Out with the Old – In with the New

 I realize I haven’t blogged since before Christmas.  I’ve wanted to, but have just been so crazy busy lately that I haven’t had a second to spare.  But I just can’t hold out any longer. I was starting to get Blog Withdrawls! 

Not Good!

One of the reasons I’ve been so busy is because I have this habit of starting my Spring Cleaning early.  The Moment I come home from being away for Christmas, I start going to town.  I first find a spot for all of my new gifts and then I start organizing every nook and cranny of my home.

It goes with my theory:

{ for every New item you bring into your home, You need to get rid of something old } 

 So when putting away new clothes, it turns into cleaning out my closet and drawers. When putting away my boy’s new toys, I first get rid of some that they don’t play with anymore….  and be very discrete about it!

etc. etc. etc.

It’s a lot of work but it feels so good to get rid of stuff.  I have boxes in the garage, I’m still deciding if I want to donate it all or hold on to it for a big spring yard sale.

I still have a lot of work to do,  but I’ve made a lot of progress. Plus, I’ve also been busy taking down all of my Christmas decorations,  which I also organize first. Every year I end up with new decorations, so I also get rid of some of the old ones before I put it all away.  I’m sure this may be hard for some people to do,  we tend to want to hold on to those Christmas memories.

I’m sure I’ll be posting more about all of my organizing but first I thought I’d share some of my Christmas Presents.  I got a lot of great thoughtful gifts this year and thought I’d share a few favorites. 

 First I got these beautiful bird printed flour sack Towels.  I love them. They are really big,  I could and may even turn them into throw pillows.

And then Liam made me this calendar in kindergarten,  which I Love Love!  I already have it filled up with birthdays and holidays for this coming year.

 What girl doesn’t love Jewelry and Gift Cards, Right!

 This was an Awesome Gift to get.  It was from my Sister as a White Elephant gift.

She put together this All Natural Cleaning basket,  which included homemade surface cleaner with a instruction card of how to make it.  She also put together a list of other home made natural cleaner recipes.  I’ll have to remember this one for next year, could make great neighbor gifts.

Jake’s grandpa is an artist and he painted us this beautiful blue morning glory painting.

We are getting quite the collection from him.  I’m thinking of grouping them all together and displaying them on my fireplace this spring.

I got tons of new Clothes.  Here is one of my favorites.  My Mother in Law buys me the cutest clothes,  All of my friends and sisters are always so jealous!

This gift from my mom is really sweet.  Of course is was packaged up all pretty …well at least it was before I tried to wrap it all back up.

She had put together these jars full of spices. There’s a nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves and vanilla sugar (that she says took weeks to make).  They go into this cute wire carrier.

The picture is of my Great Grandparents,  it’s actually a card that opens up with a little geneology and information on my Great Grandmother.

On the back of the card is a pocket that holds a Cherished family recipe.  The recipe calls for some of the spices I now have in bulk.

Beautiful!

Thank you everyone for my lovely gifts!

And then as I’m taking down my Christmas Decorations,  and organizing the heck out of my home.  I decided to re arrange the living room.

so I moved the couch from in front of the fireplace, back to the other side of the room.

It was fun to have it there for a change,  but it definitely looks better now.

Do you think I have a Throw Pillow Problem? 

I think you can never have too many pillows.

Abby has claimed her new spot.

And Then I switched up my shelves.  Took out the Christmas and brought in a more springy look.


I made me a little Terrarium out of a big jar and a plant I had. 

ok, now back to organizing!

I want to thank everyone who has stopped by from All free holiday crafts who is featuring my Christmas Card Gift Boxes.

Happy New Year!

Follow:
Share:

7 Comments

  1. Amy Kinser
    January 4, 2012 / 10:38 pm

    I love reading posts on organizing and cleaning. To add to the good reading were those great gifts you got.

    Homemade gifts are just wonderful and so thoughtful, aren't they?

  2. Blondie's Journal
    January 5, 2012 / 12:07 am

    I have not been too inspired to start organizing as of yet…still have a little bug, but you have inspired me to start purging a few things. January is the perfect month for that.

    Your gifts are fabulous…I'd love to hear how you make the cleaning solution. Your mother in law has wonderful taste, I love the top! You are a lucky girl.

    Hope your New Year is going great, Emily. Love your living room like this!

    XO,
    Jane

  3. Paulette
    January 5, 2012 / 1:06 am

    I like to spring clean right after Christmas too. I however don't throw things away but find places for my new items. I need to purge somethings, I think you might have inspired me to toss a few items. Your mothers gift was so thoughtful. ♥

  4. Sherry @ Thrift My House
    January 5, 2012 / 12:38 pm

    I love the spices in the jars and the flour sack towels! I've been in the mood to plant stuff lately. The jar and the plant – great idea.
    I am inspired 🙂
    Sherry's Bees Nest

  5. Natée
    January 6, 2012 / 4:11 am

    You got spoiled rotten, Em! Cuteness galore!

    Glad you liked the natural cleaning kit. Sorry I coerced you into picking it, but I know no one else would appreciate it as much as you (even though Brennen was eyeing that baking soda like something fierce). I'm bummed Michelle stole the headband from me. I wanted to be twinners with you!

    Happy New Year Sister!

    (PS- Michelle and I both snagged the other sets of skis from Grandma's garage. Mine are looking ever-so-cute on my front porch, lying against an old, paint-chipped and warped barn door. Thanks for your inspiration photos.)

  6. Robin Johnson
    January 6, 2012 / 5:17 pm

    And here I thought I was only crazy one that started cleaning out all the nooks right after Christmas. My family know to get out the way as soon as the cars unpacked from Grandma's house. They all dissapear into the basement to watch movies and I go to town cleaning and organizing.

  7. Anonymous
    March 12, 2015 / 11:06 am

    I do not have words to praise your blog, am quite impressed from your website and wanna see more on this soon, so provide more information this is my special request to you. painting company