Spring is in the air here in Western Mass and our neighborhood is buzzing with activity! Isn’t it funny how a little bit of sunshine and clear skies can spring us into action? After months of cold weather, winter storms and snow days, the weather has finally let up and we’re slowly coming out of hibernation. The last couple of weeks I’ve been “enjoying” myself doing a bit of spring cleaning in our front yard, whenever I can find a spare hour or two, gathering twigs and fallen branches, cutting down overgrown shrubs and a particularly invasive species of roses that is hurting some of our trees.
So far I’ve filled a 2-ton dumpster and I’m nowhere near the end of the process, but the new windows in our living room that overlook that part of our yard are a great motivator. Now, if only my neighbor could remove his toppled blue plastic barrel and fluorescent road cones, life would be good 🙂 The backyard cleanup is a different beast, a story of hopelessness and quiet desperation, and because I’m in such a sunny mood I won’t share the details with you right now. Enough to say it’s not clean, and it’s far from being done. The more I cut things down, the stronger they grow back the next season, so disturbing thoughts of setting it all on fire have entered my mind.
On the topic of spring cleaning, indoors and out… Have you gotten the bug yet? Do you have a game plan or is it more of an impulsive act of getting ready for warmer days? My approach to spring cleaning has changed a lot over the years and I’m learning to pace myself better and not bite more than I can handle on my own. But somehow it never really works out that way. Anyway, I’d love to hear your approach, and if you have any tips on getting as much done and as efficiently as possible. (If you can recommend one of Martha’s books on the topic of spring cleaning, I’m game 🙂 ) In the meantime, here are this week’s finds. Wishing you a great rest of your weekend!
Matilda Goad for Anthropologie scalloped pillows:
Matilda Goad for Anthropologie scalloped pillows
Tour a beautiful 17th-century Cotswold cottage
Gold-leaf faux bamboo bar cart
Jackie Kennedy’s former Georgetown home, for sale through Sotheby’s
Farmhouse painted stoneware pitcher:
Love the spongeware – always have – and love the glimpse of Jackie’s former home. My spring cleaning focus has varied over the years — but paring down and cleaning out is a top priority these days. Whatever room I’m in, I’m emptying out cupboards and drawers to see what I really want to keep and what I could donate, and the whole house feels lighter! It’s a thrill to even carry a box out to the car. It also makes me conscious of what I bring in as well – win/win!
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts on spring cleaning, Linda! You’re absolutely right about decluttering being a two-way street – when it takes so much effort to get right of “stuff”, we become more conscious about what we bring in as well. Now if only my clutter would stop multiplying in my sleep 🙂
xo, Eva