Welcome to spring

It’s spring — the time of year when everything around us begins to blossom. I love this time of year. My thoughts already have turned to what I am going to plant in my yard. There is a bed in my back yard that I can’t decide whether or not to dedicate to the practical tomatoes and herbs or give in to fancy and fill with flowers.

If you find yourself looking outdoors and wondering what to do, you might want to check out our ideas on ways to add some glamour to your yards. And before you bite off more of a project than you can handle, we also have some tips on when to give up and call in the pros.

If your back yard is already all it can be, you might want to use it to entertain. If that’s the case, we have suggestions and recipes to help you with your next patio party. Also, we have recipe suggestions for cooking with one of the most versatile of herbs — basil.

Several Shoals couples talk about living on the water, sharing their experiences and enthusiasm for boating. And one Shoals woman shares the story of how a childhood love of horses was finally realized as an adult. And we have another story in this issue of a woman who turned her art work into a mission to help others cope with the loss of a loved one.

As the weather begins to warm, we have suggestions for those who may want to explore, whether on a day trip to Mooresville, or a longer trip to the Carolinas.

If you have any suggestions for the magazine, I would love to hear from you. Enjoy!