My front porch always starts looking pretty drab about this time of year, so I like to change out the wreath, give it a good sweeping, and put out a new doormat and flowers to spruce it up and hold it over until spring. It’s still very much winter here, and I’m enjoying it, so I don’t want it looking like Easter yet, but a little freshness and a little color give it a nice boost.
It rained all day yesterday except for about one hour in the whole day. During the break, I ran out and quickly worked on the porch, getting it all done in less than 30 minutes.
I’ve had this wreath since my last house–over 9 years ago! Some years I display it inside the house and some years outside. I like to use it starting in February because it’s heart shaped for Valentine’s, but the flowers add a hint of pre-spring loveliness. I already had it on the door earlier this week when a friend dropped by, and she complimented me on it as she walked in the door. Yay!
I potted the piney-looking trees (What are they called? Somebody help me.) back in December so I just cleaned them up a little and added fresh pine straw. I got the doormat on sale at Hobby Lobby and it’s much more “welcoming” than the old ratty one it replaced. I dropped in Lowe’s this week after my grocery run and purchased some ivy and cyclamen that were looking pretty bad but marked down several dollars. I should have taken a before photo. I brought them home, pulled the dead stuff off, potted and watered them, and gave them new life. They just needed a little LOVE.
I like to put a touch of pink or purple on my porch during February for Valentine’s Day. It also carries nicely into spring.
In spring, I’ll clean the green junk from the concrete (we’ve had a lot of rain this winter), plant some pastel blossoms at the base of the piney-trees, and add more overall springiness to the porch. And I know I say this every season, but I’d still like to paint my front door.
Freshness added–simple and not overdone. Still winter, but with a nod towards spring!
I DO love the wreath! So appropriate for February. My front porch faces north and is always a little grungy by this time of year. Time for a pressure wash and updated rug!
It was so fun to visit with you the other day, Missy! Too bad I didn’t have the rest of the porch freshened up when you came—we could have had our visit on the porch since it was so mild out. But drop by again and we’ll have a porch visit with tea!