Spring cleaning. It was a ritual in our house growing up. Mother would choose a perfect weekend in late April or early May, and turn the house inside out, from top to bottom. No surface was spared scrubbing and polishing.
Linens on the line
The washing machine did not stop all day long. Curtains were laundered and hung on the long pully line that stretched from the bathroom window across our yard to a large tree. It held a lot, and was put to the test. The pretty cotton crisscross curtains that sat in a box all winter were washed fresh, dried on the line, ironed and returned to the windows in the living room, and those windows had also just been washed. Mattresses were flipped, our extremely inadequate closets were turned out, winter clothes and coats away, summer clothes out, outgrown clothes stuffed in paper bags to hand to someone new, and bedding aired out on shrubs.
No idle hands
No surface was left untouched and if any of us looked idle, we were given a new task, whether dusting the bed slats, scrubbing the mop boards, or beating the scatter rugs. My grandmother went to my Aunt Mary’s for the day, I suspect so my mom could clean out her little stash of boxes of ginger snaps and molasses cookies she hoarded in the bedroom. “Mice,” is all my mom would say about them. Gram never said a word about them when she returned home.
The dump
We tossed out anything that had no further use, and dad made a ritual trip to the dump, which was an open burn in our town that smoldered continuously. There was a spot to put any items that someone else could use, and the rest was added to the fire. Knowing him, mom warned dad not to bring anything back from the dump!
Clean that kitchen
The kitchen cleaning took the longest. Cupboards were organized, scrubbed, relined with new shelf paper. The refrigerator cleaned out too, and oven. Stored food was sad looking this time of year. Potatoes were sorted; the ones that were largest with lots of newly sprouted eyes would be saved for planting. The rest would end up being used in mashed potatoes for Sunday dinner. Onions as well were inspected, the bins cleaned out ready for the new garden year.
Lemon and wax
Dusting with lemon Pledge was the next to last task, usually mine, and then mom would scour the floor on her hands and knees removing any old wax on the linoleum, scrubbing it all clean, then the fishing touch was the new coat of wax. She would have us kids put on socks and ‘skate’ around the floor to polish it even shinier. Everything was sparkling all at the same time.
It’s all good
I remember going to bed, exhausted, with the house smelling of lemon and my bed smelling of clean air-dried sheets, and there probably wasn’t another day in my kid year when I felt so content drifting off to a very deep sleep.
Clean as you go
Well, I don’t do all this! My approach to cleaning is to take care of it as I go; when something gets out of control, like the junk drawer, I tackle that whatever the season. My life is a continual battle with dog hair from my two golden retrievers, and this is an almost daily task! Living on a dirt road, dust is also an ongoing, never-ending chore. Windows? I have to frequently wash dog drool off my French doors, the rest can keep until they bother me.
Sunshine and breezes
However, I love to hang my sheets and quilts out on the line to dry. Nothing is better than the smell of those pillow cases after a day in the sunshine and breeze. This makes for a good night’s sleep.
Seasonal tasks
There are a few seasonal tasks I undertake, but often they are in the fall. Once I have harvested my herbs for winter storage, that’s a good time to clean out my spice shelves (makeshift antique soda crates I have attached to my pantry wall). It’s good to compost those tender dried green herbs that no longer have any flavor.
End of the line
But now it’s spring. There’s the rapidly sprouting potato and onion baskets, and the crisper in the refrigerator with less-than-lovely stored winter vegetables. My winter CSA is done for the year, but I still have some produce that I’m not too excited about. We’ve had our fill of Brussels sprouts and beets, carrots and turnips, the massive head of cabbage doesn’t seem to get any smaller, and the celeriac that never really excites me any time of year. I’ve one butternut squash I need to use as well, so I suspect it will be shared at Easter table.
Where are you asparagus?
Eating seasonally has its challenges in spring. Asparagus will arrive soon, but warm weather is late this year and I don’t know when we’ll see those sprouts. Yes, I could buy the asparagus from Mexico, but I don’t want to. I’ll be patient and wait for the best tasting local. I planted a new bed last year, but won’t harvest from it until next year. No sign of fiddlehead ferns yet either. But I’ll put my lettuce starts out soon, hope my peas will sprout, and then spring will officially begin.
Uglier with each passing day
Meanwhile, that cabbage. Those rutabagas, they get uglier by the day. Carrots are at the stage they need to be peeled, and the beets as well. I don’t even want to look at the celeriac, However, we’re still going to feast on them, mix them up a bit, and be thankful we have these winter holdovers while waiting for the spring delights.
We can change things up
Here, we’ve used the Brussels rather than that big old cabbage for our slaw. It was delicious! I changed it up by making a creamy but still light sesame sauce using tahini, toasted sesame oil, and toasted sesame seeds. It turned out great.
A little roasting for sweetness
Roasting those sad veggies covers up a lot of sins, and we didn’t forget about the cabbage, roasting that as well. One of our favorite winter comfort dishes is colecannon, traditionally a mixture of mashed potatoes and boiled or steamed cabbage or kale. But I needed to use up those ugly rutabagas, so they became the base, and the roasting the cabbage added a nice element to the dish. The combination is quite nice, and I’ll keep that in mind, even when we’re not desperate for a different way to use up the last of our stores.
Now, I want some asparagus, and peas, and new radishes…
Brussels Sprouts Slaw with Sesame Three Ways
- 10 oz. (30 g.) Brussels sprouts
- 1 carrot
- A couple of broccoli stems if you have them
- 2 tbsp. toasted sesame seeds
- 2 tbsp. tahini
- 2 tsp. toasted sesame oil
- 1 tsp. sriracha or favorite hot sauce to taste
- 1 tbsp. local honey
- Lemon juice to thin
Trim the brown ends of the sprouts and remove any dried leaves. Put through a food processor fitted with the shredding blade, or use a sharp knife or grater to shred. Shred the carrot and broccoli stems as well, and place all in a bowl.
Toast the seeds until fragrant in a dry pan, this happens quickly, oh the aroma! Then immediately remove from the pan to the rest of the veggies, reserving a few for garnish.
Combine the tahini, sesame oil, sriracha, honey, and whisk well. Add the lemon juice or a little water to thin to desired consistency, then pour over the vegetables and mix well, and garnish with more seeds.
Rutabaga and Roasted Cabbage with Caraway
- One large or two small rutabaga, peeled and chopped
- One-half a large cabbage, purple or green
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 tsp. toasted caraway seeds
- 2 tbsp. vegan or dairy butter
- A splash of oat milk
- 2 fresh scallions, chopped
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. (285 C.). Peel and chop the rutabaga and either steam or boil until soft.
While the rutabaga cooks, slice the cabbage and place on a greased baking sheet along with the unpeeled garlic cloves. Season. Roast for 15 minutes, turn, remove the garlic cloves, and roast another 15 minutes, keeping your eye on them at the last.
Toast the seeds until fragrant in a dry pan, this happens quickly, then immediately remove from the pan to a plate and set aside.
Mash the rutabaga, squeeze in the garlic, add the seeds, butter, and milk and mix well. Then, toss in the cabbage, mix, season, taste, and place in a bowl. Garnish with scallions.
Roasting vegetables will cover up a multitude of sins, and sweeten up those older vegetables.
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Thank you, Dorothy, for the excellent post!
Joanna
Thanks for stopping by Joanna!
Someone has been very busy…and it has not been me! Lovely roasted vegetable platter!
Thanks Suz! I always harbor the illusion that I’ll take a weekend and do it all, but it never happens. Too much other stuff to do!
Thank you Suz! I will be doing extra cleaning this week, full house for Easter!
This was fun to read. Thank you. I occasionally get an urge to do a bit of extra cleaning, regardless of the time of year, but mainly it’s on a need-to-do basis. I do love hanging washing out to dry in the summer though as you do your sheets.
I’m definitely a clean as the will dictates person, and sometimes I do go on a cleaning hag, usually when company’s coming!
I love your soda crate pantry! Here, we converted our back stairway into one. It’s on two levels and is handy if unusual. 😄
What a fun idea! Makes great use of the space, and you can get your steps in as you cook!
What a great post – I can just see your vegetables, piled up, and you being tired of winter roots. The slaw with Brussels sounds excellent.
That’s pretty much what happened! You eat by the seasons too my friend, so in about six months you might be asking yourself what in the world you are going to do with those sprouts!
Well, I wouldn’t have imagined that anything would inspire me to do spring cleaning, but here we are! It was the vision of sheets and linens blowing in the soft breeze that did it for me. ☺️ I love that you included a pic of your pantry. Sweet!
Thanks Terrie! I was going to hang my sheets out today, but it looks like rain! The down side of it all!
As always you’ve given us a good read and a trip down memory lane. My mother used to do the same thing when it was Spring Cleaning day and went through the house like a dervish. Then we had another year to gather and hoard until Mum declared it Spring Cleaning day again. But this busy day was always followed by a lovely Roast dinner. Don’t know how she did it!!
Thanks for stopping by! Dervish is a perfect word! I don’t know how any of the mothers did it back then. My mom worked full time, as did most of those in our village, and it was usually tough factory work. They raised large families in houses with only one bathroom, no clothes dryer, no microwave, and precious few convenience foods.
Of course, they weren’t distracted by electronics and social media!
I remember spring cleaning of days gone by well, but I adopted your practice years ago in that I clean as I go. I don’t have a clothes line, but I can smell that fresh sheet smell just reading about it. Thank you for that.
I think it was a cultural thing back then Judy, at least where I grew up. We all heated with wood and kerosene, which create dusty grimy soot around the house. We needed to purge. I still use wood, but I think the kerosene was the biggest culprit.
Some great ways to maximize your food!
Thanks John! Got to switch things up this time of year.
Wow. Your pantry is so organized and beautiful!
Thanks Mimi! The main spices are organized alphabetically which helps anyone cooking with me, the rest is rather a jumble, but I know where everything is!
You truly have left me breathless just reading! The total clean-up sounds wonderful and is kinda remembered from my younger days also . . . but, these days it is a matter of doing a little bit every ‘free’ day – never totally messy, never really clean! Hmm !!! But – I am a big one for sheets and towels drying outside . . . the smell and feel are totally different to the machine-dried ! Love the sprouts slaw recipe !!!
Thanks! The sprouts salad was a nice change.
I so agree with you about the sheets on the line. Nothing better than clean sheet night!
My husband and I just finished Spring Cleaning as well. We both love roasted vegetables — which we have been eating much of lately. Same reason as you!
Yes, even though we might tire of them if we don’t mix it up a bit, they are local and organic, so it’s the way to go in my book! Happy Spring!
That slaw sounds delicious! I will tuck this recipe into my folder. My mother (and grandmother) used to clean like fiends. I am afraid I haven’t followed in their footsteps. Instead, my philosophy is this: How much can I get away with? The house is usually tidy, but I wouldn’t call it a home that shines. 😉 Very impressive spice shelves!
Thanks Laurie. I clean as I go as well, when something needs addressing, I get to it.
I don’t think I’ve ever waxed a floor in my life!
I love my spice shelves. I bought them from a guy’s barn years ago for absolutely no money and they’ve traveled with me to four houses!
Fantastic! Very impressed.
And there you are! Perfect timing, too, cos my place needs a good cleaning! I’m a clean-as-I-go girl … the only way for me to get the job done without it becoming physically overwhelming. Opening the windows and letting in Spring makes the job much more enjoyable. Nice-looking slaw, D!
Thanks N.! Opening all the windows and doors is the first step!
Clean as you go is best!
I’m a bit naughty with spring cleaning, I find too many things to be doing in the garden to want to be inside (I’m not the world’s biggest fan of housework). However, with our son and his wife visiting from Norway over Easter, even I find the cobwebs a bit embarrassing so a quick spring clean is in order. 😂 Roast winter veggies, too, with a beautiful shoulder of slow-cooked local lamb ~ last of the swede, carrots, parsnips and winter cabbage then let the spring greens celebration begin! 😊
Sounds like a perfect plan, and a wonderful way to welcome in the new season- and green sprouts!
Wow! What a clean house your Mother had with the help of you and your siblings. I pretty much clean as I go, or if something looks bad, it gets cleaned right then and there.
The roasted veggies are always delicious. I also liked the idea of roasted cabbage with the root vegetable—I think you said rutabaga. Yum!
Thanks, Dorothy!
Happy Easter, my friend!
Yes, it was cabbage and rutabaga, and it was really delicious! Thanks for stopping by!
Those were the days when spring cleaning actually was a thing. Now, as you said, we clean as we go. Life was so different back then and most of the moms I knew didn’t work so they had time to do this. Houses were smaller then too. I have never accomplished more than a room at a time and I don’t use anything but lemon Pledge! I cleaned out my rhubarb and a few asparagus and both have popped up. It seems so early but I can’t wait! Have a great day Dorothy.
You too Diane! Thanks for the comment!
Love the title for this one!
Thank you!
I’m reading this, it’s almost 4:00 pm here, my stomach is growling, I’m feeling tired and a little grouchy so I just pulled this post up, leaned back in my chair and cherished every word. Now I’m feeling guilty about my spring cleaning. I cleaned out my napkin rings. That’s all. The recipes look fabulous, I’m thinking about making hambergers and roasted potatoes tonight, maybe I’ll add some unexpected vegetables to my roast! Shake things up around here! Hugs, C
Well, if you cleaned out your napkin rings, I think that qualifies for spring cleaning in my book! Good job!
Nowadays I do clean as I go too! Delicious veggies 😋
Thank you! Clean as you go is the only way it gets done here, unless I’m having a party!
Thanks Dorothy an excellent post and a reminder that I need to get my larder sorted. The weather has still been so cold and wet I have not yet got into that head space. Like you we keep up with the daily chores and with a cat now leaving a trail behind him it is necessary… ♥
All those fur babies! Guess they keep us on our toes!
I too have been “Spring Cleaning” prompted by two kittens who are into everything 🙂
Oh those little scamps!
Loveable scamps but yes they can be like little whirl winds x
New to your blog thanks to Retirement Reflections. Spring cleaning seems to be a thing of the past. I do believe it had to do with cleaning up after the winter heating & lighting of old. Your account of the floor cleaning brought back memories of mom scrubbing on her hands & knees followed by waxing then pulling us kids around on a blanket to polish! I generally clean as I go & as needed but there are a few seasonal tasks like flipping the mattress, washing quilts & coverlets, cleaning under appliances, washing windows, cleaning the cold room. In the words of Nate Berkus – your home should rise up to greet you.
Welcome to the blog, and thank you for your comment! I always enjoy Donna’s posts, so I’m glad you found me there.
Yes, the cleaning was so important after winter. We heated with kerosene and wood, both of which leave quite a mess by spring.
I had to laugh at the image of your mom dragging you kids around the floor on a blanket to polish the newly waxed floors. I bet she had a blast!
Hi Dorothy, a great post. Your comment about your grandmothers store of biscuits made me laugh. Spring cleaning is a great tradition to have. We do it too.
I remember how wonderful the house smelled, like everything was new!
Great post, Dorothy! It brought back some of my childhood memories. Like you, I prefer to clean when the mood hits me, like when the “junk drawer” won’t close any more, I know it’s time to tackle it.
Yes, the junk drawer not closing is definitely a signal! Thanks Janet!
I have spring cleaning house envy. Sigh . . .
Got the junk drawer cleaned out…
I haven’t even gotten that far!
Trying to do it all is what makes me love a rainy day here, now and then 🙂
I reminds me how we loved it when the sheets got caught out in the rain, when they finally dried the scent was out of this world!
Yes, I never rush to save mine from the rain 🙂
polished! 23 2025 If your parsnips are still in the ground, methinks it’s time to dig them up! grand