It’s still cold around here, but the cherry blossom trees have just started to bud.  Just two days ago, I clipped a few branches off our mature cherry blossom tree, then I brought some branches indoors to force them to bloom.

I’ve never had real  cherry blossoms budding in my house – I’ve always enjoyed the fakes from Pier One.  But these beautiful pink blossoms are making me smile today.

“They’re real, and they’re spectacular.”

I simply followed these steps by Better Homes & Gardens.

1) Clip pencil size branches that have small buds with a pruner; 2) Strip buds and small branches from bottom where lower part will be in water; 3) Peel away a bit of bark from the base to assist in water absorption, and place in a warm spot in your home.  That would be the kitchen window in my house.

Isn’t it amazing what a few blooms can do to chase away the winter blues ?

Here’s a few more photos of forced branches just to get you even more excited for the arrival of spring.

Better Homes and Gardens

House Beautiful

Vogue

Martha Stewart

Via Habitually Chic

Martha Stewart

Ah, spring.  It just can’t come fast enough, can it ?

Have you ever used the force ?