Spring Cleaning the Front Porch

One of my favorite things to do come Spring is clean the front porch! Somehow it really makes it feel like the warm weather is back. Mom and I started in on the porch bright and early Saturday morning. We weren't sure how the weather was going to turn out as we had planned on starting our cleaning on Friday, but there was a stiff North breeze.

 It always amazes us how dirty it gets! Floors, windows, walls and furniture all get washed down. The cushion covers also get taken off and put through the wash.

And any miscellaneous flotsam and jetsam that has accumulated over the winter gets put somewhere else. Including the salt bucket and shovels!

You can see I have already put out my pinwheels!

We also drag the rug on the porch and the rug in the entry to the backyard and give them a good scrubbing. We always marvel at these Waterhog rugs. They have to be going on 15 years and they still look good! They are so good at keeping all the snow and dirt in check. And nothing sticks to them! Muddy boots, plaster dust, dog throw up, greasy car parts; it has all come up. After a good wash, we hang them over the rocking chairs to dry in the sun.

Saturday turned out to be a beautiful day! 65 degrees and so sunny! So we decided the floor needed a bit of sprucing this year. I happened to have a pint of Sherman William's floor paint on hand and off I went!

It always feels so fresh after a good clean! And a faint aroma of new paint helps too!

These little lanterns we found at the dollar store. They have battery operated tea lights in the bottoms. We can't wait to try them out!

 I never seem to know what to do with this side of the porch. This is the side that chronically get piled with odds and ends. It is getting better though! The bench has helped! I would like to get another little table to use as a plant stand.  

Last year I wasn't sure if I like the green, but as you can see, it is still green! I love the new pillows for it. I think it compliments the green very nicely, yet ties it to the colors on the other side of the porch.

How could I resist houses!?!

Have I ever showed you my doorbell? It doesn't work, but I couldn't take it out. It's so cute!