Cozy Spring Routine: Gardening & Kitchen Tips

Rita Slanina

4 weeks ago

Chickens gardening, playing guitar, and having tea party in flower-filled garden

🌸 NEW Spring Projects With Me: Garden Prep, Chickens, Pavers & Cozy Chaos Begins 🌿🐔

Spring has officially arrived… and apparently so has my inability to do just one project at a time 😅

What started as “let me just go check on the garden beds” quickly turned into painting, planting, paver-laying, chicken-wrangling, and a full-blown seasonal reset.

And honestly? I wouldn’t have it any other way 🌸✨

If you’re into homemaking, gardening, cozy routines, and figuring things out as you go… welcome. You’re in the right place.

👉 Before we dive in—quick hello!
Are you team:
🌿 Garden era
🏡 Clean everything era
😅 Or “we’re just doing our best” era?

Drop it in the comments—I really want to hear where you’re at right now 💬

🌿 Spring Begins in the Garden Beds (AKA Where the Chaos Starts)

We’re kicking things off outside, because that’s where all the magic (and mild confusion) is happening.

Paint is in hand, the garden beds are getting their finishing touches, and I’m prepping everything for planting season.

This is the part where it all starts to feel real—like we’re actually doing this.

The weather has been perfect lately—cool mornings, warm afternoons, and nights dipping down to around 50°F (about 10°C), which is basically nature whispering:
“Girl… plant the tomatoes.” 🌱

And yes… I listened.

🐔 The Broody Chicken Chronicles (Send Help… But Also Don’t)

Now let’s talk about the unexpected subplot of this week…

We had a broody chicken situation.

If you’ve never experienced this, imagine a tiny feathered diva deciding it is her life’s mission to sit on eggs… indefinitely.

No food, no water, no logic—just vibes and commitment 🐔💀

Important detail:
We. Do. Not. Have. A. Rooster.

So there will be no babies. No miracle chicks. Just… emotional dedication.

I had to step in and gently break her out of it—bringing her inside, making sure she ate, blocking off nesting areas at night like some kind of chicken bouncer.

Was it chaotic? Yes.
Did I learn a lot? Also yes.

👉 Tell me in the comments—have you ever dealt with a broody chicken or a pet doing something completely unhinged but committed? 😂

🌱 Planting Tomatoes (and Hoping for the Best)

Alright… onto the planting.

Let me just say—I tried to be gentle with these tomato plants.

I really did.

But there’s always that moment where you transplant something and immediately think:

“…are you okay… or did I just ruin your life?” 😅

They looked a little shocked by the end of the day, not gonna lie. So we’re just… manifesting resilience at this point.

Meanwhile, the chickens are out here acting like certified inspectors.

No training. No credentials. Just vibes and judgment.

And honestly? I love them for it 🐓✨

🌼 Garden Chat + Let’s Talk About YOUR Spring Plans

This is where I need you.

Because I’m out here planting tomatoes, marigolds, and whatever else felt right in the moment… but I know you guys have ideas.

👉 What are you planting this spring?
🌱 Veggies?
🌸 Flowers?
🌿 Herbs?

Or are you just here for the chaos and moral support (valid)?

Drop it below—I want this blog to feel like a conversation, not just me talking to myself in the garden again 😂

🏡 Kitchen Reset + Saying Goodbye (For Now) to My Hydroponic Garden

Back inside… where the kitchen has somehow undone itself while I was outside.

Love that for me 😅

We’re doing a light reset and giving my indoor hydroponic countertop garden a deep clean—and I have to say… this little setup has been an absolute game changer.

Having fresh herbs all winter long without stepping outside? Elite behavior.

But now that we’re moving into spring, it’s time to transition back to the outdoor garden beds.

And honestly… there’s something really special about that.

Walking outside, picking what you need, being part of the process—it just hits different 🌿

👉 Would you ever try a hydroponic setup indoors? Or are you strictly outdoor garden vibes? Let me know!

• Outdoor Pavers:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Pavestone-24-in-x-24-in-x-2-in-Pewter-Square-Concret

e-Step-Stone-73700/100343499

https://amzn.to/4lz3qIj

• White Exterior Paint: https://amzn.to/3Pcb1AG

🌱 Countertop Gardening Hydroponic Countertop Garden

🐔 Slow Mornings, Chickens & Protecting Your Peace

One of my favorite parts of the day is this quiet morning moment with the chickens.

No TV. No noise. No chaos. Just fresh air, soft clucking, and a chance to actually be present.

I’ve been really intentional about limiting screens in the morning—because it’s so easy to wake up and immediately overload your brain.

And I’ve noticed… when I start my day like this?

Everything flows better.

Also—important question:

👉 Have you hugged a chicken before 9am? Because I highly recommend it. 🐔😂

🌸 Front Yard Pavers & The “Rita Method™”

Now we move to the front yard… where I am confidently building something with absolutely no formal plan.

The goal?
Wrap pavers around the house → create a cute, official walkway.

The reality?
Trial, error, vibes, and a surprising amount of success.

And then—introducing my signature move:

✨ The Rita Method™ ✨

Instead of expensive landscaping fabric, we’re using… cardboard.

Yes. Cardboard.

It blocks weeds, breaks down naturally, and costs exactly zero dollars. Sustainable queen behavior 👑

🌿 Flowers, Javelina & Mild Anxiety

So I picked out some flowers—drought-tolerant, hopefully me-proof (because I will over-love them).

And then my neighbor casually asks:

“…but will the javelina eat them?”

Excuse me???

So now I’m researching desert wildlife eating habits like it’s my full-time job.

Apparently, these plants aren’t their favorite… but that’s not exactly reassuring 😅

So we’re just going to… hope for the best.

✨ Wrapping Up: Progress Over Perfection

By the end of the day, I’m covered in dirt, slightly sun-tired, and somehow still thinking about the next project.

But that’s kind of the beauty of this season.

It’s not about having everything figured out—it’s about starting.

Trying things. Adjusting. Learning as you go.

And maybe… just maybe… creating something really beautiful along the way 🌸

🎥 Watch the Full Video + Bonus Content

👉 Watch Today’s Full Video Here: https://youtu.be/xm5EpMC-uC8?si=-LOaSwpqdbg5YQp8

👉 Watch the Trellis Project Video: https://youtu.be/y-mc_llfjPI?si=XhOUEc1iNKLuUGwD

💬 FINAL QUESTION (I WANT ANSWERS 👀)

Alright, before you go…

👉 What’s ONE project you’re starting this spring?
Big or small—I don’t care. I just want to know.

Let’s get a conversation going down below because I know you’re out there reading this… don’t be shy 😂💛

🌸 Calm Morning Reset, Kitchen Rituals & a Little DIY Magic (Because Why Not Do Everything Today?)

Let’s stitch this into your blog like a perfectly fluffed throw pillow… cozy, intentional, and just a little bit dramatic in the best way. ✨

🎀 Calm Morning Clean With Me | Sunday Homemaking Reset Energy

There’s a very specific kind of morning where your brain wakes up before your body… and immediately starts drafting a to-do list longer than your arm. ☕📋

That was this morning.

Standing there, coffee in hand, I had a full internal board meeting:
“Do we declutter?”
“Do we deep clean?”
“Do we spiral and reorganize everything we own?” 😅

Spoiler alert: we did a little bit of everything.

This kind of Sunday homemaking reset isn’t about perfection, it’s about momentum. It’s about picking something and letting it snowball into progress. And honestly? That’s the magic.

We started soft… a little get ready with me, a stretch attempt (keyword: attempt because Bruno had other plans 🐶), and a gentle ease into the day before the projects started stacking up like laundry on a chair.

Because yes…
✨ Kitchen reset
✨ Deep cleaning the stove
✨ Backyard cleanup
✨ DIY dress dye moment (because apparently we’re also fashion designers now?)
✨ Chicken cuddles (non-negotiable)

A full day. A full vibe. A full “buckle up, buttercup” situation.

👉 CTA: What kind of reset person are you? All-in chaos mode or slow and steady? Tell me below, I’m nosy in a loving way. 💬

🧘‍♀️ Stretching… But Make It Chaotic (Thanks, Bruno)

Now in theory, mornings start with stretching… calm, grounded, peaceful…

In reality?

It’s me on the floor, trying to lengthen my spine while a 4-legged emotional support tornado decides this is the perfect time to join the workout. 🐾

Hair? Pulled.
Pose? Ruined.
Dignity? Questionable.

But honestly… I wouldn’t have it any other way.

There’s something about these imperfect little moments that actually anchor the day better than any perfectly executed routine ever could.

👉 CTA: Be honest… do you stretch daily, or is it more of a “we’ll get there eventually” situation? 😂

💄 Clean Beauty, Quick Confidence & Getting It Together (Sort Of)

Before we fully dive into cleaning mode, we do a quick reset on ourselves… because sometimes putting on a little makeup is less about looks and more about flipping the “I’m ready” switch. 💅✨

Lately, I’ve been leaning into clean, natural beauty products that feel lighter, simpler, and honestly… just better.

Think:
✔️ Skin-first foundation
✔️ Soft, natural tones
✔️ No mystery ingredients lurking in the background

It’s less “full glam” and more “I’ve got my life together… or at least I look like I do.” 😌

And that tiny boost? It carries into everything else we do that day.

🍳 Deep Cleaning the Kitchen | My Sunday Reset Secret Weapon

Alright… let’s talk about the unsung hero of this entire routine:

The weekly deep clean.

Not daily.
Not seasonal.
But that magical in-between maintenance that keeps your home from turning into a full-blown crime scene by Thursday. 😅

For me, it’s the Sunday stove + oven reset.

And let me tell you… this one habit? Game. Changer.

Instead of letting buildup sneak up on me, I dedicate one day a week to:
✨ Spray it down
✨ Let it sit (patience is a virtue… allegedly)
✨ Come back and wipe it clean like a domestic goddess in a cleaning commercial

And somehow… it stays cleaner all week.

Even better? It creates a ripple effect. When one space feels clean, you want to maintain it.

Even the hubs gets in on it. 🥹👏

👉 CTA: Do you have a “weekly reset task” like this? Or are we all just winging it and hoping for the best?

👗 DIY Moment: Turning My Wedding Dress Into a Blush Dream

Because clearly… cleaning wasn’t enough for today, we decided to casually dye a dress. 💁‍♀️

As one does.

And not just any dress… my wedding dress.

No pressure. No stakes. Totally chill. 😅

But here’s the wild part… it was WAY easier than I expected.

Like… suspiciously easy.

Once I realized the fabric was polyester, the fear kind of melted away. It’s basically working with a synthetic material, so the outcome felt more predictable than I imagined.

And the color?

✨ Chef’s kiss. ✨

Soft. Blush. Dreamy.
Like it was always meant to be that way.

👉 CTA: Have you ever dyed fabric before? Would you try it or does it feel like a “nope, not risking it” situation?