Pine Marten Post #21
Hello lovely person!
March marvels for you include; gorgeous geraniums, crisp cologne, dancing deer, sparkling sweetness, and the struggle to get outside when it’s still cold.
Gardening tips for March
Whatever the size of your outdoor space, hardy geraniums are brilliant bringers of colour, fragrant foliage and bees.
Just as happy in a container as in the ground, many of them flower for months, especially if you pinch off the faded blooms.
So, if your garden is looking a bit stiff and shrubby, how about choosing a sprightly hardy geranium to soften the edges? Planting the same variety in different spots in your garden will weave ribbons of colour through it and help it look harmonious. Glacial white, sugared almond pink, eye-popping magenta, baby blue—there are so many glorious possibilities.
What’s the difference between a hardy geranium and a pelargonium?
Fragrant musings from the library of scent: Cherubin by Detaille
A marvellously classic eau de cologne. Sprinkled on a lace hankie, dabbed on fevered brows, scattered over bedding, these scented elixirs effervesce vibrantly for an hour or so, then vanish. Eaux de colognes aren’t appreciated by everyone because of their fleeting and ethereal nature, but if you find one you love, just spray it again…and again…and again.
Sparkling mountain air, snow glittering in the sun, soft woolly scarf around your neck. A spectacular morning’s skiing behind you and you gratefully pause for refreshment. Leaning on a smooth balcony rail, you gaze at the distant crystalline peaks, holding a glass of icy mineral water— chunky discs of sweet, sharp and bitter grapefruit gaily bob and twirl among the sprightly bubbles.
Nature notes for March
Daffodils shivering in icy gusts, hawthorn buds breaking into acid green frills,
willow twigs spill their silvery fluff,
as blue tits spin,
pole dancing and chattering on bare crab apple stems,
compost mulch steams in the frigid air,
three deer bobbity-bobbing across an empty field, their white bottoms flashing bright,
squelching boots in soggy woodland,
foaming, peaty torrents in the crashing river.
A smoky blue and cream sparrowhawk skewers me with its amber eye.
Featured chocolate: Willie’s Cacao white chocolate with raspberries
⭐ Soft, rosy pink
⭐ Smooth and slightly fudge-y texture
⭐ Rounded and creamy with little fruity mouth sparkles
Honestly, if I was blindfolded and given this, would I confidently proclaim that it’s a raspberry white chocolate? Probably not. But there’s an intriguing fruity sharpness here, that marks it out as different from the cloying and overly sweet flavour profile all too often found in white chocolate.
Wellbeing tips
What’s the doorstep mile, and why is it such a huge challenge?
In Norway, there’s an understanding that the first mile you venture from your home is the hardest. Whether that’s walking, running, cycling, skiing or kayaking, getting outside and getting started is hard. Factor in wind, rain, low temperature (or all three) and it becomes very challenging.
Once you're outside and have built up a bit of momentum, then things start to feel easier.
And this difficulty isn’t confined to big adventures either. Not at all. Most of us creative types know that moving your body and breathing fresh air can generate loads of ideas, give your eyes a rest from the screen and warm you up—so much value from one small activity.
Why is it so hard then?
Well, it’s harder than sitting still, isn’t it? And it probably involves some kind of preparation, even if that’s just changing your shoes. Your house is also probably comfortable and cosy, especially at this time of year.
But how often do you get outside and regret it? Even if you really, really didn’t want to go out at all. I’ll wager it’s not often you come back from a wee stroll thinking it was a bad decision.
How can you make it easier to get outside more often?
For me, I find it helpful to have everything I need right next to the front door. No hunting around the house for woolly hats or sturdy boots, thank you. If I had to spend time digging through drawers looking for warmer socks, I’d not bother to go out at all.
So I have some painted wooden boxes stacked next to the front door full of all my cosy things. That means I can layer up quickly and painlessly before my scant motivation ebbs away. Boots and shoes live underneath, so I don’t wander around scattering mud everywhere.
🥾
What helps you to get outside when it’s cold?
⭐ Thanks for spending this time with me—I really appreciate it. The perfume mentioned was bought by me, but the chocolate was part of a marvellous hamper sent to me by a very thoughtful and generous client ⭐
On the blog and LinkedIn:
Why bother with sensory copywriting?
Crunchy green perfumes for early spring
What kinds of businesses work with a sensory copywriter?
I'd love to hear about what sensory experiences bring you joy.
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