Spring forward, spring up, & spring fresh.

Another spring has arrived. In anticipation, I started spring cleaning in February. Of course, here in the southern U.S. we had several days in the 70’s in February, so I felt the pull early. Then, the groundhog predicted early onset and we all celebrated! Hello green, goodbye brown!

Thinking about my sudden need to clean, I realize spring cleaning is almost involuntary for me. It just happens.

Usually, it is a dirty window that starts the frenzy.  The sun comes shining through and suddenly all the windows look dingy and I want to scrub away the dirt. Clean windows spreading light through the house reveal dust in corners or spaces not used as much.

Then, my spring cleaning morphs from dust removal into cleaning out closets, sorting clothes, scrubbing baseboards, and cleaning up the yard. The brightly lit rooms reveal clutter too. So everyday while removing dust and grime, I also  donate, sort, and rearrange some.  Throughout the season, I organize the storage closet or files, sort the kids toys, or redo my clothes closet.

Invariably, something gets painted too. This year, it was the dining room. Ironically, for my home refresh I chose Snowed In as the color in an eggshell finish because it is the perfect white. (Valspar from Lowes)

It is cathartic and therapeutic to exercise the gray winter days and accumulated clutter by viewing our homes through spring’s fresh perspective.

(for more on letting go of the stacks of stuff, click here)

My plan is to give the front porch a good scrub. I will start with cleaning the light fixture to let the light shine through, and then hose off the porch. After cleaning, maybe a coat of paint for the steps and front door. Then, to cheer everyone who comes to the door, I will plant something new in the garden planter on the porch and update the mat.

After studying the front porch area and polishing the glass of the front door, I noticed that my wreath looked dingy too. I love the changing seasons, so I ordered a fresh wreath off Etsy to reward my efforts. The ferns, hydrangea, and black and white ribbon are exactly what I want.

If you are like me, you have also been choosing a few celebrations of spring in something you wear.

In addition to my home refresh, I started perusing seasonal colors and chose a new dress to wear to a wedding and for Easter. Instead of the darker colors I wear in winter, I chose softer brigher hues. It was my first spring purchase of the year. While shopping, I noticed white showed up in the stores and I opted for some short sleeves and white cotton, so spring has sprung in my closet.

Spring clean, spring décor, spring clothes, spring planting.

The mindset of spring is renewal. It is the growing season, springing forward, and new life. Anticipating all of the new green showing up, I am celebrating.

Genesis 1:11-12
Then God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees on the earth bearing fruit after their kind with seed in them”; and it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit with seed in them, after their kind; and God saw that it was good.

Welcoming spring,

Kim

Hello Spring!

Isaiah 43:19 19Behold, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert.