Spring

One of the things I pay more attention to these days is the products I use to clean with. I have found that the old fashioned methods often work just as well, sometimes better, without adding harsh chemicals to the environment - or my hands. For example, vinegar and water with newspaper really does clean windows leaving no streaks. Lemon and water cuts grease as well as harsh cleaners do (it will bleach slightly, so use a white cloth or rag). I like to use it in the kitchen and bathrooms. Lastly, plain old soap and water still works wonders. I can always find other things to do other than clean, so I tend to look for short-cuts or easier ways to do things. For example, for years I have cleaned my kitchen floors by mixing up a batch of soap and water and spreading it lightly around the floor - don't make a flood, just make sure it is wet all over. Wait about 15 minutes (an excuse to do something else) and them mop it up. The soaking time lifts the dirt.

If you have a heirloom crystal vase, fill it with baby's breath, tulips, daffodils and iris for contrast. If you are lucky enough to have a bulb cutting garden, bring these in from outside. Otherwise, at least once during the season, pick up a bunch from the florist. For in between, fill the vase with silk flowers. Place the vase on your dining room table on a crisp white linen table square with lace edging. Place the square on the table at a diagonal so the wood shows through. Flank each side with tall white pillars on silver holders.

Throughout your house, replace all the silk flowers with spring flowers. Add a few spring colored pillows to the couch and chairs. Replace the pillow shams on the bed with bright white ones with yellow flowers.

If the last time you grew food was the beans in a jar for science class in third grade, give it a try. You might even try growing the beans in the ground this time. They really do taste great off the vine.