This Gardener’s Challenge: January

January is looooooong in Chicago. Scientifically, it's 4 times longer than June. It's a fact.

So what do I do with the energy I'd usually be spending on angrily forking my compost heap or tearing out portions of lawn using nothing but a toothpick? I have 30 days to clean and organize my house because, realistically, it won't happen again until next January.

In my case, I really hit the ground running when we moved from Indiana. We moved on Labor Day weekend and I didn't even take a day off of work to get situated after the weekend was over. So, I still have a lot of organizing and unpacking to do from...ugh... September.

I know I choose to have too much stuff, all thrift store finds, because I do believe in Maximalism. I mean- one ceramic squirrel is cute, 45 of them is hillariously House On The Rock. However, I have discovered that organizing 150 vintage hats is not how I want to spend a sunny May afternoon, so why not just do it all now? And I mean ALL of it.

This gardening hobby I have fostered is literally ALL encompassing from March to November and, just like anything in my life, stand in my way and be flattened. So look out kitchen walls (need papering), sewing station, linen collection and ENTIRE basement. You're on my list.

Anyone else in this boat?

Forum yo.