The blossoms are out, the birds are singing and the Easter Bunny is on the way. It’s a good weekend to spruce up the dining room, bring in cut branches and take a day trip to admire cherry blossoms.
1. Savor spring blossoms. The time has come for spring blossoms! The National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C., runs March 17 through April 15 — but with the unusually cold start to spring across the East Coast, the blooms are still waiting to open. Check the National Cherry Blossom Festival Bloom Watch page for updates on when these stunning trees will reach peak bloom.
If you’re not in the D.C. area, search for a botanic garden, Japanese garden or public park in your area and take a stroll to view spring blooms. And if you want to bring the fragrance and color of the blooms home, snip some branches from your own yard or pick up a bundle at a local market or florist — keep an eye out for plum and quince blossoms too.
2. Give dining chairs some TLC. Are your dining chairs sliding easily, or are they sticking to the floor? Have the seat cushions seen better days? Lift each chair to check the condition of the glides, replacing them as needed. For caned chairs (like the ones shown here), check for gaps or holes in the caning. A furniture maker can replace damaged areas if needed. Start shopping for cushions or fabric if you decide you want to re-cover your chairs.
3. Clean out trash cans and recycling bins. It’s a dirty job, but it’s probably not as bad as you think — and you’ll feel great when this task is checked off your list. If possible, take the empty cans outside and spray them with a hose to start. Spritz them inside and out with the cleaning spray of your choice. Let the bins sit for a few minutes before scrubbing them with a stiff-bristle brush. Rinse with the hose and leave them upside-down to dry.
4. Consider adding a rain barrel. Having a rain barrel to collect runoff from your roof can be a great way to save on water bills and use what would otherwise be wasted water.
A good rain barrel has a lid to prevent mosquitoes from breeding inside and a tap near the base to allow access to the collected water.
5. Sort a box of photos. If the weather outside still feels more like winter than spring, take advantage of being stuck indoors and finally get to that photo organizing project you’ve been putting off. The key is to avoid getting overwhelmed and giving up — so take it one box at a time, and sort while doing something pleasant, like sipping a hot beverage and listening to music or a favorite podcast.
6. If you’re hosting an Easter get-together, set the table early. Get ready for the bunny! If you’re celebrating Easter, this is the time to start dyeing eggs, planning the menu and putting together baskets. Hosting? Set the table the night before so you’ll have less to worry about on Easter day.
