March 6 ~

This is my last chance at any meaningful Spring Cleaning, because once it is warm enough...I am out of here!! For now, it is cloudy, damp and was 13 degrees overnight. All my closets are finally cleaned, so now the real cleaning begins...and the house will smell wonderful.

Too cold for at least a month to open windows---one reason many wait until it is warmer to spring clean is to be able to open windows an try to avoid the toxic smells of most household cleansers. Not here, however. I use only cleansers that I make myself--most from herbs in my gardens. For this time of year, I clean with citrus scented herbs because they are fresh smelling, but still reminiscent of the winter holidays. Using lemon balm, pineapple sage, scented geraniums, rosemary and lemon juice, I have made everything I need:  vacuum cleaner & laundry dryer bags, rug powders, furniture polish, room spray, scrubbing grains and window cleaner.

So, until I can smell the fresh spring breezes and walk in the gardens, I'll revel in the scents of last year's plants...preserved in my cleaning products. I am positive these revels will be tempered by my aching back, but  my big bottle of St. John's Wort oil and a stash of relaxing teas are close at hand.