🌿 I've promised a monthly newsletter for ages. Now that I've determined a format which makes sense, let's look at a recap of April along with some of my most recent favorites.
🌿 quote of the month
“Isn't it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive -- it's such an interesting world. It wouldn't be half so interesting if we know all about everything, would it? There'd be no scope for imagination then, would there?” ― Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
🌿 poem of the month
"I've banished Winter, saith the Spring,
Awake! arise, ye flowers!
Brisk breezes blow,
Bright sunshine glow,
And rouse the young Year's powers."
- Henry James Slack (1818–1896), The Ministry of the Beautiful, "Conversation IV: Spring-time on the Western Coast," 1850
🌿 what I'm listening to
- "Simple Gifts / Amazon Grace" - Yo Yo Ma at Flint Hills Prairie, Kansas | watch on YouTube
- "Hands In the Garden" - Half Moon Run | watch on YouTube
🌿 what I'm watching
- Finding Harmony: A King's Vision | watch on Prime Video
- This is for those times when you need a quiet, contemplative show. The documentary illustrates King Charles III's lifelong "quest to reunite humanity with nature." I learned so much about his foundation and its work around the world. Kate Winslet is the narrator.
- Paradise starring Sterling K. Brown
- Seasons one and two are on Hulu
- I described it this way to a friend: "This show is beautiful, funny, perplexing, and traumatic. There's action, mystery, romance, small town charm, and teenage angst. Watch it right now!"
🌿 youtube videos
Did you miss any of my videos posted in April 2026?
- Da Vinci Watercolors - Pros, Cons, and Color Swatches | watch on YouTube
- Traveler's Notebook Journal Flip Through No. 2 (featuring an A5 Stalogy 365) | watch on YouTube
- Completed 411 Page Leuchtturm1917 - Pros, Cons, Supplies, and Journal Flip | watch on YouTube
- New A5-ish Traveler's Notebook from Eaasty - Pros, Cons, and What Fits | watch on YouTube
- 31 Creative Ways To Use Monthly Planner Pages | watch on YouTube
- My 15 Most Used Art, Journaling, and Planner Supplies | watch on YouTube
- This Flower Color Guidebook Is Useful For Artists, Gardeners, Writers, and More | watch on YouTube
- Hobonichi Techo Cousin - Pros, Cons, and Alternatives | watch on YouTube
🌿 blog posts
Did you miss any of my blog posts from April 2026?
Did you miss any of my blog posts from April 2026?
- Da Vinci Watercolors | read the blog post
(yes, the blog was a bit slow!)
🌿 art book of the month
🌿 art supply of the month
- Speckletone Oatmeal Cardstock | at Amazon
- 100% recycled
- made in Michigan
- takes all my art supplies beautifully -- including watercolor!
- fun option if you're bored with white backgrounds but still want to be able to see your vibrant illustrations
🌿 studio snack of the month
- Musselman's Chunky Applesauce | available at Amazon
- If you stir in a little extra cinnamon and a tiny bit of cloves, then warm in the microwave, this tastes like the homemade applesauce my mom used to make every summer
- Non-GMO, gluten free, no high fructose corn syrup
- Grower-owned collective of over 100 family farms (most in Pennsylvania)
🌿 nature notes
On April 8, I visited a nearby grove of cherry trees. They were a little past peak, but it was still delightful to engage in hanami. This Japanese tradition of flower viewing is such a lovely way to celebrate the beauty of spring. Did you know the word sakura means cherry blossom?
From April 9-12, I watched The Masters. It's always a treat to see those gorgeous pink azaleas blooming at Amen Corner. Congratulations to Rory McIroy for winning his second green jacket in a row.
On April 15, a dapper pair of mallard ducks took an evening stroll around our house. This is the first time we've seen ducks here! Our neighborhood added a pond last fall, and it seems the resident fowl are just getting around to visiting our street. Please join me in extending a warm welcome to our new feathered neighbors!
The weekend of April 18 and 19, our tallest oak trees began showing their leaves.
We visited the zoo on April 17 and were happy to find the Caribbean Flamingoes in their outdoor habitat again. This is a sure sign spring has arrived.
We needed to be "weather aware" for tornadoes four days this month! Thankfully, there were no touchdowns nearby.
On April 26, we attended a sheep shearing festival at a local farm, and their peonies were just about ready to pop open. Volunteers made lots of tasty treats including a cranberry peach bread. I'm going to try to make it soon! What new recipes have you discovered lately?
🌿 join the chat
Do you have any nature notes, recipes, or recommendations to share with us? Join the monthly chat in the comments section!
Happy springtime,
Ann
Ann is an artist and writer from Ohio. Support her work and access her printables at Patreon. Follow her on YouTube for fresh journal flips and reviews. Join her newsletter for e-mail updates.
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