Hello fellow plant lovers! Can you believe it is already February? I am still feeling a whiplash effect from how fast Christmas came and went, and now before I knew it, January is over. I know quite a few of the people in this linkup are from the UK and Europe, so in case you missed it, we had ridiculously cold temperatures this past week. January ended with one of the coldest temperatures in US history. Here in Minnesota. it was ridiculous. On Wednesday it was so cold, that the hospital activated their emergency staffing plan, and I stayed home. On Thursday I went to work and the air temperature was -36°F (-37.78°C) with a windshield of -56°F. I kept praying my car would not die on me. Thankfully, I made it to work and back safely. But it was a creepy feeling.

Nothing brings the realities of winter more clear than dangerously cold temperatures… that plus a look at my little garden that is covered by snow as I type. Ugh, I am so ready for spring. I miss being in the outdoors, working in the soil and seeing all the blooming colors. I have been surrounding myself with succulents and other indoor plants, just to have green in my world right now. And I am thankful for farmers who force blooms indoors because they have allowed me to enjoy a bit of color. I found these beauties at the farmer’s co-op and had to bring them home with me. I needed that visual.

Of course, the delicate blooms of tulips always make me think of milkglass. It is not original, but I love using it as a vase for my pale blooms. I find it soothing and thoroughly motivating, especially while I am studying.

As you read above, this post’s title is Studying and Tulips, and that is because since the first week of January I am a Master Gardener inters! Back in November I interviewed for acceptance in the program and was accepted!

The Master Gardener Program is normally offered via universities in the US, and “it provides intensive horticultural training to individuals who then volunteer as Master Gardeners in their communities by giving lectures, creating gardens, conducting research, and many other projects.” (via American Horticultural Society).

In our state this program is provided by the University of Minnesota Extension. And as Master Gardener, we share gardening best practices with people in our communities, more specifically our county. We are volunteers helping to promote healthy landscapes, healthy foods and healthy lives. We have to complete a university-taught core course (online or at the Minneapolis arboretum). We also have to contribute a certain number of hours teaching research-based horticulture practices in our county.

Getting more formal horticulture education and sharing my passions with my community has been a dream of mine since leaving the military. And I am ecstatic to be studying an area that I really love. I did not know this was a passion of mine until later in life, and I am embracing it fully!

I wish you all a happy week full of health and many plans for the spring garden! :)

Joining I may be found on one of these link-ups: In a Vase on Monday, Mosaic Monday, Home Sweet Home, Friday Bliss, Home and Garden Thursday, Pink Saturday, Nature Notes, Dishing It & Digging It.