Lessons From the Garden

February is nearing its end, and while most of the country is buried under ice and snow, here in Oklahoma, we're coming upon a string of freak 60-plus-degree days. Aside from allowing us to leave the doors to the shop propped open all day, the unexpected warm spell spurred my husband Ryan into getting an early start on our garden.

Part of me is surprised Ryan likes to work in the garden - he dislikes mowing the grass so much that we finally broke down last summer and found room in the budget to hire a lawn service. But we've recently realized how much peace there is in routines and rituals.