Ep 11: 🌵 From Spring Adventures to Sustainable Creations: My Day at Recyclotopie Castelnaudary

On a beautiful spring morning in Castelnaudary, I set out with my family for what turned out to be a soul-nourishing, hands-on adventure. What started with a local Easter egg hunt organized by Recyclotopie Castelnaudary ended with a delightful DIY cactus terrarium project that brought us joy, laughter, and a deeper connection with each other and nature. Here's how the day unfolded—and why Recyclotopie Castelnaudary holds a special place in my heart.

🐣 Community Fun at Recyclotopie Castelnaudary’s Easter Egg Hunt

The day began at Recyclotopie Castelnaudary, an eco-conscious community hub promoting sustainability, creativity, and social connection. My son eagerly joined the local Easter egg hunt, exchanging rocks he found hidden throughout the lot for candy and smiles. The event was a beautiful example of how Recyclotopie Castelnaudary in partnership with 4/Tiers brings together families and fosters joy through accessible, earth-friendly fun.

As we wandered through the creative setups, I stumbled upon a small terrarium that sparked my imagination—and inspired our next family project.

🌿 Terrarium Inspiration: From Recyclotopie Castelnaudary to Our Home

Seeing that charming terrarium at Recyclotopie Castelnaudary immediately took me back to my childhood memories of my grandmother’s greenhouse. Fueled by inspiration and sunshine, we visited our local garden store and picked up everything we needed to build our very own desert oasis in a glass box.

🌱 Building the Terrarium: A Family Bonding Project Inspired by Recyclotopie Castelnaudary

Back at home, my husband Frank and I dove into the project. He cleaned the €8 terrarium we found and helped me assemble the creative elements we picked out. From selecting the right substrate (a mix of aquarium gravel and cactus soil) to positioning prickly little cacti with tongs and gloves, the process was hands-on, hilarious, and meditative.

The energy of Recyclotopie Castelnaudary—its mix of purpose, play, and eco-consciousness—stayed with us throughout. It reminded us that creating beauty doesn’t have to cost much. It just takes intention, teamwork, and a willingness to get your hands a little dirty.

🌞 Practical Lessons from Our Recyclotopie Castelnaudary-Inspired Project

This terrarium project gave me more than just a cute centerpiece—it offered real gardening lessons:

• Don’t overwater cacti! They prefer dry periods to develop strong roots.

• Positioning near a sunny window (with a mirror inside the terrarium) amplifies light for growth.

• Even mistakes—like soil covering the cacti—are learning moments. (We rinsed and restarted!)

• Creating together strengthens communication, cooperation, and connection in a relationship.

These lessons mirror the values at the heart of Recyclotopie Castelnaudary: ecological awareness, community support, and learning through doing.

Want To Build Your Own Terrarium? Click to see my recommended shopping list:

🛒 DIY Cactus Terrarium Shopping List

🧱 Container / Terrarium Base

• Glass terrarium with or without a lid (open is better for cacti)

• Optional: Fish bowl, vase, or recycled glass jar

  
  

🌱 Plants

• 2–5 small cacti (variety of shapes, heights, and colors)

• Optional: Mini succulents for added texture and contrast

  
  

🪨 Layering Materials

• Small pebbles or aquarium gravel (for drainage)

• Activated charcoal (helps prevent mold and odors)

• Cactus/succulent potting mix (light, sandy soil blend)

  
  

🧤 Tools & Accessories

• Gardening gloves (especially important for handling spiky cacti!)

• Small tongs or tweezers (for precise placement)

• Small scoop or spoon (for layering soil)

• Spray mister bottle (for gentle watering)

  
  

🌵 Decorative Elements (Optional but fun!)

• Decorative stones or colored sand

• Mini figurines (think desert animals, crystals, or fairies)

• Driftwood, dried moss, or natural bark

• Mirror pieces (to reflect light inside the terrarium)

  
  

💡 Lighting (if needed)

• LED grow light or ring light (especially for low-light rooms)

• Optional: Place near a sunny window with indirect light

  
  

📝 Bonus Tips

• Choose a shallow container if using only mini cacti.

• Look for slow-growing species like Echinopsis, Haworthia, or Mammillaria.

• Avoid overwatering—cacti prefer to dry out completely between watering.

🐾 Goldie, Spirit, and the Joy of Simple Moments

While Frank and I built the terrarium, our dogs—Professor Goldie Wiggle Bottom, PhD (our English bulldog) and Spirit (our Frenchie)—kept us company. Goldie even got in on the fun with her life vest and favorite toy. It reminded me that joy is found in the small, silly, everyday moments—something Recyclotopie Castelnaudary celebrates through every event and interaction.

💬 Let’s Keep Growing Together

Have you ever visited Recyclotopie Castelnaudary or done a gardening project with your family? I’d love to hear about it!

Whether you’re building a terrarium or just dreaming of one, I hope this inspires you to create, connect, and cultivate joy wherever you are.

If you're a creator, podcaster, or YouTuber and want to explore topics like sustainable living, family creativity, or intuitive life design, I’d be honored to be a guest on your show.

📬 Join My Inner Circle

Love stories like this? Sign up for my Inner Circle Newsletter for behind-the-scenes musings, life in Castelnaudary, and sustainable inspiration. Follow me on YouTube @authorleslie and Instagram @lesliejuvinacker for daily updates, tips, and tiny slices of joy.

What’s Your Favorite Indoor Plant Project?

• 🌵 Cactus Terrarium
• 🌿 Herb Garden
• 🌸 Flower Potting
• 🌱 Succulent Arrangement

✍️ About the Author: Leslie Juvin-Acker, J.D.

I'm a writer, intuitive clarity coach, and legal scholar based in Castelnaudary, France. After years of coaching clients across the globe, I've turned my focus to sharing everyday moments of joy, creativity, and transformation. Whether I'm digging in the dirt or speaking on a podcast, I love showing people how to bring meaning into their lives—starting right where they are.

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