Celebrate Spring with Cheerful Art and a Cozy Soup Recipe
- Laura Leeder
- Mar 24
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 26
March in the Creston Valley has been a mix of cold rain and grey skies, but indoors, I’ve been embracing the season with cozy comfort food and cheerful spring decor. This time of year always stirs a desire for warmth, color, and a fresh start—so today, I’m sharing two joyful paintings that capture the beauty of springtime and my favorite French Onion Soup recipe, perfect for those lingering chilly evenings.
Whether you're brightening your home with art, planting seeds in your garden, or cooking up a pot of something delicious, I hope this post inspires a bit of spring joy in your day.
“Daffodils, that come before the swallow dares, and take the winds of March with beauty.”
~ William Shakespeare
Where Friendships Are Made
16"x20" Original Mixed Media Collage Painting — $475 CAD
Also available as a greeting card in my online shop.
This joyful piece celebrates community and connection in the early days of spring. Look closely and you’ll spot golden daffodils and tulips blooming in shades of pink, purple, and yellow. A whimsical gathering of chickadees, butterflies, and a dragonfly fill the canvas with life. This painting currently graces the top of my Home Page and has brought warmth to my own living room during the colder seasons.
“She turned to the sunlight and shook her yellow head, and whispered to her neighbor: ‘Winter is dead."
~ A.A. Milne
And The Courtship Begins
16"x20" Original Mixed Media Collage Painting — $475 CAD Also available as a greeting card in my online shop.
This piece captures a playful spring courtship between songbirds among a lush garden of tulips and dancing butterflies. The soft layers of painted color and collaged texture give it a stained glass glow—a gentle reminder that love and renewal are always blooming.
Both paintings were created over the past few years and have spent time bringing joy to my home studio and favorite rooms. Now, I’m happy to share them with you—and invite you to consider refreshing your space with art that captures the essence of the season.
🥣 Cozy Spring Comfort: French Onion Soup
March weather calls for soul-warming meals, and this French Onion Soup has quickly become a favorite in our kitchen. It's rich, savory, and satisfying, with melty cheese and crispy croutons topping each bowl.
“Is a cup of French onion soup ever ill timed?” This comforting version from Lee Drummond of The Pioneer Woman is the perfect way to ease into spring—one warm spoonful at a time.
"Soup is a canvas for culinary creativity and exploration."
Classic French Onion Soup
🥣Ingredients:
1/2 cup salted butter
4 large (or 6 medium) yellow onions (3 to 3 1/2 lbs.), thinly sliced
1 cup white wine (Chardonnay or other dry white wine)
1 qt. low-sodium chicken broth
1 qt. beef broth
1 1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
6 thick slices of French bread or baguette
6 oz. Gruyère cheese, grated (Swiss cheese works as a substitute)
🥣Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
In a large Dutch oven or heavy soup pot, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add onions and cook, covered, for 20 minutes.
Place the pot in the oven, lid slightly ajar, and cook for 1 hour, stirring once halfway through.
Return the pot to the stovetop over medium heat. If onions aren’t golden yet, cook for another 5–10 minutes, stirring often.
Turn off heat, pour in wine, and return to medium heat. Cook for 5 minutes to reduce.
Add broths, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then lower heat and cook for 30–45 minutes.
Preheat the broiler to low. Butter one side of each bread slice and broil for 1–2 minutes until crispy.
Ladle soup into oven-proof bowls. Top with bread and sprinkle generously with Gruyère. Broil until cheese is bubbly, 2–3 minutes. Serve hot and enjoy!💖
“Plant seeds of happiness, hope, success, and love; it will all come back to you in abundance. This is the law of nature.” 🍃
~ Steve Maraboli
🌿 A Cheerful Note to Close
I hope this post brings a bit of light and inspiration to your week. Whether you're curling up with a bowl of something warm, refreshing your walls with spring art, or simply watching the first blossoms appear, may this season offer comfort, color, and a little whimsy.
👉 Follow me on Instagram and Pinterest for more updates, behind-the-scenes peeks, and seasonal inspiration.🖼️
Explore my online shop to view more original paintings and greeting cards.
💌 Join my email list for early access to new releases, special offers, and my next art print giveaway!
Wishing you warmth and color, Laura 🌷
Back to the HOME Page.
Comments