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Thursday
Apr162009

spring in a box

When we lived in New York, this time of year was hard for me. The end of March and the beginning of April, when spring should be out in full force, were usually still cold and dreary. Winter seemed never ending. There's only so much you can do with two children under 3 when it's freezing cold outside, and for a girl born and raised in sunny Southern California, I had had enough.

I have a few friends who have had tougher winters than usual this year for various reasons. Friends who have been cooped indoors with colicky babies, or feeling down about just about everything or wondering how much longer they can stay sane in their tiny New York apartments. Oh, I remember.

So I decided to mail them a little something.. I call it "Spring in a Box". I gathered an assortment of all things yellow and orange and wrapped them up in the brightest paper I could find, including a note about how spring would definitely come.. that they had almost made it through the long cold winter. And I included these two lovely quotes:

The packages have all been received. Sunshine delivered by way of the USPS. Friends are cheered. Spring has come. Mission accomplished.

NOTE: Yes, it is because of the long, hard winter that we moved away from NYC and all its charms. Now we enjoy winter in southern California, usually wearing flip flops and making lemonade from the lemon tree in our backyard. So California has its charms too.

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Reader Comments (86)

the sweetest idea! u are a daily inspiration! thx for sharing your delicious ideas and talent!!! what a gift. i'm such a FAN!!!

04.18.2009 | Unregistered Commenterthe go to girl

as a recipient of one of these boxes of sunshine from you, brooke, i can only say i am too lucky to have a friend like you to cheer up the clinging winter and remind me to cheer on spring (and the promise of release from these oh-so-close walls). you are more missed than ever.

xo.

04.18.2009 | Unregistered Commenterkatie

Thanks for a bit of spring on a cold and gray day! What an absolute wonderful friend you are!

04.19.2009 | Unregistered CommenterPaula

LOVE that Twain quote!

04.19.2009 | Unregistered Commenterabby

Oh boy could I use a friend like you right about now.

04.19.2009 | Unregistered CommenterCourtney Heath

the spring in a box is such a wonderful idea! i was just in nyc for the brooklyn flea, and everyone is so relieved that spring has finally come to the city. it was a long and tough winter. happy spring to you!

04.19.2009 | Unregistered Commenterasya

I can't imagine anything lovelier than sunshine in a box! What a great care package. So happy.

04.19.2009 | Unregistered CommenterAnnie Pazoo

my mouth literally hung open when I saw the lemons...
I'm a southern girl myself...72* today~
you are so kind to spread the sunshine around!

Susannah @ Art Nest

I think this is a brilliant idea and I can't imagine how thrilled your friends must have been. I live in Ontario (so similar weather to New York) and it has been one long cold winter season. Just seeing the photo of your box cheered me up a little as I look out at my very rainy day.

www.mixingbowlkids.typepad.com

04.20.2009 | Unregistered CommenterMixing Bowl Mama

Fabulous! Especially Mark Twain quote. Tempted to copy you, if that's ok. Think I'll add a packet of morning glory seeds and cute gardenig gloves, and perhaps a kite for blustery spring days, in my box. Thanks for the inspiration!

04.20.2009 | Unregistered CommenterHasley

what a kind gesture.

i remember our last winter/spring in new haven, ct before moving to california... it seemed like moving to eden when we finally finished that move and had our feet planted on california soil.

04.20.2009 | Unregistered CommenterLynne

You're such a great friend- these are lovely packages and would make anyone smile. =)

04.20.2009 | Unregistered CommenterMegan

oh my! that is just the little bit of sunshine i need today. the city is so dreary, sleeting rain, which is especially hard after a beautiful weekend (but i am *thankful* for that sunny saturday).

what a sweet idea.

04.20.2009 | Unregistered Commenterjill

I received one of these delightful boxes myself and I can attest. I was cheered by them and it made my 3 year old so incredibly happy. Spring has finally come to us now!

04.20.2009 | Unregistered CommenterCarrie

What a great idea!

04.20.2009 | Unregistered Commenterpatricia

That is such a great idea! Living in Minnesota, I could have certainly used a box of Spring. I will have to remember this idea and send some boxes out next year.

04.20.2009 | Unregistered CommenterHolly Thatcher

thoughtful and endearing. what a lovely gift you have, what lovely gifts you gave!

04.20.2009 | Unregistered Commentervictoria thorne

What a neat idea - your friends must have loved receiving those boxes.

04.21.2009 | Unregistered CommenterRandi

such a great idea. love it!

04.21.2009 | Unregistered CommenterAimee

absolutely wonderful !!! love the idea ... and the colors :)

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