Learn how to grill burgers with these five simple steps from Nick Evans of Macheesmo.
One of the things I’m most looking forward to this summer is relaxing with family and friends in our backyard and grilling some really good burgers. I recently tried some of the Wagyu beef burgers available from Harry & David, and let me tell you: They’re deliciously juicy and flavorful. Plus, they’re individually wrapped, so you can store them in the freezer until you need them. Here are my quick tips for improving your burger game this summer.
Prep the patties
When I grill burgers, I like to keep the seasoning simple by using only salt and pepper. This is usually enough to enhance the robust natural flavor of the Wagyu beef burgers without overpowering them.
One pro tip: make a small divot in the center of each patty with your thumb. As meat heats, it tends to contract. If you start with a perfectly flat patty, it will pull in toward the center as it cooks, and you’ll end up with a football-shaped burger. The divot gives the patty some room to shrink, and you’ll be left with an evenly sized burger.
Grilling tips
Regardless of whether you are using charcoal or gas, you should grill burgers over direct heat to give them a nice char. For a medium burger, cook a one-third-pound patty for 3-4 minutes per side. If you prefer medium-rare (pink in the middle), then shoot for closer to three minutes each side.
If you’re not sure how well your burger is cooked, use an instant-read meat thermometer. A rare burger will register around 120° F in the direct center of the patty, while 140 F will get you a medium burger, and 160° F will be for one that’s well-done.
In the last few minutes while the burgers finish up, place your buns on the grill until they’re toasted, about 1-2 minutes, to give them a bit of texture.
Tasty toppings
I’m an American cheese fan through and through, but you can use other cheeses as well. I like to add a dollop of pepper and onion relish on top of my cheese. This gives a subtle sweetness and umami to the burger.
I also love to make a quick burger sauce with mayo, mustard, and chopped pickles. The sauce gives the burgers some extra fat and moisture, and the pickles add a bit of sharpness to each bite.
If you’re hosting friends or a backyard party, you can also create a burger bar with everyone’s favorite fixings.
Preheat grill. If you are using charcoal, prepare grill for direct heat grilling. If using gas, preheat to medium-high heat.
While the grill heats up, season burgers with salt and pepper on both sides. Use your thumb to press a small divot into the center of each patty.
Make the quick burger sauce by mixing the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, minced dill pickle, and pickle juice in a bowl. Set aside.
Clean and lightly oil your grill grates using a rag with some neutral oil. Use tongs to run the rag over the grill grates to make sure you don't get burned.
Add burgers to the grill and cook for 3-4 minutes. Flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes. One minute before the burgers are done, add cheese, and pepper and onion relish.
Grill buns for 1-2 minutes.
Assemble burgers with quick burger sauce, lettuce, tomato, and red onion. Serve immediately.
Picnics are a great way to get outside and enjoy beautiful weather, are good for families of any size, and can be scaled to any budget. And, best of all, they can be designed specifically around the things you and your picnic guests will love most, creating a unique event they’ll never forget.
Here are 11 expert tips to help you get started with your planning and preparation for the perfect picnic.
1. Think outside the park
Your local grassy knoll is great for taking the dogs out or grabbing some fresh air, but for a picnic that will go down in history, think grander. Beaches, lakesides, and riverbanks — basically anywhere near water — can all provide fantastic lush and unexpected settings. Or go for a short drive into the country, up into the mountains, or anywhere else near your home where the scenery is especially memorable.
“Our favorite type of picnic would definitely have to be somewhere with great views,” say Jocelyn Chin and Coco Chan, event planners and founders of the Bay Area picnic planning company Picnic ‘n Chill. “A great view can really elevate your picnic experience and set the tone for the whole event.”
To find a scenic location to explore in your area, type your zip code in at MyScenicDrives or search Yelp for nearby scenic views.
2. Select a theme
Whatever theme you choose doesn’t have to be elaborate — it can be as simple as a color, a type of food you want to focus on (think French, Italian, or American), or the type of mood you want to create (reflective, celebratory, or perhaps adventurous). Once your theme has been decided, Chan says, your other decisions — from menu planning to decorating — should stay consistent with it, to ensure your picnic feels whole, cohesive, and well thought out.
3. Plan an appropriate menu
When it comes to ideal picnic foods, Wendy Weston, a picnic expert and founder of New York City’s Perfect Picnic, recommends centering your picks around fresh seasonal foods, such as fruits and salads, along with prepared foods “that hang well and can withstand some time in the open air.” That means meats, cheeses, olives, jam, baguettes, and some sort of sandwich you’ve made in advance.
The Meat and Cheese Picnic Tin contains a selection of summer sausage, dry salami, sharp white cheddar, gouda, and pepper jack cheeses, along with olive oil and sea salt water crackers.
The Market Tote with Wine packs a selection of pears, apples, roasted almonds, sourdough baguettes, garlic-stuffed olives, fire roasted bruschetta spread, roasted artichoke heart halves, and more. Both are perfect on their own or paired with more of your faves.
Weston recommends prepping as much of the food as you can in advance. That way, you’re only dressing salads and spreading things out for the rest of your guests to enjoy once you get to your picnic site.
4. Don’t think too fancy
Social media is filled with photos of elaborate picnic spreads with formal dishes and silver and china…but don’t think you have to fall into that trap. “I like to buck the trends and stay as close as possible to my picnic roots,” Weston says. “I say, leave your fancy stuff at home and bring a nice melamine plate and some cute plastic tumblers. There’s a time and a place for luxury, and it can be really special, but bringing fine glassware on a picnic is challenging. Don’t be afraid of a casual vibe — you know, it’s still a picnic.”
5. Pack smart
For old school picnic charm, you can’t beat storing all your food and dishes in a basket, such as our Canasta Wicker model.
The Charleston Picnic Basket includes full service for four (plates, silverware, corkscrew, bottle stopper, cheese board, and knife, and even an insulated cooler bag).
Weston’s biggest insider picnic tip — after years spent hauling picnic materials by hand to Central Park — is: buy a wagon! (Or, if you don’t have one, borrow one from the kid next door.) An old-school little red wagon, or even a collapsible gardening wagon, will work, save your back and get all your picnic essentials from point A to point B. “I learned the hard way,” she says, “and a wagon makes things so much easier!”
7. Set up for comfort — and in layers
You want your guests to be able to relax, so pack plenty of comforts from home: blankets, a lawn chair or two, and a bunch of throw pillows. But before you spread all your blankets and pillows out on the ground, put a tarp down first. “We use tarps under everything we do,” Weston says. “We like to create a nice big area for people to lounge and relax, but before anything goes on the ground, we put down a thick canvas tarp from the hardware store. And then we layer on top of that!”
“Leave your phone at home, and remember: The picnic is time to unwind and spend time outdoors, relaxing and enjoying delicious food, and making memories with the people you care most about.”
Drinks are an essential part of every picnic, whether your guests enjoy a frosty glass of lemonade or a glass or two of pinot. And don’t forget to bring plenty of water as well, says Picnic n’ Chill’s Chin.
“Being out in the sun all day can leave you dehydrated,” she warns, and advises bringing more water than you think you need. She also suggests toting an extra bag or two of ice and a small bucket you can fill with ice to keep everyone’s drinks chilled. Pre-frozen water bottles are another great option; these help keep food cold early in the day and give you extra cold water to drink as they melt.
9. Opt for single-serving desserts
Elaborate cakes, pies, and tarts are amazing when you’re grilling by the pool or entertaining at home, but serving these types of desserts outside and away from home on a picnic is just too complicated, Weston says. She prefers bringing cookies, brownies, and fresh fruits, such as strawberries, to the events she helps plan. Chan agrees, adding donuts, cupcakes, and macarons to her go-to dessert menu list.
A few of our favorite options that picnic attendees are sure to love: the Cheers Wine Gift Box, which includes chocolate covered cherries, dark chocolate truffles, and Harry & David 2019 Royal Crest Red Blend.
To make your picnic even more memorable, Chin and Chan recommend bringing a special sign, banner, or letter board to display at your picnic site. This, they say, will make the outing seem more personalized and special.
Umbrellas can help break up the midday sun, but for a more unique and unexpected option, try a colorful parasol. They look great in photos and really bring a special element to your picnic, Weston says.
“Potted plants and topiaries are another great picnic addition,” she says. They add to that outdoor, lush feeling and can bring in unexpected colors and scents.
“If you pick a few really lovely, beautiful extra items for your picnic setup, it can really create a special, memorable event,” Weston says.
11. And, most importantly…
“Don’t try too hard!” Weston says. “A picnic should be more than an Instagrammable moment.”
Don’t overdo it with too much technology or fancy tents or elaborate candelabras or foods that are too hard to pack, prepare, or serve.
“Leave your phone at home, and remember: The picnic is time to unwind and spend time outdoors, relaxing and enjoying delicious food, and making memories with the people you care most about,” she says.
This sparkling strawberry rosé cocktail created by Lauren Grier from The Curious Plate comprises just a few simple ingredients for the perfect warm-weather beverage.
With the weather finally warming up, this rosé lemon spritzer is a delightful addition to any brunch, lunch, or dinner spread. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate spring occasions than with a pretty pink cocktail in hand.
This rosé cocktail is made with fresh lemon, strawberries, mint, and simple syrup, but what makes it stand out is the addition of Harry & David Rosé. This rosé wine is light, with subtle hints of watermelon, making it the perfect refreshing drink to sip on a warm day.
Kick off your shoes, relax in the sunshine, and serve up a glass of rosé lemon spritzer.
Summer wedding plans are back on, and peak flower growing season offers a wide variety of options for beautifying your long-awaited event. This season’s floral trends run the gamut, from bright and colorful midcentury modern bouquets to muted dried floral inclusions. So, which style is best for your summer wedding?
Lynn Mehl, founder of Good Old Days Eco-Florist in New Windsor, New York, has been creating wedding floral arrangements since 1977. She says the big trend she sees this summer is couples wanting to showcase their individuality. “Brides today are shying away from mainstream ideas or items. Instead, they are searching out one-of-a-kind, fresh items of quality, items with interest, and unusual vintage items, even if they cost more,” Mehl says. “Their ultimate goal is to be unique and make their wedding stand apart.”
Here are Mehl’s four top tips for incorporating the hottest 2024 trends into your summer wedding flowers and making them your own.
1. Large freeform botanical displays
A popular trend this year is to create freeform floral décor and bouquets made from lush greens and botanicals. “Instead of the traditional ‘80% flowers and 20% accents,’ it is popular now to have the reverse — arrangements that are 80% greenery and organic components accented with a few flowers,” Mehl observes. This “overgrown” style is hugely popular for both bouquets and other decorations.
The best way to achieve this look? “Start with an overabundance of greenery, then add moss and twigs, and, finally, accent with wildflowers, blooms, and dried flowers,” Mehl instructs. Once you have your “green” base, layer in a few colorful blooms for contrast to draw the eye.
Bonus tip: “Eucalyptus is always a favorite, not just for its scent but for the color, drape, and movement it gives. Ferns are also extremely popular and can be displayed in pots you can take home after the event and replant.” Both provide great texture to the backdrop of the day.
2. Midcentury modern
After two years of being inside, it is no wonder that bright colors associated with playfulness are back in style. “From bouquets to centerpieces, midcentury modern decor is back,” Mehl notes. “This means structured and somewhat minimalistic bouquets using retro, styled designs, containers, and bright pop-art colors (think early Andy Warhol).” Where traditional wisdom previously advised wedding planners to start with a neutral pallet and add “pops of color” for dramatic effect, the opposite can help couples achieve an energetic and current look.
When it comes to flower selection in this genre, “summer is the best season to find bright, local flowers,” Mehl notes. Choosing one brilliant monochromatic shade feels sophisticated and refined, or you can opt to make a bold statement with multiple bright colors. “The lush petal structure of peonies (available from late spring through mid-summer) makes them dreamy and romantic. Dahlias are another popular summer flower that can offer rich color and texture to any bouquet.”
The containers you use to display your arrangements are another great place to add pops of color. “Search out vintage containers. These props can add a fun retro look.”
Bonus tip: “For extra bright color, consider incorporating fruits that can easily be eaten the next day or donated later,” Mehl suggests.
3. Dried flowers
“Dried flowers are back in style with a vengeance,” Mehl notes. In contrast to the colorful midcentury modern trend, “delicate dried and preserved flowers are being sought after for their muted tones. Couples are using them in everything from bouquets to corsages by themselves, or mixing them into fresh floral designs.” Some popular choices include dried lavender, billy balls, and mums.
The best part about featuring dried flowers in a summer wedding is that you do not have to worry about them wilting. “Dried petals are perfect for scattering down the aisle or on a tabletop,” Mehl adds. Just make sure you ask for only naturally dried and colored flowers and not bleached or dyed ones, as those contain chemicals that are harmful to the environment.
Bonus tip: Don’t forget dried grasses. “The ‘bunny tails‘ and pampas plumes of the ’60s are on everyone’s list again,” Mehl notes. These fluffy pieces can add rustic charm to any setting.
4. Sentimental flowers
The past couple of years have brought an increased focus on family, and many couples see their celebration as a chance to honor those who came before them. “Lots of couples are planning sentimental weddings with some or all of the flowers being meaningful in some way (e.g., using the Language of Flowers, recreating grandmother’s bouquet, using the state/country flowers of the couple in the centerpiece, etc.),” Mehl says. “Think of the Texas gal carrying a bouquet of yellow roses or a California bride replicating a 1930’s bouquet of her grandmother’s calla lilies.” The best part is that the sentiment does not have to dictate style. “Meaningful and sentimental flowers can be melded with any theme in a freeform design,” Mehl notes.
Bonus tip: Trying to match sentiments to the season can be tricky. Mehl’s solution? “If the flowers you want are not in season, I suggest substituting dried or paper versions of those flowers with other seasonally appropriate blooms.”
“Celebration Inspiration” is all about bringing you top-notch advice and creative ideas to make the most of life’s special moments. In this exclusive interview published first in Harry & David’s The Table, get to know our company’s resident chocolate Easter bunny, Mr. Ears.
Mr. Ears hops into the room and plops in the director’s chair that sits directly across from me. He adjusts his blue-dotted yellow bowtie in a hand mirror held by his assistant. Then he flashes his two long front teeth, inspects them for tiny pieces of carrot. All clear. The chocolate Easter bunny is taller than I had expected. A solid nine inches.
Easter is approaching. It’s the busy season for Mr. Ears, whose days will soon feel both too short and, somehow, too long. Despite that, Ears has generously granted us his time for this exclusive interview. Let’s get to know the chocolate Easter bunny with the huge, silly ears a little bit better.
Thank you for sitting down with us.
My pleasure.
I think the first thing our readers want to know is, how many bowties do you own?
(Laughs) Oh, my goodness. What? You can’t start with any softballs?
This is hard-hitting journalism.
Well, lemme think on it. Since I started working at the chocolate factory in the late ’70s — or maybe it was the early ’80s — I’m gonna guess I’ve acquired somewhere in the ballpark of 50.
The happy couple.
Wow. You have a favorite one?
I do. It’s a real colorful number. Some might call it psychedelic, but I just think it’s groovy.
Far out. Who gets busier during their respective seasons, you or Santa Claus?
With all due respect to Sanny — my nickname for him — I’m gonna have to go with moi.
Really? He does have to contend with the snow, cold weather — at least in the Northern Hemisphere — and turbulence.
He’s got reindeer! Plus, he has elves that build all the toys. You see anybody else around here? I’m putting together baskets, filling them with chocolates, jelly beans, and plastic eggs with a coin inside. I weigh only 10 ounces, and I deliver over 6,000 pounds of milk chocolate every year. You should see my poor hocks the next day. Meanwhile, he’s sipping hot cocoa while his elves do all the work. Between you and me, Mrs. Claus is the real brains behind the operation.
Bold statement.
I only say it because I know how much credit my wife deserves.
Mrs. Ears tends to shun the spotlight.
She prefers it that way. Not that she doesn’t have her opinions!
How did you two meet? Classic Hollywood “meet cute”?
Not exactly. We were introduced in 2013 by then head chocolatier Charlie.
Wait…your chocolatier was named Charlie? What, did he win a golden ticket or something?
(Laughs) He gets asked that probably 10 times a day. Anyway, he is the great fella who brought my wonderful wife into my life. I probably thank him 10 times a day. Then, a year later, we welcomed baby ears. Everyone calls him Nano.
Getting back to all that chocolate you deliver. What can you tell us about it?
Oh, it’s quite delicious. Comes from two places, both in California. Callebaut and Guittard, I can never keep track of which products have which chocolate. All I know is they’ve both been around for more than 100 years, so they must be doing something right.
What happens after Easter? How do you and Mrs. Ears unwind?
The islands, of course! Come the Monday after Easter, we drop junior off with his grandparents and me and the misses are in first class on our way to Bermuda!
Pack the sunscreen.
Totally. I melt easily.
Mr. and Mrs. Ears taking in the beautiful nature of Southern Oregon.
Well, Ears, I think that’s about all the time we have…
Wait, you got time for a quick joke?
Sure! Let’s hear it.
What do you call a chili dog sitting on a rabbit?
Uh, I don’t know.
Oh no, I got it wrong. What do you call a cold dog sitting on a rabbit?
“Nurturing Relationships” shares advice on how to stay connected with others and spend quality time with those closest to you. These spring equinox activities will revitalize your spirit and get the whole family excited for the nicer weather ahead.
Winter, and all that goes with it, can feel like a never-ending slog. Fortunately, we are beginning to emerge from the cold season and warmer days are here. Spring is coming!
This year, the spring equinox, also known as the vernal equinox, is Sunday, March 19. On that day, the season in the Northern Hemisphere will switch from winter to spring (and from summer to fall in the Southern Hemisphere), and the days officially become longer than the nights, whereas the opposite is true south of the equator.
It also can serve as a day of reflection and anticipation for what’s ahead — namely, warmer weather and, ultimately, summer.
“Celebrating the vernal equinox is a way to connect with nature,” explains Barbi Gardiner, a gardener and forager, and founder of The Outdoor Apothecary. “It is a way to be mindful of earth’s magic and to recognize that this day is a day of perfect balance, when the sun can be seen directly above the earth’s equator and when light and dark are completely equal. It signals a period of new beginnings, cleansing, rebirth, and renewal.”
If you’re looking for creative ways to celebrate this changing of the seasons, let these ideas serve as inspiration.
1. Spend time in nature
Longer days and warmer weather mean it’s time to get outside. “Research shows that nature can improve your health and mental wellness, so there’s no downside to getting outside to enjoy the sunshine!” Gardiner says.
Take a hike as a family or participate in a more mindful activity, advises Genesis Sampson, blogger at In Its Season. “One of my favorite mindfulness activities to do to celebrate the equinox is to go on a long, slow walk to experience my surroundings on a more physical level, actively engaging all my senses,” Sampson says. “Most importantly, this is the first walk of the season where I remove my gloves and touch everything I see. The feeling of a tree under your bare hands is such an amazing feeling after months of wearing gloves!”
Be intentional about taking in all that’s changing with the season, and you’ll come away feeling more in touch with the outside world.
2. Enjoy a spring family feast
Good food puts everyone in a celebratory mood, as does the start of spring. A box of festive treats will have everyone feeling the positive vibes.
Research shows that nature can improve your health and mental wellness, so there’s no downside to getting outside to enjoy the sunshine!
Barbi Gardener
Founder, The Outdoor Apothecary
You can also channel the spirit of the changing season by sticking with locally grown, seasonal ingredients. Consider shopping at a nearby farmers market to gather some homemade or homegrown delicacies, such as home-baked bread, tender spring greens and shoots, and rhubarb or strawberry desserts. If it’s warm enough, take the meal outdoors and enjoy your first family picnic of the year.
Eggs are also a classic choice for spring-themed meals. They traditionally symbolize fertility, life, and rebirth — all things we celebrate with the coming of spring. (There’s also that bit about the vernal equinox being the only day of the year when you can balance an egg on its end. Not true!) Preparing an egg-based brunch for the whole family or spending time together dyeing eggs (they aren’t just for Easter!) are great ways to make the most of the season.
3. Get planting
There’s no better sign of the start of spring than new plant growth. If the weather allows, you can celebrate the equinox by enjoying spring bulbs that are starting to sprout outdoors, such as tulips, daisies, and irises.
This is also the time to get seeds in the ground. Shannon Bernadin, botanist and owner of The African Garden, suggests turning planting into a communal experience. “For me, spring is all about renewal and rebirth, bringing life back to barren gardens. My favorite way to do this is to invite my friends and family over for a planting party,” Bernadin says. “Everybody gets to plant one flower or one seed, and when the garden begins to bloom, I have fond memories of a day I got to spend with all the people that I love.”
If Old Man Winter still has a hold on the weather, you can always celebrate the changing of the seasons in your home with spring-themed decorations.
This might include creating handmade wreaths to display around the house and flower crowns for kids and dolls alike. Other spring crafts ideas include making your own planter cover and DIY moss art to hang around the home. You can also enhance the charm of your homemade décor with cute bunny– or chick-shaped planters filled with spring flowers.
5. Take a ‘bath’
Doing things together as a family is great, but it’s also important to have some alone time. Spring is a chance for a fresh start, and that can mean giving yourself a physical and spiritual reset.
As Demesha Page, marketing director for Art for Your Cause, explains, “I like to boost my energetic vibrations by taking a ‘spiritual bath,’ to cleanse my mind and spirit. This helps boost psychic energy in order to set and manifest the intentions that I create for the upcoming season.”
This can mean smudging your home with sage or palo santo wood to remove negative energy, lighting calming candles, or taking a rejuvenating bubble bath with aromatherapy products designed to keep you centered and relaxed. Page says, “I use bath time to soak, float, meditate, and set my intentions for whatever I want to manifest and see in my future.”
Spring is a time to get excited for the future, hopeful for good times to come. As the days become longer and the temperatures inch up, we’re ready to abandon sweater weather for shorts and sandal season.
Need a little inspiration to help you make the most of this magical time of year? Whether you’re thinking of freshening up your home or office with some spring cleaning or looking forward to spending the spring holidays with family, this collection of inspiring spring quotes is sure to get you in the spirit of the season.
Quotes about spring
“Spring work is going on with joyful enthusiasm.” – John Muir
“It’s spring again. I can hear the birds sing again. See the flowers start to bud. See young people fall in love.” – Lou Rawls, “Spring Again”
“Spring adds new life and new beauty to all that is.” – Jessica Harrelson
“Springtime is the land awakening. The March winds are the morning yawn.” – Lewis Grizzard
“Spring is nature’s way of saying ‘Let’s party!’” – Robin Williams
“The deep roots never doubt spring will come.” – Marty Rubin
“April hath put a spirit of youth in everything.” – William Shakespeare
“Spring is when life’s alive in everything.” – Christina Rossetti
“Is the spring coming?’ he said. ‘What is it like?’ … ‘It is the sun shining on the rain and the rain falling on the sunshine…’ – Frances Hodgson Burnett, “The Secret Garden”
“In springtime, love is carried on the breeze. Watch out for flying passion and kisses whizzing by your head.” – Emma Racine deFleur
“Some old-fashioned things like fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat.” – Laura Ingalls Wilder
“It is spring again. The earth is like a child that knows poems by heart.” – Rainer Maria Rilke
“Spring won’t let me stay in this house any longer! I must get out and breathe the air deeply again.” – Gustav Mahler
“You make me feel so young, you make me feel so spring has sprung.” – Frank Sinatra, “You Make Me Feel So Young”
“If people did not love one another, I really don’t see what use there would be in having any spring.” – Victor Hugo
“I had always planned to make a large painting of the early spring, when the first leaves are at the bottom of the trees, and they seem to float in space in a wonderful way. But the arrival of spring can’t be done in one picture.” – David Hockney
“It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.” – Charles Dickens
“An optimist is the human personification of spring.” – Susan J. Bissonette
“That is one good thing about this world — there are always sure to be more springs.” – L. M. Montgomery
“Nostalgia in reverse, the longing for yet another strange land, grew especially strong in spring.” – Vladimir Nabokov
“But only a person in the depths of despair neglected to look beyond winter to the spring that inevitably followed, bringing back color and life and hope.” – Mary Balogh
“Spring will come and so will happiness. Hold on. Life will get warmer.” – Anita Krizan
“Behold, my friends, the spring is come; the earth has gladly received the embraces of the sun, and we shall soon see the results of their love.” – Sitting Bull
“It’s spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you’ve got it, you want — oh, you don’t quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!” – Mark Twain
“The beautiful spring came, and when nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also.” – Harriet Ann Jacobs
“Science has never drummed up quite as effective a tranquilizing agent as a sunny spring day.” – W. Earl Hall
“People ask me what I do in winter when there’s no baseball. I’ll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring.” – Rogers Hornsby
“Despite the forecast, live like it’s spring.” – Lilly Pulitzer
“Spring is the time of plans and projects.” – Leo Tolstoy
“The first real day of spring is like the first time a boy holds your hand. A flood of skin-tingling warmth consumes you, and everything shines with a fresh, colorful glow, making you forget that anything as cold and harsh as winter ever existed.” – Richelle E. Goodrich
“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.” – Anne Bradstreet
“Spring is the fountain of love for thirsty winter.” – Munia Khan
“The promise of spring’s arrival is enough to get anyone through the bitter winter!” – Jen Selinsky
“I suppose the best kind of spring morning is the best weather God has to offer.” – Dodie Smith
“If winter comes, can spring be far behind?” – Percy Bysshe Shelley
“April prepares her green traffic light and the world thinks, ‘Go.’” – Christopher Morley
“The sun was warm but the wind was chill / You know how it is with an April day.” – Robert Frost
“A kind word is like a spring day.” – Russian proverb
“I enjoy the spring more than the autumn now. One does, I think, as one gets older.” – Virginia Woolf
“Can words describe the fragrance of the very breath of spring?” – Neltje Blanchan
“Come with me into the woods. Where spring is advancing, as it does, no matter what, not being singular or particular, but one of the forever gifts, and certainly visible.” – Mary Oliver
“It was such a spring day as breathes into a man an ineffable yearning, a painful sweetness, a longing that makes him stand motionless, looking at the leaves or grass, and fling out his arms to embrace he knows not what.” – John Galsworthy
“Spring shows what God can do with a drab and dirty world.” – Virgil A. Kraft
“The first day of spring is one thing, and the first spring day is another. The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month.” – Henry Van Dyke
“With the coming of spring, I am calm again.” – Gustav Mahler
“I glanced out the window at the signs of spring. The sky was almost blue, the trees were almost budding, the sun was almost bright.” – Millard Kaufman
“Never cut a tree down in the wintertime. Never make a negative decision in the low time. Never make your most important decisions when you are in your worst moods. Wait. Be patient. The storm will pass. The spring will come.” – Robert H. Schuller
“Deep in their roots, all flowers keep the light.” – Theodore Roethke
“When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.” – William Wordsworth
“Always it’s spring and everyone’s in love and flowers pick themselves.” – e. e. Cummings
Spring quotes about gardens
“If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.” – Marcus Tullius Cicero
“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” – Audrey Hepburn
“Spring makes its own statement, so loud and clear that the gardener seems to be only one of the instruments, not the composer.” – Geoffrey B. Charlesworth
“I think that no matter how old or infirm I may become, I will always plant a large garden in the spring. Who can resist the feelings of hope and joy that one gets from participating in nature’s rebirth?” – Edward Giobbi
“Spring drew on…and a greenness grew over those brown beds, which, freshening daily, suggested the thought that Hope traversed them at night, and left each morning brighter traces of her steps.” – Charlotte Brontë
“Don’t wait for someone to bring you flowers. Plant your own garden and decorate your own soul.” – Luther Burbank
“I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose, I would always greet it in a garden.” – Ruth Stout
“A Better Me” is a series that explores ways we can look inward and be the best version of ourselves we can be. Spring is the season for shaking off the winter doldrums and awakening to wonderful new possibilities. Learn how spring helps our health and happiness, and what we can do to get all the benefits the season has to offer.
Spring is a magical time. Just when we’re feeling fed up with shoveling, shivering, and super short days, the arrival of warmer weather beckons us out of hibernation, bringing excitement to the air.
The sounds of children playing outside, losing the heaviness of that winter coat for a light jacket, seeing that first rainbow of plants ready for your garden — the season feels like it puts a literal spring in our step. After all, spring is about optimism, new life, and thinking about the future. But what exactly makes spring so special?
Anticipating spring is part of the fun
Spring is the perfect season to inspire a fresh mood and the perfect time to adopt some new habits for self-care and greater enjoyment. Founder of the Inner Mammal Institute and professor emerita of management at California State University, East Bay, Dr. Loretta Breuning says that part of the joy of spring can be found in just the anticipation alone. “Although prevailing wisdom says to be in the present, positive anticipation can make us feel good,” says Breuning, author of “Habits of a Happy Brain: Retrain Your Brain to Boost Your Serotonin, Dopamine, Oxytocin, & Endorphin Levels.”
So, when you have thoughts like, “What do I want to do this summer?” or you plan a vacation, those good feelings of the future, Breuning says, are great fun to cultivate. “Always give yourself something to look forward to and focus on something you have control over. Because if you focus on something you don’t have control of, like the weather, it may lead to disappointment,” she says.
There’s a wealth of research showing that time out in nature, time in green spaces — really, time outdoors in general — has been linked to better moods, lower stress levels, and a greater sense of optimism
Dr. Jonah Paquette
Clinical psychologist
Why does spring make us feel good?
Clinical psychologist and author of Awestruck: How Embracing Wonder Can Make You Happier, Healthier, and More Connected, Dr. Jonah Paquette says that spring is beneficial for our mood, mental health, and overall sense of wellbeing. First, spring gives us a chance to get back outside. After frigid temperatures and wintry weather have caused us to just want to curl up and cocoon ourselves in our homes, spring tempts us back to nature, which is good for us on many levels.
“There’s a wealth of research showing that time out in nature, time in green spaces — really, time outdoors in general — has been linked to better moods, lower stress levels, and a greater sense of optimism,” Paquette explains.
He says there’s also a social component to spring. Holidays like Easter and Passover encourage family time, and warmer weather makes it easier to get together. “Research shows that the quality of our social connections is one of the most predictive factors for psychological well-being,” Paquette says. “And so anything that’s facilitating this and allows us to spend more time with people that we care about is a good thing.”
Breuning adds that oxytocin in our brain gives us the urge for social support. She sees small gift-giving as a good example of a way to nurture friendships — both long held and newly formed. “We get support by giving support, but if you give support to the wrong person and then they don’t reciprocate, you may get frustrated and give up,” she says. “So, give a tiny bit of support to a different person each day.”
Shake up spring with some variety
Warmer weather and milder temperatures make spring a great time to get outside and play. Whether it’s walking, biking, or returning to an outdoor sport, exercise is a natural mood booster, Paquette says. Spring is also the perfect time to bring up those levels of vitamin D, which requires the sun for absorption. This nutrient is important for our mental health, as it is linked to everything from mental clarity to increased energy, as well as bone health.
Even just going for a walk around the block can be greatly beneficial, particularly for those working from home. But Breuning says that some people struggle to get the full benefit of this practice. “As you’re walking the same path in the park, you may be replaying an upsetting incident in your mind instead of focusing on the environment around you. One thing I do is to try to find a different neighborhood to walk in every day. Variety stimulates dopamine, so the more variety, the better.”
6 activities to help you get into the swing of spring
Take the advice of Breuning and Paquette, and get out and enjoy spring. Here are six ways to experience the wonder of the season.
Pack a picnic to catch up with a friend you haven’t seen all winter.
Plan a road trip to a town you’ve never visited and explore on foot.
While there is no official right answer to the question “What is the best season?” data does exist that shows more Americans pick spring as their favorite time of year — and we couldn’t agree more. The weather is perfect, the trees are blooming, and tulips sprout from their bulbs just waiting to greet you…what’s not to love?
In honor of spring’s arrival, we’re sharing a few facts about this most magnificent season.
24 facts about spring
In 2024, the first day of spring will be on Tuesday, March 19.
In Latin, the word vernal means “spring” and equinox means “equal night.”
The Latin word for “season” is sationem, meaning “seed time.”
Spring was formerly referred to as lent, which was changed to springtime around the 1300s, and eventually was shortened to spring. Spring is derived from the time of year when plants begin to grow again or spring from the earth.
Attention all lovebirds! We hate to say it, but we may have some bad news for you. According to a Facebook study, early spring is when couples are most likely to break up.
The spring equinox is one of only two times (the other being the fall equinox) when the sun rises in the east and sets in the west.
If you were to stand on the equator during either the spring or fall equinox, you would see the sun pass directly over the top of your head.
In the North Pole, the spring equinox marks the start of six months of uninterrupted daylight…
…whereas in the South Pole, the spring equinox marks the start of six months of darkness.
The reason why we have spring (and other seasons) is because of the Earth’s tilt. If the Earth were perfectly perpendicular to the sun, the seasons or hours of daylight would not change.
The reason why Easter changes every year is that it falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon of the spring equinox.
Though the spring equinox isn’t typically until March 20 or 21, many Americans consider March 1 to be the unofficial start of spring.
In Japan, they believe spring begins once their national flower, the cherry blossom, starts to bloom.
In Sicily, women travel to the garden of Adonis at the start of each spring. While there, they plant seeds and decorate the garden with a blue and crimson ribbon.
Years ago, it became a popular myth that you could balance an egg on its head during the spring equinox. However, it’s just a myth.
In China, they celebrate the start of spring and Chinese New Year at the same time because they follow a lunar calendar.
“Spring fever” may be a real (and good) thing! Scientists believe that longer days cause people to be more active, creative, and happy.
In literary works, spring is often used to represent birth, a revival, and the start of happy and better times.
Although baby birds are born with the ability to sing, they usually don’t learn how to until spring, when they hear other birds chirping while looking for a mate.
This year’s daylight saving time happens on Sunday, March 10, meaning we’ll “spring forward” one hour that day.
