I’m trying to instill that same passion for the outdoors in my kids. To be in the sun, to exercise, to learn about nature and appreciate its beauty. To hear the birds and to appreciate the scent of springtime. A few weekends ago I took my kids with me and my friend Kim to pick ferns in the woods. Kim cooks an amazing Korean dish with ferns, and on the farm we have just the kind she likes to use. So we went on a fern hunt and had a great time. We found so much more than ferns – wildflowers, slugs, squirrels, cool rocks and funky sticks, bugs, butterflies and singing birds. We discovered great conversation and laughter and a spirit that can only be felt by exploring. I love the great outdoors!

There are plenty of things you can appreciate outdoors, even if you’re not the digging in the garden type like me. Go to a rose garden, lilac garden, Japanese garden. Go to a park, to the beach, on a hike. Go to a wildlife sanctuary. Go to a fish hatchery. Go to the river or the stream and listen to the water rush (or trickle) over the rocks. If you spend a lot of time inside, get outside! Of course, bring lots of water and slather on some sunscreen, but get outside and take in the great outdoors – because it’s called “great” for a reason. Take a friend or loved one and put all of your senses to work.

If you’re anything like me, you’ll come in from an afternoon of gardening to find dirt under your nails and in the creases of your skin. I’ve been pampering and prepping my garden beds all day but by day’s end I need to pamper and prep my skin! That’s why I turn to Keri® Lotion, my favorite skincare product. I love each of their five types of lotion from Original to Shea Butter to Advanced, there’s a lotion to suit your skin needs. Make sure to go to the Keri Lotion Facebook page for the Keri Is So Very…™ Sweepstakes. There you can enter to meet me this summer. Keri® Lotion wants to honor the woman who is so very important to you not just on Mother’s Day but all May long!