WEEKEND CHALLENGE: Help around the HOME

Looking for something to do this weekend? Sure we'd all love to lounge around on our front porch swing and sip mimosas but it's time to get our butts in gear. There is always something to do around the house and now is the perfect time to do some of them. If you're dying to make a honey-do list then here are some home projects that will help you prepare your yard for outdoor living and freshen your home with a good Spring cleaning.

1) Yearly "Step into Spring" Deep Cleaning - Vacuum everything: Use attachments or the floor nozzle on the walls, furniture and baseboards. Empty the canister or bag for maximum effectiveness. Then throw everything—plastic toys, shower caddies, even sturdy knick-knacks—into the dishwasher for a once-a-year cleaning. 2) Take Stock of your Stuff - Start with the bookshelves: Clear everything off and give it a good dusting. Donate or sell any books you no longer want and replace everything in its newly clean space. Do the same for all videos, DVDs, electronic games, and music. Lastly, sort through your computer equipment: donate everything that is still usable and find a recycling center for dead electronics.

3) Dust the Ceiling Fan - Call it spring cleaning, call it an allergy-reducer, or just call it cumbersome...but don't skip it. It's a good idea to dust the blades and external motor of your ceiling fan once a month. Use a dusting cloth with an extension, a broom with an old t-shirt tied around it or climb up on a ladder with a dust cloth in hand. 4) Open up the Attic - To keep air moving through your home at this time of year, open the ridge vent now. If you don't have one, keep your gable vents open all year long.

5) Steam Clean your Carpets - Winter rain and snow means lots of mud on carpets. Now that the skies are clearing, give your carpets a thorough cleaning - or better yet hire a professional if you have the dinero. Trust me; you'll be thrilled to have clean carpets and extra time to enjoy the spring weather.

6) Plant Entry Flowers - Try this for an extra burst of color: buy a bowl-shaped planter and fill with only one kind of blooming plant such as pansies or violas—all in the same color. Whether it's white, red, pink or another shade you love, strategically filling your planters with one color will give your porch a more elegant look in minutes. You may think one color is boring but it looks amazing if you plant in abundance. 7) Let the Light Shine In - Wash your windows and screens. This is the perfect project for my MUST HAVE CLEANING PRODUCT! If you missed that post, check it out here. For a quick fix when you run out of window cleaner, mix two tablespoons of white vinegar with two quarts of water. Dip a clean rag in the solution and wipe down the windows. Wipe them dry with wadded-up newspaper. Brush screens to remove dust and debris.

Now that should keep you busy...for a few weekends I'm thinking. Have a fantastic weekend y'all!