It was bound to happen. After months of cold, snowy weather without the normal respite of random warm days, my condition worsened. “Get in the car — we’re going to Lowe’s,” I announced to my husband on Saturday night. Ten minutes later, we were bundled up, cursing ourselves for not using remote start to warm up the Tahoe, and headed to town. As we pulled out of the driveway, I growled to Brandon: “Play me some angry music.”

Call it the winter blues, call it cabin fever, call it “*bleep* you, winter!”, my affliction has me feeling a combination of anxious, frustrated, and just plain angry. Last year at this time, I was having my water garden installed! We were seeing glimpses of spring! Heck, you could even be outside without the fear of frostbite!

I mean, FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY, can we please get some warmer weather around here?

The only thing keeping me from going completely insane (debatable?) is the green I have inside right now: seedlings and tropical houseplants. I started my first tray of seedlings about six weeks ago, and some of them are finally picking up speed! This year I planted about 400 seeds, 9 different types of plants:

• Funky Pink Begonia
• Wishbone Flower
• New Guinea Impatiens
• Impatiens
• Coleus
• Petunias
• Dusty Miller
• Dichondra
• Delphinium

All should be ready to transition outside and grace the garden by early May! While I start my spring annual seeds in January/February, I’ve been inspired by a Chicago-area gardener to start flowering seeds in fall for an early March indoor paradise. I might not have a greenhouse, but I think I can make the concept work in our atrium. Perhaps that will help alleviate my symptoms next year!

I’ve also continued to expand my indoor jungle, adding orchids, calatheas, Norfolk Island Pines, and a monstera. I firmly believe houseplants are only boring if you don’t have enough of them! The plan is to feel like I’m living in a greenhouse. (P.S. – Have you read about that couple in Sweden who built a greenhouse AROUND their house? It’s a tempting thought at this time of year.)

One of the most exciting things going on with my houseplants right now is that my lemon tree is blooming! The smell of a citrus tree blooming is absolutely intoxicating. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t go sit by the tree and inhale a few times a day.

But let’s be honest, though. Sometimes, when your cabin fever reaches a new level and you want to throw things, you need more than just seedlings and houseplants. You probably need a trip to a warmer climate. Now, that’s not always possible due to pesky commitments like work. So let me introduce you to a new concept here in KC: a botanically-inspired coffeehouse. Cafe Equinox is a brand new addition to Family Tree Nursery’s Shawnee location — a coffeeshop IN a greenhouse.

No kidding.

Coffee? Check.
Seating? Check.
Wifi? Check.
70 degrees, sunny, and surrounded by tropical plants? Check, check, and check.

Perhaps this is a concept that is well-known outside of KC, but I gotta tell you: this could be life-changing for us in the winter. I’ve always loved making my greenhouse trips this time of year, but having a place to just sit, relax, and enjoy? Whoa. A trip to Cafe Equinox last weekend was just what the doctor ordered.

As I look at the forecast, I’m hopeful that we’ll be able to get out in the garden soon. But it’s a cautious hopeful, because as my husband pointed out when I mentioned the forecast, “Don’t say it! This is just false spring! It’s trying to trick you!”

I’m so ready for REAL spring — aren’t you?