Fluff the Nest Friday: Front Porch Refresh

Around here, Friday is the day to “fluff the nest” which is just a much cuter way of saying “clean the house”. Am I right? So my Friday posts are all about tidying up and getting the house fresh and in order for the weekend. Some weeks my nest-fluffing comes more easily than others. I need motivation each Friday.

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If you saw my last “Fluff the Nest” post, you know my LOVE for February runs deep. In fact, my motivation for last Friday’s cleaning was all about the arrival of this sweet month! Not only did I get the inside of my house cleaned, over the weekend I extended those efforts outdoors to my front porch entrance.

This time of year I’m usually getting a little tired of winter. Valentine’s Day, with it’s pastel hues, is the occasion I use to lighten things up and hold me over until spring.

When we first looked at our house before buying, the only thing that turned me off was the big driveway leading all the way up to the front door. It was a lot of concrete! I had envisioned a grassy front lawn leading up to a sprawling porch. Concrete can feel cold and unwelcoming. Add to that the darkness of the brick and wood, and the general blahs of winter, and it looks pretty drab this time of year. I want to have something pretty to greet my family, my guests, and myself!

As it turns out, the driveway has actually been one of our favorite features of this home! It’s been a perfect spot for bike riding and chalk art for the kids, visiting with neighbors, unloading groceries, and pulling right up to the door for Joel’s grandmother (and any other elderly who visit) to save some steps. To solve the problem of it looking unwelcoming, I try to add color, softness, and hospitality with seasonal wreaths, flowers, and a small sitting area.

Our weather last weekend was beautiful! Early last week we almost had snow, but by the weekend the temperatures were mild and pleasant. It was also the first weekend in a while that we were home, so I was glad to have the time to get my hands back in the flower pots!

As if planting flowers in February wasn’t enough blessing, while I was working, Country Girl went to the mailbox to find that two spring magazines had arrived!! Just look at those beautiful covers! My friend Melissa is managing editor of Victoria, so getting one of her magazines in the mail is like receiving a beautiful letter from a friend! Sunday afternoon was nice outside again so I sat on my almost-spring porch and enjoyed some reading and lovely spring inspiration!

In March I’ll purchase a new doormat, and Joel and I are planning to restain the door, beams, and shutters later in the spring. I might even go wild and paint my door a new color!

So how does this motivate me in today’s nest-fluffing? Well, I’ve enjoyed this freshened up front porch so much this week that I’m moving on to the back patio today! I had enough flowers left over to fill a couple of extra pots. Today I just need to give the patio a good sweeping, wipe down the furniture, and put out those flower pots!

Now I’d love to hear your suggestions for pulling your home through the rest of winter!