and then use the link-up we provided below. 

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