Did you know that the pussy willow is the first plant to flower in spring? When spring comes, I’m always on the hunt for pussy willows. They just remind me of new beginnings and the promise of the growing season ahead.

When I was young, the women in my life always had some type of arrangement containing foraged pussy willows. It was just one of those things you looked for in the Spring. Rubber boots were worn and a pair of good clippers had to be in your pocket. Then we were set to collect a bouquet of these ‘Spring Only’ treasures.

In my teens we lived in a house that actually had a pussy willow tree outside my bedroom window. I always thought this was rather magical. In the past we had always had to go hunting for them in boggyish side roads in the country. What a treat!

I still like to go hunting for the infamous Spring pussy willows with my daughter. We came across these beauties not far from our home. It still amazes me how soft and delicate these wonders of nature are.

This is just one of those little things that can brighten your day. When you find them you know that Spring weather is just around the corner.