Spring Cleaning?

In the midst of gardening, homeschooling, and keeping up with every day life I've noticed some things around the house that really, REALLY need a good cleaning. Windows, window sills, carpets... all need to be scrubbed up. When do you make time to fit it all in?? (The all-time rhetorical question.) With several people coming over this weekend for B's birthday party and a special visitor coming to visit the following week, all the areas that I always overlook seem to be glaring at me! YIKES!

I'm searching for spring cleaning ideas online, not for what I need to do but mostly for inspiration.... something that says I can do it!! Anybody else out there spring cleaning? *cheers*

Enjoying hydrangeas

I love the pink hydrangea my secret sister got for me.

It looks so sweet next to my garden fairy on my front porch!

I've spotted this little guy enjoying my new plant, too, several times.

City Momma, Nature Lover

The Lord has brought me a wonderful newfound love of nature! My boys were so like me in that area. Any time we saw a bug, we would run! I realized what it was doing to my kids and have made a genuine effort to be more nature friendly. We've been gardening like crazy, and I'm thrilled that the boys come outside and help me, or just dig in the dirt, or even just hang out with me outdoors. It's a great time, since it will be sizzlin' hot soon.

Yesterday, B. (6) and I had an awesome moment while I was pulling weeds. He saw a worm in the dirt. No, he didn't squeal or get squeemish, like usual. He said, "Look, Mom! A worm." Then he surprised my socks off by saying, "Can I touch it?" So he touched it and we talked about how slippery he was, and when the worm moved about we pretended like he was tickled when we touched him. I was seriously amazed at how far this city momma and her sons have transformed into nature lovers.

Milk Carton Bird Feeder

Today, my awesome DH started picking up some stuff and putting it in the trash for the boys to take out to the street for pick up. I thought, "How sweet!" Then, I saw an old milk carton that I'd been saving for a while go into the trash. gasp! Not my milk carton! I told him I've been saving that to make a bird feeder with the kids. In his defense, it has been sitting around for two weeks.

I decided the time is now to make that bird feeder!! The weather was unbelievably beautiful outside today, so I grabbed B. (6) to help me. Here's what we did:

1. You need a cardboard milk carton. Trace a template onto the front and back, then cut out. Don't forget to do both sides! :)

2. Make a hole about an inch or two below the opening. Put a stick or dowel through the holes to make your little perch.

3. Next, make a hole in the top of the carton, then string yarn or wire through the hole.

4. Fill up the bottom of the carton with bird seed.

5. Hang it in a tree or wherever you find that birds can use it! Stay close and enjoy seeing the birds that come to your yard!

If you've done this project or end up making one, let me know! I'd love to see your post or pics!

Thankful Thursday

Today, my heart is bursting with thankfulness mostly to my God for loving us, leading us, and providing for us in every way.


Also, I'm unbelievably grateful for the group of guys from our church family that got together and came to our house to help us with our yard work. Some of you know that my sweet husband is disabled, in a wheelchair, and simply cannot do things like work in the yard that he wishes he could do. There were 30 trees in my small backyard. Nothing would grow back there because it was completely shaded, even grass wouldn't grow. I wanted to grow a garden in my shady backyard, but had given up hope of getting all those trees down. A whole group of friends showed up with their chainsaws and willing hands and made quick work of my yard! WOW!! I'm so thankful!! I pray that God blesses those people even more than they have blessed me. Thank you so much, Lord, for providing for me and my family.

Thanks, Guys!!! You're awesome!!