getting ready for spring

This in-between seasonal 'angst' that we can sometimes feel, right around mid-February, is real.

We've enjoyed (and survived) the holidays, the freshness of New Year has begun to wear off, and the days are ever-so-slightly getting longer. Those blue skies and sunny days are so promising.

​But, especially for us up here in the high country, the winter storms just keep popping in to remind us that it's still winter, and it's not quite time to let go of the hygge-vibe just yet.  
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My dragonfly kitchen garden gate glowing in the early morning.

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We seem to have a persistent cycle these last couple of weeks of fierce and seriously cold snow and ice storms arriving every few days just as the chaos and chill from the last one begins to fade.

​But I can see the green tips of my Snowdrops reaching for the sky.

Spring will come...
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I find that this transitional season is the perfect time to tackle a few empowering and refreshing tasks. 

After all, it's often the anticipation that makes the reward so delicious.

​Here's a few ideas for you to consider.
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​late winter Checklist

❄️ 10 Ways to Harness the Anticipation of Spring ❄️

#1 Deep Clean
I know.  It's not spring yet.  But I have to ask - why do we wait for spring to do that deep cleaning?  Honestly, I would rather be outside and exploring in the spring than inside cleaning.  I actually love to do a pretty good cleanup in the late autumn just  before we slow down and start spending more time inside.  And then I like to freshen it up again after the holiday mess and chaos before spring.  Get the "spring cleaning out of the way" now.

#2 Start Seeds
Seems early perhaps, since it's still in the teens in the mornings around here.  But now is the time to pickup (or find) some of those seed packets that get you excited about spring possibilities, and get your seeds in some soil.  You don't need a massive green house to make this worthwhile.  Even just a couple of herbs and a tomato  start or two that can go in the ground as soon as your last frost date will give big payoff early in the season.  Start your seeds for spring planting now.

#3 Declutter
One of the things about the holidays is that at some point all that décor and clutter just starts to feel... messy.  

And stale.  Now is a great time to thin out the stuff that's collected over the fall and holidays and either pack it away or consider donating to a good cause.  This certainly applies to all your spaces and closets and garage.  But I always feel lighter and brighter with just a declutter of our main living spaces to start.  Just take it one space at a time and remember... it is just STUFF.  
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#4 Kitchen Garden Dreaming
I often hear people talk about how they would love a proper kitchen garden if only they had a larger property.  But the truth is that you would be amazed at how much you can grow in a well designed and crafted small space.  Whether it's a system of pots on a deck or raised beds in a small courtyard, it's all about being creative, thoughtful, and smart about the plan.  Design and build that kitchen garden now, before you miss spring.  Explore a little garden inspiration to get the ideas flowing.

#5 Beautiful Desks
Many of us spend countless hours and days working away in a space that's less than inspiring, and even truly dysfunctional.  Just like with the kitchen garden plan above, you don't need a massive space to craft an inspiring and efficient desk space.  It's all in the details and planning.  Put a plan together to brighten up your desk and workspace now.

#6 Linen Closet Downsize
I've come to learn that it's so easy to accumulate linens that ultimately are rarely used.  Perhaps we just fall in love with a new color palette or can't resist that duvet cover in the catalog.  It's one of those really easy and impactful things to update in our homes.  But over time it just gets... out of hand!  How many sets of towels or sheets do we actually use?  This is a great time to pull out all your towels, and sheets, and quilts and downsize the linens.  Give it a quick clean and donate any lightly used items.  Make space for something new this summer and embrace simple living.

#7 Garden Shed Spruce-Up
I don't know about you, but for me the fall cleanup in the garden is always a chaotic process.  I think it's because I am procrastinating the end of the season and somehow I'm always caught off guard that the landscape needs to be put to bed.  The result is a garden shed that is just piles of odds and ends tossed in there before the first snow.  While a can hardly wait for spring to get here,  being faced with that mess  on a gorgeous day can be very frustrating.  Now is the perfect tie to spruce up the garden shed.

#8 Remodel Kick-Off
It's fair to say that almost all of the clients we work with seriously underestimate the amount time required to make a home remodel happen.  Whether it's just a single room, a whole home, or a landscape remodel it's likely that the time and effort required is at least 2 or 3 times what you might be hoping.  So, if you are dreaming of a new kitchen and dining room for the holidays this year, now is the time to get that discussion going.  Make a plan to find a local design professional to help you get the wheels in motion now.  

#9 Color Re-Fresh
​One of the easiest and more fun things to play with is color - when it comes to your home and landscape it's also often overlooked as a major decision in the planning phases.  And color can have an outsized affect on how you feel in your spaces, and on how a space functions.  If you find yourself feeling like your spaces are a bit dull or not working together, consider how color might be a part of the problem.  Bring your spaces together this spring with a new personalized color plan now.

#10 Hygge
So, while we long for the color and warmth of spring, it's so important to enjoy the present moment.  Remember to 'hygge' as often as possible right now and relish in that cozy peace... before the excitement of the new season brings an end to our hybernation.  

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Thanks for following along and getting this far... I hope you found a few good ideas to inspire you this season.  Let me know what's on your list before spring.  I'd love to hear.

And if you're looking for any help with refreshing some of your spaces this year, please consider exploring our services.  You'll find more info and background on our Services and Porfolio pages.  Take a look and give me a call.  

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Stay warm,
~Miriam