With a name like "Cindy's Porch" you have to know that we love our front porch! It's just a little thing - only enough to sit two people comfortably and four people squished up, but it works. My husband and I enjoy sitting outside during the summer - especially at the end of the day when it has cooled down a bit. And we talk - about the kids, our work, our ideas, and anything else that comes up. I can't imagine ever owning a home again without a porch. Having said that, our previous homes always had a front step. This was just as important as our porch. It's where we invited our guests into our home, where we handed out treats for Halloween, and where I sat when I watched our little ones playing in the front yard. This front step needed the same kind of spring cleaning as our current porch. Welcome home - and let's get started!
Here's That Not Me Five Again
- Laundry: Again, gather up any laundry, stray shoes, or single socks that may be laying about.
- Dishes: Any dishes on your porch? My husband and I like to share a bottle of wine or a glass of lemonade on our front porch during the summer. When it's cooler out there, a cup of tea or hot chocolate hits the spot! There could be dishes on our porch LOL.
- Trash: Gather all the trash that has accumulated over the winter.
- Papers: We get too may newspapers and flyers delivered to our homes! Into the recycle bin they go. If you have a stash of papers bundled up and ready to go to the depot, then load them up and get them out of the way. We're after a sparkling porch (or front step!)
- Other Stuff: Get rid of any stuff that doesn't belong: this might be the
pumpkin left from last October, the plastic tin soldiers from
Christmas, the pile of newspaper recycle, the computer monitor that
broke down in November, or the winter boots that need to be put away.
Remember, trash is trash. Out it goes. If you find something that you
don't want anymore, add it to the future garage sale or donation box. This could take a while - huge grin! (or was that a groan...)
Time to Shine...
- Wipe Down: Using a pail with hot soapy water and a cleaning rag, wipe
down any furniture that is on the porch. We also have cushions on our
chairs. They have been left out all winter, so I am going to bring
them in and wipe them with a damp cloth as well.
- Windows: Are there windows on your porch? If it is warm enough, give
them a quick wash (I am just going to use window cleaner and a rag to
clean the outside of our front living room window that faces the
porch).
- De-web: Take a look around your porch. Are there broken spider webs
hanging from the roof or around the porch frame? Have leaves gathered
in the corners? Grab a broom and sweep away the old spider webs. Pick
up the trash and gather the leaves. Then, sweep up the porch.
- Wash Up: Give the floor area a quick wash. Do you have any carpets on
your porch? We have a small mat to collect dirt from our shoes before
we enter the house. I am going to toss mine into the wash machine to
brighten it up. It is going to be good for another year. Next fall, I
will look for a new one on sale.
- Setting up your Porch: Now put everything back that you want on your porch. We have two chairs, one table, and two lanterns for candles. That's it. Simple and easy to keep up.
Hmmm, I just noticed that our porch is going to need a coat of paint
this year (we have PROCRASTINATED long enough). So, the porch is
going to get added to our "FIX IT" list on the fridge. This is going
to be a project for May or June. We already have the paint, we just have to DO it!
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