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| Milk can and roses near our Front Porch, here in Vermont. |
My biggest goal this year is to get rid of everything I don't use or need. I want my home to feel like a relaxing place to be. I have thousands of books in my home library and am in the process of donating many of them to our local library. I also have 20 years worth of school books and curriculum I am ready to part with. Do I want to sell them? No. I would rather just donate them all at once.
I have closets full of clothes and shoes I don't need. I want to eliminate and simplify this all down to the basic necessities and then add in some charming pretty items.
I would love to have our parlour painted a pretty country blue. I want fresh flowers in vases. I want polished windows and furniture. I want pretty plants and beautiful paintings on the walls. This will be our welcome room. I remember reading this old book recently. A gentleman came to the door of a small country estate. A servant opened the door. She invited him in, saying "Come in, the parlour was just cleaned." In other words, it was ready for guests. In our house, the parlour is the living room. It is the first room a guest sees when they enter our home.
All this work of creating a cozy home is how I get ready for a wonderful spring! I will have an enormous head start before spring cleaning time arrives. My house will have only the basics and the treasures. All else will be donated and removed from our estate. This will help eliminate wasted time in searching for things, or all the extra cleaning, and help me enjoy the coming seasons.
I have every intention of sewing this spring, and hanging clothes on the line. I plan to spend much of my time outdoors creating a lovely garden, even though I know nothing about landscaping! But the fun. . . and the delight . . . in working outdoors and making this place beautiful in my own humble, simple way will give me great joy!
What are your plans for creating a cozy home?
Blessings
Mrs. White
From the Archives -
A Servant's Heart in Domestic Occupations.
The peaceful beauty of Rising while it is yet Night.
Can you be, As Cheerful as Ever?
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10 comments:
I'd love to have less 'stuff' overall. I'd love to have a cozy, warm space in which to be with my husband.
Working slowly towards this goal.
Great post mama!! I have been feeling the desire to simplify as well. So many things take up so much time to clean and sort and put away and organize and...and...and...never leaving time for the fun stuff. Keep us posted as to how it goes!
I am also trying to simplify and declutter. Seven children, homeschooling for almost 23 years...we have lots of stuff. I have been decluttering, but I am ready to see some empty spaces. Working on creating routines and order for the whole family and trying to get all to live more simply.
I believe a home should be a reflection of whom you are.
Your home is absolutely lovely! Thank you for sharing!
I must admit mine smells like a bakery, looks like a bookstore and there is sure to be a yarn basket in every room! I also have a tendency to move furniture and nick knacks regularly. My husband's chair, the corgi's basket and the cat tree are not to be touched however I have been duly warned!
Blessings,
It sounds like you are all rested up then?! Those sound like lovely goals!
I have been trying to do this since before the holidays.I love flat surfaces with nothing on them but a shine, my family doesn't leave them that way for long.Lol! I never give up.
So glad you are feeling better!
Great post---I just woke up thinking about spring cleaning and how I wanted to tackle it immediately so I could just enjoy the spring and summer more. I have also been talking to my daughters about the garden for weeks just dreaming about all the things we might grow this year. Can't wait!
Many blessings...
I couldn't agree more! The less stuff we have consuming our time, and energy, the more time we have to invest in the people we love.
i am doing like you!! i have pared down my clothing have donated books to our church library, and am getting rid of other things as well. great minds think alike :)
I am participating in 40 bags in 40 days a lent decluttering.
http://augustfields.blogspot.com/2011/03/40-bags-in-40-days-preparing-for-easter.html
So I am hoping to have a much more peaceful and orderly home once that is done :)
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