March Musts
Good Morning! Happy March! I think I looked up this week and realized Springtime was here - I’m kind of in disbelief about it, really! We just celebrated Christmas! How is it time to fertilize my lawn?
February seemed to drag by slowly and then - poof! - the first week of March was over in a puff of smoke! It’s official springtime, and everything, including our schedule, reflects it!
In February, we spent the first 2 weeks dealing with the flu and strep and secondary infections! Then, Franklin and I tossed on our boots for the Texas Heritage Songwriters Hall of Fame Awards weekend! Last weekend, I left home - again - for a leadership retreat with my church, so the first few days of March was spent playing catchup a bit!
As for family time, we showed up to two daddy daughter dances, a mother son event, and another season of flag football (my son’s team took home the championship trophy, so we had plenty to celebrate! My middle child landed a lead role in the school musical, so our days are spent practicing lines and solos - couldn’t be more proud of my joyful, creative girl! And our baby is really into her dance classes, preparing for her recital at the end of the year!
The best part of this last month was watching my son get baptized at church! He asked for his dad to baptize him, which absolutely melted my heart and brought us all to tears. Plus, a crew of his best friends all showed up to cheer him on in his profession of faith, which has been the most wonderful blessing to witness!
March is here! Summer is in the horizon! You know what a new month means around here, so let’s get to it!
March Musts
Must Watch:
True Crime:
Nancy Guthrie Coverage
We have no time for any other true crime consumption. We have been on pins and needles for a month now. My word, this is absolutely a nightmare unfolding before our eyes! I have theories, but I’d rather go conspiracy-theorist with you over a cup of coffee in person. Praying she’s brought home safely and soon!
Must Watch in General:
Bird House with a Camera:
It’s not a show, but it kind of is! For our daughter’s birthday, we bought her a pet owl! Just kidding, that’s illegal. But we did hang up this awesome owl house with a built in camera with hopes that an owl will choose to call it home for her and her eggs this spring/summer!
Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model (The ANTM Docuseries on Netflix):
I remember watching America’s Next Top Model growing up. I also remember feeling icky about what I was seeing, but that was all reality tv in the early 2000’s, right? This docuseries explores all the ways this show really pushed limits and boundaries. I enjoyed the nostalgia of it all - the 2000’s were a funny time and this series took me right back there!
Traitors (on Peacock)
Y’all! This is my new favorite show! I read about it on someone else’s Substack and decided to give it a try - I watched the entire 4th season in a week! Do you remember playing the game “Mafia” as kids? This show takes that concept, places celebrities in a Scottish castle, and we get to watch as the game is played. It’s a game of strategy and paranoia and, y’all, I’m telling you it’s so good! Plus the producers have to assign outfits to these people because they are all outrageous and perfectly styled! This show is like Clue! meets The Hunger Games meets Survivor… and it’s just great! Other than the strategy of the game being to lie and deceive, it’s pretty wholesome too! There are a lot of cuss words though so it’s not kid-friendly per se, but the game itself is something I’d alllw my kids to watch. It’s moving from Peacock to NBC next season so I’m hopeful that prime time tv will help soften the language a bit. But seriously, check this one out!
Must Wear:
A Denim Mini Skirt
I was on the hospitality committee for the Texas Heritage Songwriters Hall of Fame Awards weekend here in Austin and I needed a series of outfits, both nice and casual, that fit the country music vibes. So I ordered this jean mini skirt on Amazon. I think this may be something I wear consistently all spring and summer long… the best part? Built in shorts so that mama doesn’t show the goods when she’s helping her toddler with a snack while wearing!
These Silk Oversized Scrunchies
I bought this set just for fun and have been wearing them around like crazy! They elevate any bun and turn your easy hair-do into a styled accessory to your outfit! I’ve been a little too “go-go-go” to stop and take photos wearing them, but I’m wearing one in the next photo!
Denim on denim
I don’t know if you really must implement this look because I’m not certain it’s back, but I like it. I’ve been rockin’ it consistently. Denim on denim for me!
Must Make:
My family devoured this. We topped ours with broken tortilla chips and WOW! Super easy and an absolute must make!
I made these for our big crew of family/cousins over Christmas break and they were a hit! So yummy and easy! I think I’ll be making these again for one of our outings over spring break.
Must Implement:
Spring Cleaning!
Yes, it’s time. Now that the sun is coming out and the weather is warming up, it’s time to let your house breathe again after the long (or just regular for us in TX) winter. Here are my tips so that it’s not overwhelming!
Create a Schedule:
The goal is not to look around and go “ahhhh, I have a clean house!” The goal with Spring cleaning is to move throughout your home to specifically address the things that build up over time. The thing about Spring cleaning is that you won’t ever really go “look at my shiny, sparkly house” like you would after a top to bottom clean day, but at the end of the month, you’ll find yourself breathing better, resting better and moving more efficiently knowing these things have been taken care of. There are plenty of checklists online that help you remember these less-commonly cleaned corners!
Start Outside:
There’s a flow that makes the most sense, especially because of the way dirt works. Start outside, go dirtiest project first.
Start with your front yard, then work your way back. I don’t know about you, but when I see my front looking clean and welcoming, it inspires me to keep it going in all the spaces!
Pruning, mulch, and fertilizer is where we need to start. Then blow it all off, wipe down outside fixtures and furniture and finish with a power wash. I prefer to wash my windows later once this is all done.
Inside:
Treat inside like a marathon, not a sprint. Go room by room and be prepared to tackle one space a week if you need to. This is less about knocking it out and more about really approaching each space with intentionality - getting behind furniture… wiping crevices that haven’t seen daylight…
There’s a system here, too, that you need to follow though. Always go top to bottom. Floors are last! Wipe the ceiling fans first and the baseboards last! Gravity, y’all. Let it work with you and not against you.
Open the Windows:
Unless there’s pollen everywhere, which is coming, open the windows for a bit a few times a week and let your house breathe. Especially if it’s below 70 degrees. This is just good to do!
Donate:
Just donate it. No, you won’t wear it. Give it to someone who really will. Unless it’s designer, don’t bother with resell. You most certainly will get your feelings hurt by what these places offer you.
Top it all Off:
When your space is done, fill a vase with fresh flowers, light a candle, or run your essential oil diffusers with smells you love to really make your space feel fresh and clean! You did it!
Well, that’s it! See you next month! I hope your March is fantastic!