Awake, thou wintry earth –
Fling off thy sadness!
Fair vernal flowers, laugh forth
Your ancient gladness!
~Thomas Blackburn
tip 1: a place for everything
Do you sometimes feel “weighted down” or dreary during March even though the signs of spring are emerging everywhere?
Signs of Spring: Roses and Peony
Signs of Spring: Bird's Nest
Do you look around your home and wonder “where did all this stuff come from?” I do–tell me I am not alone!
For me, spring is a perfect time to help renew and refresh my spirit by organizing a closet, corner or a room. When organized, I am free of the burden of wondering, “where did I put…” and am not spending countless moments looking for something! I remember one of Grandmother Ione’s sayings, “A place for everything and everything in its place.” Spring is a great time to be reminded of not giving clutter a chance to form.
Time for Spring Tea Joined by Grandmother Ione's Mother (Myrtle Maderson)
tip 2: quality over quantity
At Rose Cottage, there is a closet under the stairs that is a catch all–it is Fibber McGee’s closet! Get a quick peak at the closet by watching the video. Time to tackle that closet–even though the mere thought is colossal! With my Very Best Boy’s help–yes, the same one as the cinnamon roll baker on the “Home Alone” post! We take EVERYTHING out of McGee’s closet. Soon there is only a path through the living room and the dining room!
Please tell me that someone else has a Fibber McGee’s closet!
tip 3: don’t put it down {put it away, give it away or throw it away
Living in a small 1880’s cottage with very limited storage for nearly thirty years, requires on-going organization. Asking, “how will I use…this year?” can help reduce the quantity of “stuff” that gathers over the winter months. Next, it is time to make decisions about what to do with the stuff!
tip 4: pile, don’t file!
…that is, pile so that “stuff” can find new homes! Soon piles grow destined for recycling, tossing or giving away. My Very Best Boy decides there is some “stuff” he can use at his house away at college! I decide in order to have a more beautiful and inspired life this year, I need to simplify and have less quantity. There is a lot of accumulation over the winter!
Do you have a proliferation of “stuff “over the winter, too?
tip 5: spring forward!
Time at last for all the piles to move out the door. Bags, bags and even more bags (too many to count!) are dropped off at the Good Will. Going off to the GW is not without risk of bringing stuff home. I come home with just a just a few vintage treasures for spring nest fluffing from some favorite shops!
Sweet Velvet Bunnies Making Spring Deliveries (from Rose Mille)
Vintage Moss Rose Finds, Millinery and Bird Frame
For more about getting organized, Melissa over at The Inspired Room has some stylish ideas and tips to help you getting started on fluffing your nest.
Fluffing the Nest at Rose Cottage
Won’t you leave a comment and tell me how you are fluffing your nest this spring?
rose cottage gardens and farm 